St. Thomas Aquinas Raises Nearly
$17,000 for Terry Fox Walk
Ward 3 Trustee:
Anna Podesta daSilva
Ward 7 Trustee:
Shawn Xaviour
The Terry Fox Walk has become a cherished, annual tradition at St.
Thomas Aquinas. On Friday, October 2nd nearly all 2300 STA members,
including students and staff of our school community participated in
the Terry Fox Walk. This year marked the 35th anniversary since
Terry Fox first began his Marathon of Hope, and this event continues
to raise millions of dollars annually to help find a cure for cancer.
Through donations from students and staff Aquinas was able to make
a large contribution to the cause, raising nearly $17,000.
Ward 8 Trustee:
Shawn Xaviour
Board Chair:
Mario Pascucci
Superintendent:
Denise Oude-Reimerink
Principal:
Rosina Ariganello
Vice-Principals:
Lina Iacobucci (A-DL)
Paul Nalli (DM-K)
Olivera Glasford (L-P)
Toni Di Franco (Q-Z)
Feeder Schools:
Cardinal Newman
George Vanier
Lester B. Pearson
St. Anthony
St. Jean Brebeuf
St. John Bosco
St. John Fisher
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
Chair of
School Council
John Creighton
November 2015
Vol. 7/No.1
This year’s event not only consisted of the walk, but also as a
school wide team building initiative. Upon returning from the walk,
participating students were welcomed by a BBQ and home opener
football game. Students were provided an opportunity to raise school
spirit and get involved for a tremendous cause. Aquinas would like
to thank our leadership classes who together helped to organize and
facilitate the event. This event would also not have been possible
without our hospitality classes who prepared the BBQ and student
council for helping to set the tone for the event with music and
prizes. Thank you to all who donated! We look forward to making the
Aquinas Terry Fox Walk an even bigger and more successful event
next year!
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND COMMUNITY
Chaplain’s Chat
This year got off to a great start with so many Transition events for Grade
9’s, including Orientation, Clubs Fair, Grade 9 Retreat, Girls’ Night and
Boys’ Night. These events included many opportunities for our senior
students to show their Christian leadership and hospitality. Indeed, we
could not have welcomed our Grade 9’s so well without all of our students
and staff working together!
In our Opening and Thanksgiving Mass on October 13, our students met
Father Joseph Pham, the new pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Parish. Father
Joseph shared with us that he had been a child refugee. He escaped Vietnam
during a harrowing two-week barefoot walk through the forest, and a trip
across the ocean in a small boat. Many died on the journey, but Father
Joseph eventually made it to a refugee camp, where he waited two years
before he was invited to come to Canada. Because of his personal journey
he reminds us to always pray for people in situations of poverty and war.
“Live
simply so
others may
simply
live.”
As a man of compassion, Father Joseph is excited about Pope Francis’
declared Year of Mercy starting in December of this year. In keeping with
this Holy Jubilee Year, our theme for this school year is Mercy. Our focus
will be on opening doors of mercy in our school, our community and our
world. Much to our delight, St. Anthony of Padua Parish is the only church
in the Archdiocese of Toronto that will have a special holy door through
which Pilgrims are invited to come to receive forgiveness during the Year
of Mercy. We are currently planning some kind of pilgrimage to the parish
for students and staff of Aquinas. Please continue to pray for our school
and our world!
– Gandhi
God of Love and compassion,
help us to open the door of mercy in our school communities,
in our families and in the world.
Let mercy guide our living and bring us closer to the heart of the Gospel.
May we live as Jesus with mercy that welcomes, loves, forgives
and calls us to live the gospel joyfully.
+Amen.
