A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, October 3, 2025

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

And just like that…in the blink of an eye…we are already in October!

It was so lovely to have so many families and students out last week in support of our community partnerships, on Celebration Day! For those who were able to stay for Friday Night Lights, I am sure you can agree that it was an EPIC event. To see so many people cheering on young women athletes was truly inspirational! Havergal’s win was just the icing on the cake!

We are very much looking forward to next week, and our annual Harvest Festival. A friendly reminder to have your daughter bring in her donations for the North York Harvest Food Bank, one of our longstanding community partners!

Enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Kate

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

LATEST NEWS

School Photos Are Ready For Ordering

Your daughter’s school photos are ready!

How to Order:

  • Please visit Echo Photography and enter your access code and email address.
    • Your access code is your (student ID number)-2526
      • E.g., 12345-2526. 
  • You will also be sent a direct link to your picture without the need to enter an access code 

 Please note the following:

  • New this year, parents and students will be able to choose the picture they’d like to be included in the Ludamus. 
  • Any orders placed in the first week will be shipped by courier free of charge.

Questions?

Photos From School Events

Are you looking for photos from school events? We have a new way for parents to view albums this year! Visit our School Year Photos page on the Parent Portal to see our latest albums. Albums will be available until the end of the following month after they were posted (e.g. September photos will expire on October 31, October photos will expire on November 30, etc.) Be sure to visit the page often for images from our events: HC Parent Portal Photos

Junior School Parent-Teacher Interviews

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews! This is an important opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher and have a focused discussion about their progress, strengths, and areas for growth in the classroom.

While these interviews provide dedicated time to discuss your child, know that our doors are always open! You are welcome and encouraged to reach out to your child’s teacher at any point throughout the year with questions or concerns. They will do the same.

When do Parent Teacher Interviews Take Place?

  • Thursday, October 23 from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
    • There will be an early dismissal on this day
      • JK-Grade 3 (1:30 pm – 1:45 pm)
      • Gr.4 – 6  (1:45 pm – 2:00 pm)
        • Please note that all clubs have been cancelled on this day. This includes Private Music Lessons.
        • 12 Basketball, U10 Basketball & U12 Soccer have their final games this afternoon. JS Athletic Schedule
        • Gator Care is available from 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
          • Please register by Monday, October 20th
  • Friday, October 24 from 8:00am – 3:00pm 
    • Parent/Teacher Conferences continue over Zoom from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.
    • Please note there are NO CLASSES or Gator Care.

How to register:

Havergal uses an online appointment software called PickATime.

  • Opens: Wednesday, October 8th at 12 pm
  • Closes: Wednesday, October 22nd at 8 pm.

Once you have finished booking your appointments; the Zoom link will appear. If you have any last minute changes, please contact Sarah Robertson (srobertson@havergal.on.ca) 

Please note:

  • CLICK HERE to sign into your pickAtime account with your password.
  • If you do not have a pickAtime account, please read this article on how to create an account in advance of the online opening. 
  • Please be sure to select the “Junior School” option JS PTC October 2025 in the drop down menu (not the “Upper School” or “Green and Gold”).

Need any Further Help?

For assistance with pickAtime, please contact the IT Service Desk.

  • Email: servicedesk@havergal.on.ca
  • Telephone: (416) 483-3843 ext. 6663 and they will assist you. 
  • Hours of operation are from Monday – Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

Havergal’s Guidelines on Public Statements

At Havergal College, our role is to teach students how to think, not what to think. Following consultation with our Senior Leadership Team and a special task force of the Board of Governors, we have established guidelines on issuing public statements. The Board of Governors endorsed these guidelines earlier this week. In line with these, Havergal will not release public statements on geopolitical or sociopolitical events. As a day and boarding school with a diverse, international community, our responsibility is to help students develop the skills necessary to engage in respectful dialogue and critical thinking. You can find the guidelines on public statements and an accompanying FAQ in the Policies, Procedures & Agreements section of our parent portal. 

We know that both local and world events over the past few years have been difficult for many in our community, and we remind students and families that we have support available through our student support team, along with access to external supports for students as necessary

Reflections: Self-Confidence in a Changing World – An Invitation for Parents (Tues, Oct 28; 6 pm – 8 pm)


In today’s world of filtered selfies, fitness culture, and confusing ideals of wellness and nutrition, girls and young women face immense pressures around body image and self-esteem.

Join moderator Christina Sorbara (Current Parent, business leader, corporate director, and former national team athlete) and a panel of experts — Nicole Tapscott ’02 (Old Girl/Alum & Current Parent, Chief Commercial Officer at Knix), Dr. Nina Mafrici ’02 (Old Girl/Alum & Current Parent, Clinical Psychologist), Dr. Michele Foster (Clinical Psychologist), and Krista Koekkoek (Head of Upper School) — as they share perspectives on how schools, families, and communities can help girls build confidence and self-compassion.

