A Warm Welcome Back

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable summer. It was great to feel the excitement on campus last week as students returned for orientation, and we had a great turnout at today’s Welcome Back BBQ.  We are looking forward to welcoming our newest students to the Appleby community during tomorrow’s Tie Ceremonies and all students during the Opening Day assembly, as well as greeting new and returning parents at the upcoming Grade Parties. The events begin with the Upper One Grade Party on Tuesday, September 15, the Senior Two Grade Party on Wednesday, September 16, the Middle One and Middle Two Grade Party on Thursday, September 17 and the Upper Two and Senior One Grade Party on Monday, September 21.  Important dates and times for the first few weeks of school are also included in this issue of Appleby This Week in the ‘School News’ and ‘Events’ sections below, so please take a few moments to review them. We also encourage you to read the Principal Search Update which immediately follows this message. A reminder that all students are required to be in first dress uniform on the first day of school. A "first dress" Appleby uniform includes an Appleby school blazer, plain white or solid light blue dress shirt, Appleby tie, grey pants or Appleby kilt, and appropriate socks with pants (no white socks), or navy blue knee-high socks or plain navy blue opaque tights (no patterns, no sheer nylons) with a kilt. Starting Tuesday, September 15 and up until the Thanksgiving long weekend, students have the option to wear the first dress uniform, or the white or navy blue Appleby crested polo shirt with or without the Appleby ¼ zip crested sweater or V-neck sweater as a warmer weather uniform. Also included in this issue are guidelines to help make the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up process run smoothly, as the first couple of weeks of school usually bring a much higher rate of traffic congestion. We would advise dropping your child off a bit earlier (at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the day) to avoid heavier traffic, and please be patient and courteous to others as everyone adjusts to the new cadence of the school day over the first few weeks of the new school year. Thank you, Blue Dogs, for a great start to what promises to be an incredible school year!  Sincerely, Innes van Nostrand Principal       Fraser Grant '87 Head of School & Deputy Principal Principal Search Update Dear Members of the Appleby Community, Following last spring’s announcement that Innes van Nostrand will retire as Principal at the end of the 2026–27 academic year, we are pleased to share that the selection process for Appleby College’s next Principal remains on plan. Our reputation as one of Canada’s leading independent schools has attracted interest from an exceptionally talented and diverse group of leaders regionally, nationally, and internationally, bringing a breadth of experience relevant to Appleby and our strategic vision. With the support of Heather Ring, who leads Caldwell Partners’ Academic, Not-for-Profit, Social Enterprise, and Culture Practice, and Appleby’s Chief People Officer, Majella Hillsdon, the Principal Search Committee is in the process of interviewing select candidates. On behalf of the Principal Search Committee, thank you to the many members of our community who shared their insights and perspectives through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Your input has helped identify the opportunities and challenges ahead and the important qualities the school is seeking in Appleby’s next Principal. To keep up to date on the Principal Search process, please visit www.appleby.on.ca/principal-search. If you have any questions related to the search, please contact ACprincipalsearch@caldwell.com. We look forward to sharing further updates later this fall. Sincerely, Dante Morra ’91 Chair of the Search and Advisory Committee Bill Benson ’79 Chair of the Board of Governors

Upper One Grade Party - September 15  Senior Two Grade Party - September 16  Club Fair - September 16 Middle One and Middle Two Grade Party - September 17  Course request changes open - September 18 Upper Two and Senior One Grade Party - September 21 International Universities Fair - September 23 Global & Experiential Education Information Session - September 30 Course request changes close - October 2 Homecoming Day - October 3 Appleby Pie Day - October 7 Canadian Universities Fair - October 13 Walkathon - October 15

Appleby College Uniform Expectations

Monday, September 14 is the start of regular school days. All students are required to be in first dress uniform for our opening assembly, Tie Ceremonies, and introduction to classes. A "first dress" Appleby uniform includes an Appleby school blazer, plain white or solid light blue dress shirt, Appleby tie, grey pants or Appleby kilt, and appropriate socks with pants (no white socks), navy blue knee-high socks or plain navy blue opaque tights (no patterns, no sheer nylons) with a kilt. New students receive a tie on the first day of classes and do not need to purchase one prior to the start of school.

