Torch - Spring 2014

In the Senior School

Havergal Cancer Education Group  The Havergal Cancer Education Group, led by Grade 10 student Ceilidh Mendelson- Grasse, hosted a hair-cutting event at the school. Volunteer hairstylists collected hair from 29 participants, which was enough to make four and a half wigs for cancer patients. In recognition that cancer affects our community deeply, the group continues its efforts to educate members of the community about cancer prevention and treatment through educational workshops and other events.

Anti-Bullying Cupcake Campaign  To mark National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week 2013, members of the Community Council and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) hosted an Anti-Bullying Awareness Cupcake Campaign in the Upper School. Students, faculty and staff were asked to write their thoughts about bullying on paper ivy leaves, which were then put on display in the Temerty Commons. As a thank-you for contributing to the campaign, the GSA handed out cupcakes to participants.

Friends of Kakuma   Grade 9 student Clare Morneau started a Kakuma-Toronto Girls Education Partnership with the goal of helping students to succeed at the Morneau Shepell Secondary School—a boarding school for girls in the Kakuma Refugee Camp. The Kakuma camp is run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Northern Kenya and is one of the largest camps in the world with refugees from Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, among other countries. Ensuring that refugee children have an education is part of the core mandate of UNHCR.

Grade 10 Toy Drive   At the Ontario Excellence in Leadership Centre (OELC) workshop this fall, a group of Grade 10 students were challenged with the question: What will you do to change your school and your community? The girls responded to this challenge with the formation of the Grade 10 Toy Drive initiative. The group raised more than $300 in cash donations and several boxes of toys for children at the Red Door Family Shelter.

Freedom Girls  What does it mean to be free? Freedom Girls hosted a coffee house Freedom Night event on March 28. It was an evening of dance, music, poetry and art with a focus on identity and self- expression. Thank you to all the students from Grades 9 to 12 who showcased their talents and celebrated the freedom of expression.

AIM Grenoble Day   The Upper School Athletes in Motion (AIM) student leaders organized AIM Grenoble Days in November and February. Grade 5 students from Grenoble Public School, one of our community partners, joined Havergal’s Grade 5 students for a fun and interactive team-based Sports Day in the Athletic Centre.

Dance 4 Life   Grade 11 student Ali Scaini and a group of students are sharing their love of dance with students at Grenoble Public School. At this weekly after-school Dance 4 Life program, Ali and her friends are providing Grenoble students with the opportunity to express themselves through dance and movement.

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