In Individuals and Societies, the boys in Year 7 have been honing their critical thinking and essay writing skills. They have been completing a unit that focuses on the significant struggles that engulfed North America in the 17th and 18th centuries.  

The Seven Years War, Pontiac's Rebellion, the American Revolution and the War of 1812 were studied through the lens of the Justification of War Theory. 

Students have been asked, “Were these wars justified?” . In their five paragraph essays, they have applied the Just War Theory to one of these historical struggles and used criteria to defend their position. The unit has led to some excellent discussion regarding the destructive forces of war both historically and in our present day. Ultimately, this unit has asked the boys to consider if war can ever be truly justified.

In their last unit this year, our Year 6 students will be exploring Canada's role in the world today. They'll be looking at how Canada interacts with other countries through things like trade agreements, historical tariffs, and being part of important international groups like NATO, USMCA, the UN, and APEC. We'll also be discussing Canada's history as a peacekeeping nation and looking at our current peacekeeping missions. 

After building this foundation, the students will dive into real-world global issues. They'll be encouraged to think critically about the social, political, economic, and environmental effects of these issues and explore how Canada and other countries might respond.

This unit will help the Year 6s develop their research and communication skills. They'll be gathering information from different places, organizing what they learn, and then sharing their findings.

Peter Gray

This year’s annual Prep Prize Day, a ceremony for students in Years 6 and 7, will be held on Monday, June 2, in Weston Hall at 8:30 a.m. 

Prizes awarded recognize student citizenship, academic achievement in a variety of subject areas, and involvement in co-curriculars. Prize winners are determined by faculty participating in departmental discussions and reviewing relevant student data. 

Parents of prize recipients were notified last Thursday by email. We hope that parents of prize winners will be able to join the celebration.

We are so proud of our Year 5 students for completing their PYP Exhibition projects. Last Friday, May 9, we welcomed parents and guests to view the projects and celebrate Year 5 learning with us.

The PYP Exhibition website is still live for at-home viewing of projects.

Thank you to form advisers, teachers across the disciplines and mentors who supported students through their exhibition process.

We are also grateful for parents who supported student conversation, action and who celebrated with us on Friday.

In a world dominated by screens and notifications, the term “Brain Rot”—Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year— resonates with parents, educators, and students. It offers an opportunity to reflect on how we engage with technology and, more importantly, how we can help our children build habits that protect and nurture their minds.

Our school aims to inspire balanced, critical thinkers who thrive in the digital age. Rather than dismissing technology as inherently good or bad, we advocate for purposeful, intentional use that supports learning, connection, and creativity while minimizing risks like distraction, stress, and burnout. Let’s explore strategies to help create a healthier relationship with technology and develop habits that support academic and personal growth.

1. Reframe technology as a tool, not a toy

Excessive gaming, endless scrolling, and binge-watching can quickly turn technology into a source of passive consumption, feeding the “brain rot” narrative. Instead, encourage your child to use technology as a tool for creativity and problem-solving. Apps that promote coding, digital art, or skill-building align with the IB learner profile traits of being reflective, knowledgeable, and open-minded.

Tip for families:
Set clear distinctions between tech used for learning or creativity (a "green zone" activity) versus passive entertainment ("yellow zone") or harmful overuse ("red zone"). For example, after completing homework or a creative project, encourage your child to take a screen break rather than defaulting to social media or video games.

2. Establish tech-free zones and times

Creating physical and temporal boundaries for technology use is vital to maintaining balance. Designate areas like the dinner table and bedrooms as tech-free zones to foster meaningful conversations and improve sleep hygiene. Similarly, set aside tech-free times, such as during family meals or the hour before bedtime.

Tip for Families:
Lead by example. When children see parents putting down their devices during family time, they’re more likely to follow suit.

3. Encourage the power of play and outdoor activity

Unstructured play, outdoor adventures, and hands-on activities are not just fun; they’re crucial for cognitive and emotional development. Outdoor activities improve focus, reduce stress, and provide a refreshing contrast to the often sedentary nature of screen time.

Tip for families:
Balance your child’s schedule with sports, hobbies, and nature exploration. Encourage activities that align with the IB focus on being balanced and principled. Consider family hikes, team sports, or art projects as alternatives to screen-based entertainment.

