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As the weather turns a little warmer, students have been taking advantage of the outdoors at the Upper School. Our community participated in the first Fun Friday of Spring with a variety of wellbeing activities, including a scavenger hunt, badminton, House trivia and chess - tech-free sessions aimed at getting students and colleagues connecting, relaxing and creating. Our Principal’s Assembly focused on festivals of renewal and reflection, and included a moving speech by our Pluralism Steward on the importance of personalizing one’s learning and using the Spring season as a time for personal growth. A number of students then presented poems and reflections on a variety of significant observances, including Lunar New Year, Vaisakhi, Ramadan, Eid, Holi, Nowruz, Passover, and Easter.

On Wednesday morning, our University Counselling Office (UCO) and Alumni Relations teams hosted "Year 10 Careers Morning," welcoming over 20 alumni members from the past five decades to share insights and experiences with all Year 10 students as part of the Year 10 Careers Course. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to explore diverse career paths, gain firsthand knowledge, and engage in meaningful discussions with alumni working in various fields. Through these conversations, students were able to ask questions, seek advice, and gain a deeper understanding of potential future career paths.

IB Film Festival 2025

Invitation | Nuit Bleue 

Year 12 | Battalion Ball 

One of UCC’s oldest traditions, the Battalion Ball, is taking place for Year 12 students on Friday, April 11 from 8 to 11 p.m. at Palais Royale (1601 Lake Shore Blvd. West). This is an opportunity for the Leaving Class to celebrate together with their guests. The cost is $85 per ticket.

Parents, if your child is planning to attend, you must fill out this form. Please note that it requires both parent and student signatures. There is a separate form linked within that must be sent to any guests planning on attending.

If you have any questions please, contact Andrew MacDougall, Assistant Head of the Upper School. 

Year 8 | Parent/guardian information evening 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On the evening of April 22, we will host a parent/guardian information session for the Class of 2029. After the meeting, there will be an opportunity to socialize. More details on the meeting agenda to follow soon.

Please indicate here if you will attend in person or virtually so that we may prepare accordingly.

Time: 7–8:30 p.m.

Format: In person, with an online option (link to follow)

Location: Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre (room 201)

Many thanks for your support!

Gillian Levene and Alvin Jugoon

Sign up | Years 10 and 11 social on May 2

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 

• Permission Form: Year 10–Year 11 Social — Friday, May 2  

• Guest permission form Year 10-Year 11 Social — Friday, May 2 (UCC student to share link with guest)

 Register | Inaugural Coxford Lecture at UCC for Year 10 and 11 students

We’re pleased to announce the Coxford Lecture series at UCC. Generously supported by Stephen and Katharine Coxford, parents of Peter ’15, Andrew ’17 and Thomas ’23, this annual lecture offers students, parents and our senior volunteer community the opportunity to hear from a distinguished Canadian guest lecturer on the topics of civic engagement and public service.

Our inaugural speaker will be Kelly Meighen. A former UCC governor and past parent, Kelly currently serves as the chancellor of Western University. Her leadership and commitment to public service has profoundly impacted organizations locally and globally such as CAMH, the Stratford Festival, Evergreen, Jack.org, the Wellesley Hospital, Huron University College and the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Coxford Lecture at UCC with Kelly Meighen

Wednesday, April 16

2 p.m. Lecture in Laidlaw Hall

3 p.m. Refreshments in the Student Centre

Click here to register

Embedded into our curriculum, the Coxford Lecture complements the Year 11 CORE course and its focus on the development of essential skills such as critical thinking, reflection and other-mindedness, and encourages students to see themselves as world citizens who can make an impact locally and globally. Year 12 students are welcome to attend with their teachers' permission.

Coxford Lectures are delivered annually at the Faculty of Law at Western University and Victoria College at the University of Toronto. UCC is proud to become the newest home for this esteemed series.

UCC Music students welcome William Leathers

On Tuesday, April 1, UCC music students had the opportunity to attend a workshop with William Leathers, first chair trumpeter of the Nashville Symphony. They refined their skills under his expert mentorship through both class instruction and ensemble sessions. This unforgettable experience left students inspired and enriched by his artistry.

UCC Backpacks and School Supplies Drive 

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, 2025, 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. 

