Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School

Not to be confused with Georges Vanier Secondary School.
Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School

Academics • Arts • Athletics • Technology
In the Service of the Community

Through Knowledge Toward God
Address
959 Midland Avenue
Knob Hill, Toronto, Ontario, M1K 4G4
Information
School type Bill 30 Catholic High School
Founded 1989
School board Toronto Catholic District School Board
Superintendent Kevin Malcolm
Area 7
Area trustee Mike Del Grande
Ward 7
School number 554 / 723428
Administrator Patricia Donohue
Principal Linda Maselli-Jackman
Faculty 101
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 994 (2016–17)
Language English
Colour(s) Canadian Red, Navy Blue, White, Grey and Vegas Gold                     
Mascot March the Maverick
Team name Vanier Mavericks
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Parish St. Maria Goretti
Specialist High Skills Major Transportation
Program Focus Advanced Placement
Broad-based Technology
Website jeanvanier.tcdsb.org

Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School (JVCSS), simply Jean Vanier or Vanier is a Roman Catholic high school, part of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), in the Eglinton East neighbourhood of Scarborough in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school was opened as Tabor Park Vocational School (1964-1986) by the Scarborough Board of Education and later owned by the Toronto District School Board, after which the building was leased to the TCDSB in 1989.

The school is named after Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche in 1964. The school is informally known as New Tabor Park to avoid confusion with Georges Vanier Secondary School and is also sometimes referred to as the Maverick Ranch, a type of unbranded horse. The school educates 996 students as of the 2014-15 academic year and it is ranked 331 out of 725 schools in the Fraser Institute report card.[1] Its motto is "Through Knowledge Toward God".

History

To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth and their importance.
— Jean Vanier, Community And Growth

The Man

Main article: Jean Vanier

Jean Vanier was born on September 10, 1928. He is the founder of L'Arche, an international organization which creates communities where people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them share life together. He is the son of the 19th Governor General of Canada, Major-General Georges Vanier. In his youth and during World War II he served with the Royal Navy and then with the Royal Canadian Navy. As a midshipman, Vanier accompanied the Royal Family on their tour of South Africa aboard HMS Vanguard in 1947.

The School

Jean Vanier was attempted to merge with Cardinal Newman in June of 2000 at the former home of Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute, but the plans were never materialized.

Long before the existence of Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School, the first Roman Catholic separate school, St. Maria Goretti Separate School opened its doors in September 1955 and St. Albert in September of 1969 as the first schools within the parish of the same name. Between 1959 and 1962,David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute and Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute were then established although Midland was the sole secondary school in that area. However, by fall of 1973, Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School also opened its doors as the first Catholic high school in that same area as Midland.

The current location, Tabor Park Vocational School was designed by the architects Webb, Zerafa and Menkes, built in 1964 and established by the Scarborough Board of Education in September 1965 as a less academically challenged high school. Its programs were different from Bendale Vocational/Secondary with students integrated to mainstream schooling due to Tabor Park and Bendale were meant for streamed "vocational" high schools for people living near Midland and Thomson. The schools would later forged the model after Tabor Park by the openings of Maplewood and Sir William Osler in 1967 and 1975 respectively. By the time Tabor Park closed in 1986 due to low enrolment, Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies, an adult high school began in this site. As a result of public funding of Catholic high schools, by 1988, the Tabor Park property was ceded to the Metropolitan Separate School Board (later the Toronto Catholic District School Board) and was reopened as Jean Vanier to serve the rest of Scarborough. In that case, it was established to relive overcrowding at Mary Ward and Newman.

Jean Vanier C.S.S. came to existence on September 5, 1989 within the St. Maria Goretti Parish catchment area with 18 staff and 198 grade 9 students under the leadership of founding principal Michael Leroux, with the first students graduated Vanier in 1993. Construction and renovation began in 1990, and was completed in the spring of 1994, although the eastern portion building was built with 18 classrooms in 1991 and the school now accommodates close to 1000 students. From the onset, the school was de-streamed in grade 9. The school was opened and blessed on November 13, 1994. Interestingly, in its conception, the school was originally to be named St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School, named after a Jesuit priest, Francis Xavier. But despite a turnout and the elementary school using the name, it was changed to Jean Vanier thereafter.

Following the closure of Midland Collegiate in 2000, Vanier received the remaining students from Midland. To date, students living in the school's former catchment area have applied or attended Vanier since.

In February 2011, Jean Vanier C.S.S. received Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement award from EQAO.

