A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, February 27, 2026

On By havergaljuniorschool

Dear Junior School Families,

This week brought about many exciting events in the Junior School. On Monday, we honoured the Lunar New Year in prayers. Students shared stories, a short play, poems, dances and songs all in celebration of the Year of the Horse. In addition, students learned about the meaning of Pink Shirt Day, a national anti-bullying initiative, aimed at bringing awareness to the issue. Ms. Watt and students shared personal experiences when they had been on the receiving end of both kind and unkind behaviours, the courage that it takes to be an “upstander,” and how in a world where we can choose to be anything, to be kind.

A final thank you to students in Grade 5 for planning fun and engaging activities at recess for Thrive Day. It was an opportunity to slow down, come together, and focus on our individual and collective wellbeing.

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Report Cards Available for Viewing on Wednesday, March 4 at 4:00 pm 

March report cards represent a snapshot of a student’s achievements, progress, and areas for growth at this point in the academic year. The objective of a report card is to communicate what a student has learned and how she is developing as a learner across each discipline. Partnership between Havergal and parents is key to student success. We encourage you to take time to review the report card, discuss it with your child, and identify any key themes or questions you might have. If you have any questions about specific courses, please reach out directly to the teacher; they are eager to partner with you. 

Further information on how to access the report cards will be emailed next week. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lam Nguyen, Dean of Academics.

Invitations to Ramadan & Eid Prayers, and Nowruz Prayers – RSVP by March 9th

Families will be receiving invitations to Ramadan & Eid Prayers (Wednesday, March 25th) and Norwruz Prayers (Monday, March 30th). Students have already started practicing and are excited to share more about these important cultural celebrations. Both prayers will be followed by a reception afterwards.

If you would like to attend, kindly RSVP by MARCH 9th for: 

Invitation to Grandpals’ Day – RSVP by April 3

Grandpals’ Day will take place on  Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10:00 am! Families will have received an invitation today for this special event.

RSVP for Grandpals’ Day, by Friday, April 3. 

New this Year!

We recognize that not all students have a grandpal who is able to attend. As such, we have arranged for alternate programming for students in Grade 1 – 3, and students in Grade 4 – 6. If this is the case for your daughter, please let her homeroom teacher know, so that we can ensure she is included.

Registration for Gator Care is Open – Spring Term

  • Open: Friday, February 27 
  • Closes: Friday, March 6 at 11:59 pm

Registration Options:

Registration for afternoon care is mandatory; drop-ins are NOT permitted. 

  • Option #1: Register by term (five days a week) 
    • Term 3 ($1200)
    • Registration is currently open on the Parent Portal 
  • Option #2:  Registration on an “as needed basis”
    • Families who need to register for Gator Care on an “as needed basis” must email gatorcare@havergal.on.ca by 9 am on the day the service is required. If you know the days that you require in advance, we kindly ask that you register as soon as possible.
    • Flat fee of $30/day — fees will be compiled and charged by term. (New!)
  • Please note:

Cleaning Out the Lost and Found: Monday, March 2 – Friday, March 6

All items in the Lost and Found have been put out on tables on the first floor, outside the Gym. Families and students are encouraged to check for lost belongings. We will make every effort to return labelled items to the students.

All unclaimed items will be donated to New Circles, or will go to the Used Uniform Sale, on Friday, March 6.

Please be sure to label ALL of their child(ren)’s clothing, as this makes it much easier for items to be returned. As we head into the winter season, we encourage you to make sure that things like coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and mitts are clearly labelled as well.

Locker and Cubby Clean out Next Week

All students are asked to bring all personal belongings home for the holidays. This is so that our cleaners are able to do an extra deep cleaning during the break. Please send your child to school with extra bags to carry their things. Teachers will be on hand to support the students with this task.

