Michael Power / St. Joseph
High School (Catholic Secondary School)

105 Eringate Drive, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 3Z7

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History & Tradition

Michael Power/St. Joseph High School is a dynamic, co-educational community of more than 1600 students. Our present school began as two distinct high schools. The Sisters of St. Joseph opened St. Joseph's Islington in 1949 with a population of 149 girls. The school was named after the patron saint of Canada. Eight years later in 1957, the Basilian Fathers started Michael Power, an all boys high school named after the first Catholic bishop of Toronto. Cooperation, shared resources, co-ed classes and portable facilities characterized the co-existence of these two separate school communities throughout the 60's and 70's

In 1982 the two schools were amalgamated officially--the designated principal was a Basilian Father while the vice-principal was a Sister of St. Joseph. In 1986 the Basilian Fathers, continued to lead Michael Power/St. Joseph, a commitment that concluded with the recent retirement of Fr. Paul James. The transition to a lay leadership team in 1995 marked a new chapter in our distinguished history.

Our teachers have established a strong tradition of rigorous academic standards. Currently, almost 80% of Power graduates gain admission to university and college. Achievements in athletics and co-curricular activities are part of our well-earned reputation for excellence. Involvement is characteristic of this school and an essential quality of both our history and tradition.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Catholic environment

Both at the local department level and at the global school level, programs and courses at Michael Power/St. Joseph are continually assessed and reviewed. Modifications are made to best serve the diversified needs of the student body. The historical Catholic tradition of service and commitment to Gospel values are demonstrated by our founding orders are clearly visible in all aspects of school life. Theology classes are a yearly requirement on student timetables with full credit courses mandatory in the grade 9 and 10 academic years. Each day begins with the anthem, morning prayer and reflection. Homeroom masses are held in the chapel every morning giving all students opportunity to celebrate God's word with their peers at a more intimate and personal level. Peer turning, peer minister and mentorship programs for staff and students are available for those who are called to volunteer Christian service to others. These programs are not limited to the school but reach out to others in the community as well.

Safe and welcoming environment

A relevant and practical behaviour code is reviewed annually with input by student, parent and staff representatives. Modifications are made if needed and are communicated to all parties with clear and defined expectations. The physical layout of the school facility extends a warm and friendly invitation to all who enter. The chapel within the larger forum was intentionally designed as the focal point of the school. The colours and decor, the principal's gallery, the graduate's hall, the athletic wing, the honour roll and the scholarship list all contribute to the celebration of positive student achievement. The police liaison program with 22 division reinforces our safe school environment.

Curriculum

Michael Power/St. Joseph offers a multitude of programs and services to meet the needs and interests of its student. The special education department services students totally dependent on adult supervision, offers resource classes to identified special needs students, gives life skills instruction to developmentally disabled and multiple exceptionality students, and provides enrichment opportunities for the gifted.

Each year discussions are held with all department heads and teaching staff to review and assess programming and to offer suggestions and new course proposals. The mid 1990s saw new courses in the following areas of study: arts and technology, computer/business, extended French, languages and the social sciences.

Through the business, computer and tech courses students are exposed to relevant and current technological skills and information. Greater interdisciplinary communication and co-operation have resulted in the creation and increased use of a cross-curricular computer lab. Plans are currently being formulated to provide for a second lab, the completion of a local area network, the feasibility of introducing a web site and possible connection to the internet. As well, cooperative education programs integrate a classroom theory and workplace experience for students at all levels of difficulty.

Co-curricular activities

High standards of excellence are the tradition and continue to be the norm at Power. The athletic and extra-curricular achievements are too numerous to list. The 1994-95 years saw no fewer than nine TDCAA championship teams. From swimming to skiing, golfing to wrestling, from the Afro-Caribbean club to the science club, chess to weight lifting, there is a sport or activity that is sure to catch the interest of the most discerning student; the list is almost endless.

Extra-curricular activities and involvement play an important role in the development and education of a Power student. They promote a spirit of cooperation, teamwork, competitiveness, achievement and Power pride! Every student is expected to take part in at least one co-curricular activity.

School News

Grade 8 Open House
November 9, 2010
7:00 p.m.

