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| Total enrolment | 1,161 |
| Principal | Susan Baker Tel: 416-393-5505 Fax: 416-393-5916 |
| Superintendent |
Gerald Dagenais Tel: 416-222-8282 ext. 2370 |
| Parish | Annunciation 3 Combermere Drive North York, Ontario M3A 2W4 416-445-1760 |
| Local Trustee | Angela
Kennedy Tel: 416-512-3411; Fax: 416-512-3411 e-mail: angela.kennedy@tcdsb.org |
| CSAC Chair | Tina McDowell Voice Mailbox #88505 csac.senatoroconnor@tcdsb.org |
| French Immersion and Extended French | Secondary Program |
History & Tradition
Senator
O’Connor College School was founded in 1963 by the Brothers of the Christian
Schools and the Daughters of Wisdom. Senator O’Connor was the first
Catholic Secondary School in the Toronto Archdiocese intended for both boys
and girls.
The school is named in honour of the late Senator Frank O’Connor who donated the O’Connor family home which still stands in the middle of the campus.
The school motto is “Audax et Fidelis”, which may be translated as “courageous and faithful”. We have tried to live up to the intent of this motto by fidelity to the teachings and moral values of our Catholic faith.
Our
new building which opened September 2005 is now home to more than 1000
students.
O’Connor prides itself on being a professional learning community where teachers work collaboratively to share resources and strategies in order to enrich all aspects of learning in the classroom.
How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students
Special Programs
Advanced
Placement Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are enhanced 12U courses. In addition to the regular senior course, some units are expanded to include first year university material. The course grants students one U credit, with the possibility of earning a University or College credit. Upon successful completion of an AP exam, many universities and colleges across the country will grant a 1st year credit for the course. Students may use the AP course on scholarship applications since successful completion of these courses demonstrates initiative and a willingness to undertake a challenging course.
Extended/Immersion French
The Extended/Immersion French program is a continuation of the elementary early or middle French immersion program. Students who have successfully completed a minimum of ten French courses, four in Extended/Immersion French and six in other subjects taught in French (géographie, histoire and religion) will receive an Extended/Immersion French Certificate upon graduation.
Our students are encouraged to take advantage of outside activities, competitions and foreign exchanges. A fun-filled trip to Quebec provides opportunity to practice their French Language skills.
English as a Second Language
Senator O’Connor offers four levels of ESL classes for students who have recently arrived in Canada.
ESL courses:· build on students’ previous education and language knowledge
· help students adjust to their new cultural environment.
· teach basic orientation information related to students’ needs as newcomers to Canada
English Language Learners (ELL) in mainstream classes:
Accommodations are in place to help students succeed in these classes. Accommodations for ELL students may be in the form of extra time to write quizzes, tests and exams, use of bilingual dictionaries, working with peer mentors, language-reduced assignments, etc.
ELL students and computers:
Access to computers helps students with their academic and language skills.
- Academy of Reading is an individualized reading program working on students’ phonetic skills and reading comprehension.
- Tense Busters is an individualized grammar program.
- Ready Internet access allows students to research in the ESL classroom.
- Word processing programs allow students work on their writing skills.
For more information on how to register your child as an English Language Learner, visit www.tcdsb.org and click on Orientation Centre link.
Programs for Special Education Students
The Gifted/Enriched Program
This program allows students to experience a variety of learning opportunities that enables students to expand and enrich their high school experience. The program is designed for students who have been identified as Gifted by the Toronto Catholic District School Board or students who achieve excellent marks in school and would like an extra challenge. Students who participate in the Gifted program have a multitude of opportunities, both in the school and outside.
Enriched courses at O’Connor cover more material and are faster paced than Academic-level courses. Students in the enriched program are prepared for AP Exams in Calculus, English Literature and Sciences. Before the end of Grade 12, students will complete the Ontario Ministry requirements and can then concentrate on university level material. Only students who have done very well in Grade 9 courses are recommended for Enriched courses.
The Resource Department
At O’Connor, we believe in preparing students to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. Our students are encouraged to work to their full potential. Through a nurturing and caring environment, the O’Connor Resource Department strives to create an atmosphere for success. Since all identified students have a right to an integrated education, the teachers at O’Connor provide students with a program that meets their needs.
Some of our students choose to take the Learning Strategies course (GLE) which is a credited course. Students work on improving basic language, math, study and organizational skills to become effective independent learners.
The DD/ME Program
Senator O’Connor’s ME / DD class provides education and support for students who have multiple exceptionalities (ME) and developmental delays (DD). The goal of the program is to provide students with appropriate learning experiences focusing on the development of life skills.
