Upper School April 17, 2025
Upper School April 17, 2025
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Friday, April 18 – Monday, April 21
Spring Midterm Break | School closed
Tuesday, April 22
Classes resume | Day 1
🌍 Earth Week
Last day of classes for Year 12 students
Year 8 Parent/Guardian Information Evening, 6:30 p.m., Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre
Wednesday, April 23
🕓 Student late start
🌍 Earth Week
Year 8 Parent Social at Toronto Lawn Tennis Club
Thursday, April 24
🌍 Earth Week
TEDxUCC Planet Forward, 4 p.m., Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre
Friday, April 25
👕 UCC spirit dress day
Farmers Market at 1:30–4 p.m. in Student Centre
UCC Jazz Night at 7 p.m. in David Chu Theatre
Upper School Leadership Team
It's been a busy, fun-filled week at the Upper School featuring a variety of memorable events.
On Friday, our Year 12 students joined together with their guests for a celebration at the “Batt Ball,” one of the College’s oldest traditions. An unforgettable night included food, dancing, and a performance from the legendary “teacher band”. This was followed on Monday with the annual Leaving Class assembly, the last assembly for graduating students. It featured the “blazer swap” in which outgoing and incoming stewards swap blazers, a teacher impression video created by our leaving class students, superlatives and some words of wisdom from the Head of the Upper School, Dr. Aitken.
During this past week, we did something different during community time. Organized by the student Math Society, the student centre was host to the “Math Fair” which featured mathematical games and prizes for all students to enjoy. During the fair houses also engaged in a house-based math competition, with the winning houses earning points towards the Prefects’ Cup!
Year 8 students also had the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary learning at Norval. Students engaged with Elder Garry Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, OCAD professor Shannon Gerard, and invasive species specialists from Credit Valley Conservation (CVC). Activities include guided hikes and observational drawings of invasive plant species, culminating in a final project that showcases both scientific insight and artistic expression.
Another yearly highlight took place over the past week, as the College opened its doors on Thursday evening for Nuit Bleue, a display of the fantastic work done across the arts here at the College. From music to fine art to drama and everywhere in between, our students’ talents were on full display!
Throughout the year, different cultures and religions celebrate moments of renewal and reflection - times to start fresh, think about the past, and look forward to what's ahead. Please click here to read more.
You're invited to an unforgettable evening of smooth rhythms and soulful melodies at our Jazz Night Concert!
Join us on April 25 at 7 p.m. in the David Chu Theatre as we celebrate the incredible talents of our musicians and honour our Leaving Class members.
Come and enjoy a night of great jazz music, memories, and heartfelt farewells!
For Year 9 and 10 families, please join us on Tuesday, May 6 from 6:30–8 p.m. in the Manucha-Bellamy Theater for an engaging evening focused on teenage wellbeing.
Our speakers, Caitlin Dobie (Upper School Counsellor) and Lincoln Smith (Innovation & Technology Coach), will share insights from their respective professional perspectives, followed by a Q&A session to open up conversation and connection.
After the talk, enjoy a relaxed social gathering with light refreshments — a great opportunity to meet other parents and staff. Click on the link to RSVP. We hope to see you there.
For more information, please contact Dr. Katherine Maloney, Year 9 Coordinator, or Ms. Sarah Khalanski, Year 10 Coordinator.
Dear Year 12 Families,
A reminder to Year 12 parents/guardians, that Year 12 students must return their school-owned laptop and the Apple 30W power supply and charging cable before they graduate.
It is recommended that Year 12 students return their school-issued laptop and power supply after their last exam, but the devices must be returned before the Leaving Class Ceremony on May 23. Both the laptop and the power supply must be dropped off at the Upper School Help Desk between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. The deadline is Friday, May 23, 3:30 p.m. Students must ensure all files are backed up.
The laptop must be returned in its case, in good condition. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear that is not covered under AppleCare+ for Schools will be billed to the UCC student account. Stickers must be removed from the laptop to avoid potential charges due to excessive sticker residue.
Please return the Apple 30W power supply and cable that was issued with the laptop. We only accept the small Apple branded 30W power supply. If the Apple branded power supply and charging cable is not returned, a replacement charge of $74 will be billed to your UCC student account.
Access to students Google Drive will be removed on July 31, 2025. Their Gmail account will remain active until Oct. 14, 2025. After October 14th the UCC Google account will be deleted, and there will no longer be access to any stored emails.