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Page 2
Grade 9 Retreat
Rainbow Squad has gotten off to a strong start
this year, with about 20 active student members
and seven staff members! We meet twice a
month to discuss issues of concern to students
who identify as LGBT and to provide a safe and
caring environment. One of the biggest challenges
our students face is fear of being rejected by
their parents if they share that they think they
might be gay, lesbian or transgendered. Many
well-intentioned parents are confused about how
they should react, especially if they have strong
religious beliefs. The Canadian Council of
Catholic Bishops have this to say to parents:
attraction. This can be a time of questioning for
you as well. It will require from you patience, selfcontrol, prudence and understanding. Remember
that your child needs you and the family now more
than ever. Children always remain a gift – God’s
gift to you. At all times strive to respond lovingly
and with trust in divine Providence. Continue to
welcome your child into your home and family life
in imitation of Christ, encouraging him or her to
be faithful to the spiritual life and, if helpful, to
seek the guidance of a priest or the assistance of a
counsellor.” (CCCB 2011)
To talk more about these issues, please don’t
“We wish to express our spiritual closeness to hesitate to contact our Chaplain, Maria Borsato,
you, parents of children discovering a same-sex at x36126.
www.dpcdsb.org/AQUIN
Rainbow Squad LGBT Support Group
25 Corporation Dr. Brampton, ON. L6S 6A2 (905) 791-1195
On Tuesday, September 29,
500 hundred Grade 9 students,
ninety Mentors and another
hundred senior students and
staff gathered at Pearson
Convention Centre for our
annual Grade 9 Mega Retreat!
Students were encouraged to
take ownership in our school
culture and to recognize
“We’re All in This Together.”
To underscore this last point,
students learned a dance to
the song by the same name,
from High School Musical.
Students also heard faith talks
from senior students, learned
about empathy and kindness,
identified gifts they can bring
to our school community, and
played community building
games. Special thanks to all our
Mentors and Senior Leaders
for their help in making the
day a success!
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Page 3
EVENTS AND
EXTRA CURRICULARS
Girls’ Night In
On Wednesday, October 7, The Grade 12 Leadership class hosted Girls’
Night In. This annual event brings all Grade 9 girls together for an evening
of fun, food and friendship. Activities included: bracelet making, yoga,
dance, baking and “Girl Talk.”
This was a night for girls to celebrate a successful start to Grade 9 and work
on creating connections that will last for the next four years. The Grade
12s would like to thank all staff and students who helped make this event
possible; and a special thanks goes out to the Grade 11 Leadership class
for being there.
Student Council Travels to Cedar Glen
On September 27, the members of Student Council travelled all the way to
YMCA’s Cedar Glen for an overnight trip filled with fun and friendship.
This exciting adventure helped the council to work on Leadership skills
and develop goals for the upcoming year. Each year, the council returns
from retreat rejuvenated, excited, and ready to tackle any challenge. This
year proved to be no different!
“Accomplishment is easiest
when we work the hardest, and it is hardest when
we work the easiest.”
From rope activities, to teambuilding, Pictionary and a campfire, this trip
was one to remember! Student Council created a bond that will not soon
be broken. Special thanks go out to Mr. Schaller and Mr. Piskorz for giving
up their weekend to attend- and of course Mr. Caswell for driving the bus!
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Page 4
Junior Science Club
Aquinas Alive:
Junior Science Club started with
nervousness and excitement when
Ms. Pais and Ms. Pedra lit a $100 bill
on fire! Luckily for the teachers, the
bill survived for another shopping
trip. This club is for grade 9 and
10 students who are interested in
experimenting and applying basic
science knowledge in the field of
biology, physics, chemistry and
earth science. Our senior leaders put
in a lot of effort in discovering new,
fun and exciting labs for the juniors.
We started off with extracting DNA
from various vegetables and fruits
to a competition where students had
to engineer a structure that would
allow an egg to remain intact after
a 12 foot drop. Our latest activity
entailed the students attempting to
make glow in the dark slime, just
in time for Halloween. What does
the future hold for science club?
… Dissections! Ice Cream! And so
much, much MORE!
