UPPER SCHOOL

School Information and Student Demographics Reporting

All schools in Ontario are required to submit student demographic information for JK-12 students for the Ministry of Education’s reports on school information and student demographics. We are asking parents to submit this information to us by February 24th, 2023 so that our Ministry report is up to date and accurate.  Please complete ONE submission for each child you have enrolled at Havergal College.  The submission form can be found here.  Please direct any questions you have to data.services@havergal.on.ca.  Thank you for helping us complete this important information.

Updating Your Daughter’s Vaccines – TPH is coming to Havergal

On Friday. March 3, nurses from Toronto Public Health will be at Havergal to provide vaccinations to students. This optional catch-up clinic will take place during school hours, and will offer Meningococcal, Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. These vaccines prevent cancers and meningitis, protect students against serious infections, and are usually offered to students in Grade 7. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some students did not receive these life saving vaccines, especially those students currently enrolled in Grades 9 and 10.

If your child is missing any doses of these vaccines, they can still catch up! To have your child vaccinated, be sure to complete and return your signed consent form. The consent form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. Students won’t be able to receive these important vaccines at the school clinic without a signed consent form. On the day of the clinic, we ask that students remember to wear a loose sleeved shirt, eat something before the clinic, and bring a mask. Also bring valid ID or a health card and their yellow immunization card, if available.

Parents and students can review an information package and access the consent form by clicking the links below. Please print the completed consent form, sign it, and have your child bring it to Ms. Danto in room B10 by Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Students will sign up for a time slot on their Veracross page. Sign up details will be communicated directly to the students. 

Consent Form (print this and bring to B10); Translations; Student/Parent Checklist; Student/Parent Letter; Frequently Asked Questions; School Immunization Fact Sheet

Upper School Curriculum Outlines

Click on this link to view the Upper School Curriculum Outlines. Please note that these continue to be revised as new curriculum becomes available. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions. You can also access the link directly from the Parent Portal under the Resources tab. Navigation Hint: If you hit the X in the left hand corner, you will be taken to Havergal’s external website.

HC Spirit Unleashed

Next week is Spirit Week in the Upper School! Students put away their uniforms and bring out their Spirit Wear (see schedule below). If you have blazers, kilts etc. in need of repairs or alterations, this is the best week to get these done as each day is a themed dress down day. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

UCC Grade 8 Social: Thursday, March 2

Grade 8 students will be hosting a social with the Grade 8 students from UCC. Sign up will be available on Thursday, Feb 16 in The Weekly.  

SENIOR SCHOOL

Senior Dance Troupe

CIS Dance Fest is on Thursday February 23rd. We will be departing at 8:15 AM, and returning at 4:45 PM.

Media Arts Exhibit

You are invited to the “Emergence Youth” photo exhibition hosted by Camera Links: Gallery 44. 

Please find the exhibition invitation and information in the link. The show runs from February 10th – February 20th with a closing reception on February 20th from 12pm – 3pm. We hope you have a chance to visit the gallery and see the wonderful photographic works of our students and other participating schools. 

FORUM FOR CHANGE

Thank you very much to our students and their families who are on their final weekend hosting their exchange partners from Germany and British Columbia! We are very grateful for the generosity and effort you’ve given to our visiting students!

HCPA NEWS

Don’t miss out on one of the highlights of the Havergal calendar! On Saturday, April 1 we will whisk you away to a Candyland confectionery dream of an evening. Gator Gala 2023 tickets are on sale now till Feb. 27. Click here to purchase tickets!

REMINDERS

Hockey Day Livestream

 Hockey Day is Tuesday, February 14th at 12:45 pm. The game will be streamed! Here is the livestream link: link to livestream Tune in to cheer on the Gators!

Grade 8 Band Rehearsals for OBA in C26:

Tuesday February 14th – 7:15 AM

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Mon Feb 13

Spirit Week

Dress up as a Celebrity

Symphonic Band at OBA – bring lunch

DECA Provincials

Tue Feb 14

Hockey Day

Dress Up:  Green & Gold 

Wed Feb 15

Grade 9 & 8 at OBA – bring lunch

Dress up: Grade Decade

Thu Feb 16

Cheer Off! 

Dress up:  Grade Colours

Fri Feb 17 School Closed

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Mon Feb 20

School Closed

Fri Feb 24

Demographic Survey due

Wed Mar 1

Vaccine forms due 

Fri Mar 3

TPH Vaccine Clinic 

 

UPPER SCHOOL

Re-registration 2023-24

The link for registration for the 2023-24 school year will be sent to families on Wednesday, February 8.  Completed re-registration forms are due, along with payment, by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

The Admission Department appreciates your prompt response, as our re-registration numbers help guide us in the number of offers we will make to new families later in February.  Please do not hesitate to contact Admissions at admissions@havergal.on.ca if you have any questions.

Day School Students in the Building after 6pm

Students who remain at Havergal after 6pm who are not directly involved in school programming are asked to move to the Rotunda at this time. The security team will make an evening announcement each evening asking students to relocate to the Rotunda. This will enable us to provide oversight for students on campus. The Boarding School has regular programming in the library and other areas of the school and it is important that these spaces are made available to them.

Toronto Public Health Catch-up Immunization Clinic for Grades 9-12

Toronto Public Health will be holding a Catch-up Immunization Clinic at Havergal on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 9:30am-3:30pm.

