Prep School February 12, 2026
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Prep School Highlights
Prep School Highlights
Friday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 16
⛄ Winter Midterm Break — No school
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Primary Assembly, 8:30–9 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
🕖 Student late start
Thursday, Feb. 19
Prep Jazz Band Festival, 8–3 p.m.
Founder’s Dinner,
Hewitt Athletic Centre, 5:30 p.m.
THIS WEEK AT THE PREP
THIS WEEK AT THE PREP
Prep Leadership Team
Dear Prep Families,
Yesterday, students came together for their third Colour House branch engagement of the year. These community-building activities have been facilitated by our Prep student leadership team —an incredibly authentic experience for them to organize and lead. The experience has also given them the opportunity to demonstrate attributes such as courage, self-awareness, empathy and curiosity. Through Colour House branches, students have had the opportunity to connect more deeply with students from their Colour House, creating a deeper sense of belonging and building relationships across year levels. The theme for yesterday’s experience was team identity and building belonging.
Mr. Evans and Ms. Fleming also had the opportunity this morning to attend the Ontario Band Association’s Provincial Band Festival. We heard the Year 7 Concert Band play three pieces, and observed a clinic with an adjudicator afterwards. The boys received targeted and meaningful feedback, which they will be able to apply in future performances.
This week, Year 3 held their annual market to celebrate the end of their inquiry unit as young entrepreneurs. Weston Hall was buzzing during the sale, with various products in support of wellbeing being advertised and sold. We also want to thank the PPO for organizing a very popular bake sale in honour of Valentine’s Day yesterday. The boys were very pleased to have some extra treats available at recess!
The recent events in Tumbler Ridge have weighed heavily on all of us. Echoing Principal McKinney’s sentiments, we are committed to supporting our community. Please know that Martha Boyce and Kayla Gosse from our Health Centre team are on-site at the Prep to offer guidance and support to students and families during this time.
Time is the most precious gift we can give one another. We hope this long weekend provides you with the space to slow down, share and celebrate the unique bond you share with your loved ones.
Your partners in learning,
Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans
The Prep Leadership Team
Update | Year 5
Update | Year 5
The weeks are flying by, and the Year 5 students have truly hit their stride, falling back into our productive classroom routines with ease after the winter holiday. It has been a busy and rewarding stretch of learning as we transition between units and look forward to the upcoming mid-term break.
In our unit of inquiry, we have recently wrapped up our study of Human Body Systems. Students performed a deep dive into how our internal systems interact to keep us functioning at our best, and they explored how their own choices can impact their wellbeing in HLS. We are now preparing to "power up" for our next unit on energy, where we will explore how different forms of energy are generated, transformed and used in our daily lives. This transition follows a fantastic Leadership Day experience at Branksome Hall, which provided students with valuable tools to lead with empathy and teamwork.
In math, we recently celebrated a very successful unit focusing on ordered pairs and decimals. The students showed great progress in navigating the coordinate plane and mastering decimal place value. We have now launched into our next unit, Operations with Fractions, which delves into multiplying fractions and finding common denominators. We will continue to use Everyday Math to guide our practice, supplemented by games, challenges and activities to help students build a strong conceptual bridge between these complex operations.
In language, our focus remains on the structural side of literacy through the exploration of non-fiction text features. Students are practicing reading for meaning and learning how to make logical connections between different pieces of informational text. Alongside this, we are immersed in our novel studies, diving into narratives such as The Girl Who Owned a City and The City of Ember. These stories provide a rich landscape for students to discuss community, survival, and problem-solving, while tying back beautifully to our Energy unit.
Looking ahead, the excitement is building as our class trips to Norval are on the horizon. These outdoor adventures are always a highlight of the year, allowing students to apply their learning in a natural setting and experience a true winter wonderland. We hope everyone enjoys the upcoming mid-term break and returns refreshed for the adventures still to come.
Year 5 Form Teachers
Update | Year 5 Design
Update | Year 5 Design
Our Year 5 designers have officially moved beyond "just coding" to become user experience designers. This term, Year 5 students are utilizing mBlock software and Halocode processors to bridge the gap between technical coding and human-centred design. Their objective is to develop custom, educational digital math games tailored specifically for their younger buddies in SK, Year 1 and Year 2.
