Havergal Highlights

Message from Admissions
Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director of Strategic Enrolment Management, and Emily Simms-Brown, Director of Admission
As we gear up for Havergal’s beloved Spirit Week, the halls are buzzing with students coming together as a whole grade to plan their cheers, which will show their spirit as they represent their cohort at the activities planned by the student leaders. This week is deliberately set in February, when the bright sunny days of spring can feel a bit of a long way off. Spirit Week is a great way for our students to come together as a community, demonstrate their House and school spirit and support all of our wellbeing with some fun. Our commitment to Wellbeing is a critical pillar of our strategic plan “Empowering Excellence,” which you can read about in this issue of Havergal Highlights.
We are also aware of the excitement that is building for families as Offer Day draws near. All families will be hearing from Havergal on Friday, February 21 and acceptances are due back on Wednesday, February 26. We appreciate all of the time and effort our applicant families have put into this process. The caliber of candidates and their families have been outstanding. We know the future is a bright one.
Sincerely,
Maggie & Emily

Enacting Our Commitment to Wellbeing
Krista Koekkoek, Vice Principal of Student Life & Wellbeing
The message of prioritizing wellbeing is everywhere. You can’t listen to a podcast, scroll your social media or roam a bookstore without words about prioritizing self-care or putting yourself first. And to what end? It’s a challenging time to consider what it means to be well.
I read a piece this year by Dr. Tracy Dennis Tiwary, a researcher and professor in psychology and neuroscience at City University in New York. In it, she confirms that we now know more about mental health and wellbeing than at any other point in history. We have more strategies, tactics, support people and self-help books than ever before.
Yet, rather than have less “unwell” in the world, we seem to be experiencing increasingly more. And despite what some will say, there actually is no single cause for it. Not our phones. Not our social media. Not our lack of getting out for a run this morning or having protein in our shakes.
There is not one thing that has single-handedly hurt our wellbeing.
Dr. Tiwary wonders—and so do I—if we have all tried to pursue ‘too much’ when it comes to our mental health. Are we overdoing it when it comes to figuring out how to feel okay in the world? Is there just too much pressure to live our best life?
What if we reminded ourselves and taught our girls that we are enough?
I am going to say that again. We are enough. Right now, in this current moment, we are all we need to be.
And we need you. We need your daughters. The world needs your daughters just as they are. Not fixed. Not perfect. Not changed. Not self-helped out.
They are enough.
What if wellbeing is not a task or an item on a checklist but a way of being? Enter Havergal’s Commitment to Wellbeing. A commitment that puts strengths and growth, compassion, self-awareness and living a values-aligned life at the centre of its priorities. It’s not a task, but a way of being.
So we commit at Havergal to not touting the latest trends in “happiness,” but rather preparing young women for the inevitable ups and downs of life, and having the confidence to authentically be their whole selves, setting the boundaries they need to feel fulfilled, contributing to something greater than themselves, with a curiosity for learning and growing.
Krista
Inside Havergal

Thriving Together—Nurturing Wellbeing in the Junior School
Junior School Head Kate White and Assistant Head Liz Watt
The wellbeing of our students is at the heart of everything we do at Havergal. Why? Because we know that a healthy and fulfilled child is better equipped to learn, grow and thrive. When students feel safe, supported and valued, they are more engaged in their academic work and develop the confidence to take on new challenges. Prioritizing wellbeing also strengthens their social-emotional skills, such as empathy, resilience and teamwork, which are essential for building strong relationships and navigating life’s ups and downs. In order for this to happen, students need to develop a toolkit of strategies that they can use not only now, but also in the future.
This year, we shifted from having a “Thrive Week” early in the year, to having a series of “Thrive Days” throughout the year, where we have introduced our students to a variety of tools they can use and practise. The purpose of these days is to:
- Normalize the human experience of emotion and reduce stigma.
- Acknowledge that wellbeing is unique and diverse.
- Support reflection and awareness building in what community members need to be well.
- Provide new tools/skills to cope with life’s challenges.
- Align with Havergal’s Commitment to Wellbeing.
On Thrive Days, all members of the Junior School community, including teachers, take part in a variety of activities aimed at exploring new tools for their wellbeing toolkit. While we recognize that not every strategy works for everyone, our goal is to offer an opportunity for individuals to try new approaches, refresh their resources and swap out what no longer serves them. Many of these tools are inspired by student suggestions on what has been most effective for them, and several students actively contribute by leading Thrive activity sessions. Some examples of activities include cosmic yoga, mindful colouring, guided meditation, gratitude sessions, beading, chalk colouring with music, origami, exercise classes and more!
We believe that fostering wellbeing is not a one-time effort but an ongoing journey. By embedding practices that prioritize mental, emotional and social health into our everyday lives—especially through initiatives like Thrive Days—we are creating a culture where students feel safe to explore, experiment and build the skills they need to flourish.

