Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
PASTORAL PLAN
School Name: St. Roch Catholic Secondary School
School Motto or Mission Statement:
Light of the Mind…Light of the World
Theme for the Year: Jubilee Year of Mercy and Joy
Retreats. Identify the location of the retreat, groupings (class, or grade
level), theme, facilitator, supervision (chaplaincy leader and/or staff)
Grade 9: Retreats are held at Eldorado Park in September and May.
Brampton Parks and Rec. hire dynamic young adults to lead our students in
a series of cooperative and community building games. Retreats are
outside, active and fun. Lots of running around and problem solving.
Retreats begin and end with prayer and a song. We eat pizza. Each retreat
is a combination of two or three classes. This retreat focusses on
“Community and how I fit in.” All retreats at all levels are supervised by the
chaplaincy leader and the classroom teacher.
Grade 10: Retreats are held at Dr. Simone’s warehouse during each
semester. Each grade 10 Religion class goes on their own retreat. This
retreat focusses on “Service around the World.” We fill containers with
food, clothing, medical supplies, toys and furniture. We stuff envelopes
with newsletters for supporters of the charity. We begin and end the day
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
at the warehouse with prayer and reflection. We eat at Pizza Hut in
Brampton.
Grade 11: The theme of this retreat is “Discovering the Sacred.” We
discover the Sacred by visiting four places of worship in Brampton and
Mississauga. We discover the Sacred in our neighbours – Hindus, Sikhs,
Ukrainian Catholics and Muslims. We eat together at the Mandarin, where
we discover the Sacred in each other.
Grade 12: The theme of this retreat is “Community, Service and the
Sacred.” Retreats are held on Thursdays throughout the year. Each Grade
12 Religion class goes on their own retreat Hillsview Seniors Center in
Georgetown. We cook a hot meal for the guests of Hillsview. We play
cards, bingo and board games with the guests. Students meet and engage
with the guests who are the elderly in Georgetown.
Other retreats (e.g. student council):
Student Council meet in October to plan our school activities in the Terra
Cotta Conservation Area. We start with a liturgy and prayer, walk the trails,
plan the day and eat wraps.
A Link Crew retreat welcomes new grade 9 students to St. Roch in August.
Transition Retreats for Grade 8 students are held on Thursdays in April.
A PIP retreat is held on Wed., Sept. 30. We sing and pray, and play games,
and hike at the Terra Cotta Conservation Area. We eat at the Mandarin.
A retreat for our Hospitality Specialist students at the Terra Cotta
Conservation Area. We eat at the Mandarin.
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The Media kids, the Leadership kids, and the E.S.L. kids go on an overnight
retreat to Medeba.
The Leadership Class and Grade 10 students have a retreat at Silvercreek.
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Activities of a Religious Nature
o Each school must identify activities of a religious nature with a substantial
component of ritual and prayer (Eucharistic and Non-Eucharistic)
o Examples could include, but not limited to; school Masses, Sacrament of
Reconciliation, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Devotions etc.
Activities of a Religious Nature
with a substantial component of ritual and prayer
We have three whole school masses during the year. We celebrate them
in the gym, the whole student body sitting on the floor. Fr. Tobin says our
masses for us – opening school year mass, Advent mass and closing
school year mass. Our music students and our dance students help
facilitate our worship.
We celebrate a Graduation Mass on Tues., June 28 in the cafetorium.
We celebrate Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday in para-liturgies in the
gym, the whole student sitting on the floor. Again, music and dance
students, contribute to our worship, as well as PIP kids.
Fr. Tobin celebrates mass in our chapel every Tuesday morning before
school starts. Staff and students participate.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in our chapel in Advent and
Lent.
We have Remembrance Day celebrations and Black History month
celebrations in the cafetorium organized by the Social Science Dept.
The Music Dept. organizes a benefit concert for Syrian Refugees in
collaboration with Jamie Holtom from North Bramalea United Church..
Choirs from other schools and the local community participate. The
music is spiritual. Art works are sold, hand-made rosaries are given out to
the audience.
“Dance for a Cause” is a benefit performance organized by the Dance
Subject Council at the Rose theatre. The money goes to Share Life. Five
schools participate. The evening begins with prayer.