Prioritizing wellbeing as we finish the year

Welcome back everyone to the final term of this school year. I hope everyone found time to rest and reset over March Break and are ready for the remainder of the school year. Recently our Wellbeing Steward, Charlie Walsh, spoke in assembly about the importance of taking breaks and resting to recover. He remarked that "whether you traveled, trained, or simply rested, it’s a reminder that taking breaks is essential for overall wellbeing. We often feel pressure to constantly be ‘doing,’ but rest is just as important for long-term success." Please see Charlie’s remarks from the assembly below in their entirety.

The student wellbeing council has been hard at work this year, organizing mental health talks with varsity athletes, reviewing dining hall nutrition, and sharing quick tips through the EAT SAS-SY section of the SAS weekly newsletter. They’re also planning Wellbeing Walks and recess games with the Prep to encourage outdoor activity. A huge thank you to the Wellbeing Council and to Charlie for his leadership as well as Upper School wellbeing coordinator, Ms. Rielly, and school counsellor, Ms. Dobie, for their dedication to supporting student health. Student leadership plays a key role in developing programs to meet the ever-changing wellbeing needs of the student community.

Over the next few weeks, in anticipation of the PO/PPO book club, I am reading The Tech Solution by Shimi Kang. 2021-22 Casey Fellow, Dr Shimi Kang's book offers many strategies to build awareness of healthy technology habits in the home and at school. Join us for the PO/PPO hosted book club on May 8 in the MacIntosh Library where we will discuss the first half of the book from 6- 7 p.m. and the second half in the fall.

Tina Jagdeo

Director of Wellbeing and Pluralism

March 24 Principal’s Assembly remarks by Wellbeing Steward, Charlie Walsh:

March Break just wrapped up, and for a lot of us, it was a much-needed reset. Many of you probably went on trips, some of you might have trained for sports, and some of you probably just took the time to sleep in and do absolutely nothing, which, honestly, is just as important. We spend so much of the school year in this constant cycle of classes, sports, assignments, and commitments that we don’t always realize how badly we need a break until we actually take one.

I think there’s this pressure, especially in a school like ours, to always be doing something productive, like studying for a test that you’ve convinced yourself that will dictate your future or going to a late afterschool practice even though you feel like you have hundreds of other tasks you need to do. And while working hard is important, it’s just as important to recognize that resting isn’t being lazy. Giving yourself time to slow down and reset is what actually allows you to perform better in the long run. If you burn yourself out, you’re not doing yourself any favours.

And that ties into what the Wellbeing Council has been working on over the past few months. We’ve been focusing a lot on ways to make sure students feel supported, not just academically, but in terms of mental and physical well-being too. We’re in the process currently of planning mental health talks hosted by varsity athletes and Lang Scholars, discussing the pressures that come with balancing academics and extracurriculars. We’ve been working on nutrition initiatives, like reviewing the options available in the dining hall and trying to improve the choices available to students. We’ve also been keeping the EAT SAS-SY section going in Mr. Guilford’s BE SAS-SY newsletter, sharing quick nutrition tips to help you make small but impactful choices for better energy and performance. We also hope to implement some organized Wellbeing Walks this spring to give you guys a needed break during classes. And lastly, with help from the community council, we’ve hosted recess games with the prep school during some Wednesday flex times to promote outdoor physical activity.

As we head into this final term, I want to remind all of you that wellbeing isn’t just something to think about when you’re struggling, it’s something to prioritize all the time. Take breaks when you need them. Recognize when you’re pushing yourself too hard. And if you ever feel like you’re drowning in everything going on, reach out. There are people around you who are more than willing to help, teachers, teammates, friends, and you’re always welcome to shoot me an email or drop in a Wellbeing Council meeting.

So as we wrap up the year, let’s finish strong, but let’s also make sure we’re taking care of ourselves along the way.

French Exchange 2025 

On March 5, 13 wide-eyed, adventure-hungry students from UCC’s Prep and Upper School touched down in Paris. Click here for the full report and photos.

Our students represented UCC and Canada with pride, and if their passport stamps, souvenir bags, and general air of newfound Parisian sophistication are anything to go by, this trip was an extraordinary success.

For those families new to UCC or those who have not participated in a French Exchange, keep your eyes peeled in May for information about our new Year 9 and Year 10 exchange in Luxembourg departing in March 2026.

RSVP now | Year 8 Parent Social 

The UCC Parents’ Organization warmly invites Year 8 parents and guardians to join us for a Spring Social. Join us to connect with other parents and celebrate the school year in a relaxed, social setting.  

Wednesday, April 23, 7 to 9 p.m.

Toronto Lawn Tennis Club

Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 16 by clicking here.