October 2021

Message from Admissions

Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director of Strategic Enrolment Management

With the new school year well underway, the community is thoroughly enjoying being back on campus and engaged in all things Havergal. While we have always appreciated the breadth of programming at the school, it has been special indeed to hear music ringing through the halls and to have the opportunity to cheer on our sports teams on all three of our playing fields. We are thankful to all of our community members for making this such a great start, but in particular we are grateful for our faculty. Our Principal, Dr. Katrina Samson, shared this message on World Teacher Appreciation Day, which says it all.  

I hope you have had a chance to visit our Virtual Admission Centre to register for our upcoming events. We are so pleased to be able to invite our prospective families to visit our campus through our Beyond the Ivy day on Friday, October 22 and to join us for all of our events over the coming months as we help you navigate the admission process and discover the Havergal difference. You can learn more about our process and our upcoming events here. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Havergal Highlights—from meeting our new Principal, to the return to campus to the innovative programming in HC-X, we have much to share.  

This admission season will be a special one in these new times, with many opportunities for you to discover how your daughter will thrive at Havergal. We are looking forward to getting to know you and your family in the coming months.

Be well,

Maggie

Join Us for Our Virtual Open Houses

We look forward to hosting prospective families at our series of Virtual Open Houses, which are designed to highlight our programs, people and community. Each Open House will provide families with the opportunity to hear from students and faculty members about what makes Havergal unique.

Junior School: Tuesday, October 19, 9 am. Reserve your spot.

Grade 7: Tuesday, October 26, 7 pm. Reserve your spot.

Grade 9: Tuesday, October 19, 7 pm. Reserve your spot.

Boarding School: Tuesday, November 16, 8 am. Reserve your spot.

Announcing Havergal’s New Website

We are pleased to announce the launch of Havergal’s newly designed website. This refreshed online presence puts the user experience first and is designed to attract new families; communicate the value of a Havergal education; attract top talent; be accessible by all people; and reflect HC’s values, program and brand. 

Our new site is built on WordPress with a design that is responsive, making it easy for visitors to access information on a variety of platforms, from mobile devices to desktop computers. When you visit, you will notice that the Havergal narrative is more cohesive and visually appealing, supported by an updated navigation system, and the content is organized by school (Junior, Middle, Upper and Boarding Schools). There is an intentional call to action to apply now and the benefits of our second-to-none education are highlighted on designated grade pages. 

For prospective families looking to join our community, information about the admission process and requirements is tailored to ensure a seamless enrollment experience. We are also very proud that our new site is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), meeting and exceeding World Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA standards.

The Communications and Marketing team would like to thank the select parents, current and prospective students, faculty and staff who participated in our user testing and contributed content.

Inside the HC-X Innovation Hub

HC-X is the hub for the development and delivery of innovative teaching and learning. As an integral part of Havergal’s Strategic Direction—Havergal 2020+:Future-Proofing the Next Generation—the HC-X team and the programming developed within represents the future-ready mindsets, strategies and learning experiences that will be a differentiator for Havergal students and faculty. 

This fall, we launched the second year of our Digital Wisdom Course for students in Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8. This course is a personalized, responsive learning experience that supports students in navigating a digitally-mediated world while maintaining a stable concept of identity and values. The course design incorporates Wellbeing and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as key outcomes.  

HC-X also leads a team of Junior and Upper School Faculty through the development of a Blended Learning Model that prioritizes student agency through the use of blended learning practices. 

Havergal’s Global Learning & Leading Diploma is an innovative, application-based program from HC-X that provides student-driven experiences in which they develop and practise global knowledge, skills and mindsets, combined with experiential learning. Students gain a foundation to deal with complexities and tackle their big questions using transdisciplinary approaches and supported by strong Faculty mentorship. 

At Havergal’s HC-X, the future of education is being designed with intention, applying research and consultation within and outside the educational sectors, to find ourselves as we pursue the North Star of HC 2020+.

The College Blog

Havergal’s Heads of Schools distribute key messages to parents about school life through The College Blog. The Upper School message will come out every other Friday and the Junior School message will be published weekly on Fridays (or the last day of school, in case of a Professional Development day or a holiday). The Heads of Schools will send out a link to parents/guardians of the most current message, which will include previous issues if you continue to scroll down. 

Junior School Blog: https://collegeblogjs.wordpress.com/

Upper School Blog: https://collegeblogus.wordpress.com/ 

The Blog provides information specific to each school (Junior School and Upper School) that is pertinent to daily school life (such as up-to-date operational information, invitations to events, important dates and deadlines). Stay current by reading and bookmarking it.

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Dr. Katrina Samson, Principal

Katrina Samson is a vibrant, passionate educator who is committed to a student-centred approach. She held the role of Head of School at Appleby College since 2010 and previously held positions as Director of the Upper School and Assistant Head of School, Student Life while teaching English literature throughout her tenure. 

Her energy and enthusiasm underpin her solid professional credentials. Dr. Samson has an impressive educational background with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University and continues her involvement with the school as a member of the Queen’s University Council. Her post-graduate studies include a Master’s degree from the University of Ottawa and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Toronto. Her dissertation and research focused on leadership and succession planning in Canadian independent schools. 

A strong advocate for the advancement of women and children, she has carried her passion to her volunteer role as a board member for Armagh (a transitional housing and support program for women who have suffered domestic abuse), and as a co-teacher of the “Women in Leadership” module for the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Leadership Institute. 

Her life experiences as an established educator with a focus on innovation, wellbeing and experiential learning—combined with her passion for creating leadership structures that allow for the growth and development of leaders within schools—is an asset for the Havergal community. 

Grad Profile: Meet Alexa Daniel, Class of 2021

Attending Western University for Music Administrative Studies

Never shy to take the stage, Alexa developed a passion for music during her 11 years at Havergal. Whether she was singing with the Choir, performing at Prayers or bringing down the house with the national anthem on Hockey Day, she feels most alive when she’s entertaining a crowd. Post-graduation, Alexa continues to build her portfolio in the music industry at Western University’s Music Administrative Studies, the only university program in Canada of this kind, where she was fortunate to receive the Music Scholarship of Merit. “My Guidance Counsellor introduced me to the idea of studying Music Administrative Studies, which is a great fit for me because I am eager to continue performing, but I’d also like to know more about what happens behind-the scenes,” she says. As she discovers more about careers in production, distribution, recording and touring in her studies, she is eager to find her specialization in the field. Usually a male-dominated industry, Alexa hopes to break the glass ceiling for women working in music administration. “It’s time for change—we need more female representation and I’m ready to make a difference.”