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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 greeting new and returning parents at the upcoming Grade Parties. The events begin with the Senior Two Grade Party on Tuesday, September 9, the Upper Two and Senior One Grade Party on Wednesday, September 10, the Upper One Grade Party on Thursday, September 11 and the Middle One and Middle Two Grade Party on Monday, September 15. As well, we’re pleased to share that early bird tickets for Appleby College’s In the Night Garden Gala go on sale at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, September 8 - watch your inbox for details!

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.

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 9, 2025 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 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

Student schedules available - September 7
Early Bird In the Night Garden Gala Ticket sales begin - September 8
Senior Two Grade Party - September 9
Upper Two and Senior One Grade Party - September 10
Club Fair - September 10
Upper One Grade Party - September 11
Course request changes open - September 12
Middle One and Middle Two Grade Party - September 15
Experiential Learning Day - September 17
International Universities Fair - September 23
Course request changes close - September 26

Appleby College Uniform Expectations

Monday, September 8, 2025 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 9, 2025 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 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.

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.

Clubs and Co-Curriculars

For RP1 co-curriculars this September, all Upper and Senior School students will begin Monday, September 8, 2025. Students who plan to participate in a competitive athletic co-curricular should come prepared with their Appleby athletic clothes and running shoes. Students interested in instructional athletics will attend a presentation then sign up for their chosen activity.

Middle School students will meet with Rebecca Richardson, director, athletics and Sara Joy, director, arts, during their co-curricular period on Monday, September 8, 2025 to learn about co-curricular options, ask questions, and then join the group for the selection process. Students should come prepared with their Appleby athletic clothes and running shoes.

Back by popular demand is Appleby's Club Fair which will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Students will sign up for the club that they would like to participate in during this time. To review the clubs offered this year, please visit the Clubs page on BBK12. Any student who is absent for the Club Fair is required to go to AWB117 during the first Club Block on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

2025–2026 Appleby College Calendar

Please click here to view the 2025-2026 Appleby College school year calendar.

Preliminary Bus Routes for 2025-2026

Preliminary bus routes for the 2025-2026 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.

Student Schedules & Course Changes

Student schedules are now available in Appleby's education management system - BBK12. Course request changes will open on Friday, September 12, 2025, and will remain open until the last date to add a new course on Friday, September 26, 2025. Students must continue attending their scheduled classes until they receive official confirmation from Guidance that a course change has been approved, even if they plan to submit a request once the form opens. Please note: course change requests by e-mail will not be processed.

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 10, 2025 – Club Fair
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – Upper One Day of Community Action (for students not in Temagami)
Monday, September 29, 2025 – Upper One Day of Community Action (for students not in Temagami)

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 – Friday, September 12 to Wednesday, September 17, Trip 2 – Wednesday, September 17 to Monday, September 22, Trip 3 - Wednesday, September 24 to Monday, September 29, Trip 4 - Monday, September 29 to Saturday, October 4. Students will travel with their advisor groups and the schedule is available 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 that have not completed their required trip (these individuals will be contacted by Outdoor Education faculty directly) will visit the S. Bruce McLaughlin Northern Campus from Saturday, October 4 to Thursday, October 9. The Senior One Outdoor Leaders will complete their trip from Wednesday, October 15 to Monday, October 20. Trip lists including an overview of the personal equipment students will need to bring with them on their respective trip will be provided on BBK12 in the Outdoor Education section in the Fall.

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 17 to Friday, September 19 and Middle Two students will be attending Tuesday, September 16 to Friday, September 19.

Grade Trips
Next spring, all Middle Two students will be attending an overnight experiential trip to Ottawa, Ontario while Middle One students will be attending a series of experiential day trips in the local and surrounding community. Please look out for the trip dates in Appleby This Week and on our Middle School Experiential page in September.

Special Schedule - Wednesday, September 17

On Wednesday, September 17, 2025 there will be a special school schedule for a Fall Experiential Day, due to the many trips taking place off campus that day. Students who are not attending these trips are expected to be on campus. School directors will send specific details to students via e-mail this week. There will be only one bus departure on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. and no late bus. Regular bus service will resume on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Universities Coming to Appleby This Fall – Mark Your Calendars!

Learn more about post-secondary opportunities directly from admissions representatives at the International Universities Fair and Canadian Universities Fair. Please note that the first hour of each fair will be reserved for Appleby students and families before opening to the public at 7:00 p.m.

