We Are Sacred Magazine (2022-2023)

Sacred Heart Catholic High School

#WEARESACRED

SCHOOL HISTORY

In the early 50s, a Catholic High School called Sacred Heart was operated by the Sisters of Providence

The school was located in King Township and serviced pupils from the northern part of York Region

The York Separate School Board opened the doors of Sacred Heart Junior High School in September 1979, providing 265 students with a Grades 7 to 9 program Through the cooperative efforts of the Board and the Toronto Archdiocese HighSchool Commission, a grade was subsequently added to Sacred Heart each year, with Grade 11 introduced in September 1981

Simultaneously, a building program took place, a beautiful new facility was made available to students in September 1983. As the student population continued to increase, a new addition to the building was added and opened in May of 1987

In 2002, two new building additions yielded the school a new cafeteria, upgraded physical education equipment and facilities, an expanded library resource centre, a theatre/lecture hall, new administrative offices, as well as Guidance and Special Education additions

Another major renovation took place in the summer of 2004 The entire second floor of the western wing received new Science Labs and Art Rooms

In 2020, Sacred Heart became the Regional Arts and Technology Centre for the North As part of yet another expansion, a new dance studio, a large dramatic arts centre, and two music rooms with recording studios were created

Our school population is approximately 1200, with over 110 staff members

SACRED T0GETHER: FACTS ABOUT OUR SCHOOL SCHOOLFEATURES

1200 Students 115 Faculty & Support Staff

Thousands of distinguished Alumni

Chaplaincy, Guidance, Student Support Services

Cultural Diversity

English Language Learners

International Students from many countries

FACILITIES

3 Gymnasiums

Weight Rooms Outdoor Soccer Fields

Dance Studio

2 Music Rooms with 6 Recording Studios

Stage and Multi purpose Performance space

Lecture Hall

Food and Nutrition Kitchens

Fashion Design & Sewing Rooms

Mac Computer Labs

Design Tech & Construction Room

Science Labs

Cafetorium

Library Learning Commons and Active Learning Classroom

Great Hall

FAITH LIFE & CHAPLAINCY

Sacred Heart's Chaplaincy team oversees the faith elements of our school community such as: school masses, liturgical celebrations, community outreach, retreats and student mentorship.

Our liturgical celebrations highlight the importance of a strong parish home school connection through our work with both St. John Chrysostom and St. Elizabeth Seton parishes.

Our community outreach work has connected Sacred Heart students with various charities such as Rose of Sharon, Belinda's Place, Newmarket Food Pantry and Good Shepherd ministries

Each year, students participate in a retreat experience either in their homeroom or religion class Retreats offer students a range of experiences from team building, social justice, inter faith dialogue and community service Chaplaincy team members are also available for one on one meetings with students who are looking for a trusted adult to speak to regarding various personal struggles and questions. We are always available to listen or connect students with appropriate services for their needs.

Community Service Partnership: Church & Home

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Student Mentors at Sacred Heart (SMASH) is our leadership council. Our SMASH students are faith filled students who feel called to share their gifts and talents to serve the Sacred Heart community. SMASH leaders are responsible for many different events and activities throughout the year, which include: school masses and liturgical celebrations, grade 8/9 mentorship and orientation, charity drives, social justice initiatives and much more! The goal of SMASH is to foster and inspire Christian leadership within and beyond the halls of Sacred.

WHY CHOOSE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL? WHY CHOOSE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL?

Catholic Education in Ontario has experienced 175 years of success. Choosing a Catholic school is choosing a system with high levels of student achievement. All students in a Catholic school work towards the development of the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations, which consist of the values inherent in our Catholic faith responsibility, accountability, collaboration, and caring within family and communities in order for students to grow into good citizens. Catholic high schools are open to students of all faiths.

