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Achieving

Meeting the needs of all learners

At HCDSB, we value excellence in learning and are committed to providing exceptional education by meeting the learning needs of all learners so that they may realize their full God-given potential.

We will prepare all students to be ready for success in their chosen pathway 鈥� apprenticeship, college, university, community living or the workplace.

We know that for today鈥檚 students, success in their future requires a different set of skills and knowledge than what was needed in the past.

As we pursue the goal of success for students, our understanding of student achievement must include not only the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills, but also the development of so much more. Critical thinking skills, independent inquiry skills, superior communication skills, and a highly developed capacity for collaborative work is important if our students are going to be sufficiently adaptable and flexible to adjust to new technologies, emerging opportunities, and challenges yet unknown.

Our Goals Under the Priority of Achieving:

1. Educational experiences and opportunities are differentiated to support all learners.
2. Teachers and learners are collaborating in innovative school and classroom communities that encourage student engagement, learning and achievement.
3. We hold high expectations for all learners.

The annual Strategic Plan Monitoring Survey found that:

of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that HCDSB offers educational experiences and opportunities to support all learners.

of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that at HCDSB schools teachers and learners collaborate in ways that promote student engagement, learning, and achievement.  

of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that HCDSB holds high expectations for all learners. 

Student Excellence at HCDSB

Each year, the 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) celebrates exceptional students across our school district at the Annual Student Awards of Excellence Ceremony.

In the 2022-2023 school year we recognized and celebrated students at our 35th Annual Student Awards of Excellence Ceremony on Monday, March 27, 2023.

The ceremony took place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School in Milton. His Excellency, Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton offered prayers and blessings; and musical entertainment was provided by the St. Francis Xavier School Choir, under the direction of Ms. Caruana.

The Student Awards of Excellence are presented annually to a student from each elementary and secondary school who has demonstrated outstanding qualities in Catholic leadership, family commitment, involvement in school affairs and community activities.

The Spirit of Inclusion Award was created by the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), and is presented each year to one elementary student and one secondary student who has demonstrated a commitment to school activities and to their community, making their peers feel valued and respected.

Katie Hunt
Assumption C.S.S.

Mikayla Barnes
Ascension C.E.S.

Angelica Maduri
Holy Rosary (B) C.E.S.

Gabriel Tejada
St. John C.E.S.

Molly Herod
St. Patrick C.E.S.

Jack Mackenzie
St. Paul C.E.S.

Faisal Abu Manneh
St. Raphael C.E.S.

Andrew Jung
Corpus Christi C.S.S.

Yazminca Cvetan
Sacred Heart of Jesus C.E.S.

Gabriela Toki
St. Anne C.E.S.

Veronica Sandino
St. Christopher C.E.S.

Eshita Raj
Canadian Martyrs C.E.S.

Dante Costanzo
St. Gabriel C.E.S.

Elizabeth Pletch
St. Mark C.E.S.

Madison Oliver
St. Timothy C.E.S.

Sophia Marcolla
Christ the King C.S.S.

Ethan Waller
Holy Cross C.E.S.

Nolan Thomas
St. Catherine of Alexandria C.E.S.

Madeline Reitzel
St. Francis of Assisi C.E.S.

Autumn Barr
St. Joseph (Acton) C.E.S.

Kleirstin Asuncion
Bishop P. F. Reding C.S.S.

Ciara O鈥橰eilly
Holy Rosary (M) C.E.S.

Elyse Zoltan
Our Lady of Victory C.E.S.

Daniel Vera Iglesias
St. Anthony of Padua C.E.S.

Zara Ofor
St. Peter C.E.S.

Youana Awad
St. Francis Xavier C.S.S.

Malaya Monteagudo
Lumen Christi C.E.S.

Jaymeson Warner
Queen of Heaven C.E.S.

Derek Pinto
St. Benedict C.E.S.

Nicki Ranieri
St. Scholastica C.E.S.

Isaak Battiston
Guardian Angels C.E.S.

Olamiposi Awopetu
Our Lady of Fatima C.E.S.

Boluwatife (Tife) Asaba
Holy Trinity C.S.S.

Nori Alexander
Holy Family C.E.S.

Isaac Lovatt
Our Lady of Peace C.E.S.

Juan Sarmiento Baquero
St. Andrew C.E.S.

Anthony Bubanovich
St. Marguerite d鈥橸ouville C.E.S.