Jean Vanier C.S.S. celebrated its 20th Anniversary in June 2010 since it opened in September 1989 with the Mass and Alumni social. The school celebrated its 25th in October 2014 in conjunction with L'Arche's 50th anniversary of its founding.

In the news

Overview

The enrollment of the school as of 2015–16 is 996 pupils. It is a co-educational semestered school operating in grades 9–12. The school draws crowds from the Bendale, Ionview, Knob Hill, Scarborough Junction, and most parts of Scarborough as well as some from Toronto and as far from Pickering and Ajax. It became a popular destination powerhouse with its excellent facilities and programs since the closure of nearby Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute in June 2000.

Emphasizing on the "AAA" focus, the school has a large athletic field found in most regular public high schools, but usually unavailable with purpose built Catholic high Schools. Due to Tabor Park being built as a technical-oriented high school, it has brown bricks and overall structure design in the middle where the quadrangle stands. The two catwalks along with 20 new academic classrooms, a seminar work room, and an exercise room was eventually added in 1991 to expand enrollment.[10] as well as black cross was retrofitted in the centre.[11] Other features in the leased 126,241 sq. ft. facility include 28 academic classrooms, two automotive shops, four state-of-the-art science labs, three computer labs, two Mac labs, a visual arts studio, cafetorium, library, expanded ME/DD classroom, a double gymnasia that can be split into two, a drama room, two music rooms, a photography room, guidance area, a recently renovated home economics room and a chapel.

In 2011, however, Portables made their way back to the facility to accommodate more students in the existing campus since the addition was added. There are 3 portables.

Academics

Since its inception, Jean Vanier offers various courses in the comprehensive academic program for its students. Students can choose from a variety of courses at the academic, applied, and open levels. These, and other specialized courses, help prepare students for university, college, or the world of work after they have completed their studies at the school. Vanier currently offers math, English, science, Canadian History, geography, and religious studies. It also has special education programs.

Vanier, every year, competes in the University of Waterloo mathematics competition.

Arts

The word “Arts” is one that is immensely rich in meaning and its value is greatly appreciated in the school community. The creativity, style, expression, compassion and unique artistic approach is very obvious in 5 Arts Disciplines such as drama, instrumental/vocal music, visual arts, and photography. The drum line was introduced in 2012 by Michael Fanning, a new music teacher at the school.[12]

The combined art, music, technology show called Festival of Sight and Sound started by the arts department in the 1990s consisting of the talents of the music students as well as the work of the Art, Drama and Photography students. It is held in December and May each semester.

On March 6, 2014, Vanier was selected for the Musicounts Band Aid Grant program costing at $600,000. The school received their $10,000 in equipment for the drum line program such as the marimba and a complete set of cymbals.[13][14] The guests were Juno Award winning musicians Classified and David Myles who also performed their single Inner Ninja live in front of 300 students.[14]

Athletics

The Jean Vanier Maverick has held a history of athletic excellence, which continues today. The school was well represented with the colours of red, black, silver and compete in the TDCAA locally and OFSAA provincially. So far, Vanier Mavericks compete in basketball, volleyball, soccer, flag football, rugby, cross country, track and field, badminton, and indoor soccer. It notably previously competed in ice hockey and curling.

The goal of the program is success through participation. The school's Student-Athletes succeed through:

Technology

Continuing with the broadbased technology, Jean Vanier offers a unique blend of courses not found in any other schools such as CITI Motive (Automotive Class) - Dual High School / College Credits, Communications Technology, Partnership with Apple Inc., Yearbook (Desktop Publishing), Photography, among others.

The Communications Technology program began in 2000 under the leadership of Thomas Gilmor and Roy Ilulani with 60 students and has since gone to 250.

"In the service of the community"

In today's world, the students practice an active, faith life through service to the community. The education component is learned through religion classes, regular school practices and through special initiatives such as their affiliation with Development and Peace. Their support with the community through activities such as:

The school has donated volunteer time, food and money to organizations such as: Development and Peace, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada), Share Life – Covenant House, Inner City Angels, Raising the Roof, Help a Family Fundraiser (a school and orphanage in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic), St. John the Compassionate Mission, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Day Sales, The Louise Russo Fund, Right to Life, and L'Arche Daybreak (Richmond Hill, ON).

