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The Upper School has been a busy place this week! Last Friday we were honoured to host Ravi Jain ’99, Dr. Tara Cullis and Dr. David Suzuki in a special assembly. They spoke on sustainability, activism and most importantly, humanity and their theatrical production What You Won’t Do for Love developed to explore these same issues. An excerpt of the play was performed during the assembly and Year 12 students viewed a full production as part of their Theory of Knowledge class. 

On Monday, the Upper School assembly was devoted to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students heard from Alain Bartleman '07, a lawyer representing First Nations, focusing on complex litigation and economic development. He spoke eloquently on both the history and ethical considerations in treaties between First Nations and the Crown and how we should proceed as a nation. 

Students have much to be excited about as we look ahead at milestones in the upcoming year. Year 12 students have been seen in the halls getting sized for their grad rings, students are preparing on and off the fields for A-Day and everyone is getting ready for our inaugural Week Without Bells.

Important Assemblies in Laidlaw Hall

Please click here to read more about recent assemblies held in Laidlaw Hall.

Year 8 | Special programming 

Please click here for information on how Year 8 students will be spending the week on campus from Oct. 7–11.

Years 9, 10, and 11 | Week Without Bells 

Important final reminders:

• Packing list: Please review the packing list one final time (linked below per location)

• Drop off: Please do not drop students off at the north lot as it will be full of students and buses. Students should be dropped off in front of the school. Buses will depart at the indicated departure time below. Students are asked to arrive at school at least 30 minutes in advance.

• Lunch: Year 10 and Year 11 students will need to bring a bagged lunch for Monday. Please do not send nuts of any kind. Year 9 students will be provided lunch at camp.

• Cell phones: Will be collected when we arrive at camp and will be returned on the bus ride home. 

• Arrival times back at UCC are estimates from the bus company. Any significant delays will be communicated by the school. Students will have their phones on the bus on the way back. 

• Camp photos: Daily camp action shots will be taken and will be shared via a secure link. Stay tuned.

• If parents must get ahold of their child in the case of emergency: please call the UCC main school line, and they will contact the trip leader.

• All students are expected to adhere to the UCC Code of Conduct. Any serious breach (prohibited substances / safety) will result in families coming to pick up their child.

• There are no classes on Friday, Oct. 11 for Year 9, 10 and 11 students.

For details on the agenda and itinerary for the week, click below:

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12 | Special programming 

Dear Year 12 Families,

We are happy to provide information on how Year 12 students will be spending the week on campus from Oct. 7–11. As you will be aware, students in Years 9–11 will be away on whole cohort excursions that week, and so we have developed a range of programming designed to enhance the Leaving Class’s ability to succeed this year and beyond. Photos of the week will be viewable here. 

Overall schedule:

• Extended Essay support. With the Extended Essay being due on Tuesday at 8 a.m., students will have one last chance to polish their essays before submission under the guidance of subject experts who will be available on site. 

• University Counselling workshops and support. The University Counselling Office will be getting students prepared and started on their university applications. Specialized skill sessions such as writing supplemental essays and doing online interviews will be offered. There will also be an optional field trip to the University of Toronto to learn more about the university experience. 

• The wellbeing team is putting together a number of sessions under the umbrella of “Eat-Sleep-Move-Think.” This will include a choice of activities including a field trip to the Lindsay Boathouse to participate in a rowing activity, as well as nutrition and learning-related seminars. 

• All IB Diploma students must complete an interdisciplinary science project in order to earn their diplomas. This project will be started and concluded this week. 

• A Theory of Knowledge (ToK) field trip or cohort experience will take place to explore the connections between art and ToK. This will be an essential component of their course this year. 

• Students will have smaller activities designed to allow them to take a break, such as working out or playing games, and time to study and do schoolwork, at times not represented on the overall schedule above. 

Daily Procedure:

Morning (8:30 a.m.): Meet in Laidlaw every morning, sit by house, advisers take attendance. 

Afternoon (1:30 p.m.): Meet in Laidlaw every afternoon, sit by house, advisers take attendance.

• Spirit wear is the dress

• Lunch will proceed in the usual fashion, students can purchase from the Upper or Lower dining halls or bring their own. 

