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Dear Prep Families,

It's been a busy winter term at the Prep. Here is a peek into what's been happening in recent weeks in both the Primary and Middle divisions. Enjoy the videos!

Your partners in learning,

Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans
The Prep Leadership Team

Update | SK

The SK classroom is a busy and exciting place as the students constantly wonder, experiment, and make discoveries! 

We are in the midst of our ‘How the World Works’ unit and have been busily investigating our central idea: “Being an inquirer helps me to understand my world.” We laid the foundation of this unit by practising the skill of asking questions on Wonder Wednesdays, and the SKs have shown increasing depth of thinking and curiosity through their questions and wonders. We started a Wonder Wall to feature the SK’s latest “big, big questions.” As we reflected on emerging themes in their questions, we noticed a common thread—many students are curious about how things are made! To explore this theme, we have been following the inquiry process, learning about three key stages: 

1. Ask a question.

2. Find out (through observation, asking experts, and research using books, videos and websites).

3. Share your learning.

One of our most exciting processes of “finding out” has been our investigation of the question, “How is a laptop made?” The SKs found answers through detailed observation as they disassembled an old laptop! They worked together, taking turns with tools, collaborating to solve problems, and strengthening their fine motor skills as they handled tiny screws. Literacy was woven into our learning as we labelled parts and used books to research more about what we saw. Math also played a role—during an estimation activity, we discovered that the SKs had removed 86 screws from the laptop!

In literacy, we have introduced the terms fiction and nonfiction and have begun exploring their different features. These terms can be challenging for SKs to remember, so we encourage families to reinforce them at home. As we continue learning about nonfiction features, we will transition into a nonfiction writing unit where students will apply their knowledge to create their own informational books.

In our math program, we have been exploring 2D shapes. The boys have used the process of inquiry to determine the attributes of shapes and to investigate patterns that have emerged. Next, we will explore 3D shapes and use the process of inquiry to classify, sort and describe these shapes. We'll also continue to work with composing and decomposing numbers to 10 in a variety of contexts using different strategies and tools to assist us.

We sincerely appreciate our partnership with you in ensuring our SKs enjoy the best possible learning experience this year. Thank you for all the opportunities you have taken to collaborate with us to enrich our learning. Please continue to reach out to us if you have any ideas for collaboration. We look forward to all our upcoming Mystery Readers, collaborative celebrations and other presentations! 

Yours in collaboration,  

Anna Crawford
SK Form Adviser

French Week at UCC | Célébrons la langue et la culture française!

From Monday, Feb. 24 to Friday, Feb. 28, UCC will be celebrating French Week, a special time dedicated to appreciating the richness of the French language and Francophone cultures. A variety of engaging activities have been planned for students across different grades, creating opportunities for them to learn, play and immerse themselves in French in fun and interactive ways.

Daily Activities

🔹 Morning Announcements (Monday to Friday)
Each morning, students will hear a French trivia question and a song as part of our daily announcements. Students who email their answers to Mr. Labancz will be entered into a raffle to win a prize!

🔹 Primary Recess: French Story time and Q&A (Monday to Thursday)
Join us in the Prep Library for an engaging French story time, followed by a Q&A session with the chance to win prizes!

🔹 Middle Recess: Kahoot and Games Competition (Monday to Thursday)
Students can test their French knowledge and compete in fun language games during recess for a chance to win prizes.

Special events and performances

🎶 Fana Soro Performance  at Primary Assembly
We are excited to welcome Fana Soro, a talented musician and dancer from Côte d’Ivoire. Students will experience traditional West African music, dance, and storytelling in an interactive and engaging performance.

🎤 David Lane Beatboxing Performance at Middle Assembly
Get ready for an exciting and high-energy performance by David Lane, a professional beatboxer who has performed around the world.

🎬 French movie screenings

• Primary lunch movie (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

  • Gamba – A thrilling animated film for our younger students.

• Middle lunch movie (Wednesday and Thursday)

  • Coco Farm – Escape the cold, grab your lunch, and enjoy a French movie from 12:15-1:00 p.m.

French week competitions

📝 Middle Years Scattergories – In-class champion selection
Students will compete in-class to determine the Scattergories champions for each section.

🏆 Middle Years Scattergories Battle of Champions – French Assembly
Classroom winners will face off in the ultimate French Scattergories battle to crown the grand champion during the Middle Assembly.

French Week is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with the language in meaningful and fun ways. We encourage all students to participate in as many activities as possible. Merci et bonne semaine française ! 🎉🇫🇷

Update | Mathematics

Curriculum: Students in Year 6 are in the process of exploring their third unit involving 2D Geometry and Measurement. Year 7 students recently completed their third unit Ratios and Proportions and are now working on a project to apply their learning to understand compound interest/growth and decay and applying that understanding to explore the nature of investments as well as costs on borrowing. 

Supporting your child’s mathematics learning at home: When students can make connections with what they’re learning at school, it helps them build stronger conceptual understanding. If your child is in Year 6, it might be useful to include any discussions involving problems or experiences you encounter that relate to geometry and measurement; for example, when baking you might wonder how much more dessert you’ll have depending on the baking pan you use. If your child is in Year 7, consider discussing how you make good financial decisions and the effect of credit cards, investments, etc. on a family’s financial situation. If you use Excel or Google sheets, it would be great to show them how you use it; students will be practicing creating investment charts on Google sheets. 