Student Life

Beyond the classrooms, the Student Advisory Council organizes certain events to show school spirit such as Pep Rally, Fearfest, Semi-Formal, 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Activity Day, School Dance, 30 Hour Famine, SAC Gives Back, and Dress Down Day. In addition to SAC, there are certain organizations and clubs run and operated like Social Justice, History, Maverick Athletic Council, Anime, Chess, Mathematics, Best Buddies, Improv, School Plays, Drumline, and many others.

The Student Advisory Council is currently moderated by the school's teachers Melissa Avecillas (English), Destiny-Lynn Barbitta (Guidance) and Andrea Sisca (Teacher/Librarian).

School Media

Yearbooks

Over the years, Jean Vanier has publish several yearbooks in its 22-year life. Unlike all other high schools who receive yearbooks at the end of the year, the yearbooks are released the next year.

Vanier Vision

Vanier Vision is a newsletter that highlights the events happening in Jean Vanier throughout the school year. Published by the school principal and the communication technology teacher, it is distributed to students quarterly upon mailing the report cards in November, February, April, or July. The redesign took place starting in the Spring 2013 issue.

Other publications and media

Crest

The school crest was designed by the first art teacher, Martine Girard-Agro in 1989. It features a calligraphy of a "J" and a "V" with a t-like cross.

Administration

Principals

As of July 2015, only four active principals of Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School remain employed with the TCDSB.

Principal Previous School Date started Date finished Notes
Michael Leroux Francis Libermann Catholic High School
Regina Pacis Catholic Secondary School		 1989 1998 Founding Principal of Jean Vanier.
Carmine Settino 1998 2001 Currently Principal at Chaminade College School.
Joseph Clarkson Brother Edmund Rice Catholic Secondary School 2001 2007 There's an award named after him named The Joseph Clarkson Award that is given to a student in each graduation ceremony.
Peter Aguiar Francis Libermann Catholic High School
Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School		 2007 2011 Currently at 21st Century Learning as a Program Co-ordinator. Formerly at Francis Libermann Catholic High School as English teacher (1988-2002)
Anthony Bellisario
(Acting)		 Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School
Brebeuf College School		 2007 2007 Placed on an interim basis due to Aguiar's heart surgery. Currently at James Cardinal McGuigan as a principal.
John Brady James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School
Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts		 2011 2015 Served as vice-principal for five years in two schools. Formerly a math teacher at Neil McNeil.
Linda Maselli-Jackman Monsignor Fraser College
Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School
St. Joseph's Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School		 2015 present

Vice Principals

Feeder schools

This school also accepts students from Bliss Carman Senior Public School, Cedarbrook Public School, Donwood Park Public School, General Crerar Public School, Ionview Public School, John McCrae Public School, Knob Hill Public School, Robert Service Senior Public School, Tredway-Woodsworth Public School and St. Andrew's Public School. All of the schools are located within the vicinity of Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute, R.H. King Academy and Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute.

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://ontario.compareschoolrankings.org/secondary/Jean_Vanier_Catholic_Secondary_School/Toronto/Report_Card.aspx
  2. 1 2 3 Mick, Hayley Officer cursed teen before shooting, inquest told - The Globe and Mail, June 9, 2006. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.
  3. ↑ Injustice Busters
  4. ↑ Boy, 16, ejected from flipped car fights for life - CTV News Toronto, July 18, 2010. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.
  5. ↑ Cherry, Tamara Family hopes teen's death not in vain - Toronto Sun, July 24, 2010. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ http://jeanvanier.typepad.com/jean_vanier_catholic_seco/2011/09/happy-birthday-jean-vanier.html
  7. ↑ Man dies in Markham collision - CityNews, September 8, 2011. Retrieved on December 12, 2015
  8. ↑ Highland Funeral Home, Scarborough Chapel.
  9. ↑ Teen struck by vehicle succumbs to injuries - CP24
  10. ↑ Tabor Park Vocational School
  11. ↑ CSAC Minutes: 21 September 2009, Toronto Catholic School Board
  12. ↑ http://www.tcdsb.org/schools/jeanvanier/Cocurricular/Pages/Music-Program.aspx
  13. ↑ MusiCounts Announces $75,000 in Grants to TCDSB Schools - TCDSB
  14. 1 2 MUSICOUNTS PROVIDES OVER $600,000 TO 70 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE FROM THEIR BAND AID GRANT PROGRAM - Musicounts
  15. ↑ Notre Dame Yearbook 2004: Discovery
  16. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/MayMarquardtMusic/
  17. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/user/MayMarquardt

External links

Coordinates: 43°44′17″N 79°15′32″W / 43.738°N 79.259°W / 43.738; -79.259

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