Upper School October 9, 2025
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Upper School Highlights
Upper School Highlights
Friday, Oct. 10 - Monday, Oct. 13
🕓 No classes —Thanksgiving weekend
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Year 11 course change requests close
Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 17
Years 8–11: Week Without Bells
Year 12: 👕 UCC spirit wear dress
🕓 Regular school day starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:40 p.m. with special programming
Monday, Oct. 20
Classes resume: Day 5
THIS WEEK AT THE UPPER SCHOOL
THIS WEEK AT THE UPPER SCHOOL
Upper School Leadership Team
The UCC community continued to enjoy the beautiful weather as we moved into October, beginning with our Fun Friday wellbeing activities, which included special sessions such as an American Sign Language lesson, puzzle art creation time, and House soccer, in addition to the fan favourites Gaga Ball, board games and scavenger hunt. Fun Friday also saw the Year 11 mentors and their Year 8 mentees meeting up to take part in a range of activities or simply relax together while watching a game of house soccer. It was a great opportunity for mentors and mentees to bond and strengthen their connections.
Monday’s Principal’s Assembly was dedicated to celebrating Hispanic and Islamic Heritage months, and was a tremendous example of student collaboration, leadership and care. Students highlighted the contributions of Hispanic and Islamic cultures to art, and invited a spoken word poet and ballet folk dancers to perform for the community, to great applause.
Final reminders | Week without Bells
Final reminders | Week without Bells
A few important reminders about the Year 8–11 Week Without Bells trips, taking place Tuesday, Oct.14 to Friday, Oct. 17.
Device-free experience: Week Without Bells is a device-free program. Student phones will be collected upon arrival at camp and returned on the bus at the end of the trip. We ask that parents please support this initiative by ensuring that phones are not brought into camp.
Bagged lunch: Students on the Year 8, Year 10 and Year 11 trips will need to bring a bagged lunch for day 1.
Emergency contact: In the event of an urgent situation that requires you to reach your child, please contact Reception during school hours or UCC Security at (416) 786-3531 outside of school hours. Security will connect you with the appropriate UCC staff member.
Bus departures October 14:
Year 8: Meet on the Oval at 8:30 a.m.
Year 9: Meet in the north lot at 8:30 a.m.
Year 10: Meet in the north lot at 9:00 a.m.
Year 11: Meet in the Wilder Arena parking lot at 8:30 a.m.
Please review the packing list with your child, and visit the Week Without Bells parent resource board for full details about each trip.
We’re looking forward to an engaging and memorable week of growth and connection for all our students.
Regards,
Joe Smith, Gillian Levene and Damion Walker
Assistant Heads, Upper School
Year 10 | Field trip to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Year 10 | Field trip to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
We're writing to inform you about an exciting field trip (extension learning) opportunity to explore Ontario’s Legislature, Queen’s Park or the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at 111 Wellesley St. on Tuesday, Oct. 28 (Day 2). We will depart UCC at 10:40 a.m. and return at approximately 3:10 p.m. by TTC (13 Avenue Road Bus).
Students, please wear First Dress as we are going to the Legislative Building
Students should head down to the Bernick Family Foyer at 10:25 a.m.
Students are expected to return to their Period 4 Class following return to the College
Please see a summary of the trip below from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
Students will be introduced to Ontario’s Parliament as they participate in a series of engaging activities that relate to key concepts of the curriculum. Each program includes a visit to the Legislative Chamber, a tour of the Legislative Building and a participatory activity. We will strive to be present to watch a Question Period in the Legislative Assembly; this is not a guarantee.
Please review the procedures in the Plan Your Visit section of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s to learn about permitted and prohibited items as well as the process for entering the building. To prevent lengthy delays, please avoid bringing valuables, backpacks, and electronics. All electronics will be collected in advance if you are entering the public gallery. There is a coat check available at no additional charge. NOTE: Visitors 16 years of age or older are required to show government-issued photo identification.
Except for the cost of public transportation to the courthouse, there is no cost for the trip. Lunch should be brought with you from home; this will be eaten in the Atrium or Park of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Alternatively, you can eat during advising (if approved by your adviser).
If your child is interested in participating in the trip, please fill out the permission form by 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Legislative Assembly’s facilities and Queen’s Park’s staffing, only 35 students can be accommodated on this trip. If more than 35 students apply to the trip, a random draw will be conducted midday Tuesday, Oct. 21, and all students will be informed on Wednesday, Oct. 22, whether or not they have been selected for the trip.
If you have any questions, please let Ms. Richards know.
Best,
Ms. Richards, Ms. Hogan and Mr. Arhin
Year 10 Civics and Citizenship Teachers
Introducing Study Hall: Supporting IB Component Work
Introducing Study Hall: Supporting IB Component Work
We're pleased to share with you the introduction of a new initiative in our Upper School community: IB Study Hall. This program is designed as a supportive mechanism to help our Diploma Programme (DP) students manage the demands of their International Baccalaureate component coursework.
The DP is built on a combination of coursework and final examinations. To receive the IB Diploma, students must complete a range of IB-specific components that demonstrate their learning beyond standard classroom assessments. These include both CORE components (TOK and EE) and subject-specific internal assessments (IAs). These IB components count significantly toward students’ final grades and must all be completed to achieve the IB Diploma or Course Certificate.
Study Hall has been created to provide students with dedicated time, structure, and accountability to ensure they are able to complete this work to the best of their ability and on time.