The school newspaper
Aquinas Alive, the school newspaper, yearns to publish two editions per
semester with a whopping eight pages in each. Our student editors and our layout team are presently working diligently
to complete the Fall issue. This issue will include poetry, art, games,
photography, reviews, reports, opinion pieces, sports worthy news
and articles on a variety of topics and a myriad of events that have taken
place in and outside the school.
‘Aquinas Alive’ is an exciting forum for student expression, especially for
those students wishing to apply for Journalism programs in post-secondary
institutions. All students are always welcome and are encouraged to submit
material in order to become part of this Aquinas tradition.
Comics N More Club
The Comics N More Club is running again this year. The purpose of our
club is to unite students with many different interests to come together to
share their passion with one another, Tuesdays, after school, in room 241.
Students have also showed interest in watching anime and having
theme days like Christmas and Halloween parties during the
appropriate weeks.
If you want even MORE from Comics N More, new students
should come out this year to add MORE to the club, to add MORE
interests to what the club discusses and to add MORE to the fun
of the Comics N More club, running all year here at St. Thomas
Aquinas S.S.
www.dpcdsb.org/AQUIN
Besides written literature, students are very happy sampling
different video game platforms. The most popular games have
been played in older platforms like PS3 and the classic Nintendo
Wii, but this year students have moved to new gen consoles like
the Wii U.
25 Corporation Dr. Brampton, ON. L6S 6A2 (905) 791-1195
Each week students congregate in room 241 and look through Mr.
Cammarata’s newest issues from his local comic shop. They also
look through other forms of literature in room 241, from graphic
novels and comics from free comic book days, to prose novels
and art books.
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Harvest Fest 2015
Every year, STA’s Student Council helps St. Thomas Aquinas transition
into fall by throwing the event of the season: Harvest Fest! This year, we
had over 400 students and families from our community come out and
enjoy festival games, mask making, pumpkin carving, trick or treating
and live music. The Haunted Hallway was definitely the highlight of the
event, scaring everyone who dared to enter! A huge thank you to all of our
amazing student volunteers, Ms. Richardson and her make-up artists and
Mr. Schaller and the hospitality volunteers. Thanks for a great night, and
see everyone next October!
Aquinas Votes
Aquinas Debates
Debating at Aquinas is an intellectually challenging and rewarding
experience. This year we are fortunate to have a large, enthusiastic group
of students eager to hone their public speaking skills. The ability to debate
builds self- confidence and the capacity to make quick decisions under
pressure. Having to debate both sides of a topic develops mental agility
and the ability to analyze the strengths and weakness of a position.
On October 15th, over 320 Grade
10 Canadian History students
participated in St Thomas Aquinas’
Student Vote 2015. The purpose
of Student Vote is to provide
adolescents with the opportunity
to participate in the voting process
with the intention of engaging young
people in future elections. Joining
over 7500 schools across Canada,
Aquinas students participated in
activities and lessons about the
electoral process, democracy, and
the main political parties and their
platforms for several weeks leading
up to the event. On Election Day, the
students voted at Polling Stations
set up in their classrooms and run
by fellow Social Science students.
The initiative was a great success
with the following results:
Debating topics range from school to international issues, and from
political to social aspects in society. Members debate with a partner and
learn effective teamwork. These skills will stay with members throughout
their lives and will contribute to their personal and professional success in STUDENT VOTE 2015:
ELECTION RESULTS
the future.
Number of Valid Ballots:
Topics up for discussion have been: “Awards should be given for
321
participation”; “The individual not the state should pay for higher level
education,” amongst others. We are looking forward to another year of Number of Rejected Ballots:
debating interesting topics, a year filled with an exchange of brilliant ideas 8
and diverse views, as the club prepares for various tournaments in the RESULTS:
future.
N. Bajaj (Conservative)
74
Teacher Advisors: A. Menezes, F. Cerullo
R. Grewal (Liberal)
167
H. Kahlon (NDP)
53
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K. Lacroix (Green)
27
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Page 6
Robotics Club Has Begun!