Starting Tuesday, September 15 and up until the Thanksgiving long weekend, students have the option to wear the first dress uniform, or the white or navy blue Appleby crested polo shirt with or without the Appleby ¼ zip crested sweater or V-neck sweater as a warmer weather uniform. Following the Thanksgiving long weekend, and until the May long weekend, students are required to wear the first dress uniform. Following the May long weekend, students again may choose to wear the warmer weather uniform.

Students should be leaving the house in proper uniform and arriving to school in proper uniform. Hooded sweatshirts (even one with an Appleby logo), jeans, and athletic wear are not permitted during the school day unless there is a very special circumstance involving a travelling team or another specific event. For more information on Appleby’s dress code please review the Standards of School Dress and Appearance. 

Appleby’s New Student Attendance System - Orah

Beginning Monday, September 14, parents are encouraged to use Orah – Appleby’s online student attendance and scheduling system, to notify the school of their child’s absences. This includes reporting a student lateness (for any reason, including appointments), reporting an early leave, and student absence reporting. To access Orah please click here. Parents can also access the system via the ‘Student Attendance’ button on the homepage of www.appleby.on.ca. When accessing Orah parents will need to enter their Blackbaud ID login (email address) to log on. This is the same email address used for registration and when accessing your child’s report card. Once logged in, you will be asked to enter your email address to receive a one-time password when, once entered, your student’s profile will appear along with step-by-step instructions. Should you have any questions or require assistance when using Orah please contact Appleby’s Reception and Office Services team at 905-845-4681 ext. 0 or attendance@appleby.on.ca.

Cell Phone Policy Reminder - Middle and Upper School

As we seek to enhance academic performance, limit distractions, encourage prosocial behaviours, support wellbeing, and maintain a respectful and productive community, Appleby's cell phone policies are in place to promote a positive and focused learning environment. 

Middle School Cell Phone Policy
Middle School students are prohibited from carrying cell phones, smartphones, or any other device capable of texting, calling, and/or accessing the Internet during the school day. Any cell phones brought to school must be stored in students’ lockers for the duration of the school day. Cell phone use will not be permitted during breaks, lunchtime, and co-curriculars. A phone is available near Main Reception for local, outgoing calls, should students need to reach their families during the school day. The Middle School Cell Phone Policy in its entirety can be viewed by clicking here. 

Upper School Cell Phone Policy
Effective September 2026, Upper School students will be prohibited from carrying cell phones, smartphones, or any other device capable of texting, calling, and/or accessing the Internet during the school day. Any cell phones brought to school must be stored in students’ lockers for the duration of the school day. Upper School boarding students will leave their phones in their rooms. Cell phone use will not be permitted during breaks, lunchtime, and co-curriculars. A phone is available near Main Reception for local, outgoing calls, should students need to reach their families during the school day. Details regarding the Upper School Cell Phone Policy were shared with new and returning Upper School families on Friday, April 17, 2026; please click here to view the communication and policy.

How to Make Drop-Off and Pick-Up Run Smoothly

To help everyone get in and out of campus quickly and safely, please follow these guidelines during morning drop-off and dismissal:

• Eastbound drivers should let westbound vehicles turning left into campus go through one at a time when possible and safe.

• When the campus entrance light is red, westbound drivers turning left should first check for pedestrians, then proceed into campus. Eastbound drivers should stop and wait for the green light to let them through safely.

• Please use your turn signals and slow down before turning into campus to keep traffic predictable and safe for everyone.

• If you are waiting for your child upon arrival to campus, move forward when the car in front of you does. This keeps traffic flowing and prevents backups.

