Gator Gazette
Past Parent Message
Dear Past Parents,
We hope you had a great summer. We are so pleased to bring you the latest issue of the Gator Gazette, our past parent newsletter, which includes the most recent Inside 蜜桃视频 and invitations to 蜜桃视频 events, such as the reimagined Ivy Market on November 21 and the Past Parent Social that evening.
Your feedback about this newsletter would be much appreciated鈥攚e want to make sure we鈥檙e providing you with relevant information. We anticipate that our next issue will be sent in the spring. Please send your feedback to Lisa Windover and Jane Zhang at [email protected].
In the meantime, we wish you and your families all the best.
Warm regards,
Lisa Windover, mother of Kaitlyn Windover 2024,
and Jane Zhang, mother of Irene Cai 2022 and Katelyn Cai 2023
Past Parent News
Ivy Market
Thursday, November 21, 10 am to 5 pm, Brenda Robson Hall
Don鈥檛 miss this fantastic event, which includes daytime shopping for parents, past parents, Old Girls/Alums and students. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to pick up holiday gifts from a carefully-curated marketplace of distinct 蜜桃视频 and HC House-related items, delicious cookie dough and more. Join us for coffee, conversation and some great holiday shopping.
Past Parent Social
Evening of Thursday, November 21
After you finish shopping at Ivy Market, past parents are invited to Safari Bar & Grill (upstairs) for a Past Parent Cocktail Party at 5:30 pm! This is your chance to catch up with your 蜜桃视频 parent community and friends.
Time: 5:30 鈥� 7:30 pm (can stay later if you want!)
Location: Safari Bar & Grill, 1749 Avenue Rd (upstairs)
Drinks: cash bar
Food: You may order a meal from the menu. Some apps will be provided from voluntary donations. Please let Lisa Windover know if you wish to contribute at [email protected].
Carol Service
Thursday, December 12, at 7 pm
Join us for 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Carol Service on Thursday, December 12 at 7 pm at St. Paul鈥檚 Bloor Street. Past parents, Old Girls/Alums and friends of 蜜桃视频 are always welcome.聽
Pre-Loved Uniforms
If you are still holding on to 蜜桃视频 uniform items and wish to donate them, there is a bin to drop off donations by the double glass doors on the north end of the Upper School (close to the Green & Gold Shop). You may also donate used spirit wear items. Pre-loved uniforms are sold to current students and the money raised goes toward HCPA initiatives to support parent engagement activities.
Help Keep Your Old Girl/Alum Connected
Connections and community were so important during our time at 蜜桃视频 and that doesn鈥檛 change for our grads or us as past parents. The students are invited to join HOGA and stay connected using the 蜜桃视频 Connections platform, which they can access .
Inside 蜜桃视频 September 2024
Principal’s Message
Dr. Katrina Samson
Welcome to our first edition of Inside 蜜桃视频 for the 2024-25 school year. I hope the summer brought time with family, relaxation and a healthy dose of sunshine. If you are anything like me, you tuned into the Paris Summer Olympics in August. I love the Olympics! My family often jokes, 鈥淚t鈥檚 Olympics season; Katrina鈥檚 going to be over there crying for two weeks.鈥� And they鈥檙e not wrong. When Summer Macintosh won her first gold medal, I was driving, listening to the radio commentary on her race with tears in my eyes hearing of her first gold medal. Watching the parents, the partners, the coaches鈥攁nd knowing the hours of support, the sacrifices and the pride鈥攇ets me every time. As well, I鈥檓 amazed by the diversity of athletes, from an 11 year old to a 65 year old, from all around the globe, all in pursuit of a common goal: excellence.
I鈥檝e been thinking about what the Olympics teach us about the pursuit of excellence. It鈥檚 a topic that resonates beyond sports. What can we, as parents and a community, learn about the pursuit of excellence from Olympians?
