7-12 Newsletter 05.15.26
- kevinhayashi
- May 15
- 13 min read
May 15, 2026
Hello Hill Families,
My name is Dani Brisebois, and since January I've had the privilege of serving as The Hill Academy's new Director of Volleyball! I've been looking forward to properly introducing myself, and sharing why this role is so personal to me.
I grew up in Caledon and attended The Hill Academy as a student. At the time, the school was located in Vaughan, but the atmosphere was the same and the love for physical activity was just as big of a focus then as it is now. Sports are more than just sports. Volleyball was where I learned discipline, the power of collaboration, and one of the most important lessons I still carry with me today: what you put into something is generally what you get out of it.
Those years at The Hill set the foundation for everything that followed. I went on to attend my dream school, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where I won two National Championships and was the Championship MVP & Athlete of the Year in my senior year. I represented Canada at multiple international events all around the world, and I went on to play professionally in some of the most competitive volleyball leagues in Europe. None of that felt inevitable at the time. But looking back, it all traces to what was built here at this school.
Last fall, when the opportunity came to bring volleyball back to The Hill in the community I grew up in. How could I have said no? I was one of the last volleyball players to come through this school, and since then, volleyball has been my whole life. I know exactly what this place gave me. And I wasn't okay with the next generation not getting that same shot.
Since being back, one thing that has struck me is just how many alumni now work at the school. And I think that says something profound about this place. These are people who could be coaching or teaching anywhere, and they've chosen to return here. I’ll bet that it’s not because they had to, but because the community at The Hill stayed with them. The relationships, the coaches who believed in them, the teachers who pushed them. All of these moments left a mark that they want to be a part of again. There is no greater testament to an environment than the people it shapes choosing to come and give back to it.
For me (and I’m sure other coaches here too), this place and sport has always been personal. My Hill Academy coach was the one who first told me about UBC and the National Team. He opened my eyes to what my path could actually look like. Now, I coach alongside him at Toronto Metropolitan University. It's another full circle moment that shows the influence that sport and coaches can have on a young person’s life. Of course I remember the seemingly small conversation on a bench one day in practice, and then the bigger feeling knowing that he believed in me before I believed in myself. These are moments occurring daily at The Hill, but you don’t realize how far those things carry you until years later. Your child isn't just part of a sports program at a school. They're becoming part of a community that has quietly been shaping lives for a long time, and that its own people love enough to keep coming back to. And for me personally, getting to relaunch volleyball at The Hill Academy is something I still can't quite believe.
Which brings me to the exciting part: on Saturday, May 30th, we're hosting a Volleyball Open House at The Hill Academy. If you know a volleyball family who would be a great fit, send them this link to learn more and register: www.thehillacademy.com/events/the-hill-volleyball-open-house/form
As I’ve mentioned a dozen times now, I am genuinely grateful to be back at The Hill doing what I love. I can't wait to build the next generation of Hill volleyball players and to help make their dreams a reality, just as this school once helped make mine.
If you have any questions about the volleyball program or the Open House please don't hesitate to reach out. I'd love to hear from you!
Dani Brisebois
Director of Volleyball
In this week's Newsletter:
Potential NCAA Eligibility Update & Virtual Town Hall
As some members of our community may already be aware through social media or conversations with college coaches, the NCAA is currently considering significant changes to Division 1 eligibility rules. These potential changes could impact our student-athletes, including members of the graduating class this year.
At this time, nothing has been officially announced. However, we are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to adapt and support our students accordingly. It has been reported that the NCAA Division I Board of Directors will meet on May 22nd to vote on the proposed changes.
In response, we are planning to host a virtual town hall meeting on May 25th to share the information available at that time, discuss any confirmed changes, and provide guidance on next steps moving forward. If a final decision has not been made following the May 22nd meeting, we will postpone the virtual town hall until further information becomes available.
Virtual Town Hall
Monday, May 25
4:30PM
You will be able to view the livestream at: https://www.thehillacademy.com/live-stream
Or if you would like to participate by asking questions in the chat, you will need to join the TEAMS Meeting here:
Exams and Culminating Tasks
In grades 9-12, 30% of the student’s final grade will be based on a final evaluation administered at or towards the end of the course. This evaluation will be based on evidence from one or a combination of the following: an examination, a performance, an essay, and/or another method of evaluation suitable to the course content.
