A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk
Dear Parents and Students
Tuesday marked a truly special moment in the Havergal calendar as we celebrated Founders’ Day, commemorating the laying of the cornerstone of our Upper School on Avenue Road. It’s the one day each year when our entire community—students from Grades 1 to 12, faculty, staff, families, and Old Girls—gathers at St. Paul’s Church for a meaningful service. Led by Reverend Jillian Ruch, the celebration featured beautiful performances by all four school choirs and inspiring reflections on tradition and change from Dr. Samson, Old Girl Dr. Mary Grant (Class of 2001), and Grade 12 student Suri Li. To view photos from our Founders’ Day event, please click HERE.
Later in the week, our community turned its focus to Earth Week, with a variety of thoughtful activities organized by the Forum for Change Council. Highlights included a Hunger Banquet to deepen understanding of poverty and food insecurity in Toronto, as well as guest speakers Judy Reda from North York Harvest Food Bank and Josephine Sindani, who shared her powerful journey from food bank client to successful business owner. It was a week rich in learning, reflection, and meaningful action as students explored how to care for both people and the planet.
Also this week, the Social Sciences department hosted its 13th annual interdisciplinary evening for Grade 12 students, examining the role of social sciences in understanding world events such as the Rwandan genocide. The evening featured thoughtful discussions and insights from special guests Associate Professor Ira Wells (Victoria College, UT) and former ICC Deputy Prosecutor James K. Stewart.
Finally, our senior student art exhibit continues this week, running from April 24 to 27 at the Northern Contemporary Gallery in Roncesvalles—a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their creativity in a professional gallery setting. If you are in the neighbourhood, we hope that you will drop by.
Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School
Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School
Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:
UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)
SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)
- Global Learning Project: Japan March 2026
- Explore Language, Culture, and History on an Immersive Trip to Guadeloupe in March 2026
- Next Week in Morning Programming
HCPA
- Moms’ Night Out: Thursday, May 22
- Junior School Amazing Race
- Havergal Frames
- Relay for Life – Join our team!
REMINDERS
UPPER SCHOOL
Announcement: Kate Crokam as Executive Director, Advancement
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kate Crokam as Executive Director, Advancement, effective May 1, 2025.
A seasoned advancement leader with more than 15 years of experience in the independent school sector, Kate brings a proven track record of building strong donor relationships, fostering community engagement and leading strategic philanthropic and alumni engagement initiatives. She has held key roles at Upper Canada College, The Bishop Strachan School, and most recently at Havergal, where she has served as Director of Advancement (interim) and Director of Alumni Engagement since 2022.
Kate is a passionate advocate for girls’ education, having worked at two independent girls’ schools. In addition, she is a parent of two independent school graduates, a perspective that enables her to bring a deep understanding of the independent school community, as well as a strong personal commitment to Havergal’s values. Her thoughtful leadership, authentic relationship-building and results-oriented approach have already made a significant impact within the Advancement team and broader school community.
In her new role, Kate will lead Havergal’s Advancement team efforts, shaping a bold and sustainable future through strategic fundraising and engagement. We are excited for her continued leadership as we work together to inspire generosity and deepen connections within our vibrant Havergal network.
You can reach Kate at kcrokam@havergal.on.ca
Please join me in congratulating Kate on her appointment. I look forward to the opportunity to introduce her to our parent community in her capacity as Executive Director, Advancement.
Warmly,
Dr. Katrina Samson
Principal
Announcement: Haver-Honey Available
In celebration of Earth Week, we are pleased to offer Haver-Honey, harvested directly from our school’s own beehive in partnership with Alvéole, our urban beekeeping collaborators.
This initiative not only supports environmental education and sustainability efforts at our school but also provides a delicious, locally sourced product made by our hardworking bees.
Haver-Honey jars are available for purchase at $10 each, with proceeds supporting ongoing eco-initiatives and learning opportunities for students.
If you would like to place an order, please email Fatima Kaba in the Forum for Change.
Thank you for supporting our bees, our students, and the planet—one sweet jar at a time.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Next week in the Middle School
On Tuesday April 29, we will welcome Judy Reda the Community and Corporate Fundraising Manager from the North York Harvest Food Bank to the Middle School. Judy will share her experience working with the organization and where the food that gets donated goes. Judy will return on May 13th, as we turn our Brenda Robson Hall into a sorting centre and the students will sort the food that we raised in our recent canned food drive. As a reminder, our community is in desperate need of canned meat and seafood and we are asking our students to consider bringing in a can of tuna or salmon to augment our food drive.
On Wednesday, the excitement continues within our House system as we launch our House Shout practice season with an engaging kick-off assembly. Students will have the opportunity to view examples of past House Shouts to help them get pumped up for this exciting annual House event!
