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HAVERGAL COLLEGE
“Old Girls particularly understand the need to ensure that their
beloved Havergal is available to any mission-appropriate girl who
would benefit from a Havergal education,” says Louise, noting that
Old Girls’ donations often support their class endowments, which
mostly are designated to support bursaries at Havergal. “Old Girls
also have a deep connection to the school through their support of
the Chaplaincy, the Dr. Catherine Steele 1928 Archives, the Ellen
Knox Library and the Legacy Theatre.”
For Old Girls, traditions form the foundation of their Havergal
experience. “Founders’ Day and Carol Service are both traditions
that are very meaningful to our community. It’s great to see Old Girls
attending our Carol Service,” says Louise, noting that at Founders’
Day—one of many occasions in the school calendar that bring
alumnae and students together—the guest speaker is most often
an Old Girl.
“When families come to Havergal, there’s a general understanding
that their investment in their daughters will stretch beyond the
school experience—that they will be a part of a lifelong community.
However, parents are often not aware of the full extent to which we
support their daughters long after they graduate,” Louise says. “What
surprises families is how robust the Old Girls program is.”
For example, designed to capitalize on the strength of the Old Girls
network, the Havergal Mentoring Program,
Light the Way
, offers
both long-term and short-term mentoring programs. It is designed
to allow participants the opportunity to discuss career paths, form
new relationships and forge lifelong connections. It includes the
Student Conversations Program that connects Old Girls in their
chosen professions with students who are seeking advice about
career choices and university programs.
Student
Conversations
Taylor Murrell 2015 always knew she wanted to be a lawyer, but she
didn’t know which field to focus on. Last spring, Taylor connected
with the Old Girls Office following a conversation she had with Vice
Principal Lois Rowe. Through the Student Conversations Program,
Taylor was connected with Old Girl Jill Fraser 1987, a Partner at the
law firm Aird & Berlis LLP.
“I emailed Ms. Fraser and she responded right away suggesting that
we meet for lunch,” Taylor says. Armed with a handful of questions,
Taylor wanted to know what corporate law was all about and what
she should take at university to prepare for law school. Jill talked
about her daily life as a lawyer, her role at the firm and law school
requirements. After their meeting, Taylor said she felt even more
enthusiastic and assured and had a clear view of her future.
“My sense is that Taylor went away with an understanding of
corporate law and that there’s no set path to get there—you don’t
need a specific undergraduate degree to get into law school,” says
Jill, who also volunteered as a mentor as part of the 2013 Havergal
Career Networking Event (run by the Advancement & Community
Relations and Guidance departments), which brings together more
than 100 mentors (including Old Girls and parents) to network with
Grade 11 and 12 students.
“I really believe it’s important for those with experience to mentor
others. Mentoring is invaluable for anyone starting out. Often those
starting off in a career need some good advice: who are the right
people to talk to and how to get into a new profession,” Jill says.
“You should always follow your passions and make sure you do
what you love.”
Left:
Celebrating their 20
th
reunion at Reunion Weekend 2012. (left to right) Dale McIntosh 1992 (HOGA President 2012–13 and 2013–14),
Melanie Plet 1992 (HOGA President 2014–15 and 2015–16) and Rachel DeBlois 1992 (HOGA President 2010–11 and 2011–12).
Right:
Taylor Murrell 2015 (far right) and her classmates await their mothers’ arrival for the Grade 12 Mother Daughter Luncheon on
September 19. Mothers were honoured with Marguerite daisies, a symbol of the Havergal Old Girl.