School Reach Team
Robotics Club at Aquinas is the new buzzing place-to- be,
where students from all grades come together using their
creative, intuitive and problem solving skills, to build,
engineer and program robots to perform a particular task.
The robots being used this year are Lego Mindstorm
NXT bots. Every Wednesday after school, the students
gather to build and program their Lego-bots. Winning
is not so easy, as part of the challenge is getting their
robots to withstand blows from other robots, to actually
accomplish the challenge and be the last bot standing!
This November, the club will be competing against
teams from all around Ontario at two events: they will
be defending their gold medal performance at Conestoga
College’s Cyber Olympiad, and participating in UOIT’s
Engineering Robotics “Sumobot” contest in Oshawa.
Mr. Giesen, Miss Naughton, Miss Pais and Mr. Raasch
wish our Aquinas Robotics teams the best of luck in all
their endeavors! Yearbook Club
www.dpcdsb.org/AQUIN
STA is a GOLD certified ECO Work on the 2015-2016 yearbook began in September and will be
School for its second consecutive completed by the 2nd semester yearbook class. A group of eager
year!
students have started work on the theme and yearbook cover, based
on the 40th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as yearbook
In June of this year, St. Thomas design, taking pictures at events, and creating yearbook pages for
Aquinas was certified as a GOLD fall activities.
level ECO School recognizing the
great efforts of our entire school
community! In particular, our ECO
club students spent countless hours
trying to make Aquinas a greener
place. They helped improve how
Aquinas manages its waste, they
encouraged a responsible use of
energy, and they took an active
role in environmental stewardship
activities throughout the year. But
even though our school has come
a long way, we still have a lot of
work to do and we need everyone’s
help! Recycle a battery, sort your Every student will now receive a copy of the yearbook, and for
waste, turn off a computer monitor, the first time, all yearbook pages will be in colour! The yearbooks
use GOOS paper, reduce your use should arrive in June 2016, just in time to have students sign one
of plastic water bottles, or even another’s books before final exams and leaving for the summer.
consider being part of the ECO The end-of-year events, from Multicultural Day and spring sports,
team! Every little bit counts… and to the Athletic Banquet and The Prom, will be included in a fullremember; THINK GREEN!
colour insert, available to students in September of 2016.
25 Corporation Dr. Brampton, ON. L6S 6A2 (905) 791-1195
ECO School
As the Peel School Reach Tournament draws near, the
St. Thomas Aquinas senior team is preparing for another
strong finish. School Reach is a competitive co-curricular
program for high school students. It allows the students
to go head on in a fast-paced trivia challenge, which tests
the team’s knowledge of various bits of information they
have gathered throughout their life. This year’s senior
team (represented by Sheldon D’leema, Jordon Dumenil,
Michael Clement, Anhadvir Singh, Angelo Salvador,
Anthony Rasetta, and Thanusan Chandiralingam) is
looking strong and hopes to prove to be a challenge to the
other schools. Each member studies different subjects and
has their own area of strength. This is a collection of some
of the school’s brightest minds when it comes to trivia, and
they are putting their heads together to chase first place
this year. The advisors (Mr. Giesen, Mrs. Canning, Mrs.
Glynn and Miss Naughton) encourage new members from
all grades to join us on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 4:00 in room
325.
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ARTS
Kinky Boots!
On Wednesday, October 28th,
the Grade 11 Vocal students
had the amazing opportunity
to
watch awe-inspiring
musical, “Kinky Boots”
at the Mirvish Theatre in
Downtown Toronto. Kinky
Boots, by singer, song writer,
and actor Cyndi Lauper is all
about the types of friendships
we discover, and the belief
that, when you change your
mind -for better or for worseyou can truly change the
world. To the delight of the
Grade 11’s, they had been
asked to perform as a prelude
to the show. They also met
with the cast following the end of the show. The Grade 11’s showcased our
school’s many talents.
Musical Notes
Fall is a busy season for musicians at Aquinas. The grade 12 instrumental
music class has been instrumental (ha!) in the running of this year’s Koffee
Haus. This event is in its tenth year at Aquinas, and is a long-standing
tradition of student musicians performing live for their friends and families.