This clinic is for all grade 9-12 students who are overdue for routine immunizations required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act -Hep B, HPV and Meningococcal Disease. These vaccines are normally provided in grade 7 and 8, however due to COVID, Toronto Public Health did not go into schools for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school year hence your child may be missing these important vaccines. Please look out for an information package and consent form that will be sent to all parents of grade 9-12 students in the coming week.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Grade 8 Band OBA

On February 15th, the Grade 8 band will attend their first band festival at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (5183 Sheppard Ave. E.). Parents are invited to attend to watch the performance at 10am. Please refer to the information letter sent out for further information.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Upcoming Social Events

As the world gradually returns to normal, more schools are adding exciting events to the calendar. This evening, Havergal students will embark on an enjoyable COSSOT social with their peers at Branksome Hall. This social was open exclusively to students in grade 9 and 10.  After March Break, UCC will host another social for students in grade 8 and 9. For a comprehensive list of all the upcoming sanctioned events, please follow the link provided: here. 

WELLBEING UPDATE

Seasonal Blues

Written by Sarah Brodie, York University Master of Social Work Student

As we move into February many of us have had our fill of cold, grey days. Coming down from the excitement of beginning a new year and realizing spring is still a ways away can be tough. 

It is not uncommon to experience seasonal blues. You may be finding that it takes extra effort to fill your cup and perhaps some days it doesn’t even feel possible. While some of us may find it helpful to label our experience through a diagnosis (such as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD), others may find it more helpful to simply recognize it as a normal part of the human experience living in Canada at this time of year. Whatever your opinion, there are basic things you can do that can help shift your mood. From these four simple actions big shifts are possible. To learn more click on this link. 

HCPA REMINDERS

Gator Gala tickets (April 1) are now on sale!  To get your tickets before February 27, 2023 click HERE.

REMINDERS

Black Cultural Prayers & Reception

The Upper School will be holding a Black Cultural Prayers on Monday, February 6, at 8:40 am. Parents are invited to join. A reception for parents will be held in the Temerty Commons at 9:20 am. Please RSVP here.  Parents and students are welcome to wear traditional celebratory attire.

Hockey Day 2023

The registration link is below and will close Monday, February 6th at noon. 

https://events.veracross.com/hc/368-eaarexcursions22-23USJSD

Grad Portrait Retakes

Retakes for grad portraits will take place on February 6th and 7th. Please book the appointment using this link: https://calendar.app.google/E7Q1kgqFEBTKY1P38

Grade 8 Band Rehearsals for OBA in C26:

• Monday February 6th – 12:00 pm
• Tuesday February 7th – 12:00 pm
• Wednesday February 8th – 7:15 am
• Tuesday February 14th – 7:15 am

CIS Dance Fest – Feb 23

The Dance Troupe excursion to CIS Dance Fest is coming up on Thursday, February 23. Participating students will not be attending any classes on this date. Please refer to the information letter sent out earlier this week for more information.

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Mon Feb 6

Black Cultural Prayers and Reception

Wed Feb 8

University visit: St. Francis Xavier University (St.FX), at lunch

Thur Feb 9

University visit: Queen’s University, after school 

Fri Feb 10

Beatstock 6-9 pm

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Feb 13-19

Spirit Week (various dress down days)

Feb 14

Hockey Day (Mattamy Arena)

Feb 15

Re-registration due 

Feb 17

School Closed for Family Day Weekend

Feb 20

School Closed for Family Day Weekend 

UPPER SCHOOL

Update on Havergal’s Strategic Planning Process

As highlighted earlier in the fall, Havergal is well-positioned and the time is right to think about our future direction. The work on the CAIS accreditation Self-Study and the data collection phase with our strategy consulting partners at Berlineaton has closed and we have begun the work of prioritizing and planning. We are grateful to the many parents, students, Old Girls/Alums, past parents, faculty, staff, and board members who participated in the questionnaire and discussion groups on Havergal’s future.  

We had over double the number of responses that Berlineaton typically sees for a community our size. In addition, we had strong participation in the group consultations with over 120 students, parents, faculty/staff leaders, and Old Girls/Alums in our CAIS review and strategy focus group sessions. This period of reflection has ignited excitement about our future.

From the questionnaire and focus group sessions, we saw broad community alignment with our school mission – to prepare young women to make a difference – and our core values of inquiry, integrity, compassion & courage. Our position as a leading girls’ school, grounded in the advancement of girls and women, and giving the next generation of girls the skills needed to make positive change, resonates with our internal and external community.

From this internal and external Scan phase, a number of consistently articulated school strengths and areas for investment emerged.

Identified areas of strength included: the breadth and strength of our academic and cocurricular program; a track record of successfully preparing students for the rigours of university study; the strength of our caring, dedicated, and skilled teaching faculty; the size and scope of our campus and facilities; the many global and experiential learning opportunities; an exceptionally strong school community and pride in the school.

Identified areas for investment included: increasing the socio-economic and cultural diversity in the student body and faculty/staff; more exposure for students to learning opportunities such as internships, credential-earning, GAP year, and further post-secondary options; facility upgrades in outdoor athletics, boarding, student commons, older classrooms, and wellbeing space; the recruitment and retention of top faculty in an increasingly competitive labour market; and finally, further investment in personalized, comprehensive wellbeing support for students.

The strategy development team continues to work in collaboration with the Board on the development of Havergal’s strategic direction and is looking forward to sharing updates with our community over the coming months.  You can view the status of our progress on our website. Thank you to all those who participated in sharing your feedback, ideas, and hopes for Havergal’s future.

Black Cultural Prayers & Reception

The Upper School will be holding a Black Cultural Prayers on Monday, February 6, at 8:40 am. Parents are invited to join. A reception for parents will be held in Temerty Commons at 9:20 am. Please RSVP here.  Parents and students are welcome to wear traditional celebratory attire.

