Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The Graduate is expected to be:
- A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith
community, who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God’s
Presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness,
reflection and moral living.
- An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens
honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel
values.
- A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems
and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience
for the common good.
- A self-directed, responsible, life-long learner who develops
and demonstrates their God-given potential.
- A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and
vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes
to the common good.
- A caring family member who attends to family, parish, and the
wider community.
- A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social
teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human
life.
How do I register?
Students not attending a Wellington Catholic elementary school
must submit complete address details to identify which Catholic
High School serves their area. Once boundary information is
obtained, contact the Guidance Department of the secondary school
for registration forms, course calendar, and option sheet. An
evening information session for parents and grade 8 students is
also offered in February.
To confirm your boundary area, submit a request in writing to
buwebinquiry@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca. State that you wish to
confirm a secondary school boundary and provide your complete
address, including postal code.
Students in grade 8 attending a Wellington Catholic elementary
school will meet with representatives from the Administration and
Guidance Department of the designated Catholic secondary school.
Registration forms, course calendars and option sheets will be
provided.
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Contact Information
Orientation and information meetings can be scheduled to
explain registration, programs, co-curricular life, and graduation
requirements. If you have any questions or concerns please feel
free to contact our Catholic secondary schools. The Principals and
Vice Principals will be pleased to assist you.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School
54 Westmount Road, Guelph, N1H 5H7
Telephone: (519) 836-2170
Principal: Mr. John Candiotto - e-mail:
pat_rocheleau@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
Vice Principals: Mr. Frank Cecchetto -
e-mail: Frank_Cecchetto@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
Ms. Brenda Kenney - e-mail:
brenda_kenney@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
St. James Catholic High School
57 Victoria Road, Guelph, N1E 5G9
Telephone: (519) 822-4290
Principal: Mr. Peter Ingram - e-mail:
pingram@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
Vice Principals: Miss Dolores Bergin - e-mail:
Dolores_Bergin@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
Mr. Will Lenssen - e-mail:
willen@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
Bishop Macdonell High School
200 Clair Road, Guelph
Offsite Telephone: (519) 822-8502
Principal: Mr. Joe Vadala - e-mail:
joe_vadala@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
Vice principal: Mr. Ted Laxton - e-mail:
ted_laxton@wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca
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Programs
Overview: Course Selection and Post-Secondary Options
Students, with their parents and teachers, choose grade 9 and
10 courses based on student interests, needs and achievements. In
these years, students select an appropriate combination of Open,
Applied and Academic courses in order to add to their knowledge,
improve their skills, explore interests and determine the type of
educational program that best accommodates their plans once they
graduate. Students are not required to make binding decisions
about a particular educational or career path, however,
pre-requisites for future courses need to be considered.
In grades 11 and 12, students will chose University,
University/College, or Workplace courses. These choices will
determine the student’s path after graduation.
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What does Academic, Applied and Open Courses mean?
Academic and Applied refers to course levels available to grade
9 and 10 students before they need to make a choice through course
selection to attend University, University/College or enter the
workplace following graduation. Choosing between Academic or
Applied pertains only to these years allowing the freedom to
explore what style of learning best suits students, however, their
choices (especially in Grade 10) will largely determine their
eligibility to access certain courses in grades 11 and 12.
Choosing courses carefully is still therefore recommended.
Cross-Over Courses allow a student to change from an applied level
course to an academic level course within grades nine and ten.
Academic courses focus on the essential and supplementary
concepts of a subject and develop students’ knowledge and skills
through the study of theory and abstract problems. There are some
practical applications.
Applied courses focus on the essential concepts of a subject
and develop students’ knowledge and skills through practical
applications and concrete examples.
Open courses are designed to prepare students for further study
of subject, and enrich their education generally. Open courses are
not available in the Academic or Applied levels but rather have
expectations that are appropriate for all students. Examples of
such courses are physical education, drama and music.
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Grade 9 Course of Study
Compulsory courses:
- Theology
- Canadian Geography
- English
- French
- Mathematics and Science
Students will also select 2
elective courses from a variety of areas:
- Art
- Drama
- Music
- Physical Education
- Technological Studies
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How Elective Courses are Chosen
The elective credits are selected by students from available
courses. It is important to choose these electives in consultation
with parents, teachers and guidance personnel. Students should
consider prerequisite requirements for future courses,
post-secondary plans, as well as, ability, interests and
motivation when making their selections.
Grade 11 and 12 Course Selection Options
It is in these years that students will chose between
University, University/College and Workplace Courses. This choice
is a decision that will determine the student’s plans after
graduation. Similar to cross-over courses in grades 9 and 10,
transfer courses allow some flexibility if a student decides to
change where she or he would like to go after they finish high
school. Transfer courses are partial credit courses students are
required to complete if they opt to change their post secondary
destination. These courses cover expectations not covered in a
subject specific course that the students have previously
completed. Transfer courses occur between grades 10 and 11 or
grades 11 and 12. A student committed to completing a transfer
course will need to register for the course during the summer
school session.
Cooperative Education is an option for senior high school
students to work in a community placement that allows them to
expand and practice the knowledge and skills learned in the
classroom. Students generally spend half of the day at school and
the other half at their placement. It is an excellent way to gain
valuable work experience and to explore a potential career path.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a new,
specialized Cooperative program that offers senior students the
opportunity to train as registered apprentices while they are
still involved in high school. It allows students to earn credits
toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and complete
some of the training needed for a Certificate of Qualification in
a skilled trade such as auto service technician, machinist, or
cook.
