Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

What a year it has been! At all levels of the school, we鈥檝e relished in our first full year of in-person learning since the pandemic, and the feeling is joyous. From academics to co-curriculars, it鈥檚 evident that being together enhances the learning experience for students from JK to Grade 12.

While we worked to 鈥渂uild back better鈥� when resuming our in-person curriculum, the students are the ones who brought their enthusiasm and openness to truly make this year one of progress. From our JK and SK students exploring collaborative play, to girls throughout the grades returning to their favourite sports and clubs or venturing out to try new things, it鈥檚 been great to see such a level of interest and engagement. Socially, too, there鈥檚 been a renewed interest in peer-to-peer school events, from dances to tournaments鈥攊t鈥檚 been wonderful to return to the on-campus experience that we all missed.

Beyond campus, students are also reconnecting with our community. Our Grade 6 students, for example, participated in a service learning experience at Holland Bloorview, in which they explored issues around ableism and designed assistive technology games that they were able to share with children at the centre and collaborate with on improvements.

Another group that has impressed us with their resilience is our Grade 12 graduating cohort. Recently, we鈥檝e seen Grade 12 students presenting their final Global Learning and Leading Diploma research, Chemistry students sharing their poster projects, and students showcasing their final academic art and music performances. The high quality of work was only matched by the thoughtful and generous feedback they provided each other.

To me, these academic culminating events are just one reflection of the overall character of this graduating class. They made it their goal this year to set a tone of optimism, spirit and inclusion. As a class, they are always looking for ways to come together and model belonging for their younger peers. Whether it was Beatstock, athletic assemblies, athletics games, Relay for Life or COSSOT social events, this graduating class did a great job of modelling what it is to show up and inspire their younger peers with their social leadership and school pride. As a cohort, their experience as seniors in high school was so significantly disrupted: they had to hear about and borrow from past generations what these years should feel like, and yet they managed to also craft their own version of the graduate experience. That takes courage and creativity.

As the Grads move into the next phase of their journey post-graduation, I hope they take time to reflect on the momentum they created here and how they will build on it as they venture forward individually and together as Old Girls/Alums! When they reflect on their accomplishments, I suspect they鈥檒l find much to draw on from their experiences together and be able to envision for themselves a future that鈥檚 full of the same energy they鈥檝e manifested for all of us this year. In this, our last edition of Inside 蜜桃视频 for the 2022-23 school year, I want to thank you, our community, for your support of 蜜桃视频, your belief in our mission and your championing of our girls!

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Debbie Simpson, Chair of the Board of Governors

The end of another action-packed school year approaches; seems like the blink of an eye and here we are, the last Inside 蜜桃视频 message from the Board for the year. It has been a spectacular year so far with the restart of all our sports and social activities. For this, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the 蜜桃视频 community, Dr. Katrina Samson, the Senior Leadership Team, faculty and staff, as well as to the entire Board of Governors and Committee members for their unwavering support in ramping back to the amazing full 蜜桃视频 experience that we all know and love. 

In keeping with the school鈥檚 heritage of traditions, the Board invited student leaders to the April meeting to share their perspectives on the year. We were joined by Claire Radin (School Captain), Beats Tura (Sports Prefect) and Maddy Cunningham (Wellbeing Prefect). Claire, Beats and Maddy enthusiastically spoke of the main focuses for this year鈥檚 student leadership team: improving bonding between grades; creating a sense of belonging for everyone; sharing their love for the school; encouraging spirit and participation; soliciting and elevating student input focused on inclusivity and leveraging solutions-based feedback; helping new students join the community; and honouring and celebrating traditions. This year’s leaders created a sense of belonging for everyone and opportunities to be heard while elevating a strong emphasis on wellbeing.  

It was inspiring to listen to Claire, Beats and Maddy鈥檚 enthusiasm and fresh approach to broadening the leadership base to make all this possible. This year鈥檚 leadership team has encouraged and supported our students in raising funds and awareness for Kids Help Phone鈥檚 Hockey 4 Health campaign leading up to Hockey Day 2023. With their admirable commitment to having a long-lasting impact, the Class of 2023 Grad Gift Fund will be dedicated to professional development for faculty in the area of mental health. It was not only a pleasure to have these outstanding young leaders join us at the Board meeting, but it was also a learning and truly insightful experience鈥攖hank you Claire, Beats and Maddy! Please share our gratitude with the whole student leadership team.  

As this school year heads to a conclusion, Dr. Katrina Samson and her team have completed the first year we have been fully open since 2019. It has been so wonderful to see treasured events return such as Celebration Saturday, in-person Carol Service and the whole school participating in Founders鈥� Day, as well as sports and performing arts scheduling and inter-school trips like CAIS basketball and OFSAA. It鈥檚 so magical to have our community back and celebrating together again. The Senior Leadership Team and some of our community have been working hard on the Strategic Framework, which will be rolled out to the wider community by the fall of 2023. The Board has been engaged in this process and is delighted with the progress and the work that has been done over the past year; personally, I have not seen such an inclusive, thoughtful and engaging approach. Members of our leadership team are champions of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 values of integrity, inquiry, compassion and courage. As strong advocates for the advancement of young women and children, we can feel the benefit of the team鈥檚 focus on innovation, wellbeing and experiential learning鈥攎any thanks to everyone who has been involved so far.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to acknowledge our 2023 Grads. We are thrilled that you can celebrate your accomplishments with the meaningful traditions of this milestone and take with you cherished friendships and valuable learnings. As you embark on this next chapter, please know you will forever be a part of the 蜜桃视频 community and fabric. As you venture beyond the ivy, our very best wishes and immense support and cheers accompany you on the road ahead.

As always, no message would be complete without a polite reminder that for any donation inquiries, please reach out to 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Executive Director of Advancement, Annette Paul (apaul@havergal.on.ca), to find out how you can participate.

Best wishes to everyone for an amazing summer ahead!

Debbie

An Announcement from the Board of Governors

As the final school semester nears its end, we reflect upon our accomplishments over the past year before turning the page to a new chapter in September. Simultaneously, our Board of Governors also turns the page as current Board Chair, Debbie Simpson, will transition her leadership role to incoming Chair, Jill Fraser (Class of 1987).

Debbie joined the Board of Governors in 2014 and assumed the position of Board Chair in September 2020. During her tenure, she has been steadfast in her role, steering us through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic in concert with our Senior Leadership Team (SLT), supporting the transition and onboarding of two principals, as well as guiding our capital infrastructure projects through completion and opening in the fall of 2020. Most recently, she contributed to a successful visit with the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) Peer Review Team and championed the strategic planning process. Her open, transparent and decisive guidance has seen 蜜桃视频 through key milestones, while her excellent governance lens ensured the Board remained focused on strategic matters and fiduciary oversight of the school. Prior to her appointment as Board Chair, Debbie served as Chair of the Financial Sustainability Committee of the Board for four years as the school鈥檚 Master Plan came to fruition. We sincerely thank Debbie for her incredible leadership and dedication, despite a demanding professional workload, and are pleased that she will remain on the Board of Governors. 

Following the Annual General Meeting in late September, we will officially welcome Jill Fraser to the role of Board Chair. Jill has served on the Board of Governors since 2018 and is currently Chair of the Planning and Priorities Task Force, which oversees the strategic planning process. Jill graduated from 蜜桃视频 in 1987 and her daughter is a graduate of the Class of 2021. She is a partner at Aird & Berlis LLP and a member of the firm鈥檚 Executive Committee and Financial Services Group. In her role as Board Chair, Jill will be focused on ensuring the school鈥檚 long-term strength, reinforcing the Board鈥檚 role in providing strategic oversight and supporting the SLT with launching a new strategic plan in the fall. Jill has more than 25 years of experience practicing law, and we look forward to the expertise and leadership she will bring to her new role on the Board. 

Celebration Saturday Save-the-Date

You’re invited to Celebration Saturday, a day filled with fun, community and purpose!

Join us on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9 am to 1 pm on campus for an action-packed day that has lasting impact.

The entire 蜜桃视频 community, including students, faculty and staff, Old Girls/Alum and parents are welcome to attend this all-community event.

Experience fun activities, delicious food and great music while raising funds to support our community partners and showcasing our school’s mission, vision and values. This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with peers from different grades, strengthen our sense of belonging and demonstrate our commitment to community outreach, partnership and support.

Stay tuned for more details and mark your calendars!

A Year of Prideful Joy at the Junior School

Kate White, Head of Junior School

As we approach our final weeks of school, we reflect on what Dr. Samson describes as 鈥減rideful joy.鈥� This marks the first time in three years where our students, families, faculty and staff have been able to come together in-person for the full school year. It has most definitely been a year of 鈥渂uilding back鈥� across all areas of 蜜桃视频 life. 

Academic Learning

We have taken full advantage of our beautiful learning spaces in the new building, allowing our teachers to plan even more engaging and enriching programming for our students. Some highlights of this include welcoming a number of artists in residence such as Marissa Magneson, a Cree-M茅tis artist and educator; Dr. J.S. Kofi Gbolonyo, Lecturer in African Music and African Studies And Director of UBC African Music and Dance; Mitch Bondy, a musical clinician who worked with our Primary Choir; and Marjie Chud, a professional theatre artist and artist educator. In STEM, through a process of inquiry, students in Grade 5 found two separate solutions for identifying black plastic so that it could properly be recycled. They presented their work not only to the Junior and Upper School during Prayers, but also to Toronto鈥檚 Deputy Mayor. Students in Grade 1 integrated the arts, math and science to design and build their very own dream bedrooms. Students in Grade 6 partnered with the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre to co-create midway games that were fun and accessible, while students in Grades 2 to 4 visited Variety Village to learn more about accessibility in sports.  

Co-Curricular Experiences

We have been able to offer a full range of co-curricular opportunities through performing arts, athletics and club programming, with our highest registration numbers yet! Our Primary and Junior Choirs absolutely shined in this year鈥檚 Christmas Concert at St. Paul鈥檚 Bloor Street church, and we had over 60 students participate in the Junior School Musical: 鈥�101 Dalmatians,鈥� both on and off stage. Our athletics program was a rousing success this year, with students participating in everything from multi-sport, to swimming, cross-country, track and field, soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball and, for the very first time this year, Ultimate! And, who can forget the Junior School Hockey Team winning their half-time game at the Mattamy Centre on Hockey Day, or their historic time playing in the UCC annual boys school hockey tournament (and coming out undefeated)! Finally, it was such a pleasure to have students take part in a wide array of clubs, where they honed their coding skills, learned the art of public speaking, tried out new recipes and so much more!

Community Building Events

Finally, it was such a thrill to bring back and start new traditions that served to bring our community together across the bridge. Hana Ley, our Junior School Prefect, and Ms. Watt were instrumental in finding ways for us to connect and really feel like a whole school, from JK to Grade 12. This included: impromptu dance parties at morning drop-off, Upper School students regularly presenting in Prayers, arranging for our Grade 5s to present their incredible Flash mob in Upper School Prayers, accompanying our kindergarten students to the Boarding School for trick or treating, bringing back the Haverbuddies鈥� pen-pal program, organizing the Kindergarten-Grad Tea and helping us practise the Junior School Cheer for House Shout.

As we look forward to next year, we are grateful for all this year has brought and are eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.

A Year of Opportunities at the Middle School

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School

As I reflect upon the past year, I am delighted to share the accomplishments of our students. With pandemic restrictions lifted, we have returned to regular school life and our students have seized the opportunities available to them.

One achievement is the growth of our co-curricular program. Across all areas, our participation numbers reached an all-time high. Walking through the Middle School hallway, you would be struck by the atmosphere鈥攆illed with the sounds of laughter, music and students preparing for their French conversation tests. 

Outside, the fields are alive with soccer matches, field hockey games and the ever-popular Ultimate matches. We are proud of our U13 Softball Team, who faced an unexpected challenge when their league folded early in the year. Thankfully, they were able to join the U14 league and went on to secure third place in the championships. Our U14 Softball Team claimed first place! It was a fine finish to a rocky start to the season. The successes continued as our U13 Basketball Team took first place in the CISAA championships.

In the Arts, our students showcased their talents in two drama productions. Our fall show featured more than 70 student participants and our spring mini musical revue saw the participation of over 40 students. These productions not only provide a creative outlet, but also serve as a means for our students to connect, forge new friendships and explore their artistic abilities. This year, our music program continued to excel, with the band returning to competition and an outstanding spring concert that featured the talents of every Middle School student.

With the return to regular programming, so too has our Exchange program. This year, some of our Grade 8 students travelled to Edinburgh (Scotland), London (England) and Rickmansworth (England). Students who went on exchange also hosted their exchange partners here at 蜜桃视频. 

During our Form time, students engaged in various wellbeing activities. Whether it was working with our Drama specialist Mark Uhre鈥攚ho taught students how to use their voice to resolve conflicts鈥攐r learning about envy or procrastination, students were able to take away important life skills that could be used immediately. Form time also served as an opportunity for connection and fun, thanks to the efforts of our Student Council. They organized a multitude of enjoyable activities, including door decorating contests, cookie decorating sessions and a movie night.

As we say goodbye to the year, we celebrate the activities that have expanded our students’ experience beyond their academic classes. These experiences nurtured new friendships, created lasting memories and provided invaluable life lessons. We look forward to the 2023-24 school year and all the possibilities it holds for our students.

Rekindled Connections in the Senior School

Deirdre Timusk, Head of Senior School

Reflecting on the past year at 蜜桃视频, the Senior School perspective highlights a multitude of memorable events that brought the community together. From Hockey Day and Semi-Formals, to the cherished traditions of Carol Service and Celebration Saturday, students were happy to be reunited with familiar faces from the Junior School as well as alumni and newcomers. Yet, amidst these grand occasions, it was the smaller, often overlooked moments that truly defined the essence of 蜜桃视频.  

Rekindling connections took centre stage this year with each grade embarking on a camp adventure. 蜜桃视频 students discovered they did not know as many students in their grade as they thought they did. Whether the students went to Campfire Circle, or Camp New Moon, students embraced the opportunity to make new friends and deepen existing friendships. As Grade 11 student Callia astutely noted, 鈥淚 am finishing off this school year proud to say that I have expanded my circle of friends, gone out of my comfort zone and met amazing new people along the way.鈥�

These connections are what make 蜜桃视频 special. Seeing the bonds that develop between the Grade 12s and the Grade 7s over the course of the year amplifies the distinctive character of our school. Serving as role models for both our Middle and Junior Schools, our senior students embody the spirit and enthusiasm that define 蜜桃视频. Nowhere is this more evident that during House Shout, a spirited gathering that unites the whole school community in celebration. 

Looking back over the past year, it is clear that 蜜桃视频鈥檚 magic lies not only in the large events but also in the smaller, daily interactions that enrich the lives of students. Those moments of laughter in the hallway, sitting in the quad in the springtime or cheering on one of our performances or games are what help to connect us to each other and make 蜜桃视频 a remarkable place to learn, grow and belong. 

Top Ten Life Lessons to the Graduating Marguerites*

Junior School Teachers Raeme Lockington and Britney Coleman

*A Marguerite is a 蜜桃视频 student who has been at 蜜桃视频 since JK, SK or Grade 1. These students have spent the last 12 to 14 years learning together.

On May 2, we had the distinct honour of sharing some life lessons with this year鈥檚 Marguerites at a celebration commemorating their time at 蜜桃视频. These lessons were inspired by our fond memories of our time with the graduating class while they were in the Junior School.

At this event, we offered the following words of wisdom we think will guide them in their future endeavours: 

Sincerely,

Ms. Lockington, Ms. Coleman and the rest of your Junior School teachers 

Green & Gold Shop Summer Closures

The Green & Gold Shop will be closed for the summer starting on Friday, June 16 until Tuesday, August 8, 2023. It will also be closed on Friday, September 1 for the long weekend.

Please ensure you order any necessary uniform items before the shop closes to ensure you have it for the first day of school.

