Our School
The
children of St. Barnabas Catholic School have many differences and yet many
needs in common. They range from four-year-olds just starting out in Junior
Kindergarten to 14-year-olds who are about to graduate from Grade 8. The children
reflect a full range of talents and skills. What they have in common is a
need to grow in three areas - in their Catholic faith, in their mastery of
the curriculum and in social relationships. The staff of St. Barnabas School
and Parish work hard to help the children develop in these areas. As a Professional
Learning Centre for Health and Physical Education in Scarborough, the school
also helps students to develop physically, adhering to sound nutritional and
active living principles. Our school’s daily morning snack program is
one way in which we encourage healthy eating.
Religion lessons are taught on a daily basis and an emphasis is placed on
living your faith, not just studying about it. The students are involved in
daily prayer in their classrooms and the school prays together at Masses,
Paraliturgical Celebrations, Monthly Rosary Recitation, and during assemblies.
Gospel values are the basis of school discipline and every effort is made
to develop the skills necessary for Christian community living.
Academic excellence is important at St. Barnabas and students are encouraged
to be attentive and diligent in their studies. Teachers regularly review their
programs to ensure that they meet the many diverse needs of the students.
Homework is assigned regularly, especially in the Junior and Intermediate
divisions and students are trained in the study techniques that they need
to succeed. Help is available for students who are experiencing academic difficulty.
Both Special Education and English as a Second Language programs are available
at St. Barnabas. In addition, St. Barnabas has had a Behaviour Program class
for many years. School staff are developing the strategies of a Professional
Learning Community, as they partner to collaboratively plan and provide a
common curriculum and assessment for all students within a grade. Staff regularly
assist each other with ways to modify children's programs to help them learn
and to assist children at risk.. Parents are encouraged to take an active
role in encouraging their children academically and are often called on to
help in monitoring homework. There is an after-school Numeracy and Literacy
Program available, free if charge, to the students of Grade 7 and 8 who wish
to attend and further develop their skills. This runs from mid January to
mid April, and has been in place for the last three years.
The programs in each classroom are planned with the understanding that there
are many different skill levels within a single class. Activity-based lessons
are encouraged as much as possible. Students are actively engaged in the writing
process at all levels and are encouraged to read widely. We aim for a Balanced
Language Arts Program which incorporates Reading, Writing, Work Study (Phonics,
Grammar, and Spelling) and a wide exposure to children's literature. In Mathematics
both basic operations and problem solving are emphasized. Classes also receive
a complete Science and Social Studies program along with lessons in the Arts
and in Physical Education. In addition, there are daily French lessons from
grade 1 to 8.
A wide range of enrichment activities are part of every term at St. Barnabas.
These include, field trips to outdoor education centres, attendance at live
performances of children's theatre and a variety of special presentations
at school. Enrichment is also provided through our extracurricular program.
The school has a chess team and participates in the general knowledge quiz
game called W5H at both the Junior and Intermediate levels.
St. Barnabas has a full athletic program and Professional Learning Centre.
House league sports are open to all. The school teams are available in baseball,
soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, cross-country and track. The many
pennants hanging in the gym demonstrate the high level of athletic skill shown
by St. Barnabas students. While our sports program encourages the development
of high levels of athletic skill, we consider the development of team spirit
and cooperation to be equally as important.
There is both a Vocal and Instrumental music program at St. Barnabas. In addition
to weekly lessons, students have many performance opportunities. Both the
school choir and Grade 8 band have performed in the Toronto Catholic District
School Board Festival of the Arts. Spring and Christmas concerts are an opportunity
to highlight the talents of students, including singing, acting, dance and
instrumental work.
All students have an opportunity to develop their computer literacy skills
at St. Barnabas. Computers are continuously being upgraded and staff are given
many training opportunities.
At St. Barnabas we believe that a safe and welcoming school environment is
essential. We maintain that every member of the community has a responsibility
to help to make sure that this environment is maintained. There is a Safe
Arrival Program in place to monitor student attendance. A student Behaviour
Code was developed with input from parents, staff and students and is distributed
during the fall term. Students at St. Barnabas are encouraged to take responsibility
for their own behaviour and the development of self-discipline is considered
a priority. The Violence Prevention Policy of the Toronto Catholic District
School Board is fully implemented at St. Barnabas.
In September of 2005 St. Barnabas will be adding an after-school day care program which will be run by a private company. Information regarding this program will be communicated to the school community in the Spring of 2005.
St.
Barnabas Catholic School is an example of a full community-run program as
it depends on the input of every member of the community to see to the needs
of it’s most cherished members, its children.