Math contests at the Prep:

AMC8 math contest: On January 25, 95 students in Year 6 and 7 wrote the AMC8 math contest. Students will receive certificates of participation or of distinction from their math teacher and top scorers will be recognized at an upcoming assembly. A big thank you to Mr. Rossi, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Ma and Mr. Walderman for their efforts in making these opportunities available to the students. 

Upcoming contests: On around February 25, all Year 6 and 7 students will write the Canadian National Math League contest in class;  links to practice materials are available on students’ math course pages in Brightspace. In May, students who register will also write the Grade 7 Gauss contest facilitated by the University of Waterloo; registration information will be shared in March.  

Join us | Family Design Challenge 

We invite SK–Year 2 families to join us for a special hands-on session in our new Brenda and Reid Chen Innovation Lab on Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Come explore how design thinking and inquiry spark creativity and innovation in our lower primary years! Together with your child, you will take on a fun and engaging design challenge, experiencing firsthand how young learners problem solve, experiment and bring ideas to life through making.

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

No prior experience needed — just bring your curiosity and imagination!

We look forward to seeing you there! 

📍 Brenda and Reid Chen Innovation Lab

📅 Tuesday, Feb. 25

⏰ 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Pink Shirt Day 2025

The Prep will be marking Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, Feb. 26.  It is a day to think about the prevention of bullying and promoting kindness and inclusion.  

We encourage students to wear a pink shirt (with their regular uniform pants) to represent a commitment to being open minded, accepting of differences and respectful of all.  

We are pleased again this year to have our student Allyship Council helping to organize an activity connected to the day. The purpose of this group of Year 6 and 7 students is: 

• To support Faculty and students with exploring foundational concepts connected to allyship including being present and engaged in community issues    

• To promote the feeling of belonging throughout the whole school community                                                       

With this in mind, Council members will run an activity in which students can recognize the positive qualities and actions of others so, in a previous Council member’s words, “We can build a school where we can share our strengths.”  

These conversations will be a nice link to ongoing discussions in the school around identity, kindness and respect.  Though wearing a pink shirt makes a statement on the day, the message to students is that what is most important are our actions and how they impact those around us every day. 

Martha Boyce

Prep Counsellor and Health & Life Skills Teacher & Coordinator

PYP Exhibition | Information for parents

Year 5 is the last year of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and, as such, Year 5 students engage in the PYP Exhibition. The PYP Exhibition project is collaborative, student-directed, research-based, and action-oriented culminating learning experience in the final year of the PYP.  Students lead their inquiry connected to a local or global issue they care about. We've been focusing on issues related to the United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development and the IB transdisciplinary theme Sharing the Planet. 

We will celebrate the completion of the PYP Exhibition project with our community, including families, on Friday, May 9. Families, please mark your calendars. Details of Exhibition Day will be forthcoming.

To learn more about the PYP Exhibition process, parents are invited to attend a Parent Information Sessions which will happen via ZOOM. No RSVP is required. Please link to the meeting via the zoom link below.

• Tuesday, March 4 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ( Zoom link will be posted in next week’s edition of Heads Up)

Year 5 students have been talking about the PYP Exhibition since early this school year. Students have been digging into the IB Concepts, and using them to write questions in units of inquiry and during exhibition periods. They have been exploring “good news” stories of innovation and optimism in pursuit of taking action to help meet the United Nations Goals. They have discussed “stakeholders”—other people or groups who also care about the issues they are curious about. Students are beginning their “pre-search” phase of our research, reviewing resources in advance of choosing topics, both in the library and in class. 

The PYP Exhibition project is a collaborative project, done mostly at school with action elements supported at home when appropriate. 

Should you have any questions about the PYP Exhibition, please speak to your child’s Form Adviser or Dianne Jojic and plan to attend one of the PYP Exhibition Parent Information sessions.

Dianne Jojic

PYP Coordinator

Spirit Day to celebrate Shrek Jr. production

On Thursday, Feb. 27 and Friday, Feb. 28 in the Prep’s Weston Hall, fifty students in Years 5, 6 and 7 from UCC and BSS will present Shrek Jr., a classic fairy tale showcasing that everyone belongs, can find friendship and love all, mixed in with humour and a dragon. Shrek Jr. is sure to entertain the whole family! 

In celebration, the Prep will host another spirit wear day on Friday, Feb. 28. Students are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

• UCC spirit wear or

• Green-coloured clothing or

• Fairy tale characters from Shrek (e.g., Gingerbread Man, 3 Little Pigs, Big Bad Wolf, Pinocchio, Ugly Duckling, Peter Pan)

Additionally, there will be a table selling Shrek headbands ($5 each) during both morning recesses on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Bitove Lounge.

Sign up | 2025–26 PPO Advisory Committee

Dear Prep Parents,

The self-nomination process for the 2025-26 Prep Parent’s Organization (PPO) is now open!

Do you like to connect with other parents and feel part of a community? Maybe you love coming up with new ways to fundraise? Do you just want to be more involved in the school or have ideas about how we can make the Prep more sustainable? Join the PPO!  

Whether it’s a one-off event or a more consistent commitment you’re looking for, there's something for everyone on our committee. Please have a look through our advisory positions here.

PPO self-nominations will be open from Thursday, Jan. 30 to Friday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. 

Get involved and nominate yourself by completing this form. If you have any questions, please reach out to pastpresident@uccprepparents.ca.