First photo is of newcomer students eating smoked sausages and marshmallows around a campfire together at the Teen Ranch event. Second photo is of TCDSB staff in aprons serving food at the Newcomer Conference. Third photo is of TCDSB students providing information and brochures about TCDSB registration at the Newcomer Welcome Reception event.

Newcomers/Refugee Settlement Initiatives

Our newcomer programs and events at the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) are designed to welcome students and families who are new to Canada, and ensure a smooth transition into our schools.

2023 TCDSB Newcomer Video Competition

We thank all newcomer students who submitted entries to the 2023 TCDSB Newcomer Video Competition. To enter the competition, students submitted a video of 2 to 2.5 minutes in length about the theme: I Am A Newcomer: What My Classmates and Teachers Should Know About My Culture.

The winners of the 2023 TCDSB Newcomer Video Competition are listed below.

First Prize

First prize goes to Gonzalez Amaya and Wesly Masiel, Grade 12 students from Dante Alighieri Academy Catholic Secondary School, under the direction of Anthony Labriola.

Second Prize

Second prize goes to Danylchenko Anastasiia, Grade 10 student at Michael Power - St. Joseph High School, under the direction of Jason Sahlani.

Third Prize

Third prize goes to Emily Figueirdo, Giselle Queroi, Julia Oliveri, Grade 11 students from Madonna Catholic Secondary School, under the direction of Angie Altomare.

2023 Newcomer Conference

The 2023 Newcomer Conference will be held on October 18, 2023 (Wednesday) for Grades 5-8 and October 19, 2023 (Thursday) for Grades 9-12.

The Newcomer* Conference aims to:

  • Provide a networking opportunity for new students.

  • Build confidence among newcomer students to interact with others.

  • Provide a platform for newcomer students to ask questions and share their lived experiences.

  • Give students educational resources and connections to resource providers.

  • Offer learning opportunity to navigate the Ontario educational system.

  • Build allyship and a greater sense of belonging.

  • Understand newcomers' responsibility as settlers and learn about Indigenous Ways of Knowing.

  • Learn about supports for experiences of racism being new immigrants.

*The Newcomer Conference is open to Permanent residents, International Students or Refugees who arrived in Canada from 2018-2023.

Register early, as seats are limited.

If you have questions, email jodelyn.huang@tcdsb.org or anarita.santos-furtado@tcdsb.org.

Students must register (TCDSB login needed), and also complete a Media Consent Form and an Excursion Form in order to attend the event:

TCDSB Newcomer Conference poster 2023

Photos

Newcomer Prayer

Contact

We are here to help and answer any questions you might have. Contact us today.

Jody Huang

Community Relations Officer
Email: jodelyn.huang@tcdsb.org