Major Dates Calendar

We are pleased to share next academic year’s Major School Dates Calendar for 2023-2024 with you.   The Major Dates Calendar outlines the start of school, major academic holidays, significant events that families need to be aware of and end of the year dates.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Grad Workshops Beginning: Life after Havergal

Grads are being offered four morning sessions titled University 101 focused on some of the non-academic issues faced in the transition from high school to university life. With themes like “keep yourself safe” and “keep yourself fed” grads will review the skills and strategies needed to partake in the social scenes more safely, learn how to organize themselves at university, and have two cooking sessions with a guest instructor, Shauna Lindzon. These sessions will take place during our Wednesday morning programming time over the next few months. If you have any questions please reach out to Jeany Ellis who is leading this programming. 

Grade Collections for Universities

Havergal College will be collecting grades to ensure universities are up to date with our grads marks so schools have the information needed to send the Class of 2023 their offers. The mid-year report will be sent out to US schools at the beginning of February. OUAC will be sent mark updates for their big collection periods in both February and April. 

HCPA REMINDERS

US Grade Rep Meeting

US Grade Rep Meeting on Feb. 1 at 8:35am in the JS Dining Room. All parents are invited to attend. Our IT Dept will be giving an update on the Parent Portal.

REMINDERS

Grade 8 Band Rehearsals for OBA in C26:

• Monday February 6th – 12:00 PM
• Tuesday February 7th – 12:00 PM
• Wednesday February 8th – 7:15 AM
• Tuesday February 14th – 7:15 AM

Course Selection

Please remember course selection is due on Friday February 3rd in Veracross. Students are encouraged to book a meeting with their Guidance Counsellor through the Guidance Portal if they have any questions about course selections or the outside of Havergal summer school form.

Hockey Day 2023

On Tuesday, February 14, at approximately 12:45 pm Havergal College will play against The Bishop Strachan School’s (BSS) U20 hockey team in a battle for the Hewitt Cup. This annual hockey game is a highly spirited athletic contest—faculty, staff and students are decked out in green and gold to cheer on our Gators with pride. As well, our Junior School Gators will play against the BSS Junior School team during the first intermission. F-U-N!

An email was sent this past Monday by Upper School Athletic Director, Carla Di Filippo, to purchase a ticket for the event. The registration link is also below and will close on Monday, February 6th at noon.

To register your child click here: https://events.veracross.com/hc/368-eaarexcursions22-23USJSD

If you have any questions, please email Carla Di Filippo. 

Go Gators!!

NEXT WEEK IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

Sun Jan 29

Grade 8 – St. Donat: 6:45 am departure

Mon Jan 30

Grade 8 – St. Donat

Tue Jan 31 G

Grade 8 – St. Donat

Wed Feb 1

Grade 8 – St. Donat: 5:00pm return

Thu Feb 2

Classes end at 1:50 pm

Virtual Parent Teacher Interviews: 3 – 8 pm

Fri Feb 3

No Classes; Course Selections Due

Virtual Parent Teacher Interviews: 8 – 3 pm

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Feb 6

Black Cultural Prayers and Reception

Grad Portrait Retake Day

Feb 7

Grad Portrait Retake Day

Feb 13

Symphonic Band at OBA – bring lunch

Feb 14

Hockey Day

Feb 15

Grade 9 & 8 at OBA – bring lunch

UPPER SCHOOL

Hockey Day 2023!

On Tuesday, February 14, the Havergal Gators hockey team will be facing off against The Bishop Strachan School Bobcats in a battle for the Hewitt Cup. An event rich in history, the hockey game is mentioned in the Ludemus (Havergal yearbook) as early as 1955! Students will be bussed to Mattamy Athletic Centre (old Maple Leaf Gardens) after lunch to cheer on the Gators! The schedule for the day can be found HERE. 

Ticket sales for the beloved Hockey Day will be open on Monday, January 23 via email from Athletics Director, Carla Di Filippo. The email will include all details for the event. Ticket sales will close on Monday, February 6, 2023. Please email Carla Di Filippo if you have any questions.

Go Gators!!

Course Selections

Students had the opportunity to learn more information about course selections from the Guidance Department during their advising this week. Teachers from all the different departments were available for students to ask questions and learn more about the courses they are interested in taking next year. Students are reminded to visit the Guidance Portal – Course Selection page for more information, review the 2023-2024 Course Calendar/Uncalendar, and to book an appointment with their guidance counsellor if they need assistance. Course selections are due Friday, February 3rd.

Guidance Counsellor availability during Parent/Teacher Interviews

Please contact your child’s Guidance Counsellor by email if you need to book a meeting with them during Parent-Teacher Interviews. Please visit the Guidance Portal and click the Meet the Team button to access all the contact information for your child’s guidance counsellor.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Music Festival

Grade 8 Band students are attending the OBA Festival on Wednesday February 15th. Students will be missing periods 1 and 2, and will be late for period 3. Please send your child with a bagged lunch on this day. In preparation for this competition there will be a few additional rehearsals. The dates are listed below:

Grade 8 Band Rehearsals in C26:

• Wednesday January 25th – 7:15 AM
• Wednesday February 8th – 7:15 AM
• Other dates as required

SENIOR SCHOOL

Music Festival

The OBA (Ontario Band Association) Festival is on February 13 & 15.

Students must bring a bagged lunch on this day. Students will miss period 1 and 2, and will be late for period 3 on the days they attend the festival. 

