Principal's Message

Topic: Building Success Together: The Roles that Support Our School Community

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

Now that we are well into Semester 2, it’s a great time to recognize the many individuals who work together to create a supportive and positive environment for all students. From leadership to teaching and guidance, each role plays an important part in ensuring the success of our students as we approach the end of the year. Here’s a reminder of some of the key roles within our school community:

Teachers:
Teachers play a crucial role in shaping students' educational experiences. They are responsible for preparing lessons, managing classrooms, and guiding students both academically and socially. Teachers ensure a respectful and inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. They work closely with students, parents/guardians, and school staff to help each student reach their full potential.

Guidance Counsellor:
Our guidance counsellors are here to help students and their families with academic and personal matters. They provide support for course selection, career planning, and post-graduation choices. Additionally, the guidance counsellor is available to assist with personal challenges students may face. Parents/Guardians are welcome to reach out to the guidance counsellor for advice and support as well.

School Social Worker:

Our school’s Social Worker provides valuable counseling services for students who consent to Social Work support. They offer guidance and assistance related to mental health and overall well-being, ensuring students have access to programs and resources tailored to their needs. The Social Worker helps students navigate challenges and offers a safe space to talk. Students can easily self-refer to meet with the Social Worker by visiting the Social Work page on their secondary school website, or by reaching out through the Guidance department or school administration.

Special Education Staff:

Our Special Education staff plays a key role in supporting students with diverse learning needs. They assist students in setting personal goals, developing self-advocacy skills, and improving learning strategies. For students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP), the Special Education team helps them understand their unique learner profile, including their strengths, needs, and the accommodations or modifications that will support their success. They work closely with classroom teachers to provide tailored strategies, resources, and diagnostic assessments that enhance student engagement, well-being, and academic achievement. The collaborative effort ensures that all students receive the support they need to thrive in their learning environment.

Student Success Teacher:

The Student Success Teacher plays a vital role in supporting all students and ensuring their academic success. They collaborate with staff across the school to monitor and track students who may be "at-risk," such as those struggling with credit accumulation or re-engagement. By working closely with parents and the wider community, they help create a network of support for these students. The Student Success Teacher also provides a range of programs and resources to promote success, including credit recovery, study halls, learning strategies courses, peer tutoring, and eLearning opportunities. Their efforts are focused on ensuring every student has the tools and support needed to succeed academically.

Principals/Vice-Principals:
Principals and vice-principals play a key role in the overall management and leadership of the school. Principals are responsible for developing and maintaining effective educational programs, ensuring high-quality learning experiences for all students. They also work closely with students, parents, and guardians to address concerns and provide support. In addition, principals oversee school discipline, create a safe and inclusive environment, and offer professional development opportunities for staff. Vice-principals assist the principal in these tasks, helping to manage the daily operations of the school and providing additional support for students and staff. Together, principals and vice-principals foster a positive and productive school culture and encourage strong partnerships between the school and the community.

Other School Staff:
Our school is supported by many other staff members, such as the school secretary, who provides information and helps students and families navigate the school. Our team of custodians work hard to keep our school clean and safe. Additionally, there are specialists who visit on certain days, such as social workers or speech therapists, offering services to further support students’ needs.

In conclusion, it is the combined efforts of all these dedicated individuals that make our school a place where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Whether through direct academic support, personal guidance, or the creation of a positive school culture, each staff member plays an essential role in nurturing our students' growth and well-being. As we continue through the remainder of the school year, we remain committed to working together as a community to provide the resources, care, and encouragement needed for every student to thrive. Thank you to all our students, families, and staff for your ongoing dedication and collaboration in making our school a supportive and enriching environment.

On behalf of the entire school, I want to wish all of our students, families, and staff a relaxing and enjoyable March Break. Take this time to recharge, have fun, and come back ready to finish the school year strong!

Resources: https://settlement.org/ and https://www.hdsb.ca/students/Pages/Secondary-School.aspx

Kindly,

Luisa Botelho

This year, we have been sharing our Equity & Inclusive Education section on a standalone page on our site. 

