School Profile 2013-2014
Canterbury High School
Grades 9 - 12 (semestered)
Address:
900 Canterbury Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 3A7
Phone: (613) 731-1191
Fax: (613) 731-5210
School hours:
9:10 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Alan Johnson
Vice Principals
Carol Cockburn
Richard J Lalonde
Office Administrator
Cindy Taylor
Chief Custodian
Michael Gaudreau
School Council Chair
Ellen Lamarre
Superintendent of Instruction
Stephen Sliwa
School Trustee
Bronwyn Funiciello
Chair of the Board
Jennifer McKenzie
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Jennifer Adams
General Board Information:
Phone: 613-721-1820
OCDSB Website2
Accessibility Information3
Our School
Located in the southeast sector of Ottawa, Canterbury is a hub
of creative activity for over 1350 students. It is a school with a
strong tradition of excellence made up of students from our
local community and students who have auditioned for the
specialized Arts Canterbury program. Students in the Arts
Canterbury program enroll in one of the following art disciplines:
dance, drama, literary arts, music, or visual arts. There is rich
diversity in the school population that is respected and
encouraged. As a result, the students are motivated, creative,
energetic and committed to their studies, their school, and their
community. The extra-curricular athletic program at Canterbury
lends balance to both academics and the arts. Our goals are to
nurture excellence in our students by challenging them with the
best of the academic, artistic, and athletic worlds, and to help
students become well-rounded individuals who care about and
understand our greater community.
Our Students
Canterbury students come from Eastern Ontario, West Quebec
and a variety of International locations. They form a diverse and
culturally rich group spanning all socio-economic backgrounds
and, as a result, are very accepting of each other’s’ differences
and needs. All students are encouraged to participate in all
aspects of school life. Our graduates return on a regular basis
to share their experiences from the world of work and
academics. We are proud of their successes.
Our Staff
Canterbury is fortunate to have over 110 teachers, educational
assistants, technicians, custodians and administrative and
support staff members who are dedicated professionals,
committed to providing students with an educational experience
of the highest quality. All are highly trained in their individual
fields of expertise and bring both theoretical and practical
knowledge of their disciplines into the school. They work
together and across disciplines to enable our students to
achieve at the highest level possible.
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Our Community
Parents and Community
Canterbury draws students from a wide geographic area and many commute from great
distances in order to participate in the Arts Canterbury Program.
Parents are actively involved through our School Council in developing common goals for
the school, advising administration, and advocating on behalf of all students. Our parents
enthusiastically volunteer their time in order to support both students and staff in a variety
of activities throughout the year. Parents share in the pride of the school and celebrate
success in the classroom, through the arts and through athletics. They are an integral part
of school life at Canterbury.
Our students are actively involved in the community and assist in fundraising for many
worthwhile causes.
Mission Statement
Canterbury High School upholds the highest standards by promoting superior
achievement in academics and the arts, and maintains an environment which encourages
personal integrity and a clear identity for each student.
Picture of Canterbury High School
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Canterbury provides a full range of academic programs including the Extended French
program which leads to the OCDSB Extended French Certificate and a concentration of
Business courses that can lead to the OCDSB Business Certificate or the Specialist High
School Major (SHSM). We also provide an opportunity for students to learn a third
language through our Spanish classes. A comprehensive co-operative education program
allows students to gain experience in the world of work while at the same time earning
valuable credits. The four-year Arts Canterbury program allows students to receive
instruction in their chosen art discipline (dance, drama, literary arts, music or visual arts)
on a daily basis in addition to a full academic load.
Classroom Organization
Canterbury is a semestered school. Students attend four classes per day. Students are
enrolled in 8 courses per year in grades 9, 10, and 11 with the option of 6 or more courses
in grade 12. However, with Extended French and the Arts Program, most students enroll in
8 courses throughout their high school years at Canterbury. The majority of Arts
Canterbury Courses are full year courses. Exceptions are in the visual arts and music
disciplines. Students enter the Arts Canterbury program through an audition process which
takes place in January and February. Additional information can be found on our website.
