Students converse in the Simpson Family Quilted Garden.

PROGRESS UPDATES

Key highlights and milestones from our first year of Empowering Excellence. 

PILLAR 1: CONNECTION, WELLBEING & BELONGING

    • Opened the Centre for Learning Research, launching three key research projects:
      • Middle School learners and executive functioning;
      • Long-range impact of early reading intervention;
      • Graduate readiness for post-secondary education.
    • Launched a new Science of Learning & Wellbeing course for Grade 7 students.
    • Hosted professional development to support student wellbeing in areas of perfectionism, executive functioning, girls and learning, student risk taking and relational learning.
    • Completed the rollout of the Core Strengths psychometric strengths tool and self-discovery program for faculty and staff, providing them with insight and understanding of their unique strengths profile and how to collaborate with others to maximize leadership effectiveness and professional development.
    • Augmented morning programming for students, bringing our Wellbeing, Inclusive Excellence and Leadership frameworks to life.
    • Enhanced the employee experience with:
      • Investments in benefits, retirement and health benefits and wellbeing;
      • A faculty and staff onboarding program;
      • Increased funding for professional development.
    • Implemented social-emotional and digital citizenship learning programs such as RULER, Second Step and WinAtSocial for our Junior and Middle School students.
    • Launched the Wellbeing Speakers Series for students, parents and employees.
    • Supported student and employee wellbeing with access to a Strength & Conditioning Coach and an Athletic Therapist.
    • Developed architectural plans enhancing Learning Support and Wellbeing spaces at our Junior School.
    • Invested in Guidance and University Counselling with the addition of new expertise and additional people resources; restructured student support so that students have only one transition in the Upper School between counsellors, ensuring the academic and personal counselling they receive is highly personalized.
    • Delivered professional development sessions in:
      • Unconscious Bias to faculty and staff;
      • Cultivating Connections Series for faculty;
      • Restorative Discipline Practices for Heads of School working with students;
      • Full-school training in Collaborative Problem Solving.
    • Conducted constituency surveys (e.g. parent satisfaction survey) to collect feedback to help enrich our programs and learning environment.
    • Launched a Parents as Partners speaker series and implemented a new parent engagement strategy.
    • Articulated Havergal’s vision and purpose in integrating Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing, in consultation with members of the Indigenous community.
    • Conducted an assessment of Havergal’s EDIB maturity model via industry models and collaboration with an expert EDIB strategist and practitioner in Canada.
    • Developed and implemented EDIB programming for Grade 7 and 10 students, in alignment with grade-level learning themes; developed and supported the establishment of Community Agreements for Grades 7 to 9.

PILLAR 2: FUTURE READY

    • Developed a new Faculty Performance Growth Model, focusing on holistic performance management, goal setting and professional development.
    • Launched the Tanya Taylor Fashion Lab course, introducing students to every aspect of the fashion industry, from design and sketching to merchandising and entrepreneurial skills.
    • Boosted the University Counselling Program, focusing on personalization and student coaching in supplementary applications and interviews.
    • Expanded our Advanced Placement (AP) program by introducing new AP courses in Micro-economics, Biology, Mandarin, Computer Science, History, English and Music Theory.
    • Developed a Leadership Program for Grades 4 to 6 students, allowing them to better understand themselves and others, build confidence and shape personal growth.
    • Broadened Generative AI teaching, learning and integration work via:
      • Refreshed AI guidelines for faculty, staff and students;
      • Increased student access to and teaching of AI tools, such as Gemini, Notebook LM, Flint and Careerfully;
      • Creation of AI workshops for Grade 10 students about constructive doubt, critical thinking and prompting techniques for Havergal AI tools, in partnership with Future Design School.
      • Additional professional learning for faculty on AI use, integration and teaching.
    • Redesigned and launched a New-to-Havergal onboarding program for faculty and staff.
    • Announced the Centre for Learning Research to focus on innovation, inquiry and best practices in teaching and learning, with an emphasis on the unique aspects of girls’ education.
    • Launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program for Grades 7 to 12 using Flint, allowing educators to personalize learning through FriendlyAI.
    • Introduced two new Digital Microcredentials in Pre-Law and Architecture, adding to the existing suite of microcredentials and learning experiences for students.
    • Prepared a Futures & Foresight program for Grade 10 students, in partnership with OCAD University’s OCAD U CO.
    • Achieved Round Square Global School status and participated in global and regional student conferences and professional learning opportunities, including those in Kenya, Colombia, the US, the UK and Canada.
    • Re-launched our Global Experiences Program, offering a wider variety of destinations, price points and travel windows, allowing additional flexibility and accessibility for students.
    • Readied the HC Design Lab course for launch in the 2025-26 academic year.
    • Completed mapping of our student leadership opportunities from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, and embedded our Articulation of Student Leadership into programming.
    • Launched the CoreStrengths psychometric strengths tool with our Grads, providing them with insight and understanding of their unique strengths profile and how to collaborate with others to maximize leadership effectiveness and personal development.
    • Incorporated student voice and reflection into our formal reporting process, including at parent-teacher conferences, school-wide, and the introduction of student-led conferences in our Junior School.

PILLAR 3: TRANSFORMING TOMORROW

    • Introduced a new Financial Support and Scholarship Program to support our strategic recruitment goals.
    • Launched a new Boarding strategic plan, focused on attracting exceptional students from around the globe and increasing our global presence.
    • Initiated the vision for a revitalized Boarding experience, identifying the capital requirements needed to enhance the Boarding program for global and local students.
    • Raised $5.7-million in commitments (to date) in support of the Ahead of the Game campaign for outdoor athletics and play.
    • Completed the tennis court refurbishment project, delivering high-quality athletic spaces and enhanced outdoor gathering places for the community.
    • Established a vision to grow the endowment in support of student financial assistance to $25-million, aiming to increase access to a Havergal education for future generations of students.
    • Implemented a long-term financial plan to support program innovation, facility refurbishment, enhancement and financial sustainability.
    • Built a new Junior School playscape to support creative play and discovery.
    • Developed a new Campus Master Plan to support the future educational program.
    • Raised, to date, $3.65 million in commitments in support of the Ahead of the Game campaign for outdoor athletics and play.
    • Designed and begun the construction process on outdoor play and athletic facilities, including redesigned tennis courts, outdoor gathering and spectator space, Junior School playscape, turf field and air-supported seasonal dome.
    • Completed a fundraising feasibility and capacity analysis to fund Havergal’s future strategic priorities.
    • Launched a refined Trip Assistance Program, giving more students access to global and experiential trips through the Forum for Change, HC-X, the arts and athletics programs.
    • Achieved the $1 million mark in commitments to Havergal’s Rowing Endowment, increasing access for student participation and supporting program needs for rowing.
    • Enhanced the curricular and co-curricular use of green space on campus.
    • Developed a long-term financial plan for the school, ensuring future investments support Havergal’s long-term financial sustainability.