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It has been a relatively quiet week in the halls of the Upper School, with the winter midterm break long weekend as well as three-way conferences taking place to serve as a well-needed period of reflection and relaxation after a busy start to the winter term. More than 70 students served as volunteers during the in-person three-way conferences day, greeting parents at teachers’ doorways and keeping things running smoothly. We were thrilled to see so many families in the building and engaging in productive conversations with our faculty. 

Year 8 families had the opportunity to get together in-person and online to receive updates on the student experience at the mid-point in the year and look ahead to Year 9, including reflections on digital friendships, the learning skills strategies course, exam preparation, and celebrations of curiosity and courage. The focus in the Year 11 DP seminar this week was on mathematics, with the SL math students officially launching their major IB mathematics project, the internal assessment. They received tips for success from the mathematics faculty and looked at past examples of student work, including one that investigated how to cook the perfect steak! 

World Affairs Conference 2024: Minds in Motion

This is just a reminder for students to sign up for the 2024 World Affairs Conference (WAC). The World Affairs Conference is an annual event hosted by UCC and Branksome Hall. As Canada's oldest and North America's largest student-run conference, we are excited to welcome students for another round of exciting plenaries and keynotes with speakers such as Bob Rae (Canadian Ambassador to UN), Bruce Kuwabara, O.C. (Architect), Esko Aho (Former PM of Finland), Francisco Sagasti (Former President of Peru) as well as many others. Information about our much anticipated keynote speakers will be announced soon. Stay tuned through our website and Instagram!

This year, WAC will take place on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, and is mandatory for students in Years 9 through 12. Students who wish to get lunch from UCC that day need to indicate that option on the WAC website before registration closes. Please note that lunch will be served in the Hewitt Athletic Centre due to an increased number of students in the building for the conference. Once you set up your account, you will also be able to pick your favourite plenary sessions as soon as the selection process is open.

Roll WAC!

The WAC Executive Team

Year 8 WAC day permission forms

Year 8 students will participate in one of two engaging wellbeing and learning activities on Wednesday, March 6. 

For both excursions, students will depart by bus from Upper Canada College at 8:30 a.m. from the north entrance. We will return to UCC by bus between 3:30 and 4 p.m. If the buses are going to be more than 15–20 minutes late, we will send out a communication to families. 

Students are permitted to bring their phones on the bus, though our gaming policy still applies and they will be asked to not use them at Norval and during activities at Six Nations of the Grand River.

1. Norval permission form will be sent out via Bluenet

A Winter Fun day or Spring Maple Syrup Festival depending on the weather. A cookout-style lunch will be provided by Norval. Students will be outside for this experience and they are asked to dress for the weather.  

• Winter fun day trailer and what to pack video

• Norval winter clothing list

• Early spring clothing list

2. Woodland Cultural Centre permission form will be sent out via Bluenet

Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario. Students will participate in a number of meaningful workshops including a traditional games workshop, a Six Nations land claim workshop, and a Wampum Belt Craft workshop. During this trip, students will be joined by Barry Hill ’62 who will provide information about special places of interest. Students are asked to bring their own lunch and a few extra snacks, as well as a water bottle.

The number of students that can attend each experience is roughly equal, and are organized by house:

Bremner's - Six Nations

Howard's - Six Nations

Jackson's - Six Nations

Martland's - Six Nations

Seaton's and Wedd's - Six Nations

McHugh's - Norval

Mowbray's - Norval

Orr's - Norval

Scadding's - Norval

Thank you!

Brent Evans, Alvin Jugoon, Gillian Levene

Year 10 updates

Please click here to view updates.

From the wings

Year 9 | In-person parent information evening

All Year 9 parents are invited to attend an in-person information evening on Feb. 26, 2024, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It will begin in the Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre with a presentation and then will move to the Atkins Family Design Lab for some social time. Light refreshments will be served. The evening will include general Year 9 updates with a focus on the end-of-year trip opportunities which Norval staff will provide details on. These trips are set to take place between June 10–13 (after Year 9 exams). If you plan on attending in person please let us know via this interest form. A copy of the presentation will be available in Heads Up following the event. We hope to see you there!

Joe Smith and Lindsay Rielly

Waterloo math contest

On Wednesday, Feb. 28, students in Years 8 to 11 will write the Waterloo math contest at 10:30 a.m. Please remind your student to make sure that their computer is fully charged as the contest will be taken online. Year 12 students will not be writing the contest and will either have a spare or will be helping with supervising the contest. 

Upper School reception

We welcome Laura White as our new Front Desk Receptionist/Admin Assistant.  

Sophie Milburn has recently joined our Admissions team. We thank Sophie for her support at the front desk and wish her all the best! 

SAVE THE DATE | Upper School Comedy Night

The Parents' Organization’s Arts Booster Club Comedy Night has returned by popular demand! Professional stand-up comedians are performing at UCC on Tuesday, April 16 for one night only. Upper School students and their accompanying trusted adults will enjoy light food and beverages in the Student Centre before a live comedy show in the David Chu Theatre. Funny man Greg Eckler ’87, long time writer for the Rick Mercer Report, will emcee this evening of food and levity. 

Date: Tuesday, April 16

Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Venues: UCC Student Centre and the David Chu Theatre  

Tickets: $50.00 each. Seating is limited so get your tickets here soon!

SIGN UP | Self-nominations open for the 2024–25 PO Advisory Committee

The self-nomination process for the 2024–25 Parents’ Organization (PO) is now open!

Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents/guardians, stay current and connected with the school, and support our students. In-person meetings give you the opportunity to interact with volunteers from Years 8–12, and are a great way to acquire knowledge about the Upper School.

PO goals and initiatives 

Our primary goal is to foster community engagement through social, informational and fundraising initiatives — from planning parent community speakers of interest, parent get-togethers and used uniform and spirit wear sales to organizing our annual Festive Marketplace. There’s a volunteer position for everyone!