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This week at the Upper School saw students really settle into their new routines. The new edition of the College Times (our yearbook) was distributed, capturing memories of the past academic year. The first Fun Friday of the year was a resounding success, offering students a much-needed break from their studies. They could choose from a variety of engaging and relaxing activities, including basketball, trivia, Lego® building, and even a designated nap time for those seeking a moment of rest.

Years 11 and 12 students had their first seminars of the year, designed to provide academic and community updates, and also featured engaging activities to foster a sense of community among the students. 

In Monday’s Principal Assembly, students learned about the experience and difficulties of living with cancer from a former UCC teacher and administrator in a powerful address, in preparation for our Terry Fox run on Friday. 

Assembly highlights

Please click here for highlights from the Principal's assembly on September 16.

Years 9, 10 and 11 | Week Without Bells trip information and permission forms

Please note that families currently receiving financial assistance for the 2024–25 academic year will receive prorated assistance for this program fee.

Our host camps are eager for UCC’s arrival at Week Without Bells. Staff has been hired and food orders have been received as we are merely weeks away. Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate last-minute cancellations at this time unless it’s an emergency.

Student information sessions are taking place during Advising and Year Level Meeting times. Please note that updated trip information will be live on the new Week Without Bells Tile on the BlueNet Resource Board.

Year 8 intramurals

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:45–4:45 p.m., Year 8 students have the opportunity to play tennis and/or basketball intramurals. The program runs from Monday, Sept. 23 to Wednesday, Oct. 30 (weather permitting). We will play at the tennis and basketball courts outside the library. Equipment for both sports will be provided. No experience is required, and there is no need to sign up. Year 8s arrive at 3:45 p.m. and sign in with Ms. Gauthier (basketball) or Mr. Zlotnilk (tennis). Students must come dressed in athletic wear and proper running shoes. When the weather gets cooler, we recommend sweatpants.

Ms Gauthier and Mr. Zlotnik

Year 8 Norval Week

Please click here to read more on the Year 8 experience at Norval last week.

Year 8 | October 7–11: Special Programming

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

Year 12 | October 7–11: Special Programming

Please click here for more detail as to how the Year 12 students will be spending the week on campus from Oct. 7–11.

Tickets | David Suzuki in What We Won't Do For Love

Time is running out for you to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime theatre experience at UCC. 

Come see Why Not Theatre's What We Won't Do For Love at the David Chu Theatre. 

Purchase your tickets here.

Year 12 Grad rings | Get sized for grad rings

Year 12 students have two opportunities to get fitted for grad rings at school. Parent reps will be in the Upper School foyer on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Thursday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please note, this is for ring sizing only. All orders will be placed online with details coming soon. 

If you have any questions, please contact the PO Year 12 Reps.

UCC puffer jacket and vests | Brought to you by the PPO and PO

Get ready for the fall season ahead with the UCC Crested Puffer Jacket and Puffer Vest! Both styles feature the UCC crest on the left chest pocket and are made of 100% polyester for durability and water resistance.

Puffer jackets are available in youth and adult sizes, featuring a removable snap hood and elastic cuffs for a snug fit for $110. 

Puffer vests are available in adult sizes only for $70. Perfect for layering on chilly days.

Order yours now! The deadline for ordering is Sept. 25. Click here for more details and to order.

China trip for Mandarin students | March Break 2025 for Years 9–12 

We are thrilled to announce that we have planned a 2-week China trip during the March break of 2025 for our Mandarin students from Year 9 to Year 12. We will spend one week in Taipei, Taiwan, and another week in Hangzhou, Mainland China, for language and culture learning. Click here for the itinerary.

We believe this exclusive trip will allow for first-hand exposure to traditional and modern Chinese ways of living, speaking, and thinking. It will also give students valuable real-life experience of customs in using both traditional and simplified characters. The intensive language learning, enriched activities, and selective sightseeing will help the students gain a more profound appreciation for the diversity of Chinese languages and cultures.

Our tour operator is G-Hardy, UCC's long-term educational/service trip partner, and we are very grateful that the expenses for the second week will be generously covered by the university who will be hosting us. 

If you are interested in this trip, please add your name to this Pre-registration Google Form so that we can provide the travel agency with an estimated number of participants. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the trip, please come to our trip information night on Sept. 30 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 127, Upper School building.

Looking forward to an exciting and enriching experience for our students!

Holocaust education trip to Poland | March Break 2025 for 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 in March 2025. 

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.

Peru Amazon Scientific Research Expedition | March Break 2025 for Years 10-12

Please follow this link for a detailed description of the expedition.

We are providing our students the incredible opportunity to spend one week during March Break with international professional scientists to conduct hands-on wildlife conservation and climate change science research with Operation Wallacea. Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is a network of academics from European and North American universities, who design and implement biodiversity and wildlife conservation management research expeditions. 

Opwall will provide students with the opportunity to apply aspects of their high school material in the field in Peru. This school expedition offers students opportunities to meet other high schools and to network with professional environmental and wildlife conservation scientists, participate in real-world scientific fieldwork research projects, and be trained as research assistants.  

Having said this, students need not be studying science to attend. We encourage all current students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to join!  

We invite parents and students to attend a 45-minute virtual presentation about this school expedition to Peru on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Join the meeting.

Discover Costa Rica | March Break 2025 with Camps International

A UCC Upper School Global Learning Adventure 

A virtual parent information session is on Sept. 25 from 7–8 p.m. Please click here to join the meeting.

Plan for it now! This upcoming March Break, we will once again offer an overseas Experiential Learning Trip to all upper school students. UCC is partnering with Explorica & Camps International to offer a service-focused experience in Costa Rica from March 16–25, 2025.

Students will receive 30 hours of service recognition for participating in the activities on the trip, as well as have the chance to see some of the many highlights that Costa Rica has to offer, including a visit to Monteverde with a stop at Volcano National Park along the way.

This trip meets the requirements of a Duke of Edinburgh's International Silver Award Qualifying Journey.

Also of note: UCC will be partnering with BSS on for pre-departure and post-trip seminars specifically for this trip next school year.

Spaces are available for 12 students. Registration is now open at this link. 

Click here to access a detailed itinerary and information about costs.