Upper School May 7, 2026
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Upper School Highlights
Upper School Highlights
Friday, May 8
👕 UCC spirit wear dress day
Year 12 IB Exams
Norval: Year 10 Mentors and Year 7 Mentees trip
Student-Directed Play: 12 Angry Jurors
MB Theatre, 7–8:30 p.m.
Year 10 and 11 Social
David Chu Theatre, 8–10 p.m.
Monday, May 11
Year 12 IB Exams
Tuesday, May 12
Year 12 IB Exams
Year 8, PO Social
Zeidan Residence, 7–9 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13
🕓 Student late start
Year 12 IB exams
Thursday, May 14
Year 12 IB Exams
Friday, May 15
👕 UCC spirit wear dress day
Year 12 IB Exams
House Track and BBQ Lunch, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
THIS WEEK AT THE UPPER SCHOOL
THIS WEEK AT THE UPPER SCHOOL
Upper School Leadership Team
Last Friday marked the introduction of next academic year’s Board of Stewards and the traditional blazer and portfolio swap. The new Board is eager to continue the good work begun by their predecessors and to carry forward the spirit of service that defines student leadership at the College.
Monday’s Principal’s Assembly honoured the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people. We were fortunate to welcome Aqua, an IndigiQueer artist and activist, who offered a special performance for our community. Aqua shared a song of healing and invited the audience to join in singing a song that encouraged us to stand with one another and remember that we do not walk alone. The performance was both moving and uplifting.
We also continue to welcome the Year 8 students of the next academic year. On Wednesday, we hosted our Year 7 Transition Evening, highlighting what students can look forward to in the Upper School and outlining the many supports in place for them. The Year 7 students will also meet their mentors at Norval this week, beginning relationships that often become an important source of connection, guidance, and belonging. It is always exciting to see these first steps into the Upper School.
We are in the season of socials and dances. The Year 8/9 Candyland-themed social took place on Friday, and the Year 10/11 Nantucket-themed social will take place this Friday. These moments of celebration and connection are an important part of the student experience, giving students the chance to build friendships within the College and with our COSSOT peer schools.
Year 8 to 11 | June exam schedule
Year 8 to 11 | June exam schedule
Dear Year 8 to 11 students and families,
Below you will find important information on the Year 8 to 11 final examination schedule:
June 2026 Examination Schedule
Final examinations are mandatory with the expectation that all students will write exams as scheduled. Any absences should be reported to the Registrar’s Office at registrar@ucc.on.ca and require approval of the exam committee.
The examination process provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate learning and receive feedback on academic progress and to review material covered during the academic year. Teachers will communicate course-specific exam details to students in their classes.
Important to note:
June 1 and 2 are both regular school days for Year 8 students.
Other than Latin, language oral exams will be scheduled by individual teachers.
June 10 and 11 are marking turnaround days for teachers. No classes.
June 12 is the last day of classes (return of assessment materials) with a modified schedule, which includes a celebratory BBQ.
Best of luck with the upcoming exams.
Warm regards,
Jordan Small
Director of Academics
Co-Curricular Theatre | Twelve Angry Jurors
Co-Curricular Theatre | Twelve Angry Jurors
Twelve Angry Jurors is a tense dialogue-driven play by Reginald Rose that takes place in a jury room where twelve, rather angry men and women must decide the fate of a nineteen-year-old boy.
"Guilty or not guilty? At first, most of the jurors seem to agree that the kid is guilty, but chaos begins as one juror chooses to stand alone against the others. The play tackles themes of morality, prejudice and perspective and keeps the audience engaged in its high-pressure moments where characters confront each other head-on."
Nik Charette, Class of 2026
Twelve Angry Jurors is a student-directed play, with a cast and crew comprised of students from UCC and BSS. It is also the final production of the 2025–26 Co-Curricular Theatre season.
Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8
Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre, 7–8:30 p.m.
To reserve a seat, contact director Nik Charette (nchar26@ucc.on.ca) or stage manager Patrick Tang (ptang26@ucc.on.ca).
Admission is free.
The Week Without Bells 2026
The Week Without Bells 2026
Hello Upper School Parents and Guardians,
With spring well underway, our attention is focused on planning for the year ahead. One of the major experiences in our school calendar is The Week Without Bells, an experiential learning program in which all students in Years 8–11 travel, collaborate, and explore curricular and co-curricular themes. All students are expected to attend. If your child is unable to attend due to medical reasons or a mandatory prior commitment, please contact Gillian Levene (Year 8), Joe Smith (Years 9 and 10) or Damion Walker (Year 11) by Sept. 18.
For the 2026–27 academic year, UCC has partnered with ALIVE Outdoors, our Norval Team and AdventureWorks, to deliver an exciting week of camp programming for students in Years 8–11, scheduled from Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Friday, Oct. 16.
ALIVE Outdoors works with well-established camps familiar to UCC, including Camp Timberlane (for Years 8 and 11) and Camp Wanakita (for Year 10). Meanwhile, the Norval Team and AdventureWorks will deliver exciting programming for Year 9 students at Olympia Sports Camp.
Take a look at photos from 2025–26 Week without Bells.
