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Sanctioned COSSOT events

Dear Upper School Families, 

In addition to the year level specific information included in this edition of Heads Up, we wanted to draw your attention to this list of the Coalition of Single-Sex Schools of Toronto (COSSOT) dances and similar events. From time to time, students at COSSOT schools have taken it upon themselves to organize off campus, unsanctioned events without school supervision. If your student is attending a “COSSOT” event that’s not on this list, please know that it may be an unsanctioned event and feel free to reach out to Andrew MacDougall, Assistant Head of the Upper School, with any questions you may have about a given event. 

We will continue to add events to this list as they are planned.

Sincerely,

The Upper School Leadership Team 

REMINDER | Photo day for Years 8 and 9

Please remember that Year 8 and 9 students will have their photos taken on Friday, Oct. 27. While our photos do not go into the yearbook, they are used for internal purposes such as preparing Prize Day or Election Day slides and appearing on our security cards. It is important for students to have their photo taken.

Dress code for photo: While First Dress is recommended, a UCC-crested golf shirt is acceptable.

If a student is away on their photo day, our make-up date is on Monday, Oct. 30.

Please see the schedule here (shared with students and all faculty via email).

Year-level retrospects and looking ahead

Please click here to read the Year 8 transition journey.

Please click here to read Year 9 updates.

Please click the link to view the Year 10 journey. 

Please click the link to read the Year 11 updates. 

Please click the link to read the Year 12 updates. 

Havergal and Branksome Middle School socials

On Friday, Nov. 3, from 7–9 p.m., both Havergal College and Branksome Hall will be hosting their Middle School Socials, and UCC has been invited. We are allowed to bring 20 students from Year 8 to each social event. 

Students have been given the opportunity to sign up for their choice of which they would like to attend, as well as to specify the name of a UCC friend in Year 8 who wishes to go to the same event. If more than 20 Year 8 students display an interest in each event, a random draw will be conducted to determine who participates, while doing our best to ensure that the chosen students and their friends attend together.

Once students have been selected by the end of this week, you will be notified and a permission form will be sent directly to your inbox. Students who are attending the socials will be expected to attend an in-school meeting next week to discuss behavioural expectations and the proper dress code.

Thanks and best wishes,

Gillian Levene and Alvin Jugoon

SAVE THE DATE | Upper School Volunteer Service Expo and virtual community service parent information session

Mark your calendars for Monday, Nov. 20 from 1:30 to 4 p.m.  

In conjunction with our Parent Organization, we are planning a Volunteer Service Expo for our entire community of students, employees and parents. Will you join us?

We have a (growing) list of 12+ volunteer service organizations in the GTA that want to share their service opportunities with our community and recruit new volunteers. We will be setting up in the Student Centre with coffee, tea, cold refreshments and inviting snacks provided.

Visitors will circulate freely through the Student Centre and visit tables of interest.

If you know of a volunteer service organization that would like to be included please contact John Sweetman or Nina Piatek at your earliest convenience.

Following our afternoon in-person expo we will host an evening ZOOM session on all things to do with community service at the Upper School. All interested parents and guardians are invited.

SAVE THE DATE | PO Speaker Series: How to help your teen sleep better

Worried about how little sleep your son is getting? The PO is bringing a renowned expert to teach parents how to help their teenagers sleep better. Dr. Cara Ooi, a sleep physician and youth psychiatrist will identify problems and offer a practical plan to help teens get a more restful night’s slumber. The workshop, They’re Exhausted But Don’t Want My Advice: How To Help Your Teen Sleep Better, will begin with a 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A. The session is geared towards parents but resources will be available for students after the talk. 

The workshop is via Zoom on Wednesday, November 8 at 7 p.m. Register in advance for this webinar by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

REMINDER | March Break 2024 student trips registration closes on November 1

Are you looking for a remarkable way to enrich your child's life during the upcoming March Break? 

We're thrilled to offer two exciting opportunities for our young explorers. This year, we are offering a cultural trip to Mexico and a service trip to Costa Rica! These trips provide incredible adventures, educational enrichment and authentic cultural immersion. Our safe and supervised trips allow students to develop valuable life skills while building strong bonds with their peers and making memories to last a lifetime. They'll return home with incredible stories, a broader perspective, and cherished memories that will shape their outlook on the world.

Learning outside the classroom provides hands-on, unforgettable educational experiences. Mexico is a treasure trove of history and culture. Students will have the chance to visit ancient ruins, explore vibrant markets, and immerse themselves in the local customs. Costa Rica offers a unique setting for students to engage in service projects that make a real difference. They'll contribute to local communities and ecosystems, developing a sense of empathy and civic responsibility. 

Exposing students to different cultures is an invaluable gift and the cornerstone of an IB education. Mexico's rich heritage, traditions, and delicious cuisine will open their eyes to a world beyond their own, fostering empathy, understanding, and global awareness. In Costa Rica, by working closely with locals, learning about their customs, and savouring delicious traditional foods, students will have a chance to embrace the warmth and diversity of the country. These unforgettable experiences foster a profound understanding of the world beyond our own.

Immersion is the key to language acquisition. While in Mexico and Costa Rica, students can practice their Spanish skills with native speakers, boosting their proficiency and confidence in the language. Besides language learning, travelling fosters independence, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. Your child will learn to navigate a new environment and manage their responsibilities, all under the watchful eye of our experienced and caring staff. 

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to provide your child with an enriching and unforgettable cultural experience. March Break in Mexico or Costa Rica allows them to grow, learn, and create memories. Sign-up details and links are below. 

Registration deadline for both trips is November 1, 2023.

REMINDER | Three-way conferences and pickAtime instructions

Virtual (via Google Meet): Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In-person on campus: Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Feedback is an important tool to help students grow through their educational journey. The Upper School’s three-way conferences provide an opportunity for this to take place. Both virtual and in-person appointment options are available.

Virtual interviews will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 14 for Year 8 to 12 students in five-minute intervals via Google Meet. Students are expected to attend and participate in these interviews with their parents/guardians, to encourage ownership over their learning and develop self-advocacy skills.

It’s important that you access the Google Meet link at the time of your scheduled appointment and not before. Please use your email address and not your child’s UCC email. If you do not have a Google account, you will need to create one in order to log in to the meeting. You will be placed in a “waiting room” until the meeting begins. At the start of the meeting, please introduce yourself so that the teacher can confirm that the conversation is about your child. Keep the conversation to the scheduled five minutes so that our faculty can meet with all families.

In-person interviews will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15 for Year 8 to 12 students in five-minute intervals. Students are expected to attend (in regular dress) and participate in these interviews. Note that this day is a half day for students and that period 4 ends at 12:20 p.m. 

Please feel free to book appointments virtually or in-person. Registration must be completed through our pickAtime booking system. Please see below for instructions on how to book your appointments.

Warm regards,

Joe Smith

Assistant Head, Upper School, Student Life and Programming

Using pickAtime | Three-Way conference booking information

Each faculty member will have appointment times available between the opening and closing of each day. You will see their availability on the pickAtime system. You can begin scheduling appointments when the pickAtime system opens as follows:

pickAtime opens: Friday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m.

pickAtime closes: Monday, Nov. 13 at 12 p.m.

Please click here for instructions on how to book your conferences. Please ensure that you can print or access your schedule via email when you’ve finished booking. If you experience any problems, please contact Sandra Fulford.

Year 9 | Take Your Child to Work Day is on November 1 

We support those who want to take advantage of Take Your Child to Work Day (an initiative in Ontario for families/guardians with students in Year 9). For attendance purposes, please let the school know via the SchoolPass App if you are participating with your student.