Past Parent Message

Dear Past Parents, 

We hope you and your daughters are having a good spring. We are so pleased to bring you the latest issue of the Gator Gazette, our past parent newsletter, which includes the most recent Inside 蜜桃视频 and invitations to 蜜桃视频 events, such as Friday Night Lights in September (an inaugural event in support of our campaign!).

Your feedback about this newsletter would be much appreciated 鈥� we want to make sure we鈥檙e providing you with relevant information. We anticipate that our next issue will be sent in the fall. Please send your feedback to Lisa Windover and Jane Zhang (hcpapastparent@gmail.com). The new Past Parent Coordinator starting in September 2025 will be Megan Dickinson. 

In the meantime, we wish you and your families all the best this summer. 

Warm regards,

Lisa Windover (mother of Kaitlyn Windover, Class of 2024) and Jane Zhang (mother of Irene Cai, Class of 2022 and Katelyn Cai, Class of 2023)

Friday Night Lights

Celebration Saturday has evolved and will be on Friday, September 26 next year and called Celebration Day. For the first time, 蜜桃视频 will be hosting Friday Night Lights at 7 pm on Celebration Day! Past parents are invited to come cheer on the Gators for the varsity soccer game against Branksome Hall. There will be concession stands and a beer tent for employees, Old Girls/Alums, current parents, past parents, friends and members of the competing schools鈥� communities. This will be a great way to reconnect with our 蜜桃视频 friends! Proceeds support the campaign. 

For more information about Celebration Day, please review the .

蜜桃视频 Spirit Wear

If you are seeking unique 蜜桃视频 spirit wear items for your daughter, the HCPA has its own Shopify account where you can do some shopping! You can place your order using this link and one of the HCPA volunteers will deliver to your local address (no shipping available). The 蜜桃视频-crested Yeti tumbler is very popular and perfect for sipping coffee or tea while traveling. Also, if you missed your chance to purchase a 蜜桃视频-crested frame for your daughter鈥檚 graduation picture, then you can still place an order!

The is open year round with seasonal updates!

Pre-Loved Uniforms

If you are still holding on to 蜜桃视频 uniform items and wish to donate them, you can drop your gently-used items (no rips, stains or tears, please) in our permanent collection bin in the alcove by the glass door entrance to the Upper School (across from the Green & Gold shop) or across from the Learning Hub at the Junior School.

There will also be a Pre-Loved Uniform collection on June 11, 7:30 to 11:30 am in the Ellen Knox Library, if you wish to drop items off at that time. You may also donate used spirit wear items. Pre-loved uniforms are sold to current students and the money raised goes toward HCPA initiatives to support parent engagement activities.

Used Textbooks

If you are still holding on to textbooks that were used at 蜜桃视频 and wish to donate them, the used textbook collection is on June 11 from 8 to 11:30 am in the Ellen Knox Library. They will be collecting textbooks and assigned novels from class that were used from 2021 to the present. They should be in reasonable condition 鈥� no watermarks, stains, excessive writing or missing pages. The spine must be intact.

Help Keep Your Old Girl/Alum Connected

Connections and community were so important during your time at 蜜桃视频 and that doesn鈥檛 change for our Grads or past parents. The students are invited to join HOGA and stay connected using the 蜜桃视频 Connections platform 鈥�  click for more information.

蜜桃视频 Grad Statistics

Wondering where all our Grads have ended up? Check out these links for information on the Class of 2024 and other Old Girls/Alums:

Alumni Information 

Gator Gazette Distribution List

If you know a 蜜桃视频 Past Parent (any grad year) that would like to be added to this newsletter distribution list, please pass on the Google Form to sign up!

Here is the link:

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

As we close the chapter on this school year, I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who makes 蜜桃视频 the extraordinary place it is: our students, parents, faculty, staff and Old Girls/Alums. Your care, commitment and connection to the school bring it to life.

This year has been one of remarkable momentum in our classrooms, on our fields and stages, and in our explorations of our local, national and international communities. Together, we celebrated milestones and traditions that knit our community closer, from Celebration Day and Founders鈥� Day, to the laughter and learning happening daily across our Junior, Middle, Senior and Boarding Schools. 

It has also been a year of thoughtful progress. With our strategic plan, , we are laying the groundwork for the future of 蜜桃视频 through the pillars of Connection, Wellbeing & Belonging; Future Ready; and Transforming Tomorrow. These aren鈥檛 just ideas 鈥� they鈥檙e the foundation for everything from student-centred learning in the Junior School, to leadership development in the Middle School, to purposeful programming designed to inspire in the Senior School and Boarding. This work reflects who we are and where we鈥檙e going 鈥� always with our students at the centre.

To the Class of 2025 鈥� congratulations! You leave an indelible mark on 蜜桃视频. Wherever life takes you next, know that you carry the spirit of the ivy with you. As the Grade 11s prepare to take the reins and lead the student body with a commitment to our school values of integrity, inquiry, compassion and courage, I know they will be inspired by your collective leadership. I look forward to celebrating your accomplishments as a class in a few short weeks. 