Attendance at Study Hall will be mandatory for any student who has missed a deadline for either their IB component draft or final submission. Please note, Study Hall will only be for IB component work at this time and will not include late summatives for non-IB components. Parents will be notified through a Student Update if your child has missed a deadline and is required to attend Study Hall. This will take priority over extracurricular activities. Study Hall will provide a structured time for students and their teachers to continue working towards the completion of the IB component.
Thank you for your continued support as we introduce this important resource for our DP students. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Study Hall will have on their learning journeys.
Warm regards,
Diploma Programme Coordinator
Director of Academics
Save the dates | Photo day
Save the dates | Photo day
Please mark your calendar for our photo days on Wednesday, Oct. 22 (Years 8 and 9), Thursday, Oct. 23 (Years 10 and 11), and Friday, Oct. 24 (Year 11 continues and make-up photos for students who were away and missed taking their photo).
While our photos do not go into the yearbook, they are used for internal purposes such as preparing Prize Day or Election Day slides and appearing on our security cards. It is important for students to have their photo taken.
Dress code for photo: While First Dress is recommended, a UCC-crested golf shirt is acceptable.
Parent portal for itemized meal transactions
Parent portal for itemized meal transactions
UCC has teamed up with Aramark to provide parents with a new online portal. This portal allows you to view itemized receipts for student meal purchases in the Upper School.
How to request access
To get started, please complete this Google request form. Please note the following:
Only one parent needs to complete the form, as the portal allows for only one email address per login.
If you have more than one child at the school, you must submit a separate request form for each student.
Please complete the form by Friday, Oct. 17.
Account creation
After your request is received, we will set up your account and send you an email with the login instructions by Friday, Oct. 25. The email will be sent to the email address you have associated with the portal.
Starting with the January 2026 student statements, meal charges will be summarized into a single charge. If you would like to continue seeing a detailed breakdown of meal expenses, it's important to request access to this new portal.
If you have any questions, please contact Marco Mariani or Joel Saju.
Save the date | Three-way conferences
Save the date | Three-way conferences
Feedback is a vital tool to support students in their educational journey. The Upper School’s three-way conferences offer an opportunity for this. Both in-person and virtual appointments will be available.
Wednesday, Nov. 5: In-person on campus
Thursday, Nov. 6: Virtual
Registration opens on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Save the date | Light up the Avenue
Save the date | Light up the Avenue
Join us on Monday, Oct. 20 as we celebrate the official launch of this year’s Festive Marketplace with our annual Light up the Avenue event.
Thanks to the partnership of the PO, PPO and UCC, the campus will once again sparkle with strands of glowing white lights from the clock tower, down the Avenue to the Prep. These lights will shine brightly through the winter months until March Break, bringing warmth, joy and festive spirit that reflects many traditions celebrated in our community, including Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas.
Gather with us after school for hot chocolate, festive music and a special visit from our mascot, Ice.
Prep: 3–4 p.m.
Upper School: 3:40–4:10 p.m. (on the front steps and at the back loop).
It’s a wonderful way to connect as a community and start the festive season. We look forward to seeing you there.
Save the date | Year 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day
Save the date | Year 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day
UCC is proud to support Take Our Kids to Work Day for Year 9 students on Wednesday, Nov. 5. This national career exploration event, now in its third decade, invites students to spend the day at the workplace of a parent, relative, friend, or volunteer host, witnessing first-hand the world of work. In doing so, students begin early career planning, gain insight into future goals and endeavours, and learn from the knowledge, experience, and advice of professionals. The event also provides families with a valuable opportunity to discuss career prospects and fosters connections between education and the skills needed in today’s workplace.
This year’s theme, Lift Up the Future, encourages all of us to support young people as they imagine the world they want to build. Year 9 students will learn more in an upcoming assembly, and participating families are reminded to communicate their child’s absence through the SchoolPass App or by emailing usattendance@ucc.on.ca.
Year 9 Coordinator
Save the date | Festive Marketplace
Save the date | Festive Marketplace
Mark your calendars for this year’s Festive Marketplace —Friday, Dec. 12.
A wonderful UCC tradition that includes in-person shopping, an online Festive Auction, a bake sale, a snowball grab, student musical performances and more. Grab lunch with a friend. Meet for a coffee and a freshly baked treat. Enjoy exclusive shopping at one of our local curated vendors. There is something for everyone!
Calling all vendors
Interested in becoming one of our vendors? Want a great way to promote your local business? Do you know a great vendor? We are looking for small businesses, artisans or creatives who might be interested in participating. Send us a message at uccfestive@gmail.com to find out more information about becoming a vendor at Festive Marketplace. If you would like to sign up as a vendor, please register here.
Donate to the Festive Auction
The Festive Auction is always a highlight of Festive Marketplace. Let’s make this year’s Festive Auction just as successful as last year’s.
We're looking for donations. We would be thrilled to receive donations such as sport, concert and event tickets, trips and unique experiences, behind-the-scenes tours to interesting places, meet-and-greets with famous people, wine and spirits, electronics, as well as gift cards, gift baskets and certificates.
If you have items to donate, please complete this online donation form or send us an email at festiveauctionucc@gmail.com. Charitable tax receipts are available for eligible donations.
If you would like to donate but don’t know what to give, we also accept monetary donations using e-transfer. We will buy auction items and gift cards on your behalf. Please send cash donations by e-transfer to treasurer@uccpo.ca (please write “auction donation” in the note).
All proceeds from Festive Marketplace and Festive Auction are used by our Parent Organizations for special initiatives that provide direct and positive enhancements for UCC students.
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