Friday, June 13, 2025

On By Havergal Upper School

A Message from the Heads: Cissy Goodridge & Deirdre Timusk

Dear Parents and Students

We can hardly believe it ourselves, but this is our last message for the year! Please mark your calendars to remind you to check for the summer mailings. The first one will arrive on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, containing information about ordering books for the fall. The second mailing, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, will be filled with lots of reminders and important links for you.

As the academic year draws to a close, it’s a bittersweet time filled with celebrations and goodbyes. We recently honored our graduating rowers at their banquet and saw the Class of 2025 pass the torch to the Class of 2026 at our 90th Candlelight Ceremony. Our boarding students are moving out this week, some off to new university adventures. This week culminates with our graduation ceremony, where we’ll celebrate the incredible Class of 2025 with their families on Ratcliffe Field.

As our Class of 2025 graduation speaker, Sarah M, eloquently said: “So, go be brilliant. Be bold. Be driven. Be relentless in your pursuit of justice. But don’t forget to be kind. Be open. And be present. Never forget about compassion as the force that gives us meaning.”

With that inspirational message, we wish you a wonderful summer. Thank you for your unwavering support this year; we’re so proud of our students and feel so lucky to be part of this great community.

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)

CELEBRATION DAY

HCPA

REMINDERS

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

Report Cards available Wednesday, June 18 

Report cards will be available online at 9 am on Wednesday, June 18. 

How to Access Student Files:

  1. Sign into the Veracross Parent Portal
  2. In the upper left, select My Children, then select Student Files under the child you wish to view

In the Files section, select Download next to the file you wish to view.

Safety Reminder for Families

As we head into the summer, we wanted to share some resources with families to help support safety. A few Toronto schools have shared that there were incidents of students in their communities being approached. In each incident students sought support appropriately and reached out to their schools. 

Student safety is always our highest priority. Whether students are walking to school, taking transit, or spending time off campus during lunch or after school, it’s important they feel confident in how to respond if something doesn’t feel right.

Please also remind your child that our school security team is always available to help. They can be reached by calling the main school number: 416-483-3519. We encourage students to save this number in their phones.

You may find the following resources from Toronto Police Services helpful as part of your family conversations:

A Message from Toronto Public Health

Please take a moment to read THIS LETTER from Toronto Public Health. It contains vital information and tips to help your family stay healthy, active, and safe this summer. Key topics include vaccinations, sun safety, active living, and important resources for all ages.

Green & Gold Closes Today & Will Reopen Wednesday, August 6

The Green & Shop is closed for summer holidays on Friday, June 13 and reopen on Wednesday, August 6. It will also be closed on Friday, August 29.

Preparing for 2025-26 School Year 

“Back to School” information for the 2025-2026 school year will be communicated to families in two summer messages. The first message will be sent by email on Wednesday July 2 and the second message on Wednesday August 20.

Request from Marian Wood House: Save your clothes!

While you are cleaning out your closet this summer, we ask that you save old clothes that are in good condition to donate to the thrift for Celebration Day in support of our Community Partnerships.

CELEBRATION DAY

Save the date: Friday, September 26

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!

HCPA

Pre-loved Uniform Sale: Wednesday, August 27

Mark your calendars for a Pre-Loved Uniform sale on Wednesday, August 27 from 11 am to 2pm in the Brenda Robson Hall at the Upper School.

HCPA Volunteers Roles Still Available 

Interested in getting involved with the HCPA? There are a few positions still available, including Auction Coordinator Co-Chair. Email hcpa.committee@gmail.com for more information.

REMINDERS

Exam Viewing: Optional Opportunity for Students:  Friday, June 20,  8 – 10:30 am

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. Students interested in exam viewing can find the location for drop-in for each of their courses/exams here.

2025-2026 Athletics Schedule

The athletic schedule for 2025-2026 is now posted. The schedule will be added to Veracross over the summer, however, anyone who would like to see games, championships dates and (eventually) practices, feel free to look here: US ATHLETICS SCHEDULE 2025-2026. Please save this doc as it is always the most up to date sports schedule and please note that this schedule always has the potential to change.

Another Gentle Reminder: Time to Return School Items!

We kindly request that you return all athletic uniforms, band instruments, and library books to the school as soon as possible.

Community Involvement Hours Updated System Coming Soon! 

A new form has been created for any volunteering opportunities students attend over the summer. Please find the form linked below.

Important: Any old forms will need to be redone using the updated form linked above and submitted in September once the new process is live (instructions to be published on veracross). If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email Brittney Dos Santos.

Grade 8 Parents –  Final Reminder to Register for Camp! 

  • Click  HERE for the link to register your daughter.
  • Click HERE to review the AAR (Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form) 

If your daughter is not attending the trip please email Head of Senior School, Deirdre Timusk. Finally, a gentle reminder to update your daughter’s Magnus Health Information by July 1!

Grade 11 Parents – Final Reminder to Register for Camp! 

  • Click HERE to register your daughter
  • 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) 

If your daughter is not attending the trip please email Head of School, Deirdre Timusk. Finally, a gentle reminder to update your daughter’s Magnus Health Information by July 1.

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