A Message from the Heads: Nicole Folkes, Cissy Goodridge, Krista Koekkoek, and Deirdre Timusk
Dear Upper School Families,
I hope this message finds you well and that you and your daughters have had a restful summer. It’s an honour to begin this school year as the new Head of the Upper School at Havergal, and I am so looking forward to the year ahead.
My role is to oversee the Upper School’s daily operations and to support our incredible administrative and faculty team. More importantly, with Cissy Goodridge (Head of MS), Deirdre Timusk (Head of SS) and Nicole Folkes (Head of Boarding), we’re here to cultivate a school culture where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. We are committed to ensuring that your daughters feel known, valued, cared for and have access to the resources they need to thrive.
I believe that our partnership is essential to your daughter’s success, and I’m eager to get to know you and your family. Together, we can make this a truly wonderful and memorable year for our students.
The ‘Weekly’, this newsletter, will come to your inbox every Friday. It is a key communication tool to know what is going on to contribute to that partnership. Wishing you all the best for a smooth start to the school year!
Warmly,
Krista
Upper School
Celebration Saturday & Friday Night Lights: Friday, September 26
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 26 — you’re invited to two exciting HC community events!
Join us for Celebration Day from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, where our whole community will come together in support of our cherished community partners. Experience our school’s vision and mission in action through House-run games, fun activities, a lively Bazaar, BBQ and Silent Auction.
Interested in contributing to the Bazaar or donating to the Silent Auction? Click here to learn how you can get involved.
Tickets & wristbands will go on sale in mid-September, so be sure to check back here for the purchase link!
Friday Night Lights takes place directly after Celebration Day. Kicking off at 7 pm, this special event will feature a competitive soccer match against Branksome Hall, and is open to all US students, parents, past parents, Old Girls/Alums and community members. Join us to cheer on the Gators, have a bite to eat and enjoy a beer in the 19+ Beer Tent. All proceeds will go toward Havergal’s Ahead of the Game campaign. Junior School students are also welcome to come with their parents. We hope you can come out and show your support!
Fall Athletics and Arts Co-Curricular Programming
Registration for Fall Athletics and Arts Co-curricular programming is open and will CLOSE Sunday, September 7th at 4 pm. Please click here to begin registration. If you need help, or a reminder, please watch this video that will walk you through the process.
Please note that students may attend tryouts/practices only if permission has been given during this registration period via Veracross.
For Athletics:
- Students may register to try out for TWO teams only (this does not include Coach Mentor, Yoga, Tennis Training or Try-It Rowing) – please consult with your child/children to confirm the two teams that they would like to try out for before you complete the online registration.
- Fall Tryout Schedule – The tryout schedule is linked here and can be found on Veracross. The season schedule will be finalized on Sept.11. When you click on the link below, make sure you are looking at the first tab – “FALL 2025.”
- HAVERGAL TRACK JACKET or ¼ ZIP SWEATER: All students on a Havergal team must wear either the Nike track jacket or the Havergal ¼ zip to all games. Athletic clothing will be given out during uniform distribution days. Please write your child’s name on the clothing item as many students will have the same apparel. If your child participated in a fall sport, they likely already have one of these items.
For Clubs:
- Registration for clubs (community and competitive) will begin on September 25.
If you are having trouble with the registration process or have additional questions, please email Director of Athletics, Carla Di Filippo or the Director of Arts, Matthew Varey or watch the video!
Need Help When Submitting Attendance or Registering for Co-curriculars?
We are happy to walk you through our Parent Portal! Together with the Directors of Arts & Athletics, we have put together this short video that will take you through the registration process for tryouts and how to submit attendance.
A Reminder To Submit Your Child’s Health Information
Please complete your child’s Vital Health Record in the Magnus Health Portal to ensure the following information is accurate and updated: health history and conditions, allergies, history of concussions, dietary restrictions and administration of medications from Health Centre nurses. Parents are responsible for updating the school on any changes in your child’s health status throughout the year by updating information in the Magnus Health Portal.