Special Education and ESL Programs
The Physical Support Program assists physically challenged students to integrate into a
mainstream education program.
Learning Support Teachers assist students who have been identified as requiring special
education support, while the Student Success Team supports students experiencing
difficulty with the academic program. A complement of Educational Assistants helps us
offer individual support to all students in our special education programs.
Clubs and Activities
Clubs are an important means of developing specific interests and there are always new
groups emerging in response to students’ requests. At any time during the school year,
there are a multitude of student initiated clubs and activities operating throughout the day.
CHS has become known for its social awareness activities. School-wide participation in
the arts is encouraged through coffeehouses, the Arts Festival, performance assemblies,
school plays, and exhibitions.
Canterbury participates in an extensive variety of athletics ranging from traditional sports
such as basketball and volleyball to others such as ultimate and rowing. Canterbury’s
commitment to its students is evidenced by the fact that 90% of its coaches are teachers
within the school. During the 2011-12 season, students at Canterbury represented their
school in a variety of sports which was comprised of a total of 30 teams. In particular, our
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Girls’ Curling Team placed 3rd in Ontario. We also had fantastic performances in
Swimming and Nordic Skiing sending 5 athletes from each team to the O.F.S.A.A.
Provincial Championships, while Track and Field and Wrestling sent another 3 athletes
each. Our students on all teams continue to perform well in their respective leagues as
they dedicate themselves to their athletics and academics.
Safe Schools Initiatives
Canterbury operates on a credo of courtesy, respect for another person’s dignity and
commitment. Academic excellence, attendance, and punctuality are top priorities. The
school encourages and expects that students will respect themselves, others, the
environment and the learning process. Our Code of Behaviour was developed by
students, staff and parents. This tradition of excellence operates within a safe and caring
learning and work environment.
All members of the Canterbury community recognize the importance of a safe school
environment in the overall learning process. As part of our yearly “check list,” we review
with students and staff our Code of Behaviour and our responses to potential emergency
situations. We work with our school team and our School Resource Officer to practice fire
drills and lock-downs throughout the year.
We support a safe and caring environment with positive relationships in our school
community through the following programs and clubs:
• Social Awareness
• PRIDE
• Use Your Voice
• School Council
Facilities and Resources
CHS is accessible to the physically challenged. Our facilities include 5 computer labs, a
library with networked computers, a communications technology studio with video and
audio recording capabilities, 4 drama studios, 3 dance studios, a fully-equipped
auditorium, music rooms for vocal, string and wind instruction, visual art rooms with
separate photography, ceramics, drawing/painting and printmaking areas, a large gym, a
weight room and a cardio workout area.
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Google Map of Canterbury High School
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Following our objectives to nurture well-rounded individuals who understand about all
aspects of the world, our performance measures are focused on achievement and
recognition within the broad spectrum of contemporary society.
Graduate Performance
 65% of CHS graduates achieved Ontario Scholar status or higher.
 15% of CHS graduates achieved marks of 90% or higher.
 15% of CHS graduates received an Extended French Bilingual Certificate.
Canterbury students raised funds to assist a variety of charities: Movember, Do It For
Daron, Ottawa Food Bank, Free the Children are just a few examples. Our most
successful whole-school event is our Relay for Life fundraiser will be held again in May
2014.
The OCDSB now offers students the opportunity to become DELF certified. The Diplôme
d’études en Langue Française is a European language proficiency exam similar to the
Canadian Government French exams. Students are able to choose which of the six levels
they wish to take. Exams begin at the A1 level (beginner) and rise to the C2 level
(Proficient user - Master). Grade 12 French immersion/Extended French students
generally challenge the B2 exam (Independent User). Until 3 years ago, the exam has
only been available in Ottawa through the Alliance Française and the French Embassy for
a fee of $100. The OCDSB is leading the province by bringing in the DELF and making it
available free of charge for all our graduating students. During the past 3 years, all CHS
Gr. 12 Extended French students took the DELF exam. For more information visit:
http://acpi.ca/documents/delf_depliant_en.pdf
Many of our students participate annually in the Waterloo Math contests and in the Sun
Life Financial Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge.
