We are pleased to share that our new Grade 7–12 Catholic school, set to open in September 2026, has officially received a name.

Following a survey of the school communities, the new school will be called Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.

Students and parents interested in learning more about Notre Dame CSS are invited to drop in at an open house at the Stanley Park Community Centre (505 Franklin St. N) on Monday, November 17, anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this next chapter to life. We can’t wait to build something beautiful together.

*Read more about Notre Dame CSS: Welcome to Notre Dame!

*Complete this Student and Parent Questionnaire to sign up for email updates and submit questions ahead of upcoming school information sessions.

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-10-27_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

It was a home run of a day at St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School in Elmira as students, staff, and families came together to celebrate Blue Jays Day, a fun-filled event that showcased the strength and generosity of the local community.

The schoolyard was a sea of blue as students proudly wore their Toronto Blue Jays gear, showing both school and team spirit. The celebration featured a special lunch with food generously donated by Foodland Elmira, the community’s local grocery store.

Parents volunteered their time to prepare and serve the meal, creating a true community feast.  Ballpark classics were served, adding to the fun and festive spirit of the day.

Principal Jennifer Drinkwater said that although she has only been part of the St. Teresa community for a short time, she already feels the warmth and spirit that make the school such a special place. “It’s incredible to see how everyone comes together, from local businesses to our amazing families, to support our students and make days like this so meaningful,” she said.

The event captured the best of St. Teresa’s school spirit: a community rooted in kindness, service, and joy.

As we move through another vibrant and joy-filled school year, it’s easy to get swept up in the flurry of activity that fills our classrooms, hallways, and hearts. Thanksgiving gives us a moment to pause – to breathe, to reflect, and to give thanks for all that we have and all that we share as a community. 

On Friday, as a full staff from our schools and offices, we gathered for a Spiritual Development Day- a time to celebrate, connect, and renew our shared commitment to living out our faith through our actions. We were especially blessed to welcome Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, whose reflections on truth and reconciliation invited us to think deeply about the land we are privileged to inhabit and the relationships we are called to nurture. His words reminded us that gratitude and reconciliation go hand in hand: both grounded in respect, understanding, and care for one another. 

I am profoundly grateful to walk this journey of faith alongside you and your families. Through my school visits this fall, I have witnessed the incredible partnership between home and school that makes our Catholic community so strong. Your children arrive each day ready to learn, grow, and live out their faith – a testament to the values you nurture at home and the trust you place in us as educators. 

Thank you for choosing Catholic education and for welcoming us into the sacred work of accompanying your children on their faith journey. It is a privilege we do not take lightly. Whether celebrating milestones, navigating challenges, or simply sharing in the everyday moments of school life, we are honoured to partner with you in creating communities where Christ’s love is made visible and where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. 

On this Thanksgiving weekend, may we take time to listen with open ears, minds, and hearts, just as this year’s Pastoral Plan calls us to do. Let us listen to the stories around us – those of family, friends, and community – and find gratitude in both the joys and the challenges that shape our shared journey of faith. 

From all of us at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we wish you and your families a restful and grace-filled Thanksgiving. May your weekend be filled with peace, reflection, and the warmth of connection. 

With gratitude and faith,
Annalisa Varano
Director of Education 

Upcoming Agenda:

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, October 6, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-10-06_COW_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