Students are responsible for backing up all their files that are on your hard drive before returning the laptop. Once the laptops are returned, they will be wiped immediately, and there will not be another opportunity to access the files. Students can use Google Takeout to move content from the UCC Google environment before July 31, 2025.
Thank you in advance, and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Kathleen Peak
Executive Director, Information and Innovation
Synapse Conference is a student-run mental health and neuroscience conference, free for all high school students. Attendees will hear from professionals in the field, participate in meaningful seminars and discussions, and engage in hands-on neuroscience demos and activities.
This year, Synapse is on Saturday, April 26, at UCC from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To sign up, please use this registration link. We hope to see you there!
For any questions, contact Matthew Tong, Class of 2026.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On the evening of April 22, we will be hosting a parent/guardian information session for the Class of 2029. After the meeting, there will be an opportunity to socialize.
Please note that there has been an adjustment to the time and the session will now be from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The focus of our time together will be a discussion of Wellbeing and Life/School Balance led by Emilia Martin and Caitlin Dobie; Wellbeing and Managing Technology: AI Policy led by Lincoln Smith; and a Year 12 Student Panel led by four portfolio stewards. There will be opportunities for questions throughout.
Please indicate here if you will be attending so that we may prepare accordingly.
New Time: 6:30–8 p.m.
Format: In-person, with an online option as well (Zoom link in calendar)
Location: Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre (Room 201)
Many thanks for your support!
Dance and social — music, dancing, games, karaoke, light refreshments and guests from other schools.
Date: Friday, May 2
Time: 8–10 p.m. (doors close at 8:30 p.m.)
Cost: $20
Theme: Country Club
Sign up: by Friday, April 25
Guest permission form Year 10-Year 11 Social — Friday, May 2 (UCC student to share link with guest)
Get ready to celebrate Earth Week with the UCC community! This year’s Upper School theme is “Food, Fun and Fashion” and we have an exciting lineup of activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re curious about making fresh chocotillas with maize and amaranth, eager to get your hands dirty potting indoor plants, passionate about thrifted fashion, or interested in crafting beeswax candles — there is something for everyone!
We’re also thrilled to be hosting UCC’s first-ever TEDx event, as well as a brand-new Farmers’ Market featuring sustainable local products. Plus, we'll be running an eWaste and soft goods collection drive all week in support of the Toronto Zoo’s great ape conservation initiative and Toronto Cares.
Check out the Upper School schedule!
We encourage everyone in the UCC community to take part - whether by joining an event, walking, biking or taking public transit to school, recycling eWaste or unwanted textiles, cleaning up a local green space, or simply spending time outdoors.
Let’s make this Earth Week one to remember - for our community and for our planet! 🌍🌱
Katherine Maloney
Upper School Sustainability Strategy Coordinator
Please click here to view all opportunities available.
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!
For Year 12 parents, please join us in raising a glass and saying some final farewells at the UCC Parent Grad social. This is a parents’ only event and takes place while the boys attend their Leaving Class Dinner at UCC.
It's the end of an era and we look forward to celebrating with you!
Event details:
Thursday, May 22
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Badminton and Racquet Club
25 St. Clair Ave. West
Cash bar and light snacks will be available.
Note: Parking is limited, so please consider taking an Uber, subway or parking in one of the many nearby lots.
For Year 8 to 11 parents, the UCC PO warmly invites you to an evening social with other parents in your son’s year. It’s an opportunity to meet, reconnect and celebrate the school year before we all break for the summer. Cash bar and light snacks will be available.
Location: Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, 44 Price Street, Toronto
Please find your son’s year below, and follow the link to RSVP. We hope to see you there.
Year 8 Parent Social
Wednesday, April 23, 7 to 9 p.m.
RSVP here by Wednesday, April 16
Year 9 Parent Social
Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
RSVP here by Monday, May 5
Year 10 Parent Social
Wednesday, May 14
RSVP here by Friday, April 25
Year 11 Parent Social
Wednesday, May 28
RSVP here by Wednesday, May 21
All students should have access to backpacks and school supplies to help them get the most out of their school experience. You can help students and families in need by donating to the UCC Backpacks and School Supplies Drive!
Backpacks and school supplies can be expensive. They can also wear out quickly, or are often lost or misplaced by students throughout the school year. They represent a problematic purchase for some students and their families.
This year’s Backpacks and School Supplies Drive will run from Monday, April 14 to Friday, April 25. You can help out TDSB students in need by making a donation of new backpacks and school supplies and/or a monetary donation.
For more information, please email Jayden Wong, Class of 2025.
For any information regarding a monetary donation, don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr. Sweetman directly.