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 6–8 pm
Where: Legacy Theatre, Havergal College

RSVP HERE

Introducing Our New Child and Youth Worker

We are delighted to share with you that Jessica Maltar will be joining Havergal College Junior School as our Child and Youth Worker. Her first day will be October 6th.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Maltar to the Havergal Community.

Pizza Lunch is on Monday, October 6 (Tuesday, October 7 for Grade 2)

Our first Pizza Lunch of the Year is on Monday. Students not participating are asked to bring their own packed lunch. The salad and sandwich bar will still be available.

Grade 2 Families – Pizza lunch will be on Tuesday, October 7

  • Grade 2 will be on a field-trip on Monday, October 6. As such, we have arranged for the students in this grade to have their pizza lunch on Tuesday, October 7

REMINDERS

Harvest Festival & Donations to the Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank 

We are pleased to be holding our annual Harvest Festival again this year! This formal service of Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and support our community partners – The North York Harvest Food Bank.

Harvest Festival

What students should wear – # 1 Concert Dress, which consists of:

  • JK – Grade 4
    • White long-sleeve dress shirt
    • Tie
    • Tunic
    • Tights, not socks
    • Black shoes
    • Hair back from face with minimal hair accessories that are the same colour as your hair or the HC official hair accessories
  • Grade 5 & 6
  •  White long-sleeve dress shirt
  • Tie
  • Kilt (grades 5 and 6)
  • Tights, not socks
  • Black shoes
  • Hair back from face with minimal hair accessories that are the same colour as your hair or the HC official hair accessories 

Time and Location

  • The service will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., and will end at 9:45 a.m. in the Brenda Robson Hall, which is located in the Upper School

Photos and Videos

  • We will have members of our Marketing and Communications’ Team on hand to take videos and photos of the service;
  • As in Prayers, we ask families not to take photos or videos during the service. Should your daughter have a speaking role, you are permitted to take a photo or short video, and we ask that you be discreet while doing so.

Parking

  • Parking is extremely limited at the school. We encourage you to walk, carpool, or take alternative transportation. Should you wish to drive, you are invited to check out Spot Angels, which can assist you in finding nearby free or paid parking options. 

Donations to the North York Harvest Food Bank 

The Junior School will be running a food drive in support of the North York Harvest Food Bank, between Monday, September 29 and Thursday, October 10. Students in JK to Grade 6 are asked to bring in non-perishable food items for donation. The following items are urgently needed:

  • Pasta, Rice, Grains
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Cooking Oil
  • Canned Fish

Please send your donations to school with your daughter. These can be placed in the bins outside the Junior School Library.

Diwali – An Invitation 

Please read the invitation below, and RSVP to srobertson@havergal.on.ca 

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

  • Good luck to the XC, Swim, U12 Soccer Team, and the U12 Basketball Team, who all have their first games/meets this week. Please check the JS Athletics Schedule for details.  
  • Questions?

Clubs:

  • A reminder to please pick up your child when the club concludes otherwise they will sit at Security until your arrival.
  • Questions?

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, October 6 – Friday, October 10 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

HCPA Coffee Mornings

  • Don’t forget to RSVP directly to your grade reps for our upcoming coffee morning in the JS Dining Hall, 8-9:30am:
    • Thursday, October 16: Grades 4, 5 and 6
    • Monday, October 27: Grades JK -3

JS Bake Sale

  • The Junior School Bake sale will be held on Tuesday November 4. Details on how to volunteer or donate baked-goods are available in this week’s News You Can Use. 

HCPA General Meeting

  • Please join us at our next HCPA General Meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 7-9pm (JS Dining Room).

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

Use this link to see a personalised summary of your child’s activities next week, on the Parent Portal.

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, October 6

  • No Prayers – Harvest Festival Practice
  • First Pizza Lunch of the year (JK – Grade 1; Grade 3 – 6)

Tuesday, October 7

  • Pizza Lunch for Grade 2

Wednesday, October 8

  • Prayers – Meeting Our JS Prefects (8:30 am – 8:55 am)
  • Registration for Parent-Teacher Interviews Opens (12:00 pm)

Thursday, October 9

  • Harvest Festival (Brenda Robson Hall – 9:00 am – 9:45 am)

Friday, October 10 – Monday, October 13

  • School Closed for Thanksgiving Weekend

Tuesday, October 14

  • Classes Resume

Wednesday, October 22

  • Registration for Parent-Teacher Interviews Closes (8:00 pm)

Thursday, October 23

  • Early Dismissal for Parent-Teacher Interviews
    • JK-Grade 3 (1:30 pm – 1:45 pm)
    • Gr.4 – 6  (1:45 pm – 2:00 pm)
      • Please note that all clubs have been cancelled on this day. This includes Private Music Lessons.
      • Gator Care is available from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Friday, October 24

  • No classes (Parent-Teacher Interviews)

Tuesday, October 28 

  • Reflections: Self-Confidence in a Changing World – An Invitation for Parents (6 pm – 8 pm; Legacy Theatre)

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