International Universities Fair – Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life Double Gym
Representatives from over 70 institutions in the United States, UK, and other international destinations will be at Appleby to speak with students and parents.

Canadian Universities Fair – Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life Double Gym
Admissions representatives from over 35 universities across Canada will be in attendance to speak with students and parents. From the west coast to the east coast and many more in between!

Ontario Student Leadership Conference Application

From Sunday, November 2 to Tuesday, November 4, 2025, eight Upper One to Senior Two students have the opportunity to attend the Ontario Student Leadership Conference (OSLC) in Niagara Falls. Participants will meet new friends from across the province, learn from experienced mentors, and bring fresh ideas back to our school. An e-mail with a Microsoft Forms application will be shared with students directly by faculty member Lori Angelow and is due on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 9:00 p.m.

Save the Date - Global & Experiential Education Information Session

The Global Education department will be holding a general information session on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. This session will cover all areas within the Global & Experiential Education program at Appleby, including the brand new Immersive Program which will run in June 2026. 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.

2025-2026 Global Experiential Programs

For over 20 years, Appleby has proudly offered global experiential programs that enrich student learning beyond the classroom. We’re excited to continue this tradition in the 2025–2026 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.

As you prepare for the upcoming programming outlined below, we kindly ask that you check your passport 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.

March 2026 (anticipated, with applications open in October 2025):
-Azores, Portugal (Middle School, with Senior Leader positions) - Environment and Conservation
-Costa Rica (Upper One - Senior Two) - Sustainability and Climate Justice
-France (Upper Two - Senior Two Boys) - Rugby and Culture
-Germany (Upper Two - Senior Two) - German Language, History and Culture
-Ireland (Upper One - Senior Two) - Conflict Resolution, Peace Building and Gaelic Revival
-Martinique (Upper One - Senior Two) - French Colonial Culture in the Caribbean
-Morocco (Upper One - Senior Two) - Math and Culture
-Spain (Upper One - Senior Two) - Tennis and Culture
-Vietnam (Upper Two - Senior Two) - History, Culture and Wellbeing

June 2026 (anticipated, with applications open in October 2025):
-Belize (Upper Two - Senior One) - Scientific Research, Climate Action and Conservation
-Bosnia and Croatia (Upper Two - Senior One) - Reconciliation and Peacebuilding
-Yukon, Canada (Upper One - Senior One) - Northern Indigenous Identities, -Environment and Climate Change
-Thailand (Upper Two - Senior One) - Social Innovation, History and Culture

To learn more, please visit the Global Experiential Programs page on BBK12, or contact globaled@appleby.on.ca.

Thrive Student Leadership Conference Application

Ridley College in St. Catharines will be hosting the Thrive Student Leaders Conference for Middle One to Senior Two students on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Thrive is a student-led conference designed to inspire, empower and equip students with the tools to lead confidently and effectively. Faculty member Lori Angelow will send a link to the application along with additional information directly to students. There are eight spots available and a fee of $100 to attend. The application closes on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 9:00 p.m.

Interested in Joining the Appleby College Board of Governors or the Appleby College Foundation Board of Trustees?

Annually, the school looks to build a strong pool of candidates for both the Appleby College Board of Governors and the Appleby College Foundation Board of Trustees. Members of the Appleby community who have suggestions for candidates or who themselves are interested in serving are encouraged to submit expressions of interest for consideration by e-mailing governance@appleby.on.ca.

New Family Information Booklet

Appleby's New Family Information Booklet contains a wealth of information regarding the Appleby experience - from important school year dates, to volunteer opportunities, and standards of dress for your students. Please click here to access it on Appleby's education management system - BBK12.

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 11, Senior Two student and Head Prefect Charlotte Bennett will present her chapel speech. A link will be shared in the Sunday, September 21 issue of Appleby This Week.

Festivals and Remembrances

We would like to acknowledge those members of our community who are celebrating the following festivals and remembrances:

Tuesday, September 9 – Raksha Bandan (Hinduism)

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Prefects!

Please join us in congratulating the 2025-2026 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.