• Symphonic Band – Monday, Feb 13 
• Grade 9 Band – Wednesday, February 15

Grades 11/12 Semi Formal

The Grade 11/12 Semi Formal is being held at HC on January 27 from 7-10 pm. Sign-up closes on Monday, Jan 23. To complete the required AAR enabling your teen to attend, please go to the link in Veracross and complete form: https://events.veracross.com/hc/368-eaarexcursions22-23USJSD 

Student guest application forms need to be submitted to us via a google form which has already been sent to the students directly.

UCAS Deadline – January 23

Many of our Grads have already applied to UK universities using the UCAS (University and College Admissions Service) system. For those who have not completed their application, an important reminder that the final application must be submitted by Monday, January 23rd. Please remember to consider the time change as the UK is ahead of Canada so students are encouraged to submit early.

Reminders

Gator Gala

Save the date for Gator Gala 2023!  Havergal students in Grades 7-12, (along with one parent/guardian), are invited to an extravagant Candyland-themed evening of dinner, dancing and surprises!  Look for ticketing details to come soon!

St. Donat

The Grade 8 excursion to Saint-Donat, Québec is fast approaching (January 29th-February 1st 2023). Please ensure that the following two items are completed this week: 

1. Confirmation of medical information permission: Please ensure that you have completed this permission form that was sent prior to the holidays. https://events.veracross.com/hc/385-eaarexcursions22-23USONMed 

2. Digital copy of OHIP/medical insurance: Please send a picture or scanned image of BOTH sides of your child’s OHIP/medical insurance card to their Form teacher. It is important that the number, code and expiry date are visible.This information will only be used if a trip to a medical facility were required.

Next Week in the Upper School

Monday Jan 23

Pick-A-Time opens for Parent Teacher Interviews: 8 am

Prayers: Bell Let’s Talk – Special Speaker:  Hannah Laird ‘15

University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) Deadline

Wed Jan 25

Bell Let’s Talk Day 

Thur Jan 26

Holocaust Remembrance Prayers

Friday Jan 27

Grade 11/12 Semi-Formal: 7 pm – 10 pm 

Dates on the Horizon

Feb 2, 3

Virtual Parent Teachers Interviews

Feb 3

Course Selections are due

UPPER SCHOOL

Parent/Teacher Interviews: Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3

Parent teacher interviews will take place on Thursday, February 2 (3 pm – 8 pm) and Friday, February 3 (8 am – 3 pm). All interviews will be held virtually. Our booking portal, pickAtime, will open on Monday, January 23 at 8:00 AM. The link is HERE. Please be sure you select Senior School (SS PTC) for your children who are in Senior School. If you have three children in the Senior School, or you have two children who share one or more teachers, please contact Sally Danto at sdanto@havergal.on.ca and she will help you with your scheduling.

Update to Concussion & Head Injuries Policy

Havergal College has recently updated and revised the Concussion & Head Injuries Policy

We are excited to share this new version.  This update has been written to support both the cognitive and physical development to the greatest benefit of our students. This new version of the policy requires that all parents/guardians/students sign off of the Concussion Code of Conduct.  Traditionally this was only completed in athletics but must now be completed by all students. 

If you need to sign off on the Concussion Code of Conduct, you will get a direct email from your child’s Head of School next week with a registration link. 
We invite you to view the following VIDEO explaining our Concussion Information Session for Parents to learn more about Concussion & Head Injury management at the College.

Parent Learning Opportunity: An Invitation from Lakefield College School

“Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World”: As part of Lakefield College School’s Community and Connection: Speaker Series for Parents, we invite CAIS parents and educators to join us for a talk from Dr. Jody Carrington on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 PM ET via Zoom. Dr. Carrington is a psychologist, best-selling author, and public speaker with an affinity for helping teams and organisations overcome their most complex, human-centred problems. Her radiant energy and incomparable ability to connect with audiences result in compelling keynotes and life-changing workshops. The message is simple: we are wired to do the hard things, but we are so much braver together. Jody speaks passionately (and humorously) about resilience, burnout, mental health, leadership, grief and trauma– and how reconnection answers so many of the root problems we face.Register for Dr. Carrington’s talk.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

St. Donat Update

The Grade 8 excursion to Saint-Donat, Québec is fast approaching (January 29-February 1, 2023). Please ensure that the following two items are completed this week: 

1. Confirmation of medical information permission: Please ensure that you have completed this permission form that was sent prior to the holidays. https://events.veracross.com/hc/385-eaarexcursions22-23USONMed 

2. Digital copy of OHIP/medical insurance: Please send a picture or scanned image of BOTH sides of your child’s OHIP/medical insurance card to their Form teacher. It is important that the number, code and expiry date are visible.This information will only be used if a trip to a medical facility is required. 

Sterling Hall Social

Parents of students registered to attend the Sterling Hall Social on Friday, January 20, are required to drop off and pick up their child at the school. Upon their arrival, students must check in with our chaperones, Ms. Jennifer Mills and Ms. Renee Virc. Students are also required to check out when they leave. 

Form Representative Elections: January 24

On January 24, we will hold our second Form Rep Election. Students who have not held a leadership role in the MS are encouraged to consider running to be a Form Rep. Students can self-nominate and must prepare a one minute speech to present to their peers. Presentations will be made in Form on January 24.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Grade 11/12 Semi Formal: Friday, January 27

Sign up for the Grade 11/12 semi-formal is open today. Parents complete the sign up and AAR on Veracross (large orange button). Students have been informed via email.

