A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, January 30, 2026

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

What a week! From the close to 60 cm of snow that covered the city on Sunday, to temperatures of -30 degrees, this winter is showing us everything it’s got! While we have been shortening our recesses, students are still going outside to ensure they have time to play and get some fresh air throughout the day. Thank you for ensuring that students come to school appropriately dressed to enjoy their time outside.

With Spirit Week just over a week away, we are looking forward to spreading some Havergal Cheer, and celebrating our school spirit. 

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.

Sincerely,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Hygiene Kit Drive (Monday, Feb 2 – Thursday, Feb 12)

This February, Havergal College is pleased to once again be collaborating with our long-time community partners, New Circles, in support of their Hygiene Kit Program. Our Grade 5 students, as part of their Leadership Programming, will be working with their teachers to run this important initiative in the Junior School.

  • You can support the drive by sending the assigned items with your child to school (collected by the homeroom teacher) by Thursday, February 12, 2026. 
  • Every contribution makes a meaningful difference and helps our students learn the impact of leadership, empathy, and community service. Encourage your child to participate fully—together, we can help New Circles families feel supported and cared for this season.

When and How are Donations Being Accepted?

  • Donations can be brought in anytime between now and February 12, 2026.
  • Students should place their items in their homeroom collection bin.
  • After the collection period, Grade 5 students will sort the donations and assemble Hygiene Kits, which will be delivered to New Circles at the end of February.

On behalf of the Junior School and our Partners at New Circles thank you for your generosity! 

Please see below for Grade item requests:

JK/SK/Grade 1

  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes

Grade 2 & Grade 4A

  • Soap and Lotion

Grade 3 & Grade 4B

  • Lysol Wipes

Grade 5

  • Shampoo and Conditioner

Grade 6

  • Small packs of pads and tampons
    • (Buying smaller packs will allow more clients to receive them) 

To learn more, please review the New Circles- Hygiene Kit Drive Information Sheet  

Spirit Week (Monday, Feb 9 – Thursday, Feb 12)

Spirit Week is just around the corner! At Havergal, Spirit Week is about coming together, supporting one another, and celebrating what makes our community so special. It’s a time for our community to share moments of joy together and create a positive ripple effect throughout our school – because spirit is contagious!  

  • Monday, February 9th: Students are invited to wear an accessory over their uniform that represents a country they love or celebrates where they are from.
  • Tuesday, February 10th: It’s hockey day!!! Students are encouraged to dress down in one of the following:
    • green and gold, 
    • an HPE shirt or 
    • a hockey jersey of their choice.  
  • Thursday, February 12th: To gear up for Valentine’s Day, everyone is encouraged to “Wear What You Love” as a way to celebrate your authentic self.

Gator Care Monthly Blast

Should your daughter attend Gator Care on a regular basis, we encourage you to read this month’s  edition of the Gator Care Monthly Blast. It will provide you with a high-level overview of what is happening, as well as some quick reminders.

Pizza Lunch is on Monday, February 2!

A reminder that our students will enjoy a Pizza Lunch on Monday!  Students not participating are asked to bring their own packed lunch. The salad and sandwich bar will still be available.

REMINDERS

Final Date for Reregistration for 2026-2027 – Monday, February 2!

The final day for Re-registration for the 2026/27 school year is on Monday, February 2.

Families have all received an email from the Board of Governors with a link to reregistration. This can also be accessed through the Parent Portal Landing Page. Re-registration, which includes both completing the online forms and submitting the deposit,  is due on Tuesday 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. 

Hockey Day: Online Registration, Ticket Purchase, Transportation – ACTION REQUIRED

Hockey Day takes place on Feb 10th at 1 pm at Mattemy arena. 

Everyone in Gr. 4-6 must complete the online registration.

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd AT NOON! Register Now!

Click here:  HOCKEY DAY REGISTRATION (Gr. 4 – 6) 

What to do if Your Child Cannot Attend Hockey Day:

Student-Led Conferences – Friday, April 17 (No Classes on This Day)

We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting Student-Led Conferences in the Junior School again this year! This 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!

ATHLETIC and CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

  •  JS Athletics Schedule  
  • Don’t forget to register your child for Hockey Day! See the hockey day message above. 
  • Good Luck to the Twelve, U10, U11, and U12 Volleyball teams, who all have games next week. Also, to our swimmers who have their last meet before the finals. 
  • Questions about Athletics?

Clubs:

  •  JS Clubs Schedule
  • Due to the Snow Days on January 15 and 26, 2026: club fees have been adjusted.
  • Questions about clubs?

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

JS Menu for Monday, February 2 – Friday, February 6 

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)

Preloved Uniform & Marketplace Sale 

Preloved Uniform & Marketplace mid-year sale is on Wednesday, February 4, 2:30 – 5:00 pm in the Junior School Learning Hub hallway.  Sizing is available from JK – grade 12.  

  • The teams are looking for parent volunteers to help before, during and after the events. Please click here to sign up.

The Bake Shop

The Bake Shop is open Wednesday, February 11, from 12:30 – 2:00 pm in the Gator Care room. All JS students will have the opportunity to visit the bake sale with their classes. We recommend bringing $10 cash to shop the sale. 

  • We’re looking for parent volunteers to bake or donate nut-free baked goods.
    • Sign up here. Those who donate will have first dibs on volunteer time slots. 
  • Donations can be homemade or store-bought—all delicious contributions welcome!

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, February 2

  • Registration for Hockey Day CLOSES at 12:00 pm
  • Pizza Lunch Day

Wednesday, February 4

  • Black History Month Prayers (8:25 am – 8:55 am); followed by a reception in the JS Library
  • JS Pre-Loved Uniform Sale (2:30 – 5:00 pm in the Junior School Learning Hub hallway) 

Monday, February 9 – Thursday, February 12 – Spirit Week 

  • Monday, February 9th: 
    • Students are invited to wear an accessory over their uniform that represents a country they love or celebrates where they are from.
  • Tuesday, February 10th:
    • It’s hockey day!!! Students are encouraged to dress down in one of the following:
      • green and gold, 
      • an HPE shirt or 
      • a hockey jersey of their choice.
  • Wednesday, February 11 (12:30 pm – 2:00 pm)
    • JS Bake Sale
      • We recommend bringing $10 cash to shop the sale.
  • Thursday, February 12th:
    • To gear up for Valentine’s Day, everyone is encouraged to “Wear What You Love” as a way to celebrate your authentic self.
  • 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

April 10th (9:30 am – 11:00 am)

  • Grandpals’ Day
    • More information about this day will be sent prior to the event.

Friday, April 17 

  • Student-Led Conferences
    • Families will be able to sign-up for 30 minute slots to see just some of what students are currently learning in the classroom, and present it to you formally.
    • Please note that there are NO SCHEDULED CLASSES on this day.
    • More information will be sent prior to the event.

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