Month: March 2026

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

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Dear Junior School Families,

It was so lovely to welcome our students back to school on Tuesday after the March Break! The halls are buzzing once again with the sounds of our students learning and playing together; always a delight to see!

On Monday, our faculty and staff welcomed educational consultant, Eric Hudson to campus for a professional development day on the future of generative AI in education. Eric guided us through AI skills and tools in the morning session, with a deep dive in the afternoon focused on assessment strategies and the future of writing.  

Through hands-on learning, practical examples and Q & As, Eric discussed what it means to be a human in an AI world, emphasized the importance of thoughtful integration and shared three AI skills for educators and students: literacy, learning, and ethics. We are excited to bring these insights to our work and classrooms! 

To our families celebrating Passover next week, we hope it is a lovely time with family and friends. Chag Sameach!

Warmly,

Kate

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

Action Required:

Latest News

Reminders

ACTION REQUIRED

RSVP for Grandpals’ Day by Sunday, April 5

Grandpals’ Day will take place on  Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10:00 am! 

RSVP for Grandpals’ Day by Sunday, April 5 

New this Year for Students Who Do Not Have a Grandpal Attending!

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, kindly let her homeroom teacher know by April 3, so that we can ensure she is included.

Sign the AAR for Founders’ Day by Sunday, April 12 (Grade 1 – 6)

All students in Grade 1 – 12 will attend Founders’ Day on Thursday, April 23. Students in JK and SK remain at school. If your daughter is in Grade 1 – 6, please complete the form below:

 Sign the AAR for Founders’Day by Sunday, April 12 (Gr. 1 – 6) 

In the event that your child is not able to attend, please indicate the absence on the Parent Portal  by Sunday April 12th at 9 am so we know not to expect a permission form for this event.

Register for The Amazing Race by Thursday, April 16

Come Rain. Come Shine. Come Ready to Race. The A-mazing Race is Sunday, May 3, 11am-3pm. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us.

Register for The Amazing Race by Thursday, April 16

LATEST NEWS

Information About Founders’ Day: Thursday, April 23 (Grade 1 – 12)

This year’s Founders’ Day celebration will be held at 9:45 am on Thursday April 23 at St. Paul’s Bloor Street church (227 Bloor Street East) – Havergal’s original parish church. 

A part of the Founders’ Day tradition includes hearing the Junior School (Grades 1-6), Middle School, and Senior Choirs perform. As always, the Graduating Class has a special role to play at Founders’ Day. The Class of 2026 will process into the church wearing Marguerite Pins – a gift of the Havergal Old Girls Association (HOGA). The Marguerite Pin symbolises a graduating student’s passage into the Old Girls/Alums network of over 9,500 members.

Founders’ Day is a birthday, of sorts, that builds community – our community. It’s a longstanding tradition in the life of Havergal that brings together students and faculty from both the Junior and Upper Schools alike. It marks the anniversary of the cornerstone being laid at the “New School” on Avenue Road in 1926. 

Welcome Back to Artist in Residence – Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo!

We are thrilled to be welcoming Dr. Kofi back on Monday, April 13th. He will be working with a variety of our students across the Junior School during Prayers & their regular Music and Integrated Arts classes. 

Grade 6 students will have a showcase of their learning on Wednesday, May 6th during Prayers to conclude Kofi’s residency. As always, parents are warmly invited to attend Prayers.

Kofi Gbolonyo is a scholar, educator, and performer whose primary research, expertise, and educational interests are in West African traditional music and dance, Ewe indigenous knowledge, language and culture, Orff-Schulwerk pedagogy, multicultural music education, Ghanaian brass band and choral music. His scholarship focuses on indigenous knowledge and cultural values in the musical practices of the Ewe and Fon of West Africa. He is currently a professor at Capilano University and The University of British Columbia.

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

  • Spring has Sprung and Spring Athletics has started!
  •  Please refer to the  JS Athletics Schedule for practice details. 
  • Athletics Questions?

Clubs:

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU NEXT WEEK?

JS Menu for Monday March 30 – Thursday, April 2 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

JS A-mazing Race

Come Rain. Come Shine. Come Ready to Race. The A-mazing Race is Sunday, May 3, 11am-3pm. All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us. 

  • PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
  • Wondering what to expect? Check out our video reel here. 