University Counselling

Course Selection

The Grade 8, 9, 10 and 11 students had an information seminar from the Guidance Team on Wednesday morning; parents had the opportunity to attend an information session on Thursday night to review the course selection process. The recordings to these information sessions are listed below and can be found on the guidance portal:

Gr. 8 to 9: https://youtu.be/mJdrRyZMGGQ

Gr. 9 to 10: https://youtu.be/WB1J8bSrqhI

Gr. 10 to 11: https://youtu.be/NFVivsg8_sk

Gr. 11 to 12: https://youtu.be/jRTNovmaPgs

Parents and students are encouraged to use the Guidance Portal as a resource, especially the Course Selection section as all slide decks and information sheets are attached there. Please review the 2023-2024 Course Calendar (including the Courses at a Glance and Uncalendar sections) to prepare you for course selections. The Guidance Team will support your child, so students are encouraged to book a meeting with their Guidance Counsellor following the instructions given to them this week. 

Feminism Conference

St. Clement School is holding a full day conference to explore issues related to Feminism and its Intersections. This is an opportunity for students, staff and parents to reflect on what feminism means and the many layers that make up identity. Limited spaces are available, please complete the form if you are interested. 

Date: Saturday February 11, 2023

Time: 9am-4pm

HCPA REMINDERS

Next Week in the Upper School

Monday Jan 16

Diversity Week Prayers

Thursday Jan 19

Lunar New Year Prayers and reception 8:30 – 10:00 am

Friday Jan 20

Sterling Hall MS COSSOT Social

UPPER SCHOOL

Lunar New Year Parent Reception

The Upper School will be holding Lunar New Year Prayers on Thursday, January 19 at 8:40 am. Parents are invited to join the celebration. and students and parents can arrive early to meet and take photos with the Lion Dance Team in the US Rotunda. A reception for parents will be held in Temerty Commons at 9:20 am. Please RSVP here.  

Grade 7 – 9 Parents: Math Information Webinar

If you missed the information regarding the changes to the mathematics programme you can find here some of the resources from the parent information night. Here is some information, the slide deck from the presentation and the recording of the webinar. If you have any questions please reach out to Alex Shum, Head of Mathematics. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

COSSOT Social Event: Sterling Hall Social

Middle School students are invited to sign up for the Sterling Hall Carnival House Party happening on Friday, January 20. There will be 30 spots available on a first come first served basis and the registration fee is $10. This will be charged to your child’s account.  There will be an additional 10 waitlist spots available.  The link to register can be found HERE

SENIOR SCHOOL

Virtual Course Selection Evening

Please find the links to the course selection evening on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 6:30 pm. 

All sessions will be posted for parents here in The Weekly after the evening. 

HCPA

NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE

Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023

First Day Back at School 

Grade 9 casual dress for TC9

Thurs Jan 12

Virtual Course Selection evening 6:30 pm

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Thursday Jan  19th

Lunar New Year Prayers & Parent Reception, 8:40 am 

UPPER SCHOOL

Locker Clean Out

On Wednesday December 21, from 3:30 – 3:40 pm, students will be asked to clean out their lockers. Locker shelves and textbooks can remain in the lockers over the break. All garbage – especially food waste – should be thrown out; and clothing, shoes and boots should be removed. These items must be taken home by December 22 and we encourage our students to begin cleaning their lockers on Monday December 19.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sterling Hall Carnival

Middle School students are invited to sign up for the Sterling Hall Carnival House Party happening on Friday  January 20. There will be 30 spots available on a first come first served basis. The sign-up form will come out next week in The Weekly. 

SENIOR SCHOOL

Course Selection Parent Information Evening, Thursday, January 12 – 6:30 – 8:30 PM

There is a virtual course selection information evening for parents of students in grade 8 – 11. The zoom links will be posted on Veracross closer to the event. 

Uniforms for Grade 10 Exchange Guests

Some students who visit our school on exchange do not wear uniforms at their home school, so we traditionally lend them one during their stay. If you have extra uniform pieces at home that you are no longer wearing, we are looking to collect items to lend out to these students. We have 8 students coming from Germany January 14, and about 16 French students coming in April. These students are in Grade 10, so larger uniforms would be ideal. 

Please reach out to Jenn Russell jrussell@havergal.on.ca if you have uniforms you can lend us. 

We are looking for the following items:

• Kilts/Tunic
• Blazers
• Ties
• ¼ Zips
• Golf Shirts
• Knit Sweaters

FORUM FOR CHANGE

This week was our last week of Community Partnership programming before the winter break. Grenoble Homework Club, and Art City will resume in the new year starting Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

HCPA

Don’t forget that we are now collecting ALL uniform pieces for our future Used Uniform sales. There is a Used Uniform collection bin in the Rotunda—simply let Security know and they will guide you.  Drop off items any time!

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from the HCPA!

Next Week at a Glance

Wed, Dec 21

Locker Clean Out

Holiday Inspired Casual Dress Day

Thu, Dec 22

Regular Dress during the day

Carol Service  at 7 pm – St Paul’s Church, Bloor St. East

#1 Dress for students at the church

Fri, Dec 23

Holidays Begin!  

No school

Tues, January 10

First day back at school

Dates on the Horizon

Tues, Jan 10

TC9 Day – Grade 9’s in casual dress

Thurs, Jan 12

Virtual Parent Course Selection evening, Thursday Jan 12 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) deadline – January 12, 2023

UPPER SCHOOL

Message from the Principal: Strategic Planning & CAIS Accreditation Update

I want to thank the parents who participated in the strategic planning questionnaire and small-group consultations with our strategic consulting partners, Berlineaton.  We had an excellent response rate, more than doubling the number of responses that the Berlineaton team typically sees in a school our size and structure – a sign of a committed and engaged community!  The strategy development team is in the process of analyzing the data, including reviewing our Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) self study report, and will be utilizing the themes from the research with the team to develop areas of future opportunity and growth for Havergal.  We also had a 70% response rate from students for the questionnaire, in addition to the 60 students from grades 5 through 12 who participated in small group consultation sessions.  Thank you for your engagement in planning Havergal’s future direction.

