Friday, October 24

On By vhao

Dear US Families,

We hope you were able to connect with your child’s teachers over the past few days. We appreciate your partnership immensely and know that our work together improves your daughter’s learning and engagement at Havergal. Please never hesitate to be in touch as things evolve or change for her and we will do the same. If there were patterns you would like to explore further, reach out to their Guidance Counsellor as a starting point.

We welcomed back 173 musicians back from our Senior School Music Camp. Their enthusiastic fatigue speaks to the depth of the experience and their stories, the depth of the connections made. We can’t wait to hear the fruits of their labour in upcoming concerts and thank our exceptional music faculty and Director of Arts for fostering such an incredible experience.

And…as Blue Jays Fever grows greater, we will hold a planned BLUE dress down day on Tuesday, October 28 to cheer them on.

Have a lovely weekend,

Krista

Today’s edition of The Weekly contains information on the following: 

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Gr. 7 – 8)

SENIOR SCHOOL (Gr. 9 – 12)

BOARDING SCHOOL 

HCPA

Next Week In The Upper School

Tuesday, October 28

  • Blue (or TO Blue Jays) Dress Down Day
  • Prayers – Wellbeing
  • Community Panel: Self-Confidence in a Changing World Panel (BRH, 7 pm) 

Wednesday, October 29

  • Athletic Registration Opens (see Parent Portal to register for up to 2 sports tryouts) 
  • 10-12 HCPA Coffee Morning (JS Dining Room, 8 am)

Thursday, October 30

  • Prayers – All Saints’ Day 

Friday, October 31

  • Halloween Dress Up Day
  • Halloween Assembly

Upper School

Winter Sports Registration Opens Wednesday, October 29

Registration for Winter Athletics tryouts opens on Wednesday, October 29, and remains open until Monday, November 10. 

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.

Let’s Go Blue Jays!

In support of our Blue  Jays,  we will once again swap our Gator Green and wear the colour Blue (or Blue Jays gear) on Tuesday, October 28, for a special whole school dress-down day. Students are invited to dress down and do not require specific Blue Jay gear to participate. Go Jays!

Deadline for Applying for Financial Support/Bursary –  Monday, December 1

New and Returning students entering grades 7 to 12 should submit their application by December 1. To be considered, please complete the Financial Assistance for Canadian Students (FACS) application form available on applefinancialservices.ca.

Bursaries are granted on an annual basis; therefore an application must be submitted each year. Refer to Havergal’s guide on Affordability, available here on the Parent Portal to learn more about the Financial Support program.

For questions regarding Financial Support at Havergal please contact Maggie Houston-White.

Day Students Welcome for Dinner

Our Dining Hall serves a wonderful dinner for our boarders every day. Day students are welcome to stay for dinner on weekdays and use their swipe card to pay.  Please contact the Head of Upper School, Krista Koekkoek, with any questions.

Limited Operating Hours / Temporary Closure of the Green & Gold Shop

As a reminder, the Green & Gold Shop will be closed over the November break from Thursday, November 6th to Monday November 10th, re-opening on Tuesday, November 11th.

Additionally, as part of a scheduled upgrade to our Retail Management System, the Green & Gold Shop will have limited hours or be temporarily closed on the dates listed below. Whilst in-store services will be limited during this period, orders can still be placed online which will be fulfilled when the shop reopens.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

Green & Gold Shop In-Store Hours:

October 

  • Friday, October 31 (Open 8am – 1pm)

November 

  • Monday, November 3 (Closed)
  • Tuesday, November 4 (Closed)
  • Wednesday, November 5 (Closed)
  • Monday, November 17 (Open 8am – 1pm)
  • Tuesday, November 18 (Open 8am – 1pm)
  • Wednesday, November 19 (Open 8am – 1pm)
  • Thursday, November 20 (Open 8am – 1pm)
  • Friday, November 21 (Open 8am – 1pm)

Middle School

Round Square Regional Conference: Munich, Germany

We are excited to announce that applications are open for our Round Square Regional Conference to Lanheim Ammersee in Munich, Germany.
***Please note Havergal is currently Waitlisted for this conference and applicants will be confirmed once we hear about the school’s ability to participate. 

Applications are open now. Students must select the appropriate conference for 2025-2026.

* Applications will close on Monday October 27, 2025

MS French Language & Culinary Trip to Quebec City

The languages department is offering an exciting culinary and language excursion in Quebec City for Middle Schoolers (Grades 7 – 8). Led by French-speaking guides and our Middle School French teachers, this trip encourages students to connect with the language and culture beyond the classroom, blending culinary arts, history, adventure, and immersive language learning.