The Ontario Science Centre Science School Program
The Ontario Science Centre Science School presents students with an opportunity to gain University Preparation science credits during an enrichment semester at The Ontario Science Centre.
Each semester 28 students are selected to participate in the program. During their semester at the Science Centre, all Catholic students, who may come from any school within the province, are registered at Senator O'Connor.
Further information about this exciting program can be found at the following website: www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca (Look under school trips in the main menu).
Success for All Program
At Senator O'Connor, we are committed to ensuring that all our students meet with success. The purpose of the “Success for All” committee is to develop strategies to assist our at-risk students. Some of our initiatives include: credit support, independent learning, credit recovery, and literacy packages. We have also developed a transitional model with our feeder elementary schools to assist students in their transition to secondary school. . Our philosophy is that students who find academic success early and are involved in the school community will have a greater chance of succeeding.
Credit Recovery
After an initial interview with their guidance counsellor, students may be enrolled in a credit recovery class where they are able to recover up to 2 credits. Students are given the opportunity to complete key course expectations and obtain a previously failed credit without having to repeat the entire course. Students work independently or with the assistance of a teacher, and are expected to complete all assigned work. Students use the PLATO program to complete course expectations.
Phast Paces Reading Program
Senator O’Connor is excited and proud to have been approved to offer the PHAST PACES reading program to our student body. The PHAST PACES reading program is a collaborative research initiative between Learning Disabilities Research Program, the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Catholic District School Board.The PHAST PACES reading program is a reading intervention program developed by the Learning Disabilities Research Program (LDRP) at The Hospital for Sick Children. This reading program has been developed specifically for high school students who possess poor word identification, decoding and/or reading comprehension skills. The program explicitly teaches the students decoding and comprehension skills and strategies so they can become independent readers.
The Arts
Without a doubt the creative community at O’Connor has established itself as
an energetic, active, group of artists. Students of the Arts are encouraged
to be painters, musicians, actors, illustrators, singers, writers,
photographers, film makers, and sculptors. O’Connor supports one of the
richest arts programs available in TCDSB. This year we look forward to a
full schedule of awesome performances from a production of “GREASE” to
entertaining music concerts. We are also providing an activity-packed trip
to New York City. The creativity of all of the arts students will be
highlighted at the Arts Night called “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. Arts
courses are offered at all grade levels in Drama, Music and Visual Arts, and
Vocal Music. Options include Keyboard, Guitar, Design, Computer Art, and
Photography.
Co-Curricular Program
The key to a memorable high school experience for students entering secondary school is involvement. At Senator O’Connor, we strongly encourage students to become active members of our community through their involvement in our rich co-curricular program which includes the following:
Activities
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Amnesty International |
Junior Achievement Program |
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Animié Club |
Knitting Club |
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Band – Jazz |
OCS Blueprint (School Newspaper) |
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Band – Junior Concert |
Photography Club |
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Band – Senior Concert |
Reach For The Top |
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Band Aide |
Robotics |
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Camp Olympia Leadership Team |
Science Club |
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Catholic Student United Nations Assembly |
Scrabble Club (Bilingual) |
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Chaplaincy Team |
Sound Crew |
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Choir Crimestoppers |
Students Promoting Action Awareness on – Impaired Driving (SPAAID) |
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Destination Imagination |
Student Council |
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Drama Productions/School Play |
Yearbook |
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Empowered Student Partnerships (ESP) |
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Athletics
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Athletic Council |
Rugby – Girls’ Varsity |
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Badminton |
Rugby – Junior Boys’ |
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Baseball – Junior Boys’ |
Rugby – Senior Boys’ |
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Baseball – Varsity |
Soccer – Girls’ |
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Basketball – Junior Boys’ |
Soccer – Junior Boys’ |
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Basketball – Junior Girls’ |
Soccer – Senior Boys’ |
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Basketball – Senior Boys’ |
Softball – Girls’ |
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Basketball – Senior Girls’ |
Swim Team |
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Cross Country Running |
Table Tennis |
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Curling |
Track and Field |
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Field Hockey – Girls Varsity’ |
Volleyball – Junior Boys’ |
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Football – Junior Boys’ |
Volleyball – Junior Girls’ |
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Football – Senior Boys’ |
Volleyball – Senior Boys’ |
|
Hockey |
Volleyball – Senior Girls’ |
November 13, 2008
7 p.m.