PA Days 2010-2011

• September 2, 2010 (Provincial Education Priorities)
• June 28, 29, 30 (System priorities and local goals articulated in school Learning Improvement Plans)

Exam Dates 2010-2011

• January 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
• June 21, 22, 23, 24, 27

Congratulations to students who were awarded for their outstanding performances in Math Contests

TCDSB Congratulates Student recipients of The Tom Leon Student Bursary
The Toronto Catholic Distrct School Board congratulates Marina Pavelic of Michael Power/St. Joseph, Letonya Smith of Father Henry Carr, Thomas Lee of St. Basil-the-Great College and Shan Fernando of Chaminade College School for receiving the esteemed Tom Leon Student Bursary.

Administered by The Angel Foundation for Learning, The Tom Leon Student Bursary honours the memory of Tom Leon who passed away in 2009. The bursary was created to recognize the efforts of TCDSB students who have demonstrated strong Catholic values in their schools and communities. It is awarded annually to two female and two male secondary school graduates. The bursary is designed to help defray the cost of post-secondary school education. The amount of each award is $5,000 per student.

Marina Pavelic of Michael Power/St. Joseph has shown outstanding leadership qualities. She has been involved with a number of extra-curricular activities at school including the environmental club called “Green Power” where Marina has organized many events for environmental charities.  Marina, who received an award from the Archdiocese of Toronto in recognition of her outstanding work, has been an altar served in her local parish for 10 years.  Marina has maintained an exceptionally high average throughout her high school years. She will attend the University of Toronto for the Physical and Health Education Program.

Congratulations TCDSB Skills Canada Winners
This year’s Skills Canada Competition at ROM Park in Kitchener/Waterloo was a great success for many TCDSB Students.With over 1,800 students from all across Ontario competing in events in the trades and technology sectors, TCDSB students participated in 26 different events and placed in the top three in 9 of those events.
Gold medals were awarded to Team Carpentry: Arthur Kurek and Philip Kapera of Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School; Culinary Arts: Cara Davis of Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts; Ishara Wijesinghe of St. Joseph Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School was awarded the gold medal for her pin design
Silver medals were awarded to the 2D Character Animation team: Raphaella Lauro and Valerie Garnace St. Joseph Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School; Kyan D’Angelo of Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School for IT Software Application; and Jean Luc Moniz and Rebecca LaFortune of Dante Alighieri Academy for TV and Video Production .
Bronze medals where awarded to Jennifer Reyes of Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic School who competed in the Restaurant Service category; Peter Nhieu and Anthony Dang of Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School in the Geographic Information Systems category; and the team who competed in the Robotics section, Geoffrey Blasutti, Steve Pasqualoni, Daniel Adamo, Matthew Hiew of Michael Power/St. Joseph High School.
On May 23rd, Cara Davis of Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts went on to the National Skills Canada Competition and captured the Gold Medal in the Culinary Arts category.

Award Winner
Kevin McGuire, Teacher/Program Co-ordinator Peer Tutoring at Michael Power/St. Joseph Catholic High School awarded the Ashif Jaffer Award for excellence For his many years of dedicated service to the TCDSB promoting the rights and dignity of the Exceptional Student; his welcoming nature and inclusiveness in his classroom; spearheading and facilitating a Peer Tutoring Program; encouraging positive relationships among staff; advocating and fostering the social interaction and inclusion of the Exceptional Student.

Brianna Smrke, Michael Power/St. Joseph Catholic High School is the recipient of the 2010 Student Trustee Award of Excellence for excellence in academics, leadership and Christian values and to support her in pursuit of studies at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.

Michael Power/St. Joseph Student Chess Champion
Congratulations to Pavel Rakov, 2009 West Region Individual winner of the Toronto School Chess League

Michael Power/St. Joseph student 'Ultimate Dream Job Contest' Finalist
Emily Graham, grade 9 student, has been selected as a finalist in the Ultimate Dream Job Contest. Emily's ultimate dream job is to work as a Canadian Ambassador. Visit, http://www.dreamjobcontest.ca/index.php for more information and to vote for Emily!

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010

EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics:

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):

The OSSLT shows the extent to which Ontario students are meeting the minimum literacy standard expected by the end of Grade 9. The test assesses the reading and writing skills as they apply to all subjects as out-lined in the Ontario Curriculum. Students must pass the OSSLT as one of the 32 requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.