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What a great first week we've had at the Prep! We had a wonderful orientation day for new students on Tuesday and a successful first day on Wednesday. Students were smiling, and families were thrilled to have a routine starting up again! Our Year 6 and 7 student ambassadors demonstrated tremendous leadership by supporting orientation day and ensuring new students felt welcomed.

We came together today as a Prep community in our first assembly of the school year. Principal McKinney and Ms. Fleming shared messages around our theme for this school year: building each other up. We spoke about specific ways to build each other up by using encouraging statements when classmates are taking risks and trying new things, pointing out strengths rather than flaws and giving authentic and genuine compliments.  

They were left with a final message: Your focus today is to be a learner, a thinker and a positive member of the community. Your job — as a member of the UCC community, is not to poke fun, put down, or hurt people — but to build each other up with intentional words and actions. Think about how you’ll do that today, tomorrow and every day.  

Morning Drop-Off

For those families doing morning drop-off in a car at the front of the Prep, please note the following procedures:

• When entering the drop-off loop at the Prep, families must pull their car forward as far west as possible (in front of the Peacock Arch) before coming to a full stop.  

• Student greeters in Years 5 to 7, or a Prep colleague, will do their best to help each family by opening their car door, saying good morning and welcoming your child to school. It is especially helpful if your child is seated on the right side of the car to expedite drop-off.  

• We request that families please not park and get out of their car or stop for extended periods of time during morning drop-off.  

• If families would like to walk their child to the Prep’s front entrance, please park at the east end of the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex parking lot. There is ample parking in this location.  

If we all work together, we can make drop-off a pleasant and efficient experience for all families.  

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming welcome back information evenings on Thursday, Sept. 14 for Year 6 and 7 and Thursday, Sept. 21 for SK to Year 5.  

Your partners in learning,

Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

REMINDER | Student and class photo day

Student and class photos will take place for Prep students throughout the day on Tuesday, Sept. 12 in Weston Hall. SK to Year 4 students are expected to be in Primary regular dress, while Year 5 to 7 students are expected to be in First Dress (including dress shoes). Please see the Family Handbook for uniform details.

Before School Program | Important logistics for arrival

A reminder for those who registered for the BSP that it runs from 8:30–9:15 a.m. every Wednesday starting on September 13. BSP students can be dropped off between 8–8:30 a.m. All students must enter through the main doors by the Peacock Arch. Faculty will help students get to the BSP.  

Those not in BSP should arrive at school between 9:15–9:30 a.m. 

SK to Year 5 | Welcome back information evening

The SK to Year 5 parent welcome back information evening will take place on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The evening will begin in Weston Hall. Afterwards, families will move to their child’s classroom to hear from their form adviser. After the form adviser presentation, families will be invited to join our subject specialist faculty in our dining hall to ask about programming while enjoying some refreshments. Information evenings provide families with an overview of the Prep’s academic program, general expectations and student supports.

In addition, an optional mix and mingle event from 6:15 to 6:55 p.m. will be available for families who are interested in reconnecting with UCC families. This session is entirely optional and meant to offer extra support to families who are interested in catching up with fellow families.

Please see the table below for a snapshot of how the Primary information evening will unfold.

Please enter the Prep through the main entrance just beyond the Peacock Arch.

Sincerely,

David Girard, Assistant Head of the Preparatory School, Primary Division

Sarah Fleming, Head of the Preparatory School

Please enter the Prep through the main entrance just beyond the Peacock Arch.

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans, Assistant Head of the Preparatory School, Middle Division

Sarah Fleming, Head of the Preparatory School

REMINDER | Prep family 2023–24 calendar is now live!

Click here for instructions on how to access and subscribe to calendars. 

SIGN UP | ASP Clubs

We have partnered with ExtraEd to provide a wide variety of programs so that students can explore new interests or follow up on existing passions. 

Clubs will begin on September 17 and run for two terms of 7 weeks each to allow you some flexibility in registering for programs. The sessions are progressive but flexible. Students signing up for both terms will not repeat activities, and students attending only one term will get a complete experience.

All registration and billing for clubs will be handled on the ExtraEd website. This allows us to support their environmental commitment to plant a tree for every student who registers in one of their programs. They have planted over 10,000 trees since their inception!

Please click here to view descriptions of the programs and see below for the planned schedule of clubs. 

ORDER TODAY | UCC Puffer Jacket Today

The much-loved UCC-crested puffer jacket is back by popular demand! The navy-blue puffer jacket is made of 100% nylon with a water repellent finish and is filled with a lightweight insulation. Featuring the white UCC crest on the upper left chest, this jacket is recommended for temperatures between +10C and -5C.

Jackets are available in youth XS-XL, women’s XS-2XL and men’s S-4XL. A size chart is available when ordering. Please measure carefully as there are no exchanges or returns. 

Order your puffer jacket by September 30 here.

ORDER TODAY | Prep T-shirt bundle: Purple, Orange and Pink Shirt Days

The PPO has put together a coloured T-shirt bundle to mark three important days we observe as a school. The bundle includes a purple shirt (Rowan’s Law, Sept. 27), orange shirt (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30) and pink shirt (anti-bullying, Feb. 22).  

These classic fit shirts are 100% cotton and come in youth sizing from XS (2-4) – XL (18-20) and adult sizes from S–6XL. The shirts are bundled in a three pack for $34.  

Place your order here by Wednesday, Sept. 13. The shirts will be available for pick-up on the UCC campus no later than Sept. 26 so that students can wear their purple shirts on Sept. 27 for Rowan's Law Day. NOTE: As each item is a special order, we will not be able to provide refunds or exchanges. All sales are final. 

SIGN UP | PPO request for help

As we prepare for another exciting year at the Prep, we invite you to be a part of our vibrant school community by joining the team of parent volunteers. 

This is a great way to build new connections, directly impact your child's educational experience and contribute to the overall growth of our school. No matter what amount of time you have available to help out, we can find a volunteer opportunity that will suit your schedule. To explore current opportunities and sign up, please click here.