Prep School August 28, 2025
Prep School August 28, 2025
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Tuesday, Sept. 2
🕓 Year 1–7 orientation day for new students
8:30–11:45 a.m. (see article below for details)
Wednesday, Sept. 3
🕓 Year 1–7 students first day of classes
(arrival between 8-8:30 a.m., no late start on this date)
Friday, Sept. 5
🕓 Half day for SK
8–11:30 a.m.
👕 Spirit wear dress (guidelines are here)
Sunday, Sept. 7
New Family Open House
Norval Outdoor School, 1–3 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 8
🕓 First full day of school for SK students
Year 6 and 7 Parents mix and mingle, 6:15-6:55 p.m.
Year 6 and 7 welcome back information evening, 7–8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 18
SK to Year 5 Parent mix and mingle, 6:15-6:55 p.m.
SK to Year 5 welcome back information evening, 7–8:30 p.m.
Prep Leadership Team
Dear Prep Families,
As the new school year starts, it's with great excitement and anticipation that we extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. We hope you've all enjoyed a restful summer, full of joy, relaxation, and meaningful experiences.
At our Prep School, the start of a new academic year is a time of renewal and opportunity. It’s a chance for our students to embark on new learning adventures, to discover hidden talents, and to build upon the foundation of knowledge and skills they have developed in previous years. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff are eager to guide, support, and inspire your children as they explore, grow, and excel.
Our faculty and staff have been back on campus all week in professional development and collaborative meetings to continue our work of enhancing student learning, wellbeing and belonging. Teachers have also been busy preparing learning spaces to ensure they are welcoming and ready. As we outlined in a previous Heads Up message, the construction work for the new Math and Science Learning Community will not be completed until well into the Fall. We have relocated some classes during that period, and we have been assured that the construction noise will not impact learning throughout the day. We're in regular communication with the project manager, and we will be thrilled to open it for students later this year.
This year, we're enthusiastic about the innovative programs and enriching experiences that await our students. We're committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every student feels valued and empowered.
For our new families joining us, we want to extend a special welcome! You are now a part of our vibrant school community, and we look forward to getting to know you and working together to support your child’s educational journey. In addition to reading Heads Up, subscribing to the UCC Family Google Calendar is the best way to stay on top of all the events and activities that happen each week at the Prep! Directions on how to subscribe are here.
To our returning families, welcome back! We're eager to continue building on the strong relationships and partnerships from last year. Your ongoing support and involvement are crucial to the success of our school community.
Please note in your calendars that the Year 6 and 7 Middle Welcome Back Information Night is coming up quickly on Sept. 8. It begins with an optional informal social, followed by formal presentations starting at 7 p.m. in Weston Hall.
In addition to our exceptional teachers, the office staff and Prep Leadership Team are here to support you and your boys. We're accessible by email, or feel free to pop by the office at the front of the school if you have a question!
Here’s to a wonderful year ahead filled with growth, discovery, and learning.
Your partners in education,
Warmest regards,
Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans
The Prep Leadership Team
The Year 6 and 7 Welcome Back information evening for parents will take place on Monday, Sept. 8 from 7 to approximately 8:30 p.m.. Information evenings provide families with an overview of the Prep’s academic program, general expectations and student supports.
The evening will begin in Weston Hall, then parents/guardians will move to their child’s classroom to hear from their child’s form adviser. Families are then invited to join our specialist faculty in our dining hall to learn about programming while enjoying some refreshments.
For those interested, an optional mix-and-mingle event for parents/guardians and the Prep Leadership Team will take place from 6:15 to 6:55 p.m. in the Bitove Lounge.
Please see the table below for a snapshot of how the Middle Division Welcome Back information evening will unfold.
Please enter the Prep through the main entrance just beyond the Peacock Arch.
Sincerely,
Gareth Evans
Assistant Head of the Preparatory School: Middle Division
Sarah Fleming
Head of the Preparatory School
If students have phones/smartwatches and bring them to school, they're expected to leave them turned off and in their lockers from the time they arrive at school until they are dismissed. Students who leave these devices unsecured will have them confiscated, and they will be returned to students at the end of the day. There is no need for a phone/smartwatch before or during school.
After dismissal, students in Years 6 and 7 may use their phones/smartwatches in the Bitove Lounge while waiting for pickup. These devices may never be used in the basement of the Prep, in the Prep locker rooms or washrooms; they will be immediately confiscated if used in a prohibited area.
No student may record or photograph any member of the community anywhere on campus without their explicit permission. Students who connect their personal mobile devices to the College network should expect that anything accessed or transmitted may be discoverable by UCC, thus, the same rules apply regarding anything done that contravenes UCC policies or provincial or federal law.
To contact your child during the school day, please call or email the form adviser. If your child needs to contact you, they may use the phone in the Prep’s Main Office.
Please note that students in Years 5 to 7 should have a pair of polishable dress shoes to wear on First Dress days, and all black running shoes for all other days. Please see more details concerning the uniform in the Family Handbook by following this link.
All students in Years 4 to 7 are required to lock their lockers at all times. Unless a student still has their double padlock from last year, they will be required to purchase a double padlock at the beginning of this school year. This will allow students to lock their book and athletic lockers with padlocks that require the same combination.
