The College will be closed from Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 to Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. 

Please note that this is the final distribution of Heads Up for this year. Heads Up will resume on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Over the course of the year, we’re celebrating the diversity of our community and the different significant events that occur, including religious and cultural observances, through school gatherings and celebrations. Assemblies in particular are a long-standing and beloved tradition at UCC — a time for students and colleagues to come together for learning, celebration and community building. 

During November and December at the Prep and Upper Schools, we honoured many of the celebrations that occur in winter, including Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Students reflected on cherished traditions in our community and the shared themes of light, connection and community that we will carry across our school year. 

Warmest wishes as families come together to mark these significant occasions. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back to campus in the new year.

In case you're thinking about making a gift to the College before the end of the year, below are the important deadlines, links and forms you will need to make your gift.    

To receive a 2025 charitable tax receipt, your donation must be received before 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31.

To make your gift online please visit ucc.on.ca/donate

To make a stock donation, it must be initiated before the end of business on Tuesday, Dec.23. Please send your completed Gift of Securities form to tara.ross@scotiawealth.com and pmaddox@ucc.on.ca.  

For cheque donations returned by mail, the envelope must be postmarked with a December 2025 date. Cheques can also be dropped off with staff at the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex until noon on Dec. 31.

You can also call Peter Maddox at 416-488-1125 ext. 2023 to donate over the phone using your Visa, Amex or Mastercard. If you don't get through, please leave a voicemail and he will respond within one business day.

Dear Families,

As the respiratory season ramps up ahead of the holidays we are continuing to see a rise in illness within the UCC community. Toronto Public Health (TPH) is recommending that all eligible residents take proactive steps to protect themselves and our school community.

Layered protection: Vaccination and prevention

Vaccination is an important step to reduce infections that can lead to severe illness and complications.

• Flu (Influenza) and COVID-19: All eligible residents should get vaccinated.

• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Infants and seniors can also receive protection against RSV.

In addition to vaccination, there are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. We encourage you to review the TPH resource below outlining these layers of protection. For the latest information and updates, visit toronto.ca/RespiratoryViruses.

Your cooperation ensures a safer space for all students and staff. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our community healthy.

UCC Health Centre

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.

UCC’s annual Norval Winter Open House is on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Come and enjoy winter activities for the whole family, including: 

• Cross-country skiing: Bring your own or use a pair of ours. Instructors will teach beginners and lead a tour through the trails. More advanced skiers are welcome to follow one of our marked trails (please be advised that the trails aren’t track-set).

• Tobogganing: Zoom down our popular toboggan hill in the arboretum. Bring your own sled or use one of ours. Please remember to bring a helmet.

• Outdoor campfire: Warm up and enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Register here.

Stephen House will be open and serving food and refreshments. Please ensure you bring socks, as shoes are not permitted to be worn inside Stephen House. Please note that dogs on a leash are welcome, but not inside. 

This event is rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather. 

Questions? Contact Katarina Bojic at kbojic@ucc.on.ca or 416-488-1125 ext. 2232.

Directions: 

Take Highway 401 west to Winston Churchill Boulevard. Follow Winston Churchill Boulevard north and go through the Village of Norval. Continue straight ahead. The entrance to the Norval property is on your left, 1.2 km north of the village stoplight. The drive takes about 50 minutes from UCC in light traffic.