All School News - December 4, 2025
MESSAGE FROM STRUAN ROBERTSON, HEAD OF SCHOOL
15th annual Grade 7 Pinewood Derby
The 15th annual Grade 7 Pinewood Derby race will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025 from 8:30am - 11:40am in the Fitness Centre at the 1320 Yonge Street campus. Students will be showcasing their car designs and testing them to find out who produced the fastest car.
Parents, guardians and members of our community will have the opportunity to watch the event in person on campus. Or the event can be viewed virtually by accessing the Livestream Link.
If you are visiting the campus for the event, please ensure you enter the 1320 Yonge Street building from the main doors. Kindly sign in at reception to obtain a visitor's badge and you will be directed to the Fitness Centre.
Everyone will have the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice” award on race day using the linked Google Form: https://forms.gle/mFRRrMHT4pavRtcb8
Schedule Overview:
8:25am - 8:35am Opening Ceremonies
9:10am - 9:30am 7A Racing Heats
9:45am - 10:05am 7B Racing Heats
10:20am - 10:40am 7C Racing Heats
10:55am - 11:15am 7D Racing Heats
11:25am - 11:35am Finals Race with all Classes
11:35am - Awards Ceremony
There are several overall and class awards including Best Design, People’s Choice and Fastest Car. Who will be crowned the new 2025 Pinewood Derby champion? Visit or view the Livestream on December 8 to catch all the action as it happens.
Donate to the Annual Fund
Thank you to the York community for coming together in support of our students via the Annual Fund! With just a few more donors, we'll unlock the final reward, where Mr. Robertson will wear the new Bolt mascot costume in the spring.
The first two challenges have been unlocked, so all students will have a casual (dress-down) day and their choice of lunch after the winter break!
Please make your gift by December 31!
DECA regional competition UPDATE
On November 29, 30 York School students competed in the DECA regional competition at North Park Secondary School in Brampton. The students demonstrated the hard work they had put into preparing for the event over the past few months by presenting cases that included excellent points and creative solutions. Eight students qualified for the provincial competition in February. Special mention goes to Annika B. and Koby B., who placed in the top 10 for their respective events. Additionally, Felipe W. and Chase W., who competed in a team event, were awarded a medal for placing first overall in their event and also first for their oral presentation. Congratulations to all of our provincial qualifiers: Molly L., Chase W., Teresa B.R., Kate P., Felipe W.S., Annika B.J., Hatem A.A., Koby B.
We can't wait to see what they do in February!
Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival
We are proud of everyone who took time to prepare and submit an audition for the 2026 Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival. The auditions are demanding and the competition for every seat in these ensembles is fierce. You are all better musicians for your efforts and we hope you will continue to pursue participation in these ensembles in the years to come!
Congratulations to the following musicians who were placed in this year's ensembles:
Concert Band (Gr. 7-8)
Murray B. - Tuba
Ross F. - Trombone
Alex T. - Alto Saxophone
Symphonic Band (Gr. 9-10)
Giorgio R. - Clarinet
Zac S. - Trumpet
Zoe S. - Trumpet
Wind Ensemble (Gr. 11-12)
Will A. - Trumpet
Jefferson C. - Euphonium
James K. - Alto Saxophone
Max M.A. - Trombone
Spotlight Choir (Gr. 9-12)
Lily C.
Jade H.
Athletics
Storm Athletics wants to wish the best of luck to our U13 Girls Basketball team. They will compete in their first ever CAIS National Tournament, which is being hosted by Havergal College from December 4 to December 6!
We also want to wish our Grade 12 student-athletes the best of luck as they enter “exam mode.”
Balance and wellbeing are very important pillars at TYS. Here is a great video regarding balance and school:
Balancing School and Sport
Go Storm!
Mr. D
HOLIDAY HOOPS & SOCIAL
On Saturday, December 13, our last alumni basketball before the holidays will take place from 2:00pm - 4:00pm followed by a Holiday social from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at St. Louis Bar & Grill. All alumni are invited to join. Please help us spread the word.
Bringing The Temperature Down -
Concrete Tools to Support Your Child’s (and your own!) Emotional Regulation
Presented by: Emma Fogel, MSW, RSW
We are delighted to virtually welcome Emma Fogel, Registered Social Worker and the Practice Director of Emma Fogel Therapy Services, a paediatric and family psychotherapy practice in Toronto, to The York School.
Emma is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, with additional certifications in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and paediatric grief. While this session will be most relevant for our Junior and Middle School parents, all parents are welcome to attend.
Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00pm
