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Dear Prep Families,

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 at the Prep!

We hope the holidays provided you all with time for rest and rejuvenation, as well as connection with family and friends. 

On Monday, faculty and staff participated in a full day of rich professional learning in preparation for our CAIS and IB accreditation visits later this month. We were thrilled to welcome Prep students back on campus on Tuesday!  Ms. Brock brought Mr. McFinney (the fish) back to his home at the front desk, students shared stories about their holidays and rehearsals for the musical in collaboration with students from BSS gained momentum. We're keenly focused this week on the joy of being back together, reengaging in learning and supporting our students in reestablishing school routines. 

Our Middle assembly introduced the new A.V. club that will be starting at the Prep next week. It also reminded the boys about the power of positive choices—and building each other up with their words and actions—to contribute to a healthy school community.  

Please enjoy this week’s edition of Prep Heads Up, which highlights the need-to-know details for families for the coming weeks. We are looking forward to celebrating Winterfest next week—there will be chances all week to show our incredible school spirit. Go Blues!

Your partners in learning,

Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

Prep Report Cards

Report cards will be released to parents via Bluenet on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 29 at approximately 4 p.m. 

For instructions on how to access report cards please click here.  

The purpose of the report is to summarize learning so far this academic year, with observations on your child’s progress as well as skills and concepts that are being addressed in class. In addition to subject marks, comments on your child’s adoption of the IB Learner Profile and IB Approaches to Learning skills (ATLs) will be included.  While we recognize grades as a snapshot of performance, we ask you to pay particular attention to teachers’ comments, which offer insight into strengths and areas for future growth.  

Report cards are only one element among a number that form our system of communicating student learning, including feedback on assessments, portfolios, conferences and celebrations of learning.   We encourage you to discuss the report with your child to assist with goal setting. The information in the report card will assist students in identifying next steps for their learning, with the support and guidance of their teachers and families.  

For support in understanding the MYP report card, please refer to the MYP Assessment Handbook 2024-25, which outlines the rubrics used in each course as well as the assessment criteria. Here is a link to the slide deck from the PYP-MYP Information Evening delivered in November.   

As always, should you have any questions, you may reach out to your child’s form adviser or specialist teacher directly.

Dianne Jojic
PYP Coordinator

Emilia Martin
MYP Coordinator

UCC Winterfest 2025

The Prep is participating in UCC’s Winterfest on Friday, Jan. 17! Winterfest is an opportunity for all members of the UCC community to display their school spirit and support for the numerous winter athletic teams. Students and faculty will be attending games scheduled throughout the day and wearing blue and white casual clothing to school. We're looking forward to celebrating our school spirit with the Prep community! 

We hope to see our students celebrating their school spirit during Winterfest. 

David Girard and Gareth Evans

Year 7 | Lunchtime seating arrangements

We understand how important it is for Year 7 students to feel supported and comfortable during their lunchtime. To help achieve this, there is assigned seating for Year 7 students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

There are three key reasons for this approach:

• Orderly and Safe Lunch Service: With 132 Year 7 students navigating the lunch hall, assigned seating helps maintain an orderly and safe serving process. This ensures everyone receives their lunch efficiently, reduces congestion, and eliminates unnecessary running to available tables and chairs.

• Developing Social Skills: Assigned seating provides a structured opportunity for students to interact with peers outside their immediate friend groups. This supports them in developing important social skills and building new relationships, which is crucial for settling into school life as they grow older.

• Ensuring Inclusivity: Our priority is that no student feels isolated or alone during lunchtime. Assigned seating guarantees that every student has a place at a table with other students.

We also recognize the importance of choice and flexibility and have carefully introduced more seating options as the year progressed. We are pleased to announce that there is now flexible seating on Thursdays and Fridays, allowing students more choice in where they sit.

We believe these measures strike a balance between providing a supportive and structured environment for our new Year 7s and allowing them increasing independence while navigating a very busy dining area. We greatly appreciate your support and understanding as we work together to create a positive and inclusive experience for all our students.

