UTS UPDATES
October 22, 2026
Global Connections Open Our Eyes and Our Minds
Our differences can unite us when we seek to deeply understand each other. At UTS, we aspire to instill our students with the capacity to look beyond their own point of view and embrace broader perspectives. These habits help them contribute thoughtfully to the world as they embark on adventures and paths beyond the walls of our school.
UTS Events
UTS Online Parent-Teacher Interviews
November 5 (evening only), November 6 and 9
Parent-Teacher Interviews are an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress.
PickATime bookings open on October 20 at 12 p.m. and close on October 26 at 11 p.m.
Your child's schedule will not be visible until booking opens.
Before beginning the booking process, make sure you have your child’s UTS Student ID number. This can be found in the MyUTS menu under Academics > Student Timetable.
Once you have completed this, click here for Parent-Teacher Interview booking instructions.
If you have questions, please email pickatime@utschools.ca.
AP Exam Registration Deadline October 30
M4 to S6 students can use the AP Exam Registration Portal to register for AP exams, which take place in May 2027.
As a reminder, students enrolled in courses ending in “-P” (e.g., SBI4UP) are required to register for the corresponding AP exam.
Important Dates and Information:
- Registration deadline: October 30, 2026
- Exam invoices: Invoices will be sent directly to guardians in November through the UTS Blackbaud Payment system.
- For more information about AP Exams, please review the General AP FAQs.
If you have any questions, please contact apexams@utschools.ca.
Bursary Applications for 2027-28 Due October 31
Bursary applications for the 2027-28 school year are open through Apple Financial Services.
All returning families seeking bursary support for 2027-28 must submit an application, including families currently receiving bursary assistance.
Families who are not currently receiving assistance are also welcome to apply. UTS is committed to supporting our students and families, recognizing that financial circumstances can change over time.
Families wishing to be considered for bursary support are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The application deadline is October 31, 2026, which allows bursary decisions to be communicated in advance of January re-enrolment.
If you have any questions regarding bursary applications, please email finance@utschools.ca.
Take Our Kids to Work Day November 4
Take Our Kids to Work Day will take place on Wednesday, November 4. On this day, Grade 9 students may spend the day shadowing a parent or guardian in their professional workplace to gain valuable career insights. To ensure your child’s participation in Take Our Kids to Work Day is correctly recorded, you must report their absence to the school by Friday, October 30.
UTSPA Speaker Series November 11
Back by popular demand! The UTS Parents’ Association (UTSPA) invites your family to attend an Alumni Panel Discussion on Wednesday, November 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join us for this exciting, in-person panel discussion with recent UTS Alumni as they reflect on life as undergraduates as well as their early careers.
Summer Experiential Program Host Sign-up
UTSPA invites you to join an exclusive group of professionals shaping the next generation.
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to open their doors and host a group of students for a valuable, short-term, in-person workplace experience in July 2027. This is your opportunity to offer practical perspective, share your expertise and give a student a genuine look at a "day in the life" of your career.
Your experience is their opportunity. Secure your spot as a host today
Questions? Feel free to reach out to pamela.wong@utschools.ca and tracey.nguyen@utschools.ca
Student Hot Lunch Orders
UTS is excited to offer hot lunches, through our trusted provider. See menu options and order forms below.
UTS Debate on the World Stage – Canada Wins World Schools Debating Championships
Recently graduated UTS student Sophie ’26 represented Team Canada at the World Schools Debating Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2026. Competing against teams from around the world, Team Canada advanced to the Grand Final, where they faced a formidable Team India. With Sophie among its team members, Canada emerged victorious, claiming the title of World Champions! Sophie also earned an individual speaker award, placing eighth overall in the world.
Beyond the remarkable achievement itself, Sophie's performance offers a glimpse into what makes debate such a valuable educational experience. Her Grand Final speech explored questions of human vulnerability, inequality, agency and what enables people to lead meaningful lives. She considered how social structures shape people's experiences and opportunities, demonstrating the depth of analysis and thoughtfulness that debate can inspire. Debate encourages students to engage with complex questions, examine competing perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Sophie said: "Debate has pushed me into taking in more information from a wider variety of sources. It forces you to consider every viewpoint. And so I’ll find myself researching and reading news from a lot of different sources across different viewpoints."
Sophie's achievement is a testament not only to her talent and dedication, but also to the intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and openness to different perspectives that debate can foster. We are incredibly proud of Sophie and the entire Team Canada delegation for this outstanding accomplishment.
For anyone interested in watching Sophie's Grand Final speech, the full round is linked below. Her speech begins at approximately 12:30. I've also included the link to Team Canada's post.
Looking ahead, S6 Hannah just travelled to Los Angeles representing Team Canada at the North American Spar.
Sophie’s speech (12:30): here.
Team Canada post: here.
Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition Success and Off to Worlds!
Over the weekend, S6 Safeyyah and S5s Nethra and Alix represented UTS at the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC), held at MacLachlan College in Oakville. Levi Tepner ’17, the Speech and Debate coach who attended the tournament with them, said: “Competitions like IISPSC are a truly massive undertaking – Alix, Nethra, and Safeyyah have been preparing tirelessly since June to get ready. I cannot understate the hours of practice, the effort put into speech writing and vocal training, and the determination and care that each of them displayed over the summer and the start of the school year.”
For this competition, they students competed in three categories:
- Persuasive Speaking, where they had to write and memorize a speech about an important issue and how we should go about trying to solve it
- Interpretive Reading, where they had to pick a piece of literature and make it come alive with their use of voice
- and Impromptu Speaking, where they were given only two minutes to prepare on a topic before needing to meaningfully speak about it for three to five minutes with no notes.
At the end of the competition, Nethra made the Interpretive Reading finals where she finished first in the event. Safeyyah reached both the Interpretive Reading and Impromptu Speaking finals, coming out first for Impromptu Speaking. Safeyyah was also the fourth overall speaker at IISPSC, qualifying for the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Shanghai later this school year!
Coaches Ms. Oduh, UTS English Teacher, Maryam and Ms. Dickson, UTS Debate Director, could not be more proud of all three of them. Public speaking is terrifying to begin with, even without the pressure of a large international competition. We look forward to seeing them all represent UTS as they compete at more events later in the school year!
What's been happening at UTS
