A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk
Dear Parents and Students
Even as some of our students prepare for their next adventures, we remain committed to creating the bonds that make our school so special. The events that take place in the last few weeks of school build lasting memories for students who are leaving as well as those who remain behind.
This week, we saw an example of this commitment with our Teddy Bear & Friends Picnic, where our SK and JK students shared a popsicle and their favourite stuffie with the Grade 12s. This tradition shows how we connect our youngest learners with our graduating class, fostering a sense of belonging. If you haven’t already, please do check out the absolute cuteness on our Instagram page! This event took place after the Grads had already been up since dawn watching the sun rise as a graduating class and then went to Grad Prayers for a final goodbye to the school as a class. It was a big, busy day with a lot of crying!
The community building was also evident in our House program. The school celebrated as the House Shout award went to EK House and, for the second consecutive year, the overall House Banner going to CS. We’re so proud of all our House Captains; their collaborative spirit and dedication have been instrumental in building the strong House community that’s at the heart of the Havergal experience.
Finally, we were moved by Dr. Samson’s inspiring words on the power of gratitude and its role in our sustained well-being. She shared her appreciation for each grade’s unique contributions, highlighting how every grade and student help make Havergal such a special place. And, it was a true honour to present this year’s Mason Medal to Victoria G., recognizing her remarkable ability to connect with so many students, her thoughtful nature, and her unwavering dedication to our school community.
We are grateful to be part of such a special place!
Warmly,
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)
- Round Square South Africa Video Information Session Recording
- Exam Viewing–Optional Opportunity for Students
- Student Health Updates for the 25-26 School Year
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)
- Middle School Exams are on Monday, June 9 and Tuesday June 10
- Locker Clean Out – Thursday, June 4 at 3:15 pm
- In Form this week
SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)
HCPA
- Moms’ Night Out Thank You!
- Pre-loved Uniform & Used Textbooks Drop Off on Wednesday, June 11
- Celebration Day Bazaar – Call for Vendors
REMINDERS
- Celebrate Grade 8
- Spring Sports Uniforms
- Grade 8 Parents: Registration for Camp New Moon!
- Grade 11 Parents: Registration for Grade 12 Campfire Circle!
- Band Instrument Return
UPPER SCHOOL
Round Square South Africa Video Information Session Recording
Please see the recording below for the information on the Round Square South Africa Experience.
- If you have any questions, please contact Garth Nichols at gnichols@havergal.on.ca, the trip coordinator, or the trip leaders: Krista Koekkoek at kkoekoek@haverga.on.ca, or Ryan Brown at rbrown@havergal.on.ca
- We welcome all application inquiries at this time
- Zoom Recording CLICK HERE
- Highlights:
- Overview of IDEALS, Sites, Accommodations etc…: 0:00 – 19:30 mins
- Intro to our Trip Leaders Ms. Koekoek and Mr. Brown 19:30 – 22:50vmins
- Edu-Africa Tour Provider information, Health & Safety: 22:50 – 37:00 mins
Exam Viewing–Optional Opportunity for Students
- Learning opportunities related to term assessment are rich and plentiful throughout every course, whereas the primary purpose of final assessment–scheduled at the end of the period of learning–is to summarize and convey what students know and can do with respect to the course’s overall curriculum expectations.
- Final assessments–including exams–sometimes raise questions for students about their next steps on a multi-year learning journey. For this reason and in such cases, Havergal invites students to visit campus to review their exam(s) on a drop-in basis on Friday, June 20, from 8–10:30 am.
- This optional opportunity will offer students the chance to see their exam; it is not an opportunity to ask for their mark to be changed. Should the teacher or student uncover any numerical exam errors, these will be referred to the Director of Academic Operations for resolution.
- Students interested in exam viewing can find the location for drop-in (Friday, June 20th, 8-10:30 am) for each of their courses/exams here.
Student Health Updates for the 25-26 School Year
It is that time of year when the Health Centre requires you to renew and update health information for your child if they are returning to Havergal in the fall.
Health information is collected for all students to support their safety, health, and wellbeing during their time at Havergal for any related activities.