JS Family & Community Partner Sort – Monday, March 23 

We are excited to offer families opportunities to work alongside our community partners (North York Harvest Food Bank and New Circles), on Monday, March 23. To learn more about these, and to sign up, kindly visit the:

Family and Community Partner Information and Sign-Up Form 

REMINDERS

Pizza Lunch is On Monday, March 2

Students will enjoy a Pizza Lunch on Monday, March 2. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers and the Chartwells’ Team, who make this run so seamlessly.

Should your daughter not participate in Pizza Lunch, please remember to pack her lunch on this day.

Student-Led Conferences Sign-Up (Grades 1 – 6)

A sign-up sheet was sent to families in Grade 1 – 6 on Monday, February 23 for Student-Led Conferences at 4 pm. Please refer to this email for the link to your child’s class sign-up form. 

If you are not able to attend on this day, kindly let your daughter’s teacher know, and they would be pleased to send home materials for you to review together at home.

Spring Co-curriculars Registration Closes at 8 pm on Sunday, March 1

Please note that this is the final weekend to register for Spring Athletics and Clubs. 

To register, please go to the JS Parent Portal. 

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

  • Winter Athletic Breakfast Celebration (March 3; 7:30 am – 8:15 am)
    •  Students in Gr. 4-6 who participated on Winter Term teams are invited to a breakfast celebration to honour all of their hard work, and participation.
  •  JS Athletics Schedule  
  • Athletics Questions?

Clubs:

  •  JS Clubs Schedule
  • A huge thank you to our club instructors for their time and for delivering such a breadth of co-curriculars to our students.
  • Club Questions?

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK

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

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

HCPA General Meeting Update

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout at our HCPA General Meeting on Wednesday, February 25! A huge thank you to HC Social Worker Caitlin Parsons for her insightful presentation on “Perfectionism and Girls”—a topic that clearly resonated with many in the room. We also enjoyed hearing the latest updates from our dedicated HCPA committees.

Missed the session? Click here to view the presentation slides. 

JS A-mazing Race

A-mazing Race! Ticket sales are now open – Sunday, May 3. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us for the always popular A-mazing Race— PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

  • Curious what’s in store? Check out our video reel here for a sneak peek at the high-energy fun and school spirit that makes this event so legendary!

HCPA Nominations 2026-27

The Havergal College Parent Association is seeking self-nominations for the 2026-27 school year.

To learn more about the available positions and how to get involved, please click here to view the self-nomination form. Nomination forms are due Monday, March 2, 2026 at 9 pm. We aim to find a position for all who apply and will be in touch in early May with the finalised roster.

  • Please click here to hear Leah Li (HCPA Vice Chair) speak about her positive experiences volunteering with the HCPA!

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

Sunday, March 1

  • Registration for Spring Co-Curriculars closes at 8 pm, on the Parent Portal 

Monday, March 2

  • Pizza Lunch

Tuesday, March 3rd 

  • Gr. 4-6 Athletic Breakfast Celebration (7:30 am – 8:15am in the JS Dining Hall) 

Wednesday, March 4

  • Report Cards Available for Viewing at 4 pm, on the Parent Portal 

Friday, March 6

  • Last Day of Classes before March Break
  • Final Day to Register for Gator Care on the Parent Portal 

Monday, March 9 

Monday, March 9 – Monday, March 23

  • March Break

Monday, March 23

Tuesday, March 24

  • Classes Resume for Students

Wednesday, March 25

  • Ramadan & Eid Prayers and Reception (8:25 am in the JS Gym)

Monday, March 30

  • Nowruz Prayers and Reception (8:25 am in the JS Gym)

Friday, April 3 

Monday, April 6

  • School Closed for Easter Monday – No classes

Friday, April 10th 

  • Grandpals’ Day (9:30 am – 11:00 am)

Friday, April 17 

  • Student-Led Conferences (8:30 am – 11:00 am)
    • No scheduled classes on this day.
    • If you have more than one daughter, one is welcome to go to Gator Care, while the other is presenting.

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