October 2026

Message from the Dean of Academics

Mr. Lam Nguyen

Learning is far more than receiving information; it is the process of understanding ourselves and others, continually growing and being inspired and equipped with the agency to make a difference. From JK to Grade 12, Havergal’s intentionally designed classroom experiences centre on student ideas, curiosity, critical thinking and confidence at every stage.

Across all grades, these principles come alive through daily experience. Young students in the Junior School examine their own ideas collectively to build early confidence, while hands-on STEM experiments foster learning through design and iteration. In the middle grades, students learn to analyze their own executive functions to strategize, optimize understanding and transfer skills — learning that growth is a messy, rewarding process. In the senior grades, students feel prepared to actively pursue their unique passions and choose to specialize in a variety of enriched experiences and advanced courses.

These experiences directly cultivate what visiting educational consultant Eric Hudson recently highlighted: that productive struggle is key to learning in the age of AI. While technology makes acquiring information effortless, Havergal’s approach ensures that students embrace struggle, risk-taking and iteration as essential steps to growth. This depth of learning relies on relational environments where belonging is key. Supported by peers and teachers, girls feel safe taking risks, making mistakes and learning with and from one another, fostering lifelong curiosity and confidence. 

Message from the Havergal College Board of Governors

Anna McMeekin Morrison ’03, President, HOGA

Stepping into my second year serving as the President of the Havergal Old Girl Association, I have been reflecting on a concept that feels uniquely fitting for our community: taking the long view. Havergal is never just about the years we spend in the classroom; it is about how this place shapes our lives over decades. In my own family, that perspective spans three generations. My grandmother was a Boarder here during the war, my mother attended as a student and then returned years later to teach in the Junior School, and my sister and I grew up on stories of House Shout and school traditions long before we ever put on our green blazers.

This year carries a special resonance as we mark the 100th anniversary of our Upper School building, known to earlier generations as “The New School.” An entire century of memories, friendships and lifelong connections that started within our ivy walls. As we honour that century of history, my goal for HOGA’s next chapter is straightforward: to keep our community engaged, connected and fiercely supportive of one another across every generation.

We saw that intergenerational strength in full force during Reunion Week, where more than 800 Old Girls/Alums returned to campus to celebrate the depth and reach of our network.

Their accomplishments serve as a powerful reminder that an extraordinary network does not run on reputation alone; it thrives on purpose, curiosity and the willingness to open doors for those coming up behind us.

Looking ahead, we are bringing that same intentionality to our core initiatives for the coming year:

Whether you host a regional gathering, mentor a student or drop in at an upcoming event in your city, your presence drives this association forward.

Thank you for your intelligence, your leadership and your continued commitment to this community. I look forward to building this next chapter alongside all of you.

For questions or to get involved, please reach out at [email protected].

With warmth and gratitude,

Anna McMeekin Morrison

Something Incredible is Waiting to be Known

Greg Ryerson, Junior School STEM Coordinator

As a Science teacher, one particular quote that has always resonated with me comes from astronomer and planetary scientist Carl Sagan: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

In the Junior School, STEM learning focuses on active, hands-on exploration. By conducting experiments, our young scientists have the opportunity to learn through doing and — by engaging in the engineering design process — they are able to design prototypes in pursuit of solutions to real-world problems. 

Recently, the students in Grade 5 have used the STEM Lab to explore properties of, and changes in, matter. Through a series of hands-on investigations, students observed firsthand how chemical reactions can produce a gas, evidenced by bubbling and fizzing, and a measurable decrease in mass. They then applied these observational skills to analyze known substances and successfully identify an unknown sample.

Whether they are building structures to test stability, exploring their connection to the natural world around them or discovering how simple machines are used in everyday scenarios, students continuously refine their ideas through trial, iteration and collaboration. This process transforms curiosity into confidence. By giving students the freedom to experiment and learn from failure early on, they gain the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to navigate an ever-changing world.

The Path to Math Confidence

Alex Shum, Head of Mathematics

While instructional approaches in mathematics constantly evolve, our core guiding principle remains unchanged: placing students at the centre of their learning. We believe every student can succeed, and we shape our program to build confidence, agency and an appreciation for math as both a lens and a language.

In the Middle School, classroom teachers and support specialists collaborate to provide small-group instruction, delivering a personalized balance of challenge and support within every unit. Students quickly learn that being a “math person” is a myth — growth comes from engaging in well-designed lessons, collaborating in productive struggle through problem-solving and practising these skills deliberately.

As students enter the Senior School, they can choose — and switch — between Grade 9 and 10 Core and Extended courses without limiting future pathways. Extended courses dive deeper into advanced topics, while Core courses continue to deliver upon Havergal’s signature high academic rigour. Unlike traditional streamed programs, both Core and Extended preserve equal access to all Grade 11 and 12 offerings, including AP Calculus and AP Statistics.

Across all grades, students engage in hands-on, real-world sense-making, whether analyzing food price equity between Northern and Southern communities in Grade 8, using trigonometry to measure inaccessible objects in Grade 10 or designing long-term financial plans using geometric series in Grade 11.

At Havergal, students see math as relevant, accessible and empowering.

How AP Capstone Nurtures Tomorrow’s Thinkers

Jennifer Goldberg, Director of Academics

Advanced Placement (AP) is an enriched program, offered worldwide, that provides students the opportunity to engage with the content and skills of first-year university courses while in high school.

