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Dear Prep Families,

We have much to celebrate and look forward to during this season of reflection and renewal! Yesterday evening, Mr. Labancz and our host families picked up our visiting students from France, on Monday the Primary division celebrated Schwa day (ask your child to explain the most common vowel sound in the English language!), and on Tuesday 1M had an incredible trip to Norval.

We would like to acknowledge the important celebrations that occur during this season, and wish families who have celebrated, or will be celebrating, a warm holiday season.  Each of these holidays have a connection to reflection (thinking about past actions, reflections and what we’ve learned) and renewal (a fresh start, new beginnings and growth).   As well, these cultural and religious celebrations were addressed last week during our Community Time activity and will be acknowledged in various ways through programming in the Prep.  

Lunar New Year: During these East Asian celebrations - often referred to as the Spring festival - many people spend time with family, clean their homes for a fresh start, and share good wishes 

Nowruz: The Persian New Year welcomes Spring with special foods, cleaning homes and spending time with family.  

Holi: Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of Spring and the end of winter.  People throw bright colours, sing, and dance to welcome joy and new beginnings.  

Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr: During Ramadan, many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, reflecting on gratitude, kindness, and patience.  At the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is a joyful celebration with family, food and giving to others.  

Easter: Easter, one of the most important holidays in Christianity, also called Resurrection Day, is a holiday that is celebrated in Spring.  Christians celebrate Jesus Christ being raised from the dead bringing a sense of hope and joy. A number of  ancient customs are also associated with Easter such as rabbits and coloured eggs, which are symbols of new life.  

Passover: Passover, or Pesach, celebrates the freedom of the Jews from enslavement in ancient Egypt.  People who celebrate gather for a special meal called a Seder and think about the importance of standing up for fairness and justice.  

Vaisakhi: Vaisakhi is an important festival for many Sikhs, marking a time of community, reflection, and celebration.  It is also a harvest festival, giving thanks for food and nature.

Please note that this is a longer issue of Heads Up with important information on the Year 7 Transition to Upper School, upcoming French Exchanges, the PYP Exhibition, a Year 3 and 4 Family Design Challenge and upcoming Student Led Conferences on April 25 (sign up opens tomorrow!). 

Last fall, the Upper School piloted a new platform for booking and hosting virtual conferences called SchoolCloud. Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive and as a result, the Prep will be using SchoolCloud for conference scheduling. This platform also includes a built-in video conferencing feature which will be an option for Middle division student-led conferences.  

• For Year 6 and 7, families will have the option to attend conferences in person or online.  

• From SK–Y5, all conferences will be in person.  

All information and instructions for student-led conferences are linked in the articles below. These conferences provide students with an authentic opportunity to reflect on and share their learning and help deepen the partnership between home and school.  

Your partners in learning,

Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

Primary student-led conferences | April 25

In Primary, formal feedback of learning happens throughout the year in a variety of forms. In the form of report cards, parent-teacher conferences, three-way conferences, and student-led conferences, the partnership between home and school and the development of reflective learners is fostered.

The upcoming student-led conferences create an authentic purpose for organizational and communication skills and the structure builds students’ sense of responsibility and accountability in their learning. It also hones their understanding of what it means to meet learning goals.

We are excited to host in-person student-led conferences once again this year. Student-led conferences will be held all day on April 25. Students do not have a regular school day but do attend with their parents/guardian for their Student Led Conference which you can sign up for using School Cloud.  The instructions to use SchoolCloud are here.

Parents and students can expect to be engaged in their student-led conference at school for approximately one hour. During this time students will facilitate a meeting with their parent(s)/guardian from start to finish using a “menu” of items featuring learning from the most recent term. 

Please note that SchoolCloud will open at 9 a.m. on April 11 and close at 4 p.m. on April 23. The time you select represents the start time for your 60 minute conference. Please be mindful of this if you are booking for siblings across divisions.

Dianne Jojic
PYP Coordinator

Years 6 and 7 student-led conferences

Feedback is one of the most important tools to help students develop and grow. In addition, building strong connections among families, teachers, and students is integral to continued academic development. UCC’s Middle Division 15-minute student-led conferences with Form Advisors provide an opportunity for both holistic feedback and connection to take place. Details are as follows:

• Interviews for Year 6 and 7 students and their families will take place on Friday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; interviews will take place in 15-minute intervals virtually using SchoolCloud or in person. There are no classes for students on Friday, April 25.