Community Action in Orientation

On September 4, Upper Two and Senior One advisor groups came together for a day of service. In partnership with Food for Life, Food for Thought, Food for Kids, Home Suite Hope, and the Oakville Milton Humane Society, 19 Upper Two groups and 23 Senior One groups participated in hands-on community action projects that supported food security, nutrition, and animal welfare. Throughout the day, students sorted six skids of potatoes, painted more than 50 bowls for Home Suite Hope’s Empty Bowls' fundraiser, packed over 1,000 fruit cups and 2,000 granola bars for local schools, decorated snack bins, wrote motivational messages on the healthy snacks, and prepared more than 300 bags of cat food for donation. To view a gallery of photos, click here.

2025 Fall Flags

Over the course of the school year, the Global Education department prepares flag displays representing our community. The first display takes place in the fall, around the Samuel Quadrangle, welcoming our new students to Appleby with their country's flag. This includes: Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam. Also displayed are the flags of all Canadian Provinces and Territories as well as the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the stewards of this traditional territory. These flags will remain on display until the winter months, and in the spring a new flag display will be prepared representing the countries of our graduating Senior Two students. The flags flown around the Samuel Quadrangle are recognized by the United Nations and/or Canada. We are also pleased to share that a flag display representing our diverse student and employee community is also on display in the Schlesinger Dining Hall.

Perform for a Smile

Perform for a Smile, which is spearheaded by Appleby students Ishaan Grotra, Joy Li and Arjun Kulkarni, grew significantly over the summer! They launched a new website and an ambassador program for students to start chapters in their own communities. Since January, students have shared over 62 performances in music, dance, and art at Vistamere Retirement Residence, and they recently expanded to Oakville Estates and Tullamore Care Community. Other highlights include a garden performance, interactive percussion activities, and flower gifts for residents.

Perform for a Smile is looking for musicians, singers, dancers, and artists to join them in bringing joy to seniors - volunteers can also earn service hours or complete Duke of Edinburgh requirements. Click here to learn more.

In the Night Garden Gala Early Bird Tickets Available Monday!

Appleby College's In the Night Garden Gala taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 will be an incredible evening of fun and entertainment, raising money for three of Appleby College's key priorities: Financial Assistance, the Wellbeing Programme, and the development of Cockwell Hall - our newest state-of-the-art building on campus.

Tickets go on sale at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) Monday, September 8, 2025. Keep an eye on your inbox for more Gala details and a link to purchase your early bird tickets!

Grade Parties

Each September, Appleby sponsors grade-specific parties for parents and host families, hosted by ACPA volunteers. It's a great way to meet and socialize with other parents in your child's grade. The Principal, senior administrators, and teachers will be in attendance. A formal e-invitation to RSVP was distributed on Thursday, August 28. Please note that the events are held outdoors, and the dress code is casual. This is a non-student event. Parents in attendance are also encouraged to bring a list of your child's teachers to this event.

Senior Two Grade Party: Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. Please click here.
Upper Two & Senior One Grade Party: Wednesday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. Please click here.
Upper One: Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. Please click here.
Middle One and Middle Two Grade Party: Monday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. Please click here.

Homecoming 2025

Appleby parents and current families are invited to attend Homecoming Day on Saturday, October 4, 2025 which will include events and activities for the whole family including a pancake breakfast, student athletic games, exciting Kidzone rides and activities, outdoor games, open mic, a BBQ lunch, and so much more! In addition to family activities, Homecoming is a special time for alumni who will be back on campus to celebrate reunions and reconnect. We hope to see you there too! To register, please visit www.appleby.on.ca/homecoming.

ACPA’s 3rd Annual Appleby Pie Day is Here!

Get ready to indulge in a delicious tradition that supports our school community! On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the ACPA is proud to host the 3rd Annual Appleby Pie Day — back by popular demand after two fun and successful years. This year only 700 pies will be made, so be sure to order early to avoid disappointment! Apple pies are $20.00 each (HST included) and can be ordered online by clicking here. The pies are ready-to-bake and freeze beautifully - perfect for Thanksgiving! The order deadline is Friday, October 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., or until they sell out.

As always, the old gym will be transformed into a bustling pie-making workshop, and we need your help! We're looking for parent volunteers on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 (for set-up from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (for preparation day: Shift 1 - 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Lunch - 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Shift 2 - 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., Shift 3 - 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.). If you can lend a hand, please click here to sign-up. Thank you for your support — let’s make the 3rd Annual Appleby Pie Day the best one yet!