 New Toronto Public Health Screening Tool for Students

Havergal College continues to see an increase in respiratory illness infections over the last 3 weeks. To protect both the students and faculty, as per Toronto Public Health recommendations, we are highly recommending masking in enclosed spaces along with frequent hand hygiene. 

Students and staff can screen for symptoms utilizing the tool provided by the Ontario Government linked here: https://www.ontario.ca/school-screening/

Students should not come to school if  they do not pass the screening tool. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep the students and staff safe at Havergal.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Form Parties Next Week

On Tuesday the MS Forms will host a Holiday Door decorating contest. The MS Prefects will be the judges for this exciting event.

On Wednesday, the MS Forms will enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating and share their secret snowflake gifts during their Holiday party. Students are encouraged to bring in a nut free snack, if they wish.

SENIOR SCHOOL

University Counselling Updates

The Guidance Department is strongly encouraging all students to finish their OUAC, Common App, UCAS, and all other university applications before the holidays. Students are encouraged to attend the fireside chats, book an appointment with their counsellor, or come drop by the guidance office to receive support during their spare or lunch as well as before or after school. Grade 12 students must pay close attention to all the deadlines for all the applications, scholarships and supplemental applications. Students are reminded to check their emails and university portals regularly in order to stay up to date with all their university information.

HCPA UPDATES

Last chance to get a HC blazer or tunic ornament!  Tunics are almost sold out. Click HERE to place your order and get it before the holidays. Deadline to order – December 9.

We are now collecting ALL uniform pieces for our future Used Uniform sales. There is a Used Uniform collection bin in the Rotunda—simply let Security know and they will guide you.  Drop off items any time!

REMINDERS

Wellbeing and Resilence Survey Report

We are pleased to share the Wellbeing & Resilience Survey Report that outlines the findings from the Resilience Surveys that students completed in the spring of 2022.

The report includes the updated version of the Wellbeing Framework and an overview of the key findings from the Children’s Resilience Survey (Grades 2-5) and High Achieving Schools Survey (Grades 6-12).

At the end of the report there is a questionnaire about additional wellbeing topics and support you would like to see for students and parents. We appreciate your input and taking the time to complete it. 

Grade 7 – 9 Parent Math Update Webinar

Please join us to learn more about new pathways in our mathematics program, including two new extended mathematics courses,  which will be available in 2023-24. This information is helpful for parents whose children are in grades 8-9 math this year, as well as for parents in grade 7 looking ahead. Information will be posted if you are unable to attend. Please click HERE below to join the webinar. Passcode: 601038

NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE

Mon Dec 12

Grad/Staff Dinner: 5 – 7 pm

Wed Dec 14

Middle School Music Night: 4 – 5 pm

Senior School Music Night: 7 – 8 pm

Senior School Course Drop Deadline

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Carol Service Thursday, December 22  at 7 pm – St Paul’s Church, Bloor St.

#1 Dress for students

Holidays Begin! Friday, December 23 – Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Dear Parents,

As we make our way through the darkness of shorter days and longer nights, it is wonderful to see the preparations and excitement that accompany this special time of year.

​Our Grads are looking forward to being able to celebrate with their teachers in a few weeks over dinner.  We are preparing for Carol Service, as well as two music nights, and music fills our halls each day. Our athletes have started going to practice and games and their energy and excitement is palpable.

​We are looking forward to seeing you all at these community events over the upcoming weeks. 

With best regards,

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

This week’s edition contains updates on the following:

Upper School 

• Wellbeing & Resilience Survey Report 
• Report Card Information
• Grade 7-9 Parents:  Math Webinar
• News from our Health Centre
• Safety on the TTC

Middle School

• Middle School Music night and rehearsal information

Senior School

• UCC Social for Grade 10 students: Cookies and Skating Party: December 8, 4 – 6 pm
• Senior School Music Night: Wednesday, December 14, 7 pm 
• University Counselling Updates 

Forum for Change

• Exchange Application reminder for grade 11

HCPA Updates

Dates on the Horizon & Future Dates of Note

UPPER SCHOOL

Wellbeing & Resilience Survey Report

We are pleased to share the Wellbeing & Resilience Survey Report that outlines the findings from the Resilience Surveys that students completed in the spring of 2022.

The report includes the updated version of the Wellbeing Framework and an overview of the key findings from the Children’s Resilience Survey (Grades 2-5) and High Achieving Schools Survey (Grades 6-12).

At the end of the report there is a questionnaire about additional wellbeing topics and support you would like to see for students and parents. We appreciate your input and taking the time to complete it. 

Report Cards Available Thursday, December 8 at 4pm

Please see THIS LINK for more information about how to access your daughter’s report card. 

Grade 7-9 Math Update Webinar, December 12 at 4:30pm

Please join us to learn more about new pathways in our mathematics program, including two new extended mathematics courses,  which will be available in 2023-24. This information is helpful for parents whose children are in grades 8-9 this year, as well as for parents in grade 7 looking ahead.

Information will be posted if you are unable to attend.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://havergal.zoom.us/j/84817502649?pwd=QTZWQjhCN1NFT0taT2dqREdPZnhKdz09

Passcode: 601038

Webinar ID: 848 1750 2649

Passcode: 601038

From Our Health Centre: Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Illnesses

We are sharing an important message from Toronto Public Health with regard to a number of steps that can be taken to help keep children and others safe from an increase in respiratory viruses among children including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza and COVID-19.

Please note that Toronto Public Health and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health strongly recommends wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings, including in schools and childcares. Upon entry to Havergal, masks will be made available.

