Our School

Grade 8 Parent Information Night November 29 th, 2010 Welcome to St. Theresa’s High School

Principal’s Welcome Administration Team Principal Bern Tate Vice- Principals George Luck Kim Weishar

What is God’s Plan for Me? Sometimes, I lie awake at night, Not reading or listening to music, But just thinking about my day, whether sorrowful, joyful, or just ok. And I wonder, What is God’s plan for me? This is such a critical point in my life, Between childhood and adulthood, A time when emotions rage, Pressures surround,and change is in every breath we take. I am moving on to another school, Making new friends, and eventually, I’ll be on my own, In a world that can be harsh, cold, cruel, But also beautiful, enchanting, and perfect. At times we can be discouraged from our goals, Or they could be in open reach, But through it all, I wonder, What is God’s plan for me? ~Katie Bonacini

Our Mission Statement St. Theresa's High School is a community which celebrates our Catholic faith and spirit by accepting the challenge of living the Gospel. As partners in learning, we will dedicate ourselves to developing the necessary skills and attitudes that will enable us to contribute to the well-being of our local and global community.

St. Theresa’s Catholic High School

Your Child’s Transition to High School November & January St. Theresa’s visits Catholic feeder schools January - March Registration packages distributed Grade 8 Orientation Day – February 2, 2011 Registration Forms are to be submitted to Student Services by February 18, 2011 September 2011 Grade 9 Student Bar-B-Q

Diploma Requirements  30 Credits: 18 Compulsory, 12 Elective  40 Hours of Community Involvement Activities  Literacy Component (Grade 10 Literacy Test/Grade 12 Literacy Course)

What do you need to graduate ? 18 compulsory credits Students must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma: 4 credits in English 3 credits in mathematics 2 credits in science 1 credit in Canadian history 1 credit in Canadian geography 1 credit in arts 1 credit in health and physical education 1 credit in French as a second language 0.5 credit in career studies 0.5 credit in civics Religion (grades 9 – 12)

Plus one credit from each of the following groups: 1 additional credit in English, or French as a second language, or a Native language, or a classical or an international language or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education 1 additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or cooperative education 1 additional credit in science, or technological education, or cooperative education In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete: 12 optional credits 40 hours of Community Involvement activities the Provincial Literacy requirement A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.

Courses in Grade 9 EnglishApplied/Academic/Locally Developed MathApplied/Academic/Locally Developed ScienceApplied/Academic/Locally Developed GeographyApplied/Academic FrenchApplied/Academic ReligionOpen Phys. Ed.Open ElectiveOpen (Efforts will be made to give students will get first choice)

 greater emphasis on theory as a basis for future learning and problem solving  an emphasis on independent learning  prepare students for university and college level course in grades 11 & 12 Types of Courses

 focus on the essential concepts  emphasize practical applications  relate to familiar real-life situations  opportunity for hands-on application  prepare students for college and workplace courses in grades 11 & 12

 available to students who need specialized learning  designed to assist students who require additional academic support in specific subject (English, Math, Science – grades 9 & 10)  prepare students for workplace level courses in grades 11 & 12  these courses are chosen in consultation with grade 8 teacher, parents, and the St. Theresa’s Transition Team

Sample Timetable ENG1P (applied English) CGC1P (applied Geography) HRE1O (Religion) MFM1P (applied Math) SNC1P (applied Science) FSF1P (applied French) PPL1O (Physical Education) AVI1O (Visual Arts) Semester 1 Semester 2

Religious Education R Grade 9 Be With Me Grade 10Christ and Culture Grade 11World Religions Grade 12Church and Culture

Grade 9 Retreat

Chaplaincy

Celebrating Our Faith

Social Justice Walk for Water

Guidance Program Guidance program is organized into three areas of learning: student learning, interpersonal development and career development Instruction and support will occur in a variety of settings: individual, group and classroom All students will be assigned a guidance counsellor to assist and support them throughout high school

Special Education Student Support Centre Individual Attention Individual Education Plan Identification, Placement and Review Committee Course Selection

Student Success Student Success Team assists with a students’ transition to high school Individual Timetabling – build on their strengths in first semester Consider substitution for compulsory credit where the challenge of obtaining credit appears unattainable (can make up to 3 substitutions) Struggling students can take a Learning Strategies Course (GLE1O) in first or second semester in consultation with parents, grade 8 teacher and our transition team. Credit Recovery Program

Uniform All students must wear the school uniform properly every school day and at all school related functions. Students must arrive and depart from the school in complete uniform including bus loading time. The last teaching Friday of each month may be set aside as a CIVVIES DAY.

Grade 8 Orientation

Co-Curricular Activities House Activities School Spirit

ARTS Musical Theatre Comedy – This year “Price Check for Murder” Arts Nights Battle of the Bands Vocal Performance Group Instrumental Band Music Revue CD Compilations

Musical Theatre Jesus Christ Superstar

Arts Night

Instrumental Bands

St Theresa’s CD Compilations

ATHLETICS Volleyball Basketball Soccer Golf Tennis Cross-Country Running Nordic Skiing Cheerleading Curling Badminton Ice Hockey Track & Field Mountain Biking Rowing Rugby Ball Hockey

GOLF - OFSSA Silver Medalists 2010

VOLLEYBALL

BASKETBALL

ICE HOCKEY

TRACK AND FIELD

CHEERLEADING

SOCCER RUGBY

CLUBS Outers Club Student Administrative Council Amnesty International Green Streak Peace Team Relay for Life Committee

Outers Club

Student Administrative Council

More Reasons to Choose St. Theresa’s Enthusiastic and Dedicated Staff Numerous Elective Courses Community School üGrade 9 Transition Program üDedicated to Student Credit Accumulation üActive Student Voice & Student Initiative üWarm & Friendly Atmosphere

Meet Our Departments Walk about the school and meet teachers from the following departments: EnglishMath ScienceFrench Religion Computers & Business ArtsGuidance/Student Services Co-curricularSpecial Education Chaplain Technology (wood, transportation, hospitality) Co-operative Education Teachers will be available to answer specific questions about their area.

Thank you for you attendance this evening. General Questions Specific Questions about programs or your son/daughter can be answered following the general questions by the guidance staff.