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans

Assistant Head of the Preparatory School: Middle Division

Years 6 and 7 Project Week: March 4–7

The much anticipated Prep School MYP Project Week will take place this year from Tuesday, March 4 to Friday, March 7, and offers students in Years 6 and 7 the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary unit examining important global topics. Year 6 students are exploring the topic of the UN Sustainable Development Goal #13, Climate Action, and Year 7 students are examining the topic of the UN Sustainable Development Goal #3, Good Health and Well-being, through a series of speakers, special guests, field trips, and group activities.

Teachers and team leaders have prepared extensively for this dynamic learning experience, and will continue to set students up for success by introducing key topics, terms and skills. Everyone is really excited about this unique educational and collaborative event.  

The regular school day timing will not change, and drop-off and pick-up will not be impacted. Student attendance is very important during this immersive experience.

Please note that whether students are away for a portion of the week, they will still be responsible for producing and sharing a culminating activity with their form adviser so that it can be assessed and included on their June report card. This includes students participating in the French Exchange.

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans

Assistant Head of the Preparatory School: Middle Division

Year 5 | Join us: UCC's Shrek Jr. 

Dear Year 5 Students, 

We're excited to invite selected Year 5 students to join our winter musical, Shrek Jr. Year 7 UCC and BSS students have taken the lead in November and December, and as we gain momentum in the production, we have an opportunity for some Year 5 and 6 students to join selected scenes as the citizens of Duloc. There are three songs specifically for these roles that will also be part of the show's finale. 

To learn the songs, you will need to commit to the following rehearsals between Jan. 16 and Feb. 29:

• Wednesday and Thursday after-school rehearsals: 3:40–5 p.m. (ideally both, but one may be acceptable depending on availability)

• Dress rehearsal: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

• Dress rehearsal: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 12–4 p.m.

• Show Night 1: Thursday, Feb. 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

• Show Night 2: Friday, Feb. 28, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

If you are interested, please complete the commitment form. By signing up, you are committing to these rehearsals.

Timeline:

• The deadline to fill out this form is Sunday, Jan. 12, at 5 p.m.

• Unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate all interested students. 20 students will be chosen by lottery and notified Jan. 13 and 14 by email

• The first rehearsal will be Thursday, Jan. 16, at 3:40 p.m. in Weston Hall

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Harper.

We look forward to seeing you in the show!

Jennifer Harper
Theatre Coordinator

Afterschool Program | January–March

In addition to our ExtraEd Club offerings, we're also introducing an exciting new program, brought to you by our very own Ms. Etingen.

"Level Up" (powered by Mentorio) supercharges kids' mindset and confidence through: movement, mentorship and play challenges. Each week, participants embark on exciting quests that foster social-emotional growth while equipping them with essential life skills and strategies.

Our team of expert mentors — mental health professionals and educators — are dedicated to bringing out the best in every child by helping kids identify personal strengths. Through interactive games and team challenges, "Level Up" participants build and refine skills in areas of: resilience, teamwork, grit, and critical thinking.

Join us to level up your strengths and boost your confidence, character, and overall wellbeing — because every child deserves to be their best self! 

Level Up will be offered on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. (SK to Year 3) and Thursdays at 4 p.m. (Years 4 to 7). Please use this form to register.

To learn more about programs and clubs offered by ASP from January to March, please click here.

Join us | PPO coffee morning

Please join us on Thursday, Jan. 16 for a PPO-hosted coffee morning with special guest speaker, Caron Irwin from Roo by Caron Irwin. Caron is a Certified Child Life Specialist with over a decade of experience working with families as they navigate the ups and downs of parenting and family life. She is also the mom of three kids, including a Year 7 UCC student.

Caron will give a presentation on "Parenting School-Aged Children — Top Tips for Parents" followed by a Q&A. 

When: Thursday, Jan. 16 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Where: Wilder Arena Lounge

Please RSVP here.