A Holistic Approach to Wellbeing in Grades 7 to 9
Kirsten Uhre, Director of Guidance, Student Support & Wellbeing
Our Grade 7 to 9 Guidance Team is dedicated to fostering student wellbeing as a foundation for academic success. Grounded in research and driven by a holistic approach, the team—made up of Ms. Winograd, Ms. Steele and Ms. Randall—provide specialized, comprehensive support through one-to-one meetings, Form activities and grade-wide sessions. Topics discussed by this passionate team of experts include time management, study skills, friendships, co-curricular activities, mental health and academic planning.
Developmentally appropriate, specialized support is tailored to the unique needs of each grade cohort. Students in Grade 7 are welcomed at the beginning of the year by their Guidance Counsellors via individual meetings, where they are given time and strategies to adjust to the transition into middle school.
This personalized care continues as students move through Grade 8 alongside their designated counsellor. Time is spent with Grade 8 students exploring their interests and passions through the course selection process.
The Grade 7 to 9 Guidance Team also runs the First Six Weeks program for new-to-Grade 9 students, which is a unique program at our school. Students who are new to the school meet with their Guidance Counsellor once per week for the first six weeks of school to ensure that they are adjusting well to the demands of high school and connecting with new friends. More specialized academic counselling takes place with Grade 9 students as they continue to explore a variety of interests and course pathways. This work is purposefully designed to enhance and take into account the importance of each student’s emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing.
Through their unwavering commitment and thoughtful approach, our Guidance Team plays an integral role in helping ensure students are ready for the opportunities and challenges of the middle years so they can thrive.

University Counselling at HC
Heather Johnstone Director of Guidance, Academic and University Counselling
We are so fortunate at Havergal to have a team of expert Guidance Counsellors dedicated to assisting our Grads in applying to university and supporting their pathways. These Guidance Counsellors have travelled and networked extensively with universities around the globe and bring together 140 years of experience supporting student academic goal setting.
Some highlights include:
- Providing individual counselling to help students identify their strengths and interests and transforming them into university programs and, eventually, careers.
- Assisting students through the research stage to the application phase, which includes supplemental application support as well as scholarship information.
- Helping students find summer enrichment opportunities that support the development of their interests.
- Developing community programming with topics relevant to post-secondary transitions, including navigating roommate relationships and decision-making around post-secondary offers.
- Partnering with Havergal’s Human Resources Team to launch Havegal’s first “Ready, Set, Hire” workshop series, beginning with our Grads. The series will support the development of their skills in resume writing, interviewing and career networking.
- Collaborating with Havergal’s Alumni Relations Team to facilitate guest speaker series for senior students and introduce them to a variety of Old Girls/Alums to share their career journeys.
We are delighted to share that many of our students have already received early offers to outstanding post-secondary programs.

HCPA Pre-Loved Uniform and Marketplace Sale
Pre-Loved Uniform Sale
The Havergal College Parents Association (HCPA) hosts Pre-Loved Uniform Sales at different times throughout the year. The next sale is on Wednesday, February 5, from 2 to 5 pm, outside the Junior School Learning Hub. Parents are encouraged to stop by to stock up on extra uniform essentials or to replace lost items.
During the sale, the HCPA will also be accepting donations of pre-loved uniform items that their children have outgrown. Donating and purchasing second-hand items is a great way to reduce our carbon footprint and raise money for the HCPA at the same time.
Items for sale include skirts, tunics, pants, polo shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, 1/4 zip sweatshirts, jogging pants and blazers.
Please note that the HCPA Pre-Loved Uniform initiative is not affiliated with Havergal’s Green & Gold Shop.
HCPA Marketplace
The HCPA Marketplace Team sells unique Havergal swag, including photo frames, sweaters, bags, cups and more. Shopping is now available online at the HCPA Marketplace Online Shop, which is open year-round with seasonal updates.