Moms鈥� Night Out Recap

On Wednesday, May 24, many 蜜桃视频 moms gathered at CIBO Wine Bar for the HCPA鈥檚 annual Moms鈥� Night Out (MNO). This lively, sold-out event gave people the chance to catch up and make new connections while enjoying drinks and appetizers. Use to see photos from the event (passcode: 蜜桃视频). 

Many thanks to MNO Cho-Chairs and Vice-Chairs Mary Dean, Mekhul Verma, Zubina Mawji Dahya and Nadene Riopelle. Not only did they plan a fantastic evening, they did so under pressure after their first choice of venues fell through. If you have feedback or ideas for next year鈥檚 MNO, please share with Zubina (zubina5@yahoo.com) or Nadene (nadene.riopelle@outlook.com).

Pre-Loved Uniform Collection

Wednesday, June 14

Don鈥檛 miss your last chance this school year to clean out closets and donate gently loved uniforms items. On Wednesday, June 14, volunteers will be in the drop-off lane of the Upper School to take your donations from 7:30 to 8 am. Alternatively, you can drop items off in the Ellen Knox library from 8:30 am until 12 noon.  

Donating gently-used uniform items that our children have outgrown and purchasing second-hand items is a great way to reduce our carbon footprint and raise money for the HCPA at the same time. 

We gratefully accept the following items (please ensure all are in good condition with no stains/tears):

Upper School Used Textbook Collection

Wednesday, June 14

On Wednesday, June 14, the Canadian School Book Exchange (CSBE) will be at 蜜桃视频 to accept donations of used textbooks and other books (including novels, cookbooks, coffee table books, etc.). Volunteers will be positioned in the drop-off area of the laneway from 7:30 to 8 am to collect books right from your car or you can bring your books directly to the Ellen Knox Library from 8:30 am until 12 noon.

Here鈥檚 how to do it:

Please ensure your textbooks are placed in a sealed box with the Return Authorization Number and/or QR code slips inside. For multiple boxes, please place a printed copy of the QR code in each box. Your personal books (e.g. novels) can be simply packed in a box鈥搉o QR code is required for these.

Goodbye to 蜜桃视频 and the Class of 2023!

Claire Radin, School Captain 2022-23

It feels strange to be writing a goodbye letter to the place where I have grown into the person who is writing this. A million things rush through my mind. I am not ready to leave; I will miss all these people. I don鈥檛 know who I am without this place. I cannot wrap it around my head that my time decking myself out in green and gold has come to a close. The end has been hovering over me since the beginning of the year, with my Grads, crying together at Campfire Circle because of the collective realization that everything this year would be our last. 

To say goodbye to 蜜桃视频 is to say goodbye to a childhood full of laughing at each other and ourselves, learning how to become the people we want to be and just living life in the good old days.

To the school:

Thank you for turning me into a person I am proud to be. The older students and my teachers taught me to have respect; the people in my grade taught me how invaluable friendship is; my classmates taught me about teamwork and how hard work can also be a lot of fun! Having the chance to grow up in an environment where it is cool to try, to be smart and to be spirited is something that I will always cherish. 

To our teachers:

I cannot thank you enough! Thank you for all the after-class conversations, for the advice, for accepting the nicknames we coined for you and for calling us out when the 鈥渟enioritis鈥� peaked. A special thank-you should go to Ms. Marshall and Ms. Pang for keeping our quiet room secrets.

To the student body:

Your love and gratitude for each other, your teachers and staff, and our lovely school has made being inside these ivy walls for the past nine months extremely special. I am always inspired by your intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and love for each other and for our school. It has been so nice to be around people who also want to be at school and love 蜜桃视频. I will miss losing myself in the sea of green and gold. 

To my fellow Grads:

Grads, thank you for the best times of my life and for giving me 120+ more siblings. It makes me so sad that we won鈥檛 be together as this exact group again for a while. I will always miss walking into the Grad Common Room and joining a random conversation, submitting every English assessment in the class before that in-class deadline, and coming together on the first day of summer break to 鈥減ass the torch.鈥� I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know such a thoughtful, intelligent, fun-loving, hilarious group of people.

From the copious tears about graduating and multiple teachers needing to convince us that university will be fun, I think it is safe to say that 蜜桃视频 will be dearly missed by us Grads. 

You meet so many people who say high school wasn鈥檛 their time or place, and it definitely can be a difficult time and there is a lot to figure out, but I think it is a wonderful thing that high school can also be a time you loved and had some of the best memories and we are so fortunate. 

I am so excited to see the places we go and the people we become. Gators forever!

Claire

Mohammed Abdul-Ghani

Director of Facilities

Mr. Abdul-Ghani joined 蜜桃视频 in July 2022 as the Director of Facilities. He has had a progressive career in healthcare Facilities Management, with roles at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and, more recently, with Sinai Health System (Mount Sinai Hospital). He has managed the construction of multi-million Public Private Partnership (P3) contracts, developed objective capital spending plans and supported the facilities master planning team.

Mr. Abdul-Ghani brings an excellent skill set to 蜜桃视频, including: mentoring and leading a multidisciplinary team, managing large-scale facilities in a 24/7 environment, as well as planning and executing a variety of capital projects. He has vast amounts of knowledge in operations, maintenance and energy management. Over the years, he has fostered and developed strong working relationships with consultants and contractors to meet many challenging facilities needs and sustainability goals. As part of his commitment to operational excellence, one of Mr. Abdul-Ghani鈥檚 goals is to help 蜜桃视频 achieve its sustainability goals and provide the students with a safe and comfortable learning environment.

Mr. Abdul-Ghani holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario. He also acquired the Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate, and became a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) to enhance and expand his skill sets.

In his personal life, he has a strong passion for health and fitness. He is also a big fan of soccer, which he plays as a holding midfielder or as a right winger. Mr. Abdul-Ghani watches the Premier League and is an Arsenal fan. One of his bucket list items is to travel to England to watch a soccer game.

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

For schools, June is akin to New Year鈥檚 Eve. The closer we get to the start of summer, the more we start looking back and taking stock of accomplishments. Like the end of the calendar year, we take this time in schools to encourage our students to reflect on how much they鈥檝e changed and grown over the year. We celebrate the official moments in school with ceremonies and awards, and so we should鈥攊t鈥檚 an exciting moment when you win an award, cross the bridge from Grade 6 to the Middle School or cross the stage at graduation. At 蜜桃视频, we also want to encourage celebration of those less formal moments. Maybe a student didn鈥檛 do as well on the math test as she hoped, but she鈥檚 really come a long way since the beginning of the long division unit. We can鈥檛 all be valedictorian, but we can all experience the pride that comes from having made it through a grade as a cohort, to have developed new friendships and mastered a new skill.

In this issue, we鈥檙e focusing on celebrating the journey. For instance, the movement from the Junior School to the Middle School is a significant transition, with the newfound independence of moving from a core classroom and teacher to eight different teachers with the new responsibilities and new choices. We also begin to celebrate that independence by supporting the Grade 5s as they look ahead to leadership responsibilities that come with being in Grade 6, and the Grade 8s as they look toward their transition into the Senior School. So, while this time of year is often focused on Graduation Day, it鈥檚 also about taking time to recognize and appreciate the process of learning. 

In the Boarding School, this time of year is also about reflection and appreciating the transformative learning experience our girls have had. Boarding students experience tremendous growth and confidence as they learn how to live away from home: from setting up their rooms, to developing essential study habits, to learning to live with a roommate. These skills help make the university transition much easier. Our Boarders come from around the world and are fortunate to get to share their experiences, cultures and values with each other.

This idea of focusing on the journey rather than the destination is part of the growth mindset that we cultivate at 蜜桃视频. It鈥檚 about recognizing the steps that add up to overall progress and teaching girls to evaluate success on their own terms. To see that growth and challenge are also part of success, and to be grateful for what we learn along the way are important skills. So we aptly take this time, our version of New Year鈥檚 Eve, to reflect on moments of growth and to celebrate how far we鈥檝e come. 

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Diane Jeffreys, Chair of the Financial Sustainability Committee  

The Financial Sustainability Committee is a committee of the Board of Governors. Our primary mandate is to safeguard the long-term financial sustainability of 蜜桃视频. As Chair of the Financial Sustainability Committee, I have the pleasure of working in partnership with an engaged group of volunteers, as well as 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Chief Operations Officer, Laura Sims, and Executive Director of Finance, Johann McCormack.

Our committee members include current and past parents and senior leaders in the community. We look to involve a mix of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and financial experience. This provides the opportunity to bring a diverse perspective to discussions and broad insights in support of the financial decisions the school makes.

The Financial Sustainability Committee is working with the Planning & Priorities Taskforce and 蜜桃视频鈥檚 leadership team to ensure that the financial plans are in place to support the long-term strategic direction of the school.

As a dedicated committee, we continue to focus on overseeing and monitoring 蜜桃视频鈥檚 financial plan, both short and long-term. This involves balancing the interests of multiple stakeholders including students, parents, staff and faculty, and鈥攍ike all good financial plans鈥攊s a balancing act requiring careful consideration of a series of trade-offs. The topics that we regularly discuss include:

As the Chair of the Financial Sustainability Committee, I am happy to report that 蜜桃视频 continues to be financially strong, benefiting from a disciplined, responsible and thoughtful approach to fiscal responsibility.

Diane

Celebrating and Supporting Our Middle Years Students

Cissy Goodridge, Head of Middle School, and Kate White, Head of Junior School

For students transitioning from Grade 6 to 7 and from Grade 8 to 9, the spring represents an exciting time as they celebrate the culmination of their elementary and middle school years. Many are optimistically looking forward to greater independence, making new friends, engaging in different learning and leadership opportunities, as well as participating in new athletic teams, artistic endeavours, community partnerships, clubs and exchanges. At the same time, it is not uncommon for students to express worries as they think about learning new routines and expectations, getting to know different teachers and figuring out how they will navigate unfamiliar spaces and what the experience will actually be like!

Members of our transition team鈥攚hich is composed of the Heads of the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, and Ms. Watt (JS Assistant Head), teachers on both sides of the bridge, Learning Support and the Guidance Department鈥攗nderstand the complexity of this journey. Their goal is to support both new and returning students and families in every aspect of this transition in order to make it as smooth as possible. Together, they aim to: 

While many of our Grade 7 and Grade 9 students are not new to 蜜桃视频, we are keenly aware that a number are new to the community. As such, each activity and experience is thoughtfully and intentionally designed so students feel a strong sense of community, confidence and belonging from the onset. 

Some highlights of the transition process include: 

We are so excited to welcome ALL of our Grade 7s and 9s next year, and we look forward to working in partnership with all of our students. Our role is to support our students as they journey through the school and develop into the future leaders of tomorrow.

The Boarding School: 蜜桃视频’s Home Away from Home

Nicole Folkes, Head of Boarding

蜜桃视频鈥檚 Boarding School is a unique urban educational experience that offers students an immersive environment to develop academically, personally and socially. Boarding provides students with a supportive community that encourages growth and fosters a sense of belonging. 

One of the key benefits of the Boarding School is our strong focus on student wellbeing. The Boarding Team works in partnership with parents, faculty, guidance counsellors, social workers and nurses to monitor and support our students in the six areas outlined in the . Our program is proactive and individualized to each student and based upon relationships of mutual respect and understanding. The Boarding experience allows our students to develop skills reflected in the school鈥檚 Portrait of a Grad and sets the stage for lifelong wellbeing.  

Another area of focus is cross-grade social connections. We recognize that these connections are critical to student success and a key component of a Boarding community. By creating opportunities for students from different grade levels to interact and work together in advisory groups, we create an inclusive home-like environment. 

The Boarding School also offers a range of excursions and programming that allow students to navigate Toronto and take advantage of the many activities, cultural and niche programs available in an urban city. These excursions provide students with the chance to build independence, explore new neighbourhoods and learn about different cultures and the wider community. These programs and initiatives are designed to empower our students to lead. Student leaders partner with staff and collaborate with other Boarding schools to provide students with fun activities and service projects. 

蜜桃视频 is a special place for Boarding students. If you ask students what makes it special to them, they will all have a unique answer. From their favourite study space in the building, their most anticipated community event of the year, to the excitement of having the opportunity to hang out with Day and Boarding School friends in their room for 10 months in a year, 蜜桃视频 is home.  

Learning on a Global Scale at the Round Square Ashbury Conference 

Garth Nichols, Vice Principal of Experiential Education and Innovation

In February, five 蜜桃视频 students travelled to Ottawa to take part in the Round Square Regional Conference, hosted by Ashbury College. The theme was 鈥淟iving Canada鈥檚 North鈥� and featured several incredible speakers from author and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Northwest Territory鈥檚 senator Margaret Dawn-Anderson, and Olympian and Indigenous activist Waneek Horn-Miller. In the words of one of our 蜜桃视频 delegates: 鈥淪peakers and panelists spoke about their experiences and knowledge in regard to climate change, Indigenous issues, knowledge, representation and advocacy, and many focused on how to ethically and responsibly fight climate change. Hearing from so many speakers was one of my personal highlights from this conference and helped me gain so much new knowledge from diverse perspectives.鈥�

Round Square conferences are a dynamic mix of critical thinking and discussion, adventure, networking and fun. One of our 蜜桃视频 delegates reflected that, 鈥淲e had the special opportunity to make friends with people from schools around the world, like the US, Colombia, Romania, Australia, Kenya and more! After we listened to a speaker or took part in an activity, we then discussed our experiences within Baraza groups: a space where individuals can have a free discussion with other students in small groups, where everyone鈥檚 opinion is valued equally. By unpacking what we learned in these groups, we were able to have our ideas challenged and further developed to gain a more nuanced understanding of the topic at hand. It was incredibly valuable to dissect topics with people from all different kinds of backgrounds, as we were able to explore different perspectives and critically examine what we thought we knew.鈥�

With the resounding success of this regional conference, we are excited to embark on the application process for Round Square鈥檚 International Conference later in October 2023. The Round Square International Conference is an annual event run by, and for, students aged 16 to 18. It is hosted in different cities from around the world with students from different schools hosting each time. This year鈥檚 conference will be hosted by Brookhouse School in Nairobi, Kenya, where we will once again be face-to-face with students from other partner schools for the 54th Round Square International Conference.

The theme for the conference is 鈥淭he New Africa,鈥� which will allow us to explore many ways the continent has evolved and is defining its position in the 21st century. Brookhouse is planning a programme of keynotes and panel discussions that will highlight an array of African innovators. The conference will be hosted jointly across Brookhouse鈥檚 two campuses in Nairobi. Brookhouse families will provide homestay accommodation and a first-hand experience of African hospitality for student delegates. 

The conference will come together for the opening and closing days, while the Adventure, Service and Democracy days will provide smaller group opportunities on a rotation of activities across the middle three days of the conference. These activities will be hosted at the two Brookhouse campuses in Karen and Runda. The Adventure Day will feature a night under African skies and camping in the Nairobi National Park with wildlife game drives and an environmental conservation focus. The 蜜桃视频 participants look forward to the adventure next October!

HCPA Spring Marketplace

If you don鈥檛 already have your daughter鈥檚 school photo displayed in a beautiful 蜜桃视频 frame, it鈥檚 not too late! The HCPA is pleased to offer one last opportunity this school year to purchase these silver frames.

Frames, which feature the 蜜桃视频 crest embossed on a green matte, are available in both 5 x 7, 8 x 10, diploma and class composite/marguerite collage sizes. Learn more about how to get yours . Please submit your order by Friday, May 5. Details regarding distribution will be communicated separately.

Moms鈥� Night Out!

With the unexpected news that Nordstrom is closing all Canadian stores, Moms鈥� Night Out (MNO) organizers have been busy finding another venue suitable for hosting this popular HC event. The good news is that MNO will now held on Wednesday, May 24 from 7:30 to 10 pm at CIBO Wine Bar (Yonge/Eglinton location). Thanks to organizers Mekhul Verma, Mary Dean, Nadene Riopelle and Zubina Mawji for working tirelessly to make sure 蜜桃视频 moms can enjoy a fun evening catching up with friends and making new connections!

