Extracurriculars at Havergal College

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Havergal College EXTRACURRICULARS

Havergal College's extracurricular offerings are extensive, featuring over 80 athletic teams with a strong focus on competitive sports, alongside a diverse array of student-led clubs and an exceptional music program. Parents and alumni highlight the school's dedication to fostering well-rounded individuals and praise the inclusive, spirited student community that encourages broad exploration.

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Sports at Havergal College are diverse, with a stronger emphasis on competitive sports.

For comparison, other Canadian schools we cover typically offer around 7 competitive sports and 8 recreational sport options.

Competitive offered

Recreational offered

Signature sport

Uncommon sport

Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Canoeing/Kayaking
Cricket
Cross-country skiing
Curling
Cycling
Downhill skiing
Equestrian
Fencing
Field Hockey
Figure Skating
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Mountain biking
Racquet Ball
Rowing
Rugby
Running
Sailing
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Ultimate
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Why it matters

Beyond promoting physical fitness, school athletics teach life skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. A greater variety of sports creates more opportunities for students to develop these skills while building peer connections and a sense of belonging. While competitive sports encourage student-athletes to strive for excellence, recreational sports foster inclusion, exploration, and enjoyment.

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Havergal College offers a highly diverse array of extracurricular clubs and programs.

Other schools we review usually provide about 14 clubs and programs.

Clubs offered

Clubs not offered

Signature program

all clubs and programs]

Animation

Art Club

Astronomy Club

Audiovisual Club

Ballet and Classical Ballet

Band

Chess Club

Choir

Community Service

Computer Club

Dance Club

Debate Club

Drama Club

Environmental Club

Foreign Language Club

Habitat for Humanity

Jazz Ensemble

Math Club

Musical theatre/Opera

Online Magazine

Outdoor Club

Outdoor Education

Paintball

Photography

Poetry/Literature club

Radio club

Robotics club

Round Square

School newspaper

Science Club

Scouting

Student Council

Yearbook

Yoga

Why it matters

Clubs and enrichment programs, including after-school clubs, extend learning beyond the classroom. They encourage creativity, leadership, and friendships while helping students explore passions, build skills, and gain confidence in a low-pressure environment.

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

The aim is to cultivate well-rounded individuals.

Observations from students, parents, and faculty at Havergal College indicate that the school fosters a comprehensive experience, encouraging students to excel both academically and in various extracurricular activities.

Havergal College really shapes you as a student. No matter when you join, your daughter will be the best version of herself coming out of the school. Whether that is the best artist, the best hockey player, or the best mathematician, they will be the best version of themselves.

—Yasmin Alameddine, alum (see full interview)

I will also say that Havergal encouraged me to pursue the academic side, absolutely, but also the athletic side that I pursued in university and to figure out how could I do both, and make sure that I was doing both to a level of excellence, and a level that challenged me in that academic component and in the athletic component.

—Charlotte Anderson, alum (see full interview)

We want to make sure our students experience a whole host of academic and co-curricular experiences before they specialize. We emphasize both the breadth and the depth in our program, but the breadth is an important piece. It's not to say that you can't have a passion in a particular area, but if the decision for somebody looking at schools was that they're really focused on one particular pursuit, then I don't think they would get as much out of the Havergal experience, because we really do focus on the breadth of experience that we want students to have.

—Katrina Samson, Principal (see full interview)

At prayers, three times a week, you see Havergal’s holistic approach to education in action. You’ll have someone speaking, either a student or faculty member, about an important topic each week, there’s music, and then there’s a lot of announcements about tryouts, or organizations, or different clubs and House announcements. It just shows that you’re not at Havergal for academics solely. You’re there to build out all the different parts of your holistic education, and I don’t think that is found anywhere else.

—Carrie Porter, parent (see full discussion)

My daughter loves all of the different clubs, athletics and opportunities that Havergal has to offer. The school encourages the girls to become involved in activities at school outside of academics, and they have the opportunity to become very well rounded and explore many different interests. The school spirit at Havergal is probably what my daughter loves most of all. It is a very warm, caring and fun environment -- a place to nurture strong self-confidence, curiosity, awareness and empathy, all the while enjoying her experience at school!

—Dana Rippon, parent (beginning 2012) (see full review)

There is a wide range of opportunities to explore.

Insights from the Havergal College community highlight that the school provides a plethora of opportunities for students to explore diverse interests, from arts and sports to clubs and community service initiatives, ensuring they discover their passions and potential.

The extraordinary opportunities that we were given is what I appreciate most about my years at Havergal. You were never pigeonholed into one particular area. I got to experience so many different things. If you were an athlete, you were also in the choir, or the band. If you were a debater, you were also an artist. There were just so many things that you could experience to discover who you were.