All students in Years 6 to 12 at Upper Canada College are expected to sign the Student Code of Conduct that outlines their commitment to themselves and the community. Years 6 and 7 students will do so after reviewing the agreements with their form adviser. The Code of Conduct is also discussed in an age-appropriate manner by form advisers with students in SK to Year 5.
Please see our Code of Conduct here.
Lesson information:
Lessons are usually scheduled once a week by our private teachers
Cost is $44 each lesson (1/2 hr)
Available for all band instruments for Years 5 to 12
Available for violin, piano, guitar, and bass for Years 3 to 12
Lesson times are first come, first serve (teachers will reach out to you to schedule)
Lesson times can occur during the school day only at 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
For more information and to register, please use this application form.
Reasons for lessons could be:
Recreational
Assistance with keeping pace with the curricular program
Wanting to be "the best they can be" (soloist, leader in the bands)
Completion of RCM exams
Getting a head start on the music program
Advancing musical skills
Assistance with skill development.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
SK–Year 5 Music Teacher
The After School Program (ASP) at UCC offers a caring, safe and educational environment for UCC students, while providing a service to our families beyond the regular school day. Starting with a nutritional supplement, and after a supervised, scheduled homework or reading session, the students may also be engaged physically or mentally through a variety of club opportunities.
The ASP offers a multitude of services for our children and parents, including but
not limited to:
Supervised after-school care for our families between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. ( pre-registration is not required.)
Rates are $15/hour with a 15-minute grace period (billed every half hour)
Example: minutes 1–15 free, 16–30 ($7.50), 31–60 ($15), 61–90 ($22.50), etc.
A nutritious snack to help revitalize the children’s energy to get through a longer school day.
Educational assistance in our homework sessions from our ASP staff, which are guided by our own Wernham West Centre for Learning (WWCfL) personnel.
Engaging the children in creative, physical or technology experiences in a structured but fun and relaxed environment.
An expanded selection of after-school clubs to challenge and educate our children in different ways.
Please mark your calendars for next week’s Heads Up newsletter, as a full list of club options, as well as registration links will be going live! The first day of ASP supervision will be on Wednesday, Sept. 3, and ASP clubs will begin the week of Sept. 15.
ASP Coordinator
Dear Parents,
As we return back to school, it's essential to check for head lice. Occurrences of head lice can be common among school-age children. Although itching of the scalp is the most frequent symptom, it is important to note that some children may not experience any itching at all. If you suspect your son may have head lice, a thorough check of his hair is necessary to identify any signs of lice or eggs (nits).
To check for eggs, part the hair into sections and look for tiny, oval-shaped particles attached close to the scalp along the hair shaft. These eggs are typically found in a halo pattern around the temples, behind the ears, or at the nape of the neck. Lice eggs are tear-shaped, brown in colour, and firmly attached to only one side of the hair shaft. If you find any eggs, you should use a special lice treatment shampoo, which the pharmacist can recommend.
It's essential to understand that head lice are not a reflection of poor hygiene. Lice can spread through the sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, towels, earphones, hats, stuffed toys, pillows, and clothing. Please remind your child not to share these items. If your child has head lice, it is crucial to check all family members and thoroughly clean your household. Lice will die within 24-48 hours without a human host. To clean your environment, you can dry items in a dryer for 20-30 minutes on high heat, vacuum non-washable items, and set aside items that cannot be dried or vacuumed for 24-48 hours.
For more information on head lice and treatment options, please refer to the LiceSquad and Toronto Public Health websites.
Please feel free to contact the health centre if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Get ready for the fall season with the UCC Crested Puffer Jacket! Featuring the UCC crest on the left chest pocket, these jackets 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. Perfect for layering on chilly days. The cost is $110 each.
Order yours now! The deadline for ordering is Sept. 12. Click the link for more details and to order.
Support shopping sustainably
Has your son grown out of last year’s uniform? As you clean out your closets, 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.
Mark your calendars
The first Used Uniform Sale will be on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 2:30-4 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 11 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex!
We are thrilled to invite parents to our Parent Coffee Socials to connect with parents in their child’s year. Please RSVP using the links below:
Monday, Sept. 8: Year 6 and 7
Tuesday, Sept. 9: SK–Year 5
All PPO Coffee Socials take place in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge (inside the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex) from 8:30–10 a.m.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The PPO is proud to launch a limited-edition three-shirt bundle to support the meaningful awareness days we observe as a school community:
Purple Shirt – Rowan’s Law Day (September 24): Honoring concussion awareness and safety.
Orange Shirt – Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30): Featuring a powerful mural design by Indigenous artist Philip Cote.
Pink Shirt – Anti-Bullying Day (February 25): Promoting kindness, inclusion, and respect.
Each bundle includes all three shirts for $38.99, and with every purchase, $1 will be donated to each of the following organizations:
• Concussion Legacy Foundation
• Indigenous Spirit Fund
• Kids Help Phone
Please order prior to Thursday Sept. 11.
Let’s wear our values proudly and support these important causes together!
As we prepare for another exciting year at the Prep, we invite all parents to be a part of our vibrant school community by joining the team of dedicated volunteers in the Prep Parent Organization (PPO).
This is a wonderful way to build new connections, directly impact your child's UCC experience and contribute to the overall growth of our school. There are several fun and diverse volunteer opportunities available at the Prep to suit your schedule. To explore current opportunities and sign up, please click here.
Thank you for volunteering!