As Christmas approaches, we are invited to reflect on the profound themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. This sacred season offers us a chance to celebrate the blessings of community and the remarkable efforts of those who embody these values throughout the year. 

As we look back on the fall, we are filled with gratitude for the inspiring initiatives made possible by the unwavering dedication of our students, staff, and the entire WCDSB community. Our Pastoral theme this year is ignite and together, we have begun to demonstrate how we are living this out. 

We celebrated breaking ground on new schools to meet the needs of our growing and vibrant communities. We have also witnessed incredible examples of hope, love, and joy in action, including the remarkable fundraising efforts for our Homes for Hope campaign and ongoing initiatives to address food insecurity through Nutrition for Learning. This month also marked a significant milestone with the expansion of the Project SEARCH program to a second location at Cambridge Memorial Hospital—a testament to our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for all. 

The spirit of giving extends far beyond fundraising. It is evident in the actions of our students and staff, whether braving the cold during the Homes for Hope Sleepout, spreading holiday cheer as the St. Mary’s Random Acts of Kindness Club marched in the Santa Claus Parade, bringing comfort through cards delivered to hospital patients and other schools adopting a retirement home. These moments of compassion and faith remind us of the light our community brings to the world. 

This is just a glimpse of the wonderful things happening in our schools—moments that make me so proud to serve the WCDSB. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we extend our heartfelt wishes to you for a safe and joyful holiday surrounded by loved ones. May the new year bring renewed energy, hope, and a continued dedication to living out our faith in all that we do.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Tyrone Dowling
Director of Education, WCDSB 

This Christmas season, the St. Paul Catholic School community has come alive with the spirit of generosity, joy and togetherness. From heartwarming family events to inspiring acts of kindness, our students, families, staff and community partners have truly made this season one to remember.

The halls of St. Paul were filled with laughter, warmth and holiday cheer during our Christmas Family Drop-In Night. Families came together to share the joy of the season, connect with one another and create special memories. The success of this event was made possible through thoughtful planning and community support, and it was a wonderful way to celebrate the season as a school family.

A special thank you to the Real Canadian Superstore (Highland Road) and PC Children’s Charity, whose generous contributions of apple cider and treats added an extra sparkle to the evening.

The true meaning of Christmas came to life through their annual Angel Tree Drive. Thanks to the overwhelming support from families, staff and community partners, countless families will experience the joy of Christmas in a very special way. From toys and clothing to gift cards for food and essentials, this initiative has brought hope and happiness to those who need it most.

St. Paul is truly blessed to have community members who generously give what they can to ensure that everyone in their community has a joyful Christmas.

The generosity of the Real Canadian Superstore and PC Children’s Charity played a pivotal role in this project, with their significant donations allowing us to extend the reach and impact. Their commitment to giving back has truly made this season brighter for so many in our community.

Behind every successful event is a team of dedicated individuals, and the St Paul Catholic School Advisory Council exemplifies this spirit. From months of meticulous planning to the execution of the Christmas Family Drop-In Night, CSAC worked tirelessly to ensure the evening was filled with joy and festive fun.

Their efforts—from organizing activities and securing prize donations to volunteering on the night of the event—showcase the power of collaboration and the strength of the St. Paul community.

At St. Paul, the giving spirit extends far beyond events and initiatives. The generosity shown by families and staff this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. Donations of food, toys, clothing and financial contributions have poured in, offering tangible support to community members.

Thank you to the families, staff, Catholic School Advisory Council, and community partners for making this season unforgettable. Your kindness has made a difference, and the warmth of your giving will be felt long into the New Year.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the St. Michael’s School community in Cambridge came together for a heartwarming Christmas tradition—a turkey feast with all the fixings. More than 300 students and about 50 adults enjoyed a festive meal featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, stuffing, gravy and a sweet treat to top it all off.

This special celebration was made possible through the incredible generosity of Mr. Gibson, St. Michael’s head custodian, who donated all the ingredients for this wonderful feast. But his kindness didn’t stop there. Mr. Gibson also decorated the gym with beautiful table settings, creating a warm and welcoming space filled with holiday cheer. Guests relaxed and enjoyed the festive music while savouring their delicious meals, all thanks to his efforts.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the Culinary Department at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, led by Ken Hodgins and Rachel Di Pede, for preparing the turkeys to perfection. Your support made this feast a true success.

We’re grateful as well to our Catholic School Advisory Council for their dedication in planning, preparing and serving the meal. Their hard work and festive spirit ensured the event was memorable for everyone.

The Festive Feast is a shining example of the kindness and community spirit that make St. Michael’s such a special place. Thank you, Mr. Gibson, for your generosity and the joy you bring to our school.

Together, we truly spread joy to the world!

This holiday season, the St. Augustine community has truly embodied the spirit of giving and faith in action through their Adopt a Senior Christmas initiative. Led by the dedicated St. Augustine Student Council, and with the guidance of Mrs. Bacon and Mrs. Runions, students adopted 23 seniors from Queen Square Terrace, spreading joy and warmth to those in need of a little extra Christmas cheer.

Each class was thoughtfully assigned a senior to shop for, with students selecting gifts to brighten the holidays for these cherished members of the community. The student council then wrapped the items into festive, beautifully decorated baskets before delivering them with smiles and Christmas spirit.

This initiative would not have been possible without the generosity of St. Augustine families, who contributed items to help create these meaningful gifts. Their kindness and support ensured that the seniors at Queen Square Terrace felt remembered and celebrated during this special time of year.

Through this initiative, St. Augustine demonstrated what it means to live their faith through action—bringing hope, joy, and compassion to others in their community.

Special Board of Trustees’ Meeting: Thursday, December 19, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2024-12-19_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda

Location:  1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

(Note: Agenda files can be large. If you are experiencing issues downloading a file, right-click on the link and choose “Save Target As…”.)

The St. Mary’s Random Acts of Kindness Club is back to doing what they do best—spreading joy! This year, they expanded their cherished Kindness Card tradition to include the elementary schools within the St. Mary’s Family of Schools, inviting even more students to share in the spirit of giving.

The Kindness Cards, lovingly hand-made by students, are a beautiful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day.

In total, WCDSB students created an incredible 1,821 unique cards—each one crafted with care and compassion. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated students and staff at St. Mary’s, the Random Acts of Kindness Club, and all the students from our Family of Schools who contributed to this touching initiative.

These special cards will be delivered to patients at Grand River Hospital throughout the holiday season, carrying with them our prayers, hope, and the warmth of a caring community. We hope they bring smiles and comfort to all who receive them.

Kindness truly is a gift, and our students have shown that a little love can go a long way.