To learn more about how to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, we invite you to read the Government of Ontario’s Public Health Measures and Advice. 

Safety on the TTC

Two students from St. Michael’s were accosted by a group on the TTC at St. Clair West subway last week over lunch and had some items stolen. The police were notified and have several suspects in custody. Please remind your children to be aware of their surroundings when travelling on public transit. Expensive items such as ear buds, cell phones, tablets and wallets should be kept out of sight. All suspicious activities should be reported to the transit authorities. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School Music Night

The Middle School Music Night will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at 4 pm. If your daughter is wearing a kilt to this event, please ensure she has a pair of green tights! Please avoid booking any appointments for your child during lunchtime rehearsals, if possible.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Grade 10 Ice Skating & Cookie Decorating Social at UCC Wilder Arena

If your daughter would like to attend the social on December 8th from  4 – 6 pm, please complete the parent permission form. Students will be responsible for making their own way to the Upper Canada College campus. The event takes place in the Wilder Arena at the south end of the campus. Please complete the permission form here by Tuesday, December 6. Don’t forget to bring skates! 

Senior School Music Night

The Senior School Music Night will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at 7 pm. If your daughter is wearing a kilt to this event, please ensure she has a pair of green tights! Please avoid booking any appointments for your child during lunchtime rehearsals, if possible.

Grad Staff Dinner, Monday, December 12, 5-7pm

The Class of 2023 will be celebrating the Holidays with their teachers, coaches and other staff members on Monday, December 12. Students will begin with cookie decorating, music and conversation and move into dinner, sitting with their teachers. This is just the beginning of the events for the Class of 2023 that will take place over the next few months. June will be here before we know it! 

University Counselling Updates

OUAC December Submission

The December report card marks will be uploaded to OUAC. The Guidance Department spoke to OUAC who shared with us that, “The universities appreciate as much up-to-date information as possible and it may assist them in getting offers to your students sooner.” The upcoming major collection periods for OUAC are February and April. Many universities and competitive programs within Ontario and Canada wait until the April upload to make their offers. Any offers before the April upload from Canadian universities are considered early offers. Students who do not receive an early offer are considered for the next rounds of submissions. 

Fireside Chats

The guidance department will be having fireside chats from December 5th – 9th as well as the 13th-16th from 1-2pm in the Temerty. Grads are encouraged to stop by on their spares to come chat with their counsellors to ask questions and receive feedback on applications, supplemental applications and university choices. This is a great informal check-in that is an added way to receive support on top of the regularly booked grade 12 meeting seminars, university fairs/visits, and guidance appointments.  

FORUM FOR CHANGE

We would like to extend an enormous thank you to the Havergal community! You have shown incredible compassion for our community partnerships this past week, by donating and volunteering for others. Next week we will share an update on our We Scare Hunger Food Drive for North York Harvest Food Bank, and our Holiday Angel Program Drive for New Circles!

Exchange Program

Thank you to the families who attended our Grade 11 Exchange Program Preview and Application Launch. Reminder that applications are due Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

HCPA

Has your daughter outgrown her uniforms already? There is a Used Uniform collection bin in the US Rotunda—simply let Security know and they will guide you.  Drop off items any time!

If you missed your chance to get a HC blazer or tunic ornament at Ivy Market, it’s not too late! Click HERE to place your order and get it before the holidays!  Deadline to order – December 9.

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Mon Dec 5

National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women 

Prayers,  Speaker: Human Trafficking, Ms. Kelly Beale 

Tue Dec 6

Exchange Application Due for Grade 11 students

Thu Dec 8

Grade 10 UCC Ice Skating Social: 4 – 6 pm

Future Dates

Grad/Staff Dinner

Monday, December 12 from 5 – 7 pm

Middle School Music Night

Wednesday, December 14 at 4 pm

Senior School Music Night

Wednesday, December 14 at 7 pm

Carol Service

Thursday, December 22  at 7 pm – St Paul’s Church, Bloor St.

Dear Families,

This week we celebrated Thrive Week. This week-long series of events centred on building a culture of wellbeing through mental health awareness. We heard from Nicole German from the Maddie Project as well as inspirational accounts from Riley W., Maddie C., Hayden B., Avery S., and Emerson S. which captivated our students’ attention and touched their hearts.  In addition to the ever popular therapy dogs who graced our campus on Friday, we were able to hear from a social worker based in Thunder Bay working with Indigenous communities. From making music together in song to creating stress balls, students were able to participate in a way that felt right for them. 

On behalf of the staff at Havergal we would like to thank the HCPA for providing a wonderful breakfast for the employees to cap off this week. It was truly appreciated by all. 

Best regards,

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School 

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School 

This week’s edition contains updates on the following:

Upper School 

• World Cup Dress Down Day
• Report Card Information
• Carol Service – Save the Date
• New Circles – Holiday Angels Gift Cards due Tuesday, December 1
• North York Harvest Food Bank pick up this Saturday, November 26
• Smiles for the Holidays
• Grade 7-9 parents – Math Update Webinar
• Debate Club Parent Evening – slides available 
• Digital Wisdom Prayers

Middle School

• Middle School Music night and rehearsal information

Senior School

• Grade 9/10 Semi – registration closes on Monday
• Senior School Music Night & Rehearsals
• Grade 11 – Exchange Information Evening
• University Counselling Updates 

HCPA Updates

Dates on the Horizon

UPPER SCHOOL

World Cup Dress Down Day

In support of Canada’s participation in the World Cup on Thursday, December 1 we ask all students to dress in support of their favourite team. 