A shared responsibility

As educators, parents and guardians, we are responsible for guiding our students toward a balanced relationship with technology. By modelling healthy habits, setting boundaries, and encouraging purposeful tech use, we can counter the effects of “brain rot” and empower our children to use technology as a force for good.

Together, we can prepare our students not just to survive in the digital age but to thrive—building skills, resilience, and mindfulness to navigate a complex, ever-connected world. Let’s work to inspire a generation that embraces technology as a tool for growth, not as a source of distraction.

Let’s begin today!
What habits can your family implement this week to build a healthier relationship with technology? Small changes—like a tech-free dinner or an outdoor family outing—can create a lasting impact. Share your ideas and successes with our school community, and let’s learn from one another as we embark on this journey together. Please email us at cgordon@ucc.on.ca or jberney@ucc.on.ca to share your stories.

Thank you so much to the families that were able to join us in the Upper School for the Year 7 to 8 transition evening on May 7 — it was wonderful to meet many of you, and see you in our halls! 

For reference and for those who could not make the event, please see the slide deck here. We also welcome any additional questions and feedback you may have on this Google form.

Holi, the vibrant Festival of Colours, heralds the arrival of spring and the promise of new beginnings. While deeply rooted in the Indian community, its joyful spirit has transcended borders, becoming a globally celebrated event that embodies love, unity, forgiveness, and communal harmony. People worldwide now come together during Holi to joyously celebrate their connections with one another.

The primary celebration involves the gathering of communities in outdoor spaces where people cover each other with colours. All colours are used except for black or white. Think of this activity as a big game of water tag, except with colour. The UCC prep school community would like to celebrate Holi on Friday, May 23, as part of Prep Games Day. We hope all UCC students can join in on the messy fun! 

After participating in Holi, students will have coloured powder on their person and clothes. The Holi colour (dry colour will be used) is safe, non-toxic and washable (from skin and clothes). As a result, families should:

• For pick up, bring a pair of pants and a shirt that the child can put over the top of their colour house clothing

• Remind their child to bring a water bottle, wear their colour house colours, and athletic wear to school.

Should your child not wish to participate, kindly advise your child’s form adviser that you would like your child to opt out of the Holi event. 

We look forward to integrating the Holi event with Prep Games Day, and we’re excited about our Prep community enjoying this celebratory event.

Support shopping sustainably

The Used Uniform Sale presents the perfect opportunity to stock up on gently used uniform items for SK to Year 7 students. It will be held on Wednesday, May 21 from 2:30–4 p.m. and Thursday, May 22 from 8–9:15 a.m. at the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex. We have a great selection of pants, polo shirts, dress shirts, ties, sweaters, physical education uniforms and blazers. While we will have bags at the sale, we ask that families bring their own reusable bags if possible.

Donations

Please drop off gently used uniform items in the used uniform blue box which you will find under the main staircase of the lower level of the Prep. Donations are always welcome, but please do not drop off stained, ripped or non-UCC clothing.

Volunteers

The Used Uniform Sale committee is looking for volunteers with a couple of hours to spare, to help sort and organize donations prior to the event or to take a shift at the sale. Please click here if you can help out. Your time is greatly appreciated! 

We’re making room for next year’s gear, which means it’s time to clear out our current PPO merch—and once it’s gone, it’s gone! Don’t miss your chance to grab favourites like the Husky stuffed animals and UCC picnic blankets, perfect for summer fun or as end-of-year gifts. Check out our inventory here for your final chance to scoop up these popular items before they disappear. Get yours while supplies last!

We need your support to make this year’s Staff Appreciation Lunch a success!

A time-honoured tradition at UCC, the Staff Appreciation Lunch is our school community’s way of thanking all the different staff who help make our students’ experience at the College so remarkable. This includes teachers, administration, arena staff, housekeeping, food services and support staff. Approximately 350 staff will attend the lunch on Wednesday, May 28 in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge.

The Staff Appreciation Lunch is fully funded by parent donations, so please contribute to this wonderful event for all of our UCC staff by donating here. 

If you would like to volunteer to help out at the Staff Appreciation Lunch, please click here.

Thank you so much for your support! 

Grandparents and special guests are invited to visit the Prep School on Friday, May 30 for an opportunity to attend a special assembly, explore classrooms, check out fantastic student artwork and enjoy light refreshments in the Bitove Lounge.

9–11 a.m. Year 6 and 7 families

1–3 p.m. SK–Year 5 families

Please register here.