In accordance with Havergal College’s Conditions of Enrolment, parents are required to ensure that their child’s immunization record is up to date and has been submitted to Toronto Public Health (TPH) via the Toronto Public Health Immunization Connect webpage. Immunization records are not kept by Havergal; parents are able to access these records through Toronto Public Health. The Health Centre will assist Boarding students in updating their immunizations.
Student Support
Navigating adolescence can be challenging. At Havergal, we believe that the proactive and relational support of all students contributes to their overall wellbeing and ability to thrive in all areas of their lives. Students have access to a wide range of support to help them explore their future pathways, their social-emotional development, and their learning skills.
A full description of Havergal’s student support can be found in the Family Handbook.
The student support team is comprised of:
| Role | Support Available |
| Form Teacher (for MS) & Teacher Advisors (TA) (for SS) | See your child daily, and can support with day-to-day questions and weekly preparations. First point of contact for questions regarding your child’s experience at Havergal. |
| Guidance Counsellors | Guidance can support students with course selection, timetable updates, pathway planning (university, career), and social-emotional concerns (relationships, conflict, identity, grief, etc.) Guidance Counsellors and information on course change requests is linked here. |
| Learning Support Specialists | Support students with an Individual Education Plan.Grades 7-9 Learning Support Specialists are also their Guidance Counsellors (see above link).Grades 10-12 Learning Support Specialist: Jasmine Luk. |
| Social Workers | Havergal has a registered Social Worker available to students for short-term therapeutic counselling who can assist with referral to external community supports.School Social Worker: Caitlin Parsons. |
| Health Centre | The Health Centre is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and is proactive and responsive to all aspects of student health.Manager of the Health Centre & Lead Nurse: Kayla Kanner. |
| Chaplain | The Chaplain is available to students, staff and parents to support any pastoral needs that may arise. Chaplain: Rev. Jillian Ruch. |
Global Experiences: March 2026 – Vietnam!
During March Break of 2026, we are excited to offer students the opportunity to take part in a Global Experience trip to Vietnam. This journey will invite students to explore Vietnam’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, while deepening their understanding of global citizenship. Through immersive experiences, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections, students will gain new perspectives of the world around and themselves.
More information will be shared with students in the coming weeks about registration. For now please click HERE for more information. If you are interested in learning more please contact Fatima Kaba or Courtney Pickering in the Forum for Change.
Save the Date for Carol Service: Wednesday, December 10, 7 pm
Please save the date for the annual Carol Service!
This signature community event is a wonderful evening to share with your family. All Upper School students are expected to attend, so please mark this evening on your calendars and avoid scheduling other commitments. You can get a feel for the beautiful music we’ll enjoy by watching this video.
Coming Soon – Automatic Payment for Student Billing
Havergal is pleased to introduce Automatic Payment for Student Billing through VC Pay-AutoPay. This new service conveniently eliminates the need to pay bills each month manually and helps avoid late payment fees and missed payments. VC Pay is an automatic payment system integrated with Stripe, where parents register their payment information and authorize the college to automatically withdraw payment for Tuition and/or school fees on a set schedule. Please click here for more information.
Community Involvement Hours Update
We are excited to share that we have moved to a digital process for submitting Community Involvement Hours.
Students will now be required to complete a new digital Community Involvement Form, which must be uploaded directly to Veracross for submission. This transition will ensure more efficient and accurate tracking of student hours.
Instructions on how to submit hours can be found in the following locations:
- Student Portal: On the home page under the green button labelled “Community Involvement”
- Parent Portal: Navigate to “Upper School” > “Student Life” > “Community Involvement”
If you have any questions please reach out to Brittney Dos Santos.
Middle School
Digital Device Reminders
As we begin the school year with our new digital device policy, please review the following diagram with your child before they arrive to school on Tuesday or Wednesday:
Grade 7 Camp Information
Students will depart from the Senior School as per the schedule below. You will receive an email once the buses have arrived at camp and again when we have departed the camp, with their anticipated arrival time at Havergal.
