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Dear Prep Families,

As the new school year starts, it's with great excitement and anticipation that we extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. We hope you've all enjoyed a restful summer, full of joy, relaxation, and meaningful experiences.

At our Prep School, the start of a new academic year is a time of renewal and opportunity. It’s a chance for our students to embark on new learning adventures, to discover hidden talents, and to build upon the foundation of knowledge and skills they have developed in previous years. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff are eager to guide, support, and inspire your children as they explore, grow, and excel.

This year, we are enthusiastic about the innovative programs and enriching experiences that await our students. We are committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every student feels valued and empowered.

For our new families joining us, we want to extend a special welcome! You are now a part of our vibrant school community, and we look forward to getting to know you and working together to support your child’s educational journey.

To our returning families, welcome back! We are thrilled to see familiar faces and to continue building on the strong relationships and achievements from last year. Your ongoing support and involvement are crucial to the success of our school community.

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead filled with growth, discovery, and achievement. 

Warmest regards,

Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

Student and class photo day | Tuesday, Sept. 10

Student and class photos will take place for all Prep students throughout the day on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in Weston Hall.

Students in SK to Year 4 are expected to be in Primary Regular Dress, while students in Year 5 to Year 7 should be in First Dress, including black dress shoes. Please see page 27 of our Family Handbook for details concerning the uniform.

Years 6 and 7 Welcome Back Information Evening | Thursday, Sept. 12 

The Years 6 and 7 Welcome Back Information Evening for parents will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 7 p.m. to approximately 8:40 p.m. Information evenings provide families with an overview of the Prep’s academic program, general expectations and student supports.

The evening will begin in Weston Hall, then parents/guardians will move to their child’s classroom to hear from their child’s form adviser. Families are then invited to join our specialist faculty in our dining hall to learn about programming while enjoying some refreshments. 

For those interested, an optional mix-and-mingle event for parents/guardians and the Prep Leadership Team will take place from 6:15 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. 

Please see the table below for a snapshot of how the Middle Division Welcome Back Information Evening will unfold.

Please enter the Prep through the main entrance just beyond the Peacock Arch.

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans, Assistant Head of the Preparatory School: Middle Division

Sarah Fleming, Head of the Preparatory School

Mobile phones and smartwatches

If students have phones/smartwatches and bring them to school, they're expected to leave them turned off and in their locker from the time they arrive at school until they are dismissed. Students who leave these devices unsecured will have them confiscated, and they will be returned to students at the end of the day. There is no need for a phone/smartwatch before or during school. 

After dismissal, students in Years 6 and 7 may use their phones/smartwatches in the Bitove Lounge while waiting for pickup. These devices may never be used in the basement of Prep, in the Prep locker rooms or washrooms; they will be immediately confiscated if used in a prohibited area. 

No student may record or photograph any member of the community anywhere on campus without their explicit permission. Students who connect their personal mobile devices to the College network should expect that anything accessed or transmitted may be discoverable by UCC, thus, the same rules apply regarding anything done that contravenes UCC policies or provincial or federal law.

To contact your child during the school day, please call or email the form adviser. If your child needs to contact you, they may use the phone in the Prep’s Main Office. 

Footwear and our uniform for students in Years 5 to 7

Please note that students in Year 5 to 7 should have a pair of polishable dress shoes to wear on First Dress days, and all black running shoes for all other days. Please see more details concerning the uniform in the Family Handbook by following this link.

Locking lockers

All students in Years 4 to 7 are required to lock their lockers at all times. Unless a student still has their double padlock from last year, they will be required to purchase a double padlock at the beginning of this school year. This will allow them to lock their book and athletic lockers with padlocks that require the same combination.

Student Code of Conduct

All students in Years 6 to 12 at Upper Canada College are expected to sign the Student Code of Conduct that outlines their commitment to themselves and the community. Years 6 and 7 students will do so after reviewing the agreements with their form adviser. The Code of Conduct is also discussed in an age-appropriate manner by form advisers with students in SK to Year 5. 

Please follow this link to see a copy of our Code of Conduct.

Student private music lessons

Lesson information:

- Lessons are usually scheduled once a week by our private teachers 

- Cost is $44 each lesson (1/2 hr)

- Available for all band instruments for Years 5 to 12

- Available for violin, piano, guitar, and bass for Years 3 to 12

- Lesson times are first come, first served (teachers will reach out to you to schedule)

- Lesson times can occur during the school day only 7:40 a.m.–5:50 p.m.

For more information and to register, please use this application form.

Reasons for lessons could be: 

Recreational, assistance with keeping pace with curricular program, wanting to be "the best they can be" (soloist, leader in the bands), completion of RCM exams, getting a head start on the music program, advancing musical skills, assistance with skill development.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.

Sincerely,

Paul McGarr

Prep School Arts Coordinator

Years 6 and 7 Director of Bands

Sign up | Volunteer with the PPO

As we prepare for another exciting year at the Prep, we invite you to be a part of our vibrant school community by joining the team of parent volunteers!

This is a great way to build new connections, directly impact your child's UCC experience and contribute to the overall growth of our school. No matter what amount of time you have available to help out, we can find a volunteer opportunity that will suit your schedule. To explore current opportunities and sign up, please click HERE. 

Order today | Prep T-shirt bundle: Purple, Orange and Pink Shirt Days

The PPO has created a new three-shirt bundle for the awareness events we observe as a school. The bundle includes a purple shirt (Rowan's Law, September 25), an orange shirt (Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30, featuring the library mural designed by Philip Cote), and a pink shirt (anti-bullying, Feb. 26). 

From each order, $1 will be donated to each of the following organizations: the Concussion Legacy Foundation, the Indigenous Spirit Fund and Kids Help Phone. 

These classic fit shirts are 100% cotton and come in youth sizing from XS (2–4) to XL (18–20) and adult sizes from S-6XL. The shirts are bundled in a three-pack for $38.99.

Place your order here by Wednesday, Sept. 11. The shirts will be available for pick-up on the UCC campus no later than September 23 so that students can wear their purple shirts on Sept. 26 for Rowan’s Law Day. 

NOTE: As each item is a special order, we will not be able to provide refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.

Donate | Used Uniform Sale coming up 

Support shopping sustainably! Has your son grown out of last year’s uniform? As you clean out your closets, please drop off gently used uniform items in the Used Uniform blue box which you will find under the main staircase of the lower level of the Prep. Donations are always welcome, but please do not drop off stained, ripped or non-UCC clothing. 

Mark your calendars: the first Used Uniform Sale will be on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 2:30–4:00 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 12 from 8–9:30 a.m. at the Wilder Arena.

Donate | Children's gently used sports equipment 

The PPO will be collecting soccer cleats, shin guards, hockey skates, neck guards, hockey gloves and helmets that are in good condition to sell at our upcoming used equipment sale during the Used Uniform Sale this September. Please drop off items in the labelled bin by the lost and found at the Prep and thank you for your support!