Select a link to jump to an article.

The Upper School enjoyed a great end to its annual spirit week, including daily house activities, a Krispy Kreme donut giveaway by the PO, and themed dress days. It was capped off by a real highlight of the year, the annual Stewards Madness basketball tournament. Teams representing each house squared off in front of the student body to compete for house points, and representatives from all houses played against the faculty in a competitive showdown. 

This week started off with an incredible display of diversity, leadership and curiosity with our World Languages Week Principal's Assembly, which also focused on Black history and experience as part of Black Excellence Month at UCC. Our Community Steward shared his reflections on the act of saying hello as an invitation to communicate, connect and build relationships, followed by a student's presentation on his experience learning Mandarin and travelling to China to take part in The Chinese Bridge Competition. Students and colleagues further benefited from hearing from Mr. Guilford, who conveyed his own learning journey with the French language, focusing on the values of connection, broadening one's experience and building long-term cognitive health. Two excellent videos highlighted the myriad languages spoken in our boarding community, and a student spoke to the intersection between Black Excellence Month and language.

During Flex Time, students have been actively engaging in Clubs Time, Extra Help, and House Sports. It's great to see them making the most of these opportunities! The Year Level Reps have also done an excellent job organizing activities for their grades. A recent highlight was the Year 8 touch football tournament in the Field Bubble, which was a fantastic event.

Campus uniform sale

DGN-Kilters will be stationed on campus with their mobile sales van outside the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex on Friday, Feb. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Upper and Prep families may purchase Spring Dress uniforms and facilitate exchanges or returns. 

Spring dress starts Monday, March 24.

Patti Cawker-Chiang

Blues Shop Manager

Reminder | Founders Cup, Feb. 28

The Founders Cup will take place in the Hewitt Athletic Centre on February 28 from 4–8:30 p.m. The winning team of this full student-led teacher-and-student volleyball tournament will have the opportunity to donate a $20,000 prize to a charity of their choice. We are close to our fundraising goal and are turning to the community for the final stretch! To support the event, please email Charles Paterson at cpate27@ucc.on.ca.  This event isn't just about volleyball; it's about showing how we can make a difference and have more fully student-run projects like this! We encourage everybody at UCC and BSS to come out and enjoy the food trucks, live music, interactive games, and, of course, the volleyball! 

Year 8 | WAC-day excursion to the Norval Outdoor School

We are excited to invite Year 8 students to participate in a special WAC-Day excursion on March 5. Permission forms will be sent out through Bluenet this week.

This year, all Year 8 students will be headed to the Norval Outdoor School for a Winter Wellbeing Fun day and Maple Syrup Festival, depending on the weather. A Norval lunch will be provided. Students will be outside for part of this experience and they are asked to dress for the weather. As students will be spending time outdoors, it is important they dress appropriately (i.e. snow pants, hats, gloves) and bring a helmet should they wish to go sledding. Please contact us if you need one or more of these items.

Norval Winter Day information

• Winter fun day trailer and what to pack video

• Norval winter clothing list

Norval Spring Day information

• Early spring clothing list

Students will depart by bus from Upper Canada College on March 5 at 8 a.m. from the North parking lot. We will return to UCC by bus between 3:30 and 4 p.m. If the buses are going to be more than 15–20 minutes late, we will send out a communication to families. 

Students are permitted to bring their phones on the bus, though our gaming policy still applies, and they will be asked to not use them during programming at Norval.

Many thanks for your support,

Brent Evans, Alvin Jugoon, Gillian Levene

REMINDER | Course selection for 2025–26

Students entering Year 11 must have course selections ​and ​online parent/guardian approval completed by Friday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.  The course request system will be closed at this time. 

Student course selection instructions

Entering Year 11

Parent/guardian approval process
Please use the following steps to complete the approval process: 

Review student choices in their Bluenet account (login required).

• Have students log in to ​their Bluenet account ​and view selections. 

• There are specific directions available in a link in their Bluenet. 

• Any course a student wishes to change can be deleted by using the trash can icon. Then add the preferred course.

Approve course selections by ​the Friday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.:

• Log in to Bluenet with your parent/guardian account.

• Click the yellow banner at the top of the page alerting you to the school form.

• Click the ​REVIEW​ button next to the ​appropriate course selection approval for 2025–26 form​.

