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St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School
(secondary)

66 Dufferin Park Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6H 1J6

  • School News

  • School-Designed Website

  • Homework Website

Total enrolment 776
Principal Rob Merolle
Tel: 416-393-5528 Fax: 416-393-5498
Superintendent Dr. Jim Saraco
Tel: 416-222-8282 ext. 5371
Parish St. Anthony Catholic Church
1041 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6H 1M4
416-536-3333
Local Trustee Barbara Poplawski
Tel: 416-512-3410; Fax: 416-512-3410
e-mail: barbara.poplawski@tcdsb.org
CSAC Co-Chairs Maria DeAngelis
Maria Medeiros
Voice Mailbox #88528

csac.stmaryssecondary@tcdsb.org


History & Tradition

stmary.JPG (61219 bytes)St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was founded to serve the increasing population of the Bloor - Dufferin Catholic community. In 1984, the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the Toronto Catholic District School Board) asked the Sisters – Faithful Companions of Jesus – to establish a secondary school under the leadership of Sister Bonnie Moser. St. Mary’s occupied the J.J. McGrand Elementary School building, located in a quiet residential neighbourhood.

In keeping with the religious order’s spirit and desire to educate the whole person, St. Mary’s has been guided by the idea "that they may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10).  Thanks to the Faithful Companions of Jesus, St. Mary’s carries on the tradition of nurturing the lives of all young people, bringing to them a distinctive Christian presence. 

Philosophy of the School 
Educators at St. Mary’s are nurturers of life and joyful messengers of hope and love, bringing the promise of Jesus: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). 

The school community provides a stimulating and supportive environment, challenging each student to develop to his/her greatest potential.   All educational programs and activities emphasize the formation of the whole person – intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. The Christian education of youth is a privileged opportunity to form apostles – enabling persons to experience Jesus, as they direct their gifts towards the service of others, for the transformation of society.

Our belief in the success for all students frames our programs, initiatives, and celebrations.  It is the recognition that all students have the potential to succeed that motivates the staff and students of this unique community.

stmary2.JPG (65651 bytes)How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

The St. Mary’s community is built on our Catholic Gospel values, which are the foundation of our school philosophy. It is for that reason – our commitment to being witnesses of our faith – that we nurture the spiritual and religious development of all members of our community. Our commitment to our religious journey is marked by several important community-building traditions, including daily prayers, regular school masses, and liturgies. In addition, we have an active Chaplaincy Team that provides support to our community as we nurture the development of the whole child.

In conjunction with our Chaplaincy Team, St. Mary’s has established a Student Success Team. This team is comprised of Administrators, Guidance Counsellors, the Student Success Teacher, Credit Recovery Teachers, the Literacy and Numeracy Lead Teachers, and LOG teachers. This team focuses on meeting the needs of at-risk students by bridging the gap between elementary and secondary school, forging mentoring relationships, and providing students with academic and emotional support. Resource Personnel, Child Youth Workers, and Educational Assistants, all of whom are committed to student success, complement this team.

We believe that all students, including those who have been identified with exceptionalities, have the right to full and active participation in our community. Our inclusive model facilitates this, allowing all of our students to develop to the best of their abilities. Through the necessary accommodations and/or modifications, our students are successful whether their goal is the workplace, college, apprenticeship, or university.

St. Mary’s offers students a breadth of courses that are as diverse as are the needs of students. Students have the opportunity to explore the arts, modern languages, and technology while completing their core courses. Most recently, St. Mary’s was selected as a Specialist High Skills Major provider in the area of Transportation Technology, allowing students who are interested in the automotive industry to deepen their theoretical and practical understanding. As well, we offer an extensive cooperative education program and comprehensive English as a Second Language courses to meet the needs of our English language learners. To meet the growing computer literacy interests of today’s students, St. Mary’s also has five computer labs. Our state-of-the-art science labs are also equipped with computer interface technology.

In 2000, St. Mary’s received the Exemplary Practice Award for our outstanding initiatives surrounding literacy. This commitment to literacy development continues to frame our activities as we refine our practices. Our cross-curricular Literacy Committee orchestrates various initiatives, including writing workshops, that are supported by staff and students committed to literacy development. To further support students’ academic success, St. Mary’s offers free tutorial services to students in the Homework Hub.