Watch for an official invitation with a link to purchase tickets early next month!

Gator Gala Recap

The 2023 Gator Gala was a sweet success! Thanks to everyone who came out to the Upper School鈥檚 Candyland-themed event and enjoyed the evening鈥檚 many treats, including the delicious meal, the 360 photo booth, the amazing DJs and the abundance of treats.

Thanks also for everyone鈥檚 support of the Gator Gala Silent Auction! We raised over $23,000, which will be put toward the HCPA鈥檚 commitment to the Limitless Campaign.

This special evening couldn鈥檛 have happened without the hard work of the Gator Gala committee, led by co-chairs Jennifer Newton and Charlotte Stanley.

Photo can be viewed here:

Follow on Instagram to see more candids taken by our parent volunteer Vivian Silverson.

All About House Shout 

Taylor Neldner, Agnes Hansen House Captain and Head House Captain

House is an integral part of 蜜桃视频. Every Tuesday morning in the Upper School, Houses (groups of staff, faculty and students from Grades 7 to 12) gather and spend time bonding as a community. These time periods consist of everything from 鈥淗ouse Breakfasts鈥� to inter-House games where each group competes for 鈥淗ouse Points.鈥� Students engage in friendly competitions throughout the year for points and it culminates in House Shout: a cheer-off between Houses. 

Some may think House Shout is merely reworking memorable song lyrics into jingles that feature inside jokes about your House and adding some jazz hands to top it all off. Those who have experienced it, however, understand that House Shout is a symphony of carefully chosen songs centering around a theme that ties into what makes your House unique. Carefully choreographed dances and formations often bear resemblance to cheerleading routines with each House adding their own creative stamp or flourish. In the weeks leading up to the monumental event, students spend hours as a House perfecting each piece of their performance. 

House Captains lead their Houses through the practices, encouraging spirit as the big day approaches. When House Shout arrives, students come to school dressed in flamboyant outfits that best showcase their House colours, often involving tutus, temporary hair dye and layers upon layers of clothing. 

As the entire 蜜桃视频 community gathers together on the Ratcliffe Field, the event starts with a cheer by the Junior School. Following this, each Upper School House group showcases their cheer, hoping if they scream loud enough and dance big enough, they might just come out with House Shout鈥檚 winning token: a plethora of House points that could catapult your House to winning the House Banner. The overall winner of the year-long House competition will get their name added to the House Banner thereby entrenching themselves in 蜜桃视频鈥檚 history. This year, House Shout is sure to be the best one yet! Join us on May 18 on the Ratcliffe Field or, for those who can鈥檛 come to campus, tune in to 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Facebook page to view the live feed at . 

Get ready for some fun, 蜜桃视频!

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

A healthy school-parent partnership is one of the single most important ingredients in a child鈥檚 success at school. At 蜜桃视频, we are committed to nurturing the school-parent relationship, and are indebted to the commitment of our parent champions and their efforts to foster a superb community for all students, families, faculty and staff.

A parent champion is someone who advocates for the school and helps build a positive relationship between the school and the wider community. There are many ways to be involved and show your support. Members of our HCPA (in partnership with the school and through the leadership work of Christine Spence, our Manager of Parent Relations) look to create opportunities for parent engagement that recognizes the diversity of talents within our community while also providing a variety of inroads to get involved, recognizing that not all parents can and want to be involved to the same degree or in the same ways. For those who can鈥檛 give time to help out at an event or participate on an HCPA committee, here are some other ways to serve and contribute as 蜜桃视频 champions: 

At 蜜桃视频, the support of our parent champions comes in many forms, but the one thing they have in common is their commitment to helping the school thrive and their willingness to work collaboratively with others in the community to achieve this goal. In this issue of Inside 蜜桃视频, you鈥檒l meet some of the people who are leading our efforts in the school-parent partnership and I encourage you to reach out to find ways to get involved, knowing there is a space and place for every parent here.

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Brad Radin, Chair of The 蜜桃视频 Foundation Board of Trustees  

The 蜜桃视频 Foundation is a registered charity that both receives and invests donations to support key priorities for 蜜桃视频. The Foundation oversees an investment portfolio of mostly donor-endowed funds, valued at $29.1 million as of 30 June 2022. These endowed funds have been gifted over time by parents, Alums/Old Girls, graduating classes, faculty and staff. The Foundation disburses a certain percentage of the value of the endowed funds annually to the school.

Working with an external investment manager and in accordance with the Foundation鈥檚 Investment Policy Statement, the Foundation ensures that its resources are prudently invested with the aim of both growing and preserving capital, while maintaining the ability to provide stable grants to the College for priorities such as student financial assistance.

The Foundation is governed by a board of nine Trustees, including ex-officio appointments of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Board of Governors and a member of the 蜜桃视频 Old Girls Association.

Because 蜜桃视频鈥檚 annual revenues must cover not only the present year鈥檚 expenses, but also capital investment and infrastructure costs, fundraising is an essential ingredient to maintaining 蜜桃视频鈥檚 ongoing fiscal health and strength. We are grateful to generations of donors, past, present and future, for their generous contributions and ongoing belief in 蜜桃视频鈥檚 mission.

Brad

蜜桃视频 Parent Association: 101 

Kerry Porter, HCPA Communications Chair

The 蜜桃视频 Parent Association (HCPA) comprises over 50 members, from both the Junior School and the Upper School, all working together to maximize parent engagement, foster community spirit and support the school through social and fundraising initiatives.

So far this year, the HCPA鈥檚 biggest fundraisers include Ivy Market, Holiday Marketplace, Pre-Loved Uniform sales, the Gator Gala and HC spirit wear. We鈥檙e pleased to report that the HCPA is very close to meeting its remaining $40,000 commitment to the school鈥檚 Limitless Campaign.

While all events have community-building and social aspects, there are a few for which having fun is the main purpose, including the JS A-mazing Race and Moms鈥� Night Out.

If you鈥檇 like to see which positions are still available for next year鈥檚 committee, it鈥檚 not too late. While the first round of nominations closes on March 28, the second round opens on April 6.

Why should you get involved in the HCPA? Getting to know other HC parents is one of the biggest benefits of volunteering. You鈥檒l also gain more insight into what goes on 鈥渂ehind the ivy鈥� and model the values and benefits of engagement for your daughter. On top of that, the HCPA is a lot of fun!   

You can find more information by visiting the or getting in touch with a member of the Executive Committee at hcpa.committee@gmail.com.

Torch Magazine

Coming Soon to Your Inbox

The 2022-23 issue of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Torch magazine will be published and shared electronically with community members next week. With the theme 鈥淢aking Progressive Strides at 蜜桃视频,鈥� this year鈥檚 Feature Story is focused on how 蜜桃视频 uses its core values (Integrity, Inquiry, Courage and Compassion) as a guide when making important decisions for the school, especially during times of change.

Also in this issue: the Heads of Schools discuss their approach to building personal and social skills; students speak out about which of the 蜜桃视频 values they feel most connected to; School Captain Claire Radin shares more about her experiences growing up; and our Advancement department outlines the important legacy of Class Giving. 

Don鈥檛 forget to check out the Student Life page, which features photos of school life and works of art by 蜜桃视频 students!

We look forward to sharing this next issue with you. Look out for an email from communications@havergal.on.ca in early April for your copy.

Get to Know Your HCPA Co-Chairs

The HCPA has long attracted accomplished and dedicated parents to lead the committee鈥攁nd the 2022-23 school year is certainly no different. Lisa Windover and Tanuja Gupta are your HCPA Co-Chairs, and together they lead and co-ordinate the committee鈥檚 activities.

Lisa grew up in the United States. She moved to Toronto in 2008 so she and her husband could be closer to his family as they raised their kids, Ryan and Kaitlyn. She holds Bachelor, Masters and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering and worked in Silicon Valley for Hewlett Packard Laboratories for 13 years, specializing in fiber optics.

Lisa is no stranger to volunteering: throughout her education, she took on leadership roles in various student councils and engineering societies, including President of the Society of Women Engineers at Rutgers, and Women in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Society at U.C. Berkeley. More recently, she held leadership positions volunteering at Blythwood Junior P.S., Royal St. George鈥檚 College and, of course, 蜜桃视频.

The HCPA events closest to Lisa鈥檚 heart are the Gator Gala and Ivy Market. She is currently serving her second year as Co-Chair of the HCPA and looks forward to working with the HCPA in another capacity next year, her daughter鈥檚 final year at 蜜桃视频!

Tanuja Gupta grew up in northern Quebec and Ottawa. She earned a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Ottawa and worked in Silicon Valley North for a number of years. After moving to Toronto, she was a consultant for Pricewaterhouse Coopers and IBM.  

Tanuja and her husband, Rajeev, a busy pediatrician, have four children. Her daughters Maya, Nisha and Sara all attend 蜜桃视频, and her son, Dhilan, is a student at Upper Canada College. Tanuja left the consulting field to devote more time to raising her children and volunteering with their schools. Throughout her years at 蜜桃视频 she has been a Grade Rep, a member of the Welcome Committee, Co-Chair of Staff Appreciation, Secretary, JS Grade Rep Co-Convenor and currently HCPA Co-Chair. She is passionate about giving back to the school and looks forward to many more years with the HCPA.

Thank you to Lisa and Tanuja for your many contributions to the HCPA and 蜜桃视频!

Be an Excellencist, Not a Perfectionist

At the February 2023 NAIS conference, Deputy Principal Lindsay Norberg had the opportunity to hear an outstanding presentation about the burdens of perfectionism by professor of psychology and neuroscience Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary. Recognizing there are individuals in our community who have perfectionist tendencies, Ms. Norberg shares some of Dr. Dennis-Tiwary鈥檚 thoughts about the burdens of perfectionism and how to overcome these instincts. Here are some excerpts from the presentation:

“Research is unequivocal 鈥� there is little upside to perfectionism. The relentless pursuit of flawlessness can lead to , , high and even . As a result, perfectionists often end up achieving much less than they aspire to because they hold back, procrastinate and even stop taking on challenges altogether 鈥� because it鈥檚 better to not have entered the race than to have spun out in ignominy.”

Dr. Dennis-Tiwary鈥檚 alternative to perfectionism is something she calls: “Excellencism, the pursuit of excellence. The term excellencism was proposed by psychologist Patrick Gaudreau. It means striving for excellence while allowing yourself to make mistakes while staying focused on learning.”

In the Washington Post article , Dr. Dennis-Tiwary offers up key steps and a personal reflection on how to be an excellencist:

As women are often more vulnerable to perfectionism, it’s important for our community to share these ideas and learn new strategies so our students can feel confident and capable in any situation.

Learn more about Dr. Dennis-Tiwary鈥檚 work in her new book .

Christine Spence

Manager, Parent Relations

Christine grew up surrounded by educators: her grandfather was a principal with the Toronto Board of Education; her mother regularly volunteered in schools before returning to the workforce as an elementary ESL teacher; and her dad was the Head of Guidance at several Peel region high schools over the course of his career. She remembers how her parents taught her about advocacy and equity when they successfully petitioned the Board to allow girls to take 鈥渟hop鈥� (Industrial Arts) and boys to take Home Economics in middle school. The importance of education and the hard work of teachers was instilled in Christine from a very young age. This laid the foundation for the work she would do throughout her adult life.

One of her first jobs after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University was working for the Peel District School Board supporting adults who were returning to the workforce. Following that, Christine completed a Masters in Business Administration in Organizational Development. She went on to do consulting work while completing a certificate in Strategic Change Management at the Rotman School of Business and, in 2000, she welcomed her first child. A stay-at-home parent, Christine followed her mother鈥檚 example and began her career as a volunteer in schools.  

Volunteering allowed Christine to participate in a variety of roles on four different school councils, including work in community engagement, fundraising, school initiatives and event management. She moved to London, England with her family for two years, where Christine led International Night and many other school events at Southbank International School. She also held a role on the Executive of the Hampstead Women鈥檚 Club, a group that welcomed expats to the City of London.

Prior to starting at 蜜桃视频 in August 2022 as Manager, Parent Relations, Christine spent three years in Admissions at The York School in Toronto. This experience gave her a strong understanding of the independent school system and the opportunity to develop trusting relationships with families. The role in Parent Relations at HC was a logical next step in the work she loves to do.

Now that her son Andrew has graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University (Fine Arts 鈥� Film) and is working full-time, and daughter Sarah is finishing up her first year at the University of Guelph (Anthropology), Christine can enjoy being spoiled by her partner Mike (a retired principal), going to Sarah鈥檚 softball games and spending time at the cottage.

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

If you came to Toronto and visited the CN Tower, took in a Raptor鈥檚 game and had dinner by the waterfront, would you be able to say you鈥檝e seen Toronto? I would argue that you鈥檝e seen a piece of Toronto, but only a particular view through a specific lens. You wouldn鈥檛 get a sense of the city鈥檚 many eclectic neighbourhoods, or its Indigenous heritage or even some of the major challenges like traffic, housing or transit; you would miss all the the rich diversity of cultures that make up our incredible city, and this applies not just to Toronto, but to every city around the world.

While incorporating global experiences at 蜜桃视频 in the curriculum and through our Exchange Program is a priority, we are equally proud of the fact that we take a thoughtful approach to the curation of global education experiences. Wary of the limited lens we sometimes have on the world through the news, we push students to be more nuanced in their conversations about and understanding of new places and the people that inhabit them. When students participate in a service-learning experience, they don鈥檛 just parachute into an area. We鈥檙e careful to start slowly with trip meetings where we research the economy, history, conflict, social structure, food鈥攅verything that builds a culture鈥攊ncluding trying to gain an understanding of how women are viewed in that society. We have a rigorous process for selecting project partners so that any service-learning project work is developed with a long-standing commitment to communities, and an understanding that as outsiders we are there to learn, grateful to our gracious hosts for welcoming us and sharing parts of their culture and lives.

That careful approach extends to every aspect of our goal of developing global citizens who can work, learn and explore the world. Our focus is not just on a single exchange experience abroad, but on how to build cultural competency and global fluency within our graduates. Likewise, our position as a Boarding School allows us to have a diversity of global perspectives within our student community. As we welcome and learn from international students who call 蜜桃视频 home, we encourage the exploration of our global city, celebrate different cultural holidays, incorporate international authors in text choices and give students practice in global awareness and skill-building by partnering with schools internationally, both in-person and online. Just last week, five students from 蜜桃视频 travelled to Ottawa to participate in a Round Square Regional Conference making new friendships with students from around the world, while learning about Canada鈥檚 North鈥攁nd the hopes for a new year of strong Indigenous engagement, partnership and leadership. The growth in cultural and global competence鈥攌ey 21st century learning skills鈥攁re best learned and practised alongside other students and faculty from across the globe, with varying perspectives and experiences that challenge and grow our understanding of the world. 

All of these different experiences are worth pursuing because of the effect they have on us as individuals. Developing comfort outside of your familiar spaces is important for many reasons, from developing self-efficacy to cultivating empathy. Our world is one where physical borders have softened with the adoption of collaborative technology, and being more globally aware helps us understand our impact on society and our position in the world. When we know better, we are called to do better, and as such, fostering conversations about our global impact helps students to think about ways they can develop a better world alongside the life they cultivate for themselves, and that will boost their chances for success in so many ways.