What makes this event so unique is that any Aquinas student or group of
students can select their own material and rehearse on their own time for
the love of performance. The Grade 12 class was involved in all aspects
of planning the show, from its promotion, advertising, holding auditions,
planning the ticket sales, refreshments, stage handling and running of the
P.A. sound system. The Halloween theme was brought to life with the
assistance of Student Council, by hosting our costume day and helping
us with decorations. Our school cafeteria was transformed into a festive
concert hall, with the sounds of a variety of musical styles heard, accented
by the quasi-witty banter of our hosts Julia Giraudi and Andrew Gormley.
The night was a success, and congratulations goes out to the performers
and the Grade 12 class.
Toronto Symphony
Orchestra
On Thursday, November 5th
2015, all Vocal students will be
attending the Toronto Symphony
Orchestra at Roy Thompson
Hall. The students will be able
to enjoy popular orchestral
favourites featuring the brass
family. The Orchestra will be
performing pieces from John
Williams, Stravinsky, Dukas,
and Mussorgky. This will be a
truly inspirational event for the
students to enjoy.
Remembrance Day has been a tradition for the music department and this
year was no exception. Our Wind Ensemble added a spiritual element to the
assembly with the instrumental “Amazing Grace” as part of the ceremony.
“The Last Post” allowed for a solemn moment in the assembly and was
played by our senior trumpet players, Shennice Knight and Justin Calcada.
Thank you to Mr. Garthson for coordinating this event.
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Page 10
Choral Auditions!
This year’s Vocal program continues to grow with the thunderous amount of students who showed up for choir
auditions. Over one hundred students tried out which, due to such a high volume of interest, took two days to
complete. Those students auditioned for:
Women’s Chorale: Forty young ladies made it into the choir that placed Superior last year in Boston.
Chamber Choir: After a triumphant return, the ensemble of men and women will be singing together in this
harmonious choir of 70 students.
The New “A Cappella” Choir: Comprised of senior students, they will be performing music created by the group
itself, showcasing the wonderful creativity and talent of all the seniors.
Every addition to each choir brings their own knowledge and individuality to share with the rest of the group.
Mrs. Ferro feels that this is going to be a great year!
Sounds of the Season
Aquinas Music: A Place for Students to Learn to Teach
The Regional Arts Program has hit its ten year
anniversary at Aquinas. We’ve been host to 11
Grade 9 classes over the years, with a considerable
amount of graduating students auditioning into
post-secondary music programs. As the first classes
we had are finishing their undergrad degrees we
have been experiencing a homecoming of sorts.
Recently there has been a wave of returning
graduates looking at trying their hand at teaching
music. Within the last year Aquinas has hosted
five student teachers who volunteered their time in
addition to their university workload, each of whom
had fond memories of Aquinas and were delighted
to gain valuable experience in teaching by working
with their former teachers. The Aquinas graduates
have all been welcome additions to the classroom,
taking on more responsibility and helping out
with the program. We are happy to host these
future teachers and thank them for all of their hard
work. Thank you to this year’s volunteers, Ayesha
Barboza (class of 2011), Ashavari Joshi (class of
2010), and Paulina Kozak (class of 2013).
www.dpcdsb.org/AQUIN
It is with excitement that the Vocal Regional
Arts Program introduces a grade 9 vocal student
Sariyah Hines. She has been chosen to represent
Canada in the 2016 World championships of
Performing Arts in Long Beach, California. She
is campaigning to help make her dream come
true through “Working for Worlds” at www.
gofundme.com/workingforworlds. Sariyah has
been working hard for years singing at various
vocal competitions across North America and
realizes the importance of this competition in her
career, “words cannot express my excitement and
gratitude for this recognition.” Aquinas vocal
looks forward to Sariyah’s journey!
On Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 at 7 in the evening, the
Aquinas Christmas Concert will take place in the cafetorium.
