Torch - Fall 2014

Principal’s Message

Holding the Torch High in 2014

By Helen-Kay Davy, Principal

T he opening months of the 2014–15 school year have been a revelation for me as Havergal’s 11 th Principal. The year began with the wonderful Grade 12 Mother-Daughter Luncheon, Celebration Saturday in support of our community partnerships, the Junior School Harvest Festival and Reunion Weekend with 320 Old Girls returning to Havergal to rekindle friendships and reminisce about their shared Havergal experience. I particularly enjoyed sharing lunch with members of the Class of 1964 who were celebrating their 50 th anniversary since graduation. Havergal is filled with history and tradition, and I believe that it is always wise to mark special moments as they provide a supportive framework for an innovative and promising future. As we honour Havergal’s 120 th anniversary, we celebrate this remarkable achievement. The school recently hosted the Havergal at Koerner Hall event, an evening that showcased the many artistic talents of our current students and Old Girls in the artistic disciplines of music, drama, dance and art. I hope that those of you who were able to join us for this special occasion had a wonderful time. Our Heads of Schools—Leslie Anne Dexter and Michael Simmonds—speak to the importance of teaching the arts as part of a liberal arts curriculum in their article on page 10. The stunning photo on the cover of the Torch not only captures the majestic beauty of the Great Wall of China, but also represents the metaphoric journey of learning—a path that may not follow a straight line but is sure to provide many different points of view along the way. As part of the June 2014 Global Experience Program excursion to China, led by Mandarin teacher Eunice Yu and Cindy Chi from Food

Services, students explored the history and culture of this country. It is important for our students to learn about the world and to experience it first-hand so that they can apply their knowledge to new situations and engage with people who have different perspectives. Our feature article for this edition of the Torch concerns our Old Girls network and the many ways our Old Girls keep connected beyond the ivy. Havergal is indebted to its Old Girls for offering our school countless volunteer hours, bringing their professional expertise to bear as guest speakers and mentors, and supporting the school with their donations. Havergal Old Girls provide the foundation upon which our school has been and continues to be able to grow and flourish. I hope you will enjoy the article on page 16 as you learn more about the many programs and offerings through which our students and Old Girls stay connected. Finally, as always, Havergal’s Annual Report forms part of this fall edition of the Torch . The report includes a complete listing of all those donors who have contributed to the financial health and wellbeing of our school. As we begin this year to articulate our new strategic plan for success, I would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere gratitude to all those current families, Old Girls, current and former staff and faculty, and friends of Havergal for their continuing support. Simply put, the school would be unable to maintain the level of excellence to which our students and broader community are accustomed without your ongoing generosity.

In closing, I wish the Havergal community every blessing and much happiness as the Christmas season of celebration approaches.

TABLE OF CONTENTS | FALL 2014 • TORCH 3