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St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School
(secondary)

66 Dufferin Park Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6H 1J6

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  • School-Designed Website

  • Homework Website

Total enrolment 799
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

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.

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.

stmary.JPG (61219 bytes)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.

stmary2.JPG (65651 bytes)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 

Grade 8 Open House
November 2, 2010
7:00 p.m.

School Calendar 2010-2011

School Begins September 7, 2010
Thanksgiving Day October 11, 2010
Christmas break December 20-31, 2010
Family Day February 21, 2011
Mid-Winter Break March 14-18, 2011
Good Friday April 22, 2011
Easter Monday April 25, 2011
Victoria Day May 23, 2011
Last day of classes for elementary students June 29, 2011


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 25, 26, 27, 28
  • June 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27


YMCA Canada Youth Exchange
This year twenty one students and 3 staff members participated in a YMCA Canada Youth Exchange.  The exchange program is funded by the Ministry of Heritage and it is implemented by the YMCA.  The program facilitates travel for youth between different regions in Canada, thus developing a better understanding of what it means to be a Canadian.

Students from St. Mary's CSS were paired with students from Atagluttaaluk High School in Igloolik, Nunavut.  In April, the students from Nunavut traveled to Toronto and they were hosted by the St. Mary's community for one week.  In May, the St. Mary's students traveled to Igloolik, and they spent a week in an Inuit community north of the Arctic circle.  The students had a chance to experience a variety of amazing activities including ice fishing, dog sledding, snow mobiling, and traveling on the land with Inuit Elders.  The students spent time working on Inuit crafts and building igloos.  They ate Inuit food including caribou stew, walrus soup  and arctic char.  They learned how to do the "hookie" dance, attended a variety of events including a performance by Artcirq, a cultural feast, a fashion show,  and a drum dancing and throat singing concert. They also were lucky enough to tour the Polar Bear Research station and the Ministry of Natural Resources, and at both facilities they were exposed to interesting research studies and a wide variety of career opportunities.

One of the most satisfying features of the YMCA Canada Youth Exchange program is that youth from one region of Canada have an opportunity to form lasting friendships with youth from a different region of Canada.  The attachments that form between the youth participants are often very strong, and the exchange frequently becomes an emotionally significant event in the student's adolescent life. 

The YMCA Canada Youth Exchange is a fabulous opportunity for youth.  I encourage other schools and youth groups to participate in the program.  All the information you need to get started can be found at the following link:  www.ymcatoronto.org

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School's Silver Screen Anniversary

Visa Canada launched their Financial Soccer, FIFA World Cup with St. Mary's Students on May 10th

 

 

St. Mary’s Secondary Welcomes Congueros
The music program at St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School continues to engage students by inviting various musicians into the classroom.  Most recently, music students had an opportunity to enrich their musical horizons with the syncopated sounds of conga drumming.   The percussion workshop, very popular among young adults, provides students with the opportunity to perform together with the artists. The guest percussionists performed several rhythmic patterns while sharing their personal stories with staff and students. 

 
Conga drum musicians Nigel Pitt, Marcus Chonsky, and Abbiyaahwu Asha performing at St. Mary’s Catholic SecondarySchool

Crime Prevention Week--Toronto Police Service

 

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010


Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010



EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics:

Academic Year

Academic

Applied

2008 - 2009

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2007 - 2008

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2006 - 2007

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2005 - 2006

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2004 - 2005

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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.

School YearGrade 10
2008 - 2009

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2007 - 2008

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2006 - 2007

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2005 - 2006

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2004 - 2005

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