September 2026

Principal’s Message

Dr. Katrina Samson

As we begin a new school year, I have been thinking about the ways we connect with one another. Many of us now interact regularly with AI chatbots that can answer questions, help us work through ideas and respond in ways that feel remarkably personal. These tools can be useful, and, at Havergal we want students to learn to use them thoughtfully and responsibly. Using generative AI tools also prompts us to reflect on what we need from our relationships with actual people.

Human relationships ask something of us. We misunderstand one another. We say the wrong thing, feel awkward or have to find the courage to join a conversation. We also laugh together, challenge each other’s ideas, offer comfort and discover what we can create together. Through these experiences, we learn about ourselves and make sense of the world.

This belief in the importance of human connection sits at the heart of Havergal’s Learning Framework. At Havergal, we learn with others, courageously, deeply and purposefully. We learn because we belong. When a student feels known and cared for, she is more willing to ask a question, test an idea or try something difficult. When we listen to one another and make space for different perspectives, our whole community learns.

This year, I hope we will each look for opportunities to connect: to welcome someone into a conversation, reach out when a friend or colleague is struggling, share an idea or simply spend time together. These small acts shape how people experience Havergal, whether they are students, employees, families or Old Girls/Alums.

I look forward to learning with you this year, and to the moments of friendship, courage and joy that come from being together.

Dr. Samson

Message from the Havergal College Board of Governors

Kate Horton 1994, Chair of the Board

Dear Havergal Families,

Welcome to the 2026–27 school year! I hope your summer offered time to recharge, connect and enjoy special moments with loved ones. As an Old Girl and proud Havergal parent, I am deeply honoured to serve this remarkable community and to step into a new role as Chair of the Board of Governors. There is an unmistakable energy in the air as a new academic year begins and, whether your family is arriving at Havergal for the very first time or returning for another familiar chapter, we warmly welcome you back to campus. 

We are already building on the wonderful momentum established this fall. Our recent Celebration Day continues to anchor our community in service and spirit, carrying forward Ellen Knox’s enduring question, “What will you do?” From supporting our local Community Partners to rallying together at community-wide events like Friday Night Lights, our shared dedication to empowering young women remains at the heart of everything we do. In the months ahead, we look forward to gathering once again for cherished traditions, including our annual Carol Service, music and theatrical performances, and campus festivities that bring us together across all grades to celebrate the best of the season.

Our campus was active throughout the summer with a wide variety of activities. We welcomed The Ivy Day Camp back for its sixth year, hosted our first full season of the new Havergal Tennis Club, served as a location for film productions and advanced several capital facility upgrades and improvements. These included Phase Two of the Junior School enhancements (e.g. staff workroom, new IT service desk, learning support office relocation and improvements to the Gator Care office), an additional phase of the roof replacement program at the Upper School (Legacy Theatre, Hawkins Dining Room and Music Tower areas), a complete refresh of the climbing wall in Gym C, filter replacement and tiling repairs to our pool, and numerous other grounds improvements to ensure our learning environment remains safe and beautiful.

Our Board of Governors met earlier this month for the first time this academic year. We are excited to be back, bringing the group’s diverse perspectives and a deep commitment to Havergal’s strategic vision, innovation and continued pursuit of excellence. On behalf of my fellow Governors and our extended community, I would like to express profound gratitude to our departing Board Chair, Jill Fraser (Class of 1987), for her leadership, care and lasting contributions to the school. Jill will remain on as Past Chair through this academic year.

A thriving school relies on an engaged community. I encourage you to connect with us this year — whether through the Havergal College Parents Association (HCPA), the Havergal Old Girls Association (HOGA), the Foundation or as a volunteer at school events. Your partnership enriches the Havergal experience for every student.

Thank you for your warm welcome as I begin my tenure as Board Chair. On behalf of the entire Board of Governors, I wish you and your children an inspiring, joyful and successful year ahead.

Warmest regards,

Kate Horton

How Junior School Clubs Spark New Interests and Connections

Natasha Teja, Assistant Head of the Junior School

In the Junior School, the community comes to life through the many opportunities our students have to get involved, connect with others and discover what they love. Our JS Club program offers something for everyone — from fashion and art to cooking, chess, choir, LEGO and robotics. Younger students can explore their interests through multi-sport groups, while students across the Junior School have opportunities to try new things, develop a skill or discover a passion they never knew they had.

Community-focused opportunities extend beyond the classroom and into the wider community. Through our food and clothing drives, students of all ages can contribute by donating items to those in need. Older students have the opportunity to take their service a step further by visiting North York Harvest Food Bank and New Circles, where they help sort food and clothing for distribution.

