Some things to remember:

• This year, Ontarians will acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday, Sept. 30. This day remembers the Indigenous children who did not survive residential schools as well as survivors and their families. 

• Our WE CALL art installation continues to guide our work to learn from and centre Indigenous knowledge networks and perspectives in our communities.

• Through assemblies and community time and we will discover new ways to renew and deepen our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation. 

Federal response:

The overarching goal of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action is to:

• Teach all Canadians the reality of Indigenous Peoples' treatment

• Create educational and economic opportunities for Indigenous Canadians so they can fully participate in society.

More information on the Federal Government’s response to the Calls to Action can be found here.

How can we be an ally to Indigenous communities?

• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and find ways to implement them.

• Support Indigenous businesses.

• Consider donating to Indigenous charities and foundations.

We're excited to announce a new section within Heads Up! Our Athletics page will provide updates to our community with highlights from Victoria Altomare-Varlokostas, director of Prep athletics and David Brown, director of Upper School athletics, every month. Read highlights from September here.

There have been a few incidents over the last few weeks where there have been phishing attempts through email and phone systems. This is a reminder that you will only be contacted by the College through the official UCC email (@ucc.on.ca domain) or from the College phone systems (416-488-1125).  Please ignore all other attempts to contact you. If you are unsure, please contact the College directly to confirm the communication.

As a reminder, the College’s privacy policy can be found here. As part of our secure parent portal (Bluenet), family contact information (email and cell) is shared within the UCC parent community. To request to have this contact data removed from the directory, please send a written notice to Prep or Upper School Administration.

Dear UCC families,

This year, students in Years 3 through 10 will write the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) test. 

This standardized test will be administered to Year 3–7 students on two mornings and to Year 8–10 students on two afternoons as follows: Monday, Oct. 2 (Math Literacy and Writing task A) and Tuesday, Oct. 3 (Reading and Writing task B). 

The ISA is based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) frameworks for reading, writing and mathematical literacy. The aim is to gather baseline information for students as a cohort to assist faculty as they consider instructional strategies that can be used to support learning. Regular ISA administration allows us to observe cohort growth and progress over time, inform ongoing improvements to teaching and learning, and compare UCC’s performance internationally. 

The ISA will be administered through the ISA online portal in your student’s classroom by their teacher and the Wernham West Centre for Learning. Please refrain from scheduling appointments or other absences during the period of ISA administration. No make-up testing is available due to the test’s confidential nature. Testing can only be administered at the school. 

It’s important to note that no preparation is required ahead of writing the test. It is meant to capture a snapshot of student skills and does not form any part of report card grades. The information gathered is for internal use only by faculty and administrators to inform teaching and learning at the College. ISA’s privacy statement is available here. We will work with the boys to ensure this is a positive experience. Families can assist by reinforcing that message and ensuring students are well-rested on testing mornings.  

Results from this year’s testing will be made available to families in the spring. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Associate Academic Dean and Executive Director of the Wernham West Centre for Learning Kathryn Barnes.

Yours sincerely,

Kathryn Barnes

Associate Academic Dean

Executive Director, Wernham West Centre for Learning

Julia Kinnear

Academic Dean

Dear UCC Community,  

To further enhance our athletics program with the opportunities to grow and develop we are pleased to announce that UCC has been granted Hockey Canada sanctioning for the U15 level and older. This sanctioning allows student-athletes at the College the opportunity to train and play exclusively for Upper Canada College, competing at the AAA-level across Canada and the United States. 

With the addition of a U15 team, UCC will now be able to provide selected student-athletes a world-class athletic development pathway while aligning with the school’s holistic vision and values around developing the whole person in a balanced and healthy environment. The program will focus on purposeful big picture development while playing a competitive schedule more conducive and aligned with our academics and students looking to pursue post-collegiate play. 

The benefits of this program are that students will have more time to focus on school, spend with their families and prioritize their mental and physical health. Additionally, the schedule will allow them time to get more involved in other UCC co-curriculars and clubs.

The new U15 team will be active for the 2024–25 school year with the selection process beginning later this year.  The team will be coached by Brett MacLean, our assistant hockey director. Brett comes to UCC after a playing career that includes time in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes and the Winnipeg Jets as well as in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals and in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage. Brett was previously the assistant coach of the University of Waterloo men's hockey team for 3 seasons and he’s worked extensively in player development with athletes in the NHL, OHL, various professional leagues, Team Canada women's national team as well as with players at all levels in minor hockey. 

We believe the U15 hockey team will help our student-athletes best work towards their goals of pursuing academics and hockey as they transition from U15, U16 through to varsity and beyond. In the coming weeks we will be hosting an information session to share more information on the program as well as offering evaluation skates for UCC students born in 2010 or those students born in 2011 who play a year up. 

If you are interested in learning more, please complete the information form available here.

Sincerely,

Dan Noble, Director of Hockey

Brett MacLean, Assistant Director of Hockey

David Brown, Upper School Athletic Director

Did you miss the spring Used Textbook Return or perhaps you have textbooks you wish to return because of a class change? If so, UCC has arranged for the Canadian School Book Exchange (CSBE) to be in the Bernick Family Foyer on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accept your donations and to facilitate your returns.

Return a textbook due to a course change:

• Log into your account and navigate to "My Orders." Please be sure to use the Upper School links for Upper School Books and the Prep School links for Prep School Books.

• Locate the order with the item you wish to return and click "View/Edit Order."

• Select "Request a return" to return items that are in policy for a return. Select "Yes" for the item you wish to return and "No" for the items you are keeping.

• Select "Create Return."

• When complete, a Return Authorization Number will show on screen, and you will receive an email with further instructions

• If you are returning your textbooks at the school, place the Return Authorization Number and/or QR code slips in a sealed box and bring it to the school for drop off.

• You may also call CSBE to obtain a Return Authorization Number and instructions at 1-800-335-5043. These textbook returns should be brought in a separate sealed box from used textbooks with the Return Authorization Number inside.

Selling gently used textbooks:

• Select the "My Account" link in this email header and navigate to "Sell My Books." Please be sure to use the Upper School links for Upper School Books and the Prep School links for Prep School Books.

• Select "Intake/Drop Off".

• Print the QR code and put it in a sealed box with the used textbooks you wish to sell.

• Bring the box to the Berick Family Foyer on Wednesday, Oct. 18. You may also select "Print & Ship" and follow the instructions if this date does not work for you.

• Please ensure your books are placed in a sealed box with the Return Authorization Number and/or QR code slips inside. For multiple boxes, please place a printed copy of the QR code on each box. When your book is sold through the CSBE, a percentage of the sale will go back to you and a percentage will go toward the Parent Associations' fundraising efforts. It's a win-win!

Best regards,
The CSBE Textbook Team

Please note that the weekly Association Family Skate at the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex will be cancelled on Sunday, Oct. 1. The family skate will resume on Sunday, Oct. 8.