—Carrie Porter, parent (see full discussion)

My advice to new Havergal students is: get involved. Don’t be shy. Don’t hold back. Try something new. Join that club. Join that team. If you’re interested in photography, for example, give it a try. If you think you might like a certain sport, go for it. There’s just so much to do. I would say really, really get involved. That’s the culture of the school. I think it would be strange for students to not be involved. It’s such a big part of being at Havergal.

—Carrie Porter, parent (see full discussion)

I am so grateful to have had all those opportunities. I’m grateful to have been cut from the team in Grade 9. I’m grateful to have been the captain of the soccer team in Grade 12. I’m grateful to have taken Strings and not been the best in the class. I’m grateful to have tried Spanish and Latin and hated it—but to have had the opportunity to try it.

—Charlotte Anderson, alum (see full interview)

The numerous extracurricular activities available to students is one of the main features that initially attracted us to Havergal, and we certainly have not been disappointed in that respect since our daughter entered the school 3 years ago. Prior to attending Havergal, our daughter rarely if ever participated in sports or clubs at school. Within days of entering the school she was trying out for two sports, joining various clubs and investigating community outreach programs she could volunteer in. She has gone on to play on school teams in basketball, field hockey and softball and most recently she joined the school rowing team after developing a passion for the sport via the school's learn to row program. In addition to all the athletic activities, students are able to participate in a variety of clubs, social events, volunteer opportunities, leadership roles and excursions. The school does an excellent job of encouraging students to challenge themselves by engaging in as many of these activities as possible.

—robert gabor, parent (see full review)

Between sports and clubs and Day 9 special activities and community partnerships, there is absolutely something for everyone! There is an opportunity for students to participate in one sport per term and there is a large offering of sports to meet all different interests. The Community Partnerships and Clubs not only afford participation opportunities but leadership ones as well.

—Robyn Spector, parent (beginning 2012) (see full review)

There are almost too many clubs and sports at Havergal! There are so many opportunities from athletics, arts, music, special interests, community partnerships. The opportunities are honestly endless. There are special day 9 opportunities for the girls to have experiential learning. The last day 9, my daughter went to the Toronto Islands to clean garbage from the beaches and she learned all about recycling and garbage in a hands on way. The athletics at Havergal are very strong. The teams are very competitive but also nurturing. There is an A team and a B team for those that don't make the A team. There is always a spot for everyone. As mentioned before, there are several music bands, orchestras, clubs, drama and arts clubs, photography clubs, debating, quilting, cooking, the options are endless.

—Ruth Ley, parent (beginning 2018) (see full review)

We have been very pleased with the extracurricular opportunities at Havergal College. In the JS, there are many different clubs, squads (to develop athletic skills for the younger students) and sports teams, to explore many different interests including athletics, music, STEM, drama and cooking just to name a few. In the Upper School, there are an incredible number and wide variety of clubs for students to join, and all girls sign up to be a part of a least 2 clubs throughout the school year that take place one day, every second week, during lunch. In addition to these clubs, there are so many sports teams, some being competitive and others with a recreational focus. And the there are Music and Performing Arts and STEM extracurriculars as well.

—Dana Rippon, parent (beginning 2012) (see full review)

There are many opportunities for the girls to participate in extracurricular activities. Activities such as choir, Multisport, chess club, gardening, science clubs, art clubs, drama clubs, etc., give the girls many choices to foster an existing interest or gives them a chance to try something new in a fun, non-judgmental environment. These extracurricular activities give the girls a chance to socialize outside of class time and helps to form new friendships.

—Alnar Meghji, parent (beginning 2015) (see full review)

The student community is inclusive and spirited.

Comments from alumni and current students emphasize that Havergal College fosters an inclusive and friendly atmosphere where new students are welcomed warmly and school spirit is celebrated through various events and activities.

The school has a community feel even though many students do not come from the immediate surrounding area. The oldest High School girls may sometimes get snacks or lunch locally but there are so many activities and clubs happening at school daily that girls often prefer to stay and be part of those activities and clubs. They actually prefer to stay in school!

—Robyn Spector, parent (beginning 2012) (see full review)

Havergal's student body is a high energy, inclusive and friendly group. There is definitely a huge effort by most of the girls to scatter positivity and good cheer amongst their peers. I can mainly speak to my daughter's grade but new girls are welcomed with open arms. There are several events and opportunities for new girls to get integrated with the rest of the grade. The house system helps with mixing up social groups and for spreading school spirit. Havergal has a sprit week and several house shout days where the girls do their best to show their school spirit. It is all fun and inclusive and these are my daughters favourite days. As well as the numerous clubs and teams make it fun for the girls and is a great opportunity for girls to meet and make friends with other girls.

—Ruth Ley, parent (beginning 2018) (see full review)

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Havergal College EXTRACURRICULARS

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Why it matters

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Why it matters

DISTINCT EXTRACURRICULAR FEATURES

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

Havergal College EXTRACURRICULARS

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Why it matters

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Why it matters

DISTINCT EXTRACURRICULAR FEATURES

Why it matters

Qualitative insights

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