Katrina

蜜桃视频 Joins Round Square

This year, 蜜桃视频 has joined as a member of , an international network of 230 like-minded schools in 50 countries that connect and collaborate to offer world-class programmes to students so they can explore, learn more about and engage with Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service. These 鈥淚DEALS鈥� help students live our mission of preparing young women to make a difference; also, being a member furthers our Forum for Change programming such as our Global Learning Projects, Exchange and our Global Learning and Leading Diploma (GLLD). This past February, five students and Mr. Nichols attended the North Americas , hosted by Ashbury College in Ottawa. With delegates from as far away as Australia, the UK and South America, they learned about the North and Canada鈥檚 Arctic from the perspective of Indigenous, political and environmental voices. Keynote speakers sparked intriguing and engaging discussions about climate change, Arctic sovereignty and the shared stewardship of a fragile ecosystem with exceptional biodiversity. They also enjoyed a two-night stay at the Chateau Montebello resort, where they enjoyed a variety of winter sports that students aren鈥檛 usually exposed to: dog-sledding, outdoor curling and more. Added to this experience was that Ashbury families hosted our students and they got to live the rhythm of life of others and with other students from around the world. Experiences like this, offered through Round Square and many of our other partnerships, generate excitement for the school and students. We are looking forward to having students travel on our Global Learning Project to the in March, and stay tuned for more information on our next that will take place in Nairobi, Kenya. Each of these partnerships and experiences further 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Portrait of a Grad.

Global Exchange Opportunities

Jennifer Russell, Manager, Experiential and Global Learning

蜜桃视频’s Exchange Program is active this year for the first time since 2020 and we’re thrilled to have already welcomed Exchange students from across the globe on campus. During the upcoming March Break, 蜜桃视频 Exchange students will experience a new rhythm of life by embracing the unknown, building relationships and practising courage by going abroad. This year we have 16 students in Grade 8, 21 students in Grade 10 students and 17 students Grade 11 participating in our program, and we wish them all the best as they pack their bags and set off around the world! 

For those interested in our Grade 8 and 10 Exchange Programs for the 2023-24 school year, applications open at the end of the academic year for students in Grades 7 and 9. More information will be shared with students and their families after the March Break, with family information evenings to help kick off applications in early May. 

Both programs are reciprocal in nature, with students in Grade 8 spending two weeks abroad and hosting an Exchange student for two weeks; and students in Grade 10 spending three to four weeks abroad and hosting an Exchange student for three to four weeks. For 蜜桃视频 students, hosting can happen at any time of the school year, while travel abroad always happens to overlap with March Break.

Please check out our to learn more about why we offer this program to our students.

Grade 6 Bloorview School Authority Community Project

Darryl Reiter, Junior School STEM Coordinator

Bloorview School Authority (BSA) is a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school within the Holland Bloorview Children鈥檚 Rehab hospital, located on Bayview Avenue. As a special project, a group of 12 蜜桃视频 Grade 6 students spent three afternoons at the BSA learning about the issues that surround ableism and thinking about developing assistive technology in the form of computer-controlled carnival style games that are accessible to all young children.

Using Makey Makey, a USB hardware interface device that is simple and powerful, the team designed hands-on games to satisfy the question: 鈥淗ow might we make carnival games that are fun and accessible to all primary-aged children?鈥� The team of 12 was further divided into four groups, and each group member was assigned one of three roles: hardware engineer, software engineer or communications specialist.

Following our first visit to BSA, students began brainstorming games that would satisfy a diverse group of children with varying cognitive and physical abilities. Taking into consideration each child鈥檚 range of motion, grip strength, gross and fine motor skills, etc., the teams applied the Engineering Design Process to design and build prototype games for testing the following week.

When we returned with our first four prototypes, BSA students circulated through the activities while the student engineers were hard at work testing, troubleshooting and modifying their solutions in real-time while the communications specialist worked closely with the children to better understand their challenges with the devices and document the areas that needed improvement. For example, observations of a child using his chin to operate a game led to notes about modifications to handles, wands and other apparatus so the devices could work with a range of dexterity and strengths.

On Wednesday, February 22, the teams visited BSA with the final iteration of their designs and had the students play with them once again. The outcome was fantastic. The initial goal was met and our team of young engineers did an amazing job of demonstrating the school鈥檚 core values of compassion, integrity, inquiry and courage so well throughout the phases of this special project.聽

Indigenization in the Upper School

In 2015, the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada published its 94 Calls to Action, aimed at redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of reconciliation in Canada. 蜜桃视频 believes that the education of our students, mission, vision and values are enlivened and enriched when we learn and engage with Indigenous ways of knowing, learning and leading. To support 蜜桃视频 meeting the Calls to Action, we are engaged in an Indigenization journey, with a focus on doing the work to educate ourselves as we explore our own past and future as an educational institution. We are fortunate to have a long-standing, established relationship with Mike Carlson, who is a mixed Indigenous Educational Consultant. Mike has been supporting our faculty and students via Zoom every Tuesday since September, and from February 7 to June, Mike will be on campus every Tuesday to work alongside faculty, staff and students. As part of this journey, and with the support of Mike Carlson, several faculty from the Junior School and Upper School are taking their Additional Teaching Qualification course 鈥淔irst Nations, M茅tis and Inuit Peoples 鈥� Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues and Cultures Part 1,鈥� with a goal to integrate Indigenous voices and ways of knowing into their courses. As well, many of our academic departments are examining their curriculum to explore intersections with Indigenous knowledge. One highlight has been with the development of a GLLD module, co-constructed with the Forum for Change staff and Mike Carlson, utilizing our campus. In this learning experience, students explore the land around the school, particularly the Lisa Hardie Trail. This three-part learning experience is tied to the solstice calendar, connecting how the natural world impacts our relationship with the land and the importance of mindfulness when exploring the outdoors. Themes such as story-telling, gratitude and acknowledgement have guided our visits, which are accompanied by Mike Carlson, as we explore concepts of renewal and legacy. These guided visits will wrap up in the spring.

TEDx蜜桃视频College is Back!

蜜桃视频 is hosting its first TEDx event in 10 years! From 4 to 7 pm on Friday, March 31, 蜜桃视频 students and faculty (and students from different CIS Ontario schools) will hear from engaging speakers on the theme of 鈥淭he Outliers.鈥� 

鈥淭EDx蜜桃视频College is a celebration of individuals who dare to push the boundaries and challenge the status quo鈥攖hose who are often referred to as The Outliers,鈥� explains Grade 12 student organizer Jessie Jin. 鈥淲e hope to foster a community of like-minded individuals who are driven to make an impact in their lives and the world around them. By bringing together many outliers who share a common goal, we can create an experience of support and inspiration.鈥�

Working with Jessie are 蜜桃视频 students Alison Liu (Marketing), Angelina Tseng (Curation), Errita Xu (Operations), Helena Hu (Marketing), Irina Jiang (Operations), Jessica Cheung (Curation), Kaitlyn Leung (Sponsorships), Kelly Wang (Marketing), Kristin Cho (Operations), Madison Yang (Sponsorships) and Sarah Cooke (Marketing) and Sunny Zhao (Operations). This team of Senior School students has been working hard to prepare an engaging speaker series for the 蜜桃视频 community. 鈥淲e have observed that overly-dogmatic discussions can cause a loss of discourse based on highly diverse perspectives,鈥� Jessie says of their decision to focus on those who think outside of the mainstream. 鈥淎t a time when intellectual conformity seems to be prevalent, the theme ‘The Outliers’ is more relevant than ever. In a world where we are constantly exposed to pieces of information that compete for demands of our attention, it takes special individuals to rise above the noise and create a substantial impact. By celebrating those who have done just that, we hope to inspire others to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives.鈥�

Tickets are invite-only and will go on sale in March. To learn more, please contact Garth Nichols, Vice Principal, Experiential Education & Innovation.

HCPA Nominations for 2023-24 Are Open Now

Are you interested in becoming more involved in the 蜜桃视频 community? Now鈥檚 your chance! The nomination process for the 2023-24 蜜桃视频 Parent Association (HCPA) is now open and there are a wide variety of positions (including a few brand new ones) for parents in both the Junior and Upper Schools. Please read our for more details and a full description of each open volunteer position. 

It鈥檚 very easy to become more involved, connect with an amazing group of parents and have some fun along the way. Nominate yourself or another parent for any of the open positions. Don鈥檛 delay, the deadline for the first round of submissions is Tuesday, March 28 at 9 am.

More detailed information about the nomination process, timeline and code of conduct can be found on the new and improved . A complete list of all HCPA Committee positions can be found .

HC Spring Spirit Wear

For a limited time, the HCPA is pleased to offer green and white fleece pullovers that feature 蜜桃视频’s crest. These cozy, made-in-Canada pullovers will arrive just in time for spring and are perfect for those in-between days when we don’t need winter coats (a cheerful thought on a winter’s day!). They are available in adult and youth sizes for $105 each. 

Please note that this fleece is not part of the 蜜桃视频 uniform, but is great for wearing while going to and from school or showing HC pride on the weekends.

Be sure to by the deadline of Friday, March 10. Pick up details will be communicated after March Break. All proceeds will go toward supporting the HCPA鈥檚 fundraising goals including parent engagement activities and our final commitment to the Limitless Campaign. Do you have any questions? Contact Amy Cheung (dramy.cheung@gmail.com).

JS A-mazing Race: Tickets on Sale Now! 

The A-mazing Race has become one of the highlights of the Junior School calendar! This year鈥檚 event is being held on Sunday, April 30 (12:30 to 4 pm) and you won鈥檛 want to miss out on this fun-filled day.

Students can invite one parent/guardian of their choosing (or any other adult over the age of 21) to be their partner for an afternoon of friendly competition. There鈥檚 also an option of joining another team if an adult partner is unavailable.

House teams will compete against each other in a series of all-new, friendly challenges鈥揳ppropriate for participants from JK to Grade 6 and their adult partners鈥揻ollowed by snacks and refreshments. 

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, March 3 (this early deadline gives organizers enough time to order House-themed clothing sized just right for each participant). 

Questions? Contact Richard Denis (rwdenis@hotmail.com), Dan Kamiya (dan@kamiya.net) or Phil Lee (philjonlinlee@gmail.com). 

Gator Gala: Don鈥檛 Be Candy-Crushed! 

We are thrilled with the response to ticket sales for the Upper School鈥檚 Candyland-themed Gator Gala! To avoid anything going sour (get it?), this is a last reminder that tickets to the highly-anticipated event on Saturday, April 1 at Parkview Manor are (ticket sales are open to US students and their guests only)! We鈥檝e extended the deadline to purchase until Friday, March 3. 

The earlier tickets are purchased, the more easily we can accommodate table requests, dietary requirements and other custom elements that will make this a very sweet and special night for you and your daughter(s)! Look for the launch of our amazing silent auction (coming soon) with one-of-a-kind items you’ll find absolutely irresistible. If you would like to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact Donna Wilson at donnasmythe@hotmail.com OR Jennifer O鈥機ampo-King at JenniferOcampo.King@tdsecurities.com. Sports and concert tickets are always popular as well as unique experiences such as a 鈥淒ay in the Life of鈥︹�� (vet, heart surgeon, TV reporter, etc.).If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Newton at newtonjennifer@me.com or Charlotte Stanley at charlotte.stanley@yahoo.ca.

Save the Date for Moms鈥� Night Out!

Mark your calendars for Moms鈥� Night Out (MNO) on Wednesday, May 24. This elegant evening event returns to Nordstrom鈥搕his time at the Yorkdale location. In addition to food and drinks, MNO will feature a DJ, express beauty services, private shopping and more. If you鈥檝e attended a Moms鈥� Night Out event in the past, you鈥檒l know what a great opportunity the evening is to catch up with friends, make new connections and have fun!  

The official invitation and more information will be sent in April.

Supporting Students through Guidance

Heather Johnstone, Head of Guidance

In my 19 years working at 蜜桃视频, I have seen the vast and complicated challenges of our greater society mirrored in our student population. Rising mental health concerns coupled with high expectations from institutions of higher education have necessitated a responsive Guidance Program that is nimble enough to evolve with the changing needs of students and families. It also must be intentionally designed to equip students with the skills and confidence to manage themselves when they launch into adulthood and leave the safety and familiarity of 蜜桃视频. This tension between preemptively giving students everything they require and teaching them how to seek the assistance and answers they need is a tricky dynamic, and one we are constantly balancing when creating Guidance programming.

I thought it would be helpful to outline how our Guidance Counsellors work with students one-to-one and in groups, how the program is designed to promote student belonging, confidence and wellbeing, and, ultimately how we lead students to develop a capacity for self-advocacy. Our model is based on an evolution of support, moving from more direct instruction and delivery of resources to gradually teaching adolescents how to reach out and get the information and assistance when and in the format that best suits their needs. This development of self-advocacy is a key component of student agency and is an invaluable skill as they move on to university and into young adulthood. 

The Guidance Program begins in the Middle School, when our students are introduced to the concept of having a Guidance Counsellor and understanding the type of support we provide. In Grades 7 through 10, our counsellors schedule appointments with students to check in on them at different points throughout the year and students are taught how to book a meeting on the Guidance page on the Student Portal. 

By the time students progress to the Senior School, they have developed a good understanding of the role of the Guidance Counsellor. In Grades 11 and 12, students meet their counsellors through group sessions targeted at specific social-emotional or university admission topics. Information is made readily available to students and their families on the Guidance page on the Student and Parent Portals. By Grade 11, students book individual appointments whenever necessary. The progression from a 鈥渉ands on鈥� to a 鈥渉ands hovering鈥� approach allows practice of self-advocacy and resourcefulness, and is an important training ground for moving forward into post-secondary education.

Our goal as a department is to carefully transition students from the direct delivery of information and resources to a place where they develop the self-awareness to know what they need and the skills to source the information they require to be successful. We understand that students have different comfort thresholds surrounding seeking help and, given this, we work closely with, and rely heavily upon, partnerships and communication with teachers and parents to do the work of student support successfully.
For more information about the Guidance and University Counselling Program, please visit .

ChatGPT: What Parents Need to Know

Garth Nichols, Vice Principal of Experiential Education & Innovation

As a parent, your top priority is the wellbeing and education of your children. With the advent of technology, there is a growing interest in the use of AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to support students in their learning journeys. However, as with any new tool, it’s important to understand how to work with ChatGPT in an ethical and responsible way to ensure the best outcomes for your child.

ChatGPT is not a substitute for our incredible teachers and the relationships they form that support your daughter鈥檚 learning. It can be a complementary tool in education, so long as we all can build an understanding of how the technology works. It’s important to educate students on the limitations of machine learning and chatbots. Additionally, it’s crucial to help students understand the difference between information provided by ChatGPT and information obtained through other sources. This will help to promote critical thinking skills and encourage students to question the information they receive.

Keep in mind that, properly used, ChatGPT can be designed to support learning. Encourage your child to use the chatbot as a tool for supplementing their understanding, rather than relying on it to provide answers to assignments or tests.

蜜桃视频鈥檚 Innovation Hub: HC-X, recently hosted a faculty conversation about ChatGPT and what our concerns are, but we also discussed what we are enthusiastic and optimistic about. Marshall McLuhan once said: 鈥淭he future masters of technology will have to be lighthearted and intelligent. The machine easily masters the grim and the dumb.鈥� Through our Digital Wisdom course, Grade 5 to Grade 8 students get to engage in such conversations, practices and reflections on the role of existing and emerging technologies and the impact they have on their lives.

To dive deeper into this topic, take a look at these resources:

Nicole Cozier

Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Ms. Cozier joined 蜜桃视频 in January 2023 as its inaugural Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. She brings more than 25 years of experience as a trainer/facilitator, program designer, strategist, leader and social change agent in the direct service, philanthropic and advocacy sectors. Her work focuses on deepening equity, inclusion and belonging, and is steeped in fostering connection, competency and collaboration that allows people to engage authentically and bring their best thinking and innovation in the pursuit of the organization鈥檚 core mission and strategic goals. While most of Ms. Cozier鈥檚 career has been focused on women鈥檚 and girls鈥� issues and gender equity, in the words of American writer, womanist, radical feminist, professor and civil rights activist Audre Lorde 鈥� 鈥渢here is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.鈥� As a result, the principles of intersectionality, cultural competency and humility, and the lenses of diversity, equity and inclusion have always been central to her work and approach to life. For the seven years prior to joining 蜜桃视频, Ms. Cozier has led the EDI work of the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States.  