Our students are challenged to reach their potential in their academic and extra-curricular achievements. Through the Achievement of Excellence, students are recognized for their contributions to our community, as they build their repertoire of skills. St. Mary’s offers students a multitude of opportunities outside the classroom. We compete at the varsity and intramural levels in several sports, including soccer, track and field, volleyball, and basketball. We also showcase students’ artistic talents through dramatic productions, band and choir performances, and art showings. We also offer students the opportunity to actively participate in many leadership activities and clubs, including a thriving ESP (Empowered Students Partnership) team, which has received municipal recognition for its contribution in supporting a safe school community. And in keeping with our commitment to uphold Gospel values, we provide our students with many volunteer opportunities both locally and internationally to work with the less fortunate and marginalized of society.

St. Mary’s is a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. All students, parents, and staff have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in the school community. The Ontario Schools Code of Conduct sets clear provincial standards of behaviour. It specifies the mandatory consequences for student actions that do not comply with these standards. St. Mary’s code of conduct complies with the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct. As such, our students are expected to follow these regulations and TCDSB policies.

School News 

PA Days 2008-2009

  • November 21
  • February 13
  • April 24
  • June 25, 26

Exam Dates 2008-2009

  • January 27, 28, 29, 30
  • June 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24

Crime Prevention Week--Toronto Police Service

St. Mary’s Secondary Welcomes Parents at Student Success Information Night
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School proudly welcomed nearly 100 parents, guardians, and students to the school for the second annual Student Success Information Night.  Greeted by members of the school’s Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC), Administrators and members of the school’s Student Success Team and Literacy Committee, parents were introduced to the many deliberately personal student success strategies employed in the school, including the Homework Hub – an after-school tutorial centre in the school library offering students academic assistance.  Additionally, the evening highlighted the school’s focus on numeracy and literacy development, student engagement opportunities, and the newly-introduced Specialist High Skills Major in the area of transportation technology.  Equally important, the evening allowed parents/guardians to pose their questions and discuss their next steps as the community, working in partnership with parents, continues to support the success of every student.

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 25th annual Father Patrick Fogarty Awards dinner on October 25th. 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 Amanda Passos
from St. Mary's, who is one of this year's winners.
 

Ministry of Education Approves SHSM at St. Mary’s C.S.S.
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was recently selected to offer the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in the area of transportation technology.  As described by the Ministry of Education, schools that have been approved to offer the SHSM allow students to specialize their secondary school education in a particular field earning recognized industry certifications and developing Essential Skills and work habits connected to their career destinations.  The SHSM allows students to track for four different destinations: apprenticeship, college, university, and workplace.  Students earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the SHSM designation.  This exciting opportunity differentiates compulsory course work based on students’ interest in the transportation field.  Further it provides students with numerous experiential learning opportunities including cooperative education and reach ahead experiences in college and apprenticeship training settings.

St. Mary’s staff and students welcome SHSM designation in transportation technology.

St. Mary’s Secondary Welcomes New Students
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was alive with activity the week prior to the official start of this academic year.  The school welcomed nearly 150 students to participate in two community-building activities.  For over thirty new English Language Learners, a week-long session was delivered.  Newcomer Orientation Week (NOW), funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and delivered by committed TCDSB and LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) staff, gave recent immigrants the opportunity to explore their new secondary school.  Students were introduced to the daily routines of life in an Ontario school–announcements and all–as they shared their stories, posed their questions, and joined the St. Mary’s community. In addition to the successful NOW program, more than 120 grade nine students participated in the school’s Jump Start Day.  Another opportunity designed to ease the transition into secondary school.  As the day unfolded, students familiarized themselves with the school and acquainted themselves with their peers and teachers as student leaders facilitated several exciting events.

St. Mary’s C.S.S. hosts NOW program for newcomers to Canada           

Grade Nine students at St. Mary’s C.S.S. participate in various community-building activities.