The final evaluation allows the student an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive achievement of the overall expectations for the course. Students must complete this evaluation as scheduled. Please note that uniform is required on exam days.
Frequently asked questions are answered here, and the Exam Schedule can be found here.
Grade 9 Orientation Night - May 28 - 5PM
Grade 9 is just around the corner! Join us for the opportunity to:
Review timetables and schedules
Walk through The Hill Academic Program
Learn more about NCAA Eligibility
Discover Athletic Therapy Services
Review Transportation, Residence and Food Services
Invitations to all student-athletes registered for Grade 9 at The Hill for the 2026-27 school year received an invitation this week.
Questions? Please contact Julie Packard at jpackard@thehillacademy.com
We look forward to seeing you on May 28.
Tick Awareness
As we have entered the outdoor season, it's important to be mindful of tick encounters. We have had a couple of sightings, which is not uncommon at this time of year. To learn more about ticks and tick bites, please visit the following link: https://wdgpublichealth.ca/your-community/ticks-lyme-disease Stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect yourself/ your child from ticks.
Introducing After School Multi-Sport and Cricket!
We are extremely excited to introduce two new after-school programs that are open to Hill students and to the community.
First, a weekly Multi-Sport program for kids aged 5-10 years old offering a fun mix of sports, similar to our Foundations of Sport program.
Secondly, we are thrilled to "test" the waters with Cricket. Under the guidance of our very own Coach Kyle Piper, kids aged 7-12 will be able to experience highly sought after coaching in one of North America's quickest growing sports. All skill and interest levels welcome!
Sessions will run on Tuesdays after school:
May 26th (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 2nd (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 9th (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 16th (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 23rd (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
Follow the link to learn more about Multi-Sport Training or Cricket Training
Basket Raffle & Legacy Fund Draw Tickets
Our year-end raffles are back! Baskets and Legacy Fund Items will be displayed in the main building. To purchase tickets visit the store.
Apparel Sale
We currently have a number of items on our school website marked down by 40% off. These styles will not be continuing in future collections; however, they will still be permitted as part of the school uniform next year. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the savings and begin purchasing items for the upcoming school year.
Guidance Meetings and Community Involvement
Students have been advised to schedule Guidance meetings with Mrs. Flynn to discuss course selection options before submitting their course selection forms. Course selection can be accessed through this link.
Graduating students who have yet to submit their community involvement hours have been emailed. Please note that students are required to submit at least 40 hours of community involvement by May 29th.
End of Year Celebrations
We're looking forward to celebrating the end of the year with you all. Many activities will be taking place, so stay tuned! Here are some of the highlights:
Senior School Athletic Gala - Tuesday, May 26
Exams - June 8-10
Junior School Banquet - Wednesday, June 10
Grade 8 Graduation - Thursday, June 11
Grade 12 Graduation - Friday, June 12
The Junior School Athletic Banquet will be held on Wednesday, June 10th. Student-athletes in grades 4-8 are at no cost, and tickets for friends/family are available here. Tickets are first come, first served, and we will be limiting guests to two per student-athlete.
Allergy Safe Microwave
Student-athletes are to be aware that there is a labeled microwave in the cafeteria area away from the other microwaves that is dedicated to those with allergies. Staff and student-athletes who do not have allergy concerns should not use this microwave.
The Hill Summer Camps
Although the weather doesn't think so, summer is right around the corner. We're thrilled to host a selection of camps again this summer at The Hill. As a bonus, Hill student-athletes can use the code: COACHMATT to save 10% on their registration. Stay tuned as we look to announce more even more camps!
June 29 - July 3 - Multi-Sport Camp
July 6 - July 10 - Golf/Multi-Sport Camp
July 13 - July 17 - Lacrosse Camp (boys and girls)
July 20 - July 24 - Multi-Sport Camp
July 27 - July 31 - Multi-Sport Camp
Aug 10 - Aug 14 - Hockey Camp * JUST ADDED *
The Nest
At The Nest, we've been delighted by the excitement, conversations, decision-making, and laughter that continue to fill our space. It’s been a joy to interact with the students each day as they seek to fuel their growing bodies and find comfort in a place they can call their hub.
A reminder that cellphones cannot be used as payment at The Nest Canteen as it is against our school cellphone policy.
Students may pay using a debit/credit card, or, purchase a canteen card online.
