We are excited to welcome all new students to the Upper School (day, boarding and all Year 8 students coming from the Prep) on September 8! 

Please see this link for important information sent to families in July, which includes:

• An overview of Orientation Day activities

• Items to bring

• A welcome video

• Uniform information

• A facilities map

• Frequently Asked Questions and key contact information sheets

• Important fall event dates

New boarding students, please note that your move-in date is on Sunday, Sept. 6. Please refer to the Boarding section of this issue of Heads Up for more detailed information on orientation.

We’re excited about 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 continued to partner 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. See photos from the 2025–26 Week without Bells here.

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.
  
  

Please be aware that there will be no alternative programming for Year 8–11 students on campus during The Week Without Bells 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.

*Please note that families currently receiving financial assistance for the 2026–27 academic year will receive prorated assistance for this program fee.

Kind regards,
Joe Smith, Gillan Levene and Damion Walker
Assistant Heads, Upper Canada College

Dear Upper School Community,

Recently, new classes of wearable devices with discreet recording abilities have become readily available for purchase. In the interest of the student learning experience, privacy and wellbeing, we ask that students and families take note of the policies around wearable technology added to this year’s edition of the Family Handbook: 

“Any wearable technology with the ability to record audio or video is not permitted at the College. Wearable technology that allows students to privately view content is also not permitted. These technologies include AI, HUD, and AR-enabled glasses as well as wearable AI recording pins and pendants.

Smartwatches and fitness trackers without recording abilities are permitted to be used by Upper School students.”

Please direct any questions to the appropriate year level assistant head: 

Gillian Levene, Year 8

Joe Smith, Year 9 and 10

Damion Walker, Year 11 or 12 

The Math Department is excited to welcome our Year 8 and 9 students with comprehensive math welcome kits on their first day of class. To ease the back-to-school rush and ensure every student is prepared to succeed, these kits will be distributed directly by their teachers. 

Each kit contains essential supplies valued at approximately $185, including a TI-84 CE Plus graphing calculator, a math notebook, geometry tools, and standard writing utensils. The total cost will be charged to your student account.

Opt-Out Option: If your student already owns a TI-84 CE Plus graphing calculator and you wish to opt out, please email Natasha Wilcox at nwilcox@ucc.on.ca. Your student will still receive the remaining supplies, and your account will only be charged approximately $15.

We look forward to seeing everyone in the fall!

Please note the following key dates and information about the course change process for the 2026–27 academic year. 

Students should reach out to a university counsellor to begin a conversation. See contact information below.

There is also a late course change process that begins after the end dates below. At that point, students will have spent more time in their courses and therefore the request to move from one course to another can be more complex. A discussion centred on potential impacts will be led by the university counsellor and will involve the student and parent, course teachers, adviser and the Wernham West Centre for Learning (WWCfL) as required.

Course Change Dates

Students in Years 9 and 10

Begins: Day 3 (September 11)

Ends: Day 2 (September 23)

Students in Year 11

Begins: Day 3 (September 11)

Ends: Day 5 (October 13)

Course changes must be approved by a parent/guardian and a student’s university counsellor.

University Counselling Office:

Michèle Mindorff— Jackson’s

Alison Champ— Howard’s, Bremner’s

Nili Isaacs— Orr’s, Scadding’s and Martland’s(A-K)

Stephanie Rose— McHugh’s, Mowbray’s and Martland’s (L-Z)

Andrew Turner — Seaton’s, Wedd’s

There are two ways to purchase textbooks and course materials for the 2026–27 school year. You can buy directly from the University of Toronto Bookstore or, new this year, you can buy and sell used textbooks privately through the dedicated Used Textbooks WhatsApp groups created by the UCC Parents’ Organization.

When you join a Used Textbooks WhatsApp group, you will be connected with other parents who are looking to buy or sell books. Because new members cannot see past chat history in WhatsApp, please check your year’s Used Textbooks Spreadsheet to view available books or list items for sale.

Click below to join your year group and access the spreadsheet. For example, join the Year 8 group and spreadsheet to sell Year 8 books, or join Year 9 to buy Year 9 books.

Year 8 Used Textbooks WhatsApp

Year 8 Used Textbooks Spreadsheet

Year 9 Used Textbooks WhatsApp

Year 9 Used Textbooks Spreadsheet

Year 10 Used Textbooks WhatsApp

Year 10 Used Textbooks Spreadsheet

Year 11/12 Used Textbooks WhatsApp

Year 11/12 Used Textbooks Spreadsheet

Please note: 

• The UCC Parents’ Organization is pleased to provide this forum for connection, but individual transactions remain the sole responsibility of the buyers and sellers.

• All arrangements must be made directly between families. Participants should exercise their own judgment when buying and selling textbooks.

• Upper Canada College does not have a role in the WhatsApp Used Textbook Groups.

The UCC Parents’ Organization (PO), the volunteer parent organization of the UCC Upper School, hopes you and your family are enjoying a wonderful summer!

As we look forward to the start of another school year, we invite all parents and guardians to consider getting involved with the PO. Volunteering is a wonderful way to contribute to life at UCC, meet and connect with other families, and become more engaged in the broader UCC community.  Whether you are new to UCC or have been part of the community for many years, there are many ways to get involved, and we would be delighted to have you join us!

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available throughout the year, with options to suit different interests, time commitments, and levels of involvement.  Every contribution makes a difference and is a great way to meet fellow parents and help enrich the UCC experience for students and families. 

Occasional volunteer role descriptions can be found here. If you’re interested in volunteering, simply complete this form, choose your area(s) of interest, and we’ll be in touch!  

If you have any questions or would like more information about volunteering or about the PO generally, please feel free to contact us at pres.ucc.po@gmail.com and vp.ucc.po@gmail.com. 

The grad wear site for the Class of 2027 is up and running with a wide variety of customized goods such as hoodies, joggers, baseball caps and a stylish duffel bag. Click here to see what is for sale. 

Free local pickup is available in Leaside or choose $10 flat-rate shipping to your Ontario address. Don't delay! The site will only be open until Friday, Aug. 21. Items ordered will be delivered in September. The site will then close and reopen from Sept. 14–25 for final orders. Orders placed within that timeframe will be delivered at the end of October.

Get set for school with The Used Blues Shop (TUBS) Annual Used Uniform Sale.  

When:

Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Where:

Upper School lower-level hallway (near the Lower Dining Hall)

The sale will feature gently used uniforms and spirit wear. All purchases will be charged to a student’s account. Students may shop on their own. Parents are welcome, but asked to first sign in at reception. Please bring a shopping bag.

Used uniform and spirit wear donations are welcome. If you’re interested in volunteering or have questions, please email TUBS.