Notre Dame High School (Catholic Secondary School)

12 Malvern Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4E 3E1

• School-designed Website

• Alumnae Website

• School News

Homework Website

History & Tradition

Notre Dame High School was founded by the Congregation of Notre Dame in 1941 to provide excellence in education for young Catholic women. The Sisters of the Congregation have been teaching at the school throughout its 65-year history.

Since 1941, the school has grown. In 1963 O'Connor Hall was built and then in the 70's with enrollment at 1,111, Notre Dame moved into the second and third floors of the neighbouring St. John' Catholic School. At present all three buildings are in use.

These years also saw the canonization of Marguerite Bourgeoys, the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame and now the school's patron saint. Her feast day is celebrated annually with special events coordinated by the school's chaplaincy team. An educator herself, Marguerite's legacy lives on as she serves as an important role model for staff and students alike.

Most recently, Notre Dame has entered into an arrangement with its brother school, Neil McNeil to share courses at the grade 12 level.

History and tradition are important at Notre Dame and the involvement of the members of the alumni association in the life of the school attest to this.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

We believe in the success and leadership of young women in the family, in the Church and in the global community.  Founded on Gospel values, the school’s annual theme becomes a rallying point for the ongoing discussion of relationship with God, of self-respect to mutual respect and of personal right to social responsibility.

We are committed to guiding students so they not only achieve their academic potential, but that they also discover their talents and gifts, which in turn will help them select  a school program pathway that enables them to make a smooth transition to the post-secondary destination of their choice. 

The Success for All initiative addresses the needs of those students who require additional help in a credit intervention situation or in credit recovery. Thus students who are at risk of falling behind in accumulating their credits toward graduation are given sustained support.  

Technology is integrated into the curriculum, which offers a balance of courses ranging from science and mathematics to physical education and the arts. With the support of the Guidance counselors, chaplaincy team, student and teacher tutoring and student mentors, the girls find encouragement as they pursue their interests and future plans.

The schools comprehensive program offers a full range of programs that prepare students for university, college and the world of work.  Programs and support services are offered to special education students. Programs are also available to students who are designated gifted and enrichment courses are also offered.  Teachers also prepare students to write examinations in various subjects for equivalency standing and advanced placement at major Canadian and U.S. universities a 

Curriculum initiatives

The transition to high school initiative welcomes grade nine students to our school with the assistance of student leaders (M.O.S.T.) who help mentor them through the first few weeks of school. Student mentors also offer after-school tutoring, help new students prepare for formal examinations and provide opportunities for community building. 

Grade nine students are also engaged in a three-day orientation/retreat program at an outdoor facility.  Student leaders under staff supervision conduct activities and workshops that focus on faith development and spiritual reflection, school spirit, leadership skills, self-advocacy and outdoor education, as well as the Safe Schools program.  

The school’s EQAO preparation initiatives in Grade 10 Literacy and Grade 9 Numeracy have resulted in a consistent three-year performance that has exceeded both the provincial scores and TCDSB scores.  The 2005 Mathematics results placed the school with the highest Grade 9 scores in the TCDSB. 

The Women’s Health, Wellness and Nutrition program is an initiative that encompasses the school’s funded breakfast program (a consistent, nutritious menu alternative offered in the school cafeteria) and a student-run fitness program.  The annual Girls’ Night Out event involving the Department of Health and many health and wellness professionals from the school community supports the school’s commitment to encouraging a healthy, active life style for young women.

Co-curricular programs

A number of students have excelled at mathematics and essay-writing contests, science fairs, Canada Skills and robotics competitions.  Students with an interest in the arts have received outstanding performance awards at the Sears Festival Drama competition and visual arts competitions and have celebrated their talents at the annual Arts Night.  Other clubs and activities include: Yea God Club, yearbook, photography, band, Multicultural Club, school newspaper, math league, Debating Club, Knitting Club, Social Justice Club, Black History Club and M.O.S.T.   

The school offers a broad spectrum of team and individual sports such as: cross-country, hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, badminton, tennis, track and field, swimming and golf.  Numerous gold medals and participation at OFSSA in various sports attests to the success of the school’s sports program.

School News

Notre Dame CSAC invites you to join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 7 p.m.
for our Parent Event presentation of
Financial Fitness for a Post-Secondary Future for Teens & Parents
with Merri Macarney  

Whether your son or daughter is just beginning their high school career or graduating in June, this presentation is for all of you. 
Most courses in high school will contain components of financial preparation, but the “big picture” is often overlooked until it’s almost too late. Come and hear what gets overlooked and learn how to pull the pieces together. This presentation will focus on post-secondary preparedness, not just from a financial viewpoint, but also from a goal setting and achievement perspective. See how the educational plan fits together for effective living! Merri Macartney, BA, BEd.  is a motivational speaker, author and coach.  Merri’s rich content delivery is based on a wealth of knowledge and experience in parenting, business management and education.  Merri is the author of Financial Planning Basics for Teens: A Parents’ Guide. 

(This event is made possible by funding from the Ministry of Education PRO Grant 2009)

PA Days 2009-2010

• September 2, 3
• November 20
• June 28, 29, 30

Exam Dates 2009-2010

• January 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
• June 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

November 12
Open House for Grade 8 students
7:00 p.m.

Creative Arts Gala was a fusion of talents from Notre Dame and Neil McNeil
The creative talents of the young women at Notre Dame High School and those of the young men from Neil McNeil High school complimented each another Friday evening January 16^th, 2009 in the Notre Dame gymnasium. The event, which was coordinated by the Grade 12 Notre Dame Writer’s Craft students, brought together diverse creative talents including writing, a fabulous magic show, theatre, dance, visual art, instrumental and vocal music, jazz, rock, digital arts, photography and culinary arts. The theme of the event was, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The evening turned out to be a vivid illustration of the theme on many levels. Two great schools showed both depth of talent as well as meaningful artistic expression over the course of the evening. The audience of over 200 were educated and delighted by the ideas and talents of over 150 male and female students from the two schools. We look forward a whole new future for Notre Dame and our brother school Neil McNeil. Xavier Wynn-Williams Writer’s Craft Instructor and Head of English at Notre Dame.

Michael Carty Award Winner
Notre Dame High School is one of the recipients of this year’s Michael Carty Award, which is presented annually at the Father Patrick Fogarty Awards dinner.  The award provides for a grant of up to $2,000 each to support initiatives in Catholic schools. This award encourages initiatives that improve, develop and enhance aspects of Catholic education, including the development of leadership skills and social action activities.

Toronto Catholic secondary school students honoured at Father Patrick Fogarty Awards Dinner
Students from across the Toronto Catholic District School Board will be among the honourees at the 25^th annual Father Patrick Fogarty Awards dinner on October 25^th. They will be among the recipients of the Catholic Student Award, which recognizes young people who best exemplify the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation. Congratulations to Carina D'Souza from Notre Dame, who is one of this year's winners.
 

School Learning Plan -- 2008-2009

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.