TPC Toronto Special Offer
Our partners at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley would like to extend our relationship by offering the following discounts to the Hill Family:
20% off indoor simulators and lessons
20% off rooms
20% off dining (food only)
To take advantage of these discounts, simply follow the link, using the password: hillacademy to access.
TPC Toronto at Osprey requirement for proof of enrolment is a student card. To request your student card, please see Mrs. Bush.
The Hill Eats
Discover this week's menu, bon appétit!
Daily Lunch
Monday: Victoria Day
Tuesday: Garlic beef stir fry Egg Noodles Red Pepper & Veggie Mix
Wednesday: Grilled Chicken Breast Caesar Salad Potato Wedges
Thursday: Mexican Burrito Tortilla Chips Corn
Friday: Sheperds Pie Roasted Root Vegetables
Please be advised any feedback or special requests can be sent to lunch@thehillacademy.com
Residence Meal Plan (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday: Continental Breakfast / Loaded Lebanese Rice Butternut Squash Tajine Sweetcorn Braised Red Cabbage
Tuesday: Continental Breakfast / Butter Chicken Roasted Cauliflower Pea’s Bizmati Rice Fresh Na’an
Wednesday: Continental Breakfast / Korean-Style Beef & Broccoli Korean Green Salad with Asian Pear Stir Fried Kimchi
Thursday: Continental Breakfast / Kafka Lamb Kabobs Za’atar Potatoes Warmed Pita Roasted Green Beans
Friday: Continental Breakfast / Fried Chicken Wings Honey-Lime Slaw French Fries Watermelon & Feta Salad
Saturday: Breakfast à la carte / Lasagna Balsamic Salad Garlic Bread
Sunday: Breakfast à la carte / Chef's Special
Middle School Sports Schedule
For Grade 9-12+PG, check your individual team's TeamSnap for the most up to date schedule.
Foundations of Sport (7-8)
Monday: Victoria Day
Tuesday: Volleyball
Wednesday: Volleyball
Thursday: Soccer
Friday: Quarry
Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Victoria Day
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: Volleyball
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: Quarry
Hybrid Lacrosse Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Victoria Day
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: Lacrosse
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: Lacrosse
Middle School Boys Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Victoria Day
Tuesday: Volleyball
Wednesday: Lacrosse
Thursday: Soccer
Friday: Lacrosse
Middle School Girls Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Victoria Day
Tuesday: Volleyball
Wednesday: Lacrosse
Thursday: Soccer
Friday: Lacrosse
View a comprehensive calendar of events by visiting www.thehillacademy.com/calendar
Monday, May 18 - Victoria Day
Thursday, May 21 - Girls Junior School Lacrosse Game - Legacy Field
Tuesday, May 26 - Senior Athletic Gala
Saturday, May 30 - The Hill Volleyball Open House
Friday, June 5 - Last day of class for High School
Monday, June 8 - First Day of Exams
Wednesday, June 10 - Last Day of Exams
Wednesday, June 10 - Junior Athletic Banquet
Thursday, June 11 - Last day of class for K-8
Thursday, June 11 - Grade 8 Grad
Friday, June 12 - Grade 12 Grad
Blueprint Nutrition
This school year, the Hill Academy has partnered with Blueprint Nutrition to provide sport nutrition education and support. Blueprint is co-owned by Registered Dietitians, Cara Kasdorf and Rosanne Robinson, and along with their team of Sport Dietitians, they work with athletes across Canada. Their team of Registered Dietitians have worked with all levels and ages of athletes - from local and rep leagues to Olympic athletes, NHL and OHL players, and professional triathletes and endurance athletes. They have expertise in working with both student-athletes and adult athletes to fuel for performance, growth and development, and long-term health. They have expertise to support your athlete, whether the goal is to hit a personal best, navigate busy tournament weekends, or just eat enough to keep up with their sport and academics.
Cara and Rosanne will be providing 4 sport nutrition specific sessions to grades 4-12 throughout the school year. If you would like to seek out additional and more individualized support, Blueprint offers different options to work together.
Two of their most popular packages for student-athletes include:
Eat to Compete Program – $710 for 4 sessions
A high-impact coaching package designed to build strong fuelling habits across training, game day, recovery, and more. Ideal for athletes who want to level up their performance with a comprehensive strategy.
Performance Meal Planning Strategy Session – $295 for a 90-minute session
A focused, one-time consult to help you map out exactly what, when, and how much your athlete should be eating - with a personalized meal plan and timeline tailored to their sport, schedule, and needs.