• Follow the prompts on the form in order to submit your approval. Only one parent/guardian needs to approve the ​course selection form​. 

• You will receive a message upon submission of your approval.

If you would like to discuss your student’s choices before approving them, please contact one of the following: 

Alison Champ, Bremner's and Howard's 

David Hanna, Jackson's 

Stephanie Rose, McHugh’s, Mowbray’s, Martland’s (L-Z)

Nili Isaacs, Orr's, Scadding's, Martland’s (A-K)

Andrew Turner, Seaton's and Wedd's

Thank you for your ongoing support as we prepare for the 2025–26 academic year.

Co-curricular theatre presents: Inferno

Midway on our life’s journey, I found myself 

In dark woods, the right road lost. To tell 

About those woods is hard —so tangled and rough…

Request for volunteers | John Symons memorial at Christ Church Deer Park

In remembrance of John Symons, a special reception for the Symons family will be held at Christ Church Deer Park on Saturday, March 15 from 1–3 p.m.

As well as devoting his career to UCC, John gave a great deal of care and love to his congregation and Church property.

There is an opportunity for eight UCC students to serve as Greeters, Servers, and kitchen help. We would be very pleased to have students earning Community Service hours assist with a few jobs to relieve the family. The family and their friends from UCC will be in attendance. David Burt ’67 will assist volunteers and organize them when they arrive at 12:30 p.m. They will wrap up by 3:30 p.m.    

Please fill out this form if your student would like to volunteer. 

Volunteer coordinator Jayne Miles Simpson can be reached at 416-489-2400.

Homework habits: striking the right balance

As we move into the final term of the school year, we continue to examine how best to support our students in managing their academic responsibilities while maintaining a healthy school-life balance. Homework expectations are a common concern for families, and we value our ongoing conversations with parents about what is typical, what is manageable, and how we can provide clarity and consistency.

How much homework is typical?

A frequent question we hear is: “How much homework should my child be doing each night?” The answer varies depending on the student, their workload, and the nature of their assignments. Our goal is to ensure that homework is purposeful, balanced, and aligned with learning objectives.

For Years 8 and 9 students, homework typically falls into the following categories:

• Daily practice and review — Subjects like mathematics and language acquisition often require regular practice to build fluency and understanding.

• Assignments and projects — Students may work over time on assignments such as an I&S essay, an art project, or a science report that require planning and sustained effort.

• Test preparation and independent study — Students may need to review notes, consolidate understanding, or complete practice exercises before assessments.

If your child spends many hours per night on homework and struggles to keep up, it may indicate a need for additional support or adjustments. Please reach out to your son’s CFL and Academic Foundations teachers, who will be able to help assist further. 

What’s the difference between formative and summative work?

Not all homework is summative (graded). Summative assessments are designed to evaluate a student’s understanding at the end of a learning process—these include tests, essays, projects, and presentations that contribute to a student’s final grade.

On the other hand, formative work is an essential part of the learning process. It is practice-based and designed to help students build understanding, refine skills, and develop their thinking. Formative assignments do not always contribute directly to a student’s grade but provide valuable feedback to help them improve. Examples include reflective questions to deepen thinking, practice problems to reinforce concepts, drafting or revising work before submitting a summative piece and engaging in discussions or readings to prepare for class activities.

Formative work is a critical step in the learning journey, helping students develop confidence and competence before they complete a summative assessment.

If students or parents are unsure about the purpose of an assignment, we encourage them to check the rubric and reach out to the teacher for clarification.

Ensuring clarity and consistency in homework communication

We recognize that clear and consistent communication around homework expectations is key. Teachers are expected to update Brightspace regularly with clear instructions and due dates. In the coming weeks, the Academic Team will review these expectations with Department Chairs to ensure alignment and accessibility for students and parents.

How parents can support their child’s balance

We understand that some students are experiencing many hours of homework per night, which is not manageable. If your child is struggling, here are some ways to support them:

• Encourage self-advocacy — If they feel overwhelmed, students should contact their teacher for clarification or adjustments.

• Use Academic Foundations and CfL support — If your child needs strategies for time management, organization, or study skills, they can connect with their Academic Foundations or Centre for Learning teacher. 

• Monitor their workload — Help them break down assignments into smaller, manageable steps and prioritize tasks effectively.

• Ensure downtime — School-life balance includes time for extracurricular activities, family time and rest.