Save the Date - Appleby College Walkathon - Thursday, October 16

Since its inception in 1969, Walkathon has been an Appleby tradition that reflects our mission to educate and enable our students to become leaders of character, major contributors to, and valued representatives of their local, national and international communities. Originally, Appleby students walked 32.2 km through Oakville, raising $2,800 for Oxfam (Oxford Famine Relief). While the route has changed over the years, the purpose - to benefit - remains the same. This year, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, students will walk approximately 18 km through Oakville to raise funds for United Way Halton & Hamilton, Terry Fox Foundation, Home Suite Hope and Halton Multicultural Council. Students will register for the Walkathon online fundraising portal at the end of September with their advisor groups.

Calling All Volunteers
Appleby's largest volunteer event is taking place on Thursday, October 16, 2025 and we need over 300 volunteers! This wonderful school event runs much of the day and requires everyone’s commitment to make it a success - from students, to faculty and staff, and especially volunteers. Current parents, parents of alumni, alumni and grandparents are encouraged to sign-up and help. To select a Walkathon volunteer location and time, please sign up using this link.

Visit the Walkathon Information site on BBK12 to learn more about the volunteer roles that are available, and details about the day. If you have questions about volunteering, please e-mail Leah Macey, Walkathon committee parent volunteer coordinator at applebywalkathon2025@gmail.com.

The College Shop

The College Shop is open for everything back to school! Gym clothes, art supplies, and Appleby branded hoodies are just some of the items available for purchase. The shop is open Monday to Friday from 11:10 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. in the A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life. You can also shop online and follow along on Instagram for the latest College Shop drops!

Appleby College Parents' Association Monthly Meeting – Wednesday, September 17

The Appleby College Parents’ Association (ACPA) was established in 1928 and all Appleby parents are members of the association. The ACPA hosts many events throughout the year that allow opportunities to volunteer, connect with other families, and help fundraise for the school. The ACPA is an integral part of the Appleby community, and we would love for you to join us at the first ACPA Monthly Meeting of the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the LEC (Barr Commons). A Zoom link to these meetings will be available in a future issue of Appleby This Week. All are welcome to attend! For any questions, please contact Jane Sahota, ACPA President.

Sustainability Shop - Request for Gently Used School Wear

Have your children outgrown their school uniform? It's time to go through your closets and donate any gently used Appleby approved school wear. The Sustainability Shop (formerly the Turnover Shop) is accepting all uniform and approved gym and spirit wear. Please drop-off donations at Nicholas Arts Centre front reception or during regular College Shop hours, Monday to Friday from 11:20 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. We welcome donations throughout the school year.

Still in need of uniform items? Drop by the Sustainability Shop to check out the selection of very reasonably priced clothing. The Sustainability Shop is located in the A.W.B. Alumni Centre for Athletics and Student Life, next to the College Shop, and sells a range of gently used, clean, Appleby-approved school wear at extremely discounted prices. A selection of blazers, kilts, ties, dress shirts and approved gym and spirit wear are available.

Lost and Found

The Lost and Found is located near the College Shop and is open from Monday to Friday, 11:20 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. Lost an item? E-mail lostandfound@appleby.on.ca to ask about items you may have left behind. Please consider labelling all your items as this increases the likelihood of lost items being reunited with their rightful owners.

Important Information for Returning and New Volunteers

Welcome to the start of another exciting school year! We are thrilled to have you and your family as members of the Appleby community. A great way for parents, guardians, and grandparents to get more involved in school life is to volunteer. We have a variety of roles – from one-off activities to ongoing commitments, you are sure to find something that will suit your interests and availability! Sign up to volunteer, it’s easy! Click here to review volunteer opportunities and time commitments required then fill out the volunteer application at the bottom of the webpage.

Appleby requires all school employees, faculty members and volunteers to have a (CRC) Criminal Record Check - Vulnerable Sector (VSC) completed (valid for three years from the issue date) with a Declaration of Criminal Record (DCR) form annually. Visit here for details on how to apply for a Criminal Record Check - Vulnerable Sector. Please email copies of your completed forms to Gabrielle Duffy, coordinator, events & parent relations. If you have any questions about volunteering at Appleby, e-mail Weifang Dong, ACPA executive volunteer coordinator. Thank you in advance for your consideration!