*Note: all sessions are held virtually via video sessions
*They offer additional packages and sessions based on the athlete’s individual needs
To get started, schedule a free 20-minute clarity call by emailing: sport@blueprintnutrition.ca or booking directly at: www.blueprintnutrition.ca. They have also put together an online Sport Nutrition resource for students. Information about how to access the resource library can be found in their Physical Education and Health Google Classroom.
Airbnb Offer
Looking for a great place to stay right in town while visiting your kids at The Hill Academy? Just 5 minutes from the school right on the main street of Alton village is a cozy 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house that can comfortably sleep 8 people. The perfect place to unwind and hang with your kids and friends for a few nights. The house also offers a summer pool and all year round hot tub as well as backs directly onto the shallow waters of the credit river making for the perfect tranquil setting. Pets are also welcome!
Below you can find the airbnb listing to view all 120+ 5 star reviews. If you'd like to book a stay at the house please reach out through the Cottages In Canada link below to save on some fees airbnb would normally charge, or better yet... reach directly out to the host at her personal email or cell phone number. Don't forget to let her know you're staying at the house because you're visiting someone at The Hill. She'd be happy to provide a discounted rate of 10% off your total stay.
Airbnb Link:
Cottages In Canada Link:
Direct Contact:
Paige Danforth
519-216-6659
Uniforms
Please ensure your student-athlete is wearing the appropriate uniform for their division. Please note there are NO TIGHTS or BIKE SHORTS PERMITTED. If you have questions regarding apparel please refer to the Gr. 4-12 uniform guide. Any questions, concerns or questions apparel@thehillacademy.com.
Community Involvement Hours
To graduate in Ontario, students need to demonstrate at least 40 hours of community involvement. Forms for tracking these hours can be found on our website.
If you are looking for ways to volunteer this year, try the following local resources:
Interested in Contacting a Tutor?
We have partnered with Jessica’s Tailored Tutoring to provide tutoring going forward. Parents can contact her directly at 705-717-4213.
Student-Dedicated Resource
This year, Ms. Walko will be working as student support. She will be working with students from Kindergarten through Post-Grad to help them achieve academic success. If you, as a student, or your child as a parent, require classroom support, accommodations, or have an IEP in place, please reach out to Ms. Walko directly so we can ensure supports are in place as quickly as possible.
Students are also welcome to stop by the Resource Room (Room 104) to check in or ask questions. Please contact Ms. Walko with any questions at emily.walko@thehillacademy.com.
Safety and Security
We want to remind everyone about the safety and security considerations of arriving and leaving the campus.
For all:
Please follow the posted speed limits
Please come to a complete stop at all stop signs (there are new ones on campus)
Please note and follow the one-way driveway and the stop signs
Please follow the directions of the staff who are supervising pick-up and drop-off times.
Parking lots are to be used for anyone waiting to pick up students.
Fire routes are allocated to help Fire and Emergency Services access buildings quickly in the event of an emergency. Blocking these routes, even to drop off or pick up students, can be dangerous for everyone.
Accessible parking spaces are for the exclusive use for individuals holding valid accessible parking permits. Please do not use or block any accessible spaces without a valid permit.
School Hours/Information
Middle School (Grade 7/8) & High School: 8:10 - 3:50
Middle School (Grades 7/8) supervision begins at 8:00 a.m. in your child’s homeroom portable. Students who are dropped off between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. may wait in the caf.
If you need to drop off your student-athlete before 7:45 a.m., please ensure they are registered in our Before Care program.
Annual School Calendar 2025-26
Annual school calendars are available on the website:
Attendance Protocol K-PG
ALL STUDENTS:
If your child is absent from school, please remember to email attendance@thehillacademy.com to report the absence.
If your student athlete is going to miss their Phys. Ed or sport period for any reason, please remember to email DGlisic@thehillacademy.com.
Late Arrivals
If your child arrives late to school, please park in the designated parking areas and walk them into the main office to receive a late slip (K-8). The students will need to provide their educator with the slip upon arrival to class. High School students must sign-in at the main office.
No Sign-Out Privileges
Students do not of have sign-out privileges at The Hill Academy, regardless of age. If a student is to leave campus during the school day, attendance@thehillacademy.com must receive an email from parents/guardians indicating that the student is permitted to leave campus, with whom, at what time and for what reason. Student drivers are not permitted to have passengers unless the families have provided written consent in advance.
