A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, January 24, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

While a polar vortex has passed through Toronto, things at Havergal have remained HOT, HOT, HOT in the Junior School! This week our students have welcomed numerous guests to their classrooms, introducing them to Muay Thai, Zoomba Athletics, Shadow Puppet Theatre, and a visit from “Science Stan,” who worked with our Grade 6s to build their own models of the “Canadarm,” as part of their learning on space. In addition, we were thrilled to welcome over 80 families, with prospective students in JK and Grade 1, to the Junior School this week, as they participated in the assessment component of the admission process. Finally, it was such a pleasure to engage with so many of our new families on Wednesday evening! I remain grateful to be part of such a dynamic community, who looks deliberately to the past, present and future.

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

A Message from our Principal, Dr. Katrina Samson

Dear Havergal Community,

Happy 2025! The start of the new calendar year turns our attention forward to the excitement ahead. Just as our grads look toward June and the transition that will come with graduation, we look forward to welcoming new families and team members.

Today, I’m sharing the bittersweet news that Mr. Garth Nichols, Vice Principal, Experiential Education & Innovation, has been appointed as the next Head of School at Kingsway College School in Etobicoke. Mr. Nichols will assume his new role this summer, and while we will greatly miss his leadership and vision at Havergal, I know you will join me in congratulating him on this exciting next chapter in his career.

Mr. Nichols has had a wonderful impact during his time with us and his contributions to Havergal will leave a lasting legacy. He has been instrumental in advancing experiential and global education at the College, including his leadership in developing the Global Learning and Leading Diploma and his exceptional guidance of HC-X, our innovation hub. He has also been a steadfast advocate for Havergal’s work in Truth and Reconciliation, nurturing relationships with Indigenous educators who have partnered with our students and staff to support our continued learning, growth and action.

I am also pleased to share that, over the next year, our global education initiatives, the Forum for Change, and HC-X will report to Deputy Principal Ms. Lindsay Norberg. With her deep understanding of Havergal’s vision and mission, her previous work with our global experience program, and her years of dedicated leadership, Ms. Norberg is well-positioned to guide these important areas of our programming. I am confident that, under her stewardship, these teams will continue to thrive and advance their impactful work.

Please join me in thanking Mr. Nichols for his many contributions to Havergal and wishing him every success in his new role. 

Incident Near Havergal Today

We want to inform you about an incident near our school earlier today. Toronto Police Services were contacted when a community member acted aggressively toward students in the area. We can confirm that no Havergal students were involved or harmed. 

Our security team is aware of the individual and has taken precautions to ensure student safety. The person has since been apprehended by police.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students remain our top priority. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Student Led conferences: April 11th –  No Classes for Students

We are thrilled to announce that this year, for the first time, we will host Student-Led Conferences in the Junior School. This new initiative offers a wonderful opportunity for our students to take center stage in sharing their learning journey with you.

What Are Student-Led Conferences?
These conferences will showcase what students are currently learning in the classroom and provide them with the chance to present their progress to you formally. The focus will be on the learning process and self-reflection, which aligns with our broader educational philosophy and strategic plan. The goal is to empower students to take ownership of their learning while fostering a meaningful dialogue between students and parents. This is part of our ongoing commitment to incorporate student voice and reflection into our parent-teacher conferences and formal reporting, a key initiative in our strategic plan.  Rather than the traditional teacher-run parent-teacher conferences, this approach shifts the focus to the students themselves, allowing them to actively engage in reflection, goal-setting, and metacognition.

We hope that these conferences will allow for rich, reflective conversations that highlight not only what your child has accomplished but also the ways in which they are thinking about and growing in their learning. We look forward to celebrating our students’ achievements and growth with you at the upcoming Student-Led Conferences.

The Great Movement Challenge

This morning in prayers we highlighted the importance of getting moving. From January 25th to February 7th we challenge the Junior School to The Great Movement Challenge! This challenge is over a two-week period where you will get active for as many minutes as possible! Students have been given a tracking form (click the link to print) that they can hand into the mailbox outside of the HPE office after each week. Getting active can be as easy as playing in your backyard, skipping with a jump rope or going for a walk. We hope that you will get your child moving as much as possible during the great movement challenge! 

Lunar New Year Prayers – Friday, January 31

Students who celebrate the Lunar New Year are welcome to wear their celebratory outfits on this day, for the full day.

Please note that parking is extremely limited at the school, and families are encouraged to either use Spot Angels to find alternative parking arrangements, or consider using public transport. 

Bake Sale! Bake Sale! Bake Sale! – Save the date: Thursday, February 13 

All Junior School students will have an opportunity to attend our delicious annual bake sale with their class. This will be a cash only event, so please send up to $10 with your daughter so she can make her purchases.