Dekker Ly
St. Michael C.E.S.

Lauren Robinson
St. Ignatius of Loyola C.S.S.

Michael Bolek
St. Bernadette C.E.S.

Antonia Romero
St. Gregory the Great C.E.S.

John Carlo Castor
St. Joan of Arc C.E.S.

Hayley Zanatta
St. John Paul II C.E.S.

Francelina Dupont
St. Mary C.E.S.

Leticia Velasquez-Berrio
St. Matthew C.E.S.

Samira Bacchiochi
St. Teresa of Calcutta C.E.S.

Johann Redondo
St. Thomas Aquinas C.S.S.

Olivia Pauls
St. Dominic C.E.S.

Lucia Youssef
St. Luke C.E.S.

Agatha Yanes-Rahn
St. Nicholas C.E.S.

Victoria Sakhrani
St. Clare of Assisi C.E.S. (Virtual School)

Photo unavailable for:

• Leila S., St. Elizabeth Seton C.E.S.
• Jordan Clarke, Notre Dame C.S.S.
• Naomi Camacho, St. Brigid C.E.S.
• Rizkallah Botros, St. Kateri Tekakwitha C.S.S.
• Ava Stajan, St. Vincent C.E.S.
• Briana Cabral, Thomas Merton

Spirit of Inclusion Award Recipients

Sierra Maclean
Corpus Christi C.S.S.

Grace Soukaris
St. Catherine of Alexandria C.E.S.

Samantha DelGuidice
Thomas Merton

Phenomenal Work from the 2022-2023 Top IB Graduating Student!

Graduating students of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme are outstanding examples of inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people.

Sofia Silva, a graduating student of the IB Programme for the 2022-2023 school year scored an impressive 43 out of 45 possible points in her studies! Sofia finished with a 7 out of 7 in her Business Management, Biology, Economics, Mathematics and French courses; the highest score attainable in an IB course. 

鈥滻 believe that graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas’ IB Diploma Programme has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have made. Although rigorous and challenging, the knowledge I gained in the process has unlocked my curiosity and has forged the way I see the world. The holistic nature of the program helped me become confident in a range of subject areas, including economics, biology and french, equipping me for any career path I wanted to choose,” said Sofia.

“It has also helped me develop personalized study habits and learn time management skills that I am ready to apply in university. This includes making time for creative, active, and service-oriented activities through components such as CAS, teaching me that the key to academic success is also rooted in a balanced schedule that nurtures our human nature,” she added.

“However, the most valuable takeaway from my IB experience is the supportive community that was fostered by my fellow students and staff. Through all the adversities we faced, I always felt encouraged and motivated  by my classmates and teachers, and I am so proud of our collective achievements throughout this journey. I am so grateful for the community and learnings the IB has gifted me with, and I am so excited to see how it will help lead to our eventual success in our post-secondary endeavours!鈥�

Sofia began her studies in the International Relations Program at the University of Toronto in the fall of 2023!鈥�

Quick Facts:

•  in Oakville received accreditation to offer the IB Diploma Programme to students in March, 2012.
• The IB Diploma Programme curriculum is made up of six subject groups, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay. 

About the IB Programme

Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme offers high quality and challenging educational courses to a worldwide community of schools. Schools must be authorized by IB to offer the Programme. Learn more: .鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�

HCDSB Announces Recipients of the 2023 Governor General Bronze Medal  

The 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) announced the recipients of the Governor General Bronze Medal, awarded to the graduating student with the highest average from each secondary school.

The average is calculated based on the final marks received in all Grade 11 and 12 courses, as listed on each student鈥檚 official transcript, issued by the Ministry of Education.

2023 Governor General Award Recipients

Quick Facts

• For nearly 150 years, the Governor General鈥檚 Academic Medals recognize the academic achievements of students across Canada.
• Lord Dufferin, Canada鈥檚 third Governor General after Confederation, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage excellence across the nation. 
• For more information and a list of recipients, please visit: .

Assumption Student Earns a Spot on Team Ontario at the 2023 Canada Winter Games!

In February 2023, Ella Power, student at , earned a spot on Team Ontario’s gymnastics team at the !

In December 2022, Ella competed at a gymnastics selection trial hosted by the Burlington Gymnastics Club. Ella competed against the province’s best female artistic gymnasts and came in 2nd all around, earning her a spot on Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games 2023.

