On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, students, families, Indigenous elders, trustees, staff and distinguished guests gathered at for the official Pride Flag Raising Ceremony!
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School joined all schools across HCDSB in raising the Pride Flag on June 1st to kick off Pride month.
The flag raising ceremony marked the significance of celebrating and honouring the inherent dignity of each member of the Loyola school community. Raising the Pride Flag was also a visual representation of the school’s commitment to students and staff in nurturing a safe, welcoming and inclusive community where all members belong.
As part of the ceremony, blessings were shared and remarks were presented by: Nic Hotchkiss, former Loyola student; Ally Club student members; Grandmother Ren茅e; Gillian Federico, System Chaplaincy Leader; Pat Daly, Director of Education; Josie Halycz, Principal; Amanda Morrow, Vice-Principal; and Wayne Lachapelle, School Chaplain.
Beginning initially as an idea for a social justice culminating project, on April 26, 2021, Nic Hotchkiss first delegated to the HCDSB for the approval to fly Pride Flags at all HCDSB schools.
“St. Ignatius of Loyola once said, ‘Go forth and set the world on fire,'” said Nic. “…But the thing about fire is that it is not self-sustaining. You need to nurture it, fuel it, fan the flames. So, keep fighting to make our schools safer spaces, to make every queer student feel welcome in a Catholic environment.”
In support of our diverse school communities, on January 18th, a Board motion passed that the Pride Flag will be raised and flown throughout the month of June, and every June at each HCDSB school and the Catholic Education Centre.
