A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, January 9, 2026

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

Welcome Back!

On January 5, we welcomed all faculty back to school for a full day of professional learning focused on strengthening how we work together and on designing learning environments that help students thrive. It was an energizing and highly engaging day.

The day began with the faculty revisiting the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), a tool we have used with employees and our Grade 12 students. This work deepens self-awareness and strengthens relationships across divisions—an essential foundation for strong teaching and learning and our commitment to wellbeing.

A central focus of the day was rethinking perfectionism. Faculty explored the difference between healthy striving—where high expectations are balanced with flexibility, reflection, and care—and unhelpful perfectionism, which can limit learning and wellbeing. Teachers reflected on how adult beliefs and behaviours shape classroom culture, influence student confidence, and either encourage or inhibit risk-taking and resilience.

In the afternoon, faculty engaged in hands-on learning on classroom risk-taking. Through shared activities and discussion, teachers examined instructional choices that invite students to think deeply, make mistakes safely, and persist through challenge. This work reinforces our commitment to learning environments where curiosity, creativity, and growth are valued as much as outcomes, which we know lead to student success.

Across the day, faculty were united by a shared goal: excellence grounded in healthy striving, strong relationships, and a deep commitment to student wellbeing. This professional learning directly informs our teaching practice and supports our ongoing work to ensure every Havergal student feels confident, challenged, and supported as a learner.

We hope you and your family had a lovely December break together, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to support your child in 2026.

Lindsay Norberg, Lam Nguyen, Kate White & Krista Koekkoek

Academic Leadership Team

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Re-registration: January 27 – February 2, 2026

Re-registration for the 2026/27 school year will open on Tuesday 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, 2026.  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 (mhw@havergal.on.ca) as soon as possible so we can ensure we have a fulsome admission process at all necessary years.

Dismissal from Athletics and Clubs

Primary Clubs: Run from 3:05-4:05 pm

  • Please pick your daughter up from the club classroom between 4:05 – 4:10pm. If your daughter is registered for Gator Care, the club instructor will drop her off there.

Junior Clubs: Run from 3:15 – 4:15 pm

  • Please pick your daughter up from the club classroom between 4:15 – 4:20pm. If your daughter is registered for Gator Care, the club instructor will drop her off there.

Finally, you should have received an email from your club instructor this week with important information. If your daughter requires any special accommodations or if there is anything the instructor should be aware of, please be sure to inform them directly.  If your daughter is going to be absent for a club session, please email the club instructor.

REMINDERS

Arrival on Friday Mornings (Late Start)

Attendance on Friday mornings is taken at 8:55 am. Please ensure that your child arrives prior to this, so that they can start Period 1 on time, and not miss out on classroom instruction. We really appreciate your support.

As a reminder, students can be dropped off on Fridays between 7:30 am and 8:05 am or between 8:40 am and 8:50 am.

Nail Extensions are Not Permitted in the Junior School

We have noticed that a number of Junior School Students have returned after the break with long nail extensions (biogel, acrylic, etc.). A friendly reminder that while the students are permitted to wear nail polish, extensions of any kind are not permitted, as outlined in our Family Handbook 2025-26. We reminded students of this on Wednesday at Prayers. 

Major Dates Calendar for 2026-2027

Our Major Dates Calendar for 2026-2027 has been set! We know that many families like to plan ahead, so we hope that this is helpful. Please note that dates are subject to change. This information can also be found on the Parent Portal.

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

  •  JS Athletics Schedule  
  • Intramurals for Grades 1-6 start up this week! This is run by our Grade 6 leaders at recess. Students in each Grade will be able to participate on a designated day.
  • Good Luck to the U12 hockey team on their first game against RSGC on Jan 14th. 
  • Athletics Questions?

Clubs:

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, January 12 – Friday, January 16 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

Parent Evening Socials

Please save the date for the following evening parent socials:

  • Grades JK – 4: February 26, 7 – 9 pm (Bio Wall)
  • Grade 5 – 6: TBA 

YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALIZED CALENDAR

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

KEY DATES ON THE HORIZON

Monday, January 12

  • Prayers (Ms. White will be delivering the message)

Wednesday, January 14

  • Prayers (Rev. Ruch will be delivering the message)

Monday, February 9 – Thursday, February 12

  • Spirit Week (dress down day details to come)

Friday, February 13 

  • Mid Term Break – School Closed

Monday, February 16

  • Mid Term Break – School Closed

Thursday, February 26 (7 – 9 pm at the Bio Wall)

  • JK – Grade 4 Parent Social

Friday, March 6

  • Last Day of Classes

Monday, March 9 – Monday, March 23

  • March Break

Tuesday, March 24

  • Classes Resume for Students

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