A Message From the Head of the Junior School – Friday, February 3, 2023

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear JS Families,

I hope that everyone is staying safe and warm on this cold and sunny January day! 

I have no doubt that parent-teacher conferences were a wonderful opportunity to check in with your child’s teachers. These are really important conversations when we come together as partners to discuss how your daughter is continuing to grow and learn academically and socially. When I see the teachers prepare for these meetings, I am in awe of how deeply they know each child, seeing their many strengths, areas for growth, and next steps. It is also my hope that it further reinforces your decision that Havergal is a place where your daughter can thrive.

Wishing you all a lovely, if somewhat frosty, weekend ahead!

Warmly,

Kate

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

LATEST

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.


Re-registration for 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.

Spirit Week- Monday, Feb 13 – Friday, Feb 17

Havergal Spirit Week is almost here to help us keep smiling and engaged through the grey days of winter.  Be sure to take note of what to wear each day.

  • Monday, February 13 – Jersey Day/Silly Socks
    • Students can dress in a sports jersey of their choosing. If students do not have a jersey, they can wear silly socks and shoes. Please note students are still required to wear the school uniform along with their jersey or silly socks. 
  • Tuesday, February 14-Hockey Day and Valentine’s Day
    • JK/SK Students- Unicorn Day. Students can wear anything related to unicorns!
    • Students in Grades 1 – 6 are invited to wear FULL green and gold clothing to show their school spirit. OR “Wear What They Love” for Valentine’s Day!
    • Students in Grades 4-6 will be attending the Hewitt Cup Hockey game in the afternoon.
  • Wednesday, February 15 – Cozy Day
    • Students are invited to wear their pajamas to school. 
  • Thursday, February 16  –  House Day
    • Students are invited to wear house colours! 

REMINDERS

What’s on the Menu in January?

Take a look at what’s for lunch on the Junior School January Lunch Menu 

Pizza Lunch is on Monday, February 6!

A reminder that Monday is Pizza Lunch for all those registered

Using the Parent Portal to View Your Child’s Calendar of Events

Moving forward, please use this link, which will provide you with a calendar of events, called My Household Calendar, which is personalized for your family.  You can also access this calendar through the Parent Portal in the Junior School menu along the top, then “My Household Calendar”.

We invite and encourage you to make use of the “ Parent Portal Feedback” form in the weeks ahead. This will be most helpful as we work together to ensure that our families are well informed about what is happening, so that you can plan accordingly. 

HCPA UPDATES

Today is the last day to RSVP for the Grade 1 and Grade 5 breakfasts on Feb 7 and Feb 8 at 7:30 am in the Brenda Robson Hall. Students came come in their PJ’s and then change into their uniform when they get back to the Junior School.

Don’t forget to send your photos to  havergalbreakfast5@gmail.com by the end of day today!

There will also be a pop-up shop outside the Brenda Robson Hall, where you can purchase “HC Spirit Wear!” 

DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, February 6 

  • Pizza Lunch

Tuesday, February 7

  • Grade 1 Family Breakfast (7:30 am – 8:30 am – Brenda Robson Hall)

Wednesday, February 8

  • Grade 5 Family Breakfast (7:30 am – 8:30 am – Brenda Robson Hall)

Monday, February 13 – Thursday, February 16 – Spirit Week!

  • Tuesday, February 14 
    • Hockey Day!

Friday, February 24

  • JS Pre-Loved Uniform Sale (9:00 am – 11:00 am – Outside the Library)

Friday, March 10 

  • Last Day of Classes before March Break

Monday, March 27

  • No Classes for Students; PD Day for Teachers

Tuesday, March 28

  • Classes Resume for Students

April 30, 2023, 

  • JS A-mazing Race  (12:30-3:30 pm)

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