This renowned national event takes place once every 4 years to showcase over 20 different winter sports and hosts over 3000 athletes and coaches. The opening ceremonies took place on February 18, 2023, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

St. Francis Xavier鈥檚 DECA Team Successful at Regionals!

On Sunday, November 13th, 2022, 36 students in Grades 9-12 on the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Team from  travelled to Brock University in St. Catharines to compete at the DECA Regionals Competition. This was the first in-person event since the pandemic began.

is a not-for-profit student organization with more than 177,000 members around the globe. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for their future careers.

At the competition, students showcased their exceptional business and critical thinking skills as they competed in case study events focused on entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, law, hospitality and management. 

It was an amazing and successful day of competition and fellowship, with 20 members of the St. Francis Xavier DECA team qualifying for the DECA Provincials Competition in Toronto in February 2023!

Congratulations to all DECA participants from St. Francis Xavier on your success!

To learn more about DECA, please visit their website:

HCDSB Students Successful in 2023 Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair!

On March 28th, 2023, HCDSB students were recognized for their participation in the  (BASEF), an annual competition for students to explore their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

BASEF is open to all Grade 7 to 12 students from Hamilton, Halton Region, Haldimand County, Norfolk County and the County of Brant and Six Nations. The fair attracts over 500 students per year, with $300,000 worth of prizes awarded to those with the top science and engineering projects.

Through its affiliations, BASEF provides opportunities for students to compete at national and international levels.

Award Winners

Noah DiCaro

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Elementary School

Artistically Inspired Display Award

Jordan LeBlanc

St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School

Canada-Wide Science Fair Trip Award, Silver Merit Award, Gowling WLG Innovation Award 鈥� Runner-up and Royal Botanical Gardens Award

Joanna Martin

St. John Catholic Elementary School

Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) Award 鈥� First Place and Bronze Merit Award

Lucas Monter

Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School

Gowling WLG Innovation Award 鈥� Grand Winner and Bronze Merit Award

Gwyneth Rupchand

Ascension Catholic Elementary School

BASEF Inspiration Student Award and Bronze Merit Award

To see a full list of the 2023 winners, please visit the BASEF website:

HCDSB Students Participate in STEAM Innovation Showcase!

On March 8, 2023, students from HCDSB participated in a STEAM Innovation Showcase at

Students were tasked with creating innovations, or projects in which you design a solution that solves a particular problem. Students then tested their solutions, and then improved their designs using the engineering design process.

Elementary student STEAM Innovation Projects were displayed in the cafeteria, and secondary students pitched entrepreneurship ideas to a panel of community partners in the theatre.

Student groups from our secondary schools also ran activities for the participating elementary students in the atrium. Student groups included: Holy Trinity FIRST Robotics, Loyola Esports, Our Lady of Fatima Minecraft Esports, St. Gregory the Great Minecraft Esports, Notre Dame STEAM Club, St. Francis Xavier STEAM Club, St. Ignatius of Loyola STEAM Club, TVO and Spectrum Education.

Congratulations to our students for a job well done on their outstanding projects!

Notre Dame Student Awarded a Schulich Leader Scholarship!

Tiana Kayemba, Grade 12 student from , was selected to receive a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship to study Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Toronto!

Quick Facts

• Up to 100 Schulich Leader Scholarships are awarded to students across Canada each year who are studying in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). 
• Tiana was selected by Department Head of Guidance at Notre Dame, Alyson Little-Velianou, on behalf of school staff for her outstanding academic performance and demonstrated leadership in a wide range of school activities.
• Tiana is the 3rd Nominee to win a Schulich Leader Scholarship at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.

鈥淭iana exemplifies what it means to pursue a STEM focused education,鈥� said Alfonso Bozzelli, Head of Science Notre Dame. 鈥淎s mentor to younger students, Tiana has facilitated outreach programs in elementary schools, and enriched the STEM program at Notre Dame. Tiana applies her passion for math with skills learned in STEM to work towards solutions for today鈥檚 problems and challenges.鈥�

Tiana began her post-secondary education at the University of Toronto in the Fall of 2023. She is using this scholarship as a stepping stone to further her education, and build a career in a field where she can meaningfully contribute to the community.

St. Francis Xavier Grade 9 Student Animated a Scene for 鈥楽pider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse鈥�

The 2022-2023 Director鈥檚 Annual Report Sections

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Achieving

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Believing

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Belonging

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Foundational Elements

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