St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s goal is to build a strong tradition of excellence in academic and extracurricular programs rooted in our Catholic faith. I encourage all students to become involved in the Bear’s community through our clubs, sports and activities. We offer many opportunities to be a part of our Christian faith community.

We strive to prepare our students beyond the world of high school. Whether you intend to pursue a post-secondary education or enter the workplace, rest assured that your experiences at St. Benedict will prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead.

Welcome to the Bear’s Den!

Beverly Belanger,
Principal

The Advanced Placement (AP) program allows Grade 12 students to take university level courses to earn credit or advanced standing at most Canadian and US Universities. The AP courses will be linked to a grade 12 University level leadership class allowing students to gain leadership experience within the school and the greater community. This gives students an edge when preparing for the AP exams as well as completing University applications. We are offering AP courses in History, French Immersion, Chemistry and Biology.

With Advanced Placement, you will get a head start on University-level work with the guidance of your AP teacher while still in high school. You will improve your writing skills and assume the responsibility of reasoning, analyzing, and understanding. The AP program will help you develop your critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

Students who take AP courses send a signal to Universities that they are serious about their education and that they are willing to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. AP will give you an advantage, as 85% of Universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably influences admission decisions.

A science background is the foundation for many exciting and emerging careers.  The science teachers at St. Benedict are dedicated to helping students develop the skills, strategies, and habits required to effectively prepare them for the 21st century learning environment. Our dedicated chemistry, physics and biology labs provide students with the opportunity for experiential learning where students can work individually and in groups to expand and apply their knowledge of science.  Taught by experts in the different fields of science, students are enriched with hands on learning throughout their studies in biology, chemistry, and physics. Our interactive and immersive science education program encourages students to explore and experience science in ways that are fun and engaging. In a world that is increasingly reliant on scientific advancement, the science program at St. Benedict will allow students to expand their knowledge of chemistry, biology and physics and provide a foundation for careers in science, engineering, and healthcare.

The Arts program here at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School puts your creativity in the spotlight. Whether your imagination is drawn to the Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts, or Music, we’ve got you covered. 

Dramatic Arts gives you an opportunity to explore the vast realms of your imagination as well as develop and express empathy for others as you take on a variety of roles, both on and off the stage.  It also gives students a chance to feel a part of a team, working with both performance and technical theatre, as well as creating personal bonds that last a lifetime.

Visual Arts isn’t simply a place for someone to showcase their talents, it’s a place for students to learn, grow and explore. Students will have every opportunity to make messes, experiment with a variety of media and tools alongside the integration of new media and technologies, from painting, drawing, and sculptural work to our social media, digital and online presence.

The Guitar program looks to build the technique and knowledge needed to play guitar in both formal and informal environments. The program is intended to learn guitar but at the same time instills a passion for music.

The Arts program at St. Benedict is intended to foster creativity revealing to students the depths of their talents.

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School offers many opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities. These activities are supported by the school and its staff and usually occur outside of class time. Activities include school sports teams, artistic performances, including dramatic presentations, music concerts and art shows, educational competitions and community service projects. Being involved with others in your school and in the community adds a fulfilling dimension to school life. Be sure to get involved in one or more of these awesome clubs or teams to enhance your high school experience! If you don’t see a club you like, then why not start one?

• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Football
• Flag Football
• Cross-country running
• Alpine Skiing
• Nordic Skiing
• Track & Field
• Badminton

• Fitness Club
• International Travel Club
• Book Club
• Student Council
• Athletic Council
• Breakfast Club
• Guitar Club
• Swimming

• Soccer
• Curling
• Golf
• Baseball
• Softball
• Hockey
• Bowling
• Bears’ Photography

Specialist High Skills Major

This program allows students to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:

• complete a specific bundle of courses in the student’s selected field
• earn valuable industry certifications including first aid and CPR qualifications
• gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements

At St. Benedict we currently offer three SHSM programs: Business, Hospitality and Tourism and Construction. Each of these offer unique opportunities for students to explore future careers. So whether you are interested in being a Chef or Dietician, or maybe an Accountant or an Administrative Assistant, or an Architect or Designer, the SHSM program may be a great way to see your future–today!

The Guidance Department

Guidance counselors are available to help students no matter what the question or concern. Counselors can assist you by providing individual counseling about courses, careers, and personal matters. They also provide interest inventories to help students better understand themselves and their career goals. In the Guidance area there are printed material about colleges, universities, jobs, and other opportunities.

Resource

The Resource Teacher at St. Benedict coordinate supports and services to support student learning and well-being. This includes developing student IEPs, facilitating communication and strategies related to accommodations for students and teachers, as well as tracking student progress. The Resource Teacher works with students to develop self-advocacy skills as they transition to post secondary destinations.

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities you can get involved in:

• Boys’ Volleyball
• Girls’ Volleyball
• Boys’ Basketball
• Girls’ Basketball
• Floor Hockey
• Co-Ed Ice Hockey
• Cross-country running
• Track & Field

• Boys’ Soccer
• Girls’ Soccer
• Co-Ed Softball
• Chess Club
• Dungeons and Dragons Club
• Coding•Breakfast Club
• Band

Be sure to get involved in one or more of these awesome clubs or teams to enhance your St. Benedict experience! If you don’t see a club you like, then why not start one?

