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Welcome
to St. Mary Catholic School!
Located in Mount Forest, a picturesque small town of 5000
people at the source of the Saugeen River, St. Mary's is the
most northern school in the Wellington Catholic Board.
This dynamic school community is supported by St. Mary parish
and enjoys ties to the surrounding communities of Harriston,
Clifford and Kenilworth.
We're a small town school with a great big heart!
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Mission Statement
St. Mary Catholic School promotes the mission of Jesus Christ through love, compassion, service, dedication and discipline by recognizing that each individual is unique and capable.
We are committed to promoting excellence in Catholic Education. Our mission is to support Catholicity within the school, family, church, and community by helping each child to achieve his/her full spiritual, intellectual, social, physical and emotional potential.
School History
The
first Roman Catholic School was established in the village
of Mount Forest in 1867 during the pastorate of Rev. Father
Maheut on the present site of St. Mary’s Rectory on
Queen Street. The modern five room school was built in 1953
under the direction of Father T. Doyle. Later additional
space was provided for Kindergarten classes on the upper
floor of the auditorium, and another addition to the school
provided extra rooms in 1983. Extensive renovations to St.
Mary School have just been completed in 2004; these include
a new parking lot, a welcoming foyer and administrative
offices; new classrooms from grades JK - 3, as well as a
modern Science Lab and library. Attendance has grown from
100 pupils in 1952 to the present enrollment of 251in 2005.
In
1908, the first Sisters came to St. Mary’s to staff
the school. From 1932 to 1943 lay teachers were employed
by the local Separate School board. The Sisters returned
to Mount Forest in 1943 and remained until 1978. Lay teachers
were added to the staff during the 60’s and 70’s
to augment the teaching staff. The shortage of religious
teachers was felt as early as the 1950’s, partly due
to an increase in the number of Separate Schools in the
diocese. St. Mary School has kept its close ties to the
parish. The school celebrates Mass each Friday morning and
Father Farwell enjoys nurturing the students through First
Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation preparation.
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