• SchoolCloud will open at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 11

• SchoolCloud will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23

• SchoolCloud sign-up details for conferences are here

• To encourage ownership over their learning and development of self-advocacy skills, students should be present for their conferences and participate in the dialogue. Students will use FLEXtime to prepare for their conference. Students should introduce their parents at the beginning of the conference.

• If attending virtually, please access SchoolCloud only at the time of your scheduled appointment. If attending in person, please wait outside your child’s Form room until your scheduled appointment.

• There are no classes on Friday, April 25, during the student-led conferences, as students and teachers are fully involved in these meaningful conversations.

Thank you for your continued support.

Gareth Evans
Assistant Head, Middle Years

Year 7 | Transition to the Upper School

Dear Year 7 parents,

With the spring term in full swing, it's also time to look ahead, and for the Year 7s this means thinking about their transition to the Upper School.

• Upper School house placement: All families completed and submitted information outlining any family connection to the Upper School house system. Students without a family connection were placed in a house according to numbers, academic background, co-curricular interests, and group dynamics. House placements were emailed to families yesterday, Wednesday, April 9.

• Year 7 family information evening: This information session will take place at the Upper School on Wednesday, May 7. We'll begin at 6 p.m. with light refreshments and the formal program will run 6:30-7:45 p.m. in Laidlaw Hall. Year 7 parents are invited to learn about the Year 8 program and the Upper School. The administrative team will provide an overview of the Upper School experience, with a focus on student support; parents will then be taken on a school tour by student House leaders. It's strongly suggested that at least one parent attend. Only parents have to attend this event.

• Year 7/ Year 10 mentor one-day retreat: All Year 7 students will participate in a Year 7/Year 10 mentor one-day retreat at Norval. This will take place on May 8 or May 9, depending on your child’s Upper School house placement. Please see below for the day your child’s Upper School house will visit Norval.

Transition to the Upper School information evening

Dear Year 7 Parents, 

We invite you to a Year 8 Information Evening that will take place on Wednesday, May 7, beginning at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. The formal program will run 6:30-7:45 p.m. in Laidlaw Hall. Only parents have to attend this event.

This evening is dedicated to supporting Year 7 students and families in transitioning to the Upper School. Speakers include our Head of School, Assistant Heads, MYP Coordinator, Head Steward and Year 8 students. To ensure we accommodate all attendees, please fill out this Google Form if you plan to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Following the presentation in Laidlaw Hall, families can tour the Upper School with Student Leaders. 

All the best,

Ms. Levene, Ms. Martin and Mr. Jugoon

Update | Year 4

Dear Year 4 Families,

We hope this message finds you well. We are excited for you to see the effort and dedication your sons have put into organizing their work for the upcoming Student-Led Conferences. This will be a wonderful opportunity for them to take pride in their learning and share their progress with you. We look forward to your participation and support.

Both of the Year 4 classes are fully engaged in our current unit of inquiry entitled, “Communication”. We have been discussing the different ways to communicate, and our students are doing an excellent job writing their own poems. Throughout this unit, the students will be introduced to the following poems: Concrete, Rhyming Couplets, Haiku, Cinquain, Quatrain, and Clerihew. So far, the students seem to really enjoy expressing themselves through words, phrases, and images.

In math, we just finished our unit on decimals, where the students learned how to convert decimals to fractions and vice versa, as well as adding and subtracting decimals. This week, we're starting our new unit on angles. 

In language, the students are starting a new creative writing initiative and are getting ready to choose their poems for the Year 4 Poetry Slam activity. More details to follow.

This is a quick reminder that the biking unit is quickly approaching, and the students are asked to bring in their bikes and helmets clearly labelled on Wednesday, April 23, as we prepare for our upcoming Norval bike adventure. Please make sure your child's bike is the correct size for them and is in safe, working condition. In the meantime, it's a good idea to start biking at home to prepare for what is a challenging trip. 