HCPA General Meetings 2026-27

We are actively booking our monthly HCPA guest speakers for the 2026-2027 school year and we want to hear from you! Who would you like to hear speak? What topics would you like addressed? Please share your ideas here. 

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, March 30

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

Wednesday, April 1

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

Friday, April 3 

  • School Closed for Good Friday – No classes

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.

A Message From The Head of the Junior School – Friday, March 6, 2026

On By havergaljuniorschoolLeave a comment

Dear Junior School Families,

On Sunday, March 8th, people around the world will celebrate International Women’s Day. This is a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done. At Havergal College, this day carries a special resonance; it is a celebration of our very foundation and a reminder of our daily commitment to nurturing the confidence, agency, and voices of the young women who are prepared to make a difference.

As we head into the March Break, I wanted to take this opportunity to offer a sincere note of gratitude to everyone for such an engaging and productive second term. It continues to be such a pleasure to work alongside the exceptional group of educators that we have here at Havergal, as well as with our curious and capable students, and in partnership with you, our families.

Please note the many invitations and RSVPs throughout this edition of The Weekly – Junior School, and take a moment to complete all that is pertinent to your family! 

May the March Break provide an opportunity for a slightly slower pace and the time to spend with family and friends.

The next issue of The Weekly – Junior School will be published on Friday, March 27.

Warmly,

Kate

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

Latest News

Reminders

LATEST NEWS

Empowering Excellence Progress Update: Year Two

In the second year of our strategic plan, Empowering Excellence, we remain dedicated to impactful connection, preparing students for academic excellence, and transformation. We continue to make strides in our journey to position Havergal at the forefront of girls’ education globally.

As a school dedicated to preparing young women to make a difference, we are committed to ensuring that our students are ready to enter the ever-changing world with the confidence and skills they need to thrive after graduation. Empowering Excellence is our roadmap to make this a reality. Guiding our work and illustrating our commitment, three pillars are central to our plan: Connection, Wellbeing & Belonging, Future-Ready and Transforming Tomorrow.

This year’s progress update builds on the momentum realized in year one, moving from planning to action. It highlights the opportunities, resources and support that allow every Havergal student to realize their full potential. Thank you for embarking on this journey with us; your dedication is the driving force behind our progress! We look forward to continuing our work and shaping future difference-makers. 

Game, Set, Match: Introducing the Havergal Tennis Club!

As part of our commitment to promoting wellbeing, community engagement and the spirit of sport, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Havergal Tennis Club this spring, welcoming both the Havergal community and broader public to our campus. Utilizing our newly refurbished tennis courts, the Havergal Tennis Club will be membership-based, operating exclusively for members from April to October, seven days a week (outside of school hours). 

Havergal families are welcome to purchase memberships by visiting our facility rentals website;   sign up, view membership details, operating hours and learn more. Whether you are a competitive player or looking to pick up a racquet for the first time, we hope to see you on the court!

An Invitation to Easter Prayers and Reception – Wednesday, April 1

Families are invited to join us for Easter Prayers, followed by a reception, on Wednesday, April 1. 

Please RSVP for Easter Prayers and Reception by Friday, March 13. 

REMINDERS

Registration for Gator Care: Last Day to Register

  • 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:

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

Families have received invitations to Ramadan & Eid Prayers (Wednesday, March 25th) and Norwruz Prayers (Monday, March 30th). 

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

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 Sort Form 

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, kindly let her homeroom teacher know, so that we can ensure she is included.

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.

Gator Care Monthly Blast

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

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING 

Athletics:

Clubs:

  • Spring Clubs start the week of March 30 and check your child’s personalized calendar for their schedule.
  • Club Questions?

WHAT’S ON THE JS MENU

JS Menu for Tuesday, March 24 – Friday, March 27 

NOTES FROM THE HCPA

JS A-mazing Race

Come Rain or Shine to the A-mazing Race! All Junior School students and an adult guest are invited to join us on Sunday May 3, for the A-mazing Race— PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

  • 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

Worried you missed the deadline and still want to get involved? If you are interested in joining the 2026-2027 HCPA in an event chair role, or in a Grade Rep position, we do have openings available. Please reach out hcpa.committee@gmail.com.

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

Friday, March 6

  • Last Day of Classes
  • 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)

Wednesday, April 1

  • Easter 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.