As you read through this final edition of Inside 蜜桃视频 for the 2024-25 school year, I invite you to reflect on the role you each played in the life of this great community. Thank you for your energy, partnership and belief in what we鈥檙e building together. You make the difference, and I couldn鈥檛 be more grateful.

Wishing you all a restful and joyful summer.

Warmly,

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Jill Fraser 鈥�87, Chair of the Board of Governors

As we near the end of another wonderful school year, it鈥檚 hard to believe how quickly the time has flown. This will be the final Inside 蜜桃视频 message from the Board for this academic year. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire 蜜桃视频 community, including Dr. Katrina Samson, the Senior Leadership Team, faculty, staff and all members of the Board of Governors and Committees for their steadfast support in fostering the exceptional 蜜桃视频 experience we cherish.

In line with our school鈥檚 traditions, we will invite some of our student leaders to the June Board meeting to share their reflections on the year. We are fortunate to welcome students Carol Rong (School Captain), Audrey Gage and Victoria Grignano, and we look forward to learning all about the inspiring things Student Leadership worked on this year.  

As we wrap up this school year, we鈥檝e had an array of exciting events that have deepened the love and pride our community shares for our beautiful school. It has been wonderful to see engagement at 蜜桃视频鈥檚 treasured celebrations, including Celebration Day, Carol Service, Junior School Holiday Concert, Hockey Day and Founders鈥� Day, as well as various sports and arts events such as CISAA championships and OFSAA inter-school trips. 

The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) has been actively working on advancing the Strategic Plan, , which was introduced to the community last April and continues to receive positive feedback. The framework is built upon three essential pillars: Connection, Wellbeing & Belonging; Future Ready; and Transforming Tomorrow.  

Through these pillars, the SLT is working diligently to create actionable goals and initiatives that align with the Empowering Excellence vision. They have engaged with faculty, staff, students and parents to gather insights and feedback, ensuring that the plan resonates with the entire community and addresses their needs. By focusing on these strategic priorities, the SLT is committed to enhancing the overall educational experience at 蜜桃视频, ensuring that our students are not only well-prepared academically, but also equipped with the emotional and social tools necessary to navigate their futures successfully. 

Lastly, I want to recognize the remarkable Class of 2025! As you stand on the brink of an exciting new chapter in your lives, take a moment to reflect on all that you have achieved during your time here. You have faced challenges, embraced opportunities and grown into the outstanding individuals you are today. Your hard work, determination and resilience have brought you to this significant milestone, and there is so much to be proud of. The friendships you鈥檝e formed and the lessons you鈥檝e learned will serve as a strong foundation as you venture into the future. As you prepare to embark on your next journey, remember to carry forward the values you鈥檝e embraced at 蜜桃视频 鈥� integrity, compassion and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Embrace the challenges ahead with courage and curiosity, and never forget the supportive community that stands behind you. 

And, finally, I would like to remind everyone that your philanthropic support for 蜜桃视频 has a positive impact on the student experience. For any inquiries regarding charitable giving or 蜜桃视频鈥檚 current philanthropic priorities, please feel free to reach out to 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Executive Director of Advancement, Kate Crokam, to learn how you can contribute. 

Wishing everyone an incredible summer ahead!

Jill

Building Strong Foundations at the Junior School

Kate White, Head of Junior School

As we approach the end of another school year, the Junior School community hopes that our students found this year engaging as they developed new skills and discovered more about themselves as students and community members.

Looking back, I鈥檓 proud of our collective accomplishments. The Junior School continues to build strong foundations for our girls to make meaningful differences:

Thank you to the Junior School community for caring and helping every child feel valued and inspired as they embody our core values of courage, compassion, integrity and inquiry in all they do.

A Year of Connection, Growth and Community in the Middle School

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

This year in Middle School we focused on connection, leadership and a deepened sense of community. During the fall, students had the opportunity to step into leadership roles in new and meaningful ways 鈥� whether as Form and Spirit Reps or members of the Senior School student councils. Our lunchtime programs, led by our senior students, offered additional opportunities for students to connect and build confidence through creativity and play.

A strong focus on values and belonging ran through every grade. Students co-created community agreements that reflected what they care about most, setting the tone for respectful, inclusive interactions. With guidance from Nicole Cozier, our Equity Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging workshops helped students understand key concepts like equity and fairness, reinforcing the importance of seeing and valuing one another.

With the introduction of our new digital device policy, social connection flourished. Students embraced face-to-face interaction, participated in lunch events and took part in record numbers at COSSOT socials. This screen-free environment encouraged deeper friendships and a more positive school climate.

Students also engaged with real-world issues through the Win@Social program and the student-led 1,000 Can Initiative. These experiences fostered empathy, digital responsibility and community action by educating students on topics like managing online hate, understanding the ethical use of AI and addressing food insecurity.