We will continue to assess homework expectations and ensure that students are supported in meeting academic challenges without unnecessary stress.

Thank you for your partnership in this conversation. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The Academic Team 

Jill Strimas, Director of Academics 

Emilia Martin, MYP and Personal Project Coordinator 

Hellenic Heritage Club | Gyro sale on March 6

The Hellenic Culture Club is hosting a traditional Greek gyro sale on Thursday, March 6 in the Student Centre from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March celebrates Hellenic Heritage Month and provides a time to honour the achievements of Greek figures in Canada and beyond. Gyros will be sold for $15 each. Students and faculty are encouraged to purchase one, or even two, to indulge in Greece's delicious cuisine. Orders can be made through this form. Last day to place orders is March 4 by 3:40 p.m. Bring your student card to pick up your order.

Save the date | Greek panigyri festival 

The Hellenic Culture Club, alongside community volunteers, local vendors, and Hellenic associations across the GTA, invite you to the Greek panigyri festival. This panigyri celebrates Hellenic Heritage Month in March and offers a gateway into the rich and diverse realms of Greek culture through cuisine, music, history, religion, games, and more. It provides a space for community members to learn about and enjoy Hellenic culture in all its forms. Join us for the festivities on March 28 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in the Student Centre. For those interested in volunteering please contact Ms. Gauthier.

Sign up | Years 10 and 11 social on March 28

Dance and social — music, dancing, games, karaoke, light refreshments, guests from other schools.

Date: Friday, March 28

Time: 8–10 p.m. (doors close at 8:30 p.m.)

Cost: $20

Theme: Country Club 

Sign up: by Friday, March 7 (before March Break)

• Permission Form: Y10–Y11 Social — Friday, March 28  

• Guest permission form Y10-Y11 Social — Friday, March 28 (UCC student to share link with guest)

Updates from the Model United Nations Club

“Best International Delegation” at the North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) Conference

From February 13 to 16, 20 members of the Upper School MUN Club were selected to represent UCC at NAIMUN LXII, securing another impressive victory. With 14 out of 20 delegates earning awards, this achievement reflects both individual excellence and the collective strength of the team. Under the outstanding leadership of Club Heads Costas Oreopoulos and Alex Woolsey the team excelled in one of the most competitive MUN conferences in North America. 

This trip created memories to last a lifetime for everyone involved, including our chaperones, Ms. O’Halloran and Mr. Parry-Lai. To our seniors: we will miss you! Thank you for all that you have contributed over the years. To our younger members: you are the future and we look forward to seeing you uphold its legacy and take it to even greater heights! 

Save the date | Year 11 StepUP on April 8

Please save the date for an exciting parent/guardian and student event celebrating the Y11s as they all StepUP into the role of school leaders. It will be an excellent opportunity to make connections, put names to faces, and meet friends’ families. Parents and guardians can enjoy student-led tours and join their sons on a school-wide scavenger hunt, followed by a casual dinner and live music in the Upper Dining Hall. The guest speaker is TBD.

Date: Tuesday, April 8

Time: 7–8:30 p.m.

Sign up: after March Break

Spanish Exchange in March 2026

We are thrilled to introduce a new spanish exchange opportunity for the Classes of 2028 and 2029. In March 2026, UCC will launch its inaugural exchange program with St. George’s College in Buenos Aires, Argentina—an esteemed IB school with experience hosting exchange students. Please click here to learn more.

TUBS spring sale | 50 per cent off select items

Spring dress starts on March 24. Don't forget to buy your gently used uniform items at TUBS (The Used Blues Shop). From March 3 to 28, TUBS will be offering 50 per cent OFF all polos, khakis, and sweatshirts. 

TUBS Hours:

8–9 a.m. (except Wednesdays)

12–1:15 p.m.

3–4 p.m. (except Fridays)

Note:

• All sales are final, so students will be allowed to try before they buy

• All purchases will be charged to the student's account

• Parents are welcome to shop

• TUBS will be closed during March Break

• TUBS is located in the basement next to the Lower Dining Hall

Register | Arts Booster Club Magic Show on April 2

Last day | 2025–26 Parent Organization self-nominations

If you’ve been thinking of joining the 2025–26 Parents’ Organization (PO), today — Thursday, Feb. 27 — is the last day to submit your self-nomination form. 

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

We hope you’ll join us next year.

UCC Parents’ Organization