• If you arrive early, when possible, park in the lot and meet your child there rather than waiting at the front.

• When the front pick-up lanes are full, continue lining up in the lot to keep traffic moving and avoid backups.

Save the Date: Parent Zoom Call – Tuesday, October 6

Appleby will host a parent Zoom call on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 to provide further information about Bill 101: Putting Student Achievement First Act and the Ontario Ministry of Education’s new assessment, evaluation, attendance, and graduation requirements, including what these changes mean for Appleby students. An invitation with the time, Zoom link, and further details will be shared via email later this month. 

Preliminary Bus Routes for 2026-2027

Preliminary bus routes for the 2026-2027 school year are available on the Transportation site via Appleby's education management system - BBK12. To access the Transportation site please click here. You will need to enter your Blackbaud ID (BBID) to login. After you have logged-in, you will be taken to the Resources landing page which will show a series of posts. Click on the ‘Transportation’ button to access the preliminary bus routes. If you have any questions, please e-mail bus@appleby.on.ca. 

Reminder - Ready-Set-9 for Upper One Students

Appleby is excited to introduce Ready-Set-9, a new three-day program designed to give Upper One students a strong start to their high school experience. By dedicating time early in the year to community-building, skill development, and exploration of the many opportunities available at Appleby, the goal of the program is to help students feel connected, engaged, and successfully prepared as they begin their high school journey. To view a communication sent to Upper One parents on September 10, please click here. 

Service Learning Information and Key Dates

At Appleby, Service Learning is more than volunteering—it's about empowering students to take meaningful action, reflect on their experiences, and grow as compassionate leaders. There are many exciting ways for students to participate in Service Learning throughout the school year including community action days, joining the Service Council, a co-curricular or advocacy club, or volunteer with our community partners. Outlined below are important upcoming Service Learning events requiring student participation:

-Wednesday, September 16 – Club Fair & club sign-up
-Thursday, October 15 – Walkathon
-Friday, December 4 – Middle Two Day of Community Action
-Friday, December 11 – Middle One Day of Community Action

To learn more, please visit the Service Learning page on BBK12 by clicking here.

Outdoor Education Information and Key Dates

Upper One students will be visiting the S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus with the class divided into four groups: Trip 1 – Wednesday, September 16 to Monday, September 21, Trip 2 – Monday, September 21 to Saturday, September 26, Trip 3 - Sunday, September 27 to Friday, October 2, Trip 4 - Friday, October 2 to Wednesday, October 7. Students will travel with their advisor groups and the schedule is posted on BBK12 in the Outdoor Education section.

All new Senior One and Senior Two students as well as any returning Senior One or Senior Two students who have not completed their required trip (these individuals will be contacted by Outdoor Education faculty directly) will travel from Wednesday, October 14 to Monday, October 19. Senior One Outdoor Leaders will attend on Monday, October 19 to Saturday, October 24. Trip lists including an overview of the personal equipment students will need to bring with them on their respective trip is provided on BBK12 in the Outdoor Education section.

Get Ready for Clubs at Appleby!

Appleby’s clubs are a great way for students to explore passions, build new skills, and make a difference in the school and wider community. From arts, global citizenship, leadership, and service, there's something for everyone. Clubs go beyond the classroom, offering real-world experiences, meaningful partnerships, and opportunities to lead, create, and grow. Clubs meet once a week during the Club and Council blocks with a few exceptions beyond classroom time for those such as Boarding Life Councils.

Visit the Club catalogue on BBK12 for club descriptions here. The first day of clubs is Wednesday, September 23. Students will attend the Club Fair on Wednesday, September 16 and select their top three club preferences on Friday, September 18 in Advisory. Club placements will be communicated on Tuesday, September 22. Information can also be found on the Appleby website:

Club options: www.appleby.on.ca/clubs
Club descriptions: www.appleby.on.ca/course-descriptions

Course Request Changes Open Friday, September 18, 2026

Course request changes will open on Friday, September 18 and will remain open until the last date to add a new course on Friday, October 2. Students will be required to attend their classes in September even if they intend to put in a request to change. Please note: course change requests by email will not be processed. A form will be sent directly to students before Friday, September 18.