Havergal’s liberal arts program has long been committed to cultivating thinkers capable of producing and defending academic research; the AP Capstone Diploma is one powerful example. The courses that make up this two-year diploma — AP Seminar (Grade 11) and AP Research (Grade 12) — have students undertake deep, sustained work on a topic they’re passionate about, each one a scholar working in community to explore some of the defining questions of our time. The culmination is an academic paper of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 words, accompanied by a presentation with an oral defence.

For students, AP Capstone nurtures enduring and transferable learning for university and beyond: the ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews, evaluate complex sources, collect and synthesize data, and develop and defend original arguments orally and in writing. In addition, working directly with external experts and faculty mentors as they pursue their original research teaches students to navigate professional relationships, accept constructive critique and independently direct long-term projects.

AP Capstone is open to all Havergal students. Last year, over 40% of our Grade 11 class chose to rise to the challenge. As we confront the risks of cognitive offloading to AI, AP Capstone is one manifestation of the many ways human curiosity, abstract thinking and independent reasoning remain at the heart of a Havergal education.

HCPA General Meeting

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for our October Havergal College Parents Association (HCPA) General Meeting. Attendees gained valuable insights from guest speakers Kirsten Uhre (Director of Guidance 7–9 and Head of Learning Support) and Caitlin Parsons (Social Worker), who presented on the innovative Science of Learning and Wellbeing Course. For families who are new to Havergal, our monthly meetings provide a supportive space to connect with other parents, stay informed about exciting HCPA initiatives, hear directly from school leaders and learn about the programs shaping our students’ daily experience.

If you were unable to attend, we invite you to join us for our next morning meeting on Wednesday, November 11, from 8:45 to 10:45 am in the Junior School Dining Room, where attendees will hear from guest speaker(s) US Athletic Director Carla Di Filippo, Director of Arts Matthew Varey and JS Athletic Director Anna Bartlett on the topic of “Arts and Athletics.” Parents who cannot join in person are encouraged to participate virtually. Please reach out to the HCPA at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Connect and Mingle at Havergal’s Parent Pub!

Join fellow Havergal parents for a relaxed evening of conversation, connection and friendly competition at our upcoming Parent Pub! Whether you are a long-time member of our community or a family new to Havergal this year, this casual social gathering offers a wonderful, welcoming setting to meet parents across all grades. Hosted by HCPA Chair Emily Liang and Vice Chairs Meaghan Sangha and Faria Umar, the evening is designed to bring our school community closer together.

The event takes place on Thursday, November 19, from 7 to 10 pm at the Amsterdam Barrel House (87 Laird Dr, just a 15-minute drive from campus). Tickets cost $85 per person or $150 for two. Every ticket includes two drink tickets (craft beer, wine or mocktails), complimentary soda, passed appetizers, trivia and entry into our lucky draw with exciting prizes.

Dress code is casual attire — come ready to mingle! Reserve your spot today by purchasing your Parent Pub ticket here. The deadline to RSVP is Monday, November 9, 2026.

HCPA Bake Sale

On Friday, October 23, our Havergal community came together for a fantastic, treat-filled day across both the Junior and Upper Schools! Students and parents enjoyed browsing the incredible assortments of baked goods, candy kabobs and sweet treats in the JS Learning Hub Hallway and the Ellen Knox Library.

For families new to Havergal, our annual bake sales are a cherished autumn tradition that builds school spirit while raising funds to support enriched student programs and initiatives.

We extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this day possible — from the parents who baked nut-free goodies, contributed funds via e-transfer and volunteered their time setting up and serving, to everyone who came out to support the sale! Your generosity and enthusiasm truly show what makes our Havergal community so special.

Grade Breakfasts

We are excited to invite our Grade 1, 3 and 5 students along with their special guests (one parent or significant adult) to join us for a heartwarming morning on campus! 

Breakfast Schedule

Guests and students will share a delicious breakfast and participate in engaging activities together to create lasting memories — matching pjs optional, smiling faces guaranteed! For families new to Havergal, these grade-specific breakfasts are a wonderful tradition that strengthens connections between home and school in a fun, community-centered environment. 

Not registered yet? Please complete your registration using the relevant link below:

For the featured slideshow, please email a baby photo of your daughter along with a recent photo of her and her guest to [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

Sydney Caron

Director of Boarding

As Director of Boarding, Sydney Caron supports the wellbeing of a caring, collaborative and lively community of Boarding students. She works alongside the Boarding Staff Team to nurture a living and learning environment where every Boarder is encouraged to practice responsibility, self-advocacy and empathy. Ms. Caron believes that preparing young women to make a difference in the world begins with helping them recognize the impact they have on others, here and now. She encourages Boarders to value not only what they accomplish, but how they do so, with care, respect and integrity.

Ms. Caron studied philosophy before completing a Master of Divinity at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Her experience spans community leadership, volunteer development and pastoral care. Ms. Caron grew up in a small town and has lived in several new-monastic communities, most recently the Community of St. Anselm at Lambeth Palace in London, UK. These experiences have deepened her appreciation for how daily rhythms, shared meals and the ordinary moments of life together can form and re-form us, particularly in communities where we feel known, valued and supported.

Raised in the Anglican tradition, Ms. Caron grew up singing the hymns of Frances Ridley Havergal, making her connection to Havergal’s Anglican heritage especially meaningful to her.