John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
We, at John Cabot Catholic Secondary School, celebrate spirituality and diversity through achieving, believing and community living in an inclusive Catholic
environment. We aim to provide a safe, nurturing and motivating community for students to grow and develop to their fullest potential.
It is the mission of the school community at John Cabot Catholic Secondary School to challenge students to:
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develop appropriate social skills, self-advocacy and study skills to promote and sustain life-long learning;
engage in the pursuit of excellence in reaching their full spiritual, academic and physical potential;
grow in an understanding of Roman Catholic teachings, traditions, and Catholic Graduate Expectations, striving to incorporate these into their everyday
life.
It is the mission of the school community at John Cabot Catholic Secondary School to provide an environment:
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where we grow and learn within the context of a cooperative, community team of the Family, School and Church;
where the ideals of mutual trust, responsibility, equality and respect for all are encouraged and supported.
Motto
John Cabot Catholic S.S. is a caring school and community environment that stresses understanding and acceptance of others, commitment to our Catholic
faith and high academic standards. We provide a safe and comfortable learning environment where models of Gospel values and Catholic doctrines,
teachings and beliefs are an integral part of the daily life of our school. The school motto, "Faith, Hope & Charity" was chosen through the process of
community consultation and reflects a holistic philosophy where religion and daily life are intertwined. As such, all activities of administration, management,
counselling, academic and pastoral work, prayer and worship, and co-curricular involvement, help to prepare John Cabot Catholic S.S. students to live out
Catholic Graduate Expectations in community.
Catholic Focus
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the board’s
community of learners. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving
force in the board’s community of learners, which includes five key groups: students; the parish, home and community; teachers and support staff;
administrators and supervisory officers; and trustees. The board strives to be a Christ-centered system in which all may work and learn in a supportive,
inclusive, meaningful, and respectful environment. Within the context of an authentic Catholic learning community, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School
board strives “…to provide students with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who
contribute to society.” The board is further committed to:
- deepening the understanding, appreciation and practice of the Catholic Christian lifestyle, with Jesus as role model;
- aligning a system-wide approach to Catholicity, whereby all educational practices are implemented through a Catholic lens;
- developing graduates who are fully alive in Christ, “not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions”;
Encouraging unique approaches to support system priorities and the principal strands of faith education: prayer and liturgy; sacramentality; morality and
justice; and scripture and church.
As a diverse educational community responding to God’s call, Dufferin-Peel fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and scripture.
The board continues to commit to the guiding principles of Learning for All: K-12 (draft) and to Dufferin-Peel’s Equity and Inclusive Education Policy
(developed in accordance with the provincial Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy), while:
- being authentic witnesses to our Catholic faith;
- being responsible stewards of God’s grace in the world;
- respecting human dignity;
Modelling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service.
To strengthen its Catholic identity, Dufferin-Peel will continue to develop opportunities for faith formation of students and staff, together with an educational
program which strives to integrate the board’s fundamental beliefs and values into all of its endeavours.
Core Principles
Catholic School Learning Plan for John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
The Catholic School Learning Plan (CSLP) has been aligned with the Catholic Board Learning Plan to address the board’s five core principles of: Catholicity;
Learning Environment; Community Engagement; Parish-Home-School; and Physical Environment. In order to set the local school context with respect to the
five core principles, schools are required to complete the table, below, including a summary of Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO)
assessment performance and progress at the school.
Local School Response to the Dufferin-Peel Five Core Principles
Core Principle School Response
Catholicity
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
1. How does the school community model, celebrate and nourish gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centered programs and services?
Our Catholic faith is at the core of all we do, as we do our best to embody Christ’s teaching “to love one another as I have loved you.” Our school community
models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values by valuing each individual and respecting their needs.
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO Grade 9 mathematics assessment performance.
Grade 9 Academic Mathematics:92%
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics:56%
Overall, the success rate at the Applied level has increased over the past 5 years. Both Applied and Academic scores have exceeded the Provincial
Averages.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) performance.
OSSLT results for First-Time Eligible Students:87%
OSSLT results for Previously Eligible Students:79%
Success rate for First-Time Eligible students continues to exceed Board and Provincial averages, while there has been an increase in the proportion of
learners with ELL and/or other identified learning needs who are successful on the OSSLT. The success rate for previously eligible students has surpassed
the overall board success rate of 54%.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning.
The basis of lifelong learning is derived from the ministry curriculum documents that delineate content instruction, assessment and evaluation. Student
success is fostered in the embedded skills of numeracy and literacy in each discipline. The development of pathways/destinations is essential to providing
real life opportunities applying learning for students.
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
Student success and an increase in student achievement is the goal for all John Cabot students. Support is provided by teachers, department heads,
alternative ed staff, co-op staff, guidance, child youth worker, social worker, chaplaincy, psych and support staff, settlement workers and outside agencies
through the leadership of the administration to support the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and academic success of each student.
The review and monitoring of data resulting from student achievement continually informs teaching practice and school effort to ensure continuous
improvement in student achievement.
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
Diverse representation exists on the school council which provides opportunity for community engagement. Continue to invite new members via webpage and
telephone.
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By 6 Peel)?
- Chaplaincy, SST, Alternative Education, ELL, Student Council, Co-op, Guidance liaise with community partners and employers
- Community Partnerships through Business SHSM, including TD Bank
- Eco Club, Gr. 9 Guys/Girls Nights
- Eat Smart Program with Peel Health
- Pro Grant application by school council to support community needs, including Gr. 9 Parent Math Night in partnership with the Philip Pocock C.S.S.
community & Program Dept.
