History
St.
Barnabas Catholic School has been serving Catholic families in the Markham
Road and Sheppard Avenue area since 1972. Built in the early days of the Malvern
housing development, growth in the student population soon created the need
for a multi-room portable. After many years of waiting, the school community
was delighted to receive funding in 1994 for an addition to the main building
which would eliminate the need for the portable. This addition, opened in
1997, provides the space necessary for a new gymnasium, a redesigned main
entrance and a larger library.
The patron saint of St. Barnabas Catholic School lived in Jerusalem in the
first century. He worked with the apostles and with St. Paul, devoting his
life to spreading the Gospel. The scriptures call him “a good man, full
of the Holy Ghost and faith”. Barnabas means man of encouragement and
this seems to capture his approach to life. He traveled extensively, encouraging
people to listen to the gospel message. St. Barnabas was generous and brave
and scripture shows that he was trusted and respected by the leaders of the
early church.
The St. Barnabas Catholic School community reflects a rich diversity of people
who have come to Scarborough from all over the world. Our school is enriched
by these many cultural backgrounds. We are unified by our Catholic faith.
No doubt St. Barnabas would be pleased to see how the missionary work, which
he started nearly 2000 years ago, continues in our part of the world today.