What makes these experiences so meaningful is not simply what students do, but how they feel while doing it. Clubs and service opportunities give students a chance to find their people, build friendships, contribute to something bigger than themselves and feel that they belong. Whether they are discovering a new passion, sharing a talent or helping others, our students learn that being part of a community means both finding your place and making space for others.

Building Lasting Cross-Grade Bonds Through Upper School Co-Curriculars

Heather MacNeil, Director of Student Leadership

Havergal’s Upper School co-curricular club program is an integral part of student life, allowing students opportunities to explore their interests, discover new passions, get involved in the community and grow beyond the classroom. By connecting students across different grade levels through common ground, clubs create organic mentorship opportunities and allow students to build lasting relationships. Covering everything from STEM, debate and global affairs, to cultural heritage and the arts, or simply hobbies that spark joy and passion, students are sure to find something to join. All run by student leaders, clubs give students the agency to lead meetings, organize events and address real-world issues.

With more than 40 clubs on offer this school year, Upper School students had the opportunity to explore co-curricular options and talk to Club Heads about why they should join at Community Fest, which was hosted on Tuesday, September 22. 

A Tradition of Belonging in Havergal’s House System

Since 1929, the House system has been a cornerstone of life at Havergal by building cross-grade connections, school spirit and a sense of belonging. It’s a tradition that began under Second Principal Marian Wood’s direction as a way to organize the Boarding School, which became so popular with Day students that, by 1931, the program was expanded to include every student, staff member, teacher, administrator and Old Girl/Alum. 

There are currently 10 Houses; each bears the name of a remarkable woman in Havergal’s history, from our founder Frances Ridley to transformative leaders like Ellen Knox and Mary Dennys. Across both the Junior and Upper Schools, Grade 6 leaders and Grade 12 House Captains bring these groups to life. Whether earning House points through challenges, acts of service, school spirit or House Shout, students find a supportive group outside of the classroom through the House system.

Being a member of a House at Havergal is more than a friendly rivalry to encourage spirit; it’s the system that bridges grade levels, ensures every student feels seen and fosters a sense of belonging that connects Havergalians for a lifetime.

The Havergal Spirit in Action

Maggie Houston-White, Executive Director of Enrolment Management

At Celebration Day on September 25, Havergal celebrated 100 years at Avenue and Lawrence by showing that our mission remains not only relevant, but is also a guide for our students as they support our Community Partners and each other. From our Grade 5 students — who volunteered for the first time — to our Grads — who showed why they are such exceptional leaders — to our parents and Old Girl/Alum community, the best of Havergal was on full display: community, fun and purpose. 

As the sun went down that evening and the field was lit for Friday Night Lights, the sense of HC community and pride went into overdrive. It was a fantastic soccer match, an outstanding halftime show and an astounding display of Gator spirit. To every student who participated, all of the members of our faculty and staff who supported and each parent and Old Girl/Alum who returned to volunteer and cheer from the sidelines, thank you for making this event such a success for both our Community Partners and our school. We answered Ellen Knox’s question — What will you do? — loudly and proudly: we will make a difference.  

Raising Thoughtful AI Users

A Parents as Partners Evening, Hosted by Eric Hudson

On Tuesday, October 6, Havergal is delighted to welcome Eric Hudson back to campus as we continue our strategic work with him, thinking carefully about how AI can be used to strengthen student thinking and learning. Eric is a facilitator and advisor who works with schools to make sense of what is changing in education and what those changes mean for teaching and learning.

With AI being a key topic of conversation across dinner tables, in schools and around the globe, we are especially pleased to invite all Junior School and Upper School parents to join Eric for a Parents as Partners evening, “Raising Thoughtful AI Users.” The session will offer practical strategies for opening up curious, non-judgmental conversations at home about how students are using AI, the choices they are making and the impact those choices can have on their learning, independence and judgment.

Eric will spend the full day at Havergal. In the morning, he will meet with Upper School students to explore the choices they make about AI use and what it means to take ownership of their learning in an AI-rich world. In the afternoon, following the early dismissal of JK to 12 students, all faculty will participate in professional learning with Eric. Together, we will look beyond today’s chatbots and consider how schools can remain open, thoughtful and proactive as AI continues to evolve in ways we cannot fully predict.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming Eric back to Havergal and to extending this important conversation to our parent community.

Register for the Parents as Partners evening with Eric Hudson here.