Guided Math Model

Helping students do better in Grade 9 mathematics begins in Grades 7 and 8, where 60-minute math classes are timetabled all at the same time in each grade. A diagnostic assessment is administered on the previous year’s curriculum, and students are grouped based on their needs.

Teaching strategies support the learners by closing gaps, increasing math confidence for both the students and the staff, increasing perseverance, increasing student voice and participation, and ultimately building engagement. At the end of each strand, regardless of which groups the students are in, the students all write the same final assessment. Teaching strategies change depending on the needs of the group.

When this model started in 2012, teachers met every 6–8 weeks to monitor student progress. Teachers tracked student progress with teaching strategies to determine the number of students who were meeting the provincial standard. The school also administered attitudinal surveys to the students, using the same questions from the Grades 6 and 9 EQAO questionnaires to measure growth throughout the year. Students who had previously indicated that they disliked math began to report that they were enjoying it angymd that their confidence was increasing.

The Student Success Centre

The St. Benedict Student Success Room offers all students a variety of academic supports to help them meet the curriculum expectations in their courses. Services that the Student Success Room provides are:

• A Student Success Team made up of a Student Success Teacher, an Educational Assistant, and Guidance.

• An alternative setting to write tests or to work on assignments.

• One-on-One support with the Student Success Team.

• Access to technology and printing.

Learning Support Centres

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School offers two specialized programs: our Life Skills Program and our Communications Class. These programs give students the advantage to gain essential living skills and unique experiential opportunities while continuing to enhance their literacy and numeracy skills.

Life Skills

The Life Skills program is for students identified with a moderate developmental/intellectual exceptionality who require alternative programming. The focus is on developing functional literacy, functional numeracy, social skills and practical independent living skills.

Learning to read a flyer, a map, or a menu is the focus of the functional literacy strand. 

Functional Numeracy in the life skills program focuses on the mathematics skills necessary to live independently, such as counting, adding and subtracting, using money, budgeting finances, and understanding time. 

Daily activity skills focuses on socialization skills and practical knowledge necessary to excel in the community. These skills include being able to self-regulate their own behaviour, socialize with others in a variety of settings, advocate for their rights and needs, and all the skills necessary to live on one’s own, such as using kitchen appliances, laundering clothes, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. 

The Life Skills Program sets goals for each of the students to work towards during their four or more years in the program based on their personal desired outcomes upon graduation. 

Communication Class 

The Learning Support Centre with a focus on Autism is a class for students who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Students range in age and ability with a focus on communication strategies and social skills. With the support of a teacher and educational assistant, students receive individualized programming based on their social and academic needs. 

Our Learning Support Centre students exemplify the true meaning of being a St. Benedict Bear. Their pride extends beyond that of the classroom and into the community.

St. Benedict C.S.S. serves a diverse population that includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit students from both local communities and urban centres.  We strive to ensure that our school community meets the needs of our learners by including Indigenous perspectives and voices in various aspects of curriculum and practice.  We start each day with a land acknowledgment that offers a respectful way of thanking our Indigenous partners for where we are and respectfully reflect on the past in the spirit of reconciliation.  We have a Sacred Cultural Space for students to connect and learn about Indigenous culture.  

The students benefit from the support of an Indigenous Support Worker.  Students will, by high school graduation, complete courses with an Indigenous focus.  We approach this important work in a spirit of respect, partnership and learning and we will continue to expand programming options. 

The French Immersion and Core French programs at St. Benedict are FANTASTIQUES! In the French Immersion program, students learn various subjects in French. In addition, we strive to prepare our students to succeed at the DELF exam in all French Immersion and Core French programs. The DELF examinations are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their French-language skills. The DELF represents international recognition of your child’s

French-language skills in a way that supports future learning, careers and other life aspirations.

St. Benedict is a Catholic School, and as such we have a variety of faith expressions that students enjoy.

Catholic Education

Catholic school curriculum is written specifically for Catholic schools to ensure that the teachings of the Church are woven through each subject offered. Students take Religious education courses that teach them about the Catholic faith, as well as studying other faith traditions. Students are provided the opportunity to attend liturgical celebrations and events to celebrate as a Catholic community.

Chaplaincy Lead

Because our Catholic Faith teaches us that the human person is a mind, body and spirit unity, St. Benedict offers to all students the services of a Chaplaincy Lead. The role of the Chaplaincy Lead is to provide opportunities for students to explore their spirituality. This is accomplished in a number of ways; in communal liturgical celebrations such as the Eucharist or prayer services, through assisting members of the community at large who are experiencing financial difficulties, or volunteering to help in their local parishes to name a few. In addition to these communal activities, students may also approach the Chaplaincy Lead for help with any number of challenges such as grief, illness and relationship concerns. We believe strongly in a God who cares for all people, and the Chaplaincy Lead is a tangible sign of God’s presence among us.