Torch - Fall 2012

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE A Continuum of Excellence

By Dr. Susan R. Groesbeck

T he 2012-2013 school year is off to a rousing start. of our community partnerships; and Reunion Weekend, with more than 300 Old Girls returning to Havergal to rekindle old friendships and re-live old memories. And all this in just the first two months! Other Havergal signature events—including Carol Service, Founders’ Day and Graduation—will be joined by a major fundraising Gala on May 4, 2013, at the historic Carlu in downtown Toronto. If you have not been to this fabulously renovated event space—formerly known as Eaton’s Seventh Floor—you are in for a treat. The net proceeds from this special evening will support a number of key school initiatives in both the Upper and Junior Schools. It will be a night you won’t want to miss, and I hope to see many of our readers there! There are several other major projects underway this year, including an accreditation process in which Havergal will participate in the spring of 2013, run by the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS). The process is conducted by a group of senior administrators and educators from other CAIS member schools from across Canada. The CAIS team will engage in an extensive review of all our operations; we will learn from the best practices of other schools as well as share with them what Havergal does best. The results of this accreditation process, added to the results of the strategic surveys the school conducted in March 2012, will provide an enormous amount of data upon which to draw as we begin discussions for Havergal’s next strategic plan 2014-2019. Already we have enjoyed a wonderful Grade 12 Mother- Daughter Luncheon; Celebration Saturday, in support

This fall issue of The Torch includes a feature article on how we support students to reach their full potential. It also includes our Annual Report (see page 27); I want to take this opportunity to thank our community for their generous and unwavering support for Havergal’s culture of philanthropy. As the school contemplates its future plans and the need for enhanced teaching and learning spaces, our community’s ability to support these aspirations will be critical to its success. It is an exciting time in Havergal’s distinguished history and, indeed, in the history of education.

As you know, I will be “graduating” at the end of this year, and so the Class of 2013 has a special place in my heart. My last year will be a poignant one, and I can assure you that I will be savouring every last minute of rich conversation and special moments with our wonderful students, faculty, staff, Old Girls and parents. Havergal College is an extraordinary institution—a proud continuum of community members both near and far. Like a family heirloom, it is both our pleasure to enjoy it and our corporate responsibility to preserve it for the next generation.

Havergal’s Gala Event May 4, 2013

2013

Please mark Saturday, May 4, 2013, in your calendars for the Havergal Gala, being held at the spectacular Carlu in downtown Toronto. With the assistance of events professional Jennifer Bassett (Class of 1993), our committee of talented and dedicated Havergal volunteers, led by co-chairs Loree Meneguzzi and Laurie Ogilvie Melbourne (Class of 1990), are planning a night you won’t soon forget! Delectable food by Master Chef Mark McEwan, outstanding musical entertainment by Sean Jones and a red-hot live auction (including a tuition raffle!) round out this fantastic evening. Net proceeds will support the Outdoor Naturalized Learning Space in the Junior School and the Aquatic Centre, Science Labs and Teaching Specialist Office in the Upper School. Tickets are available for purchase through Bassett Events at 416-616-4660: a single ticket is $500; a table of 10 is $5,000. For sponsorship information, please contact Jennifer Bassett directly at jbassett@bassettevents.ca.

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