Welcome from the HCPA Co-Chairs

Alison Markowitz and Leah Li

The Havergal College Parent Association (HCPA) warmly welcomes all new and returning families to the 2026–27 academic year! Every Havergal parent automatically belongs to the HCPA, an association dedicated to fostering community connections, hosting events and supporting key school initiatives. Parent volunteers launched the year by assisting at our August Pre-Loved Uniform, Used Textbook and Marketplace sales. Opportunities to get involved continue throughout the fall with Celebration Day, bake sales and committee work. Parents can explore current roles through the HCPA Volunteer Opportunities 2026–27 or connect directly with Co-Chairs Alison Markowitz and Leah Li by emailing [email protected]. We also invite all families to future monthly HCPA General Meetings to build connections and hear campus updates.

HCPA General Meeting

We were thrilled to welcome so many new and returning parents to our first HCPA General Meeting of the school year on Wednesday, September 16, in the Junior School Dining Room. Attendees enjoyed light refreshments while connecting with fellow parents and hearing key operational updates from our guest speaker, Principal Dr. Katrina Samson.

This meeting provided a fantastic opportunity to introduce our new committee leaders, whose roles you can also review in the HCPA Handbook 2026–2027. If you missed this session, please join us for our next monthly morning meeting on October 14 from 8:45 to 10:45 am in the Junior School Dining Room. Parents who cannot attend in person are invited to reach out to the HCPA at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Celebration Day and Friday Night Lights

Pre-Loved Uniforms at Havergal

The Pre-Loved Uniform Committee would like to thank all the families who supported our August 26 and Celebration Day sales, which promote sustainable uniform re-use on campus. Families who would like to donate pre-loved approved uniform items — including dress shirts, kilts, blazers and fleece outerwear — can drop them off year-round in designated bins located near the Junior School Learning Hub and the Upper School Green & Gold Shop. If you would like to support setup or sorting, please sign up to Volunteer with the Pre-Loved Uniform Committee by emailing [email protected].

HCPA Marketplace

The volunteer-run HCPA Marketplace offers branded spirit wear online year-round, with proceeds funding HCPA grants and student projects. In addition to online ordering, our team hosts pop-up sales at Havergal throughout the school year, so keep an eye on the community calendar. Featured items for 2026 include the custom HC Green & White Fleece, hoodies, Lazy Pants, YETI drinkware and sports gear. Parents can review sizing charts and schedule order pickup on the HCPA Shopify Marketplace Store. Please note: Marketplace apparel represents optional spirit wear rather than official daily uniform requirements.

US Used Textbook Sale and Collection

A big shoutout to our Used Textbook Committee Co-Chairs, Ada and Maggie, for successfully launching our first Used Textbook Sale of the 2026–27 school year on August 26! Running seamlessly alongside the Marketplace and Pre-Loved Uniform sales, this initiative provided an invaluable cost-saving service to our Upper School families.

Families who have gently used textbooks from the 2022 to 2026 school years have two options to recycle them this fall:

For both options, please ensure books have intact spines and no watermarks, excessive writing or missing pages. If you have questions, please Contact the HCPA Textbook Committee.

HCPA Boarding Coffee Morning

We extend our deep appreciation to Sile, our dedicated HCPA Boarding Liaison, for organizing a wonderful Boarding Parent Coffee Morning on Tuesday, September 8. Held in the Ellen Knox Library, the event featured a light lunch and brought together Boarding parents, Senior School leadership, Guidance Counsellors and Boarding staff to foster a strong, welcoming support network for families whose children reside on campus. Sile’s thoughtful efforts in co-ordinating international and local invitations, managing communications and arranging warm welcome gifts ensured our resident families felt truly at home.

HCPA Save the Dates

October–December 2026

Mark your calendars for these upcoming HCPA events! Watch The Weekly newsletter for formal invitations, registration details and volunteer signups:

Julie Girvan

Assistant Head of the Upper School (Senior Division)

As Assistant Head of the Upper School (Senior Division), Ms. Girvan supports student wellbeing, leadership and the development of a connected and caring school community. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with students and creating experiences that challenge, inspire and help them grow.

Ms. Girvan brings two decades of experience in the independent school system, having served in a variety of leadership roles, including Science Department Head, Grade Lead, Outdoor Education and Student Leadership Coordinator. Most recently, she served as the Director of Student Life and Outdoor Education at Greenwood College School, where she had the opportunity to build on her longstanding passion for experiential education and learning beyond the classroom — a passion first sparked during summers spent at Camp Wapomeo in Algonquin Park.

Outside of school, Ms. Girvan enjoys travelling, camping, skiing and spending time with family and friends. She especially loves creating memories and sharing adventures with her eight-year-old son. She is thrilled to be joining the Havergal community and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students, families and colleagues throughout the year.