| Message from the Director |
|
An Overview
We begin another calendar year and do so with a sense of enthusiasm for past work and the
optimism associated with continued support of student success in all aspects of their lives. We
acknowledge the importance of their spiritual development and subsequent attention to matters
of life lessons from the life of Christ. This is followed by our relentless commitment to student
achievement in curriculum, in course work and in the array of co-curricular activities that are all
important in their current roles of students and later citizens of the earth.
Late in 2009, we suddenly lost Larry Kelly.
Larry was a leader, a contributor, a mentor, a teacher, and an active member of this community.
During his short time with us he became an intrinsic part of the thread of the tapestry of
Wellington Catholic. His physical presence will be missed but his legacy of service and work
will always be a part of this organization. We offer our condolences to his family at this very
difficult time.
During the first quarter of 2010 we expect to receive the results of the intensive Operational
Review that was conducted in the past few weeks. This exercise focused on Governance, Finance
and Human Resource operations that are pivotal to our success. We participated in the process at
about the mid-point of similar reviews in each of the 72 school districts in the province. The
work was led by the consulting division of Peat Marwick. This third party review is clearly about
the process of continuous improvement to which we have always had a commitment.
During the month of February we shall be meeting to review our measured objectives for the past
year and will be creating a multi-year strategic plan for the District. Members of the senior team
will be seeking input from all groups within the District as we move forward in developing
SMART goals for the next few years. This process will be a continuation of our work and will
clearly establish identifiable and measurable objectives to anchor us in our core work.
One of the clearly defined goals from last year's strategic plan was to create an emergent
structure and process for matters related to Educational and Information Technology that will
effectively serve the academic and corporate divisions of the District. We have recruited and
hired a Chief Information Officer who will provide continued leadership in this area. At this
time, I extend a profound vote of thanks to Brenda Kenney for her dedicated work in this
strategic area. She participated in the selection process and will continue to provide leadership in
technology.
Catholicity
- The official opening and blessing of the Student Retreat Centre & Chapel is on Thursday,
February 4 at the site. Bishop Bergie and over 50 invited guests who have had a prominent
role in the development of the Centre will be on hand for the liturgy. Thanks to Fr. Jim
Profit, SJ and others at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre for their assistance in this event
- The naming of the Student Retreat Centre will be announced at the official blessing. Students
from any of our schools are eligible for this as they submit proposals with a rationale for their
choice.
- Thanks to the Catholicity Council for their sponsorship of the 2009 Advent Poster that was
designed and produced by students in the Bishop Macdonell Design/Print Shop at the school.
Next year's poster will be designed and produced by one of our other secondary schools.
- The Strategic Planning sessions involving this year's Catholicity Council are complete. A
work plan of invitation to all in the District will be available for everyone by way of the
regular communications from Co-Chairs, Richard Olson & Mike MacPherson. The
participation at this year's Memorial Mass was at capacity and we look forward to another
full house at the Seder Meal in the coming months. In addition to these special liturgical
events, the Council continues to offer resources and ideas that will bring students, staff and
faculty closer to the teachings of our model, Jesus Christ.
- Sincere thanks to each of our secondary Chaplains for their leadership in the Retreat Program
and growing use of the Student Retreat Centre and Loyola House. We appreciate their
flexibility as we continue to make physical improvements at the Centre.
- Tax receipts from the 2009 Bishop’s Dinner are in the process of distribution. Please plan for
the 8th annual Bishop’s Dinner on Thursday, October 7, 2010.
Student Achievement
- During the first term or semester Program Staff have visited each elementary school in
support of the measurable goals for student improvement that are on the school improvement
plans. They have been impressed with the more definitive objectives for all student
achievement and will continue to work with each site as we move together in the challenging
work of changing instructional practice to maximize the learning of all students.
- The Student Success Committee at secondary have created another comprehensive Course
Calendar for the 2010-2011 year. It is very well done and clearly has a great deal of detail in
outlining the many programs and services offered in any of our high schools.
