Select a link to jump to an article.

The Upper School was busy leading into the long weekend, completing assessments and receiving feedback in preparation for three-way conferences. Students in advising sessions have been reflecting on their learning experiences to date, identifying areas of strength and opportunity for growth. They shared these reflections with families and teachers during the virtual and in-person conferences.

Thursday was our Principal’s Assembly dedicated to Remembrance Day, and it was a moving and community-focused event. Several student leaders were also involved in the Prep assembly, and many others including our Stewards met with old boys, veterans and alumni in a reception, building relationships and learning about our special guests. Led by a piper, student leaders and special guests opened the Upper assembly, followed by the marching in of our school and Canadian flags. During the service, Principal McKinney recognized those who were with us and those who have passed this year; Year 12 and Year 8 students reflected on their learning during the 20204 Military Enrichment Trip to France and a Week Without Bells correspondence activity; the symphonic band, Blue Notes and theatre members delivered a joint performance featuring the song “I vow to thee my country” composed by Gustav Holst, with lyrics written by Sir Cecil Spring Rice; Nico Aitken played the last post; and students and guests participated in the wreath laying ceremony.

Faculty also had the opportunity to participate in a range of professional development opportunities on Thursday afternoon, including a Positive Masculinity Book Club, and engagement in a variety of sessions such as a First Aid refresher, coaching ethics, Personal Project support and new tech apps explorations. 

Fall Assemblies | Speaker highlights

Please click here to read more.

Week Without Bells | Feedback

We have surveyed students and faculty about their Week Without Bells experience. This important feedback allows us to continue to enhance our Week Without Bells programming. 

As parents and guardians, we'd like to hear feedback from your perspective. If you're interested in providing feedback (both positive feedback and/or areas for growth) please do so here. 

The Year 8 and 9 play: Bea Wolf 

(First Production of the 2024–25 Co-Curricular Theatre Season) 

Somewhere in a generic suburb stands Treeheart, a kid-forged sanctuary where generations of tireless tykes have spent their youths making merry, spilling soda, and staving off the shadow of adulthood. One day, these brave warriors find their fun cut short by their nefarious neighbour Grindle, who can no longer tolerate the sounds of mirth seeping into his joyless adult life.

As the guardian of gloom lays siege to Treeheart, scores of kids suddenly find themselves transformed into pimply teenagers and sullen adults! The survivors of the onslaught cry out for a saviour—a warrior whose will is unbreakable and whose appetite for mischief is unbounded.

They call for Bea Wolf.

(From McMillian Publishers)

Since early September, Mr. Allen and Ms. Gilbreath have worked with a cast and crew of Years 8 and 9 students from Bishop Strachan School, St. Clement's School, and Upper Canada College. We are excited to open another theatre season at the Upper School in the David Chu Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 21 followed by two performances on Friday, Nov. 22. 

Bea Wolf is a play suitable for the whole family and we hope people of all ages will enjoy a great story and see the talent and hard work of these young actors. If you have any questions, please contact Brendon Allen or Julian Bauld. 

You may pay for tickets at the door, or reserve tickets through the Bea Wolf: Ticket Reservation Form. 

Student photo packages

All students who had their photos taken during the year-level photo days in October will receive their photo packages during their advising period on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Please be sure to ask your child to bring home their photo package.

Save the date | UCC’s annual food drive 

Starting Monday, Nov. 25, UCC’s annual Daily Bread Food Bank: Churches on the Hill (COTH) Food Drive will kick off at the Upper School! Kindly wait until Monday, Nov. 25 to bring your donations to the school.

Located just a few blocks from UCC, COTH supports 1,200 people each week. That number matches the student population of UCC! Over the past three years, our community has contributed more than 5,000 pounds of food, providing thousands of meals. However, COTH now needs our help more than ever. Rising inflation, especially in food and housing costs, is forcing more families to rely on food banks. Currently, one in ten people across Toronto uses food banks to help get by (Cheese & Draaisma, 2024).

How You Can Help

• Drop-Off Location: Main Foyer

• Dates: Monday, Nov. 25–Friday, Dec. 13

• Goal: Collect one pound of food per student

Please bring your food donations to the bins in the main foyer—every pound counts!

COTH has also provided a list of high-demand items, which we've assigned by House (see below). 

Additionally, please consider donating powdered baby formula (Kirkland 1.36kg for ages 0-12 months or Nestle Good Start Plus 1) and diapers (sizes 5–6) to support COTH’s Infant Program.

Each year, we have some parents who prefer to donate funds rather than the above goods. If you would like to donate funds, please do so via their website. Please indicate "UCC FOODDRIVE" in the info line and COTH will be able to report the amount of funds received.

House-specific items:

Bremner’s: Peanut butter (family size)

Howard’s: Tetra packs of shelf-stable milk (e.g., Organic Meadow, Dairy Pure)

Jackson’s: Toilet paper (packages of 8 or 12)

Martland’s: Canned salmon

McHugh’s: Dry pasta (Family Size)

Mowbray’s: Canned tuna

Orr’s: Low-sugar cereal

Scadding’s: Canned fruit (no sugar added)

Seaton’s and Wedd’s: Mac and cheese

Place items in the labelled bins in the main foyer, or bring Please any of the above food drive donation(s) to the Festive Marketplace on Friday, Dec. 13. There will be collection bins at the Lett Gym entry to the marketplace. 

The clients of the Daily Bread Food Bank at Churches on the Hill are very thankful for your support and generosity!

Upper School Volunteer Service Expo

On Monday, Nov. 18 UCC will have 10+ local Volunteer Service Organizations from the GTA exhibiting at the college and presenting opportunities for volunteer involvement in our community. Please come visit the Student Centre from 1:30–4 p.m. to learn more about volunteering. This promises to be a very enlightening and interactive event. 

Please contact Mr. Sweetman if you are interested in participating and require any further details.

Information session | Community service

On Monday, Nov. 18, following our afternoon Volunteer Service Expo we will be hosting a virtual Parent Information and Q+A Session from 7–8 p.m. This is intended to answer all your questions about service initiatives and tracking of student experiences at the UCC Upper School.

Please join us via Zoom hosted by our Parent Organization.

Snow Hawks

UCC boarders had a presentation from Snowhawks, a ski and snowboard school in Toronto. Founded in 1984, they provide group instruction and all-access to the slopes at Blue Mountain over eight weekend sessions during the winter. If interested, please check out the brochure for more information.

Support Festive Marketplace

We’re so grateful to the UCC community for making this annual tradition an ongoing success. Here are a couple of ways you can still get involved:

• Donating money: Our Festive Auction and Snowball Grab are two featured events made possible thanks to the generosity of our community. If you’d like to make a monetary donation, the Festive team can purchase auction items and gift cards on your behalf. To donate money, please send an e-transfer to treasurer@uccprepparents.ca, with “Festive” in the note.

• Volunteering your time: We’re so grateful to our dedicated volunteers who help in so many ways before, during and after the event. Watch for our Volunteer Sign Up Form, coming soon. Volunteering at Festive is such a fun way to get involved with the UCC community. 

All proceeds from Festive Marketplace and Festive Auction are used by our Parent Organizations for special initiatives that provide direct and positive enhancements for UCC students. 

Thank you so much for your time and your donations!