Through it all, students explored identity, built skills, shared experiences and had fun, making this a truly memorable and impactful year.

Holistic Development and Student Agency at the Senior School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

This year, 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Senior School was defined by a commitment to holistic student development, focusing on both individual growth and community building. A key initiative was the tailored grade-level programming, from addressing the specific needs of each year from our Grade 9s transition to the Senior School to supporting our Grade 12s as they prepare for post-graduation life. This programming, combined with the development of strong Teacher Advisor (TA) relationships, fostered a supportive environment. As Grade 12 student Kendall O. noted: 鈥淭eachers and counsellors are always at the ready and willing to help out if you have questions.鈥�

Student agency was also a central theme this year, with students actively participating in program development and leading initiatives. The House system played a vital role in building community and fostering leadership, which was reflected in the enthusiastic participation at school events 鈥� from dances to the Bench Ball tournament and Hockey Day. As Grade 12 student Victoria G. noted: 鈥淲in or lose, we always bring the best spirit to our events.鈥� These efforts collectively support our Grads in becoming 蜜桃视频 Difference Makers by cultivating self-awareness, promoting continuous learning and inspiring students to act as responsible and engaged citizens.

By emphasizing both academic achievement and personal development, 蜜桃视频 equips students with the confidence, skills and character to navigate future challenges with purpose and resilience.

Building Community in the Boarding School

Nicole Folkes, Head of Boarding

The 2024-25 academic year in the Boarding School has been a reflection of our commitment to student wellbeing, community building and powerful programming. 

We began the year focused on our commitment to wellbeing. Our 鈥淐are for Me鈥� initiative had students developing personalized wellbeing plans, which helped to foster self-awareness and personal growth. This evolved into 鈥淐are for You鈥� in the new year, emphasizing compassion for others and community building. Weekly advisory meetings provided consistent check-ins, creating a nurturing environment.

Our programming flourished with the introduction of a life skills program, equipping students with practical tools for independence such as cooking classes. In addition, students chose from a variety of experiences that allowed them to explore the diverse and culturally rich city of Toronto. Some activities included visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario, touring the CN Tower, attending a Toronto Raptors game and enjoying live theatre productions. Other activities allow an opportunity for students to step outside of their comfort zones and try something new, such as skating at Nathan Phillips Square, learning to rock climb and performing silk aerials.

Throughout the year, Boarding students had the opportunity to work with members of the 蜜桃视频 community to enrich the student experience. Evening workshops, in collaboration with the Student Support Team, allowed students to reflect on their experiences and self care. Nicole Cozier, our Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, worked with Boarding to create a student-led Community Shared Agreement that helps guide how they engage with and support one another. We also worked with the Forum for Change to plan our first community partnership day of service. Members of the Black Student Alliance collaborated with Boarding to plan and attend a Black History Month celebration dinner. Finally, we had another successful year of the Prefect in Boarding Program, which had Prefects spend four nights immersed in the Boarding Program. 

Student leadership played a pivotal role in shaping our community and connections. The creation of the 鈥淏oarder Supporter Sticker鈥� allowed the Boarding community to recognize 蜜桃视频 staff, faculty and students who made a positive impact and supported the Boarding School this year. Additionally, the Boarding Council led spirit events throughout the year that provided fun activities for advisory groups to strengthen their relationships.   

As we reflect on this year, we鈥檙e proud of the vibrant, supportive community we鈥檝e cultivated in Boarding 鈥� one where students thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Lindsay Santiago

Grade 1 Teaching Assistant

Ms. Santiago is a passionate and experienced Early Childhood Educator with over 15 years of working with children between the ages of 4 to 12. She currently serves as the Junior School Grade 1 Teaching Assistant, a role she has held since 2022. Prior to joining 蜜桃视频, she spent 10 years in the public school system, where she worked primarily in full-day kindergarten classrooms, supporting young learners during their critical early years of development.

Throughout her career, Ms. Santiago has been committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. She supports students in all areas of their schooling 鈥� academic, social and emotional 鈥� and believes in meeting each child where they are. Her educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that all students deserve to be seen, heard and valued, and that school should be a place where every child feels safe and empowered to be themselves.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Santiago enjoys discovering new restaurants, hidden local spots and exploring and learning cultures through their cuisine.

Past Parent Message

Dear Past Parents, 

We hope you had a great summer. We are so pleased to bring you the latest issue of the Gator Gazette, our past parent newsletter, which includes the most recent Inside 蜜桃视频 and invitations to 蜜桃视频 events, such as the reimagined Ivy Market on November 21 and the Past Parent Social that evening.  

Your feedback about this newsletter would be much appreciated鈥攚e want to make sure we鈥檙e providing you with relevant information. We anticipate that our next issue will be sent in the spring. Please send your feedback to Lisa Windover and Jane Zhang at hcpapastparent@gmail.com.  