With our warmest regards,

Michael Bushey and Mark Ferley
Year 4 Form Advisors

Update | Year 5 design

Year 5 students recently wrapped up an engaging mini coding unit where they were introduced to LEGO robotics, mBlock—a block-based programming platform—and Halocode, a small wireless circuit board with built-in sensors and LEDs designed for physical computing and interactive projects.

One of the highlights of the unit was designing interactive math games for younger students. They created cause-and-effect style games using cardboard game boards, alligator clips, and Halocode computer chips. For example, in one math game designed by a student, players pressed buttons to answer questions, and if correct, the Halocode would light up to celebrate success.

This mini unit also served as an introduction to circuits and physical computing, setting the stage for deeper learning later in the year. Students will revisit this unit at the end of the academic year to build on their coding and computational thinking skills.

Students are currently deep into their new design challenge by creating interactive board and video games that teach others about their PYP Exhibition topics. Working in groups, they are moving through the design cycle by iterating, researching, prototyping, and refining their games with the end user in mind. Whether it's a younger student or an adult, their goal is to make their games fun, meaningful, and educational. They are also implementing multiple challenge levels to suit a range of players.

We look forward to you experiencing their creative and thoughtful designs on Exhibition Day!

Joanna Martin
Innovation and Technology Coach

PYP Exhibition update

Year 5 students hit the ground running after March Break. Their groups have decided team names, group agreements, created mind maps to determine each group member's line of inquiry and research has begun. 

So far students have written questions and sought the answers for questions connected to all of the IB specified concepts:

FORM - What is it like?

FUNCTION - How does it work (or not work)?

CAUSATION - Why is it the way it is?

CHANGE - How has it changed?

CONNECTION - How is it connected to other things?

PERSPECTIVE - What are other points of view?

RESPONSIBILITY - What is being done?

Students have met their mentors to check in on their progress, and have also started to record regular learning log entries on SeeSaw. Please check your student's learning log entry to see their progress. 

You may want to ask your child about their learning to date. Here are some conversation starters:

• How’s it going so far? (Chat about group name, agreements, progress, and who is inquiring into what.) 

• Tell me about your learning so far (What’s the coolest thing? What’s the most surprising thing? What's it making you think about?)

• Who else cares about your issue? (Have you found any organizations working to solve the problem?)

We are always interested in tapping into experts and resources in our community. If you are an expert or know an expert in any of the exhibition topics below, please let us know.

Students issues this year include: 

• Sustainability – sustainable cities, urban planning, renewable energy

• Human Rights – children’s rights

• Poverty – homelessness, hunger, access to resources

• Our planet 

  • Ocean health – oil spills, plastic pollution 

  • climate change – overfishing, deforestation

  • Waste – landfills

  • Air pollution

• Innovation and Technology – cyber crime, media bias, hacking, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cyber bullying

• Animals Rights – endangered species, animal endangerment, habitat loss

• Racism – systematic racism, antisemitism.

We hope you are having rich Exhibition-related conversations at home.

Next week, our focus will shift to consolidating research, conversations about teaching others and website design, and dialogue about stakeholders and how one might take action on our issues.

We wish to thank Year 6 PYP Exhibition Experts who visited each Year 5 classroom to answer student questions and provide some “if I knew then, what I know now” advice to Year 5 students. 

Remember to mark May 9 on your calendar as we will share learning from 1–3 p.m. Details about timing and format will be forthcoming.

As always, should you have any questions about the PYP Exhibition, please contact your child’s form adviser or Dianne Jojic, the PYP Coordinator.

Dianne Jojic

PYP Coordinator

Update | Years 6 and 7 science programs

Dear families,

As the sun continues to move northward to the Tropic of Cancer and our days become increasingly longer and warmer, we are providing an update on the Year 6 and Year 7 science programs.

Year 6 science

The Year 6 students are currently in the middle of their Structures and Forces unit. At the end of the month, they'll demonstrate their learning and understanding through a written assessment. As a much more exciting hands-on project, students will be working with a partner to build a popsicle stick bridge that incorporates trusses. The goal of this project is for students to determine which design will have the best “structural efficiency” — the bridge that will weigh the least but can hold up the most mass. Below are examples of some creative student bridges from last year:

Students will finish this unit by completing a lab report analyzing the class results and data. The final unit for this year is Ecosystems, where students will be investigating the natural world around them and looking at interactions among living things. They will complete this unit with a two-day overnight trip back to Norval in June.