You will receive an email prompting you to log in to Magnus (Havergal’s Medical Information System) the week of June 1st. You must log in even if no health information has changed to confirm the information we have is still correct and answer any new questions.
When you log in, you may see that some of your responses appear to be out of compliance. The non-compliance message is for the 2025-26 school year. You will see that your current year’s responses are valid until July 1, 2025:
As a reminder, per Havergal College’s Conditions of Enrolment, your child’s immunization record must be up to date and submitted to Toronto Public Health Immunization Connect Ontario website.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School Exams are on Monday, June 9 and Tuesday June 10
- The full exam schedule is here.
- All Middle School exams are 90 minutes in duration, with start times at 9:00 am for morning exams and 1:00 pm for afternoon exams.
- Standard time exams will all take place in the Double Gym, and students with accommodations will write all of their exams in B65/B66.
- If your child is ill on the day of the exam, please report their absence on the Parent Portal as you would on a regular school day.
- Calculator Check: As hundreds of students are writing exams at the same time we ask that you double check with your daughter that she has her own calculator. She will not be able to borrow one from the Math Department for her exam.
- Students should wear their regular uniform to exams and ensure they bring their swipe card.
Locker Clean Out – Thursday, June 4 at 3:15 pm
Please encourage your daughter to begin to bring items in her locker home this week.
She may keep her lock on her locker to put valuable items during exams but everything else must be removed by June 6 at 1:30pm.. All locks must be removed by the end of the day on June 11 3:30pm.
In Form this week
Our final week in Middle School will be a busy one. On Monday the students should arrive at the morning program with the necessary items to study for their math and science exams. Teachers will be available to help them with any questions that they may have.
The week will continue with their Form breakfast on Tuesday and students are encouraged to bring in a treat to share. On Wednesday our grade 8’s will have the opportunity to hear from Joe Sanini who will share her story of being a North York Harvest Food Bank recipient to CEO of her own construction company the JS Group – an inspiring story of resilience and success.
The week concludes with two assemblies that honour the achievements of our Middle School students. On Thursday our students will be honoured for their leadership contributions throughout the year and on Friday, we will say farewell to our Grade 8 class as we celebrate their time in the Middle School.
SENIOR SCHOOL
Graduation & End of the Year Information
We are looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2025. Below is an outline of key information for Graduation and the End of the Year.
Thursday, June 12
- No Uniform Required
- Rehearsal for Candlelight Ceremony: Grade 11 & 12 students will meet in the BRH at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm to rehearse for Candlelight.
- NEW! Pizza Lunch – provided 12:30 pm
- Graduation Rehearsal: Grads meet in the BRH at 1 – 2 pm.
- Candlelight Ceremony (Students Only): Students should arrive by 5:45 pm and meet in their assigned classrooms. Students are dressed in an all-white outfit.
Friday, June 13 – Graduation Day
8 – 8:15 am
Grads pick up their cap & gown in the Drama Studio (personal belongings can be left here).
8:15 – 9 am
Grad class will gather in the BRH for a light breakfast and to pick up their flowers from the school.
9 am
Grad class will gather in the BRH for a class photograph on the stage.
9:30 am
Grads will line up and prepare to process.
10 am
Graduation Ceremony
12:30 pm (approximately)
Graduation Reception in the Athletic Centre.
While there is no limit to the number of guests each family may bring, each family has one parking pass that was mailed to them with the invitation.
Please refer to the email sent to Graduates and Families on Monday, May 26 for more information, as well as to Frequently Asked Questions.
Grade 9-12 Exams begin Monday, June 2
- Exams for Grade 9-12 courses begin on Monday, June 2. The full schedule is here.
- All Senior School exams are two hours in duration, with start times at 9:00 am for morning exams and 1:00 pm for afternoon exams.
- Standard time exams will all take place in the Double Gym, and students with accommodations will write all of their exams in B65/B66.
- Students should arrive 15 minutes early for each exam, in their regular school uniform.
- From June 2–11, students are not required to be at school except for the period of time when their exam is being written.
- If your child is ill on the day of the exam, please report their absence on the Parent Portal as you would on a regular school day.