Leadership and Peer Support St. Mary’s CSS Summer School Class
For four summers students have signed on for a Leadership and Peer Support Credit.  Some of the best students across the city of Toronto, voluntarily give up their month of July to help those in need across the city.  This year’s fantastic group of students worked with over a dozen different organizations providing over 1, 000 hours of much needed help.  They participated in a wide variety of activities including: cleaning up Dufferin Park, helping out at the Loyola Arrupe Centre, packing donations for Canadian Food For Children, making lunches and delivering them to those in need on the streets of Toronto, cleaning up at Vance Latchford, distributing flyers for St. Luigi, gardening at Horizons for Youth, helping with the day to day events at All Saints Church drop in centre, cleaning up at the YWCA, helping Furniture Bank prepare for their big move, assisting University Settlement House run a festival, spending a day with the clients at St. Jude’s, serving food to those in need at Scott Mission and assisting with the sorting of donations at the Artsjunktion.

The organizations benefiting from the help of these incredibly hard working ambassadors of good will were all very appreciative of their efforts.  It is wonderful to see young people step up and make a difference in their communities.   Not only did they help but they also gained first hand knowledge of the important work that these organizations are providing by serving those in need. They also developed stronger self esteem as they witnessed the positive impact their efforts had. Many of the students complete this course with dreams and goals of continuing to make a difference.
Steve De Quintal, Teacher

Antonio giuliano of st. mary’s catholic secondary school receives the esteemed sandra montgomery student bursary
Congratulations Antonio Giuliano of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School! Antonio is the recipient of the Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary 2007-2008.

Antonio is a student in the Special Education Class at St.Mary’s. He is an exceptionally friendly and outgoing individual with a great sense of humour. Antonio will be attending St. Jude Academy of the Arts this summer. Antonio is excited about the opportunity and says he is looking forward to making new friends and participating in the activities.

Administered by The Angel Foundation for Learning, the Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary recognizes the contributions of Sandra Montgomery.  Following an exemplary career of 35 years of service with the Toronto Catholic District School Board Sandra’s last assignment was Superintendent of Special Services, a position for which she was destined.  Her unwavering commitment and compassion for students with special needs has been the cornerstone of her career.  A fitting legacy, this bursary benefits students with special needs.  The recipient is given $500.00 to help defray the cost of admission to community-based programs.   

TCDSB Secondary students ‘make an impression’ with selection committee of the toronto catholic school board employees credit union student bursary
Each year the Toronto Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union has awarded $500 to one secondary student for the TCSBECU Student Bursary. The bursary was established in 2002 to provide a graduating student with financial assistance in order to pursue studies at university or college. Students across the system are invited to submit a one page essay for the bursary. Students must demonstrate a ‘B’ average or higher, financial need, overall contribution to the school and community and acceptance into a post-secondary institution.  The selection committee was impressed by the strong quality of the applications received this year, and are delighted to provide financial support to two graduating students. 

Congratulations Manuel Cardama of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School and Teresa Waihenya of James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic Secondary School for winning the Toronto Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union Bursary 2007-2008.

 

Manuel was born in Venezuela and immigrated to Canada with his family a few years ago. He is a remarkable student and has received awards for his academic achievements and his conduct in class.  He won a special Award of Excellence in his Grade 11 English Class. Manuel is planning to study Biotechnology at Seneca College in September. He enjoys Science and is committed to “making the world a better place.” Manuel, we are so proud of you! Best of luck next year.

 

 

 

 

 

School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008




EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics:

Academic Year

Academic

Applied

2007 - 2008

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2006 - 2007

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pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Student Questionnaire

2005 - 2006

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pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Student Questionnaire

2004 - 2005

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pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Student Questionnaire

pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Student Questionnaire

2003 - 2004

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2002 - 2003
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Graphical Summary
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2001 - 2002

Description
Graphical Summary
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Graphical Summary
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2000 - 2001
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Graphical Summary
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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.

YearGrade 10
2007 - 2008

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2006 - 2007

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2005 - 2006

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2004 - 2005

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2003 - 2004
October

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2002 - 2003
October

Description
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2001 - 2002
February
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