At 蜜桃视频, we鈥檝e been discussing excellence a lot. It鈥檚 the foundation of our and at the core of our mission. We come in every day committed to teaching, modelling and inspiring excellence in your children. But excellence is too often misconstrued as perfection. Pursuing excellence is not about being perfect. It鈥檚 about giving one鈥檚 best effort, learning from our experiences and aiming to be better today than we were yesterday.
Excellence is setting bold, ambitious goals and persevering through challenges. It鈥檚 understanding that both successes and failures are temporary and that hits and misses are part of the journey. Perhaps most importantly, excellence is not a solo pursuit鈥攊t鈥檚 a team effort. Much like Olympians who lean on coaches, family and teammates, our children need a strong support system to pursue their own excellence.
Excellence also calls for collaboration. The word 鈥渃ompete鈥� comes from Latin origins meaning 鈥渢o strive together.鈥� At 蜜桃视频, we strive together for the success of every student. We鈥檙e not just pushing individual accomplishments; we鈥檙e genuinely invested in one another鈥檚 success.
So, what does excellence look like for your daughters here at 蜜桃视频? It鈥檚 about ensuring they know we are on their team, supporting their growth and helping them become the best versions of themselves. Excellence also means working with intention, both as educators and as a community, to bring out the best in one another. Each of us, whether student, teacher or parent, has something to share and learn.
As we bask in the excitement and energy a new school year brings, my hope is that we鈥攑arents, educators and students鈥攃ome together to inspire excellence by supporting one another, being open and constructive in our feedback and reminding our girls that pursuing bold dreams is done step-by-step with the support of a strong committed community.
As parents, you are an essential part of Team 蜜桃视频. Together, I know we鈥檒l foster an environment where excellence is encouraged and all children feel supported in their journeys to reach their full potential.
I hope to see you at Celebration Saturday on September 28, from 9:30 am to 1 pm. I look forward to our year together!
Katrina
Message from the Board of Governors
Jill Fraser 鈥�87, Chair of the Board of Governors
Welcome back to 蜜桃视频 from the Board. I hope you and your family have enjoyed some memorable moments together over the summer. Whether this is your first year as a part of our 蜜桃视频 community or you are a returning family, I am sure you share my excitement in having all of our wonderful students back on campus.
Our year gets underway with the return of Celebration Saturday, which takes place on our beautiful campus on Saturday, September 28. Celebration Saturday was inspired by Ellen Knox鈥檚 famous question, What will you do? That question prompted the community to create an event whose purpose was twofold鈥攖o raise funds and awareness for our Community Partners across the GTA while building school and community spirit. It is a time to celebrate our school鈥檚 mission, vision and values by bringing our past, present and future together. I know this event will be another resounding success thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff, faculty and the entire school community. We greatly appreciate everyone鈥檚 vital contributions to this important event. We also look forward to many other exciting upcoming school events that are 蜜桃视频 traditions, including the Junior and Senior Kindergarten Christmas Concert, Junior School Christmas Concert, Upper School Carol Service, various Music Nights, play performances and many more.
Over the summer, the campus was buzzing with activity. Our facilities鈥� rentals included the Ivy Camp鈥檚 fourth summer with us, many sports clubs and film shoots. Facilities projects were in full swing, including roof work at the Junior School, the installation of electrical outdoor security stations and our ongoing grounds maintenance鈥攁ll essential initiatives to keep our campus safe and beautiful.
At our first Board meeting, scheduled to take place on October 1, we will vote in our new Governors, who will be introduced in the October edition of Inside 蜜桃视频. At that Board meeting, we will also say goodbye to six of our Governors who have provided invaluable guidance to our Board during their tenure. I鈥檇 like to take this moment to extend a huge thank you to our retiring Governors who have dedicated many years to working with school leadership to help shape 蜜桃视频鈥檚 future: Debbie Simpson (our past Chair), Diane Jeffreys, Alison Glober, Brad Radin, Greg Pardy and Sandra Seaborn鈥攜our contributions have been immeasurable. We thank you for your exceptional service and the positive impact you have had on our school.
