Neil McNeil High School (Catholic Secondary School)

127 Victoria Park Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario M4E 3S2

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History & Tradition

Neil McNeil High School was founded in 1958 by the Spiritan Fathers. The school was named after Neil McNeil, Archbishop of Toronto from 1912-1934. During his entire term as Archbishop, he fought tirelessly for the extension of funding for Catholic secondary schools. He demonstrated in words and deeds the school motto “Fidelitas in Arduis”, which translates “strength in hard times”

Even though the last priest-principal of the school retired in 1990, the Spiritan presence is alive and well through the Spiritan Scholarship Fund established in 1995. By 1998, the fund disbursed more than $50,000 in scholarship awards for students going to university or community college.

Perhaps the spirit of Neil McNeil was best summarized by our most famous graduate, the late John Candy, who said during one of his annual visits to Neil McNeil, “My success is simply rooted in the values and discipline and respect for others that I was taught at Neil McNeil.”

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Since 1958, Neil McNeil has been committed to making a difference in the lives of the young men who pass through its doors. Through its religious education program, chaplaincy, school liturgies and retreats, a distinct Christian dimension is evident. In other ways, Neil's programs and co-curricular activities create an environment where students can grow in faith and Christian values. These values are reflected in Neil's commitment to providing a safe and secure environment where learning can take place. Since we intend to keep Neil a small school, we are able to know our students who are in need of special considerations and needs. We provide a program which is able to meet the needs of a diverse, varied student population:

• Mentorship program with the University of Toronto
• Access to special education programs
• Broad-based technology centre (one of the first in the Toronto Catholic District School Board) bringing high tech skills needed by our students in the future
• A cooperative education program which provides personalized employment experiences for many students
• One of the largest visual arts studios in the TCDSB

Neil McNeil is constantly working at providing a comprehensive course of study for grade 9 students. The program we offer is structure to nurture the skills considered necessary to student success and the values held by the Neil community. As a school community we have a common goal to provide our students with the education that will best equip them to live successfully and responsibly in a complex and changing world. As the needs of the students change, so will the program offered at Neil McNeil High be adapted to respond to those needs.

School News

School Calendar 2012

Professional Activity Days 2012

• February 17, 2012
• June 27, 2012
• June 28, 2012
• June 29, 2012

PA and Exam Day Calendar 2011-2012

Staff Faith Development Day
The Chaplaincy team at Neil McNeil work diligently to provide volunteer service opportunities for all staff during their Faith Development Day. Service organizations from The Good Sheppard to St. Felix House were grateful for the volunteers who performed numerous tasks, including bed making to food service. The day finished with reflection at Newman Centre at the University of Toronto.  Staff loved the opportunity to get out of their routine and help support Toronto’s neediest.

Neil McNeil Students Take Water Challenge

Neil McNeil High School program,  Quest 10 engages grade 10 students to direct their focus to an understanding the ‘other’ in their society.  Not only are these young Catholic men challenged to be understanding of the ‘other’, but they are also thrust into an opportunity where they can develop empathy in their call to be witnesses of Christ.

On December 8^th, 2011 these young men found themselves actively becoming aware of issues surrounding basic human needs that, perhaps, they take for granted on a daily basis.  A group from World Vision provided an engaging and impactful presentation surrounding the concept of access to water.

The presentation informed the students about the main struggles surrounding water in countries where access to water is not guaranteed to everyone.  There was a discussion based around what World Vision is doing to support those countries and how others can best provide their support to nurture these people with this basic need.  Empathy, at times, is best taught in a practical manner, so the presentation was not only informative but included active learning as well.  Once the students were introduced to the issues surrounding water in some global communities, they participated in an activity of empathy.  This entailed these young men literally walking in the footsteps of those who have to carry water a long distance in order to provide for their community.

The students split off into four groups outside the school and each carried a bucket of water on top of their head in order to live through a fraction of the struggle that a water carrier has in order to provide for their community.

These young men at Neil McNeil High School found themselves outside struggling in chilling weather conditions, with a heavy bucket of water, and under pressure from their peers not to waste any water by spilling it.  Finally, they struggled with the emotions as they realized what others do not have.  For many, the importance of access to water was fully recognized, but what was more intriguing was their new outlook on their own life, as they asked questions such as: ‘How am I living?’, ‘What am I doing to support others in need?’, and ‘How can I be an advocate of positive change in my local community to effect a greater population?’

Neil McNeil Catholic High School received the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement on Monday, November 7th. 2011
 

Back row: Marguerite Jackson (CEO, EQAO), Ann Andrachuk, Vicky Zeltins, Anne Buckley, Maria Rayson, Dr. Brian L. Desbiens (Chair, EQAO)
Front Row: Trevor Hills, Dr. Bette M. Stephenson, Mike Wallace
                                                                                                                                          Photo Courtesy of: Kristof Borkowski/Pinpoint National

Neil McNeil High School Awarded with Michael Carty Award
Neil McNeil High School was awarded the Michael Carty Award for their Faith in Action initiative. The Michael Carty Award is presented each year at the Annual Father Patrick Fogarty Awards dinner to the school, team or individual who takes on creative initiatives and develop programs to enhance aspects of Catholic education that contribute to the whole person. The Chaplaincy Team at Neil McNeil, comprised of Fr. Obinna Ifeanya, Phillip Cummings and Linton Soares, are to be acknowledged for their comprehensive reflections that are inspiring students.

The attendees from Neil McNeil brought the TCDSB Witnessing Our Faith Cross to the awards dinner with them. The cross was created by the students and staff at the school. It is on its journey to schools across the Toronto Catholic Board in an effort to provide an opportunity for students, staff and families to reflect on what it means to bear witness to our Catholic faith. The Neil McNeil community is excited to share the story of the cross and its meaning with fellow Catholic school community members throughout the Province.

TCDSB Awards Night 2011
Mark Harrison, Education Assistant at Neil McNeil High School was awarded the Ashiff Jaffer Award at the annual TCDSB Awards Night held on May 4th. Mr. Harrison was recognized for promoting and implementing activities to meet students’ academic and emotional needs; for his work with at-risk youth; for his patience, kindness and willingness to listen; for his work with the school’s peer tutoring program that promotes leadership and team building; for his advocacy for youth and for bringing out the best in students.

Ashif Jaffer Award, Secondary - Mark Harrison of Neil McNeil High School

Neil McNeil Students Win at Junior Achievement Challenge
A team of Neil McNeil students won scholarships valued at $1,000 each in a business simulation game for Junior Achievement.  The competition took place on May 3^rd at Centennial College and included 50 teams from across the GTA.

Left to right:  Justin Mihevc (teacher), Christian Buhain, Emmanuel Marquez, Bilal Muhammad, Sal Buggea, Les Siolek (teacher)

Celebrating 2010 – 2011 Exemplary Practices
 

Freshman 40
The Freshman 40 is an initiative that encourages Grade 9 students to complete their 40 hours of community service prior to May or, their first year
of high school. In completing the Freshman 40 challenge, the students will be able to focus on faith-in-action throughout the rest of their high school
experience. By Grade 12, it is anticipated that all students will have completed and exceeded this graduation requirement. More importantly,
service in Christ’s name is the foundation of Community, Culture, Caring and Catholicity; a pillar of the Provincial mandate for school improvement.

Neil McNeil/Spiritan Aid to Haiti:

• Spiritan Appeal
   

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2011-2012

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2010-2011

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2010-2011

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.