In the meantime, we wish you and your families all the best. 

Warm regards,

Lisa Windover, mother of Kaitlyn Windover 2024,
and Jane Zhang, mother of Irene Cai 2022 and Katelyn Cai 2023

Ivy Market

Thursday, November 21, 10 am to 5 pm, Brenda Robson Hall

Don鈥檛 miss this fantastic event, which includes daytime shopping for parents, past parents, Old Girls/Alums and students. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to pick up holiday gifts from a carefully-curated marketplace of distinct 蜜桃视频 and HC House-related items, delicious cookie dough and more. Join us for coffee, conversation and some great holiday shopping. 

Past Parent Social

Evening of Thursday, November 21

After you finish shopping at Ivy Market, past parents are invited to Safari Bar & Grill (upstairs) for a Past Parent Cocktail Party at 5:30 pm! This is your chance to catch up with your 蜜桃视频 parent community and friends.

Time: 5:30 鈥� 7:30 pm (can stay later if you want!)

Location: Safari Bar & Grill, 1749 Avenue Rd (upstairs)

Drinks: cash bar 

Food: You may order a meal from the menu. Some apps will be provided from voluntary donations. Please let Lisa Windover know if you wish to contribute at Lawindover@gmail.com.

Carol Service

Thursday, December 12, at 7 pm

Join us for 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Carol Service on Thursday, December 12 at 7 pm at St. Paul鈥檚 Bloor Street. Past parents, Old Girls/Alums and friends of 蜜桃视频 are always welcome.聽

Pre-Loved Uniforms

If you are still holding on to 蜜桃视频 uniform items and wish to donate them, there is a bin to drop off donations by the double glass doors on the north end of the Upper School (close to the Green & Gold Shop). You may also donate used spirit wear items. Pre-loved uniforms are sold to current students and the money raised goes toward HCPA initiatives to support parent engagement activities.

Help Keep Your Old Girl/Alum Connected

Connections and community were so important during our time at 蜜桃视频 and that doesn鈥檛 change for our grads or us as past parents. The students are invited to join HOGA and stay connected using the 蜜桃视频 Connections platform, which they can access .

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

Welcome to our first edition of Inside 蜜桃视频 for the 2024-25 school year. I hope the summer brought time with family, relaxation and a healthy dose of sunshine. If you are anything like me, you tuned into the Paris Summer Olympics in August. I love the Olympics! My family often jokes, 鈥淚t鈥檚 Olympics season; Katrina鈥檚 going to be over there crying for two weeks.鈥� And they鈥檙e not wrong. When Summer Macintosh won her first gold medal, I was driving, listening to the radio commentary on her race with tears in my eyes hearing of her first gold medal. Watching the parents, the partners, the coaches鈥攁nd knowing the hours of support, the sacrifices and the pride鈥攇ets me every time. As well, I鈥檓 amazed by the diversity of athletes, from an 11 year old to a 65 year old, from all around the globe, all in pursuit of a common goal: excellence.

I鈥檝e been thinking about what the Olympics teach us about the pursuit of excellence. It鈥檚 a topic that resonates beyond sports. What can we, as parents and a community, learn about the pursuit of excellence from Olympians?

At 蜜桃视频, we鈥檝e been discussing excellence a lot. It鈥檚 the foundation of our  and at the core of our mission. We come in every day committed to teaching, modelling and inspiring excellence in your children. But excellence is too often misconstrued as perfection. Pursuing excellence is not about being perfect. It鈥檚 about giving one鈥檚 best effort, learning from our experiences and aiming to be better today than we were yesterday.

Excellence is setting bold, ambitious goals and persevering through challenges. It鈥檚 understanding that both successes and failures are temporary and that hits and misses are part of the journey. Perhaps most importantly, excellence is not a solo pursuit鈥攊t鈥檚 a team effort. Much like Olympians who lean on coaches, family and teammates, our children need a strong support system to pursue their own excellence.

Excellence also calls for collaboration. The word 鈥渃ompete鈥� comes from Latin origins meaning 鈥渢o strive together.鈥� At 蜜桃视频, we strive together for the success of every student. We鈥檙e not just pushing individual accomplishments; we鈥檙e genuinely invested in one another鈥檚 success.

So, what does excellence look like for your daughters here at 蜜桃视频? It鈥檚 about ensuring they know we are on their team, supporting their growth and helping them become the best versions of themselves. Excellence also means working with intention, both as educators and as a community, to bring out the best in one another. Each of us, whether student, teacher or parent, has something to share and learn.

As we bask in the excitement and energy a new school year brings, my hope is that we鈥攑arents, educators and students鈥攃ome together to inspire excellence by supporting one another, being open and constructive in our feedback and reminding our girls that pursuing bold dreams is done step-by-step with the support of a strong committed community. 

As parents, you are an essential part of Team 蜜桃视频. Together, I know we鈥檒l foster an environment where excellence is encouraged and all children feel supported in their journeys to reach their full potential.

