One of the greatest strengths of our community is the way we come together to share our diverse experiences and support one another. This week, our student leaders, alumni, and school spirit were all in full swing, reminding us how fortunate we are to learn and grow together each day.
We began the week with Wellbeing Prayers, a meaningful celebration of our shared commitment to nurturing mental health and wellbeing across our community. Our Wellbeing Prefects and their council opened the gathering by sharing their hopes and plans for promoting wellbeing throughout the year.
That same evening, our Havergal Connection Series brought together current parents and alumni to explore practical ways to help students build resilience and self-confidence as they navigate today’s complex world. It was a thoughtful and engaging conversation that truly reflected our community’s care for student growth and wellbeing.
Midweek, on Thrive Day there were plenty of smiles as we welcomed the Sunshine Therapy Dogs to campus. Their visit offered students a joyful and calming opportunity to pause, connect, and recharge — an experience that quickly became a highlight of the week.
As the week came to a close, we fully embraced the Halloween spirit with pumpkin carving, costume contests, door decorating, candy, and games — making it a Halloween to remember!
Happy Halloween – LET’S GO JAYS – and have a great weekend,
Cissy
Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following:
Upper School (7-12)
- Unlock Your Evening Potential! The Havergal Evening Study Program for Day Students
- We Scare Hunger for the Holidays
- Re-enrolment & Financial Support for 2026/27
- Winter Sports Registration is Open!
- Parents as Partners Presents: Exploring Futures Together – How foresight is shaping organizations and schools and why it matters for Havergal
Middle School (7-8)
Senior School (9-12)
- Grade 10 Parents: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
- University Visit
- Rowing Parent Information Zoom Session
- In Morning Programming Next Week
Boarding School
HCPA
Reminders
- Havergal Connections Presents: Beyond the Bar – Law Networking Breakfast
- Choose Your Yearbook Portrait!
Next Week In The Upper School
Monday, November 3, 2025
- Morning: Grade Programming
- US Bake Sale EK Library
Tuesday
- Prayers: Global Excursions
Wednesday
- Morning: Form & TA Programming
Thursday
- Midterm Break
- Professional Development Day for Faculty
Friday
- Midterm Break
Upper School
Unlock Your Evening Potential! The Havergal Evening Study Program for Day Students
Ready to make the most of your after-school time? The Havergal Evening Study Program for Day Students provides a focused and supportive environment for you to complete your schoolwork, collaborate with peers, and get a taste of the life of a boarding student.
This program is perfect for day students in Grades 9-12 who are looking for a dedicated time and space to boost their academic focus.
Our goal is to help you build great study habits and get your work done efficiently.
This program offers you:
- A Structured Study Time: A quiet, distraction-free environment to get your work done, with supervision from our trained boarding staff.
- A Chance to Collaborate: An opportunity to work on group projects or discuss assignments with classmates in a productive setting.
- Access to Support with Planning and Prioritizing: A consistent time to focus on your specific learning needs or goals, defined in collaboration with your parents and Guidance Counsellor.
- A Taste of Boarding Life: Experience the benefits of a structured evening routine and build connections within the Havergal community.
Who Can Join:
Senior School students in Grades 9-12
Your Schedule:
- 5:15 PM: Check-in for dinner (swipe card required)
- 6:00 PM: Check-in for Evening Study
Cost:
$40 (for a 4-day study week)
Get Started!
The program will begin the week of November 11. We recommend signing up in advance to secure your spot, as space may be limited.
How to Sign Up:
- Look for registration in the Weekly; here is registration for the Week of November 11th.
- Your Guidance Counsellor will also have more information.
Questions about the program – contact Jessica Randall, Assistant Head of Boarding, Academics
We Scare Hunger for the Holidays
We Scare Hunger for the Holidays is back for the month of November. This long standing drive with North York Harvest Food Bank brings goods to the food bank for the holiday season. Students are encouraged to get involved with the community drop off and pick up days or bring non-perishable food items to the box in Temerty which will be available until November 21, 2025.
Re-enrolment & Financial Support for 2026/27
- Re-enrolment for the 2026/27 school year opens on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and closes on Monday, February 2, 2026.
- Families who currently receive financial support, or who wish to apply for support for next year, must have a complete application, through Apple Financial, by January 2, 2026.
- To ensure there’s enough time to review your information, we strongly encourage families to submit their Apple Financial application by December 15, 2025. This will allow time for any additional documents Apple Financial may request to be uploaded before the January 2 deadline.
- Please note that applications not completed by January 2 will only be reviewed if funds remain available.
- If you have any questions about Financial Support at Havergal, please reach out to Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director of Strategic Enrolment Management, at
Winter Sports Registration is Open!
Registration for Winter Athletics tryouts is open and will close on Sunday on Monday, November 10. If you are trying out for hockey, please complete registration by Monday, November 3!
Please click here to register for Winter Athletics tryouts. This link will take you to the Parent Portal, which contains the registration link (look for the green box labelled “Winter Athletics”).
Please note the following:
- Parents must consent for students to attend tryouts/practices. This is done through the registration link.
- Students may only register to try out for TWO teams (this does not include Coach Mentor, Yoga, or Rugby Training). Please consult with your child/children to confirm their selections before you complete the online registration.
- Winter Tryout Schedule (Tab: Winter): The season schedule will be finalized on November 19.