Year 7 science

Upon returning from Winter Break, the Year 7 students investigated cells, the building block of all life on Earth. We began by learning to use microscopes and making wet mounts using water samples from pond water— simulated with an aquarium and a grass infusion. Below are links to sample videos taken with our microscope cameras:

• Rotifer

• Microscopic Crustacean

The central role of proteins was a common thread connecting our lessons. We studied the function and structure of cellular organelles, such as DNA, RNA, mitochondria, ribosomes and Golgi Bodies. We investigated how DNA is transcribed into RNA and then translated to create proteins. Students studied the genetics of Sickle Cell Disease, and Ms. Victoria Gray, the first patient to receive CRISPR-Cas9 genetically modified cells as a treatment for this disease. Students were prompted to reflect on the ethical concerns that naturally arise from the future possibilities of germline editing of cells. 

To consolidate our lab skills and our previous unit on chemical reactions, the students investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of fermentation of sugar by yeast. Using digital CO2 sensors and water baths, yeast and water solutions were placed at four different temperatures. The sugar fermentation was monitored by measuring the CO2 produced over 20 minutes. The results were interpreted using the collision model of chemical reactions. 

Years 3 and 4 | Family Design Challenge 

Following the success of our last Family Design Challenge with SK – Year 2, we are thrilled to invite Year 3 and Year 4 families to join us for the next exciting session in the Brenda and Reid Chen Innovation Lab on Tuesday, April 22, from 3:45– 4:45 p.m.

Thank you to all the families who joined us in February. It was a wonderful afternoon of collaboration, creativity, and joyful making!

This time, we’ll be tackling a new hands-on challenge: The Chain Reaction Machine! Can you and your child design a creative contraption that uses a series of chain reactions to complete a simple task? 

Together, you’ll experience how our Years 3 and 4 students bring design thinking and inquiry to life in the Innovation Lab. 

We have space for 15 families, and spots will be available on a first come, first served basis. If you would  like to join us, please fill in this Google Form as soon as possible:

We look forward to another fun and inspiring afternoon together.

Brenda and Reid Chen Innovation Lab
Tuesday, April 22
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Stay tuned for details about our final Family Design Challenge with Year 5! 

Joanna Martin
Innovation and Technology Coach

Prep mathematics | Contests update

Year 5 Math League Contest: All students in Year 5 will write the Canadian National Math League contest on Wednesday, April 16 during class time. This will be a valuable experience for our mathematicians. Students can access sample contests and solutions here. 

Year 6 and 7 Gauss math contest: All students in year 6 and 7 received an email last week from Mr. Ismail to register for the Gauss contest to be held in Weston Hall on May 14; the deadline for registration is today, April 10, 2025. As usual, students can access past contests and solutions by navigating the Challenges and Extensions section in their Math page on Brightspace.

Riyaz Ismail
Subject Learning Leader for Mathematics

Paris, Pastries, and the Perils of Public Transit: UCC Takes on France

Click here to read about their Parisian adventures.

French Exchange programs

Dear UCC Families and French Exchange Candidates,

We are thrilled to announce two captivating French Exchange programs with Ermitage International School in Maison Laffitte, Paris. If you've expressed interest for your child, read on for details:

Ermitage Language and Culture Exchange (5 weeks):

• Students paired with Ermitage peers based on shared interests.

• Duration: Early September to mid-October (dates TBD).

• Experience French school life, family activities, and cultural immersion.

• Regular communication encouraged between families and exchange partners.

• Support provided by Ermitage Exchange Coordinator, Tania Ambridge.

• Ermitage students visit UCC families for 5 weeks in April

• No organized reciprocal day trips; focus on academic integration.

Ermitage Culture and Language March Break Exchange (2 weeks):

• Students paired with Ermitage peers based on shared interests.

• Duration: March Break (dates TBD).

• Blend of half-day classes and cultural excursions in Paris.

• Emphasis on cultural immersion, family engagement and communication.

• A UCC faculty chaperone will accompany students.

• Reciprocal exchange: French students visit Canada during Ermitage 2 week April Break.

• UCC organizes cultural experiences for visiting students.