GUIDANCE & CAREER EDUCATION

TheRoleofGuidance

Sacred Heart's Guidance department believes all students can succeed and we pride ourselves on the service oriented approach we take to student success. Our counsellors provide academic and social emotional support to all of our Sacred Heart students. We assist our students with course planning advice and help facilitate a smooth transition to all post secondary pathways including Apprenticeship opportunities, College and University programs. In addition to career and course selection assistance, our caring and supportive staff counsels students through difficult social emotional challenges facing adolescents today. Sacred Heart's Guidance department is committed to sound career planning and, above all else, providing compassionate care to all of our students. Here are a few things we can help you with: Here are a few things we can help you with: Student

DEVELOPING THE WHOLE PERSON

Co-CurricularActivities&Events

Athletic Council Athletic Banquet

Arts Banquet

Alpine Ski Club

Ambassador's Club

Anime Arts Council

Best Buddies Concerts

Coffee House

Dance Club

DECA

Eco & Co

Equity Club Games Club

Music Council

President's Council

Rookie Dance

Sacred Minds

Sacred Canoe

SAGA

School Drama Productions

SMASH Leadership Social Justice Spirit Council

Sacred Concert and Stage Band

https://sites google com/ycdsb ca/student leadership sacred/home

Student Council Swim Club

Sacred Beat Student Newsletter

Sacred Reads Book Club

Sacred Tech Team

Mountain Biking Club

UNYCA

Relay for Life Wellness Club

YSCPC

Sacred Studios

Fall Sports Fall Sports

Basketball (Jr Girls)

Basketball (Sr Girls)

Cross Country

Golf (Jr. Boys)

Golf (Sr Boys)

Golf (Girls)

Rugby 7's (Girls)

Rugby 7's (Jr. Bosy)

Rugby 7's (Sr Boys)

Soccer (Jr Boys)

Soccer (Sr Boys)

Volleyball (Jr. Boys

Volleyball (Sr. Boys)

Winter Sports Winter Sports

Basketball (Jr Boys) Basketball (Sr Boys) Curling

Hockey (Girls) Hockey (Jr Boys) Indoor Track & Field Swimming

Volleyball (Jr. Girls) Volleyball (Sr Girls)

ATHLETICS

Spring Sports Spring Sports

Badminton (Jr )

Badminton (Sr )

Rugby (Girls)

Rugby (Jr. Boys)

Rugby (Sr Boys)

Slo Pitch Soccer (Jr Girls) Soccer (Sr. Girls) Track & Field

Ultimate Frisbee (Co Ed)

https://sites.google.com/view/sacredheartathletics/home

Sacred Heart Catholic High School

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PREP-PROGRAM

Sacred Heart is an Advanced Placement Center of Excellence The Advanced Placement (AP) program is an

internationally recognized program in which students learn rigorous university level content and skills while in high school Our AP courses offer students interesting, challenging, and rewarding academic experiences Student can also earn advanced standing at universities if they successfully write a standardized AP exam Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time management and study skills needed for postsecondary success

"Like many other students entering into the AP program, I was afraid that the accelerated pace would mean more work and mor stress. I soon learned that this is a myth. AP classes are smaller, taught by amazing teachers and filled with other dedicated students. In this environment, I was pushed to my true potential, learned a lot from my peers and discovered how to manage my work effectively. As long as you show up to class, pat attention and do your homework you've got nothing to work about."

-Ben, Grade 12 Student

INTEGRATED REGIONAL ARTS & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM (IRAP)

In September 2020, Sacred Heart launched a n September 2020, Sacred Heart launched a unique Regional program, unique Regional program, IIntegrated ntegrated Regional Regional Arts & Technology Program (iRAP) Arts & Technology Program (iRAP)

This burgeoning program combines the very best of creative and design thinking with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborative approaches with different subject streams

All iRAP students will continue to develop their skills and express their talent through an artform while combining areas of Art and Technology Studies courses

Students will further explore art from a faith perspective in Gr. 10 Religion and the Arts course, where students make valuable connections between Catholicity and artistic expression.