For the festive season, there will be mash-ups and revivals
of traditional carols sung and played by the student’s from
Aquinas. This lighthearted event will introduce the rebirth
of the Chamber Choir (men and women choir) and the new
A-Capella Senior Group. Each vocal class will perform, as
well as the award-winning Women’s Chorale. Tickets for
the lively event are only $10.00, so be sure to buy yours
soon!
25 Corporation Dr. Brampton, ON. L6S 6A2 (905) 791-1195
Vocal Student Chosen to
Represent Canada
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Page 11
ACADEMICS
Grade 11
Leadership and
Peer Support
Math News
The Grade 11 Leadership and Peer
Support class (GPP3O1) has been busy!
Since the start of the semester, the class
has hosted a special luncheon for all
new students, collected the money for
Terry Fox Day, met with DPCDSB
consultant Jaye Carr and played an
important role in Girls’ Night In. The
class is currently planning an activity
for Anti-Bullying Week and is looking
forward to its overnight trip happening
December 4th.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday,
teachers from the Department of
Mathematics host an after-school
tutoring session in Room 307 from
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Mathematics
students in Grades 9 to 12 are
welcome to come out and work
on their homework, and have their
mathematical questions answered.
A reminder to those Grade 10 to
12 scholars who signed up to write
the University of Waterloo contest.
The contest will be written on
Throughout all of these events, the
Wednesday, November 25th, during
students have maintained a positive
attitude and true dedication. These periods 1 and 2. Please listen to the
students deserve thanks for all they do announcements for the location.
within our school community.
work, Grade 11s!
Nice
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION AND
OTHER FORMS OF EXPERIENTIAL
LEARNING
Co-operative Education is a unique learning opportunity that allows
students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work
placement. Students have the opportunity to extend classroom learning
into business, industry and the community.
HOW CAN CO-OP HELP YOU?
Students will:
combine classroom theory with experience in the workplace;
receive valuable training by experts in the field;
develop and expand employability skills;
learn job search techniques;
explore career choices;
discover true interests and abilities;
increase understanding of employers’ expectations;
meet contacts for future employment opportunities.
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR CO-OP
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Students should:
refer to the Co-op section in myBlueprint course selections;
discuss career options with a Co-op teacher;
speak to students who have gone through the Co-op program;
fill out Co-op application form – pick one up in Co-op office or guidance;
include the Co-op application form with the course selection form
confirmation page.
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Page 12
ATHLETICS
Cardinal Cross Country
The Cardinal Cross Country team started their season in August, meeting at
Chinguacousy Park to work on their fitness for the 2015 season. After a few
weeks of preparation, on September 25th the team ran at the Peter Morris
Invitational at Centennial Park in Etobicoke to open their racing season
running against many Toronto schools. Following that, on September 29th
the team got their first glimpse at the ROPSSAA competition at the Bagpipe
Classic Meet at Erindale Park, where a number of athletes won T-shirts for
their top 10 finishes. On October 16th, the team drove to Collingwood to
run the Sinclair Invitational Meet at the Nordic Highlands which is the
host site of OFSAA this year. Our cardinals got to preview the course that
they hope to race at OFSAA this month, and it is a challenging one, with
slick muddy rolling hills through a dense forest – true cross country! On
October 20th, the team ran the Heartlake Invitational on a beautiful autumn
morning, with some very successful finishes, proving that we should have
a good result at ROPSSAA and hopefully send a number of athletes to
OFSAA again this year. Athletes must place in the top 5 individuals or top
two teams in their race to qualify to run at OFSAA. Best of luck to the team
as their finish their season.
Flag Football 2015
News Letter Update
The varsity girls’ flag football team
is having a successful year. They are
currently in 3rd place with a record of
three wins and one loss. The team
is extremely proud of their dynamic
offense and defense. In tier one, the
ladies are currently ranked 3rd out of 21
teams for ‘points for’.
The team is looking forward to playing
their final two season home games.