HCPA Bake Sale
Havergal College is fortunate to have a dedicated team of parent volunteers on the HPCA who run community engaging and fundraising events in support of the school. One upcoming event hosted by the HCPA’s Bake Sale Committee is the ever popular Bake Sale on Thursday, February 13, at both the Upper and Junior Schools. Students can choose from a variety of cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, candy kabobs, popcorn, muffins, donuts and more. It’s a great way to end Spirit Week and to celebrate Valentine’s Day while supporting the school’s key initiatives.

Gator Gala
On Saturday, April 5, Middle and Senior School students and their adult guests will enjoy our annual Gator Gala. The evening will feature a delicious meal, dancing and a few fun surprises!
In addition to enjoying dinner and dancing, our guests can also participate in the Gator Gala Silent Auction. The auction offers something for everyone, with all proceeds going to HCPA community engagement initiatives and identified school priorities.

Junior School A-mazing Race
The A-mazing Race is a highlight of the year for our Junior School families—and this year will be no different! On Sunday, May 4, students and their partners (an adult over the age of 21) will join us on Havergal’s campus (outside, if weather permits) to engage in friendly competition with their House teams. In addition to participating in a series of games and challenges, participants will also enjoy snacks and refreshments, and—most importantly—have fun while connecting with other members of our JS community.

Annual Report 2023-24
January brings excitement for a new year, but it is also a time to reflect on our accomplishments from the previous year. One of the things we are proud of from 2023-24 is the generosity shown by our dedicated community, which is the focus of our 2023-24 Havergal College Annual Report. The report showcases the incredible philanthropy of our community, spotlights our donors and provides an overview of the past fiscal year. We are very grateful for these significant contributions in support of girls’ education and look forward to furthering our work this year and beyond.
Highlights

Havergal’s Student-Led Wellbeing Council
Hadley Michael, Wellbeing Prefect
Wellbeing at Havergal is guided by a dedicated team that includes a student-led Wellbeing Council. This council recognizes that wellbeing is deeply personal, reflecting the unique interests and needs of every student. By embracing a holistic approach, the council strives to support all aspects of student life including physical, mental and emotional health.
Unique to this year, the Wellbeing Council has been working on planning and promoting Thrive Days, monthly student-led initiatives designed to prioritize meaningful activities that promote happiness, health and connection within the school community. Thrive Days are created in collaboration with key pillars of Havergal life. For example, in partnership with the Forum for Change Council, we hosted a post-Halloween pumpkin smash to symbolically release negative self-talk while repurposing some pumpkins in the process. Currently, the Wellbeing Council is focused on organizing the Hockey for Health initiative, alongside the Sports Council, which will emphasize growth and resilience in sports by continuing the conversations about mental and physical health after Hockey Day.
An exciting new development within Havergal Wellbeing this year is the community partnership with Jack.org, a charity dedicated to empowering youth to promote mental health awareness through talks, summits and fundraising events.
Through Jack.org’s “Be There” program, council members have been engaging in training modules to deepen their understanding of mental health and learn to recognize signs of struggle. This partnership marks the beginning of an impactful journey toward building a more informed and compassionate school community.
As the Wellbeing Prefect, I am honoured to work alongside a dedicated team to ensure that every student feels valued and supported so that they can thrive at Havergal. Together, we hope to inspire open conversations about mental health, foster a stronger sense of community and empower everyone to take steps toward promoting their health and wellbeing in all aspects of their lives.
Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Kayla Kanner
Health Centre Manager and Lead Nurse
As the Manager and Lead Nurse of the Health Centre at Havergal, Ms. Kanner’s focus is on building a healthy, well community at Havergal. With 16 years of pediatric nursing experience, including 12 years in neonatal and pediatric critical care and experience teaching nursing students at the university level, she brings specialized care, expertise and compassion to the school environment.
In addition to physical health, mental wellbeing is a priority in her work. Ms. Kanner understands the pressures students face and is available to provide a listening ear, guidance on stress management and support for mental health challenges. She works closely with guidance counsellors, social workers and other staff to ensure a holistic approach to each student’s wellbeing. Boarding students often face additional challenges being away from home. Whether it’s helping them navigate homesickness, managing long-term health conditions or simply providing a comforting presence during a difficult time, she ensures they have the care and attention they need to feel safe and supported.
In addition to direct care, Ms. Kanner teaches CPR and First Aid to all faculty members, equipping them with the skills needed to handle emergencies with confidence.
As a mother of three, promoting a culture of wellbeing is a core value of hers. She encourages both students and staff to prioritize their own health and wellness. She is proud to contribute to creating a healthy, supportive environment at Havergal.