Please click here to learn about the various days of significance throughout the year.

Days of significance added this week:

• Purim

• Hola Mohalla

• Chet

• Holi

• Nowruz

• Ostara

• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

• World Down Syndrome Day

• World Water Day

Graduation Packages Now Available for Purchase

Grade 12 Graduation will be on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 pm at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex (3070 Neyagawa Blvd, Oakville, ON L6M 4L6). More details will be shared closer to the time.

Grad packages are now ready for purchase on School Cash Online for $50 and the package includes 2 tickets each for guests to attend, a gown and Class of 2025 cap, as well as a professional photo that will be taken at commencement. Please order your packages as soon as possible and before the deadline on March 31.

Please note that all students who are attending Commencement must purchase a grad package. If you need financial assistance with this purchase, please reach out to our Principal Luisa Botelho directly.

Note about tickets:

Students will be allowed up to 2 tickets (paperless) so that 2 guests can attend commencement. We will run a lottery for the chance to get 1 additional ticket. We will communicate with families through email, google classrom, the Principal's Blog, and our website when the sign up for the lottery opens in May 2025. It is not first come first served, just a random lottery system. 

Materials Olympics

On February 21, members of our STEM club went to participate in the Materials Olympics Competition at McMaster University. 

The competition was based on four challenges: 

1. To design the most structurally-sound geodesic dome, which was brought to the competition and crushed under a hydraulic press; 

2. To create a series of wires with a given resistance; 

3. To find microscopic images using a light microscope; and 

4. To achieve the highest score in a materials engineering trivia competition. 

We are incredibly proud to say that one of our teams brought home a $300 prize for the best non-metal dome design, and the other team achieved the fastest time in their round in the resistance competition. Students also had the chance to tour the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, and see the inner workings of electron microscopes and how they're used in materials engineering.

Order Your Yearbook Today

Don't forget to order your copy of the 2024-2025 yearbook before it's too late. Yearbooks are available to order on School Cash Online only. We do not order extra copies so you must order online before the deadline to be able to get a copy of the yearbook.

If you don't see the fee available on School Cash Online it is most likely because you have already purchased the yearbook for this year. Please check in your purchase history to confirm. 

Don't miss out on ordering this keepsake!

Fashion Forward Open Houses

Thank you to everyone who was able to donate formal wear to the Fashion Forward project. The open houses are scheduled in February through May for students to select, at no cost, donated formal wear for upcoming prom/graduation celebrations.

Students will have the opportunity to view and try on formal wear in a friendly and welcoming environment. Students may select from a variety of new and gently-used attire that has been donated for proms, graduations, and other special events. Many different styles, colours, and sizes of formal dresses will be available as well as suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories.

The Open Houses will be held on the following dates:

• Monday, March 31 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

• Wednesday, April 2 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

• Wednesday, May 7 from 3:30 - 8 p.m. at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton)

An opportunity will be made available for gender diverse youth who require a private shopping experience between the hours of 3 - 3:30 p.m.

Swim Team at OFSAA

The Garth Webb Swim team had an AMAZING showing at OFSAA this past week. They had two long but rewarding days of competition, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts. Each one of them improved their times from GHAC, which is a fantastic achievement.

The girls team swam in the second-to-last event, so it was certainly a challenging few days for them. Despite the long hours and demanding schedule, they remained focused and determined throughout the competition and it really paid off.

Results

• Charlotte Horbow came in 25th in the 100m Backstroke and 43rd in the 100m Freestyle

• Jessica Taddeo had a personal best in the 100m Breaststroke and came in 19th in 100 IM

• Our relay team (Charlotte Horbow, Sidney Patrick, Aditi Sarpal, Sienna Sevenpifer, and Jessica Taddeo) came in 29th in the 400m Freestyle

Congratulations to all swimmers on a fantastic season! A big thank you to coach Ms. Morley for her work with the team this season and thank you to Ms. Coe for joining the team at GHAC and Ms. Pedlar for joining the team at OFSAA.