Come support the girls on Monday
October 26th at their home game against
St. Michael at 1:30pm and on Tuesday
November 3rd against Louise Arbour at
2:30pm.
If the team is successful and step
away with two more wins, they will
enter the preliminary play-off round on
Tuesday, November 10th and a victory
in that game will qualify the team for
the quarter-final game on Thursday,
November 12th. Coaches Dixon,
Piskorz, and Bomben are extremely
proud of the growth of the team. They
continue to show improvements as the
season progresses. Only time will tell
how the Lady Cardinals will complete
their season, but the journey thus far
has been spectacular! Go Cardinals!!!
Junior Boys’
Volleyball
The Junior Boys’ Volleyball
team is in full swing, starting the
season 2-0 with victories at home.
Several Grade 9 players have
made enormous contributions
to our success so far. Coaches
Hontar and Dunning have been
pleased with the team’s effort
to date. We look forward to a
playoff berth as we embark on 4
consecutive matches on the road.
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Page 13
PARENTS’
CORNER
Principal’s
Message
On behalf of our school
community, I would like to take
this opportunity to welcome
all new students and welcome
back our returning students,
parents and guardians to the
St. Thomas Aquinas school
community. This year, the theme
for Catholic Education Week is
Opening Doors of Mercy, and
we ask for God’s help to open
the door of mercy in our school
communities, in our families and
in the world. We let mercy guide
our living and bring us closer to
the heart of the gospel.
On Tuesday, September 22nd, we elected a new School Council. Meetings
will be held on the following dates at 7:00 p.m. in the Library: October 20th,
November 17th, February 9th, April 12th and May 17th. All are welcome!
Students and staff participated in our annual Terry Fox Run on Friday,
October 2nd and raised over $16,000.00 for cancer research. This event
reminds us of October’s virtue of the month, Empathy, which is the ability
to put oneself in another’s shoes and to have the capacity to feel what
the other person is feeling. Congratulations to all on your hard work and
dedication to helping others.
Father Joseph C. Pham celebrated our opening school Masses on Tuesday,
October 13th. Father Joseph is new to St. Anthony of Padua Parish and to
our school community. We are excited about the opportunity to work with
him throughout the year.
During this Year of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis, I look forward to
working with the students and staff of St. Thomas Aquinas. In the words
of Pope Francis: “God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a
garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14). ... Let us be renewed
by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of His
love to transform our lives, too; and let us become agents of this mercy,
channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and
make justice and peace flourish.”
Sincerely,
Rosina Ariganello
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Page 14
Guidance News and Updates
At St. Thomas Aquinas, our Guidance program provides students with an understanding of the concepts in the
three areas of learning: personal, interpersonal, and career development. The program is delivered through
personal counseling, small group sessions and classroom instruction. This year’s services include educational
planning, career information, college, university and apprenticeship information sessions, Dual Credit/SHSM
information sessions and planning, OSAP and scholarship information, career and peer helping courses, support
groups … and many other services.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to get involved with their child(ren)’s learning and are invited to contact the
Guidance Department with any concerns regarding their child(ren).
Aquinas Starts its First Ever
Catholic Safe Schools Student
Action Team
www.myblueprint.ca
www.electronicinfo.ca
www.ontariocolleges.ca
Plan Ahead
Although it may seem early, students should be
thinking about their course selections for next year
and the years to come. Take some time to check out
the prerequisites you need to get into the programs
you want to study after Aquinas! Have questions?