Donations: 

  • If you love baking, cookie decorating, making popcorn or candy kabobs, we are looking for you! We welcome all types of nut-feee baked good donations including cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, candy kabobs, pop corn, muffins, donuts etc for the sale. 
  • Please sign up: Sign-Up Genius – Donations
  • Please individually wrap the treats in enticing packaging with packaging ideas being Valentine’s Day, Springtime, Floral, Winter, Lunar New Year, Unicorns, Rainbows etc 
  • If you have any plastic trays that you can either lend or donate to the HCPA for setting up the treats, please drop them off at the JS front desk by February 12. If you would like them returned, please label them with your name and contact info.

Volunteers: 

  • We are looking for volunteers to help with receiving, pricing and setting up the baked goods as well as to help with the sale and clean up. 
  • Please sign up: Sign-up Genius – Volunteers

REMINDERS

Re-registration for 2025-2026 is from January 27 – February 2, 2025

Re-registration for the 2025/26 school year will open on Monday January 27.  

Families will receive an email from the Board of Governors on that day with a link to reregistration and can also access reregistration through the Parent Portal Landing Page. Re-registration, which includes both completing the online forms and submitting the deposit,  is due on Monday February 2, 2025. We cannot guarantee a place for students who re-register after this date.  

While we are certainly hoping to be welcoming all of our students back next year, we recognize that family situations change and relocations occur.  If you are aware that your daughter is not returning to Havergal, please let us know by emailing Maggie Houston-White as soon as possible so we can ensure we have a fulsome admission process at all necessary years.  

Hockey Day Registration for Students in Grades 4 – 6  – REGISTRATION – ACTION REQUIRED

On Tuesday, February 11, Havergal College will face the Bishop Strachan School (BSS) U20 Hockey team in a battle for the Hewitt Cup. This is affectionately known as HOCKEY DAY! In this annual game, faculty, staff, and students are decked out in green and gold to cheer on our Gators with pride. Our Junior School Gators hockey team will play the BSS Junior School team during the first intermission. 

Like last year, this year’s game will be played at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (Formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) located at 50 Carlton St, Toronto. Attendance is mandatory for students in Grades 4 to 8. The parents of all attendees must complete the online registration and purchase tickets in advance. 

Registration Link for Hockey Day 

***REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN AND WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 4th AT NOON***

Please note:

  • Student accounts will be charged $25 to attend the event, which includes bus transportation and admission to the arena. 
  • To review the Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Click Here 
  • All students will return by bus and can not be picked up from the arena. If you have any questions or if you know in advance that your child will be absent on hockey day please contact Ms. Bartlett (abartlett@havergal.on.ca).  

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

  • JS Athletics Schedule 
  • A gentle reminder to please pick up your child from outside the gym unless they have a green bag tag. Thanks. 

Clubs

  • JS Clubs Schedule
  • Winter Clubs are off to a great start and a gentle reminder to please pick up your child from the classroom unless they’re in Primary or Junior Choir as they’ll be dismissed in the carline.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Pre-loved Uniform Sale

  • Come to the Junior School Learning Hub Wednesday, Feb 5, from 2-5 pm for the Pre Loved Uniform sale.   Excellent deals on gently used uniform items!   Sizing from JK – grade 12.   The team is also looking for parent volunteers.  Please click here to sign up to help before and during the event.  
  • In addition, the HCPA marketplace will be selling some additional items from their inventory.  You can also visit their website, HCPA marketplace, to purchase anytime during the year.

JS Bake Sale

  • The Bake Sale is back! Please save the date on Thursday, February 13. All Junior School students will have an opportunity to attend our delicious annual bake sale with their class. This will be a cash only event, so please send up to $10 with your daughter so she can make her purchases.
  • Please click here to sign up for donations.  We welcome all types of nut-free baked good donations.
  • We are also looking for parent volunteers. Please click here to sign up if you can help with setup or during the bake sale. 

A-mazing Race

  • A-mazing Race! Save the date – Sunday, May 4. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us for the always popular A-mazing Race—more details coming soon!

Grade Socials

  • The Grade Evening socials are coming up!  Please see below some details and also the Evite links to RSVP.  We hope to see you all there!
  • JK, SK, Grades 1, 2 & 3: Thursday, February 27, 2025.7- 9 pm,  Theme: Wine and Cheese
  • Grades 4, 5 & 6: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 7 – 9 pm, Theme: Sip and Share

Evite for JK, SK, Grades 1, 2 & 3: Click Here 

Evite for Grades 4, 5 & 6: Click Here

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Tuesday, January 28

  • Holocaust Remembrance Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)

Friday, January 31

  • Lunar New Year Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)

Tuesday, February 4

  • Black Excellence Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am in the JS Gym)

Tuesday, Feb 11

  • Hockey Day Gr. 4-6 at Mattemy arena 1pm-3:15pm 

Thursday, February 13

  • JS Bake Sale

Friday, February 14 

  • Mid Term Break – School Closed

Monday, February 17

  • Mid Term Break – School Closed

Friday, March 7

  • Last Day of Classes

Monday, March 10 – Monday, March 24

  • March Break

Tuesday, March 25

  • Classes Resume for Students

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