The Rosary Club meets once a week to make rosaries and to pray.
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A Prayer Intention Box in the Matrix.
 Other Pastoral/Outreach Activities
o These activities could include but are limited to: Remembrance Day, Earth Day,
Safe School Assemblies, Thanksgiving, Charity, social justice work, including
Share Life etc.
o For any activity involving social justice outreach in the community (food banks,
soup kitchens and so on), details must include size of the group, supervision –
must have adequate coverage in every area of the facility, safety plan, route
plan (if on an “inner city” walk), how often the activity happens (weekly,
monthly, once a year)
Pastoral Activities
Click here to enter text.
PIP kids deliver gifts for the families adopted during
our Christmas Gift Drive to Catholic Cross-Cultural
Services.
Homerooms adopt forty families during the Advent
season from the people who use the services of
Catholic Cross-Cultural Services in Brampton.
Students buy and wrap gifts for our adopted families.
Liturgies and prayer to open Staff, Parent Council and
Dept. Head meetings.
Morning reflections using scripture, interviews with
students and staff. Next year these reflections will be
done live on Roch TV.
St. Roch Choirs sing during the Advent season at
Hillsview Seniors Center, a nursing home, city hall and
Pizza Hut.
Music students performed a rock concert at a Peel
school for PIP kids.
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Pastoral Plan Development
Prayer to open Girls’ and Boys’ Nights Out, as well as
Athletic Banquet, and Awards’ Ceremonies.
Food drive in Advent and Lent.
Night Out at Chapters. Students perform in the local
Chapters to raise funds for a school in Honduras.
Music students perform in a local MacDonald’s.
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
Catholic Education Week
May 1 – 6, 2016 is Catholic Education Week.
Highlight activities or events planned for the Week:
Our theme this year is a Jubilee Year of Mercy and Joy. Why mercy and joy? Because we all need
mercy, mercy is freely given to us, and we learn to offer mercy to the world. And when we do this? We
experience the joy that comes from God. This year our main act of mercy as a school is to sponsor a
refugee family from Syria. Andrea Aghassi is a grade 12 student in St. Roch. We are sponsoring her
aunt, uncle and two cousins, who live in Damascus. Our goal is to raise $15,000.00 by the end of the
school year. This is an act of mercy, and mercy fosters joy.
This week, we will celebrate our faith with a whole school mass. Fr. Tobin will officiate.
Dr. Simone will address our graduating students. He will teach them about mercy and joy.
Our music department is organizing a choral concert with a number of the choirs from different schools
in Brampton at North Bramalea United Church. The pastor of that church, Jamie Holtom is working to
bring refugees from Syria. The concert will raised funds for this work.
Part B: The following are suggested titles for various activities that
may support the Catholic nature of the school. Feel free to add or
change as needed.
Catholicity across the school
In collaboration with each department head, departmental activities and/or events that infuse Catholic
teaching, faith formation, and Catholic culture into the curriculum and the classrooms are highlighted.
The content within the CGE Faith Planner may be used to support this portion of the Pastoral Plan.
Department
Physical Education
English
Departmental Activities and/or Events
We take care of the whole person. Our Department is a
community. We work at being inclusive. Our students set goals
and priorities in school, work and personal life. Our students
participate in leisure and fitness activities for a balanced and
healthy lifestyle.
At St. Roch, an effective communicator is a student who listens,
reads, writes and speaks clearly and critically. With our
foundation in Catholic faith traditions, our students are able to
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Pastoral Plan Development
Mathematics
Science
Guidance
Religion/Theology
History
2015-2016
understand and articulate ideas in a way that is sensitive, just
and reflective of the gospel.
In the Mathematics classroom, students will become reflective,
creative and holistic thinkers who recognize and appreciate the
power and beauty of Mathematics as a tool to describe God’s
universe.
Our focus in Science is embedded in the vision of the learner as
outlined thus: We encourage reflective, creative and holistic
thinkers who solve problems and make responsible decisions
with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
By relaying volunteer opportunities to our students and
encouraging them to complete their community hours we help
them recognize the importance of community involvement.
Students are able to recognize connections between themselves
and their community and this ultimately contributes to the
common good.