Grade 8 Open House
Senator O’Connor Student Wins Gold Medal in
Women’s Bronze Triathlon
Karen Urquhart, a Grade
9 student at Senator O’Connor College School, won the Gold Medal at the
Skate Canada Women’s Bronze Triathlon National Competition for figure
skating, held in Brampton April 4th to 8th. Karen
began skating at the age of 8 and has won over 50 medals in her skating
career. She also plays on many of the school’s athletic teams, including
field hockey, volleyball and rugby. Karen hopes to one day become a part of
the Canadian competitive team and represent Canada at the senior level of
competition.
Toronto
Catholic District School Board Celebrates Exemplary Practices
Each year, the Toronto Catholic District School Board
is proud to acknowledge innovative programs and special projects at
local schools with the TCDSB Exemplary Practice Award. The winners
of the ninth annual awards were honoured at a special ceremony and
reception in April. Among the winners is:
Senator O’Connor College (North York): Student Success Initiatives and Procedural Guide--This guide provides a clear school vision, an established step-by-step approach, an explanation of distinct roles and responsibilities and includes all of the various forms documenting the whole student-centred plan used by staff. The accomplishments of the Senator O’Connor Student Success Team are measured by the improvement of students as well as by the fact that the Success Team has been recognized for leadership in the TCDSB.
“Each year we are impressed with the
variety and quality of submissions that we receive for consideration
for the Exemplary Practice Awards. It reminds us of the amazing
things that can be accomplished when the many partners in Catholic
education focus their energies on a common goal,” says Director of
Education Kevin Kobus. “These winners have distinguished themselves
by boldly daring to implement new approaches to learning, and who
have succeeded in their endeavours. It is our hope that others will
be inspired in their pursuit of new and innovative ideas that will
continue to build upon the quality of education in our Catholic
schools.”
Reading Club Pilot Project
Senator O’Connor College School, Annunciation Catholic School and
Frontier College launched a collaborative pilot project recently at
Annunciation. The Reading Club Pilot Project matches Senator O’Connor
students with grade 3 students from Annunciation. Tutors and students
will be matched one-on-one. “Students and tutors will read and discuss
books together, write stories, play word games, complete
homework-anything that will help the younger students improve their
reading, writing and thinking skills”, wrote Sandra Huehn of Frontier
College in her outline of the project. Prior to the launch, Senator
O’Connor students gathered at Annunciation school where students
participated in a training session given by Sandra Huehn. They learned
about building trust with young readers, sharing the love of reading,
and assisting grade 3 students with difficult English and Math problems.
Senator O’Connor students left the training session eager to meet their
grade 3 reading buddies. The Reading Club runs every Wednesday from
March 19th to May 21st, 2008 from 3:30 to 4:40 at Annunciation School.
While one of the goals of the project is to provide EQAO support to
grade 3 students, it also serves to engage its high school tutors, who
come from a wide range of academic achievement, in a “meaningful service
opportunity which focuses on the strengths and gifts they can offer to
younger students”.
Submitted by Lena Virgilio, Senator O’Connor College School
Japanese Students Visit Senator O’Connor’s International Languages
Program
Japanese International
Languages students at Senator O’Connor College School had an opportunity
to use their newly acquired language skills with visiting Japanese
students and found that they had a lot in common, besides their love for
the Japanese language and culture. Senator O’Connor’s International
Languages Program, run through the Continuing Education Department of
TCDSB, hosted 18 students and 2 instructors from Okinawa Japan in
February. The Japanese students were visiting Toronto as part of a
cultural exchange program hosted by the International Community College
of Okinawa, Japan. The Japanese students were welcomed by Senator
O’Connor’s three Japanese classes. Their teachers, Reiko Suefuji,
Chihiro Gamble and Eric Floreto helped their students prepare for this
visit by rehearsing personal introductions and commonly used
conversational phrases. The Japanese students and our Canadian
students quickly felt comfortable with each other. he groups came
together in the theatre where the Canadian students surprised the
Japanese students by singing a traditional Okinawa folk song. The
Japanese students then encouraged the O’Connor students to join them in
the traditional dance for this folk song. After sharing a pizza lunch
and “Timbits”, the students exchanged personal business cards and email
addresses, with promises of staying in touch.
Submitted by: Victoria Raco, Principal, Senator O’Connor International Languages Program
School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008
EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics:
Academic Year | Academic | Applied |
| 2006 - 2007 | ||
| 2005 - 2006 | ||
| 2004 - 2005 | ||
| 2003 - 2004 | ||
| 2002 - 2003 | ||
| 2001 - 2002 Description | ||
| 2000 - 2001 | ||
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.
| Year | Grade 10 |
| 2006 - 2007 | |
| 2005 - 2006 | |
| 2004 - 2005 | |
| 2003 - 2004 October | |
| 2002 - 2003 October Description | |
| 2001 - 2002 February | |