The Social Science and English Departments have travelled to Europe for successful
“Battlefields Tour.” Students and staff have visited France, Belgium and the United
Kingdom to see a variety of historical and Canadian military sites from the two World
Wars. Our next trip is being planned for March, 2014.
Students from Canterbury's Literary Arts Program are often winners in the High School
Writing Competition hosted by Carleton University. A Literary Arts graduate won First Prize
for Fiction in The Claremont Review's 2010 Annual Writing Contest and another is the
current editor of The VEG Literary Magazine at McGill. One of our graduates has
published a history-mystery novel about former Prime Minister, Paul Martin.
Visual Arts graduates continue to be accepted into their choice of leading post-secondary
programs in North America, including: Studio Arts, Medical Illustration, Photography,
Graphic Design, Architecture, and Industrial Design at Carleton University, Concordia
University, University of Ottawa, Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD),
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (NSCAD) , Emily Carr University of Art
and Design, Savannah College of Art and Design. One of our students contributed the
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winning design for the 2012 DIFD campaign (Do It For Daron); another student was
awarded a made-in-Holland Vincent Van Gogh art bicycle by the Dutch Embassy as one of
ten national winners who imagined painting the world through Van Gogh's eyes. Our
annual Fashion Show featured the realization of original designs from their inception
through to creation and final styling for their catwalk debut. A fantastic sketchbook to
runway tradition at Canterbury!
CHS Music Ensembles continue to excel at the regional, provincial and national levels.
Our Canterbury male chorus placed first at both the provincial and national levels of the
Kiwanis festival in the Spring of 2013. Our Canterbury Chamber Chorus won the CBC
Music in the Schools award in April, 2013. Our Canterbury Concert Band, Canterbury
Singers, and Canterbury Chamber Chorus all placed second in their respective classes in
the Provincial Kiwanis Music festival in May, 2013.
Our Dance students continue to perform not only at Canterbury High School, but also in
the community at large. One of our strongest departmental successes is our Community
Outreach. Annually, our dancers participate in Canterbury High School's Feeder School
Concert, performing for two full houses of grade 8 students. Currently, many of our Dance
graduates are studying at prestigious schools in Boston and NYC with such renowned
groups as Alvin Ayley and The Joffrey Ballet.
Over 500 students in grades 9, 10, and 11 achieved averages of over 80% or
accomplished academic goals that were recognized at our annual Awards Assembly.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
Canterbury High School will continue to create, maintain and support a positive learning
environment that promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Students will learn to selfassess wellness, to access appropriate resources and to develop strategies for resiliency.
As a community, we will:
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Create, maintain and support a positive school environment that fosters and promotes
equity and inclusive education.
Continue to meet with staff from our feeder schools in order to review the needs of our
incoming Grade 9 students and develop appropriate transition plans to help ensure
their success.
Develop our LINK Crew program to assist in the transition from grade 8 to grade 9
Provide staff with professional development on instructional strategies that foster
equity, inclusion and maintaining a safe learning environment.
Provide staff with training in mental health awareness (i.e. SmartTALK and ASIST,
depression and suicide awareness training)
Continue to promote the excellence of the Arts Canterbury program within the Ontario
Secondary School Curriculum and work to support its status as the top arts program in
Canada.
Continue to focus on fundraising to support the Arts Canterbury program.
Continue the facilities renewal initiative to support the existing Arts program.
Continue to develop partnerships with our community in order to foster ongoing
opportunities for student development.
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Ensure that all students successfully complete the requirements for the Ontario
Secondary School Diploma.
Continue to ensure that literacy and numeracy supports provide a cross-curricular
focus to help our students successful complete the graduation literacy requirement and
to achieve the Provincial standard on the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics.