We encourage students in creating a career path that matches
their potential for success as individuals. We assist students
along the way with their life-long plan, through level and course
recommendations, monitoring student success, and postsecondary and career planning while working alongside parents
and community partners.
Students learn to respect the faith traditions, world religions and
the life journeys of all people of good will. The Theology
Department invites people of other faith traditions to come and
share their life experiences with our students. Theology classes
also hold multi-faith and cultural days. Students plan
ceremonies and illustrate rites of passage for different religious
faiths. This is done with the aid of prayer, traditional food,
garments and artifacts.
Students recognize that sin, human weakness, conflict and
forgiveness is at the heart of redemption. Through discussion,
students realize the importance of prayer in dealing with life
issues.
Students actively reflect on God’s word as communicated
through the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Students begin
class with a prayer or liturgy that they organize themselves.
They use video, song and dance.
Students are invited to join our social justice club where they
will develop attitudes and values founded on Catholic social
teaching and learn to promote social responsibility, human
solidarity and the common good.
Addressing our call to be peacemakers, we examine the just war
theory; in learning to value human life we examine the
dehumanization of people in the past from a faith perspective.
We teach informed voting, we promote Catholic social teaching
in areas of social justice, and we examine the preferential option
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Pastoral Plan Development
Geography
Family Studies
Moderns
Special Education
2015-2016
for the poor in concrete situations. We look at large systemic
injustice, advocating for the greater common good in the light of
Gospel values.
We promote stewardship of the earth; we identify the
sacramental in all of God’s creation; we promote an ethical
approach to technology and its impact; we promote the
common good over self-interest; we promote respect for all life;
we advocate for global conscience formation; we address the
geographic scope of the universal church.
We discuss a vocation to family life; we explore human sexuality
and reproduction in the context of theology of the body; we
explore sacramental marriage as a strong, supportive
environment for raising healthy children; we promote respect
for life from the moment of conception to natural death,
grounded in Catholic teaching and supported through the
biology of prenatal development; we evaluate reproductive
technology from a faith perspective, we promote a holistic and
faith approach to child development and rearing.
We promote a universal church which extends beyond language
barriers; we address intolerance, promote tolerance and respect
for others.
A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner
who demonstrates a confident and positive
sense of self and respect for the dignity and
welfare of others. In addition, a learner who
reflects on his/her personal values, abilities and
opportunities.
By teaching students about their exceptionalities and
their learning styles, we are empowering students to
recognize their strengths and build upon their unique
gifts. In addition, students are reminded that they
have diverse needs, and they are able to access
accommodations and services to best suit their needs.
Students learn to self-advocate within their classes
and are more confident in expressing what they
require. Within the Resource Room students feel
valued and respected as they have an alternative
environment which provides a quieter setting with
support by an Academic Resource Teacher. This
ultimately contributes to an increased level of
confidence and positive sense of self as the student
realizes they can learn and achieve success if they
access the appropriate supports.
The Interdisciplinary: Leadership in Education (IDC
4UE) course allows mainstream students the
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2015-2016
opportunity to better understand the diverse needs of
students and the different pathways. They assist our
exceptional students in our Locally Developed and
Applied level classes, as well as students in our
Planning for Independence Program.
The students in our Planning for Independence
Program are provided opportunities both within the
school and the community to develop their social skills
and live out their faith. The students feel dignified
and respected as they are integrated for a part of
their day into a mainstream class, and they are always
included in school events. In addition, their in-school
work placements such as collecting attendance,
gathering recycling, and tidying or library and the
chapel, create opportunities for students to engage
with others, hence creating a sense of community at
St.Roch. Finally, the Planning for Independence
students attend Grade United every week where they
prepare and deliver sandwiches to the less fortunate.
In addition to the above, the Special Education
(Academic Resource) Department will also:
1. Include a prayer on the exam cover page.
2. Include a header on our tests and exams which
reads:
I can do all things through him who
strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
3. Include a question related to Gospel values on
ARD exams.
4. Our students in the Planning for Independence
Program will make connections to the Gospel
Values and their community outings to Grace
United. For example, they will identify feeding
the less fortunate as an example of love and
compassion for one another. The teacher will
create a poster which lists the Gospel Values
and it will remain in the PIP Class as a visual
reinforcement and reminder.