Report Cards available Thursday, December 8 at 4pm

Please see this link for more information about how to access your daughter’s report card. 10. US Dec 8 Full Report Card.docx

Save the date! Carol Service: Thursday, December 22 – 7pm – St. Paul’s Church, Bloor Street

Carol Service is back and we are excited to welcome all families to celebrate with us at St Paul’s Church. This community event brings together Old Girls, students, families, and Havergal employees together to celebrate and sing together. New to Havergal? Here is a link to a video, taken in 2013 which can give you an idea of what to expect at this magical event. 

Havergal Giving Back: Donations Due Soon

It’s the time of year where our school gives back to the community through two of our long-standing Community Partnerships, please read on to see how families can be involved:

New Circles: Holiday Angels Program, GIFTS DUE: Tues, November 29, 2020. 

We really hope to show these families our true Havergal spirit, and practise our value of compassion as we fulfil each family’s holiday wishlist! More information can be found HERE.

North York Harvest Food Bank: Scare Hunger: Pick up Saturday, November 26

Donation bags dropped off by students last week will be picked up by Havergal students on Saturday, November 26th. All donations will go to our Community Partner the North York Harvest Food Bank.  The Map route is linked here. Thank you to everyone involved!

Smiles for the Holidays

Your child’s school portrait is available online, and now is the time to order to have them in time for the holidays. Visit echophotography.ca/havergal2022  Your child’s student ID number is your password. Should you have any questions, our school photographer, Cameron Hubbs, is more than happy to help. cameron@echophotography.ca

Grade 7-9 Parent Math Update Webinar – December 12 – 4:30pm

Please join us to learn more about new Math pathways, including two new Extended Math courses,  which will be available in 2023-24. This information is helpful for parents whose children are in grades 8-9 this year, as well as for parents in grade 7 looking ahead.

Debate Club Parent Evening – slides available

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Debate Club Parent Night last week. If you missed the meeting, you can access the slide deck here.

Digital Wisdom Prayers

We are excited to be hosting SPOT on Monday November 28th in Prayers…well actually two SPOTS! SPOT is a robot from Boston Dynamics that is used by the Ontario Power Generation to perform tasks that can be unsafe for workers (e.g. air quality at Darlington Nuclear Power Plant). OPG is bringing their Innovation team headed by Kasia Izdebska who will be talking about Women in STEM and a teacher vs student challenge. Prayers will be led by grade 7-8 Digital Wisdom students. They will also be in the Biowall area all morning and then heading over to the JS for the afternoon. Feel free to drop by or reach out to Jeff Adams if you want to bring your class down or ask any questions.
SPOT also has some wicked dance moves!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School Music Night

The Middle School Music Night will be held on Wednesday December 14 at 4 pm. Please ensure you have ordered your tights for this performance if you plan to wear a kilt! Please avoid booking any appointments during lunch time rehearsals if possible:

Rehearsal Schedule:

Grade 7 Band students:

• Monday, November 28
• Monday December 5
• Wednesday December 14 (Dress rehearsal)

Grade 8 Band students: 

• Tuesday, December 6
• Wednesday, December 14 (Dress rehearsal)

Tuba Christmas rehearsals:

• Tuesday, November 29 (12-12:20PM)
• Tuesday, December 13 (12-12:20PM)

SENIOR SCHOOL

Grade 9/10 Semi

Registration now on Veracross – click HERE for the link to register. 

Deadline to sign up is Monday, November 28 at 8 am. Guest forms are due by Wednesday, November 30 to Ms. Danto in B10. 

Save the Date! Senior School Music Night

The Senior School Music Night will be held on Wednesday December 14 at 7 pm.

Senior Brass rehearsals (immediately after Symphonic Band 8:00 – 8:25 AM)

• Tuesday, December 8th
• Tuesday, December 13th
• Tuesday, December 20th

University Updates

UBC First Round of Admissions Deadline

The deadline to apply to be considered for the first round of admissions to the University of British Columbia is December 1st. December 1st is also the deadline to be considered for scholarships and awards.

Graduates are reminded to keep track of the multiple and various deadlines for all university applications through OUAC, UCAS, CommonApp, Out of Province and International applications. Grads are encouraged to use the track systeming that Guidance showed in seminar to keep track of all username and passwords for their university portal logins as well as important dates and deadlines regarding applications, supplementals, scholarships and residence.

FORUM FOR CHANGE

Grade 11 Exchange Information

Families interested in our Grade 11 Exchange for the 2022-2023 academic year are invited to our information session on Tuesday, November 29, from 6 – 7 pm. More information was sent directly to Grade 11 families. Please note that the Grade 11 Exchange opportunity is new this year, and is intended for this year and this grade only since they missed out on the Grade 10 opportunity last year. Please contact Jenn Russell if you have any questions: jrussell@havergal.on.ca / x6505

HCPA

If you missed your chance to get a HC blazer or tunic ornament at Ivy Market, it’s not too late! Click HERE to place your order and get it before the holidays!

Thank you to everyone for a hugely successful Ivy Market. We wanted to thank all the bakers, countless volunteers, parents, alum and past parents who attended all the events. Your support meant a lot to us and we hope you enjoyed all the shopping, treats and a chance to mingle and reconnect with others. Warm regards, Lisa and Tanuja, HCPA Co-Chairs

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Mon Nov 28

Digital Wisdom Prayers (robots will be in person!)

Tue Nov 29

Grade 11 Exchange Information Evening – Dining Hall:  6 – 7 pm

Thu Dec 1

Carol Service Practice in Prayers

World Cup Dress in support of your favourite team

Fri Dec 2

Grade 9/10 Semi:  7 – 10 pm