Grade 7 parents: If you have not done so already, please complete and submit this waiver for Campfire Circle Camp.
Please find a packing list here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Cissy Goodridge
Please remember to update Magnus with your child’s health information. If a student has not done so by Sept 3, they will be taken off the roster to attend the camp.
Save the date: Middle School Gator Games, Tuesday, September 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Sport prefects, Emma and Izzy, Sports Council members, Ms. Di Filippo and Ms. Goodridge are thrilled to host you at the 2025 Middle School Gator Games. Join us for a fun-filled parent–child event where you and your child can team up to compete in a variety of games. The evening concludes with a BBQ and plenty of opportunities to connect with other families in your child’s grade. Be sure to save the date, we can’t wait to see you there!
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 5:30-7:30pm
More information including registration details will be in next week’s The Weekly.
Senior School
Grade 9 and 12: Fall Camp Information – Wednesday, September 10 to Friday, September 12
We are so excited to take our students away to camp this fall once again! Students will depart from both the Junior School and the Upper School as per the schedule below.
Please find a packing list here. If you have any questions please reach out to Deirdre Timusk.
Grade 12 parents: If you have not done so already please complete and submit this waiver for Campfire Circle Camp.
| Grade | Departure | Return |
| 9 | Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30 am – Junior School (drop off 7:00 am) | Friday, September 12 at Junior School Approximately 2:30 pm |
| 12 | Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 am – Upper School (drop off at 6:45) | Friday, September 12 at Upper School Approximately 3:00 pm |
Please remember to update Magnus with your child’s health information. If a student has not done so by Sept 3, they will be taken off the roster to attend the camp.
Digital Device Use for Senior School Students
As we begin the school year, please review the following diagram with your daughter before she arrives at school next week.
| Allowed in dining areas during lunch? | Allowed in other areas of school during lunch? | Allowed in class? | Allowed during spares anywhere in school | |
| Smartwatch | Notifications OFF | Notifications OFF | Notifications OFF | Notifications OFF |
| Smartphone | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Tablet/Laptop | Not permitted | YES | YES — notifications OFF | YES |
HC-X Digital Microcredentials: Fall Registration Deadline Extended
There is still time to register your Grade 9-12 student for the PreMedical Studies A: Organic Chemistry and Biology microcredential, in partnership with Harvard Student Agencies. It begins on campus on Monday, September 8th from 4:00-6:00pm. Remaining seats will be available until Thursday, September 4 at 4pm.
Registration for Architecture (Oct-May), Contemporary Finance (Oct-May), Artificial Intelligence (Jan 2026) and Future Lawyers (Jan 2026) is also ongoing.
Unfortunately, the fall sessions of Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking and Future Lawyers (Fall 2025) have been cancelled due to low enrollment.
Please see the HC-X Digital Microcredentials site for program information and registration, or contact Adam Caplan, Director of HC-X.
Reminders
Detailed Opening Week Schedule
The details of the opening week schedule may be found below. During Opening Day, students will spend time getting to know their Teacher Advisor, their school leaders and each other. They will also have their school photos taken, learn about our community expectations and attend important grade-level meetings. Please click on the relevant link below to learn more about the schedule for that day.
Save the Date! Grade 8-12: People & Program Evening, Thursday, September 18, 6 pm
Our US People & Program Evening provides you with an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and hear an overview of the curriculum for each course. The event will be held in person. Full details may be found in the link above. You will receive an email with your personalized schedule just prior to this event.
Next Week In The Upper School
Tue Sept 2 New-to-the-Upper School Student Orientation Day
Grade 7 People and Program 2pm – 4:30
Wed Sept 3 Opening Day – all students
Pizza lunch for Middle School students included (MS)
BBQ lunch for Senior School students included (SS)
Thu Sept 4 8:30 am Classes begin – Day 1
Fri Sept 5 Grad Family Breakfast 7:30 am – 9:00 am
9:30 am Classes begin – Day 2 (late start on Fridays)
The Weekly: Upper School 