A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner
who demonstrates a confident and positive
sense of self and respect for the dignity and
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
welfare of others. In addition, a learner who
reflects on his/her personal values, abilities and
opportunities.
By teaching students about their exceptionalities and
their learning styles, we are empowering students to
recognize their strengths and build upon their unique
gifts. In addition, students are reminded that they
have diverse needs, and they are able to access
accommodations and services to best suit their needs.
Students learn to self-advocate within their classes
and are more confident in expressing what they
require. Within the Resource Room students feel
valued and respected as they have an alternative
environment which provides a quieter setting with
support by an Academic Resource Teacher. This
ultimately contributes to an increased level of
confidence and positive sense of self as the student
realizes they can learn and achieve success if they
access the appropriate supports.
The Interdisciplinary: Leadership in Education (IDC
4UE) course allows mainstream students the
opportunity to better understand the diverse needs of
students and the different pathways. They assist our
exceptional students in our Locally Developed and
Applied level classes, as well as students in our
Planning for Independence Program.
The students in our Planning for Independence
Program are provided opportunities both within the
school and the community to develop their social skills
and live out their faith. The students feel dignified
and respected as they are integrated for a part of
their day into a mainstream class, and they are always
included in school events. In addition, their in-school
work placements such as collecting attendance,
gathering recycling, and tidying or library and the
chapel, create opportunities for students to engage
with others, hence creating a sense of community at
St.Roch. Finally, the Planning for Independence
students attend Grade United every week where they
prepare and deliver sandwiches to the less fortunate.
In addition to the above, the Special Education
(Academic Resource) Department will also:
5. Include a prayer on the exam cover page.
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
6. Include a header on our tests and exams which
reads:
I can do all things through him who
strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
7. Include a question related to Gospel values on
ARD exams.
Choose an item.
Our students in the Planning for Independence
Program will make connections to the Gospel Values
and their community outings to Grace United. For
example, they will identify feeding the less fortunate
as an example of love and compassion for one
another. The teacher will create a poster which lists
the Gospel Values and it will remain in the PIP Class
as a visual reinforcement and reminder
A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner
who demonstrates a confident and positive
sense of self and respect for the dignity and
welfare of others. In addition, a learner who
reflects on his/her personal values, abilities and
opportunities.
By teaching students about their exceptionalities and
their learning styles, we are empowering students to
recognize their strengths and build upon their unique
gifts. In addition, students are reminded that they
have diverse needs, and they are able to access
accommodations and services to best suit their needs.
Students learn to self-advocate within their classes
and are more confident in expressing what they
require. Within the Resource Room students feel
valued and respected as they have an alternative
environment which provides a quieter setting with
support by an Academic Resource Teacher. This
ultimately contributes to an increased level of
confidence and positive sense of self as the student
realizes they can learn and achieve success if they
access the appropriate supports.
The Interdisciplinary: Leadership in Education (IDC
4UE) course allows mainstream students the
opportunity to better understand the diverse needs of
students and the different pathways. They assist our
exceptional students in our Locally Developed and
Applied level classes, as well as students in our
Planning for Independence Program.
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
The students in our Planning for Independence
Program are provided opportunities both within the
school and the community to develop their social skills
and live out their faith. The students feel dignified
and respected as they are integrated for a part of
their day into a mainstream class, and they are always
included in school events. In addition, their in-school
work placements such as collecting attendance,
gathering recycling, and tidying or library and the
chapel, create opportunities for students to engage
with others, hence creating a sense of community at
St.Roch. Finally, the Planning for Independence
students attend Grade United every week where they
prepare and deliver sandwiches to the less fortunate.
In addition to the above, the Special Education
(Academic Resource) Department will also:
1. Include a prayer on the exam cover page.
2. Include a header on our tests and exams which
reads:
I can do all things through him who
strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
3. Include a question related to Gospel values on
ARD exams.
4. Our students in the Planning for Independence
Program will make connections to the Gospel
Values and their community outings to Grace
United. For example, they will identify feeding
the less fortunate as an example of love and
compassion for one another. The teacher will
create a poster which lists the Gospel Values
and it will remain in the PIP Class as a visual
reinforcement and reminder.