Parents will be informed of unexcused absences via email. This is our mandatory programming for the week so attendance is expected. Thank you in advance for communicating with the attendance desk any lates or absences expected of your child. 

For action: Please fill out this permission form in order for your student to attend the field trip(s). 

Please do not hesitate to contact Andrew MacDougall, Assistant Head of Upper School or Christos Paschalidis, Year 12 Coordinator if you have questions. 

Year 12 | Grad photos

Grad photos will be taken on Oct. 7 to 11. Please remind your child to sign up for their grad photo (the sign-up sheet has been shared with the Class of 2025).

UCC Graduation Pathways

Dear UCC Community,

As we communicated last week, building on our strength as a leader in education and on our deep experience delivering the International Baccalaureate (IB), the College is introducing two additional graduation pathways to complement our existing IB Diploma Programme (IB DP). 

Students entering Year 11 in 2025 and after will have the opportunity to pursue one of three UCC Graduation Pathways: 

• IB DP Pathway 

• IB DP Courses Pathway (new, by application) 

• IB DP Systems Transformation Pathway (new, by application)

Each of these pathways is academically rigorous while offering flexibility, enabling students to customize their studies in preparation for top-tier universities and competitive postsecondary programs. Students will earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) along with either the IB Diploma (in the IB DP and IB DP Systems Transformation Pathways) or IB Course Certificates (IB Courses Pathway).

More information about these pathways including course selection requirements and FAQs is available here.

Upper School students and families will have many opportunities to learn more about each of the pathways and their unique benefits during curriculum nights and in their meetings with the University Counselling Office. 

A reminder that we will be hosting three information sessions to provide more details which will be particularly relevant to our Year 10 community:  

• Overview of graduation pathways | Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6–7:30 p.m. (virtual, link to be shared closer to the date) 

• Deep dive into each graduation pathway | Monday, Nov. 4, 6–8 p.m. (in person, Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre, Upper School) 

• How to apply to the IB DP Courses Pathway and IB DP Systems Transformation Pathway  | Monday, Dec. 2, 6–7:30 p.m. (in person, Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre) 

We’re excited to partner with you to explore these graduation pathways and support students as they pursue their passions, realize their potential and find success in the next stages of their learning journeys. 

Warm regards,

Dr. Jeff Aitken
Head of the Upper School

Dr. Julia Kinnear
Vice-Principal, Learning and Academic Innovation

Year 8 | Arts rotation schedule

Dear Year 8 Parents,

Many parents have asked about the arts rotation schedule and how it works for various sections. Below is the full rotation schedule with specific assigned sections for the academic year. We hope this provides greater support for your child as he prepares for ongoing success in the arts. 

Rotations

Rotation 1 - Even Sections in Music / Odd Sections in Art (Sept. 7 to Sept. 30)

Rotation 2 - Odd Sections in Music /Even Sections in Art (Oct. 3 to Oct. 27)

Rotation 3 - Even Sections in Music / Odd Sections in Art (Oct. 28 to Nov. 23)

Rotation 4 - Odd Sections in Music /Even Sections in Art (Nov. 24 to Dec. 19)

Rotation 5 - Even Sections in Music / Odd Sections in Art (Dec. 20 to Jan. 30)

Rotation 6 - Odd Sections in Music /Even Sections in Art (Jan. 31 to Feb. 27)

Rotation 7 - Even Sections in Music / Odd Sections in Art (Feb. 28 to April 9)

Rotation 8 - Odd Sections in Music /Even Sections in Art (April 10 to May 3)

Rotation 9 - Even Sections in Music / Odd Sections in Art (May 6 to May 30)

Helping Hands at A-Day

UCC's service club, Helping Hands, holds monthly meetings where students complete a hands-on project while earning service hours.

Some of our past projects have included making hundreds of sandwiches for the homeless, packing toiletries for women's shelters,  writing letters to children in the Philippines, packing rice for food banks, creating blankets for people living on the streets, packing food hampers for food insecure families, and creating family emergency kits for people experiencing hardship due to war or natural disaster.

Come visit our booth on A-Day to learn more about Helping Hands and to enter into a gift card raffle!