  • WHO: Grades 7 – 8
  • WHERE: Quebec City
  • WHEN: May 14 – 18, 2026 (1 day of school missed)
  • HOW: Students can register by October 27th via this link.
  • COST: Approx. $3,600
  • CONTACT: Mme Hogan or Mme Kabakian 

Please find the e-brochure here with all trip details.

In Form Programming next week

We have a fun-filled week planned in morning programming  this week.

Students from Grade 8 Forms A and B will be leading our Middle School assembly with a scary Halloween theme. These coveted assemblies provide our grade 8 students with the opportunity for leadership, public speaking and creativity.

In keeping with our Halloween theme, our MS students have been planning their themes for our annual Halloween door decorating contest. Students are asked to bring in supplies to decorate their doors. The competition will be judged on Friday, October 31 by our MS prefects. Ask your daughters what theme their classes have chosen.

Senior School

Round Square Regional Conference: Marrakech, Morocco:  February, 2026

We are excited to announce that applications are open for our Round Square Regional Conference to Elaraki School in Morocco.

Applications are open now. Students must select the appropriate conference for 2025-2026.
* Applications will close on Monday October 27, 2025

University Visit

Individual University Reps will be visiting Havergal College to speak to Grade 9 to 12 students during the lunch hour from 12:15pm – 1:00pm. This is a great opportunity to see what the universities offer.

University of California San Diego

  • Date: Monday, October 27
  • Time: 12:15pm – 1:00pm
  • Room: EK

King’s University College at Western 

  • Date: Thursday, October 30 
  • Time: 12:15pm – 1:00pm 
  • Room: B16

University of Toronto Visit & Wolf Scholars at UofT, Thursday, October 30 

On Thursday, October 30th University of Toronto will be visiting HC to discuss their programs and application process. Following the presentation, Margot Ghersin from Wolf Scholars UofT will be discussing the Wolf Scholarship to Grade 12 students, where students can receive a full academic tuition scholarship and annual stipend.  The Wolf Scholars Program invites educators and students to nominate outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership potential, and strength of character.+

Date: Thursday, October 30th
Time: 12:15pm – 1:00pm
Location: C32

For more information on Wolf Scholarship and to start the application process click here.

The application is due on November 10th.

In Morning Programming Next Week

Grade 9 & 10 students will be participating in an active session that helps them to articulate what success is and what it means to them.

Grade 11s will build on the previous week’s lesson about character strengths. Students will reflect on how their unique strengths influence their actions, and explore how self-awareness and empathy can help them show kindness in their daily lives and relationships.

Finally, the Class of 2026 will take part in rotating stations where they will have their questions answered, do interview preparation and writing preparation for their university applications. 

Pumpkin carving and costume contests will all be part of the scary activities next week as well!

Boarding School

Important Reminder: November Break

Please note that the Boarding School will be closed for the upcoming November Break.

Here are the key dates and information:

  • Break Leave Submissions: Students must submit an overnight leave request through Reach for approval by Friday, October 31.
  • Boarding Closes: Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00 pm (Dinner will not be provided that evening).
  • Boarding Reopens: Monday, November 10 at 4:00 pm (All students are expected to return by 8:00 pm).

Please contact the Boarding School if you have any questions.

Upcoming Programming and Events

Sunday, October 26: Grade 12 Halloween Haunted House

Friday, October 31: JS Kindergarten visit & trick-or-treat fun in Boarding

HCPA

HCPA Coffee Mornings: Wednesday, October 29

Our coffee mornings take place in the JS Dining Hall, 8 – 9:30 am. Parents of Grade 10-11 students are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 29 to connect with other parents and staff.

RSVP to your Grade Reps.

US Bake Sale: Tuesday, November 4

Our bake sale tables are filling up- but there is still room for more delicious treats! Help make this event a success! We’re hoping to add more baked goods and tasty treats to our tables. Click here to sign up and share something sweet.

Parent Pub Night:  Thursday, November 20, 7 – 10 pm

Join fellow Havergal parents for a relaxed evening of great food, drinks, and community connection! Parent Pub night will be hosted at Local Public Eatery – Leaside on Thursday November 20, 7 – 10 pm

Expect lots of conversation, laughter, and fun games throughout the night as we raise funds for our school initiatives. 

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!

Leave a comment