Over the course of three days, students and staff rallied together to collect a total of 981 food items. To build on their generosity, the school committed to matching one dollar for every item donated, significantly increasing their overall contribution. Morning announcements and school-wide promotion helped build momentum and reinforce the message that even simple acts of giving back can make a big difference.

About HCCF and March with Heart

HCCF is an independent charity that works closely with the ��ѿ��Ƶ (HCDSB) to support students and families facing financial hardship. By removing barriers that prevent full participation in school, students can feel a greater sense of well-being, support, and belonging amongst their peers.

In its first year, HCCF’s March with Heart campaign encourages schools across HCDSB to take part in simple, engaging fundraising activities that directly support students and families within their school communities.

The food drive highlighted a shared responsibility of caring for one another while addressing food insecurity – an issue that can create significant barriers to learning. By supporting this initiative, the Bishop Reding community reinforced an important message: when basic needs like access to food are met, students are in a better position to learn, grow, and achieve their full potential.

Held on the Friday before March Break, the fundraiser brought the St. Patrick school community together, in support of a meaningful cause. For a $2 donation, students and staff dressed in the colours of the Irish flag, while a festive photo booth gave classes the opportunity to capture memories from the day. The school truly found its “pot of gold” this year, raising over $400 to support students across the ��ѿ��Ƶ (HCDSB)!

About HCCF and March with Heart

HCCF is an independent charity that works closely with HCDSB to support students and families facing financial hardship. is to help students at HCDSB succeed at school by providing financial support. By removing barriers that prevent full participation in school, students can feel a greater sense of well-being, support, and belonging amongst their peers.

Now in its first year, HCCF’s March with Heart campaign encourages schools across HCDSB to take part in simple, engaging fundraising activities that support students and families within the school community.

Funds raised through initiatives like March with Heart help provide essential items such as:

• Food and clothing
• School supplies and shoes
• Personal hygiene items
• Learning materials and technology
• Support for school trips, team fees, and other school activities

This event was a joyful celebration that highlighted what it means to live out Catholic values of kindness, compassion, and care for one another. Thank you to the students, staff, and families of St. Patrick Elementary who gave back and made this fundraiser a wonderful success.

Understanding Ramadan and Iftar

Observed by Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. It is a time devoted to prayer, reflection, and daily fasting. At sunset, the fast is broken with iftar, a meal that is often shared in the company of family, friends, and the wider community.

Highlights from the Evening

Twenty-one students and six staff members from secondary schools across HCDSB gathered for the event. The evening began with warm welcomes and introductions, followed by prayer and iftar. To conclude, Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad hosted a workshop called “Navigating Careers in Education & Sports: Reflections on the Journey of Becoming a Scholar Activist.”

Dr. Eizadirad spoke about his journey – from immigrating to Canada to growing up in Toronto – and how these experiences shaped his path in teaching and academia. Drawing from his lived experience, he encouraged students to explore how education and purpose can create meaningful change within their communities. The workshop sparked thoughtful discussion and supported students as they continue to develop their leadership skills.

Creating a Sense of Belonging at HCDSB

Bringing students and staff together provided opportunities to share their experiences and learn from one another. The gathering reflects ongoing efforts across HCDSB to build environments where students feel supported and motivated to contribute to a community where everyone experiences a sense of belonging.

Thank you to all the students, staff, and community members whose contributions helped shape the success of this event.

To celebrate this special moment, students from elementary and secondary schools across HCDSB came together to share messages of congratulations and prayerful blessings. Their voices are featured in a video tribute series, created to welcome Bishop Dabrowski and express the faith, hope and sense of belonging that unite our students and schools.

We invite you to watch the series below and join us in offering a joyful welcome and continued prayers for Bishop Dabrowski as he begins his ministry in the .

Throughout the month, Feeduary events were hosted at schools across the district, including St. Marguerite d’Youville, Our Lady of Victory, and St. Patrick Catholic Elementary Schools, as well as St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Secondary Schools.

HCDSB leadership, trustees, local officials and community partners visited schools to experience Student Nutrition Programs firsthand. They joined staff and volunteers in serving food and saw the care, collaboration and daily impact these programs have on students.

Student Nutrition Programs help students feel and do their best and have been linked to:

• Improved focus and readiness to learn
• Increased energy levels
• Stronger academic performance
• Reduced at-risk behaviours

At each school, staff and student volunteers play an important role in preparing and distributing food, helping ensure students start their day nourished and ready to learn. HFFT supports 56 Student Nutrition Programs that serve nearly 35,000 students across the Board. Programs are open to all students, with no registration or proof of need required.

This year’s Feeduary campaign showcased the power of partnership between schools and community organizations in creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to succeed.