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the booth (with all funds going to purchase supplies for our service projects) or via the donation of non-perishable foods (most needed items are pasta, sauce, cereal, soups, jam, mac and cheese, rice, canned veggies, canned meats or fish, canned beans)

Thank you for your support of the Helping Hands Club!
Lincoln Dugas-Nishisato (Class of 2027) and Jai Sandhu (Class of 2025)

French exchange

Dear Parents of Year 7 and 8 Enriched French students,

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for your child to experience a fully immersive four-week exchange to Ermitage International School in Maison Laffitte, France. Located just 16 km outside Paris, this unique program offers students a deep dive into French culture both academically and personally.

Program Highlights:

● Full Academic Immersion: Students will attend full days of classes at Ermitage, gaining valuable insights into the French education system and interacting with French peers.

● Homestay Experience: Students will live with a French host family, providing a truly authentic cultural experience and fostering lasting friendships.

● Cultural Exploration: While we won't be organizing daily excursions to Paris, your child will have ample opportunities to explore the region and discover French attractions during evenings and weekends with their host family.

● Minimal School Time Missed: We've carefully designed this program to minimize disruptions to your child's Canadian education. By scheduling the exchange during and after March Break, we've been able to arrange an additional two-week stay, ensuring a seamless transition back to school.

Key Details:

● Dates: March 5 – March TBD

● Location: Ermitage International School, Maison Laffitte, France

● Program Focus: Full immersion in French culture, academics, and home life

Important Notes:

● UCC Year 8 Enriched French Students: These students will be matched with Year 8 billets but will attend Year 7 classes.

● Year 7 Students: These students will be billeted with Year 7 students and will attend Year 7 classes.

● Candidate Limit: We can select a maximum of 4 students for this experience.

● This exchange is specifically designed for our Enriched French Students, who will be fully immersed in the academic program throughout their stay.

● Travel Arrangements: Students will depart for France on March 5, travelling together with the twelve selected two-week French exchange students. The return journey will be independent, with students being dropped off at the airport by Ermitage International School.

This exchange offers a truly transformative experience for students, providing them with lifelong memories and invaluable cultural insights. We encourage you to explore this opportunity and consider how it can enrich your child's education and personal growth.

Please contact Peter Labancz at plabancz@ucc.on.ca to express your interest and receive the application form and process information. Please express your interest no later than Oct. 17.

Sincerely,

Peter Labancz

French Language Subject Coordinator

Save the date | Prize Day 

Prize Day recognizes students currently in Years 9 through 12 and is based on their academic results for the 2023–24 academic school year. Prizes will be announced on Prize Day which is Wednesday Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

If your student is an award recipient, you received an invitation via email earlier this week. Student award recipients were notified earlier this week as well and will receive further details in the coming weeks. Please note that the dress code is First Dress.

In addition to subject-specific prizes, students will be recognized for an Academic Tie (top five per cent of their class), Principal’s List (top ten per cent of their class), and overall General Proficiency.
To earn General Proficiency the following applies:

Diploma Programme — All 6s or 7s and an A in ToK

Middle Years Programme — All 6s or 7s

If you have any questions, please email UCC Registrar, Leigh Berndsen.

Save the date | "Take Our Kids to Work Day" on Nov. 6

UCC supports "Take Our Kids to Work Day". It is an annual career exploration event, held every November, where Year 9 students across Canada spend the day in the life of a working professional. 

Holocaust education trip to Poland | Years 10–12 

We are excited to announce that UCC in conjunction with G-Hardy Tours, will be offering our fourth Holocaust education trip to Poland. 

The trip will run for the first week of March break, visiting the cities of Warsaw, Lublin, and Krakow. Students will have the opportunity to visit many important Holocaust sites, including, but not limited to: Treblinka, Tykocin, Majdanek, and Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

Ms. Rachel Metalin, a former Upper School English teacher who is trained at the sites, will be the lead educator on the trip complemented by other professional guides in Poland. 

The trip will be available for students in Years 10–12, however, Year 9 students will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The trip is non-denominational and open to all students interested in learning about this time in history and the lasting impact it continues to have today.

Informational sessions will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 7–8 p.m., however, if you have an immediate question, please contact Rachel Metalin.