The next stage of our journey involves a live feedback loop, where Year 5 students will watch their buddies interact with the games in real time. By observing where their buddy thrives or where they might get stuck, our designers can identify what works and what needs adjustment. This process teaches students that feedback isn't a critique of their work, but a vital tool for refining their logic and making the game more engaging for their partner.
It has been wonderful to watch the students persevere through tricky coding challenges to ensure every feature is just right. From crafting grade-appropriate math questions to adding personal touches inspired by their empathy interviews, they are working hard to create a learning experience that is as thoughtful as it is fun!
Year 5 PYP Exhibition
Year 5 PYP Exhibition
Year 5 is the last year of the Primary Years Programme, and as such, Year 5 students engage in the PYP Exhibition, a collaborative, student-driven, research-based and action-oriented culminating activity in the PYP.
Students lead their own inquiry in the spring term. We celebrate student learning and action with parents and the rest of our school community on Friday, May 8. Details will be provided as we approach this date but Year 5 parents should mark their calendars and plan to attend an afternoon event.
Year 5 parents are invited to join a virtual PYP Exhibition Information session to learn more about the PYP Exhibition. Please join us on Wednesday, March 4, at 1 p.m. Zoom link to follow. The meeting will be recorded and provided through Heads Up.
Dianne Jojic
PYP Coordinator
Update | Norval
Update | Norval
To kick off the new year with a burst of UCC excitement, the Year 4s embarked on their Norval winter adventure! Their first stop was to venture out to their magic sit spots. It was truly a magical transformation from autumn to winter! Inspired by the Year 4s from UCC past, they joined the tradition and penned heartfelt letters to their future Year 12 selves, sharing advice, predictions, aspirations, and more. Amidst laughter and learning, they savoured the triumph of their very first Norval cookout, enjoying self-prepared meals cooked over an open flame- yum!
But wait, there’s more! The Year 4 science hike brought with it some innovative new experiments. With all the snow around, we just had to put it to use—from snow volcanoes and suncatchers to snowman melting with beet juice and ice cream making. Through it all, we explored a variety of chemical and physical changes. Lastly, undeterred by the large amounts of snowfall, our fearless Year 4s took on the challenge of the Bobsled Grand Prix. Some bobsleds soared, some swerved, some spun out, some flipped, and some were even destroyed during their epic downhill descent!
Senior Kindergarten
The SKs received an exclusive invitation to the birthday celebration for the Winter Wizard himself. Upon arrival, however, they were met with a scene of chaos and disarray—the woodland creatures had yet to RSVP!
As Inquirers, the SKs are trained in the art of questioning, problem-solving, and knowledge-sharing. Empowered by these skills, they set out to find the animal folk and discover what they needed in order to attend the party. Meanwhile, the Winter Wizard, heartbroken by the belief that his special day had been forgotten, conjured even more snow than usual, leaving Norval buried under several feet.
The SKs were able to help each woodland creature and helped orchestrate the most magnificent surprise party imaginable! With infectious enthusiasm and boundless creativity, they lifted the Winter Wizard’s spirits and created a truly spectacular celebration for his momentous “eleventy-fifth” birthday.
Year 1
A story called Wolf Tracks! We called upon the students to help investigate some suspicious activity at Norval, and they came ready to help! 1M embarked on an epic quest to uncover the diabolical thief who ate the cherished Norval Apple Pie. With hearts afire and minds sharp, they explored a whirlwind of plots, characters, and settings to unravel the mystery.
As suspicion loomed over Norval, only the heroic Year 1s had the courage and detective skills to confront the case head-on. Was it the cunning Wolf lurking in the forest? The hungry Coyote searching for scraps? Or could it have been our beloved neighbourhood Ranger May? Through careful clue-solving, the Year 1s cracked the case and restored balance to Norval by identifying the correct suspect and keeping them accountable for their actions.
Year 2
The name of the game is Habitracks! The Year 2s braved a cold, snowy day at Norval, using maps to track down clues about which animals live in the Norval habitat. They investigated it all: skulls, antlers, scat, and tracks. Our Year 2 detectives were so diligent that they uncovered evidence of animals that even the Norval teachers hadn’t spotted! On this unforgettable day, the students embraced the snow like no other, creating core memories to last for years to come.