During the senior (Gr 11) year, each iRAP student will continue to hone their creativity by completing an interdisciplinary course and by participating and contributing to a community project in the Arts The iRAP program includes the very best of project based and experiential learning as a means of deepening the student's understanding of the role and place of art in their world Our iRAP students will discover their capacity to create, solve problems and interpret

social phenomena from the artist's perspective Through the process of design thinking, our students can champion prevalent social justice causes using an artist's lens

The cumulative efforts for our iRAP students will be showcased in an exciting new ART HUB especially designed in conjunction with our partners, to celebrate the individual and collaborative Community Arts projects

iRAP students will demonstrate their creativity across disciplines as they build an extensive portfolio to support and reflect the ever changing landscape of post secondary pathways and programs that await our iRAP graduations.

"Society needs artists...artists have their unique place. Obedient to their inspiration in creating works both worthwhile and beautiful, they...

...enrich the cultural heritage of each nation and of all humanity."

-Pope John Paul II, Letter to Artists

iRAPPassport RAPPassport

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION

What is Cooperative Education? What is Cooperative Education?

Co operative Education is an opportunity to provide students a combination of classroom based education with practical work experience

Students are able to "test drive" a potential career of interest in hopes to solidify what they would like to do in the future

Our program allows students to develop their transferable skills and allows them to explore their interests in the local community

According to the Canada Council for the Arts, arts and culture are essential elements in the new global economy: not only for their entertainment value but also for the skills they develop as individuals. An arts education challenges people to think critically and to solve problems creatively skills that are now in high demand.

Demand for employees in this sector will be great for years to come due to many current employees working in this sector nearing retirement age and an ongoing population which will put increased demands on the health care sector.

LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS

Sacred Heart Catholic High School

sacredheartlibrary edublogs org sacredheartlibrary edublogs org

@SacredHeartLLC @SacredHeartLLC

@sacredheartlibrary @sacredheartlibrary

Our Sacred Heart Library Learning Commons is a hub that ur Sacred Heart Library Learning Commons is a hub that focuses on building learning communities, making focuses on learning communities, making connections among learners, and facilitating knowledge connections among learners, and facilitating knowledge creation. creation

We engage students in the development of the global We engage students in the development of the global competency skills (collaboration, creativity, critical competency skills (collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, citizenship, and self directed thinking, communication, citizenship, and self directed learning) and in an understanding of the many different learning) and in an understanding of the many different literacies (digital, media, news, financial, mental health, literacies (digital, media, news, financial, mental health, and information) and information) Direct teaching of design thinking, Direct teaching of design thinking, project based and inquiry based learning helps to project based and inquiry based learning helps to motivate and engage students with information and motivate and engage students with information and iideas deas

Our library offers a wide variety of print and online digital Our library offers a wide variety of print and online digital resources to support students' reading and research resources to support students' reading and research needs needs Our digital database includes a variety of fiction Our digital database includes a variety of fiction and nonfiction ebooks as well as academic journals and nonfiction ebooks as well as academic journals We We continue to build on our collections and resources to continue to build on our collections and resources to meet the changing needs of our students and to ensure meet the changing needs of our students and to ensure our students have access to the best technologies to our students have access to the best technologies to support their digital needs support their digital needs

Our goal is to provide an effective school Library Our goal is to provide an effective school Library Learning Commons for both students and staff according Learning Commons for both students and staff according to the Leading Learning Standards of Practice for School to the Leading Learning Standards of Practice for School LIbrary Learning Commons in Canada: LIbrary Learning Commons in Canada:

Facilitating collaborative engagement to cultivate and Facilitating collaborative engagement to cultivate and empower a community of learners empower a community of learners Advancing the learning community to achieve school Advancing the learning community to achieve school goals goals

Cultivating effective instructional design to co plan, Cultivating effective instructional design to co plan, teach and assess learning teach and assess learning

Fostering literacies to empower life long learners Fostering literacies to empower life long learners

Designing learning environments to support Designing learning environments to support participatory learning. participatory learning

ESL CENTRE

Hola,привт,Kumusta,مﻼﺳ,Hello!