Nicknamed “Hawk’s Tech Nest” by students, the arena is the first of its kind for HCDSB, and also the first high school esports arena in Canada!

Honouring St. Carlo Acutis

The arena was named after St. Carlo Acutis who is recognized as the “patron saint of the internet.” As the Church’s first millennial saint, St. Carlo Acutis was canonized in 2025 and demonstrated how faith and technology can work together. 

An Inclusive Space to Collaborate and Grow 

The idea for the arena emerged in 2021 and was designed to give students an inclusive space to build community, collaborate, innovate and express their creativity.  

An old lecture hall in the school was transformed into a modern esports arena. This new arena provides students with cutting-edge technology to capture the essence of STEAM programs and power multifunctional educational activities.

Features of the St. Carlos Acutis Esports Arena��

• Several rows of high-end desktop computers with multiple monitors for gaming and educational activities.  
• A TV solution for broadcasting classroom sessions or esports events.  
• Four split screens that can be used by other sports coaches, such as reviewing football game films. 
• The capability to integrate consoles into the room, alongside other technology, to support both learning and extracurricular activities
  

The arena is designed to serve as a high-tech teaching space, fostering a different style of teaching where the teacher can become a facilitator and the students work on projects. It allows students to work on creative activities like designing interactive gaming experiences, Machine Learning (AI), and media arts productions. 

Additionally, the arena is also expected to support existing Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs, including Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Mechatronics. Co-curricular groups such as the Firehawks FIRST Robotics team, for example, can run simulations, produce marketing material, and leverage CAD software to manufacture parts. 

A Focus on Equity and Inclusion

A main focus of the arena is equity and inclusion. One of the first events, “Girls in STEAM,” empowered girls to use the world of Minecraft to address real‑world challenges they may face in STEAM fields. Activities like these give students a supportive space where their voices are heard and their experiences are acknowledged.

Thank you to the staff and HCDSB community who helped bring the St. Carlo Acutis Esports Arena to life. As a place of hope, creativity, community and inclusion, the arena sets the stage for students to learn and thrive in new, innovative ways.

This year’s symposium marked an important evolution, shifting from celebrating identity toward the intentional development of the next generation of Black student leaders. Grounded in faith, justice, and the inherent dignity of every person, the day invited students to think beyond individual achievement and toward collective empowerment – and how their leadership can help create lasting systemic change and shape more just, inclusive school communities.

Strengthening Student Voice Through Governance

A central focus of the 2026 Symposium was strengthening student governance. Throughout the day, students built practical skills to organize, advocate, and represent their peers with confidence and purpose. Through hands-on learning, participants explored how Black Student Unions (BSUs) and Black Student Associations (BSAs) can function as strong, effective spaces for student voice, belonging, and leadership. Students amplified their leadership by developing a strong public voice, analyzing the strategic power of their organizational titles, and creating ‘Advocacy Blueprints’ to drive social justice initiatives and build lasting intercultural coalitions.

Building for Sustainability and Continuity

Systemic sustainability was woven throughout the day’s programming. Students explored strategies for building strong organizational structures designed to endure beyond any single school year. From planning awareness campaigns to strengthening inclusive team dynamics, students developed leadership practices that support continuity and growth. By learning how to document processes and pass on knowledge, students helped lay the groundwork for BSUs and BSAs to remain lasting pillars of representation and belonging within their schools.

Leadership Rooted in Black Identity and Community

Above all, the symposium affirmed that leadership flourishes when it is rooted in Black identity and culture. Through a unique collaborative co-design process for the new Centre for Black Excellence in Oakville, students shared their perspectives to help inform programming and community priorities. By centring collective impact and well-being, the day empowered students to lead in ways that honour their identities and strengthen the communities they serve.

A special thank you is extended to the facilitators, caterers, community partners, and staff advisors whose commitment and care helped create a meaningful experience and provided the foundation upon which students continue to build confidence, skills, and a shared future.

Participants took on the role of country delegates, working together to debate policies, negotiate resolutions, and examine multiple perspectives on pressing global issues. Assumption students served as knowledgeable chairpersons, guiding discussions and fostering a collaborative, respectful environment for meaningful dialogue.

The conference offered students a valuable opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, diplomacy, public speaking, and global citizenship – all while experiencing the challenge and excitement of international decision-making.

David shared his journey as a writer and spoke about the importance of stories in shaping who we are. He described the creative process from idea to page, and the responsibility – and opportunity that storytellers have to honour truth and foster connection.

Throughout the session, David emphasized one meaningful message: stories matter. They teach us about resilience and identity, and they remind us that we are all connected.

The event concluded with an engaging Question & Answer session. This memorable gathering not only celebrated Indigenous storytelling but also reflected our commitment to fostering empathy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of one another through meaningful learning experiences.