- As with all other Districts we have submitted our recommendations for appropriate
elementary schools in which to offer the all day, every day program in JK/K. These
recommendations are for the first year of the program as in five years all sites in the District
will offer this new program. We hope to have approval from the Ministry prior to the JK/K
registration process later this month.
- Thanks to Jan Teeter & Vince Campolongo for their work in the creation of a Character
Education document that was funded per the Ministry and the Council of English Catholic
Directors. We were successful in seeking funding for the development of this resource for
teachers in the intermediate division. It has just been published and will be available to
schools in the coming month
- Congratulations to everyone at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School as they have been
selected by the Ministry as a Mentoring site for other schools in the Province of Ontario. I
had the honour of announcing this at my visit to the school in December. It speaks well to the
effectiveness of instructional leadership in this venue and in all others across the District.
Site Improvement
- Congratulations to Rae Walton and his team whose preparatory work has allowed the District
to secure four major energy retrofitting grants in our schools. We are part of a number of
Consortia across the province in these initiatives and the results to accrue will allow us to
continue in the creative and efficient use of energy in selected sites. A press release in this
regard has gone to the media.
- During the latter part of the fall the Accommodations & Boundaries committee chaired by
Dan Duszczyszyn has prepared recommendations for the boundary designations between St.
Paul & St. Ignatius schools. This information is being presented at a public meeting at St.
Paul on January 5. The recommendations are based upon the third party review of the
Ammandolia Planning Group whose expertise in planning and enrolment projections has
served us well in the past.
- St. Joseph Catholic School is on schedule and is expected to open in September 2010. We are
also anticipating the opening of St. Ignatius at the same time. These are two major projects
that will serve students in central and south Guelph for many years to come.
- St. John Bosco is another site that will officially open in September. This is our secondary
alternative high school that operates in a number of community venues. It currently serves
many students whose success, despite some serious challenges, has been exceptional.
Although it has been operating for a few months its official opening and blessing will be in
the fall of 2010. The Principal is Eileen Clinton.
- This summer we expect to be hosting the Summer School program for secondary students in
the City of Guelph & the County of Wellington. The venue will likely be St. James High
School. The demolition of the Demountable Portables on that site about a year ago provides
the campus with additional parking.
Quality
- Congratulations to all who have continued to demonstrate community leadership in the
annual United Way campaign. As you may know, we exceeded our ambitious goal in
providing over $60,000 to this campaign. We have been the leader in consistency and
participation rates in the public sector for many years. Cathy Dalicandro once again provided
exceptional leadership towards this success.
- This summer we are collaborating with Halton and Niagara Catholic District School Boards
in again offering the full high school credit program in Italy. Beginning in June, our students
will participate in some in class work here in Canada. This will be enhanced by their travels
to a number of key regions within Italy in July. The lead on the program is Germano Carbone
who can be reached at St James High School.
- Later this month the annual CEO conference will have all Directors and Supervisory Officers
of Business together with Ministry officials in a series of workshops and presentations. On
the morning of the first day the Senior Administrative Team from Wellington has been
invited to make a 2 hour presentation on some of our practices that may be relevant to other
Catholic Districts in the Province of Ontario. This invitation was premised on the work of
this District which is held in high regard by others in the province.
- We are currently represented on the Local Immigration Partnership Council which is a city
initiative that promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the personal journeys of so
many newcomers to our community. We offer services in English to their children as a vital
service to success in a new culture. We have an obligation and moral responsibility to more
fully understand the context of their lives as they make the effort to become an integral part
of Canadian culture.
Happy New Year to each of you and your families!
Sincerely
Don Drone
Director of Education & CEO
Wellington Catholic District School Board
75 Woolwich St.
Guelph, Ontario
NIH6N6 |
SCHOOLS |
DEPARTMENTS |
TRUSTEES |
ADMINISTRATION |
EMPLOYMENT