A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner
who demonstrates a confident and positive
sense of self and respect for the dignity and
welfare of others. In addition, a learner who
reflects on his/her personal values, abilities and
opportunities.
By teaching students about their exceptionalities and
their learning styles, we are empowering students to
recognize their strengths and build upon their unique
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
gifts. In addition, students are reminded that they
have diverse needs, and they are able to access
accommodations and services to best suit their needs.
Students learn to self-advocate within their classes
and are more confident in expressing what they
require. Within the Resource Room students feel
valued and respected as they have an alternative
environment which provides a quieter setting with
support by an Academic Resource Teacher. This
ultimately contributes to an increased level of
confidence and positive sense of self as the student
realizes they can learn and achieve success if they
access the appropriate supports.
The Interdisciplinary: Leadership in Education (IDC
4UE) course allows mainstream students the
opportunity to better understand the diverse needs of
students and the different pathways. They assist our
exceptional students in our Locally Developed and
Applied level classes, as well as students in our
Planning for Independence Program.
The students in our Planning for Independence
Program are provided opportunities both within the
school and the community to develop their social skills
and live out their faith. The students feel dignified
and respected as they are integrated for a part of
their day into a mainstream class, and they are always
included in school events. In addition, their in-school
work placements such as collecting attendance,
gathering recycling, and tidying or library and the
chapel, create opportunities for students to engage
with others, hence creating a sense of community at
St.Roch. Finally, the Planning for Independence
students attend Grade United every week where they
prepare and deliver sandwiches to the less fortunate.
In addition to the above, the Special Education
(Academic Resource) Department will also:
5. Include a prayer on the exam cover page.
6. Include a header on our tests and exams which
reads:
I can do all things through him who
strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
7. Include a question related to Gospel values on
ARD exams.
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Pastoral Plan Development
2015-2016
Our students in the Planning for Independence
Program will make connections to the Gospel Values
and their community outings to Grace United. For
example, they will identify feeding the less fortunate
as an example of love and compassion for one
another. The teacher will create a poster which lists
the Gospel Values and it will remain in the PIP Class
as a visual reinforcement and reminder
Library
Through Catholic teachings, students are taught to develop
critical thinking and gospel based values, using various types of
media. Information literacy is defined as the ability to access,
select, gather, critically evaluate, create and communicate
information through a constant stream, of ideas, informationonline, in print, and through electronic games and mass media.
Students become risk-takers, and develop their spiritual and
intellectual lives by collaborating with peers, and with their
Catholic teachers. As students move through their years of
Catholic education, they encounter an ever-widening range of
texts. They will need skills to determine where to direct their
attention and how to interpret messages and use them
appropriately. Catholic education provides youth strong values
that will lead them to success in their post graduate years.
Choose an item.
School Environment reflective of our Faith
These religious icons, symbols and visible expressions of our Catholic identity are present in the school
environment:
A rough wooden cross surrounded by plants and vines and a statue of St. Roch greet visitors to our
school in the front matrix.
We have a collection of framed pictures outside the chapel.
Each classroom has a cross made in Haiti painted with the faces of the people of God.
Collaborative School Culture
These activities are organized by the School Catholic Community Culture and Caring Action
Team:
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Posters around the school advertising our fundraising for the Aghassi family. This is a whole school
effort, initiated by students.
Parish Connections
Planned and existing initiatives that maintain and enhance positive relationships with the local parish
communities:
Fr. Tobin has graciously agreed to work with us.
Staff Faith Development
Catechesis and faith formation among our staff:
Morning reflections and staff meetings are times for communal prayer. Staff
liturgies are organized for our PA Days.
Transitions
Students supported in the area of Transitioning from Grade 8 to Grade 9, from Grade 12 to Post
Secondary as well as from one grade to another:
A Transitions Committee organizes three retreat days for our Grade 8 students
from our feeder schools.
Vocations
Vocations to religious life and pastoral ministries promoted through:
Interested students attend the Diocesan Ordinandi celebration and meal.
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Pastoral Plan Development
Signature Page
Pastor
Chaplaincy Leader
Faith Ambassador(s) (as applicable)
Department Heads (as applicable)
Chair of Catholic School Council
Vice Principal(s)
Principal
Superintendent
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2015-2016