I hope to see you at Celebration Saturday on September 28, from 9:30 am to 1 pm. I look forward to our year together!

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Jill Fraser 鈥�87, Chair of the Board of Governors

Welcome back to 蜜桃视频 from the Board. I hope you and your family have enjoyed some memorable moments together over the summer. Whether this is your first year as a part of our 蜜桃视频 community or you are a returning family, I am sure you share my excitement in having all of our wonderful students back on campus. 

Our year gets underway with the return of Celebration Saturday, which takes place on our beautiful campus on Saturday, September 28. Celebration Saturday was inspired by Ellen Knox鈥檚 famous question, What will you do? That question prompted the community to create an event whose purpose was twofold鈥攖o raise funds and awareness for our Community Partners across the GTA while building school and community spirit. It is a time to celebrate our school鈥檚 mission, vision and values by bringing our past, present and future together. I know this event will be another resounding success thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff, faculty and the entire school community. We greatly appreciate everyone鈥檚 vital contributions to this important event. We also look forward to many other exciting upcoming school events that are 蜜桃视频 traditions, including the Junior and Senior Kindergarten Christmas Concert, Junior School Christmas Concert, Upper School Carol Service, various Music Nights, play performances and many more. 

Over the summer, the campus was buzzing with activity. Our facilities鈥� rentals included the Ivy Camp鈥檚 fourth summer with us, many sports clubs and film shoots. Facilities projects were in full swing, including roof work at the Junior School, the installation of electrical outdoor security stations and our ongoing grounds maintenance鈥攁ll essential initiatives to keep our campus safe and beautiful. 

At our first Board meeting, scheduled to take place on October 1, we will vote in our new Governors, who will be introduced in the October edition of Inside 蜜桃视频. At that Board meeting, we will also say goodbye to six of our Governors who have provided invaluable guidance to our Board during their tenure. I鈥檇 like to take this moment to extend a huge thank you to our retiring Governors who have dedicated many years to working with school leadership to help shape 蜜桃视频鈥檚 future: Debbie Simpson (our past Chair), Diane Jeffreys, Alison Glober, Brad Radin, Greg Pardy and Sandra Seaborn鈥攜our contributions have been immeasurable. We thank you for your exceptional service and the positive impact you have had on our school. 

I will close by wishing everyone all the best for the fall and encourage you all, new and old, to be active members of our vibrant community. Your participation in school life, whether through the , , the Foundation, the Board of Governors or its committees, or participating in our many events, is invaluable. We appreciate the time you devote to our community and the unique perspectives and experiences you bring. Your active involvement is what makes 蜜桃视频 a place of growth, learning and community.

Warm regards,

Jill

Helping Manage Distractions and Support Relationship Building

Lindsay Norberg, Deputy Principal

Fostering strong relationships and connections within our community is essential to the 蜜桃视频 community. To support this goal and align with our philosophy on the role of technology in learning, we have updated our .

After consultation with faculty, parents, students and staff, the school updated and clarified its policy regarding the use of digital devices on campus during the school day. 

The focus of the policy is to:

We are excited to announce that  will speak with our Middle School students about responsible device use. His presentation, scheduled for October 1, will provide valuable insights and guidance on this important topic.

In addition, parents are invited to a special session with Jake Ernst on Monday, September 30, where he will address how to support healthy device habits at home. More details about both presentations will be shared in .

How can families support this policy? 

We encourage parents to partner with us in fostering a balanced approach to technology use both at school and at home. By working together, we can help our students cultivate healthy digital habits, build strong connections within the 蜜桃视频 community and enhance focus and wellbeing.

蜜桃视频鈥檚 Approach to Generative AI

Garth Nichols, Vice Principal, Experiential Learning and Innovation

This year, 蜜桃视频 has launched a . This framework was developed to support our entire community in understanding how Generative AI will be explored, integrated and managed within our Teaching and Learning philosophy. 

The framework has a version code of 1.0 because we will be reviewing this document throughout the year, taking in feedback on how our approach is supporting the learning experiences. If changes need to be made mid-stream, they can. 

The foundation of the framework is that this latest digital transformation remains very human. We are putting the relationship between the educators and the students at the core of the approach. Our faculty will examine when, where, what and how Generative AI can support teaching and learning processes. Additionally, HC-X faculty have been experimenting and learning about Generative AI alongside our students in our Digital Wisdom classes, which all students in Grades 5 to 8 participate in at 蜜桃视频. 

In June and August, our faculty took part in professional development by  and . This provided us with a shared language and combined experiences to grow and learn from. We are excited about the possibilities that Generative AI can provide as our students continue to learn the skills of critical and creative thinking, constructive doubt and strong research and writing skills. 

For more on our approach to Generative AI and how we are integrating it into the teaching and learning experiences, please reach out to me at gnichols@havergal.on.ca or to Adam Caplan, HC-X Director, at acaplan@havergal.on.ca.