I will close by wishing everyone all the best for the fall and encourage you all, new and old, to be active members of our vibrant community. Your participation in school life, whether through the , , the Foundation, the Board of Governors or its committees, or participating in our many events, is invaluable. We appreciate the time you devote to our community and the unique perspectives and experiences you bring. Your active involvement is what makes 蜜桃视频 a place of growth, learning and community.
Warm regards,
Jill
Helping Manage Distractions and Support Relationship Building
Lindsay Norberg, Deputy Principal
Fostering strong relationships and connections within our community is essential to the 蜜桃视频 community. To support this goal and align with our philosophy on the role of technology in learning, we have updated our .
After consultation with faculty, parents, students and staff, the school updated and clarified its policy regarding the use of digital devices on campus during the school day.
The focus of the policy is to:
- Nurture a positive school culture: encourage face-to-face interactions and foster meaningful relationships.
- Reduce distractions: ensure devices are used strictly for educational purposes during class time and at the discretion of the teacher.
- Foster digital wisdom: help students develop healthy digital habits with an understanding of the impact of screen time on their wellbeing, focus and productivity.
We are excited to announce that will speak with our Middle School students about responsible device use. His presentation, scheduled for October 1, will provide valuable insights and guidance on this important topic.
In addition, parents are invited to a special session with Jake Ernst on Monday, September 30, where he will address how to support healthy device habits at home. More details about both presentations will be shared in .
How can families support this policy?
- Reviewing the policy at home and reinforcing the goals and objectives outlined by the school.
- Sharing with your child鈥檚 Guidance Counsellor and/or Learning Support Specialist any potential learning or health needs that might require digital devices that have not previously been shared.
- Ensuring children do not bring smartwatches or other wearable devices to school (JK to Grade 8).
- Supporting classroom teachers and school administrators in the implementation of this policy.
We encourage parents to partner with us in fostering a balanced approach to technology use both at school and at home. By working together, we can help our students cultivate healthy digital habits, build strong connections within the 蜜桃视频 community and enhance focus and wellbeing.
蜜桃视频鈥檚 Approach to Generative AI
Garth Nichols, Vice Principal, Experiential Learning and Innovation
This year, 蜜桃视频 has launched a . This framework was developed to support our entire community in understanding how Generative AI will be explored, integrated and managed within our Teaching and Learning philosophy.
The framework has a version code of 1.0 because we will be reviewing this document throughout the year, taking in feedback on how our approach is supporting the learning experiences. If changes need to be made mid-stream, they can.
The foundation of the framework is that this latest digital transformation remains very human. We are putting the relationship between the educators and the students at the core of the approach. Our faculty will examine when, where, what and how Generative AI can support teaching and learning processes. Additionally, HC-X faculty have been experimenting and learning about Generative AI alongside our students in our Digital Wisdom classes, which all students in Grades 5 to 8 participate in at 蜜桃视频.
In June and August, our faculty took part in professional development by and . This provided us with a shared language and combined experiences to grow and learn from. We are excited about the possibilities that Generative AI can provide as our students continue to learn the skills of critical and creative thinking, constructive doubt and strong research and writing skills.
For more on our approach to Generative AI and how we are integrating it into the teaching and learning experiences, please reach out to me at [email protected] or to Adam Caplan, HC-X Director, at [email protected].
Celebration Saturday
Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director, Strategic Enrolment Management
Saturday, September 28 will see 蜜桃视频 students, employees, parents and Old Girls/Alums put our mission鈥�preparing young women to make a difference鈥攊nto action. As a community, we will come together to show our support for and dedication to our .
This is not your typical fun fair: yes, there is cotton candy and inflatables and many ways to have fun, but it is more than that. It is students, parents and our broader community thoughtfully planning activities and programs that not only highlight the work of each of our Community Partners, but also emphasize how our support of their programs enrich us all.
Parents play such a key role in this event, from the leadership of the members of the HCPA to all of the parents who volunteer their time and talent to the event. Our students see in each volunteer a role model and we as a school see a partnership that we value and are so grateful for.
Did you know?
