The Student Chaplaincy Leadership Program at St. Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School has received an Innovative Exemplary Practice Award from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) in recognition of its contributions to student leadership, community service, and faith-aligned initiatives.
The award was presented this week by TCDSB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Brendan Browne and Area 2 Superintendent Robert D'Addario during a ceremony recognizing the program's impact within the school and the broader community.
Both Dr. Browne and Superintendent D'Addario offered words of appreciation, affirmation, and encouragement to students and staff involved in the program.
Led by Religious Education Department Head and Chaplaincy Lead Michelle Perkins-Ball, alongside other staff members, the program has engaged students in a wide range of service and leadership opportunities throughout the school year.
More than 80 students participated in projects designed to promote the school's motto of "Community, Justice, Knowledge" through faith-aligned and community-based initiatives.
Dozens of in-school events and student-led missions ran throughout the year, including establishing the Peer Mentoring Reading Team, Culture and Heritage Teams, Executive Planning Team, Leadership Workshop and Retreat Team, and the Scholarship and Job Readiness Team. Outside of school hours, students supported numerous local food banks, shelters, and community programs.
The Student Chaplaincy Leadership Program at St. Oscar Romero also reflects the TCDSB’s Catholic Graduate Expectations and supports the goals outlined in the board's Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) by fostering a Christ-centred approach to learning, innovation, and service.
Additionally, through this program, students were involved in opportunities that encouraged curiosity, lifelong learning, and servant leadership while responding to the needs of others.
The school's administration expressed deep gratitude to the staff and students whose commitment to service helped strengthen both the school community and the wider community. By regularly putting others before themselves and recognizing the call to Catholic Christian service, the staff and students involved in the program were praised for being role models in the broader community.
