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This week, our school was proud to host accreditation visits from both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS). These evaluations provide an opportunity to showcase our commitment to excellence in education and reflect on our growth as a community. We look forward to valuable feedback that will help us continue to provide an exceptional learning experience for our students.

Lunar New Year was celebrated with a festival in the student centre featuring delicious food, traditional activities, and a captivating lion dance, bringing the school community together to usher in the Year of the Snake. Students enjoyed a special Fun Friday with activities including house trivia, chess, and Valentine's card-making, providing a fun and relaxing break from their studies. 

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day assembly was emceed by two senior students from the Jewish Culture Club who gave personal accounts of the importance of Holocaust education. Then, Holocaust survivor Gershon Willinger delivered his extraordinary story and focused on the significance of learning from the past and of taking the time to connect with and understand one another. 

In a new initiative aimed at fostering leadership skills, winter term sports captains participated in a captain's training session led by our experienced coaches. This training focused on developing essential leadership qualities such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making, empowering our student-athletes to lead both on and off the field.

Students also engaged creatively with peers from Havergal at our first ever “Avenue Open Mic Social”. A variety of student musical performers from both schools played for an audience of 60 attendees in the beautiful Ellen Knox Library at Havergal College. From folk rock, to jazz, and pop we all enjoyed the student’s acoustical treats, and samosas provided by the Upper School PO Art Booster Club! This event is another initiative aimed at building collaboration between our students and lending further strength to our joint “Relay for Life” event in May.

Invitation | Personal Project Showcase 

Dear UCC Community,

We are delighted to invite you to the Personal Project Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Student Centre. This event marks the culmination of months of hard work and dedication by our Year 10 students as they share their personal projects with the school community.

The Personal Project is a significant milestone in the MYP, allowing students to explore their passions, interests, and creativity while demonstrating essential skills such as research, critical thinking, self-management, communication, and collaboration.

The showcase is more than just a celebration—it is also an opportunity for students to engage with the community and receive valuable feedback before submitting their final reports to the IB. We encourage you to ask questions, offer insights, and share your thoughts with our students as they reflect on their learning journey.

We also want to express our deep appreciation for our MYP Seminar teachers and supervisors. Your guidance, encouragement, and commitment have been instrumental in supporting our students throughout this process.

Below is a digital sneak peek of this year’s incredible projects. We hope you will join us in supporting and celebrating our Year 10 students at the showcase. Your presence and feedback will make a meaningful impact as they prepare to complete this milestone project.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Student Centre for this special event!

Emilia Martin 

MYP & Personal Project Coordinator 

Personal Project 2024–25 Showcase Slides

Year 10 highlight 

Last week, our Year 12 prefects visited the Year 10 advising groups in their respective houses to discuss the course selection process and answer questions about the IB Diploma Program, subject choices, and course load expectations. The conversations were engaging and insightful, providing Year 10 students with valuable firsthand perspectives from those who have navigated the process themselves. This peer-led initiative helped foster meaningful discussions and guidance as students begin to consider their academic pathways for the coming years.

Sustainable Solutions

Upper School three-way conferences

Registration through SchoolCloud is open for Upper School Three-Way Conferences. 

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2–8 p.m. | In-person only: Each meeting will be five minutes long with five minutes of travel time in between meetings. 

Thursday, Feb. 13, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Virtual only: Each virtual meeting will be five minutes, with a short break in between using the SchoolCloud program. 

Please do not book more than one appointment per teacher.

Preparing for your appointments

Once you have scheduled your appointments, please check your email inbox for a confirmation from SchoolCloud with your credentials. If you do not see the email, you may need to check your spam folder, depending on your email settings. 

Note:

•  When registering, you will need to enter your name and your child’s name exactly as it appears on Bluenet. 

• Please ensure your device has been restarted recently to avoid technical difficulties.

Click here to schedule your three-way conference meetings. 

The registration link will remain open until Tuesday, Feb. 11 at noon. 

Generally, only one parent/guardian books all the meetings, as they will then invite the other parent/guardian to join. For more information on how to do this and how to sign up for meetings, please visit the Bluenet Resource Board.  

Questions?

For technical assistance, please email Sandra Fulford or call (416) 488-1125 ext. 2213. 

Warmest regards,

Joe Smith

Assistant Head, Upper School Student Life, Operations and Programming

Save the date | Year 8 Hepatitis B/Menactra/HPV Clinic

Dear Year 8 Parents,

This is a reminder on Thursday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Toronto Public Health (TPH) will be holding its second Hepatitis B/Menactra/HPV Clinic at UCC. The following vaccines will be given:

• Second dose of hepatitis B and human papillomavirus vaccines to Grade 7 students

• Hepatitis B, meningococcal, and human papillomavirus vaccines to Grade 7 and 8 students who missed the first clinic.

The location will be in the Prep dining hall, with Year 8 students scheduled to attend from 2–3:30 p.m. 

Please make sure your child eats breakfast the morning of the clinic and to wear short sleeves. If your child is unwell due to fever and cannot receive their vaccinations, please notify the Health Centre as soon as possible. Any missed vaccinations that happen on the clinic date, do have options to receive their vaccines in the community. Students in Years 9 to 12 can get their vaccines through a TPH community clinic,  appointments are required and can be booked online. Or through their doctor’s office, where your Physician can order the vaccine directly from public health.

A final reminder that the meningitis (Men-C-ACYW-135 vaccine) vaccination or a valid exemption is required for students 12 years of age and older for school attendance. If your child has not received Menactra, or it has been over five years, Toronto Public Health does recommend a booster. Hepatitis B and HPV are optional.

Additional information and consent forms can be found here:

• School immunization consent form  

• Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Meningococcal vaccine fact sheets

• Student and Parent check sheet

• SIP Facts and Checklist

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Translation insert

If you wish to review what your child received at the last TPH clinic in the fall, you can do so directly on the Toronto Public Health Website. Questions or clarification on attending the vaccination clinic can be directed to health.centre@ucc.on.ca

Thank you all for your cooperation!

Health Centre Team

Upper Health Centre (ext. 2270)

Now open | 2025–26 Parent Organization self-nominations

The self-nomination process for the 2025–26 Parents’ Organization (PO) is open now, but only until Thursday, February 27, 2025. 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 initiatives — 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, February 27, 2025, 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

Grad frames available to order

UCC grad frames are available to order between now and Friday, March 7. The frames come in a variety of styles and finishes and make a perfect gift for grandparents, your graduate or yourself!

Click here to view all options and purchase through the UCC Marketplace. If you’d like to see the frames in person, you’ll find them hanging next to the TUBS shop on the school’s lower level.

All frames are expected to be ready for pick up in April and pick up details will be shared closer to that time. 

UCC Marketplace

Check out the UCC Marketplace site to purchase PO swag, including UCC-crested PJ pants, crested blankets, vests, puffers, and Yeti cups.