As as a published poet, Ms. Cozier uses poetry as a vehicle to create human connection and enrich EDI learning. She holds an MBA in Health Administration and an MS in Health Care Financial Management from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and an Honours BSc in Human Biology, Sociology & Women’s Studies from University of Toronto.鈥�疢s. Cozier is a Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, a certified administrator for the Intercultural Development Continuum (IDI), and a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE). 

As an alum of Branksome Hall (and a boarder), Ms. Cozier describes her return to the independent school system in this role as 鈥渁 perfect culmination of her experience and her passion for work with deep personal significance.鈥� She grew up in the GTA and recently relocated back to Toronto with her wife, daughter and two dogs 鈥� after nearly 30 years in the United States 鈥� to be closer to her family. She has lived in Washington (DC), Philadelphia, New Jersey, US Virgin Islands and Barbados. Besides work and family, her passions include dance, building Lego and various other creative outlets.  

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

If there鈥檚 one part of the 蜜桃视频 experience that is consistent across the decades, it鈥檚 the sense of community our students feel during their time at the school. It鈥檚 the energy in the hallways, the smiles on familiar faces and the intensity of the 蜜桃视频 spirit that makes our school so special. This differentiator makes us proud as educators, because we know that spirit and community go hand-in-hand in creating a sense of belonging. This is especially important for us as a girls鈥� school, where we seek to build empowered, supportive networks who know and appreciate the value of investing in women鈥檚 success. 

Spirit Week at 蜜桃视频 is important on so many levels. Besides community building, it鈥檚 refreshing that in a school so passionate about academics, we also take the time to celebrate our collective successes and have fun! Our Upper School students, faculty and staff develop grade connections by working together on their cheers for the Grade Cheer-Off. Our community shows their collective spirit through different dress down days and getting decked out in green and gold. And our Junior and Upper School students in Grades 4 to 12 come together to show a force of Gator pride at Hockey Day, one of the most tangible displays of spirit in the year! These are moments when memories are made, connections are strengthened and morale is boosted. Taking time to be together and adding a flash of fun is a real stress reliever, and reminds us that we are part of something bigger.聽

School spirit has also shown to be directly linked to academic achievement, according to a of 1,500 high school students, parents and principals. According to the study: 鈥渉igh school students with school spirit perform better academically, are more engaged in social and civic matters and are happier in general than their less-spirited peers.鈥� This is likely due to a sense of pride in their school, and this school spirit is an expression of a sense of belonging. Belonging is critical to our wellbeing, which impacts our ability to do well and be well.

Besides Spirit Week, our year is dotted with other community-building events, from House Shout in the spring to Gator Days when we all cheer on 蜜桃视频 during a sporting event. Whether the teams win or lose, 蜜桃视频 always takes the gold in the spirit department.

Go Gators!

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Debbie Simpson, Chair of the Board

New Year’s greetings from the Board of Governors! We extend our warmest wishes for a year overflowing with happiness and good health!

The end of the first semester is upon us and it is fitting we pause to reflect on the exciting school year we have had so far. We kicked off the year with the return of in-person co-curricular and athletic events and the successful re-start of Celebration Saturday, which brought the community together for a fun-filled day. Thrive Week returned and highlighted some of the strategies and skills that students can use to thrive, with the goal of putting these skills into practice on a daily basis. We saw continued relationship-building between the Junior School and the Upper School, therapy dogs visited our JK to Grade 12 students, and faculty and staff were able to participate in activities targeted at their own wellbeing such as swimming, yoga, sound baths and a whisper walk in the Lisa Hardie Trail. The year closed with the magical Grade 1鈥�6 Christmas Concert and the Upper School Carol Service, a first time experience for the Junior School at St Paul鈥檚 Bloor Street church! It was a wonderful way to close for the holiday season.

As we look ahead to planning for the next school year, we鈥檇 like to remind parents/guardians that the opportunity to apply to serve on the Board of Governors or a Board Committee is currently open. The Board of Governors Application Form is located and I encourage you to become involved. This year the Board is especially interested in identifying potential candidates with one or more of the following: strategic, senior-level experience in finance (CFO); a background in child and adolescent health and development; and experience with strategic governance leadership in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) space. The application due date has been extended to Friday, February 17, 2023. Applications will be reviewed in February/March with interviews taking place in March for those selected. Additional details on the role and responsibilities of Board and Committee members . Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at boardofgovernors@havergal.on.ca.

We have accomplished great things this school year, with more to come. I see our values at work and thank you all for your efforts and support as we navigate the remainder of the year together.

Thank you,

Debbie

Spirit Week: A Time for Fun and Bonding

Kate, Clubs & Spirit Prefect

In February when course selections and assessments can be stressful, Spirit Week is a chance for students to have fun and bond with their grade. This year, Spirit Week is from February 13 to 16. Throughout the week, all of the Upper School students (Grades 7 to 12) compete for spirit points through games and competitions, so they can be named the winners of Spirit Week (the ultimate bragging rights at HC). Here are some key details about Spirit Week:

Spirit Week at the Junior School

Liz Watt, Assistant Head of the Junior School

Spirit week is just around the corner (February 13 to 16) and is a time that many Junior School students look forward to each year. House meetings, Hockey Day, banner making and dressing down in comfy clothes are just a few of the many activities that the Junior School community takes part in during this fun-filled week.

The goal behind Spirit Week is to build relationships within our community by connecting with others, which not only raises school spirit, but also elevates individual spirit. It is a time for students to learn to be cheerleaders for each other and ourselves. 

Grade 6 student Ava Singh explains: 鈥淚 love that as a community we build ourselves up and work together as a team. My favorite part about Spirit Week is dressing down in House colours and cheering alongside my House.鈥� Through various activities, students are provided with opportunities to foster relationships and connect with students across various grades, both within the Junior School and with students from across the bridge (the Upper School). Hana Ley, our Junior School Prefect, says: 鈥淚 love that Spirit Week falls in February, as it gives us something to look forward to. In my role as the JS Prefect, I enjoy spreading spirit throughout the Junior School hallways. One of my favourite things to do is greet Junior School students as they arrive at the start of the day. The Junior School Council and I like to bring our party rocker with us, which plays fun music as we dance with the students into the school.鈥�

More details about the week鈥檚 activities will be listed in The Weekly. 

Hockey Day

Carla Di Filippo, Athletic Director

February 14 will be the most wonderful day of the year: it鈥檚 Hockey Day! This annual battle against Bishop Strachan School for the Hewitt Cup brings together students (Grades 4 to 12), staff, alumni and members of our community to celebrate everything that is 蜜桃视频. A day rich in history鈥攈ockey games between girls鈥� schools were noted in the school yearbook, Ludemus, as early as 1955. It is truly more than a hockey game: it is a day that perfectly showcases the 蜜桃视频 spirit. 

On Hockey Day, the HC crowd will be dressed from head to toe in green and gold, shouting words of encouragement and cheering on our team at Mattamy Athletic Centre. It鈥檚 school spirit like you have never seen it and it’s difficult to put into words just how special this day is for our Gators. For many, Hockey Day is an adventure, a vibe and an energy; something that has to be experienced to truly understand its authenticity. It is a memory to be cherished and a bond that connects us to this special community. Regardless of the game result, the day reminds us of just how lucky we are to be 蜜桃视频 Gators! The puck drops at 12:45 pm. Students can .

A Beginner鈥檚 Guide to Hockey Day

Beats and Piper, Sports Prefects

Hockey Day. Perhaps the most anticipated event of 2023. It鈥檚 been three long years since we鈥檝e had the real deal, so we鈥檝e taken it upon ourselves as seasoned experts to provide you with a beginner’s guide to Hockey Day. 

First of all, attire is of the utmost importance. Don鈥檛 be afraid to go all out with the face paint. It鈥檚 okay if you end up slightly tinted green for the next week鈥攚e鈥檙e all in the same boat! Here at HC, we go big and bold. If you have any tutus, wigs, sparkly leggings or capes, we strongly suggest you wear them. The only criterion is that the Mattamy bleachers must be a sea of green and gold. 

Another thing to prepare yourself for is the cheers. We forewarn you, Hockey Day is a physical test for not only the players on the ice but for the fans as well. Good habits to prepare yourself include belting out hymns during Prayers or singing something loudly for 10-15 minutes per day. To maximize volume on the big day, it also might be wise to do a 鈥渧ocal rest鈥� in the days leading up. 

The final thing is to take it all in! As the final Hockey Day for the Grads approaches, we reflect on all the memories made over the years, all the highs and the lows. At the end of the day, it鈥檚 about so much more than just a hockey game; it鈥檚 about community and spirit, and a day that you will never forget.

Re-registration 2023-24

The link for registration for the 2023-24 school year will be sent to families on Wednesday, February 8. Completed re-registration forms are due, along with payment, by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

The Admission Department appreciates your prompt response, as our re-registration numbers help guide us in the number of offers we will make to new families later in February. Please do not hesitate to contact Admissions at admissions@havergal.on.ca if you have any questions.

Gator Gala Tickets on Sale Now!

Clouds of cotton candy, dressed up daughters and disco lights, oh my! Who doesn鈥檛 love the sweet life? Tickets to the annual Gator Gala being held on Saturday, April 1 at Parkview Manor ! All Upper School students and an adult (parent/guardian) guest are invited and encouraged to join in a fantastically fun evening of dining, dancing and making memories! You don鈥檛 want to miss out on one of the highlights of the 蜜桃视频 calendar as we whisk you away to a Candyland confectionary dream of an evening. The cherry on top is the Gator Gala Silent Auction, curated to offer something for everyone with all proceeds going to the HCPA. Look for the auction link in your inbox soon! If you would like to make a donation to the Gator Gala Silent Auction, please contact:

JS A-mazing Race鈥擲ave the Date!

Plans for this year鈥檚 A-mazing Race are underway! This is always a highlight of the year for our Junior School girls and their adult (parent/guardian) partners as they engage in friendly competition with their House teams and enjoy snacks and refreshments with other members of our JS community. 

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, April 30 and stay tuned for more details.

Calling All Grad Families!

Since 1894, 蜜桃视频 has provided young women with an exceptional education in an environment that encourages inquiry and curiosity while celebrating connection and community. A 蜜桃视频 education sets the stage for future success and lays the foundation for a lifetime of discovery and learning. Much of this is possible because of the generosity of our donors.

This year, our remarkable Class of 2023 would like to leave their legacy behind by supporting mental health and wellbeing at 蜜桃视频, including initiatives such as training and resource support, discussion forums and speakers series. By supporting , Grads and their families are making it possible to bring health and wellbeing to the forefront of the 蜜桃视频 experience for future students and families.

Thank you to all of our donors for supporting the students of 蜜桃视频 as they discover their potential, place and purpose in this world. 

Grade Connections

Lindsay Norberg, Deputy Principal

Building relationships and a sense of community is part of what makes 蜜桃视频 a very special place. During COVID-19, students were restricted to working with others in their grade or cohort. This shed light on the value of students getting to know and supporting each other in different grades. It has been wonderful to watch the connections between students grow throughout the school year. 

In the Upper School, cross-grade relationships are modelled by our Grade 12 student leaders in the way they lead councils, clubs and affinity groups, get to know other students and build a sense of belonging. In the fall, the House Captains and Prefects enjoyed getting to know Grade 7 students when they attended the Grade 7 overnight excursion. The bonds formed with these older students help the Grade 7 students feel included in the Upper School. 

In the Senior School, we have returned to having mixed grade Teacher Advisory groups, which provide time and space for students to get to know a small group of students from Grades 9 to 12 in their House. 

In the Junior School, Grade 5 students volunteer to be Recess Rescuers in support of students in JK to Grade 3. Recess Rescuers are there to help the younger students with whatever assistance they may need during recess. Grade 6 students can be spotted outside each morning eagerly looking forward to walking JK/SK students to their classroom. Grade 1 and Grade 4 students have been working together in class as 鈥渂uddies.鈥� 

In the Boarding School, the senior Boarders take great pride in supporting and mentoring younger Boarders by leading excursions and activities. 

The magic of the 蜜桃视频 community can be felt in the way these students lead and support their peers in so many different ways.

Fiona Marshall

Director, Student Leadership and Social Sciences Teacher

Ms. Marshall has held a variety of teaching and leadership roles at Upper Canada College, Branksome Hall and The York School. Most recently, she was the Assistant Head Upper School鈥擲tudent Affairs at Upper Canada College, where she oversaw student life at the school. Prior to that role, she was an Instructional Leader at Branksome Hall and Senior House Advisor at Upper Canada College. Ms. Marshall has a Masters of Education from OISE, University of Toronto, Bachelor of Education (Intermediate-Senior, Social Science and English) from the University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Arts from Queen鈥檚 University and her Guidance and Career Education Part 1 Additional Qualification from Queen鈥檚 University.

Ms. Marshall has led and participated in many different committees and workshops to promote equity, diversity and inclusion as well as wellbeing within schools. She is passionate about student voice and agency in creating positive school culture and a true place of belonging for all. Since coming to 蜜桃视频, she has been focussing on using a strengths-based approach to leadership development with students, already observing the remarkable values, passions and strengths of the students at HC. A former reporter, Ms. Marshall entered teaching after volunteer coaching at a local high school and completely loving working with teens. Coaching remains a passion and she has coached cross-country and track and field for over 20 years. Outside of work, she is the mother of two active teenagers and a mini Goldendoodle. She loves running and being in nature, but is less of a fan of the deer flies that follow her when she combines these passions.

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

As the holiday season arrives and we begin to anticipate the joy of gathering with family and friends, early December is a natural moment to think about gratitude and giving back. At 蜜桃视频, our Celebration Saturday event comes immediately to mind, where students this year raised $39,837.66 in support of our community partners. Yet another inspiration are our facilities and the programming that over the years have been developed and strengthened thanks to the generosity of our donors. Today at 蜜桃视频, we are lucky enough to benefit from those who have gone before us and those who have shown their belief in our school mission with their philanthropic support. Our donors, past and present, recognize that success for one girl contributes to the empowerment of all girls.

Yet, we also recognize a gap when it comes to supporting girls’ education. Philanthropic support has historically been higher for boys’ schools. This disparity not only has an impact on girls鈥� education, but also reinforces the gender equity gap鈥攖he gap 蜜桃视频 was founded to address. This gender equity gap exists in a number of ways in today鈥檚 society, illustrated through facts such as pay inequity between men and women. In 2021, Canadian women made only 89 cents for every dollar men made, according to the . Your own philanthropic investment in 蜜桃视频 students is one way to help narrow these divisions and ensure that young women are empowered to rise as far as they want in their careers and in society. Your support also solidifies 蜜桃视频鈥檚 reputation as a leader in the advancement of girls and women, showing our girls how much our community believes in them and in their potential.

At 蜜桃视频, giving back is built into our curriculum, community partnerships and co-curricular programs. It鈥檚 especially inspiring to witness students go beyond these school programs and express their own agency in giving. As an example, this year鈥檚 Grad Class has chosen wellbeing as a focus for their annual Grad Gift. Seeing them empowered by the potential of their impact is inspiring and we expect that it will be just the first of many such moments of exercising impact and influence in their young lives.

During this time of year when giving is top of mind, we hope that you make 蜜桃视频 one of your top philanthropic priorities. Please visit the Giving section of our website to learn more. From supporting our Financial Aid program, which gives deserving students the opportunity to attend 蜜桃视频, to giving your time to our programs and facilities, your support makes a difference in the lives of all 蜜桃视频 students and can have an immediate and long-term impact. We know that 蜜桃视频 would not be the success it is without the generosity of our past and present donors and we are so grateful for your commitment to our girls and their excellence.

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Alison Glober, Chair of the Governance Committee

I have the pleasure of writing to the 蜜桃视频 community on behalf of the Governance Committee of the Board of Governors as this is our formal call for applications to serve on the Board or on a Board Committee.

The primary responsibility of the Governance Committee is to ensure that the Board is well-equipped to carry out its oversight role with respect to the College. Part of that responsibility is to continually evaluate how well the Board and its committees carry out their mandates and advance the College鈥檚 educational mission.