March Break Open Houses

Looking for something to do over the March Break? Many post secondary schools offer Open Houses for interested students. It is an opportunity to see the institutions prior to making decisions about applications

March University Events

College Recruitment Events

Tuesdays @Ten - March 18

Date: 

Our previously scheduled Tuesdays @Ten for March has been postponed until after March Break and will now happen on Tuesday, March 18 at 10 am.

Topic:

This month we will welcome Heather Fawcett from Sheridan College to highlight the different programs offered at Sheridan, including their various degree programs.

A link will be sent to families on March 17, 2025.

Community Opportunities - University of Toronto

For Black History Month, UofT wanted to share a few more opportunities for students to connect with U of T as well as some engaging outreach programs with applications that are currently open. Please see our Equity & Outreach Community Newsletter - February 2025 

1. Black Rotman Commerce: Black Student Leadership Conference 

   • Program Date: March 12, 2025 

   • Location: U of T St. George campus

   • Age group: Students currently in Grades 9-12

   • In partnership with the Black Rotman Commerce student group, Rotman Commerce is excited to host an engaging afternoon of hands-on training in the core business competencies of trading and case study. Prospective Black students are invited to campus to gain an introduction to the fields of finance and business problem-solving through seminars hosted by current Rotman Commerce students and staff. Participants will also apply their learnings and compete for prizes.

Click here to Register

2. Reach Ahead to Kinesiology 

   • Program Dates: March 12 -14, 2025 

   • Location: U of T St. George campus

   • Age group: Students currently in Grades 10-11

   • Application deadline: When capacity is reached

   • Reach Ahead to Kinesiology is an access program that invites Black and Indigenous Ontario high school students to attend the Faculty for five days over March Break. Participants are provided with experiential learning and programming on the kinesiology student experience, and explore the Faculty's curricular offerings, research focus, career pathways and more.

Click here to APPLY

3. Summer Mentorship Program (Temerty Faculty of Medicine)

   • Program Dates: July 2-25, 2025

   • Location: U of T St. George campus

   • Age group: Students currently in Grades 10-11

   • Application deadline: March 23, 2025 (with preference to apply as soon as possible)

   • The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) gives high school students who self-identify as Indigenous or Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, or multi-racial students who have and identify with their Black ancestry, a chance to explore health sciences at the University of Toronto over four weeks in July.

Click here to APPLY

4. Blueprint (Engineering Outreach)

   • Program Dates: July 7-August 1, 2025

   • Location: U of T St. George campus

   • Age group: Students currently in Grades 10-11

   • Application deadline: March 28, 2025

   • Blueprint is an academic enrichment experience designed for motivated Black students passionate about science and engineering. Students will learn the Engineering Design Process, apply it to real-world issues, and take two engineering-focused courses with lab components.

Click here to APPLY

Scholarships and Awards

Community Awards (Rotary, Halton Learning Foundation, Maycourt, CFUW, Lion's club, Chinese Canadian Association)

It's that time of year when applications open for the various community awards. All information can be found on the online awards hub. Please take a look at the site and direct any questions you may have to your guidance counsellor. Students are encouraged to create an account and review the various awards criteria. Please note that most application deadlines are in the spring.

Awards Hub

Grade 12 - Graduation Requirements

This message is a reminder of some important information as you navigate the postsecondary application process and completion of the final graduation requirements.

Community Hours

Students need to submit 40 community hours no later than May 1, 2025 for completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students can submit their hours HERE. If needed, they can complete our recording form found HERE.

Online Learning Requirement

Students are also required to take two e-learning credits to graduate. However, students can opt out by returning this form to Student Services.

Scholarships

Information will be posted on the Grade 12 Google Classroom stream as well as in a document in Classwork. Information can also be found via the HDSB website: HDSB Scholarship Resources.

