February can be a tough month for many – cold, snow, continuing darkness, mid-winter blues, academic fatigue… yikes! So… Hawthorn to the rescue! From the 9th to the 17th our valiant Student Council led us in a celebration of fun, love, and togetherness, lifting our spirits each day with inventive, surprising, lively activities; they put together a special Spirit Week calendar just for the Upper School!
We kicked off the week with Duo Day, and pairs of students showed up in their best matching outfits. Welcome Glinda and Elphaba, Barbie and Rockelle (winners!), High School Musical basketball players, and all the other amazing creative combos!
On Red Carpet Tuesday, the Grade 9’s won the dress to impress competition in their Western gear – congratulations!! Also walking the carpet were Gr. 8 Celebrities, Gr. 10 Superheroes and Supervillains, Gr. 11 Rock ‘n Rollers, and – the cutest – the Gr. 12’s dressing up to imitate a photo of ‘Younger Me’ – adorable! We all also enjoyed an extended lunch when we surprised our Little Sisters in their classrooms and read their favourite books to them, cozying up with fluffy blankets and stuffed animals – so therapeutic!
Next, we proudly celebrated Culture Day with traditional clothing and food representing our diverse national roots. Italian, Spanish, Philippino, Hungarian, Polish, Bulgarian, Greek, Chinese, Korean…. so many countries, and so much incredibly delicious food at our extended potluck lunch – thank you to all of you incredible bakers and chefs!
We strolled the halls and classrooms dressed in pink, red, and white cozy clothes on dress-down Thursday. On an Early Activity schedule, we all gathered in Room 329 to enjoy, shriek, and laugh through the highly popular romcom, Letters to Juliet. Just like at the movies, there was a handy snack stand with candy and popcorn. Love was in the air as the Student Council distributed candy grams with sweet messages of friendship and kindness!
Finally, welcoming us back from a long weekend celebrating Valentine’s Day and Family Day, our industrious Student Council served up a delicious, hot, toasty, homemade breakfast. The Upper School lunchroom was filled with the heady aroma of freshly baked pancakes, maple syrup, fresh whipped cream, and melting butter. We enjoyed a final jeans day and a few of us got creative with wild and crazy hair – bobbing hearts, Rémy from Ratatouille, and pouring Coke bottles adorned our tresses!
We are so grateful to our brilliant Student Council and House Representatives, all led by our Student President, Vicky B. ’26, for this year’s edition of Spirit Week. You are each shining stars and you have brought all of us so much fun, warmth, and friendship in the heart of winter. Thank you!!