Celebration Saturday

Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director, Strategic Enrolment Management

Saturday, September 28 will see 蜜桃视频 students, employees, parents and Old Girls/Alums put our mission鈥�preparing young women to make a difference鈥攊nto action. As a community, we will come together to show our support for and dedication to our .  

This is not your typical fun fair: yes, there is cotton candy and inflatables and many ways to have fun, but it is more than that. It is students, parents and our broader community thoughtfully planning activities and programs that not only highlight the work of each of our Community Partners, but also emphasize how our support of their programs enrich us all. 

Parents play such a key role in this event, from the leadership of the members of the HCPA to all of the parents who volunteer their time and talent to the event. Our students see in each volunteer a role model and we as a school see a partnership that we value and are so grateful for. 

Did you know?

While Ellen Knox may not have envisioned gigantic cookies or a creative haunted house when she asked her students What will you do?, I have no doubt she would be filled with pride seeing our community making a difference in so many ways at Celebration Saturday. 

Alexandra Zourntos

Associate Director of Admissions, Senior School

Ms. Zourntos joined 蜜桃视频 in 2022 as Associate Director of Admission, Senior School. Focusing on Grade 9 day applications, Boarding applications and international recruitment, her role encompasses the things she enjoys most about education: connecting with families to provide an excellent admission experience and building relationships in different countries as she represents 蜜桃视频 on the road.

With a career in education that has spanned roles in teaching, guidance and admissions, the best part about teaching for Ms. Zourntos was connecting with students and guiding them toward their goals. However, a passion for curriculum within her courses was the missing piece. She was seeking a way of working with students directly, but outside of the classroom, in an administrative role. An opportunity arose to organize and execute experiential education programs around the world and, with an existing affinity for international education and travel, she spent years leading students throughout South America, Europe and Oceania. She later spent a year in Brazil teaching and spearheading an exchange program for students in Porto Alegre while assisting in recruitment efforts in neighbouring states.

Upon returning to Canada after working abroad, Ms. Zourntos eagerly accepted the position of guidance counsellor at a private school. She loved being able to make an impact on students in the areas of academics and wellbeing. This role included admission responsibilities, which led her to transition into leading the admission efforts for the campus. Fast-forward to today, she has found the perfect mix at 蜜桃视频 supporting students, maintaining international exposure through recruitment travel and building relationships with key stakeholders. She leverages her knowledge of the Ontario curriculum to gain a deeper understanding of students鈥� needs and provides maximum effort and enthusiasm to ensure families feel welcomed, informed and inspired throughout their admission experience.

Coming up on the 2024-25 travel docket for the Admission Team, Ms. Zourntos will be representing 蜜桃视频 in Vietnam, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Mexico, UK and Barbados. 

Past Parent Message

Welcome to the 蜜桃视频 past parent community! We hope you had a wonderful summer and that you and your daughters have transitioned smoothly to post-蜜桃视频 life. 

As you heard in the spring, the 蜜桃视频 Parent Association (HCPA) is pleased to introduce a new program to help past parents stay connected to the school鈥攁nd to one another鈥攏ow that our daughters have moved beyond the ivy walls. This first edition of the HCPA鈥檚 Gator Gazette newsletter is one of the key ways we will do this. 

In addition to updating you on relevant 蜜桃视频 news, we are also committed to letting you know about events that may be of interest to you and your families.

Your feedback about this newsletter would be much appreciated鈥攚e want to make sure we鈥檙e providing you with relevant information. We anticipate that our next issue will be sent in the new year. Please send your feedback to Ruth Ley and Jane Zhang at hcpapastparent@gmail.com.听听

We hope to see you at Ivy Market and Carol Service. In the meantime, we wish you and your families all the best.

Warm regards,

Ruth Ley (mother of Hana Ley, Class of 2023) and Jane Zhang (mother of Katelyn Cai, Class of 2023)

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

(Message from “Inside 蜜桃视频” newsletter)
We have been blessed here at 蜜桃视频 with so many opportunities to connect with our community this fall. Our Grade 7, 8, 9 and 12 students were away at camps where they bonded as a class, developed teamwork skills and prepared for the year ahead. Last month, we welcomed back hundreds of Old Girls/Alums to campus for Reunion Week. We celebrated those Old Girls who reached their 50+ year reunion milestones at the Golden Reflections Luncheon. We welcomed back former Boarders to connect with our current Boarding students and staff at the Former Boarder Dinner. We capped the week off with the Reunion Cocktail Reception, where classes ending in 鈥�3 and 鈥�8 came together to reconnect with one another and their beloved school.

On Saturday, September 23, our whole school community came together for Celebration Saturday 2023. This is an annual event where we gather to raise funds and awareness for the important work done via our Community Partnerships. It was another beautiful day at 蜜桃视频, but even more impactful was seeing our community come together in support of local organizations that are making a difference. In short, it was a day designed to build community and to put our mission鈥�to make a difference鈥攊nto action.

