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This week was a busy one in the Upper School, with several exciting events and activities taking place despite the Year 12s being engaged in their exams. Black Excellence Month kicked off with an assembly featuring guest speaker Randy McAuley who told his story — his lessons learned and challenges faced — and inspired the student body to appreciate those who helped them get to where they are today. The community also heard from a student playing Je Te Lasserai Des Mots by Patrick Wilson on the piano, as well as the Intermediate Jazz Band’s rendition of April in Paris by Count Basie and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore by Duke Ellington. 

The annual Personal Project Showcase was held, where Year 10 students presented their personal projects to the community. The projects were diverse and impressive, displaying learning about a passion area for each student. Projects included homemade toothpaste, building a speaker system, launching a podcast, building a guitar and much more! The students demonstrated a great deal of creativity, passion and skill in their work.   

Principal McKinney also delivered his remarks for Founder’s Day, reflecting on our heritage as a private school with a public purpose and our living values such as best self and a desire for a flourishing community. Students delivered announcements about important student-led events, including the World Affairs Conference and Sprint.

Other highlights this week include the Year 11 seminar, in which math students learned about their upcoming internal assessment (IA) project. The IA is an independent research project that allows students to explore a mathematical topic of their choice in depth. Some houses took full advantage of the winter weather during house meeting this week, including taking a break from a busy day to go tobogganing! 

Our academic and advisory feedback loop with parents, guardians, and students continued on February 12 and 13 with our second round of 3-Way Conferences in the Upper School, providing an opportunity to meet with teachers and advisers. These conversations are a vital part of the academic journey, allowing students to reflect on their progress, set meaningful goals, and receive constructive feedback that supports their growth. Ongoing dialogue between students, teachers and families fosters a collaborative approach to learning, ensuring that each student is supported in reaching their full potential.

Spirit dress week | February 18–21

Next week, following the February long weekend, the College will hold its yearly spirit week. In the Upper School, the theme is ‘rivalry week’ where rival houses face off in friendly competition each day of the week, culminating in the much anticipated Stewards’ Madness basketball tournament in which the houses face off in a basketball tournament, including a faculty versus student game. 

Each day features a different casual dress day according to the following schedule:

• Tuesday, Feb. 18: Twin day

• Wednesday, Feb 19: 90's 

• Thursday, Feb 20: Teachers and student dress swap

• Friday, Feb 21: Anything but a backpack

Year 8 | Updates and upcoming events

Please click here to read more.

Supporting student success

With report cards now in hand, this is a great time to reflect on how UCC supports students throughout their learning journey. At UCC, we are committed to equipping students with the skills, strategies, and mindset needed for academic success. A key part of this support comes through Academic Foundations (Years 8 and 9) and MYP Seminar (Year 10)—dedicated courses designed to develop essential skills in time management, research, literacy, critical thinking and personal project development.

Whether your son is in Year 8, 9, or 10, these sessions provide structured guidance and individualized support to help him confidently navigate increasing academic demands.

Academic Foundations: Building Strong Learning Habits (Years 8 and 9)

Academic Foundations is embedded in our curriculum for Years 8 and 9, equipping students with essential Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills:

• Thinking (transfer, critical, creative thinking)

• Social (collaboration)

• Research (information and media literacy)

• Self-management (reflective, affective, and organization skills)

• Communication (written and verbal expression)

Through this structured program, skills are taught explicitly to support students in developing effective learning habits, time and workload management, and strengthening their literacy and research skills. They also engage in evidence-based study strategies, such as retrieval practice, metacognition, and dual coding, to improve learning retention. In Year 8, students establish foundational academic habits such as task tracking, note-taking, and organization. In Year 9, they build on these skills with a deeper emphasis on digital literacy, research methodologies, and study techniques. They also explore responsible technology use, including digital citizenship, media literacy and the ethical implications of AI tools like ChatGPT.

A key component of the program is the assessment calendar, which helps students proactively plan for upcoming summatives, reducing stress and supporting healthy study habits.

MYP Seminar and the Year 10 Personal Project

By Year 10, Academic Foundations transitions into MYP Seminar, where students engage in advanced academic skill development, including preparation for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and the Personal Project (2P)— a hallmark of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

The Personal Project is a student-driven research experience that allows students to explore a topic of personal interest while applying skills developed throughout the MYP. Through guided seminars, mentor meetings, and structured check-ins, students refine their abilities in:

• Project Planning and Time Management – Setting clear goals and working through challenges.

• Research and Analysis – Evaluating sources, gathering evidence, and synthesizing findings.

• Communication and Reflection – Writing a structured project report and reflecting on their learning journey.

MYP Seminar also includes sessions on study habits, stress management, and critical reading skills, ensuring students are prepared for both the MYP and the transition to the Diploma Programme.

The role of the MYP seminar teacher: Relational learning and support

A critical element of MYP Seminar is relational learning—the idea that strong teacher-student relationships foster deeper engagement and personal growth. The MYP Seminar teacher plays a pivotal role in guiding students through the academic, organizational, and emotional challenges of this rigorous year.

By providing personalized mentorship and check-ins, Seminar teachers help students navigate self-directed learning, manage stress, and build resilience. This supportive environment ensures that every student feels confident and prepared for success.

How does this support your child?

The structure of Academic Foundations and MYP Seminar is intentional and responsive to student needs. It provides:

• Dedicated time to build and refine essential learning strategies.

• Opportunities for personalized support with research, writing, and self-management.

• A scaffolded approach that meets students where they are and challenges them to grow.

• Preparation for future academic success, ensuring a smooth transition to the Diploma Programme.

• A focus on relational learning, where students develop trust and meaningful connections with their MYP Seminar teachers, allowing them to seek guidance and support in a safe environment.

Additionally, the use of the assessment calendar is instrumental in helping students prepare for upcoming summatives. This structured approach to planning helps reduce stress and anxiety, giving students the tools they need to manage deadlines, balance their workload, and approach assessments with confidence.

With report cards now in hand, we encourage families to discuss the skills their child has been developing through Academic Foundations and MYP Seminar. Parents can support their son’s progress by encouraging conversations about study habits, organization, and independent learning strategies at home.

If you have any questions about Academic Foundations, MYP Seminar, or how these programs support your child's growth, please contact us. We are committed to ensuring that every student at UCC is equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in their academic journey.

Emilia Martin
MYP and Personal Project Coordinator 

Luke Griese
Teagan O’Halloran, and Autumn Wouda, Academic Foundations and Seminar Teachers 

Now open | 2025–26 Parents’ Organization self-nominations

The self-nomination process for the 2025–26 Parents’ Organization (PO) is now open until Thursday, Feb. 27. If you’ve been thinking of joining the PO, now’s the time to do it. 

There are many positions to fill for next year. The PO is a great way to stay informed and connected with the school, support our students, and interact with other parent volunteers through PO events and in-person meetings.

PO goals and initiatives 

Our primary goal is to foster community engagement through social, informational and fundraising initiative—from hosting community speakers, parent get-togethers and used uniform and spirit wear sales to organizing our annual Festive Marketplace, there’s a volunteer position for everyone.

Sign up to volunteer

Read the PO role descriptions here and find the PO self-nomination form here. 

If you have questions, or would like to learn more about the PO, please contact Ann Katrusiak, PO Past President. And if you’re interested in helping out, but aren’t sure which position is right for you, reach out with your interests and availability and we’ll help you find a position. 

The self-nomination process closes on Thursday, Feb. 27, so don’t wait to submit your form.

We're grateful for your support and hope you’ll join us next year.

UCC Parents’ Organization