Sacred Heart is an International Education Centre with a Sacred Heart is an International Education Centre with a long tradition of welcoming newcomers from around the long tradition of welcoming newcomers from around the world world Our ESL centre helps build a strong foundation Our ESL centre helps build strong foundation and sense of community within the school and sense of community within the school

All of our teachers at Sacred Heart are dedicated and All of our teachers at Sacred Heart are dedicated and committed to helping our English Language Learners committed to helping our English Language Learners achieve success achieve success Classroom teachers, guidance Classroom teachers, guidance counselors and office administration work together to counselors and office administration work together to check in with students to ensure they are adapting to check in with students to ensure they are adapting to their new school environment their new school environment

Sacred Heart offers several ESL subject adapted Sacred Heart offers several ESL subject adapted courses such as ESL Science, ESL Math, ESL History courses such as ESL Science, ESL Math, ESL History and ESL Geography to assist students with the and ESL Geography to assist students with the curriculum while strengthening their academic English curriculum while strengthening their academic English language skills language skills.

We also have an ESL Ambassadors' Club that meets We also have an ESL Ambassadors' Club that meets monthly to participate in various activities as an ESL monthly to participate in various activities as an ESL community. community Students come together to host events such Students come together to host events such as game night, badminton night, or movie night. as game night, badminton night, or movie night In the In the past we have also gone on ESL exclusive field trips to past we have also gone on ESL exclusive field trips to places such as the Toronto Zoo, Kensington Market, zip places such as the Toronto Zoo, Kensington Market, zip Lining, and snow tubing. Lining, and snow tubing

At Sacred Heart, our ESL department nurtures and At Sacred Heart, our ESL department nurtures and supports our English Language Learners to reach their supports our English Language Learners to reach their full potential full potential

Sacred Heart Catholic High School

STUDENT WELLNESS

YourMentalHealth isSacred

Sacred Heart is a home to both staff and students

Sacred Heart is a home to both staff and students

At the heart of all we do is the love and respect we At the heart of all we do is the love and respect we have for each other have for each other We provide a safe, caring, We provide a safe, caring, inclusive, and welcoming environment that allows inclusive, and welcoming environment that allows young adults the opportunity to grow and take young adults the opportunity to grow and take rrisks isks We want our students to live up to their We want our students to live up to their God given potential and to grow fully in mind, God given potential and to grow fully in mind, body, and spirit body, and spirit

As Catholic educators, we lead with compassion

As Catholic educators, lead with compassion and empathy and empathy We seek to create an environment We seek to create an environment where students feel supported, recognized, and where students feel supported, recognized, and comfortable reaching out for help from the many comfortable reaching out for help from the many caring adults in the building caring adults in the building

The Mental Health and Sacred Minds and SMASH The Mental Health and Sacred Minds and SMASH teams is a collaboration among and between teams is a collaboration among and between students and staff which works to promote and students and staff which works to promote and support positive mental health habits and attitudes support positive mental health habits and attitudes Some of the many initiatives include Wellness Some of the many initiatives include Wellness Wednesday mindful activities and a guest speaker Wednesday mindful activities and a guest speaker series called 'Your Mental Health is Sacred' to series called 'Your Mental is to provide mental health literacy. provide mental health literacy

Our curriculum programs such as the Physical Our curriculum programs such as the Physical Education Department and SHSM also support Education Department and SHSM also support healthy active lifestyles. healthy active lifestyles Participating in physical in physical activity and reducing a sedentary lifestyle is activity and reducing a sedentary lifestyle is important for the healthy development and well important for the healthy development and well being of students. being of students

The Arts programs (dance, drama, music, visual arts, The Arts programs drama, music, visual and media arts) supports creativity and critical and media arts) supports creativity and critical thinking, innovative problem solving, effective thinking, innovative problem solving, effective communication and collaboration, which all support communication and collaboration, which all support student well being and mental health. student well being and mental health

At Sacred Heart the entire staff is committed to the At Sacred Heart the entire staff is committed to the development of the whole person and this means development of the whole person and this means supporting the growth of our students academically, supporting the growth of our students academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically, so that spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically, so that they can be successful in the future. they can be successful in the future