Dear Year 12 Families,

We will be running exams for Year 12 students in late January and early February 2024 to support their learning and preparation for the May IB Diploma exams. Exams will be held over a 10-day period beginning Monday, Jan. 29 and ending Friday, Feb. 9.

The expectation is that students write examinations as scheduled. If a student is absent for an examination, a parent or guardian must notify the Registrar’s Office at 416-488-1125, ext. 2227 or by emailing the Registrar, prior to the exam. Notification must be made for each exam missed. Medical documentation acceptable to the College may be required in such cases. Medical documentation must clearly outline the reasons for the absence and the expected duration of the absence. Any case of absence will be reviewed by the College’s Exam Committee who will determine the details of any required make-up exams.

Please see the exam schedule (locations and further practical details will be communicated to students in the new year). Students are expected to write their exams as scheduled and in-person.

The schedule is designed intentionally to provide time interspersed for preparation and study. Supportive arrangements will include a commitment to a buffer period with no assessment, exam packets, and appropriate time for preparation. We are also coordinating with colleagues to be mindful of ensuring students’ ability to participate in co-curriculars during this time. 

Unless you have been notified in advance, we do not expect that there will be any exam conflicts (two exams scheduled at the same time), but students should immediately review the exam schedule and if they find an exam conflict, contact Leigh Berndsen in the Registrar’s Office.

Students with accommodations will write in the Wernham West Centre for Learning based on need and the complexity of their accommodations. Students writing in the Centre for Learning will be messaged separately by the Centre with instructions on writing locations.

Warm regards,

Jeff Aitken

Head, Upper School

The Festive Auction is online and will run from November 30 to December 10. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the PO and PPO. One hundred percent of the profit goes directly to initiatives that benefit UCC students. 

We are in the final days of collecting donations for the Festive Auction. Donations in the following categories are particularly appreciated: 

• electronics

• sports tickets

• hotel stays and travel packages

• dining experiences

• food and wine baskets 

• fitness equipment 

Back by popular demand, the "Snowball Grab” will once again be held during Festive Marketplace! The UCC Festive Marketplace team is seeking gift card donations for the prizes that make this fun and beloved game possible. Please consider donating by providing gift cards or cash (we will buy the gift cards for you) by December 1. There are donation boxes in the Prep and Upper School reception areas where you or your boys can drop off gift card donations, or cash donations can be made by e-transfer to treasurer@uccpo.ca (include “Festive Snowball” as a note). Thank you in advance for your help! 

On Monday, Nov. 27, UCC’s annual Churches-on-the-Hill (COTH) food drive will begin collecting food donations at the Upper School. COTH Food Bank is just a few blocks away from UCC and serves between 1,100 and 1,200 people each week. Over the past 3 years, we have collected nearly 5,000 pounds of food. Today COTH needs our support more than ever. Rising inflation, especially in food prices and housing, is causing more households to rely on COTH to meet their needs. In fact, across Toronto, one in ten residents use food banks to survive. 

You can help out by bringing in food donations to the bins located in the main foyer for the next two weeks. Our goal is to collect a pound of food for every student, so please help us support this important cause. COTH has provided us with a list of the items that are in the highest demand, and we’ve allocated them by House. We also ask that everyone consider donating baby formula (Enfalac or Kirkland brands) and diapers (sizes 4-6) to support the Infant program at COTH. 

Please place your listed objects in the House labeled bins present in the Bernick Family Foyer.

Bremner's: Peanut butter (large size)
Howard's: Low sugar cereals like Cheerios (large size)
Jackson's: Canned fruit
Martland's: Large flaked oats (not instant)
McHugh's: Dried beans (i.e. red kidney beans, chick peas, black beans, etc.)
Mowbray's: Canned tuna and salmon
Orr's: Salted crackers
Scadding's: Dry pasta (large size)
Seaton's and Wedd's: White or brown rice

Thank you,

Alex Woolsey ’25
on behalf of the Upper School Community Service Council 

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the UCC community came together to celebrate Diwali. There was a wonderful spread of sweet treats, savoury snacks and chai for all to enjoy in a beautifully decorated Student Centre. Students and guests also had the chance to hear a presentation by Year 8 student Armaan Jatar who spoke beautifully of the cultural significance of Diwali. There was also a visit by students from the Prep School to join in the festivities!

The occasion was also used as an opportunity to host a food drive on behalf of the Seva Food Bank, which provides culturally appropriate food and support services that address the challenges of food security, poverty reduction, and economic renewal for low income families. 

Many thanks to all of the students, colleagues, and parents who came out to show their support. Special thanks goes out to all of the amazing parent volunteers (and Parents' Organization leadership) who so generously gave their time and support to make this a memorable day for our community!

Alvin Jugoon and Gillian Levene