More details and resources on the above information can be found in our Grade 12 Presentation and Resource Slide Deck: Grade 12 Presentation 2024.

Volunteer Club

Volunteer Club dedicates to provide more volunteering opportunities to our students. Our goal is to make the information more accessible for everyone. We post opportunities weekly with all of the information included in our google classroom! If you want to learn more about our club and wish to find more opportunities, please join our google classroom through code: dtpah5l.

 You can also find us on instagram (@gwss.volunteer), LinkedIn (GWSS Volunteer Club), and Twitter (@gwss_volunteer)! If you have any question, feel free to email us at gwssvolunteerclub@gmail.com.

Opportunity for this Week:

Royal City Soccer Club is looking for volunteers!

• Program Name: Royal City Soccer Club Summer Volunteer Program

• Ages: 14+ (high school students)

• Dates: Weekly camp sessions from June 30 to August 29, 2025

• Locations: Click here for location details near you

• Roles and Responsibilities: Assisting camp staff with activities, mentoring young campers, organizing games, and creating a fun and safe environment.

Students can apply for our volunteer program through our website by completing a volunteer application found here: https://royalsoccer.com/employment/ontario/

 If students have any questions, reach out at volunteer@royalsoccer.com or 1-800-427-0536.

April is HLF Month at HDSB!

The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) is excited to launch our second annual HLF Month, “The Start of Potential,” in April 2025. Building on last year’s success, this month is packed with opportunities for our community to unite, raise awareness, and tackle the financial challenges that prevent students from accessing a full education.

Mark your calendars for the “Students in the Spotlight” live performance on April 30, 2025, at Burlington Central High School! Don’t miss out—audition submissions close on Friday, March 7, at 5:00 pm. We encourage your students to perfect their video auditions and submit them before the deadline.

For further details, please check out HLF Month page, and if you have any questions please send an email to Fadwa Hadeed. 

Let’s make this HLF Month unforgettable—together, we can unleash the potential in every student!

HDSB Mental Health and Well-Being Programs

The HDSB is offering mental health and well-being programs for students and families this winter and spring. We encourage families to review these opportunities and registration information. 

Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians

The HDSB has announced additional mental health & well-being information sessions for parents/guardians this Winter and Spring. Each session will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources. 

The upcoming sessions include: 

• Supporting Elementary-Aged Students with Anxiety: Practical Strategies and Interventions - Tuesday, March 18 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• Navigating Mental Health Resources for Children and Teens: A Guide for Parents/Guardians - Tuesday, March 25 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about the sessions available by visiting our Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions webpage and register online by completing the registration form.  

Mental Health & Well-Being Resources

The mental health and well-being of our students and families is important. We encourage all families to view the HDSB’s Mental Health & Well-Being webpage which has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being and how to get additional support at school and in the community.

Upcoming Key Dates

Mar 10 - 14 Spring Break

Mar 18 Tuesdays @Ten

Mar 26 CP Day (late start at 9:30 am)

Mar 27 Parent/Teacher Interviews 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Apr 1 Tuesdays @Ten

Apr 4 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Apr 16 First Day of Semester 2, Term 2

Apr 18 Good Friday - No Classes

Apr 21 Easter Monday - No Classes

Apr 23 CP Day (late start at 9:30 am)

Apr 23 OUAC/OCAS Upload

Apr 25 Semester 2 Mid-Semester Reports Issued

May 2 Full Disclosure Date

May 6 Tuesdays @Ten

May 19 Victoria Day Holiday - No Classes

May 21 CP Day (late start at 9:30 am)

May 22 15th Week in Danger Reports Emailed

Jun 3 Tuesdays @Ten

Jun 19-25 Semester 2 Final Evaluation Block

Jun 25 Class of 2025 Commencement @Sixteen Mile Creek 7:30 pm

Jun 26 Exam Review Day

Jun 26 Last Day of Classes for Semester 2

Jun 27 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Jul 2 OUAC/OCAS Upload

Jul 4 Final Report Cards Sent Electronically