Please note:
A non-refundable deposit of $585 will be billed to student accounts on Sept. 18.
The remaining balance of the program fees (approximately $585) will be billed after the trip concludes.
Families currently receiving financial assistance for the 2026–27 academic year will receive prorated assistance for this program fee.
Please be aware that there will be no alternative programming for Year 8–11 students on campus during the week, as the faculty will also be at the various camps.
During this week, Year 12 students will remain on campus, focusing on completing Diploma Programme-specific tasks and working on their university applications.
We are excited for the busy months ahead as we celebrate the end of this school year and look forward to the opportunities of 2026–27.
Kind regards,
Joe Smith, Gillan Levene, Damion Walker
Assistant Heads, Upper Canada College
Year 8 | Bridging Art & Science at Norval, Celebrating the IDU
Year 8 | Bridging Art & Science at Norval, Celebrating the IDU
Recently the Year 8 cohort embarked on a transformative journey at the Norval Outdoor School, marking the successful launch of our Art and Science Interdisciplinary Unit (IDU). This hallmark MYP experience challenges students to step outside traditional subject silos, investigating local ecology and the impact of human action through the dual lenses of scientific inquiry and artistic practice.
A "Cyclical" Approach to Stewardship
Building on past successes, this year’s Norval days (April 20–22) focused on a "cyclical" environmental process. Students didn't just observe the ecosystem; they took active roles as stewards. Activities included:
Scientific Inquiry in the Field: Guided interpretive hikes led by specialists to identify native and invasive species using iNaturalist.
Physical Stewardship: Engaging in the intensive work of clearing invasive Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) from the watershed.
Restorative Action: Moving from removal to restoration by planting native species, fostering a deeper understanding of biodiversity and conservation.
The Art of Observation
Interwoven with their scientific work, students practiced the tradition of Natural History illustration. Working alongside OCAD Professor Shannon Gerard and Wyandot multidisciplinary artist Catherine Tammaro, students developed observational skills to render organisms with both scientific accuracy and artistic intentionality. Whether sketching bark and leaves at the Sugar Shack or learning about the cultural and ecological significance of local plants, students discovered that close looking is the foundation of both art and ecology.
Transforming Research into Action
The fieldwork at Norval serves as the primary research for the students’ final projects: a digital Natural History Field Guide entry or an Invasive Species Impact Infographic. Supported by Academic Foundations teachers, students are now synthesizing their data—distribution maps, population graphs and ecological analysis—with their interpretative illustrations to create a coherent, interdisciplinary document of environmental awareness.
A Heartfelt Thank You
This complex experience, from deep curriculum work to intricate logistics, would not be possible without the collective effort of the Science, Art and Academic Foundations teams. A special thanks to our Norval faculty for their incredible energy and support, and to Mother Nature for (mostly) cooperating despite the chilly start to the spring!
Year 8 New Date | Parent/Guardian information evening
Year 8 New Date | Parent/Guardian information evening
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On the evening of Monday, May 25, we will be hosting a parent/guardian information session for the Class of 2030. After the meeting, there will be an opportunity to socialize.
Please note that this time has been rescheduled to accommodate the Year 8 parent social. The time will still be from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The focus of our time together will be a discussion of Wellbeing and School/Life Balance coupled with a Student Panel led by some of our incoming and current portfolio stewards. There will be opportunities for questions throughout.
Please indicate here if you will be attending so that we may prepare accordingly.
Time: 6:30–8 p.m.
Format: In-person
Location: Manucha & Bellamy Studio Theatre (Room 201)
Many thanks for your support!
Year 12 | Laptop Return by May 21
Year 12 | Laptop Return by May 21
A reminder to Year 12 families that Year 12 students must return their school-owned laptop and the associated Apple MagSafe 30W power supply and cable by Thursday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m.
It's recommended that students return the school-issued laptop and power supply after their last exam. Students must return their own laptop as the device will be assessed for damage and each student’s signature is required to complete the return. Students will be asked to wait while the laptop is assessed. The time this takes will depend on the number of students returning their laptops. It's recommended that students do not wait until May 21 to drop off the laptop and associated power supply and cable. Please note that it is not recommended that students drop off their laptops before Leaving Ceremony as there is often not enough time.
Please return the Apple MagSafe 30W power supply and cable that was issued with the laptop. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of laptops being returned without the correct power supply and cable. This year, the replacement cost for these items has increased to $138 because they are specifically MagSafe Chargers. We can only accept this specific charger. Students who do not return the Apple-branded MagSafe power supply and charging cable will have the $138 replacement charge billed to their UCC account.
The laptop must be returned in its case, in good condition and without damage. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear that is not covered under AppleCare+ for Schools will be billed to the student’s UCC account. Stickers must be removed from the laptop to avoid potential charges due to excessive sticker residue.
Both the laptop and the Apple MagSafe 30W power supply and cable must be dropped off at the Upper School Help Desk between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Please ensure all files are backed up.
Student access to their Google Account will be removed on October 12. After that, their UCC Google account will be deleted, and there will no longer be access to any stored emails.