Develop a plan to increase awareness and student participation in the wide variety of
secondary pathways (e.g. academic, applied, locally developed, open, workplace,
college, university/college and university courses), specialized programs that cut
across all curriculum areas (e.g. Dual Credits, Focus Programs, Secondary High Skills
Majors, eLearning, Co-op/OYAP) and post-secondary destination opportunities
available to students.
Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
Canterbury promotes the proven research that demonstrates that students who are
actively engaged in extra-curricular activities have higher success rates in their academic
endeavours. Our Student Council representatives are a dynamic team who avidly organize
a wide variety of activities to promote school spirit (assemblies, spirit weeks, the very
popular Leadership Chill Camp, and school dances). They mentor individual students as
they develop leadership skills, and ensure that students in all academic programs share
the Canterbury spirit. CHS students live our credo of respect of self and others.
Canterbury’s Children’s Theatre performs for students in many elementary schools and
several Lighthouse programs.
The Canterbury Social Awareness Club fosters a healthy understanding of community
issues. They donate time, energy and money to worthwhile causes like the Ottawa Food
Bank and Save the Children’s Brick by Brick project. They prepare baskets for
communities in need overseas, supplies for school children in Jamaica, and Christmas
hampers for local families through the Shepherds of Good Hope. Successive graduating
classes have averaged over 100 hours of community service hours per student.
Staff
The Canterbury staff members bring a wealth of experience to activities both in and out of
the classroom. Our teachers, custodians, office staff, Educational Assistants and
technicians all contribute to what makes Canterbury a vibrant school. The diversity of
expertise is broad and deep.
A lifelong learning environment is reflected at Canterbury. Staff members are engaged in
ongoing professional development activities. They take leadership roles in bringing back
new ideas to be shared with all staff. The exchange of practices and ideas by staff leads to
a diverse and dynamic classroom environment. Our Leadership team of Department
Heads and Administration sets the tone and fosters the ongoing growth opportunities for
all.
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As with our students, community involvement is important. Several staff members have
been recipients of the Marjorie Loughrey Lifetime Award in the Arts and the Arts
Recognition Award from the OCDSB.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Literally thousands of hours are graciously provided by parents and members of the
community in supporting Canterbury. The formal structure of the School Council is the
important tip of the iceberg of support. Beyond the meetings, members of School Council
are actively working throughout the year to initiate, implement and support activities that
assist in school programming and operations.
Fundraising and program promotion forms
another part of the activities undertaken by
parents, guardians and volunteers. The
Canterbury Arts Community Development
Association (CACDA), a volunteer organization
established some 20 years ago, is responsible
for some major fundraising activities. The
endowment fund managed through the Ottawa
Community Foundation for Arts Canterbury is a
cornerstone to the current and future well-being
of the Arts Program. These invaluable people
and organizational partners are essential to our
school.
Community
Canterbury students benefit from the numerous members of our larger community who
give of their time to share their skills and experience. Whether it’s speaking to our careers
classes, participating in our Remembrance Day assembly and other formal presentations,
sharing new knowledge with staff and school council, or endorsing graduate awards, we
are grateful for the generosity of experience that is shared at our school.
Canterbury appreciates all the support of parent volunteers and community coaches who
give of their time and expertise for students and student activities. We value highly our
community partners. Our Co-op program relies on our workplace partners to provide
excellent career experiences for our students. Acknowledgements of support are made
through school newsletters and announcements, our school web site, and the Principal’s
report to School Council. Canterbury students are frequent ambassadors within the
community for arts performances and with local organizations in a variety of roles including
a large volunteer involvment .
The commitment of the Canterbury Arts Centre Development Association (CACDA) has
had a tremendous effect on arts education at Canterbury High School. Over the course of
the last five years, this charitable organization, run by former staff together with past and
current parents of students of Canterbury, has invested over $100,000 in the Ottawa
Community Foundation to support Arts Education. The Arts Program at Canterbury has
received over $30,000 in assistance from CACDA. Such dedication is a model for the
greater community.
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URL References
1
̶ http://www.canterburyhs.ocdsb.ca/
2
̶ http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3
̶ http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4
̶ http://www.eqao.com/
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