SENIOR SCHOOL
Global Learning Project: Japan March 2026
We are excited to share an upcoming student travel opportunity to Japan that will immerse students in the vibrant contrasts between tradition and modernity. From the bustling cityscape of Tokyo to the tranquil surroundings of Mount Fuji, this trip offers a unique chance to explore how cultural heritage and innovation coexist in contemporary Japanese society. A very draft itinerary can be found HERE.
To provide students with more information about the trip, we will be hosting a lunch and learn session on May 1 at 12:15pm. We encourage students who are interested in travel, global learning, and cultural exploration to attend. The session will outline trip highlights, learning goals, and the application process.
If your child is curious about the world and eager to grow as a global citizen, we hope they’ll join us to learn more about this exciting opportunity.For more information you can contact Fatima Kaba. Student Application deadline May 20, 2025.
Explore Language, Culture, and History on an Immersive Trip to Guadeloupe in March 2026
This Global Experience to Guadeloupe brings the French language to life through an unforgettable cultural experience. This immersive journey will allow students to explore the dynamic blend of African, European, and Caribbean influences that define Guadeloupean identity, all while deepening their French language skills.
From lively local markets to scenic coastal adventures, this 8-day trip offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Students will participate in Creole language and cooking classes, engage in workshops on traditional music, dance, and clothing, and explore the complex history of slavery and colonialism with a powerful visit to the Memorial ACTe museum. They’ll also enjoy kayaking, hiking, and eco-conservation sessions, gaining insight into local industries and the environment—all while practicing French in real-world contexts.For more information you can contact Kayleen Hogan. Student Application deadline May 20, 2025.
Next Week in Morning Programming
Next week offers a blend of community building and academic preparation for our Senior School students. Our Grade 9 and 10 students will participate in games thoughtfully designed by their Grade Representatives. These student-led activities aim to foster a strong sense of community and belonging, which we recognize as fundamental to a positive learning environment.
Our Grade 11 students will focus on developing essential exam preparation strategies in a dedicated session with our Learning Strategies teacher, Ms. Blore. This targeted support will equip them with the skills necessary for success in their upcoming assessments.
Our graduating students will benefit from an insightful presentation by the University of Waterloo’s Arts-History Undergraduate Chair. This session will provide invaluable guidance on maximizing success in the university setting. Key topics will include effectively utilizing academic resources such as Teaching Assistants, faculty office hours, the Student Success Office, and the Writing Centre, alongside practical strategies for active classroom engagement. This is an excellent opportunity for our graduating class to gain practical tips for a smooth and successful transition to university.
On Wednesday, the excitement continues within our House system as we launch our House Shout practice season with an engaging kick-off assembly. Students will have the opportunity to view examples of past House Shouts to help them get pumped up for this exciting annual House event!
HCPA
Moms’ Night Out: Thursday, May 22
- Get your tickets for the HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out (MNO) at Taylors Landing on Thursday, May 22. Click here to purchase tickets.
Junior School Amazing Race
- The Junior School A-mazing Race is looking for student volunteers (Grades 9 – 12) to help out with the race on May 4. If you know someone who can help out, have them reach out to Courtney McNeille at cmcneillie@havergal.on.ca for more information. We would LOVE to have their spirit and enthusiasm, and volunteer hours can be earned!
Havergal Frames
- Havergal frames are on sale until Wednesday, May 1. Click here to order.
Relay for Life – Join our team!
Havergal, UCC, and Crescent School are teaming up to host the COSSOT Relay for Life on Wednesday, May 1, from 4:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the UCC Oval.
- This powerful event brings together over 1000 students, staff, and parent reps from COSSOT schools in support of cancer research and those impacted by cancer.
- The HCPA is entering a parent team, and we’d love your support!
Ways to Get Involved:
- Donate to the HCPA team here
Interested in joining the parent team (8–15 members)? Reach out by this Sunday, April 27 to your class rep today or join the HCPA team here.
REMINDERS
Relay for Life, Thursday, May 1, 4:30 – 9:00 pm
Relay for Life will take place 4:30 – 9:00 pm at the Upper Canada College Oval. Your child may be asking for your support to sign up for Relay, which requires a credit card to pay the $20 registration fee (all of which goes to our fundraising total) and to support their fundraising efforts.
Here is the link to our Relay Page if you want to support a team or help your daughter register.
June Exam Schedule
Exams will take place at Havergal June 2 – 11 for Senior School students and June 9 – 11 for Middle School students.
- Please see the Full Exam Schedule for details.
- For more context, including suggestions for supporting students leading up to and during exams, here is an overview of Havergal’s purpose and process in approaching exams.
Should you have questions about Havergal’s final exam planning or process, please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Academic Operations, Jennifer Goldberg.
NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL
Thursday, May 1
- Relay for Life, 4:30 – 9:00 pm @UCC
The Weekly: Upper School 