Year 6
Behold! The grand finale unfolded as the Year 6s embarked on a legendary quest known as the Trappers and Traders game—a Norval experience unrivalled in scale, complexity, and magnitude. An entire week was dedicated to building skills, strengthening spirits, and preparing minds for this epic adventure.
Each Year 6 class had the opportunity to learn from Utrihot Catherine Tammaro, who shared an invaluable Indigenous perspective, highlighting the historical significance and impact that the fur trade had on the past and present.
Armed with new understanding and survival skills developed through fire-making, challenge courses, and mapping, students ventured into the untamed Norval wilderness. In small groups, they searched for fur markers and traded their hard-earned resources for essential supplies needed to try to survive the harsh winter.
As snow continued to fall, students found plenty of time to toboggan, build forts, and even create the most relaxing spa in all the land. Ms. Cook gave it a five-star review, saying, “11 out of 10! The best part of my day. My favourite part of the spa was definitely the cheese emporium—they really do not skimp on the Parmesan Dusting, that’s for sure!” To wrap up their Norval experience, the Year 6s celebrated with a cross-country skiing hike around the property.
Coming up next, we can’t wait to welcome the Year 3s and 5s to Norval!
Norval Outdoor Educator
Middle math contests
Middle math contests
Canadian National Math League:
All students in Year 6 and 7 will write the contest during math class; Year 6 on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Year 7 on Monday, Feb. 23. Practice materials can be found in the "Optional Challenges" section of their math Brightspace page.
Sign up | Self-nominations open for PPO Advisory Committee
Sign up | Self-nominations open for PPO Advisory Committee
Dear Prep Parents,
The self-nomination process for the 2026–27 Prep Parents’ Organization (PPO) is now open!
Do you like to connect with other parents and feel part of a community? Maybe you love coming up with new ways to fundraise? Do you just want to be more involved in the school or have ideas about how we can make the Prep more sustainable? Join the PPO!
Whether it’s a one-off event or a more consistent commitment you’re looking for, there is something for everyone on our committee. Please have a look through our advisory positions here.
PPO self-nominations will be open from Thursday, Jan. 29 to Thursday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.
Get involved and nominate yourself by completing this form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Viner, Past President.
Year 7 Parents: Join the Upper School Parents’ Organization
Year 7 Parents: Join the Upper School Parents’ Organization
The self-nomination process for the 2026–27 Parents’ Organization (PO) is now open. When your child transitions to the Upper School in the fall, you do too. Volunteering is a great way to learn about the Upper School program, meet other Year 8 to 12 parents and guardians, stay current and support our students. We hope you’ll join the PO!
PO goals and initiatives
The PO’s primary goal is to foster community engagement through social, informational and fundraising initiatives — from planning speakers of interest to our community, parent get-togethers and sales of used uniforms, spirit wear, frames and grad rings, to organizing Festive Marketplace. There’s a volunteer position for everyone!
Sign Up Now
Follow these links for PO position descriptions and the self-nomination form. And, if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the PO, please email Mary-Lea Ruscetta, PO Past President. Reach out, describe your interests and we’ll find the best position for you.
We're grateful for your support and hope you’ll join us next year!
UCC Parents’ Organization
Donate | Mother's Day Drive
Donate | Mother's Day Drive
Over the years, your donations have brought joy and hope to moms and their children who are celebrating Mother's Day in shelters. Every night across Canada, thousands of women and children bravely seek refuge in shelters.
We'll once again be creating gift bags for children in shelters to give to their moms on Mother’s Day, and are gratefully collecting the following full and travel/hotel-sized toiletries:
soap and body wash
shampoo and conditioner
body lotion and skin care
unused cosmetics and nail polish
hair care products
toothbrushes and toothpaste
antiperspirant and sanitary products
beauty samples/perfumes
small gift sets
All donations will be packed with care by UCC's Helping Hands Club.
Donations can be dropped off at the reception desk in the Upper School or main office of the Prep. Please contact Linda Carvalho if you have any questions about drop off, or Samantha Dugas if you have questions about donations.
Thank you for helping to transform lives this Mother's Day.
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