A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, May 9, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families, 

It has been a colourful and joyous time in the Junior School, as we celebrated Pride Week and enjoyed an incredible performance by our Grade 6s, under the direction of Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo, one of our artists in residence.

Pride Week has provided an opportunity for us to reflect the idea that “Everyone Deserves to Love, to be Loved, and to Live Authentically as Themselves.” It was wonderful to see our students, faculty and staff across both sides of the bridge engage in learning about the LGBTQ2S+ community, and think deeply about what it means to belong, and the actions we can take as allies.

We were also just blown away by our Grade 6 students as they performed the Boboobo Dance from Ghana at Prayers this morning! It was truly inspiring to see how all of their hard work and practice paid off. Here is the FULL VIDEO of their performance.

Additional photos and videos of Pride Week events, and this morning’s performance can also be found on Havergal’s social media sites. I highly encourage you to take a look!

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Gator Gabs: Havergal’s Junior School Podcast Episode 2

A group of Grade 5 students have joined together to produce a podcast for our Junior School. We are very excited to share our first episode with our Havergal community. In the episode, you will hear about team and event updates, Havergal jokes and facts, and an exclusive interview. If you would like to listen to our first episode, you can access it from using this  Gator Gabs Podcast link. We hope that listening to our podcast will bring your family joy and help you learn a bit more about Havergal. 

Bring Your Sunscreen! 

As the weather warms up, please ensure your child comes to school with sunscreen already applied and, if possible, brings their own for reapplication. Students are often outside beyond PE—at lunch, during breaks, and for class activities—and we’ve noticed many do not have sunscreen with them. Thank you for helping us keep everyone sun-safe.

Celebratory Pizza Lunch For Students in Marian Wood – Thursday, May 15 in the Multi-Purpose Room

Congratulations to this year’s A-mazing Race Winners – Marian Wood! Students in this house will get to celebrate with a special Pizza lunch on Thursday, May 15. All dietary restrictions will be taken into consideration. Should your daughter not like Pizza, she is still welcome to attend, and either bring a home lunch, or a lunch from Chartwells.

REMINDERS

Last Chance to Donate to the North York Harvest Food Bank Drive

Thank you so much to those who have already so generously donated to the North York Harvest Food Bank (NYHFB). Please note that you still have until Monday if you have not yet had a chance to donate. Donations can be left in the boxes outside the JS Library.

The NYHFB is currently greatly in need of the following items:

  • Canned Fish
  • Canned Fruit
  • Cooking Oil
  • Period Products (e.g., tampons, pads, liners, menstrual cups…)

All Library Books to be Returned by Friday, May 30th 

The library has seen a flurry of activity this year, with thousands of books shared amongst our community. Thank you to everyone for taking care of these little pieces of the library as they’ve passed through the hands of students. As the school year draws to a close, it is time for these library materials to be returned to their home base. All library books must be returned by Friday May 30th. 

Ms. Rodd, our Librarian, will be working with teachers to ensure that students continue to have reading material for the classroom. If you would like a list of current check outs, please email me at erodd@havergal.on.ca

Please note that students will be allowed to borrow books over the summer, but only if all books from the school year have been returned. 

Look out for summer reading lists – coming soon!

CO-CURRICULARS

Athletics

Clubs

  • A reminder that Yoga, Sketch, Gymnastics, Teaching Kitching and Learn-to-Play Band finish on Monday. Please check the JS Spring Clubs Schedule to stay informed.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU NEXT WEEK?

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out

  • Get your tickets for the HCPA’s Moms’ Night Out (MNO) at Taylors Landing on Thursday, May 22. Click here to purchase tickets (ticket sales close today).

JS A-mazing Race Thank you!

  • Thanks to everyone who organized, volunteered for and attended the JS A-mazing Race! Photos are available here.

HCPA Volunteer Reception

  • HC warmly invites all HCPA members and volunteers to the HCPA Volunteer Reception on Thursday, May 29, from 6 – 8:30 pm at the Upper School.
  • Please check your email for the RSVP link. If you’ve volunteered this year but didn’t receive an invitation, reach out to Lauren Farquharson, Parent Relations Manager, at lfarquharson@havergal.on.ca.
  • We look forward to celebrating with you with an evening of fun, refreshments, and delicious food!

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Friday, May 16 – Monday, May 19

  • No Classes – Victoria Day Long Weekend

Tuesday, May 20

  • Classes Resume
  • Track and Field Finals at York University (8:45 am – 4:30 pm) 

Friday, May 23

  • House Shout  – House Dress Down Day (1:45 pm – 3:00 pm)
    • More information to come

Monday, June 9

  • Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony (4:00 pm – 5:30 pm)
    • Grade 6 families only
    • More information to be sent directly to Grade 6 families

Wednesday, June 11

  • JS Closing Ceremony (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm in the Brenda Robson Hall)
    • All JS Families Invited

Thursday, June 12

  • Last Day of School (School Closes at 11:30 am)
    • Students will have an opportunity to say goodby to their peers and teachers before beginning their summer holidays.

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