- Our Bazaar vendors are entirely made up of Old Girls/Alums, parents and students? Not only do we have access to fantastic products on that day, but our students also have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by parents and Old Girl/Alum entrepreneurs.
- Our famous cookiegrams are not something we order from a local shop, but are baked by our students in between practices, rehearsals and school work. They do it because they know they have both the ability to and the responsibility to live our values and to serve the broader community.
While Ellen Knox may not have envisioned gigantic cookies or a creative haunted house when she asked her students What will you do?, I have no doubt she would be filled with pride seeing our community making a difference in so many ways at Celebration Saturday.
Highlights
JS Terry Fox Run
Tatiana Bidiak, Grade 5 Teacher
No matter the obstacles.
No matter the journey.
No matter the odds.
No matter what.
Each year we share the life and legacy of Terry Fox with our Junior school community to inspire each other to embody his values of perseverance, courage and hope. It鈥檚 also an opportunity to raise awareness about cancer research and encourage each and every one of us to contribute positively to our communities, just as Terry did.
In our Grade 5 classes, a Thomas King quote on our door reads: 鈥淭he truth about stories is, that鈥檚 all we are.鈥� Stories are super important because they help us understand who we are and the world around us. They are like the building blocks of our lives and cultures. Think about how stories can change how we see things or even inspire us to do something new. Can you think of a story that made you see things differently or taught you something important?
Each year, we look forward to sharing parts of Terry鈥檚 story. His story of determination, passion and courage. We believe that his story will have a lasting impact on all of us.
As Terry ran 44 years ago, something almost magical happened. Canadians rallied behind his fierce determination and his message of hope. Donations poured in and are still pouring in. Thanks to you, we have raised almost $6,000 this year alone. To date, as a 蜜桃视频 community we have raised and donated $288,046.44 to the Terry Fox Foundation since 2006!
Terry Fox represented the best that Canadians have to offer. He was an example of courage, humility, determination and perseverance. From a young age he exemplified these attributes that made him an inspiration for not only Canada, but for the entire world.
The Junior School enjoys the opportunity to run as a community. Every year, we put on our Terry Fox T-shirts and running shoes as we think about who we will be running for. This year, I ran for my Grandmother! I ran for Terry! I ran for hope!
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Alexandra Zourntos
Associate Director of Admissions, Senior School
Ms. Zourntos joined 蜜桃视频 in 2022 as Associate Director of Admission, Senior School. Focusing on Grade 9 day applications, Boarding applications and international recruitment, her role encompasses the things she enjoys most about education: connecting with families to provide an excellent admission experience and building relationships in different countries as she represents 蜜桃视频 on the road.
With a career in education that has spanned roles in teaching, guidance and admissions, the best part about teaching for Ms. Zourntos was connecting with students and guiding them toward their goals. However, a passion for curriculum within her courses was the missing piece. She was seeking a way of working with students directly, but outside of the classroom, in an administrative role. An opportunity arose to organize and execute experiential education programs around the world and, with an existing affinity for international education and travel, she spent years leading students throughout South America, Europe and Oceania. She later spent a year in Brazil teaching and spearheading an exchange program for students in Porto Alegre while assisting in recruitment efforts in neighbouring states.
Upon returning to Canada after working abroad, Ms. Zourntos eagerly accepted the position of guidance counsellor at a private school. She loved being able to make an impact on students in the areas of academics and wellbeing. This role included admission responsibilities, which led her to transition into leading the admission efforts for the campus. Fast-forward to today, she has found the perfect mix at 蜜桃视频 supporting students, maintaining international exposure through recruitment travel and building relationships with key stakeholders. She leverages her knowledge of the Ontario curriculum to gain a deeper understanding of students鈥� needs and provides maximum effort and enthusiasm to ensure families feel welcomed, informed and inspired throughout their admission experience.
Coming up on the 2024-25 travel docket for the Admission Team, Ms. Zourntos will be representing 蜜桃视频 in Vietnam, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Mexico, UK and Barbados.