Make an appointment to see your counselor; he or
she would love to see you!
www.dpcdsb.org/AQUIN
Special Services
Position
Extension
S. Graham
CYW: H - M
36160
T. Francis
CYW: A – K
36220
A. Lovell
CYW: L – Z
36159
U. AgarwalSocial Worker36158
K. ChandlerSocial Worker36158
A. ChandarinaPsychologist36172
J. PereiraPsychologist36172
M. BaySettlement Worker
36173
T. Dixon
SS Teacher 36154
M. Marshall
Guidance Secretary 36150
J. Findlay
Guid/Att Secretary 36151
Websites of Interest:
25 Corporation Dr. Brampton, ON. L6S 6A2 (905)791-1995
(905)791-1195
Guidance CounselorAlphaExtension
A. Robertson
A – Dl 36155
K. Grenier (Dept. Head)
DL – K
36156
M. McInnis
L – P
36157
C. Caswell
Q – Z
36152
M. ReaRAP36151
Course Selection Process
This process will begin in November for the 20162017 school year. Course selection will take place
through the website www.myblueprint.ca/dpcdsb.
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School recently started up
its first ever Catholic Safe Schools Student Action Team
(CSSSAT). All students were invited to join to help support
various safe schools related activities including, but not
limited to, the Ministry of Education’s annual Bullying
Awareness and Prevention Week. This year, the week will
be commemorated November 16-20 when students will assist
with writing and reading of morning prayers and reflections,
designing creative posters, introducing and thanking guest
speakers, and helping to form decisions to increase student
engagement and interest. The committee will particularly
help students become collaborative contributors, caring
family members and responsible citizens. By the end of the
school year, one student will be selected to receive an award
for his or her strong leadership skills on this committee.
MONEY?
Attention Grades 11/12! Do you need money?
Lots of money? Every year, there are millions of
dollars offered through scholarships and bursaries
for students planning to attend COLLEGE or
UNIVERSITY.
To find out how and when to apply for scholarships
in Ontario, students are to register themselves on the
following websites: www.scholarshipscanada.com,
www.studentawards.com and www.schoolfinder.
com. Students may also visit the Guidance Office
for more information.
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Page 15
Grade 9 St. Thomas Aquinas
Students Attend the Get Ready
and Orientation Programs
The St. Thomas Aquinas’ 2015 Get Ready program was a
great success as approximately 350 students attended this
transition program. Fifteen classes were run by a group
of dedicated teachers teaching the Literacy, Numeracy
and High School Readiness components. One Grade
Nine student summed up her experience as follows: “I
would like to thank you for allowing me to be a part
of the Get Ready for School Program. I was initially
nervous attending but, as the days passed, I felt more
comfortable. I look forward to attending St. Thomas
Aquinas High School with pride. Again, thank you for
all the help provided.”
Also, the Grade 9 Orientation that was on September
3rd was a tremendous success as 425 students had an
opportunity to meet their senior mentors, have their
questions answered, learn their way around the school
building and eat pizza with new friends. Furthermore,
parents and guardians of the Grade 9 students had a
presentation by the Administration and the Guidance
Department that provided valuable information and an inservice on “myBlueprint” – the course selection program
used at the school.
Pupil Accommodation
Review Policy Public
Consultation
The Ministry of Education released the new Pupil
Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG) in
March 2015. This guideline sets expectations
for all school boards on managing and reviewing
underutilized school space, including potential
school closures, and for the greater coordination
and sharing of planning related information between
school boards and other community partners.
The guideline requires all school boards in the
province to develop or revise Pupil Accommodation
Review Policies and to invite public input into the
policy before it is finalized.
A survey to collect feedback on the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board’s amended Policy
6.51 Pupil Accommodation Review draft will be
available for review and comment on the Board’s
website at www.dpcdsb.org until 4:30 pm on Friday,
October 16, 2015. Supporting documents will also be
available for reference and review. Please consider
reviewing and providing input on this policy.
Algonquin Hike Trip
O
n October 22, sixteen students embarked on a four-day, three-night hiking
adventure through the beautiful fall colours of Algonquin Park across the
Highland Trail, around the shores of Provoking Lake. The students hiked a total
of 15 kms, worked on fire building and team building activities, showcased their
abilities at the fireside talent show and shared countless stories and laughter. Mr.
Weatherbe, Ms. Richardson, Mrs. Kalaouzis and Mr. Russell commend all student
participants for their commitment, teamwork and sense of humour.
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