Reminder: Middle School Immunization Program

On Monday, May 3, 2027 Halton Public Health will be visiting Appleby College to offer vaccines to eligible Middle One (grade 7) students who have a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian. Additional doses will be provided to Middle Two (grade 8) students who have not yet completed their vaccine series. Please click here to view the communication sent to parents on Friday, September 11. Completed school vaccination consent forms must be e-mailed to healthcentre@appleby.on.ca, or dropped off to the Health Centre by Monday, September 21, 2026 for your child to be eligible to receive their vaccines. Only students with a signed consent form will be immunized on the day of the clinic.

Middle School Compulsory Programs

Outdoor Education Program
All Middle School students will be attending a camping excursion to Camp Kandalore in Algonquin Highlands, Ontario. Middle One students will be attending Wednesday, September 23 to Friday, September 25 and Middle Two students will be attending Tuesday, September 22 to Friday, September 25. 

Grade Trips
Next spring, all Middle Two students will be attending an overnight experiential trip to Ottawa, Ontario from Thursday, June 17 to Saturday, June 19, while Middle One students will be attending a series of experiential day trips in the local and surrounding community on Thursday, June 17, Friday, June 18 and Monday, June 21. Please look out for the trip details on our Middle School Experiential page in September.

Save the Date - Global & Experiential Education Information Session 

The Global Education department will be holding a general information session on Wednesday, September 30 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. This session will cover all areas within the Global & Experiential Education program at Appleby, including the Immersive Program. We will begin in the A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life with an overview of the Global & Experiential Education program and its objectives. Afterwards, the session will move to various breakout rooms which will each focus on an individual area of the department. The breakout session topics include: The Global Leadership Diploma program and course; Global Experiential Programs in March and June; Round Square Exchanges and Conferences; The Duke of Edinburgh Award; Middle School Experiential Education and the June Immersive programming. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the Global Education department and its individual areas, as well as a chance to ask questions. More information on this event and other Global Education announcements can be found here. 

GO Transit Shuttle Pilot Returns for 2026–2027

We’re excited to welcome back Appleby’s GO Transit Shuttle Pilot Program for the 2026–2027 school year! Following its launch last year, the shuttle will once again provide transportation between Oakville GO Station and campus on school days. Located on the Lakeshore West line, Oakville GO Station offers convenient connections for students travelling from communities west of Oakville, including Hamilton and beyond, as well as from Toronto and communities east of Union Station.

Student pricing is $1,550 for an annual round-trip pass, $1,085 for morning- or afternoon-only service, or $8 for a single ride. Annual passes will be billed to student accounts in October. To begin the registration process and explore program options, please email Andrew Labow, administrative coordinator, transportation & travel, at alabow@appleby.on.ca. A waiver will be provided, and once it has been signed, a link to Appleby’s SimplyBook.me calendar will be shared. Students who participated last year must complete a new waiver for 2026–2027. Please click here to review the FAQ for additional program information and schedule details.

2026-2027 Global Experiential Programs 

Each year Appleby College proudly offers global experiential programs that enrich student learning beyond the classroom. We’re excited to continue this tradition in the 2026–2027 school year. These experiences are designed to help students grow by building strong community connections, developing cross-cultural understanding, and encouraging personal leadership. Through these programs, students also enhance their teamwork skills, engage in thoughtful reflection, and deepen their awareness of global perspectives.

Based on current plans, we hope to offer the following trips in the coming year. Eligibility is indicated in brackets for each destination.