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Theology Program
Catholicity is a priority in all aspects of the educational
journey. The school, home and church are partners in education and
faith development of students.
Included in the curriculum is a yearly program of religion and
family life education. Students explore a variety of topics
related to the themes of person-hood, interpersonal relationships
and sexuality. Learning objectives contribute to: an understanding
of the joys and demands of following in the way of Christ, the
relevance of religious convictions within contemporary culture,
fostering a respect of varying world views while affirming the
Catholic faith’s answer to life’s meaning.
Celebration of mass, the sacraments, and opportunities to be
involved in a vibrant peer ministry are a regular part of student
life. Each secondary school also has a chaplain available to
students seeking guidance in their spiritual and personal
development.
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Co-Curricular Activities
Students are strongly encouraged to become involved in
extra-curricular activities offered by their school. Participation
allows the student to develop interests, gain experience, further
social skills, improve organization and time management skills,
and add to their overall sense of community during their high
school careers. Clubs, special activities, programs and athletics
are abundant and may include or exceed the following:
| Badminton |
Baseball |
Basketball |
Chess Club |
| Choir |
Cross-Country Skiing |
Debating Club |
Film and Fashion |
| Fitness Centre |
Football |
Golf |
Hockey |
| Intramural Sports |
Library Club |
Music |
Photography |
| Peer Ministry |
Radio |
School Newspaper |
Soccer |
| Special Olympics |
Student Council |
Tennis |
Theatre |
| Track and Field |
Volleyball |
Writing Club |
Yearbook Committee |
For specific information on extra-curricular activities please
feel free to contact the school.
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Community Involvement
All students must complete 40 hours of community involvement.
The 40 hours is not part of a credit course and is completed
outside of regular classroom hours. The 40 hour requirement may be
completed at any time during the student’s secondary school
experience. Students, along with their parents, have the
responsibility for selecting their own community involvement
activities. Guidelines have been established by the Ministry of
Education and the Wellington Catholic District School Board. A
pamphlet, that further explains the community involvement
requirements, is available in each secondary school and will be
distributed to each student.
Special Education Programs
It is the philosophy of the Wellington Catholic District School
Board that all students receive an education suited to their needs
and abilities, in the community school and in the regular
classroom for as much of the instructional day as possible.
Special Education services provided for students with special
needs in the elementary setting continue in the high school
environment. A close liaison exists between the elementary school
and the secondary school to ensure that appropriate programming is
in place from the beginning of the student’s secondary school
experience.
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Essential and Alternative Programs
In some cases, students entering secondary school require a
differentiated program as they work toward an Ontario Secondary
School Diploma, an Ontario Secondary School Certificate or a
Certificate of Accomplishment.
The Essential Program is designed for students whose Individual
Education Plan indicates the student is working on grade 5-7
expectations from the Ontario Curriculum in Mathematics and
Science and/or English. If students successfully complete
Essential Courses they will achieve credits.
The Alternative Program is designed for students working on
individualized expectations that are not derived from the Ontario
Curriculum. Students will not achieve credits in Alternative
Courses. Students in the Alternative Program will work to achieve
a Certificate of Accomplishment.
Some students may choose Alternative Courses from Mathematics,
Science or English. Students who study a combination of
Alternative and Essential Courses can work towards an Ontario
Secondary School Certificate.
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Guidance and Career Resources
Each high school guidance centre provides a variety of
resources by which students can research career options,
employment trends, post-secondary sites as well as admission
requirements to post-secondary destinations. These centres host
several computers as well as a variety of other resources for
career and post secondary planning.
Support Services
The school chaplain, guidance counselors, school social worker,
public health nurse, substance abuse worker and police services
provide a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary team which individuals
or groups can access. If required, further assistance is available
through our Community Shared Services Group.
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Graduation Requirements
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Students must earn a
minimum of 30 credits, including 22 compulsory and 8 optional
credits.
- 4 credits in Theology (1 credit per grade)
- 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
- 1 credit in French as a Second Language
- 3 credits in Mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
- 2 credits in Science
- 1 credit in Canadian History
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography
- 1 credit in the Arts
- 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
- 0.5 credits in Civics
- 0.5 Credits in Career Studies
Plus
- 1 additional credit in English, or a third language, or
Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian World Studies
- 1
additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or the Arts,
or Business Studies
- 1 additional credit in Science (Grade 11 or
12) or Technological Education (Grades 9-12)
Additional Diploma Requirements
Students must complete 40 hours of community involvement
activities and successfully complete the provincial secondary
school reading and writing test
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The Ontario Secondary School Certificate
This will be granted on request to students who leave school
before earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, provided that
they have earned a minimum of 14 credits.
Compulsory Credits (total of 7)
- 2 credits in English
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography or Canadian History
- 1 credit in Mathematics
- 1 credit in Science
- 1 credit in Health and physical Education
- 1 credit in the Arts or Technological Education
Optional credits (total of 7)
- 7 credits selected by the student from available courses
including one Theology credit per year.
The Certificate of Accomplishment
Students who leave school before fulfilling the requirements
for the Ontario Secondary School Certificate may be granted a
Certificate of Accomplishment. The Certificate of Accomplishment
may be a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who
plan to take certain vocational programs or other kinds of further
training, or who plan to find employment after leaving school.
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