Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education. This year’s celebration is titled, “Catholic Education: Igniting Hope” and was celebrated the week of May 3 – May 8.
This year’s theme, Catholic Education Week: Igniting Hope, is timely as the pandemic calls us to adjust to new routines and to adapt to changes in many aspects of our lives. Despite the school closure, our creative educators and staff organized activities to be completed virtually which allowed us to celebrate as a school board community. Schools focused on lesson plans and daily activities that reflected the five sub themes and engaged both students and families throughout the week. Please see below examples of how our schools chose to celebrate Catholic Education Week and ignited hope throughout the community!
Bishop Damphousse welcomed our students, staff and families to Catholic Education Week with his inspiring message of hope.
https://vimeo.com/420285048
Secondary students provided video responses to the question ‘Where have you experienced hope in Christ, hope within yourself, hope among us, hope for the world, helping you build a future full of hope?’
Our Hope in Christ
Miss Laundry’s Grade 8 class at St. John School has been busy spreading joy and positivity in the community. As families pass by they see these lovely heartwarming messages of hope.Students in Ms. Dickieson’s religion class at Bishop Alexander Carter picked 2 scripture passages and wrote what they learned about Mother Mary and her relationship with Jesus.
Mrs. McCracken welcomed the St. Joseph School community to Catholic Education Week with a special video message! St. James students discussed the importance of Mary with various ‘May is for Mary’ resources.
The Hope Within Us
Students at Pius XII School demonstrate what HOPE means to them!Students in Mr. Gauthier’s class at Holy Trinity School were asked to make a pledge for peace and demonstrate how they could commit themselves to improve the world. Mme Power’s Kindergarten and Grade 1 class at St. Paul’s School created artwork to Ignite Hope for Catholic Education Week.St. Mark students created drawings of what hope means to them.
The Hope Among Us
St. David students received a token of appreciation throughout the week for their sheer efforts in online learning and contribution to their classrooms in random acts of kindness.During Catholic Education Week, students at Immaculate Conception School built their own drums! Pictured here is student Amelia with her completed drum.
Grade 7 and 8 students at St. Anne school worked on a video to celebrate Catholic Education Week!
Hope For The World
Mrs. Jessop’s Food and Nutrition classes at St. Charles College created Digital Vision Boards depicting Hope for our World. Here is one from Kate Middleton in Grade 9.Holy Cross student Emma shows off her artwork depicting ‘Hope for the World’. Many school communities such as St. Benedict School gathered together virtually to watch the Provincial Catholic Education Week Mass. Students in the PEACE program at St. Albert School focused on spreading hope through random acts of kindness. Here is a visual example of how one student was spreading hope and love to people in the community.
A Future Full Of Hope
https://vimeo.com/419016367
St. Charles Elementary staff shared their thoughts on why our students are the hope for the future!To celebrate Catholic Education Week, Marymount Academy and Bishop Alexander Carter provided students with a daily post that includes a short reflection, multimedia connection, and challenge of the day!Ms. Jack at St. Francis school created this beautiful visual reminder of the power of hope.