Information about Ermitage:

Ermitage International School Slideshow

Video March Break 2025

Video March Break 2024

The application process:

For the Ermitage 5-Week Language and Culture Exchange:

• Candidates must be fluent in French and possess a strong academic record.

• They should be prepared for the rigorous curriculum and potential impact on fall team athletics.

• Applicants must demonstrate independence, maturity, and adaptability, representing UCC and Canada with excellence.

• Only 2 Year 6 students entering Year 7 and 2 Year 7 students entering Year 8 will be selected.

For the Ermitage 2-Week Culture and Language Exchange:

• Candidates should show motivation in French learning and adaptability in second language settings, fluency is not required.

• Candidates must have prior experience traveling without parents and exhibit maturity in decision-making.

• We're accepting 5 Year 5 students entering Year 6, 5 Year 6 students entering Year 7, and 5 Year 7 students entering Year 8.

Ensure your child meets the criteria and submits their application promptly for consideration.

Please complete the questionnaire linked here and return it to me by April 30 at plabancz@ucc.on.ca . The selection committee will begin interviewing selected candidates in May. Furthermore, candidates will have their academic standings reviewed while seeking input from form advisers and subject teachers.

As the selection process moves forward, we will endeavor to keep parents informed of the school's decisions by the end of May. It is important to remember that due to space limitations, we cannot accept all applicants. Younger candidates may take solace in knowing that we will continue to offer programs for Year 6, 7 and 8 for the foreseeable future.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

Peter Labancz 

Years 6 and 7 | Laptop exchange

As you know from Kathleen Peak's recent email, we're excited to announce that our Year 6 and 7 students will be receiving brand new laptops in June! The Prep Laptop Exchange is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10.

To ensure a smooth transition, we'll be guiding students through a few important preparation tasks during class time over the coming weeks. This will include time to organize their files, both on their current laptops and in their Google Drive. We will also be installing Google Drive for Desktop to make backing up any important items even easier. In addition, time will be spent reviewing the school’s Acceptable Use Policy.

As we approach the exchange, we kindly ask for your help in ensuring the current laptops are returned in good condition. Please take a few moments with your child to inspect their device for any visible damage, such as cracked screens or missing keys. If you notice any issues, please have them bring the laptop to the Prep School Help Desk as soon as possible. This will allow us to facilitate any necessary repairs under our AppleCare+ coverage before it expires. Please be aware that any damage beyond normal wear and tear that is not covered by AppleCare will unfortunately be billed to your child's UCC account.

If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming laptop exchange, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kathleen Peak at kpeak@ucc.on.ca.

Sarah Barclay

Middle Division Innovation and Technology Coach

Year 7 and Year 10 | One-day retreat

Year 7 students will complete a student profile (personal interest information, academic interests, information about participation in the arts program and athletic program, participation in outside activities, etc.) to be shared with their Upper School Senior House Adviser.  

During the mentor retreat on May 8 and 9, information about your child’s student profile will also be shared with their Year 10 mentor as they begin to lay the foundation of a healthy mentor/mentee relationship. 

Please ensure your child dresses appropriately for the weather on the day they travel to Norval. Year 7 students should arrive at school for their regular drop-off time and are scheduled to arrive back from Norval at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans

Assistant Head of the Preparatory School, Middle Division

Donate | Staff Appreciation Lunch

We need your support to make this year’s Staff Appreciation Lunch a success!

A time-honoured tradition at UCC, the Staff Appreciation Lunch is our school community’s way of thanking all the different staff who help make our students’ experience at the College so remarkable. This includes teachers, administration, arena staff, housekeeping, food services and support staff. Approximately 350 staff will attend the lunch on Wednesday, May 28, in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge.

The Staff Appreciation Lunch is fully funded by parent donations, so please contribute to this wonderful event for all of our UCC staff by donating here. 

Thank you so much for your support! 

Earth Month | Thrift Shop

Don’t forget to send your loved, used, but no longer needed casual T-shirts of any style for our PPO Trift Shop. Help our boys learn sustainability and thrifting. 

Donations can be left in the box in the Prep Foyer until April 17. Thrifted fashion will be sold as a PPO fundraiser for $5 per item Wednesday, April 23. Thrift Shop Flyer

Save the date | Blue Bash

Register | PPO and PO Spring Luncheon