One of the most important things the Governance Committee works on is identifying and nominating strong candidates for the Board and its committees. This is an ongoing effort as we try to maintain a roster of broadly qualified candidates. Using a competency-based model, the committee identifies skills and constituencies that need to be considered as we plan for the future.

In reviewing applications, the Governance Committee looks to constitute a Board that balances a mix of competencies and experience, established and more recent Old Girls/alums, current and past parents, and independent members. The Board is also committed to ensuring there is diverse cultural representation on the Board of Governors whose skills and experience align with our competency framework.

In assessing applications, the Governance Committee favours no particular professional background over another, but we frequently seek specific areas of experience and expertise. This year the committee is especially interested in identifying potential candidates with one or more of the following: strategic, senior-level experience in finance (CFO); a background in child and adolescent health and development; and experience with strategic governance leadership in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) space. 

Governors are volunteers and must be willing to commit the substantial time, effort and energy necessary to fulfill the role and serve the school. It is also expected that a Board Governor will make 蜜桃视频 one of their top personal charitable priorities.

If you are interested in being considered for the Board or a committee, please let us know by completing the by Friday, January 27, 2023. Additional details on the role and responsibilities of Board and committee members .

Alison

Fundraising Highlights from the 2021-22 School Year

Thanks to the generous support of our donors we received $2.2M in donations from more than 650 donors in 2021-22:

In addition to this, $730,000 in new pledge commitments were made.

Class Highlights
The Class of 2022 raised $64,333 with a 48% participation rate.

Our top three best in class for Old Girl/Alum participation were from the following classes: 1959, 1960 and 1983.

To read more about highlights from the past fiscal year as well as our fundraising priorities, please check out the .

Thank You for Your Support This #GivingTuesday

Thank you to the 蜜桃视频 community for your support on #GivingTuesday; gifts received will benefit 蜜桃视频鈥檚 financial assistance program. Helping to support another鈥檚 educational journey is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. Donations to the financial assistance program help cover tuition fees, outside-of-the classroom academic activities and participation in co-curricular activities. Your generous support will make it possible for generations of future-ready leaders to experience a world-class education and provide promising young women with the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Senior School Community Partnerships

This October our Community Partnership programs returned with reignited passion. Students, and particularly their leaders, have embraced their return with excitement, curiosity and a genuine desire to contribute and build relationships. We鈥檝e asked the leaders of our Art City and Grenoble Community Partnerships to share what it means to them to have these programs back.

What does it mean to be involved with Art City?

“After more than two years of video making from home and being divided into grade cohorts, it is exciting to finally volunteer with a wider school community together in a physical space. It鈥檚 been great getting to know and connect with our 蜜桃视频 peers from different grades on this shared project!”鈥擪athy Lu, Art City Community Partnership Co-Head

“What was missing from the online partnership was interactions with the kids, and it is so wonderful to be able to bond with them again.”鈥擭atlie Mason, Art City Community Partnership Co-Head

“Returning to Art City in person, and being able to lead and to watch the kids throughout their creative process, is something that I took for granted. Fast forward to being back with the kids full-time, it鈥檚 really amazing. Seeing their work and hearing their thoughts and creative ideas is really a treat!”鈥擲ofia Al Hussan, Art City Community Partnership Co-Head

What does it mean to be involved with Grenoble?

“Being a part of Grenoble is such a gift, but to have this be the first year since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted that the partnership is running makes it much more special. Visiting the kids every week at Grenoble Public School and connecting with them face-to-face has been very rewarding. It鈥檚 amazing to see the bonds the students make with our 蜜桃视频 volunteers as their friendships start to bud, which has been a priority at the beginning of each session this year. I am so thankful to be a leader in this initiative and see the impacts of these personal connections up close.”鈥擪ate Davidson, Grade 12, Grenoble Community Partnership Head

Happy Holidays from the HCPA Co-Chairs

Tanuja Gupta and Lisa Windover 

As another holiday season approaches, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our 蜜桃视频 community members a wonderful holiday season and a restful winter break with your families. We are very thankful to be back to many of our old traditions as well as some new events this year. We celebrate a sense of pride in all that we accomplished as an HCPA team, as a 蜜桃视频 school community and with our extended 蜜桃视频 families.

It鈥檚 been a busy start to the school year and our accomplishments so far include: 

We couldn鈥檛 do all of these community-building activities and fundraisers without the support of the entire school community, including many volunteers. This holiday season, remember those less fortunate than us and be thankful for the small gifts that life has to offer us each day.

We wish you and your families a joyous holiday season and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! 

All the best, 

Tanuja and Lisa

Season of Change

Kate Crokam, Director of Alumni Engagement

My arrival as the Director of Alumni Engagement at 蜜桃视频 coincides with a shift in the alumni engagement landscape鈥攚e are in a season of change. A season that calls for the adoption of more modern technology and best practice-driven strategies for effective alumni engagement. For me, it’s the perfect time to write a new alumni engagement playbook, one that not only honours our mission of preparing young women to make a difference and the Old Girl/alum community we serve, but also capitalizes on existing trust and social capital. If we鈥檙e going to weather this storm, we need to engage with Old Girls in deeper, more innovative and worthwhile ways. 

Alumni engagement by definition can be described as activities that are valued by alum, build lasting and mutually beneficial relationships, inspire loyalty and financial support and strengthen the institution鈥檚 reputation. We have learned that 蜜桃视频 graduates are discerning when it comes to their investments of time, talent and treasure and it is our job to add value to their alumni experience. Luckily we鈥檝e come a long way; in 2022, we now have access to a range of technology tools and new engagement models to help us change course and develop a robust, thoughtful and data-driven program. 

As we work to re-define alum engagement at 蜜桃视频, we are exploring many innovative technologies and emerging best practices with a focus on the following key areas:

We are ready to rise to the challenge! I am confident that this shift to evolve our Old Girl/alum program will add depth to what it means to be a 蜜桃视频 alum and will make the experience sustainable for generations of HC graduates to come.

The History of Rowing at 蜜桃视频

Before Sydney Browne (1982) and Sybil Browne Taylor (1983) arrived at 蜜桃视频, their influence was already being felt. The sisters, who came to the school as Boarders in September 1981, were enthusiastic rowers in their hometown of Thunder Bay in northern Ontario.

They had been rowing at Thunder Bay Rowing Club (TBRC) for three years at this point, coached by Alan 鈥淎l鈥� Roaf, a coach with Rowing Canada who not only took the sport seriously but took TBRC from a regional club to a national competitor to watch. During this time, Sydney and Sybil were training alongside Tricia Smith and Betty Craig, two athletes on the Canadian national team who went on to win silver medals at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Tricia is currently the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Prior to Sydney and Sybil鈥檚 arrival, their father, Robert Browne, a rower himself, wrote to Brenda Robson, then head of 蜜桃视频 Athletics, to ask about the continuation of their training on the water. And the 蜜桃视频 Rowing Program was born.

鈥淭he school was amazing in terms of making it happen, with access to boats, coaches and drivers and a late breakfast,鈥� says Sydney. 鈥淚t was an indication of how when the school is into something, it鈥檚 full on with both feet in.鈥�

The home base for this new team was the Argonaut Rowing Club, on the water鈥檚 edge in Marilyn Bell Park. Fellow Boarders and Day students joined Sydney and Sybil. Other students passionate about rowing, like Suzanne Brais (1984), recruited family and friends to come on as coaches, while parents volunteered to shuttle the newly formed team down to the lake for early morning practices. One of those was Colin Graham, then Chair of the 蜜桃视频 Board Governors.

That first season, the Brownes competed and won in a double scull race at the Toronto high school championships, and later competed in the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association鈥檚 championship regatta in Port Dalhousie, a race that鈥檚 been running since 1946.

The program has grown steadily since that first season in 1981. The following year, the team had a driver and bus to get athletes to the club for their early morning practices. In 1988, the program moved to Hanlan Boat Club at Cherry Beach, where it鈥檚 been stationed since. The team鈥檚 first boats were also bought at this time.  

Between 1988 and 2016, generous parents funded the purchase of rowing shells, ergs, oars, coach boats and trucks and trailers to transport the equipment on an as-needed basis. In 2017, a group of parents, together with the full support of the school, established a rowing endowment with the goal of raising $1 million. The purpose: to fund 100% of the capital needs of the program for the foreseeable future and to provide financial assistance to any families with a demonstrated financial need. Jeff Howe, chair of the 蜜桃视频 Rowing Endowment, says: “As we celebrate the 40^th anniversary of rowing at 蜜桃视频, we are at the 1,500-metre mark and are making a push to the finish line!鈥�

Over the past 40 years, there have been close to 400 athletes who have represented 蜜桃视频 on the water. 蜜桃视频 continues to place in competitions, and our athletes can often be found on the podium at the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Championships. In the 2021-22 school year, 蜜桃视频 crews stood on the podium five times, with 24 athletes receiving medals. The women鈥檚 overall points trophy has been won by 蜜桃视频 athletes five times. In October 2017, 蜜桃视频 started competing in the famed Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in October 2022, five members of the Rowing Team competed again, placing 28th out of a field of 90.

Aside from the sporting accomplishment, Sybil says she鈥檚 so appreciative for what rowing taught her about collaboration. 鈥淩owing is an amazing physical sport鈥攐ne of the few that uses every muscle group and requires strength, balance and endurance. But it also requires incredible finesse, as the boat only works when the team works in harmony. That鈥檚 a lesson that you carry for the rest of your life,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a sport that relies on incredibly close co-ordination. You have to be together or you鈥檙e nothing.”

Show your support of by giving to its permanent endowment, which supports access to participation for student athletes.

Planned Giving

Planning for one鈥檚 legacy can be transformational. A legacy donation allows you to make a commitment today to provide future support. Your donation will help future generations of students become the leaders of tomorrow, equipped to make an indelible mark on our world. 

Donors who choose to include 蜜桃视频 in their estate plan will be recognized with membership into the Ellen Knox Society, named in honour of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 First Principal, and will be listed in the annual Impact Report.

蜜桃视频 offers to assist with making the gift planning process understandable and provides insight into the types of planned gifts and common questions associated with estate planning.

Reminder: Tax Year-End is Approaching. Donate Today!

As we approach the end of 2022, please join us in making a difference with a gift to The 蜜桃视频 Fund. Your donation must be postmarked or completed online by December 31 to receive a 2022 tax receipt.

Make a Gift Online:

Make a Gift by Mail:

Please mail your cheque, payable to:

The 蜜桃视频 Foundation

1451 Avenue Road

Toronto ON  M5N 2H9

Thank you to all those who have already made your donation鈥攜ou are making an impact!

蜜桃视频鈥檚 Annual Impact Report

We are delighted to announce that the 2021-22 is now available digitally for you to explore online! Featuring inspiring stories from our donor community, an overview of our fundraising priorities and a snapshot of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 past fiscal year, this special report highlights the significant impact that donor gifts have on our community and how these important contributions help support girls鈥� education. 

蜜桃视频 students are future-ready because they are supported by a community that is committed to our mission: to prepare young women to make a difference. We are deeply grateful to our donors for their generosity and kindness and we thank them for helping 蜜桃视频 continue to thrive. 

We welcome you to read the Impact Report and learn more about how philanthropy aids in shaping the next generation of leaders. You can also access the report via the giving section of our website.

It鈥檚 All About Our Girls: Giving at 蜜桃视频

Annette Paul, Executive Director of Advancement

When I began my career in advancement in the late 1990s, my boss at the time said something that has stayed with me: 鈥渨e鈥檙e giving people an opportunity to give back.鈥� 

Philanthropy is often synonymous with the giving of money to support the mission and vision of an organization. However, many would also include the sharing of time, talent, networks and other resources that also advance the cause. 

At 蜜桃视频, we lean into this fusion. 

When I joined 蜜桃视频 six months ago, I was delighted by the level of its community鈥檚 dedication to girls’ education. From the giving of funds to the rolling up of sleeves, 蜜桃视频 parents, students, alumni, other supporters, staff and faculty shared a resolute willingness to drive girls education and empowerment forward. The power and potential of our collective leadership and generosity fuels 蜜桃视频 to ideate, create, expand and enrich pathways to greater innovation and understanding as we educate and empower the next generation of leaders. 

The vital importance of all aspects of giving鈥攎oney, time, talent, connections and more鈥攃annot be understated. All four (or more) elements are required to work together in order to continue to lift up the special place that is 蜜桃视频, its students and the broader community. 

Every day, we see parent volunteers collaborate with faculty and staff on events that help to increase awareness about topics like wellbeing or raise money to support capital endeavours like renovations to a classroom. We see alum volunteers support the work needed to create the annual alumni magazines. We see alum and parent volunteers work together with staff leadership on key governance matters that support and guide 蜜桃视频. We connect with parent and alum donors who wish to write cheques that support financial assistance or athletics. And we connect with alums and parents who are able to open doors to other connections and communities that further propel 蜜桃视频鈥檚 key academic priorities forward. 

Whether through giving money, volunteering or connecting others to 蜜桃视频, this community keeps the school top of mind every day. And, when it comes to the giving of dollars to support programs or buildings, donors鈥攐ften parents and alums鈥攈ave come through to be a part of the enormous effort necessary to make transformative opportunities such as a new Athletic Centre or STEM Lab a reality. We couldn鈥檛 do it without you. 

On behalf of our staff, faculty, volunteers and our Principal, Dr. Katrina Samson, we thank you. 

To make a gift to The 蜜桃视频 Fund, visit our .

Annette Paul鈥擡xecutive Director, Advancement

And the Advancement Team

Annette is an experienced fundraising and development executive with over 22 years of experience in the not-for-profit and education sectors in the areas of capital campaigns, major and principal gifts, annual and leadership giving, alumni engagement and stakeholder relations. Prior to her role at 蜜桃视频, she held the position of Director, Advancement at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, where she also co-chaired several university-level committees namely on donor stewardship and equity, diversity and inclusion in advancement. She has held progressive leadership roles at the School of Business at Queen’s University, Queen’s University Alma Mater Society, United Way, Youth Employment Service and Daily Bread Food Bank. Annette has also held volunteer governance roles at Queen’s University, as well as with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and with community organizations. She holds an undergraduate degree and a Master in Public Administration both from Queen’s University, and is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive.

Annette is pleased to give leadership to a number of other advancement professionals within 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Advancement team, such as Kate Crokam (Director, Alumni Engagement), Emily Anderson (Prospect Management & Research Officer), Angela Paschalidis (Advancement Coordinator), Cat Mandala (Advancement Assistant), Kathryn Champion (Senior Advancement Specialist) and some temporary and terrific support staff. In January, the team will be joined by additional team members, who will guide other key areas such as annual and leadership giving. 

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

For decades, mental health had been studied from a deficit model, something to be 鈥渇ixed鈥� to get people back to status quo, versus being considered on a continuum, where we can take actions that will weaken or strengthen our mental wellbeing. Research has illustrated, however, that just like our physical health, there are ways to teach and practise strategies that will strengthen our mental health. At 蜜桃视频, we are working to learn, teach and embed a host of practices that are scientifically proven to improve wellbeing and build resilience in students, resilience that will serve them well when they encounter challenging periods, such as a heavy academic workload or an unfamiliar social situation.

Just like eating well, getting enough sleep and being active are actions we can take to strengthen our bodies, we can engage in concrete practices to strengthen our mental health. Our faculty and staff are learning about and teaching strategies from positive psychology such as: , understanding and how to interrupt it, along with identifying and , mindfulness and best-self visualization. These positive psychology interventions are part of an education model that recognizes that we can teach, learn and practise those skills that enable us to do good and feel well.聽

Focusing on health and wellbeing is paramount and necessary in order to realize our mission to inspire and equip young women to make a difference. Even if students study for a week and teachers prepare an  engaging lesson, if our girls come to class fixated on mistakes, feeling highly anxious or tired, their brains are not primed to optimize what they are learning and they are not able to perform at their best or extract the same meaning from the content as when they are thriving. 