- Please note that a final summative evaluation is required to complete each Senior School course. Medical documentation must be provided for any exam absence and the exam must be made up at another time and place. Contact Jennifer Goldberg, Director of Academic Operations, for more information.
- Calculator Check: As hundreds of students are writing exams at the same time we ask that you double check with your daughter that she has her own calculator. She will not be able to borrow one from the Math Department for her exam.
HCPA
Moms’ Night Out Thank You!
Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s amazing Moms’ Night Out! Click Here for photos.
Pre-loved Uniform & Used Textbooks Drop Off on Wednesday, June 11
Drop off pre-loved uniforms and used textbooks (for donation only) at the Upper School on Wednesday, June 11 (7:30 – 11:30 a.m. EK Library). More information will be sent out next week in News You Can Use.
Celebration Day Bazaar – Call for Vendors
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 26 Celebration Day! We are reaching out to Old Girls/Alum, parents, past parents, students and staff/faculty with an opportunity to participate in this year’s Bazaar or to donate an experience or prize to our Silent Auction. All funds raised will be donated to our Community Partners. Click here to find out all the details and book your vendor slot by July 1!
REMINDERS
Celebrate Grade 8
We look forward to celebrating the achievements of your daughter’s on Friday, June 6th, at 2:00 pm in the BRH. Please RSVP HERE to attend the ceremony and reception. All family members are welcome.
Spring Sports Uniforms
Please return all spring sports uniforms (or uniforms from other seasons) this week. Uniforms can be returned to Ms. Di Filippo in the HPE Office. Unreturned or misplaced uniforms will result in a replacement fee.
Grade 8 Parents: Registration for Camp New Moon!
With over 20 new grade 9 students arriving in September the Class of 2029 will travel to Camp New Moon to take part in community building activities. This will take place from Wednesday, Sept 10 – Friday, Sept 12. Please register for camp by Monday, June 9.
- Click HERE for the link to register your daughter by Monday, June 9.
- Click HERE to review the AAR (Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form)
There will be a virtual parent information session on Thursday, June 5 at 8 pm which will be recorded and the link will be available in the final edition of The Weekly.
- Passcode: 171301
- Zoom Meeting: https://havergal.zoom.us/j/82736590389?pwd=E2LJtD5fKwMoIPMDcw6BTdo5xDFTjy.1
- Meeting ID: 827 3659 0389
Grade 11 Parents: Registration for Grade 12 Campfire Circle!
The camp will be held at the beautiful Campfire Circle Camp and will take place Wednesday, Sept 10 to Friday September 12. During this time students will take part in important university information sessions, begin to unpack their Core Strengths profile to learn more about themselves as leaders, and begin their journey bonding together as the Class of 2026 .
- Click HERE to register your daughter by Monday, June 9.
- Click HERE to complete the waiver for Campfire Circle. Be sure to pick the correct camp from the drop down menu.
- Click HERE to review the AAR (Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form)
There will be a virtual parent information session on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 pm which will be recorded and the link will be available in the final edition of The Weekly.
- Zoom Meeting: https://havergal.zoom.us/j/82574961726?pwd=4XSKR4zWIOFQMTB6Uv5JZ2UO209VzA.1
- Meeting ID: 825 7496 1726
- Passcode: 522682
If your daughter is going to help at the Grade 7 camp she will complete the paperwork in the fall.
Band Instrument Return
This is a reminder that all Band instruments, books and folders need to be returned to the school no later than June 7th. This includes any home instruments such as tubas, bell kits, drumsticks and mallets. If your child wishes to keep their instrument over the summer please have them speak to their Band teacher, and if they are currently enrolled in a Band class they can return these items during their classes.
All graduating students need to ensure that they have returned all items to the Band room and if applicable, picked up their personal instruments before they leave campus.
Thanks for an awesome Band season and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!
NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL
Monday, June 2
- Grade 7, 8 classes continue
- Grade 9-12 exams begin and continue all week
Friday, June 6
- Period 1 starts at 8:30 am for Middle School
- Grade 7, 1:30 dismissal
- Grade 8, Celebrate Grade 8, BRH at 2 pm
The Weekly: Upper School 