I鈥檓 energized when I contemplate the future we鈥檙e building together at 蜜桃视频. We are coming off of a year of intensive planning as we worked to collect insight and feedback to shape 蜜桃视频鈥檚 next strategic direction. In the coming weeks and months, you鈥檒l hear more about the bold plans we have to ensure that our girls are receiving the very best preparation to head out into the world and be positive change-makers. You鈥檒l also hear about the near-term and future-term initiatives we are undertaking to continue in our pursuit of excellence as a school. I again want to thank the students, employees, parents and Old Girls/Alums who shared their ideas and hopes for 蜜桃视频, building on our rich history and investing in future opportunities for our girls. 

As we welcome this new school year, I encourage you to join us in exploring the experiences, opportunities and learning that will allow our girls to graduate as young women who will lead progress and innovation into future generations. I am filled with optimism and hope for 蜜桃视频鈥檚 future as we embark on this new school year together.

Katrina

Ivy Market

Tuesday, November 21

Get into the holiday spirit at the HCPA鈥檚 second annual Ivy Market on Tuesday, November 21! Reconnect with the HC community in Brenda Robson Hall and enjoy daytime and evening holiday shopping. Ivy Market features a carefully-curated group of local vendors offering unique gift items and tasty treats. In addition to the Bake Sale and HCPA Holiday Marketplace, you鈥檒l also find HCPA spirit wear for purchase. 

Daytime hours are from 10 am to 4:30 pm for students and parents (including past parents!)鈥攖ickets are not required for the daytime event.聽All current and past parents and Old Girls/Alums are also invited to sip, socialize and shop at the evening cocktail party from 6:30 to 9:30 pm! Tickets are $50 per person and include appetizers and two drinks. All shopping options available during the day will also be featured during the cocktail party. .

Carol Service

Wednesday, December 13, at 7 pm

A long-standing HC tradition, the annual Carol Service will be held on Wednesday, December 13. Past parents are welcome to attend this beautiful service.

If you鈥檙e interested in attending or have any questions, please email hcpapastparent@gmail.com.

Working Together with Our Community Partnerships

Fatima Kaba, Manager of Learning Experiences

Over the years, 蜜桃视频 has created relationships with community partners that not only benefit our school, but also have profound impacts on the broader community. These collaborations are essential for cultivating a sense of social responsibility, empathy and civic engagement among students, while providing 蜜桃视频 students opportunities to make a difference. 

Each Community Partnership is founded on our 鈥�4 P鈥� approach. We partner with people first, not necessarily organizations; we honour the place of the people and that informs our work; we seek out different perspectives; and once we have done this, can we enter into a true reciprocal partnership. One of the primary advantages of engaging in Community Partnerships is the development of empathy and social responsibility in students. Through interactions with community members and organizations, students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs within their local area. This first-hand exposure to real-world issues helps students develop empathy and a desire to make positive impacts. They learn to appreciate the value of helping others and develop a sense of responsibility toward their community. Students who participate in our long-standing weekly partnerships at Grenoble Public School and Art City are immersed in a new community by sharing ideas, gaining new perspectives and developing their commitment to others.  

While the communities served in these partnerships benefit from 蜜桃视频鈥檚 ongoing efforts, the students and school as a whole also benefit from the reciprocal relationship. They gain access to valuable information, expertise and experiences that enhance the educational opportunities they offer. These partnerships enrich the curriculum and provide students with diverse learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.

At our Community Partnership Fest on Wednesday, September 27, Upper School students will have the opportunity to learn more about our weekly and bi-weekly partnerships and sign up to be part of this incredible learning experience in collaboration with our community partners. 

The Forum for Change strives to develop and continue to grow our relationships with our community partners as they foster a sense of interconnectedness and social responsibility that can last a lifetime. 

A full list of community partnerships can be found . Learn more about the impact of our partnerships .

Student Opportunities Through the Forum for Change

Jessica Randall, Manager of Global Learning Experiences

The Forum for Change (F4C) is the global heartbeat of 蜜桃视频, providing students with experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom and with the world around them. Bringing 蜜桃视频鈥檚 mission to life, the F4C鈥檚 role is to support students in finding their passions and interests to make a difference in the world, locally and globally. 

Recognizing our vision for 蜜桃视频 graduates, we want them to be globally-minded, confident and resilient decision-makers. We help build bridges and networks to support these opportunities so our students can learn from new perspectives, be self-directed, meet people and discover more about their cultures.

The F4C stretches and challenges our students in ways that support our Portrait of a Grad: in particular, Globally-Minded, Being Flexible and Adaptable Thinkers, and Leaning into Action. We support, through our learning experiences, their development of identity and sense of self with a disposition to action. Through their participation in these opportunities, students learn to adapt and thrive in complex and changing environments so, when they graduate, they can navigate a dynamic and uncertain world.