Our approach to wellbeing education is intricately tied to students鈥� academic learning, and to cultivating an integrated, balanced school approach that emphasizes a liberal arts education to foster creativity, problem solving and rigour, while encouraging broad engagement. This approach helps us foster an appreciation for our strengths and the strengths of others. Our intentional approach to wellbeing is built into our timetables via weekly late starts, reflecting the unique neurological development in teens by building in flex blocks to prompt agency and autonomy, and to begin every morning with community time for connection and relationship building. Furthermore, when a student is struggling and needs direct support, we also have a team in place to respond, including grade-specific Guidance Counsellors, Social Workers, a nursing team, the school doctor, a Child and Youth Worker and Learning Support Specialists. This team of experts works alongside our team of teachers, advisors, the Heads of School and the Director of Wellbeing to support student wellbeing.聽

As parents, you know your daughters best. Our school-parent partnership works best when we communicate with one another the successes and challenges that our girls are encountering. How can you tell if your daughter needs extra attention and when should you reach out to the school? Maybe she tells you she doesn鈥檛 feel connected with her peers or perhaps she has a strong emotional response to something that didn鈥檛 previously bother her. These signals tell us it鈥檚 time to sit down to talk about how we can build emotional reserves, whether it鈥檚 finding an outlet, spotting their strengths or helping them process feelings in a way that doesn’t allow feelings to dictate response.

Throughout this issue of Inside 蜜桃视频, you鈥檒l see in more depth some of the programming designed to support student wellbeing. In November, parents will hear more from us about wellbeing, including a summary of key learning from our wellbeing surveys done last spring and plans to expand and strengthen our support for students to ensure that every student thrives at 蜜桃视频. 

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Lexi Ensor 2013, Board Representative for HOGA

As an ex-officio member of the Board of Governors and Chair of the 蜜桃视频 Old Girls Association Governance Committee, I am both proud and excited to represent the Old Girl/Alum community and help maintain the bond between our powerful, engaged and talented network of Old Girls/Alums to the school.

The mission of the 蜜桃视频 Old Girls Association (HOGA) has remained the same since its inception decades ago: to keep Old Girls/Alums connected to the school and each other as we support the students who will one day become important members of our community. The goal has always been to build on the traditions from our strong history, while creating new and interesting ways to connect and engage. With over 9,500 graduates in more than 70 countries around the world, we are dedicated to creating programming that will sustain and support the lifelong associations between every Old Girl/Alum and the 蜜桃视频 community. 

We began this term with the biggest Reunion event in 蜜桃视频 history! After a two year hiatus it was wonderful to welcome more than 600 Old Girls/Alums back on campus. The weekend began with our Hava Java station at Celebration Saturday where Old Girls/Alums were able to meet with former classmates and teachers over hot coffee and snacks. We set a new record at the Reunion Cocktail party with nearly 500 Old Girls/Alums in attendance. It was heartwarming to witness all the reminiscing amongst classmates and friends ). Finally, we welcomed all Old Girls/Alums who graduated 50+ years ago at the Cinquantenaire & Stoneagers Luncheon. It was an important day for those from the classes of 1960, 1961 and 1962 who were recognized for marking their 60 year reunion milestone and for the classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 who marked their 50 year reunion milestone (. This special luncheon is always a highlight on the events calendar as it is an important recognition of our Old Girls鈥�/Alums鈥� long-standing connection to 蜜桃视频 and to the relationships that were formed at this school.

A note to the students: when you leave 蜜桃视频, you will always maintain an association to a powerful network with benefits that will last a lifetime. We look forward to keeping you connected beyond the ivy!

Should you have any questions concerning the work of HOGA, please feel free to contact me at alexandra.a.ensor@gmail.com.

Warmly,

Lexi Ensor 2013

Thank You for Your Support at CelSat 2022!

Our school community is proud to announce the total funds raised at Celebration Saturday in support of our community partnerships. Thank you to all of our guests, volunteers, students, faculty, staff and vendors for helping to raise $39,837.66 at this year鈥檚 event! These funds will help to make a difference for our community partners, including Art City, Water First, Youth Without Shelter, New Circles, North York Harvest Food Bank, Resources for Youth in India and Grenoble Homework Club. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with these organizations in a variety of ways. Thank you to our House Captains for sharing this important message with the 蜜桃视频 community!

Thrive Week at 蜜桃视频

November 21 to 25

Thrive Week at 蜜桃视频 is a week-long series of events building a culture of wellbeing by promoting mental health awareness. It is one of many mental health literacy initiatives this year, where we are developing the capacity of our community to support and promote positive mental health. Programming includes a keynote speaker at the Upper School, student-run feel good activities across all grades and a special breakfast for our faculty and staff. 

A highlight of Thrive Week will be visits from Sunshine Therapy Dogs on Monday, November 21 at the Junior School and Friday, November 25 at the Upper School. Pet therapy is a service that offers animal-assisted emotional support to people of all ages struggling with a variety of mental health challenges. 鈥淐omfort dogs鈥� are great support for our wellbeing and our students will soon come to learn that their sweet demeanours will help them relax and replenish.

Self-Care: An Important Part of Supporting Academic Success

Caitlin Parsons, Senior School Social Worker

 I have no time for that, I have more important things to do, it just takes away from the things I 鈥渟hould鈥� be doing鈥�

These are just some of the endless reasons, often expressed by students when asked if they practise self-care. In the fast-paced world we live in, where not taking a sick day is praised as demonstrating commitment to one鈥檚 career, can we really blame our kids for not practising self-care or even seeing the value in it? Especially when we often push our own needs to the side, in response to other demands? As a result, it is not surprising that 鈥渟elf-care鈥� has become more of a buzzword than an actual practice and why more and more individuals find themselves exhausted and struggling with their wellbeing.

What is self-care and why is it important for our students?

Self-care is anything done deliberately to maintain emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. This can include exercising, eating healthily, getting enough sleep and engaging in activities that encourage a healthy, balanced relationship with oneself. However, balanced self-care is more than treating ourselves to a bubble bath or binging on Netflix over the weekend. It involves looking at what we need as a whole person鈥攂ody, mind and soul鈥攖o feel refreshed and recharged on a consistent basis. Put simply, self-care is an important and necessary practice for everyone. When it comes to our students, self-care translates into a more focused, attentive approach to their academics. Students cannot give to their work what they don鈥檛 have for themselves.

Because self-care is one of the best ways to help manage stress, studies have shown that the students who practise it consistently report having lower academic stress and tend to perform better in school, compared to those who do not practise self-care. Not only can it help support academic success, but self-care can also help students to be the best version of themselves and cope with the stress that comes with balancing their studies, social needs and general day-to-day lives.  

Role modeling self-care practices in our own lives and supporting students to incorporate practices that are 鈥渟ustainable鈥� in their own lives can be a great first step. So next time you are feeling overwhelmed, instead of trying to just plow through, try taking a pause and asking yourself: 鈥渨hat do I need right now?鈥� 

You might be surprised by how big a difference just a few small changes can make in your overall wellbeing.  

Mental Health Literacy through Professional Development

Dr. Meagan Yarmey, Director of Wellbeing

Mental health literacy refers to the skills, understanding and knowledge that promote mental health and wellbeing and is a key competency we continue to develop in our community. In September, faculty engaged in mental health training on the 3Rs: 鈥淩ecognize, Respond and Refer鈥� to help increase our knowledge and skill set to better support student mental health. Our goal was twofold: to ensure our students receive timely, comprehensive support and that our entire community is comfortable recognizing signs of distress, responding with empathy and referring students to the appropriate resources. 

A second area of professional development we鈥檝e been focusing on this fall are interpersonal skills. The teaching-learning process in K to 12 classrooms is inherently interpersonal, encompassing teacher-student and peer connections. Given their social nature, classrooms can be an ideal context for teaching social skills such as active listening, collaboration and respect for others. Active listening involves listening, reacting and responding to another individual. It is a way of indicating that you understand what was said and that you鈥檙e genuinely interested in the speakers ideas, concerns and opinions. It involves giving them your undivided attention, withholding judgment and being mindful of your facial expressions and body language.聽

An interpersonal skill that can help us achieve this is the 鈥淕IVE鈥� skill. Give is an acronym that stands for the following components:

G: (Be) Gentle鈥擨t is essential to be kind and respectful with your child; notice your tone of voice.

I: (Appear) Interested鈥擝e sure to listen and appear interested in your child鈥檚 point of view, even if it differs from your point of view.

V: Validate鈥擵alidation is one of the most essential tools you can bring to your parenting. Words and actions show that you understand your child鈥檚 feelings and thoughts about a situation. 

E: Have an Easy Manner鈥擲mile and be light-hearted. Reflect on what you鈥檙e hearing in a kindhearted way and show compassion.聽

Intentionally using active listening and interpersonal effectiveness skills like GIVE helps to increase our students’ sense of psychological safety, creating environments where they are more willing and able to express concerns, ask questions and reach for help. We all want to be seen, valued and heard; these skills may help increase our ability to achieve this.

Learning Support at 蜜桃视频

Learning Support Team

At 蜜桃视频, we recognize that everyone learns in different ways. Working in tandem with students, we aim to develop their self-knowledge as a learner, encourage confidence and nurture their agency. Students are encouraged to be their own person, challenge themselves and learn from experiences, making efforts to learn from mistakes and celebrate successes. 

In conjunction with the school鈥檚 Guidance Counsellors, Social Workers, faculty and administrators, the Learning Support Team works to support a student鈥檚 identified areas of need鈥攕pecifically working with students who have psycho-educational assessments and are experiencing academic challenges鈥攖o help them learn to understand and use their accommodations. 

The Learning Support Specialists:

In the Junior School, there are four Learning Support Specialists and one Child and Youth Worker who supports the social/emotional needs of students. This team is supervised by the Head of Junior School Learning Support. 

There are two Middle School Guidance and Learning Support Specialists for students in Grades 7 to 8 and there is one Senior School Learning Support Specialist in Grades 9 to 12.

The goal at 蜜桃视频 is to create a positive and nurturing school culture whereby students become self-advocates for themselves, with the support of a team of professionals to nurture and guide them as they navigate life. 

Emotions, Self-Regulation and Wellbeing at the Junior School

Junior School Educators Katie Tranter, Larissa McIntyre and Megan Robar

Now that the school year is well underway, wellbeing is taking many forms in the Junior School. Students engage in opportunities to name and notice feelings and emotions, develop strategies for self-regulation, attend to their health and wellbeing and much more. The three of us work in partnership with the Director of Wellbeing, Dr. Meagan Yarmey, and the Head of the Junior School, Ms. Kate White, on learning how to implement the renowned Yale University RULER approach. This program aims to help students understand the value of emotions, build the skills of emotional intelligence and create and maintain positive emotional climates. The goal of the training is to understand and implement this framework to support the Junior School Wellbeing Program at 蜜桃视频 in the coming months and years.

We’re looking forward to Thrive Week at the Junior School (November 21 to 25), which will include activities and conversations around the 鈥淭hrive Five鈥�: physical activity, getting a good night鈥檚 sleep, eating well, giving back and connecting with others.

Ivy Market: Tickets on Sale Now

The countdown is on for the HCPA鈥檚 Ivy Market on Tuesday, November 22! This brand new event will feature daytime shopping for parents and students, with products from external vendors and HC alike鈥攁nd will see the return of our always popular bake sale! Tickets for Ivy Market鈥檚 evening cocktail party, during which parents can shop and mingle, will go on sale soon. Don鈥檛 miss out, !

Bake Sale: Call for Volunteers

We鈥檙e pleased to announce that the HCPA鈥檚 sweetest fundraiser is back! The Bake Sale, popular with both students and parents, will take place on November 22 as part of Ivy Market. There will be sales at both the Junior School (during the day, for JS students only) and the Upper School (during the day and into the evening for US students and HC鈥檚 parent community). 

More details will be shared soon鈥攂ut in the meantime, we鈥檙e looking for volunteers for the following:

If you鈥檙e able to help, please sign up at:

Message from the Wellbeing Prefect

Hi 蜜桃视频! I鈥檓 Maddy and I鈥檓 this year鈥檚 Wellbeing Prefect.

When I first started at 蜜桃视频 in Grade 9, mental health was one of the greatest obstacles I faced. Although we have excellent wellbeing resources in place at the school, such as our social workers, Ms. Parsons and Ms. Waisglass, and Dr. Yarmey, our Director of Wellbeing, I found it difficult to come forward and connect for help until much later in my 蜜桃视频 journey. 

For me, it was a combination of stigma, timidity and a lack of awareness regarding the support available to me that prolonged my struggle.

As Wellbeing Prefect, my main goal is to encourage conversations on mental health issues throughout the student body, with a particular emphasis on students who might not feel as comfortable coming forward or as familiar with 蜜桃视频鈥檚 wellbeing resources. As we come out of the pandemic鈥攁 period which presented a myriad of challenges for all of us鈥攊t鈥檚 vital that we raise awareness of how we can best improve our wellbeing as individuals and as a community.

The first big wellbeing event this year is Thrive Week in late November, where we鈥檒l hear from guest speakers, and students will facilitate important conversations on mental health and wellbeing at 蜜桃视频. Our theme this year is social connection, which presents an opportunity for students and faculty to reflect on how they can work to improve their wellbeing by taking advantage of the community support that surrounds them.

Additionally this year, we鈥檝e assembled the Wellbeing Council, which consists of 10 students from Grades 7 to 12 who are working to integrate student voice into wellbeing programming at 蜜桃视频. Whether that鈥檚 helping to plan activities for Thrive Week, or gathering input from the student body, the Wellbeing Council will be an asset to encouraging important conversations on mental health and wellbeing at our school.

Moving forward, the Wellbeing Team (consisting of our social workers, Dr. Yarmey, the Wellbeing Council and myself), will work to break the stigma and raise awareness on mental health and wellbeing鈥攂ut we can鈥檛 do it without the support of our community. From connecting someone close to you to wellbeing resources or simply starting a conversation, any small step will help make 蜜桃视频 a place where everyone can thrive. 

Introducing Our Newest Wellbeing Team Members

Nicole Waisglass, Middle School Social Worker, and Holly Fournier, Junior School Child and Youth Worker

Both new to the Wellbeing Team at 蜜桃视频 are Holly Fournier, Junior School Child and Youth Worker, and Nicole Waisglass, Middle School Social Worker. 

Ms. Waisglass joined 蜜桃视频 as the new Middle School Social Worker after specializing in adolescent mental health at Youthdale Treatment Centre. At 蜜桃视频, her role is to provide short-term counselling to optimize the social and emotional wellbeing of students in Grades 7 and 8. When most people think of a school social worker, they often think of someone who provides one-on-one counselling support to students who may be struggling. While this is certainly true and a large part of her role, Ms. Waisglass is a part of a team that provides support in other areas of school life. For example, she helps support and facilitate Middle School Form wellbeing programming and events, such as Thrive Week, Pink Shirt Day and Bell Let鈥檚 Talk Day, as well as the Wellbeing Club. As the dedicated Middle School Social Worker, her role consists of both frontline work and Wellbeing Program development pieces to help support and encourage positive mental health and wellbeing for our students. Ms. Waisglass holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work (2019) in Manhattan, New York City. She is registered in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Worker.

Ms. Fournier is a passionate and caring Child and Youth Worker who completed her diploma at Centennial College in 2015 and developed her skills in a variety of academic settings. She began her career working as an Educational Assistant for the public school board before becoming a Child and Youth Counsellor, which enabled her to continue to support diverse groups of students at the public school board. Holly excels at crisis intervention, conflict resolution and student wellbeing. She has a strong ability to observe, identify and proactively address issues of social/emotional development and learning. Her strong communication skills have allowed her to work effectively with students, staff and family members to address concerns and provide helpful strategies. Ms. Fournier鈥檚 number one goal is to make sure every student who walks through her door has the opportunity to speak their truth and feel heard. During her first year at 蜜桃视频, she is excited to get to know the students and staff as she becomes a familiar face. She strives to gain the trust and respect of everyone in the community and she hopes that over time she will become a valuable resource that staff and students don鈥檛 have to think twice before reaching out to her.

