Welcome back everyone,
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful summer filled with well-deserved rest and time to recharge. There is a noticeable energy that fills the hallways at this time of year, and our team is truly buzzing as we prepare for another fantastic year at Urban Academy. As the staff comes back together, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to work as a community, partnering with our students and families to provide an education where every student is known individually, challenged in their learning, and prepared to tackle the future.
I am also excited to share that we have reimagined our Imagination Deck over the summer break. That is the deck on the 2nd floor that faces the tower at 150 Braid. We have added some new installations that will build our students’ physical literacy skills. We anticipate our Junior School students will absolutely love it, and I can’t wait to see their reactions. This is made possible by the generosity of our families who continually support the Annual Giving Fund, so thank you for your participation!
Another quick update with regard to our wonderful staff team. In schools today, it is highly unusual that every staff person returns from one school year to the next. There are often moves, changes, new opportunities for staff, etc., which result in them pursuing a new position. However, going into the summer (other than the two leave coverage positions), every single staff person planned on returning to UA for 2026/2027. We are very proud of this and the culture and team we have at UA! However, a few weeks ago we found out that Ms. Alyssa Han will be moving to San Francisco as her husband received a job opportunity he couldn’t pass up. We thank her for her contributions to UA and wish her and her family the very best in their next chapter.
As we settle into our back-to-school routines, I would like to offer a gentle reminder regarding traffic and parking. Patience is key for all of us during drop-off and pick-up times. Please ensure you are following the rules of the road and strictly observing all neighbourhood parking regulations as outlined below. We are fortunate to be part of the Sapperton community, and we want to ensure we continue to be respectful, good neighbours.
It is going to be a great year, and I am so excited to get started, making sure that every student is known, stretched and future-ready! I look forward to seeing everyone at our Meet the Teacher & Back to School Celebration on Tuesday, September 8. It will be a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and welcome our new families to the UA community. Thank you for choosing to be part of Urban Academy.
Yours in education,
Mr. Slinger
Head of School