- There is no confirmation email or email reminder about when and where the tryouts take place. Families must look at the schedules and students must attend their specific tryout.
If you are having trouble with the registration process or have additional questions, please email the Director of Athletics, Carla Di Filippo.
Parents as Partners Presents: Exploring Futures Together – How foresight is shaping organizations and schools and why it matters for Havergal.
Join us Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the Brenda Robson Hall/Legacy Theatre for a thought-provoking evening featuring:
- Suzanne Stein, internationally recognized futurist, Associate Professor at OCAD University, and Director of the Super Ordinary Lab
- Lindsay Norberg, Deputy Principal at Havergal College
- Facilitated by Allison Campbell-Rogers, HC-X
Open to all parents, alumni, faculty/staff and prospective families, it’s a great opportunity to learn what futures thinking is, why it matters for young people, and how it’s being applied in education and beyond. This free event requires registration. Click here to register.
Middle School
In Form programming next week
- In Grade 7 next week, we’ll explore what it truly means to create a community where everyone feels valued and supported. We’ll begin by unpacking key terms—equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging—to build a shared understanding of their meanings and how they connect to our daily experiences. A particular focus will be placed on the difference between equity and equality. Through discussion and examples, we’ll consider how these ideas shape the way we interact, learn, and build a more just environment together.
- In Grade 8, students will work with our guidance team to deepen their understanding of the differences between worry, stress, and anxiety. Through guided discussions and case studies, they will develop greater self-awareness and practice applying effective strategies to manage their emotions in positive ways.
Senior School
Grade 10 Parents: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
- During morning grade programming on Monday, November 3, Grade 10 students will attend a session guiding them through downloading and testing the software required by EQAO to write the OSSLT.
- During this session, students will also review the format of the test and have the opportunity to begin a full-length practice test.
- Students will write the test itself at Havergal on Wednesday, November 12.
- Attendance on both of these dates is critical for students to set themselves up for success in completing this graduation requirement.
Contact the Director of Academics, Jennifer Goldberg, with questions.
University Visit
St. Francis Xavier University rep will be visiting Havergal on Tuesday, November 4, from 12:15pm-1:00pm in Room B16 to speak with Grade 9-12 students about their campus, applications and programs.
Rowing Parent Information Zoom Session
Any Senior School student who is interested in learning more about rowing at Havergal is encouraged to join the Rowing Parent Information Zoom on Monday, November 3, 2025 from 7-8 pm. The information session is for both students and parents as rowing is a commitment for participating families as well.
Any questions about rowing can be directed to Michael Greig, Head Rowing Coach.
In Morning Programming Next Week
Our students are focused on key developments this week.
Grade 9s will be learning essential time management strategies to better handle their new Senior School workload.
Grade 10s are preparing for the upcoming Ontario Literacy Test with an OSSLT practice session.
Grade 11s will focus on relationship building through organized games.
The Class of 2026 will continue to learn about each other in our Core Strengths program by creating bracelets based on their personal profiles.
Boarding School
Boarding Monthly Newsletter
Please enjoy our latest issue of Boarding Life: Parent Edition.
HCPA
US Bake Sale
The Upper School Bake sale is on Tuesday November 4, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm in the Ellen Knox Library. It’s a universally acknowledged fact – you can never have too much cake. Click here to sign up and share something sweet.
Pre-Loved Uniforms: Volunteers Needed Now!
Our Pre-Loved Uniforms fundraiser is off to a fantastic start, and we need your help to keep the momentum going! The HCPA team is looking for volunteers to collect donations from the Junior and Upper School bins, sort and wash uniforms, and return items to the HCPA closet.
- This commitment happens only once a year, but your support right now is essential to help us build on the success of this important fundraiser.
If you can lend a hand, please join us — every bit of help makes a big difference! Contact us: hcpapreloveduniform@gmail.com
Parent Pub Night is on Thursday November 20, 7 – 10 pm at Local Public Eatery – Leaside. The Parent Pub Night is your chance to unwind, laugh, and connect with other Havergal parents. You can expect to:
Parent Pub
- Build community – Meet parents across grades and discover how they navigate the Havergal journey with their daughters.
- Find inspiration – Hear stories, exchange tips, and share in the joys and challenges of raising confident Havergal girls.
- Create Connection – Build friendships that go beyond the classroom — because every great school community starts with strong parent bonds.
Tickets:
- $85 per person (includes food & two drinks)
- $75 per person when two tickets are purchased together
RSVP required — space is limited! Purchase your tickets here!
We are looking for volunteers to help with check-in, raffles, and coordinating games. Help make this event run smoothly by signing up here.
Reminders
Havergal Connections Presents: Beyond the Bar – Law Networking Breakfast
Connect with fellow Havergal parents and alumni in the legal field! Hosted by Jill Fraser ‘87 and Christina Beharry ‘97. Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 8am. Aird & Berlis LLP, 181 Bay St. #1800.
This event is free, but registration is required. Please click here to register.
Please reach out to Courtney McNeillie with any questions.
Choose Your Yearbook Portrait!
A friendly reminder that student portraits are now available online at echophotography.ca! Please take a moment to select which photo you’d like to appear in the Ludamus (yearbook) by November 16.
To access your photos, visit the website and enter your access code – your student ID number followed by -2526 (e.g., XXXXX-2526).
If you have any questions or special requests, please contact Cameron Hubbs.
The Weekly: Upper School 