Students are responsible for backing up all their files that are on their hard drive before returning the laptop. Once the laptops are returned, they will be wiped immediately, and there will not be another opportunity to access the files. Please use Google Takeout to move content from the UCC Google environment before October 12, 2026.
Look for a reminder about the account deletion of your UCC email accounts in early October 2026.
Thank you in advance, and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Kathleen Peak
Executive Director, Information and Innovation
Year 12 | Grad Frame Pickup
Year 12 | Grad Frame Pickup
Attention Class of 2026, if you ordered a Grad Frame earlier this year, pickup will be in the main foyer of the Upper School on the following dates and times:
Friday, May 8, between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. (English exam day)
Thursday, May 14, between 2:15 and 3:30 p.m. (Math exam day)
Friday, May 15, between 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. (Math exam day)
For any questions, please contact Karinne Chan.
Year 12 | Last chance to order Grad Lawn Signs
Year 12 | Last chance to order Grad Lawn Signs
As graduation approaches, celebrate your son’s achievements with a personalized lawn sign from UCC Press.
Orders must be placed by May 8 using this form for pickup before graduation on May 22. Payment can be made in person at UCC Press by credit card or by e-transfer.
Boarding families needing pickup assistance can contact Lisa Orr.
SPECIAL NOTE: Please remember where it says “UCC Grad Name To Be Printed On Sign” to write specifically what you want printed on the sign, many families will choose to only put their son’s first name or to leave this blank.
Leaving Class parent social
Leaving Class parent social
Let's raise a glass and say some final farewells at the UCC Grad Parent Social on Thursday, May 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Badminton and Racquet Club (25 St. Clair Ave. West)
Tickets are $25 per person. As they are limited, please purchase no more than 2 tickets in total.
This is a parent-only event and takes place while the boys attend their Leaving Class Dinner at UCC.
Parking is limited, so please consider taking an Uber, subway or parking in one of the many nearby lots.
It’s the end of an era, and we look forward to celebrating with you!
Event link here.
Horizons for Youth's Race for Hope
Horizons for Youth's Race for Hope
Hello UCC Families,
My name is Aidan Fisher and this year, alongside my fellow Secretaries General BZ Coleman-Goldkrand and John Mboutsiadis, as well as the rest of our Secretariat, we hosted OMUN 2026, UCC’s very own premier Model United Nations conference. Through this conference, we used our platform to raise around $1000 for Horizons for Youth, a youth shelter working to provide at-risk and homeless youth in Toronto with holistic support, life-changing programs, and a home for as long as they need. But we don’t want to stop at raising money and want to get the rest of the UCC community involved.
I'm excited to spread the word about Horizons for Youth’s upcoming fundraiser, Race for Hope, taking place at Woodbine Racetrack on June 7, from 1–4 p.m.
In the words of one of the organizers: “Tickets are selling quickly, and we would absolutely love to see members of the UCC community there. It’s going to be a really special event, and your presence would mean a great deal to us.”
Please consider a day at the racetrack to help leave homelessness in the dust. If you are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased here. If you can’t attend but wish to support a good cause, you can find ways to get involved here.
All the best,
Aidan Fisher, Class of 2027 and the OMUN Secretariat
Spring Parent Socials
Spring Parent Socials
Year 8 Spring Parent/Guardian Social, May 12
Please join us for conversation and connection!
Tuesday, May 12 from 7–9 p.m.
Zeidan Residence (address to be provided)
Light food and drinks will be served
Year 9 Spring Parent/Guardian Social Pub Night, May 20
Please join us for a Pub Night!
Wednesday, May 20
6:30–8:30 p.m.
The Quail, 1055 Yonge Street, Toronto
Note: nibbles will be served, and beer and cocktails can be purchased
Year 11 Spring Parent/Guardian Social, May 28
Please join us for cocktails and conversation in the garden! Hors d'oeuvres will be served. BYOB, shared by all and served by a bartender!
Thursday, May 28
6:30–9 p.m.
Gupta Residence (address to be provided)
Donate | Staff Appreciation Lunch
Donate | Staff Appreciation Lunch
We need your support to make this year’s Staff Appreciation Lunch a success!
A time-honoured tradition at UCC, the Staff Appreciation Lunch is our school community’s way of thanking all the different staff who help make our students’ experience at the College so remarkable. This includes teachers, administration, arena staff, housekeeping, food services and support staff. Approximately 350 staff will attend the lunch on Wednesday, May 27, in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge.
The Staff Appreciation Lunch is fully funded by parent donations. Please contribute to this wonderful event for all of our UCC staff by donating here.
Thank you so much for your support!
TUBS Spring Updates
TUBS Spring Updates
TUBS Used Uniform Drive begins Friday, May 1 and runs to Friday, June 12. Used uniforms can be dropped off in the Uniform Donations box inside the Upper School main entrance. Items can also be dropped off any time up to June 12 at the TUBS shop, during open hours.
The final Lost & Found Parade of the year will be held from Wednesday, June 3 to Friday, June 12 at 12 p.m. outside Lower Dining Hall. Any items remaining after 12 p.m. on June 12 will be donated. And the last day to purchase items from TUBS this school year will be Friday, May 29.
Thank you to our TUBS volunteers!
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