- Participants in the Canadian Food for Children Program
- Continuing outreach and transitional relationship with elementary feeder schools
- Relationship between school and Westminster Seniors’ Residence and Square One Older Adult Centre
- Participation in Terry Fox fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society
- Autism Awareness Day
- "Think Fast" 24 hour fast
- Juvenile Diabetes Fundraiser
- Peel Regional Police presentations as appropriate (eg. Internet Safety, etc.)
- "Me to We" participation
- Samsung business studies partnership - DECA
- Peel Public Health
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters - Peel
- Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Newcomers Centre
- Peel Youth Village
- MADD
Parish-Home-School
1. Comment on how the school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success.
- Liaison with school parish of St. Patrick, March of Life, St. Vincent de Paul, Sharelife, Dr. Simone’s Warehouse and the support of Catholic Charitable
organizations, participation in events hosted by the Knights of Columbus and CWL (essay writing competitions).
- Celebration of school Advent mass hosted in St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish.
- Padre’s Pot is a weekly collection of money from staff and students that generously supports Catholic and community charities.
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
- Seasonal Food Drives in support of St. Vincent de Paul Society & Knight's Table
- Alpha Group
- Christmas Basket Campaign
- Retreats held at Community Parish
- Graduation Mass
- Reconciliation held at school
- Promotion of volunteer opportunities and Parish activities
- Vocations Day held at school
- Parent Council parish representative
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
- The Green Team is the school’s ecological stewardship club, and has been actively involved in tree planting in the community.
- Art classes involved in a Y project to paint murals in community settings to beautify the neighbourhood.
- Certified Eco School
- Water fountains replaced with water bottle fillers
- Peace Garden
- Eco man and Recycle boy mascots
- Blue Bin program - paper recycling
- Marketing of environmentally friendly practices
- Earth Day Celebration
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
- Budget is closely monitored to ensure transparency and alignment with Board procedures and goals.
- Funds are allocated to ensure student success and achievement and the creation of a school culture that embodies this.
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
- Financial accountability is shared by all staff who comply with Board procedures, and are responsible for the care and inventory of resources and materials.
- Budget is allocated to support school goals, and spending is planned to sustain and support initiatives as they develop in the future.
The five core principles are addressed through the Five Shared Priorities of the CBLP.
- Five Shared Priorities ( Creating Catholic Conditions for Well Being, Learning and Leading, Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry, Enhancing
Transitional Practices, Knowing the Learner Through Assessment, Responding Through Effective Instruction)
The content of the planned response for each of the five Shared Priorities identified by the Board will include:
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identification of school OUTCOMES that are aligned to the overall board OUTCOMES of each Shared Priority.
alignment of OUTCOMES to the corresponding School Effectiveness Framework indicators;
identification of data sources to be consulted in the course of monitoring and evaluating the progress of OUTCOMES.
identification of focused interventions;
establishment of responsibilities.
School Needs Assessment
Evidence Findings
Catholic Community, Culture and Caring Data Sources Summary of Findings
Chaplaincy - Masses, liturgies are celebrated as a school community for school opening, closing, Advent, Graduation; daily school prayer and extended
prayerful opportunities; retreats, school Pastoral Plan
Student Leadership - School Council, March for Life, Faith Ambassadors
Administrative Team - The maintenance of a safe school environment through consistent and fair discipline, respect of uniform, and leadership of curriculum
All Staff - Support and care of all students to ensure success
EQAO Summary All Learners:
2014-2015 Grade 9 EQAO Academic Mathematics Successful (Level 3 or 4) 92%
2014-2015 Grade 9 EQAO Applied Mathematics Successful (Level 3 or 4) 56%
2014-2015 OSSLT (First-Time Eligible) Successful (Level 3 or 4) 87%, Successful ELL 77%,Successful Special Needs 39%
2014-2015 OSSLT (Previously Eligible) Successful (Level 3 or 4) 79%,Successful ELL 64%, Successful Special Needs N/A
Other Literacy Data All Learners:
Credit accumulation in grade 10 - 80% of grade 10 students earned a full 16 credits or more.
ENG 2L pass rate 100%
ENG 2P pass rate 92%
ENG 2D pass rate 100%
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Other Numeracy Data All Learners:
Credit accumulation in grade 9 - 83% of grade 9 students earned full 8 credits or more.
MFM 1P pass rate 89%
MPM 1D pass rate 97%
Pathways and Transitions Data
Graduation Rate - approximately 85%
Co-operative Education, SHSM and Alternative Education Programs, such as dual credit opportunities and blended learning, continue to develop and support
more students.
Employee Support and Training Summary of Findings
Teachers - Ongoing professional learning through Program Department, in-school expert teams, subject councils and conferences
Expanded Accountability and Transparency Summary of Findings
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1. By 2016 the proportion of grade 10 students indicating they feel excluded will decrease by 5% as demonstrated in the CCCC School Climate Survey.
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention
Student Voice
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2. By June 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of collaboration
as demonstrated on the Provincial report card.
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry Process
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3. By June 2016 there will be a decrease in the number of students at risk from grades 9 to grade 10 as demonstrated in the Taking Stock Report.
Action Plans
Understanding Secondary School Program Options and Pathways
My Blueprint
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4. By the end of June 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of staff implementing the practice of using descriptive feedback as a means of providing
students with information about their own learning, improving student achievement, as demonstrated in "Learning walks", teacher performance appraisals and
the Provincial report card.
Action Plans
Descriptive Feedback
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John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5. By the end of three years there will be a 5% increase in the success rate of ELL's and students taking Applied level English on the OSSLT. There will be a 5%
increase in the success rate of students taking grade 9 Math at the Applied level as demonstrated on the Annual EQAO assessment.
Action Plans
3 Part Lesson / Student Engagement (Numeracy)
Guided Practice / 3 Part Lesson (Literacy)
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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