March 2027 (Anticipated with applications open in September 2026):
-Chile (Upper Two – Senior Two) – History, Resource Management and Culture
-Japan (Senior One – Senior Two Outdoor Leaders) – Outdoor Education and Culture
-Morocco (Upper Two – Senior Two) – History, Arts and Culture 
-Peru (Upper Two – Senior Two) – Economics and Culture
-Poland (Upper One – Senior One) – History, Identity and Culture
-Vietnam (Upper Two – Senior Two) – History, Water and Community  
-Panama (Middle School with Senior One/Two Student Leaders) – Theme TBD

June 2027 (Anticipated with applications open in September 2026):
-Argentina (Upper One – Senior One Girls' Soccer) – Soccer and Culture
-England (Upper One - Senior One) - Theatre, Arts, and Culture
-Guatemala (Upper One – Senior One) – Mayan Identity, Language and Sustainable Agriculture
-Norway (Upper One – Senior One) – Sustainable Cities and Culture
-Scotland (Upper One – Senior One) – Culture
-Thailand (Upper One – Senior One) – Social Innovation, History and Culture

To prepare for participation in the upcoming year’s programming, please ensure that you check passports and any other travel documents to ensure they are current and not close to expiring. Please note that many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the return date of travel. More details and applications will be available on the BBK12 Global Experiential Programs page in September. 

2026–2027 Appleby College Calendar 

Please click here to view the 2026-2027 Appleby College school year calendar.

Appleby's Schlesinger Dining Hall Menu

Each week, the Sodexo team at Appleby prepares a range of menu options for students and employees at the school. Please click here for this week's menu. Students are encouraged to share their feedback, suggestions, and/or comments about the food, menus, their lunch experience, etc. Please send an e-mail to menufeedback@appleby.on.ca and let us know what you think!

Current E-mail Addresses

Appleby This Week (ATW) is sent to all e-mail addresses the school has on file. If your contact information changes, or if you prefer to have ATW sent to a particular address, please e-mail Bioupdates.

Chapel News On Thursday, September 17, Senior Two student and Head Prefect Fadi Jaber will present his chapel speech. A link will be shared in the Sunday, September 27 issue of Appleby This Week.	Festivals and Remembrances We would like to acknowledge those members of our community who will commemorate the following festivals and remembrances: September 11 to 13 – Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) September 14 - Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism) September 16 to 25 – Das Lakshan (Jainism)
Upper Two Community Action Day: Learning Through Service As part of orientation on September 10, Upper Two students spent the day learning about food security and community wellbeing through service. Working alongside community partners including Food for Life, Home Suite Hope, the Oakville & Milton Humane Society, Centre for Diverse Learners, Kerr Street Mission, and United Way Golden Horseshoe, students contributed to projects that supported food access, education, animal welfare, and community development. Through these experiences, they demonstrated teamwork, compassion, and adaptability while reflecting on how their strengths can make a positive impact in the community. We are proud of their contributions and enthusiasm for service.	Congratulations to the 2026-2027 Prefects! Please join us in congratulating the 2026-2027 Appleby College Prefects! Throughout the year these students will be involved in many aspects of school life, and we can't wait to see what they will accomplish. Click here to learn more about each Prefect.
Check Out Tempete Rouge New music is now available for your listening pleasure courtesy of Appleby's talented students. The album Tempete Rouge features performances by Appleby's Studio Live House Band, Senior Two Jazz class, the 2025-2026 All-School Play Hadestown and from The Magic, Art and Science of Sound immersive.Tempete Rouge is available on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube music.	2026 Fall Flags At the beginning of each school year, the Global Education department prepares two flag displays representing our community. The first display is around the Samuel Quadrangle, welcoming new students to Appleby with their country's flag, along with flags that acknowledge Canada and the land that Appleby College is on. This includes: Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela and Vietnam. The second display is in the Schlesinger Dining Hall, where we acknowledge our diverse community by hanging flags that represent all our students and employees. This year, the display includes 79 flags. It is with great pleasure that we hang these flags to welcome everyone to campus this September!