Principal’s Message

Katrina Samson

Welcome back to the promise of a fresh start that each September brings. I’m particularly excited because it’s a year to reconnect and build back stronger after a long period of restrictions. This past weekend was a great example of reconnecting as we came together for Celebration Saturday, a day of fun where we raise awareness and support for our Community Partners and we come together united in service to others. We are carrying forward the energy from this weekend and bringing with us a sense of joy and optimism into this year.

I’m energized when I contemplate the future we’re building together at 蜜桃视频. We have a year of planning ahead and I hope our community of students, employees, parents and alumni will share their ideas as we look to build on our rich history and invest in future opportunities for our girls. As a school situated in the heart of progress, in a city brimming with creativity and ingenuity, we are always considering the capabilities and competencies our students need to succeed. This includes actively developing the right attitudes around making positive change as we prepare our girls to take on the leadership challenges they will face in whichever industry or career they choose. Relaunching the Forum for Change, for example, highlights global citizenship, which helps our students understand what it means to be strong, ethical, global leaders who can work cross-culturally, across languages and geographies. 

As we consider what shape the next strategic direction 蜜桃视频 will take, I challenge us all to think about progress not as a dismantling of the past, but as building on our track record of successes and on those traditions that bind our past with our present. 蜜桃视频 is known for our traditions, which create bonds in the community; I鈥檝e seen alumni across the world find connections by reminiscing about their 蜜桃视频 experiences and finding common ground. This past weekend also marked Reunion Weekend, where hundreds of Old Girls/Alums returned to 蜜桃视频 to reconnect, reflect and reminisce. The sentiment I heard repeated throughout Reunion Weekend was how the values learned at 蜜桃视频鈥攊nquiry, integrity, compassion and courage鈥攈ave shaped the lives of 蜜桃视频ians, enabling them to make a positive difference in the world moving forward. 

As we look to shape our program, with our girls exploring everything from artificial intelligence and contemporary finance through our HC-X Micro-Credential Program, to learning life lessons on leadership, and friendship through the study of Shakespeare in our Theatre Program, I encourage you to join us in considering the experiences, opportunities and learning our girls need to graduate as young women who will lead progress and innovation for future generations. 

Katrina

Message from the Board of Governors

Debbie Simpson, Chair of the Board of Governors

Hello to everyone鈥攖he Board wishes you all a huge welcome back! I hope that you and your family are well and have enjoyed some special moments together over the summer. Whether this is your first year as a part of the 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. 

This year kicks-off with the return of in-person co-curricular and athletic activities and events and I am particularly delighted that we started the year off with the 鈥淧eople and Program鈥� information sessions in the building! Equally fabulous was the successful re-start of Celebration Saturday, which took place on our amazing campus on Saturday, September 24. Celebration Saturday takes its roots from Ellen Knox鈥檚 famous question, What will you do? It was that question that spurred the community to create an event whose purpose was twofold鈥攖o raise funds and awareness for partners across the GTA while building school and community spirit. It is a time of celebrating our school鈥檚 mission, vision and values by bringing together our past, present and future.

The level of activity remained high throughout the summer at the school as faculty and staff worked on some very exciting updates around campus, including the updating of the Boarding School with new furniture and d茅cor; a refresh of Brenda Robson Hall with new paint, blinds and baffling; as well as the opening of the new Grad Lounge for our Grade 12 students to enjoy. The Senior Leadership Team has been working hard to ensure that safety remains our top priority and we thank you for your ongoing support of our health protocols. Now that we have the opportunity of being back inside the buildings and walking the halls, you will be able to see and appreciate these new and updated spaces that the students are already enjoying. 

I will close by wishing everyone continued good health and encourage you all, new and old, to be active members of our vibrant community. There are many ways for you to participate in school life, including the , , the Foundation, the Board of Governors or its committees. We appreciate the time you devote to our community.

Warm regards,

Debbie

Thank You for Joining Us for Celebration Saturday! 

CelSat鈥擟ommunity Partnerships鈥擧ouse Stalls鈥擟ookiegrams鈥擟otton Candy鈥擶ristbands鈥擯et Rocks鈥擧aunted House鈥擝ake Sale鈥擲ilent Auction鈥擲hifts鈥擬usical Performances鈥擝eading. This has been the language of 蜜桃视频 for the past couple of weeks. On Saturday, September 24, 蜜桃视频 hosted its first Celebration Saturday in three years! For many students, parents, faculty and staff who have joined our community recently, this was a new event, and for many it was the return of a time honoured tradition.

Celebration Saturday is a community event where faculty, staff, students, parents, Old Girls/Alums work together to celebrate our community and raise awareness and money for other communities鈥攏amely our community partnerships. We work together in Houses, led by our House Captains to plan stalls and activities for others to participate in. 

Celebration Saturday may be a day of cotton candy and face paint, but it is also about living our mission and values as a community. As we prepare young women to make a difference, we work collectively to make a difference for others. We take time to come together as a community, build relationships with each other and care for others.

This year’s Celebration Saturday is in support of the following community partnerships:

The total amount raised for our partners will be announced at Upper School Prayers later this fall.

We would like to thank all of the students, parent volunteers, faculty and staff who worked together to build back this wonderful community event and make it a tremendous success.

Discover HC-X, 蜜桃视频’s Centre for Innovation

The letter 鈥淴鈥� has long evoked a sense of wonder, exploring the unknown and intersecting ideas. For 蜜桃视频, the 鈥淴鈥� represents the mindsets, strategies and learning experiences that will be a differentiator for 蜜桃视频 students and faculty.

Guided by research from within and beyond the educational sector, HC-X designs and experiments with learning experiences and programs that promote, provoke and allow our girls to practise these future-ready skills. Digital Wisdom, our first major project, is now in its third year, engaging students from Grade 5 to 8 in examining, questioning and critically thinking about their identity and relationships in a digitally mediated world. HC-X continues to lead the development of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 distinguished Blended Learning Model that prioritizes student agency. In this model, faculty intentionally use digital tools to present developmentally appropriate choices to our students in how, when and where they learn. Students make these choices, learn to take responsibility for their learning and reflect deeply on who they are developing as a learner.

Most recently, we launched our Digital Micro-Credentialing Program. This is a distinctive, unique-to-蜜桃视频 offering for students in the Upper School to pursue a new learning pathway in areas outside of traditional offerings. Partnering with Old Girls/Alums, current parents, Harvard Student Agencies and Inspire AI, we are offering 20-hour courses on Contemporary Finance, Pre-Med studies and Artificial Intelligence, respectively. Each of these courses have 鈥渟old out鈥� for this first term and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, both from our students and from our partners.

For more information you can visit:

OISE/U of T Digital Wisdom Course Evaluation

When HC-X launched Digital Wisdom, we knew it was uncharted territory for JK to 12 education. It鈥檚 a course that isn鈥檛 entirely about internet safety, nor entirely about technology skills; rather, Digital Wisdom is focused on equipping students with the skills, mindsets and experience to critically question their relationship with all things digital while trying to develop their identity, friendships and personal goals. Given the unique nature of this course, we felt it vital to partner with a program evaluation to ensure fidelity with the purpose of the course and the strategic direction.

In 2020, HC-X partnered with OISE/UT to conduct a four-year program evaluation. The Program Evaluation of the Digital Wisdom course examines not only the content of the course and the student feedback, but also the pedagogy and assessments we have designed.

Digital Wisdom for students in Grades 5 to 8 is now in its third year running and in year two of program evaluation. The feedback we have been receiving has been so valuable in ensuring the course grows and is responsive to the needs of our girls. .

Exploring Global Learning Through the Forum for Change

The Forum for Change (F4C) is the global heartbeat of 蜜桃视频. It serves as the hub of global learning, community partnership programming and social innovation work. The F4C supports students in learning different service approaches to making a difference in their world locally and globally.

This dynamic department builds bridges and networks to support incredible opportunities for our girls to learn new perspectives, meet people and discover their cultures. This sense of exploration is reflected in our new branding. One of our newest partnerships to highlight is with . Round Square values are captured in their IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environmental stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service); this alignment means more opportunities for our students to engage in global projects, conferences and connections beyond our ivy walls.

The F4C stretches and challenges our students in ways that support their academic learning, development of identity and sense of self, with a disposition to action. Global Exchanges, International Learning Service Trips, our Community Partnership Program and the Global Learning & Leading Diploma (GLLD), equip students to make a positive difference in the world with a focus on global mindedness; these programs provoke students to broaden their cultural fluency, and make an impact through deep and meaningful learning experiences.

Personal Development Beyond Academics Through the Junior School Co-Curricular Program

The Junior School鈥檚 passion for learning goes far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Students in Grades 1 to 6 are encouraged to explore new interests through the Junior School Co-Curricular Program as a way to develop skills in a variety of fields, make friends outside of the classroom and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Designed to meet the interests of every student in Grades 1 to 6, the Junior School Co-Curricular Program aims to enrich the 蜜桃视频 experience and provide students with new activities and pursuits they may not have considered otherwise. Our students are encouraged to explore, investigate and develop new passions through a variety of clubs, athletics and the performing arts. 鈥淎 robust co-curricular program is a fundamental component of a liberal arts education,鈥� says Head of Junior School Kate White. 鈥淭hese opportunities are carefully designed to complement what students are learning in class while providing a plethora of opportunities to further enhance their intellectual, social, moral, creative and physical development.鈥�

Co-curriculars are run after school by 蜜桃视频 faculty and staff, as well as by outside coaches for athletics and instructors for clubs. We encourage all students to get involved in something outside of their academics, whether it be dance, cooking, discovery lab, soccer, strings, chess or choir; there鈥檚 something for everyone! It鈥檚 just another way the Junior School faculty and staff instill and encourage lifelong learning as a part of personal development.

Upper School Fall Used Textbook Return

Tuesday, October 18, 7:30 to 11:30 am

Did you miss the spring Used Textbook Return? Or perhaps you have new textbooks you wish to return because of a class change? If so, the HCPA has arranged for the Canadian School Book Exchange (CSBE) to be at 蜜桃视频 on Tuesday, October 18, to accept your donations and to facilitate your returns.

Students and parents will be able to drop off their new or used textbooks in the Ellen Knox Library. 

When your book is sold through the CSBE, a percentage of the sale will go back to you and a percentage will go toward the HCPA鈥檚 fundraising efforts. It鈥檚 a win-win!

For those planning to return a new textbook due to a course change, please follow these instructions:

You may also call CSBE to obtain a Return Authorization Number and instructions at 1-800-335-5043. These textbook returns should be brought in a separate sealed box from used textbooks with the Return Authorization Number inside.  

For those who wish to sell gently used textbooks, please follow these instructions:

Please ensure your books are placed in a sealed box with the Return Authorization Number and/or QR code slips inside. For multiple boxes, please place a printed copy of the QR code in each box.

Ivy Market: Save The Date

Mark your calendars: you鈥檙e not going to want to miss the fun at the HCPA鈥檚 Ivy Market on Tuesday, November 22! This brand new event will feature daytime shopping for parents and students, with products from external vendors and HC alike鈥攁nd will see the return of our always popular bake sale! Ivy Market will end with an evening cocktail party where parents can shop and mingle.

Tickets for the parent cocktail party will go on sale next month. Stay tuned for more information! 

Go Green with Colibri

is offering the 蜜桃视频 community an exclusive opportunity to order reusable and washable bags in different sizes and patterns. The bags are tested and certified, ensuring they meet both FDA and Health Canada standards for food safety.

Colibri bags are great for snacks of all sizes, lunches, pet treats and even wet swim gear and gym clothes. They also offer terrific reusable straws. The HCPA鈥檚 Colibri fundraiser runs until Monday, October 3. Select 鈥溍厶沂悠碘�� when checking out. 

Keep Track with Mabel鈥檚 Labels

Help avoid confusion and keep lost and found visits to a minimum by affixing labels to everything from uniform items to lunch bags. Mabel鈥檚 Labels has personalized label options for the whole family, from cute and cuddly to sophisticated. Shop and type “蜜桃视频” in the search field or select “蜜桃视频” as the fundraising partner at checkout. This fundraiser is ongoing through the year. 

HCPA Puffer Jackets and Vests

The HCPA is thrilled to announce that 蜜桃视频 puffer jackets and puffer vests will be available on the HCPA Marketplace, but for a limited time only. We know how much everyone loves to layer up and stay cozy! We are delighted that these versatile black jackets (child and adult sizes) and vests (adult sizes only) will be available with the 蜜桃视频 crest embroidered in white on the chest. 

Jackets and vests are available for purchase from September 24 to October 15. . What a wonderful way to show your HC Spirit!

Give Back with FlipGive

FlipGive is an easy-to-use fundraising app that supports the HCPA鈥檚 annual fundraising commitment. You can buy e-gift cards at your favorite retailers while earning fundraising dollars for the HCPA. Or you can fundraise like a pro by purchasing everyday items from over 700 brands, including Starbucks, Indigo, Athleta, Esso, Sephora, Sport Chek, Lululemon and Apple. 

Here鈥檚 how it works:

You do not need to sign up with FlipGive to purchase gift cards or shop online. 

蜜桃视频 Launches New Advertising Campaign

Working in partnership with the school鈥檚 Agency of Record, , 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Communications & Marketing Department launched a new advertising campaign this fall with the goal of motivating bright students to apply to join the school community in September 2023.

Inspired by the school鈥檚 modernized renovated spaces, the ads strengthen 蜜桃视频鈥檚 position as the leading girls鈥� independent school in Canada while promoting our outstanding teaching practices and confidence-building programming. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about highlighting what progress looks like in a caring community and how 蜜桃视频 students use their values to help guide their goals and aspirations,鈥� explains Angry Butterfly CSO, Graham Candy. 

鈥淭here is a boldness with this new creative that differentiates us from our competitors,鈥� says Antonietta Mirabelli, 蜜桃视频’s Executive Director of Marketing & Communications. 鈥淚t鈥檚 less about being edgy; rather, the ads underscore the conviction our students have in themselves, their abilities and their dreams. This new campaign honours them for who they are, and that feels good.鈥�

You can find 蜜桃视频鈥檚 newest advertising assets in the October issues of Toronto Life, The Walrus and Post City Magazine; in the Toronto Star (September 23) and Globe and Mail (October 7) Private School Guides; throughout Billy Bishop Airport (from October 3 to November 30); on bus shelters north of Highway 401 (from October 3 to November 30); and on a variety of digital and social media sources as a part of our digital campaign (September 12 to November 30).

In mid-August, a handful of students participated in photoshoots for this series of four advertisements; we cannot thank them enough for returning to campus in their uniforms during the summer break! We would also like to extend our gratitude to their parents/guardians for their assistance in bringing these ads to life. Thank you to all of our 蜜桃视频 Ambassadors for their green and gold pride!

Fatima Kaba

Manager, Learning Experiences

Fatima works in the Forum for Change (F4C) office, particularly overseeing the Global Learning and Leading Diploma (GLLD) program. The F4C serves as a hub of global learning, community partnership programming and social justice work in efforts to support students develop outlooks and approaches that make a difference in their world.

Fatima graduated from York University’s Concurrent Education program with a double major in English and Psychology. After teaching English and Physical Education in the public system for three years she travelled to London, UK to complete a double masters program from the University of London, UK. Fatima has been in the field of education for over 15 years, both in the public and religious education systems. Her roles have varied from classroom teacher, curriculum design to ethics based research analyst and global mentor. Fatima’s keen interest in leadership and personal growth prompted her to complete a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School.

Fatima is committed to serving her community and is an active volunteer within the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, where she continues to support the religious education system. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors with family and friends and just recently picked up the game of golf. Fatima is an avid traveler and looks forward to her next international adventure.