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Tuesday was new student orientation at the Upper School. It was amazing to see the energy on campus as our student leaders welcomed those new to the Upper School. In the morning, students heard about key supports available to them at a new student assembly, followed by tours by their mentors. The afternoon was spent bonding with their peers through House-based activities such as dodgeball, banner painting and more! 

Week-at-a-glance for Sept. 11–15 

REMINDER | SchoolPass app for attendance

For the SchoolPass app to function properly, please ensure both the app and the operating system on your device are updated.

For all new Upper School parents, a welcome message from SchoolPass with instructions for installing and logging into the SchoolPass App has been sent to the email that has been registered in Bluenet. Once you have completed the installation, please refer to the instructions for using the App found here. If you have not yet received the welcome email, please check your spam/junk folder. For any login issues please contact usattendance@ucc.on.ca.

Year 11 and 12 | English textbook ordering information

With the release of student schedules, please check the CSBE site to order teacher-specific English textbooks. 

The site can be accessed here. For assistance in using the website or to answer any questions, email or phone CSBE at 905-828-7200 or 1-800-335-5043.

Year 8 | Norval Trip: Sept. 11–14

Dear Year 8 Families,

Please accept our warmest wishes as we welcome your and your student to the Upper School community! We hope that your child is looking forward to an exciting year filled with rich learning opportunities for challenge, growth and reflection.

This year we are very excited to start off with the Year 8 Norval Outdoor field trip as a way to build bonds, trust and friendships within the Year Level.

Students will depart by bus from UCC daily on September 11, 12, 13 and 14 at 8 a.m. from the north entrance. Each house will start at different points in the schedule and rotate through the activities. Throughout the week they will travel to the Norval Outdoor School, Glen Williams, Canterbury Hills and Evergreen Brickworks. 

Students will participate in two activities daily and one activity on Thursday, September 14. We will return to UCC by bus daily between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Students will depart early from their destination locations on Thursday, September 14 to return to UCC for the regular dismissal time. This will allow students to try out for various fall sports teams. 

This year we are delighted to reintroduce the overnight component whereby each house will sleep over in tents at the Norval Outdoor School for one night. Students will be accompanied by a Norval Staff and their Senior House Advisor (or designate) for the overnight stay. Students in Seaton's and Wedd's will be connected to a day house for the trip.

Monday, Sept. 11: McHugh’s, Scadding’s, Bremner’s

Tuesday, Sept. 12: Martland’s, Howard’s, Jackson’s

Wednesday, Sept. 13: Mowbray’s, Orr’s

The Norval Outdoor School will provide all meals while the students are at Norval. Please note that students are asked to bring a packed lunch for every Canterbury Hills and Evergreen Brickworks day trip.

Please find included here a permission form, fall overnight clothing list, day trip packing list and rotation schedule for the trip.

Our Norval Director, Mr. Brent Evans, will be at the Upper School on Friday afternoon to speak to students about the details of the trip.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Mr. Jugoon, Ms. Levene and Mr. B. Evans

Year 9 | Amazing Race at Norval: Sept. 19 with Year 11 mentors 

On September 19, the Year 9 class will travel to Norval Outdoor School to participate in a year-level team building activity known as The Amazing Race. This day trip has been a highlight of the year in the past, and we are so happy to have it running again at Norval. Our Year 11 mentors will be taking a leadership role in this event and will be running the various challenge stations that Year 9s will encounter. Students will run the race in house teams so house clothing and spirit wear is encouraged! Casual dress is appropriate for the event and students should bring a rain jacket and water bottle as well. Students will travel by bus and will be leaving at 8:30 a.m. from the north parking lot and arriving back on campus by the end of the normal school day. 

Please complete the permission form for Year 9 students and Year 11 mentors as soon as possible so that your student can attend. 

Thank you!

Lindsay Rielly, Year 9 Coordinator

Year 10 to 12 | Operation Wallacea: Research expedition to Peru 

Expedition date: March Break 2024 (March 17 – 22, 2024 excluding travel time) 

Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is a network of academics from European and North American universities, who design and implement biodiversity and wildlife conservation management research expeditions. They are providing our high school students the incredible opportunity to spend one week with international professional scientists to conduct hands-on wildlife conservation and climate change science research. 

Opwall will provide students with the opportunity to apply aspects of their high school material in the field in Peru during March Break 2024! This school expedition offers students opportunities to meet other high schools and to network with professional, environmental, and wildlife conservation scientists, participate in real-world scientific fieldwork research projects and be trained as research assistants.   

Having said this, students need not be studying sciences to attend. We encourage ALL Year 10, 11 and 12 students to join!   

Parents and students are invited to attend a 25-minute virtual presentation about this school expedition to Peru on Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m. by clicking this meeting link. 

Please watch the official school trip video and see below for further information.

Operation Wallacea — Peru trip information

Operation Wallacea Peru 2024

Operation Wallacea — Parent letter

Please contact Mr. Brent Evans, Mr. John Sweetman or Mr. Nathan Adams for further information. 

From the Parent Organization

Welcome back to all Upper School parents from the Parents' Organization (PO). We are so excited to be back to school with a full slate of events and volunteer opportunities for parents to engage in.

By now you should have received a “welcome back” email from your PO Year Representatives that provides you with some beginning of year information. If that note has yet to arrive in your inbox on record, please have a look using the links below.

Year 8 letter

Year 9 letter

Year 10 letter 

Year 11 letter

Year 12 letter

Also, please be sure to register via the link in the welcome letter above or in the hyperlink below for your year's Coffee Morning! These year-level events are a great way to reconnect with old friends, make some new connections and meet your year-level coordinator and senior administrators at the College. All take place from 8:30–10 a.m. in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge in the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex.

Dates are:

Year 8 coffee morning — September 26

Year 9 coffee morning — September 14

Year 10 coffee morning— October 12

Year 11 coffee morning — September 15

Year 12 coffee morning — September 12

We are looking forward to another year of community building!

TUBS is open!

The Used Blues Shop (TUBS) sells gently used uniform items and UCC spiritwear. We are also the home of the Upper School Lost and Found.

We are open Monday to Friday:

8–9:00 a.m. (except Wednesdays)

11:45–1:30 p.m.

3–4 p.m. (except Fridays)

Donations can be dropped off at reception and if you are interested in volunteering, please email TUBS 

SIGN UP | New year, new volunteer opportunities for parents

UCC’s vibrant parent community is one of the many special things about the College. No matter how much or how little time you have, the Parents’ Organization (PO) can find a volunteer opportunity for you. 

The PO assists with events such as Association Day (Oct. 14), Festive Marketplace (Dec. 8) and more throughout the year. 

If you’re interested in getting involved, please click here. For questions and more information, please email communityengagement@uccpo.ca.