Opportunities include participating in the Global Learning & Leading Diploma (GLLD), travelling with our Global Exchanges and Excursions, and working with our partner . Each of these programs is designed to equip students to make a positive difference in the world with a focus on knowing, understanding and developing a practice of global competencies. These programs encourage students to broaden their cultural fluency and make an impact through deep and meaningful learning experiences. Our memberships in global organizations, such as UNESCO Associated Schools Network and Round Square, means more opportunities for our students to engage in global projects, conferences and connections beyond our ivy walls.

The F4C is the place to go for students who have big ideas, want to help those around them and learn more about the world outside of 蜜桃视频 through our various opportunities and partnerships.

A New Year of Athletic Opportunities

Anna Bartlett, JS Athletic Director, and Carla Di Filippo, US Athletic Director

The start of the fall season will always be full of excitement because it means sports are back at HC! For us, the Athletic Directors at the Junior and Upper Schools, there is almost no better feeling than the joy of watching our students playing sports on our beautiful 22-acre campus. Typical after school activities for our athletes include swimming in the pool; playing basketball in the gym; competing in field hockey, flag football or soccer on the fields; enjoying the on-campus disc golf course; learning tennis or pickleball on our tennis courts; or running in the Lisa Hardie Woodland Trail. We are truly blessed to be on this campus and in this space. 

This fall, the Upper School boasts 27 sports teams while the Junior School is offering 13 teams. At 蜜桃视频, school spirit runs high and we hope each student has the chance to play one sport at some point this school year. There is no better way to meet new people, learn something new and be active all while having fun. 

If you want to view some great photos and updates about athletics, please follow our Instagram page:  

Can You Hear the Buzz?

Garth Nichols, Vice Principal, Experiential Learning and Innovation

Nestled in a fenced-off area with ample sunlight and shade is home to 蜜桃视频鈥檚 newest members of the community: honeybees. We have partnered with Alveole, a beekeeping company that has excellent experience in schools and organizations in supporting honeybee hives. We have our own designated Beekeeper, and hosted two 鈥淗ive to HoneyJar鈥� workshops this month, where our students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to harvest some honey from our hive. Alveole looks after the hive and the bees, ensuring they are well taken care of; moreover, Alveole will be working with the Forum for Change and our interested students to use the data from the bees (their numbers, behaviours, as well as the ingredients in their honey) to learn about the health of our campus ecosystem and the surrounding community. We will be using our honeybees for land-based learning experiences and sustainability practices: understanding pollinator competition in the city of Toronto, and what we can do to support our pollinators and our ecosystem. Discover more about this program by reading 鈥�,鈥� by visiting聽聽or by reaching out to me, Garth Nichols, Vice Principal of Experiential Learning and Innovation, at聽gnichols@havergal.on.ca.

Pre-Loved Uniforms

If you鈥檙e decluttering and find you have 蜜桃视频 uniform pieces taking up valuable closet space, the HCPA鈥檚 Pre-Loved Uniform team is always accepting donations!

The HCPA has installed permanent collection bins across from the Learning Hub at the Junior School and in the alcove by the glass door entrance to the Upper School (across from the Green & Gold Shop).

We gratefully accept skirts, tunics, pants, polo shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, 1/4 zip sweatshirts, jogging pants, gym uniforms and blazers. Please note that we do not accept socks, green leggings, house shirts, customized sweatshirts, spirit wear or white Grad blazers.

When donating, please keep in mind that uniform items should be gently-used鈥攏o rips or stains, please!

Jessica Randall

Manager of Global Learning Experiences

Our newest member of the Forum for Change is Jessica Randall, who is the Manager of Global Learning Experiences. In this role, she oversees 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Exchange program and supports our Community Partnerships. This includes working with a variety of organizations in facilitating art programming, tutoring sessions and mentoring opportunities, as well as hosting food and clothing drives. 鈥淕iving back to the community is something I am really passionate about, and being able to do that while helping students find outreach activities they are passionate about is very fulfilling,鈥� says Ms. Randall. 鈥淚 am so excited to have joined such a welcoming, friendly and spirited community.鈥�

You can find Ms. Randall in the Forum for Change office, located in the Resource Centre (the library). Students are invited to go to the Forum for Change for advice, support and guidance on a variety of things, including finding the right opportunity for them to earn their mandatory 40 hours of community service required to graduate. She also mentors students so they are prepared for what to expect while on Exchange, whether locally or abroad, and acts as a liaison with our Exchange student guests, ensuring they feel safe and comfortable while away from home.

Whether going on a global excursion through our partnership with Round Square, participating in our Exchange program or working with different communities through our local and international partnerships, Ms. Randall is available to provide guidance to our students on their journeys. These experiential learning opportunities are excellent ways for teenagers to gain self-confidence and independence as they discover Canada and the world, meet different people, make new friends and learn about other cultures as they prepare for the future beyond 蜜桃视频.