St. Patrick's High School Newsletter

Catholic School Council 

Our next meeting will take place virtually on Monday, February 9, 2026. We hope to see you there! 

The IRISH Spirit in Community 

On Friday, December 12th, 15 of our students travelled to St Luke’s Catholic Elementary School to help set up and serve a beautiful Christmas lunch to the entire school.  Their Principal, Michelle Leafloor, shared the following message the following day: “Just a quick email to let you know the group of student volunteers were outstanding.  We are always grateful to have St. Pat’s student volunteers and they have always been good but this group really stood out.  They were very proactive, demonstrated initiative. So grateful for this partnership and it really helped make our Celebration a success!” 

Carleton University Music Workshop 

In November, a group of St. Patrick’s band students from Grades 10–12 had the opportunity to participate in a series of inspiring music workshops at Carleton University. Throughout the day, students explored a wide range of musical experiences led by Carleton’s faculty and guest artists.

Participants rotated through several hands-on sessions, including a vocal workshop that focused on healthy singing techniques and expressive performance, two jazz improvisation sessions where students learned new tools for creativity and collaboration, and a dynamic Kpatsa workshop featuring traditional hand drumming and dance from Ghana. They also experimented with contemporary sound creation, using an array of percussion instruments to build textures, soundscapes, and rhythmic patterns.

The event gave students a chance to expand their musicianship, learn from professional educators, and connect with peers from across the region. They returned to St. Pat’s energized, informed, and excited to bring their new skills back into the classroom and rehearsal space!

LevelUp Skilled Trades Job Fair 

The grade 9/10/11 Tech Students participated in the LevelUp Skilled Trades Job Fair at the EY Centre on Dec. 12. They were able to explore many different career paths, talk to professionals in the field, and try their hand and many different skilled trades and simulators. It was an enlightening experience for everyone involved! 

Student Write-Up Following the Paul Davis Presentation 

A message written by Grade 11 Health & Wellness SHSM students:

Good day parents,

We would like to share information with you about a recent school-wide assembly focused on digital awareness and limiting screen time. Although this learning did not take place in a classroom, it provided students with important real-life information about technology use and personal well-being.

Guest speaker Paul Davis spoke to students about their digital footprint, defined as the permanent record of information created through online activity such as social media posts, messages, photos, and app usage. Students learned that even content believed to be private can resurface later and may impact future education, employment, and personal safety. This presentation encouraged students to think critically before posting or sharing information online.

Additionally, Health & Wellness SHSM students heard from our Addictions Counsellor, Aminata, who discussed the concept of phantom vibration, a psychological effect where individuals feel their phone vibrate when it has not. This phenomenon demonstrates how excessive screen time and phone dependency can affect focus, sleep, and mental health. Students were encouraged to reflect on their screen habits and consider healthier boundaries with technology.

Through this assembly, students were guided toward a transformation in how they view and use technology, shifting from constant use to more intentional and balanced screen time. We encourage parents to support these lessons at home by discussing online safety, setting reasonable screen limits, and modeling healthy digital habits.

Thank you for your continued support in helping students develop responsible and healthy relationships with technology. 

Religion Field Trips 

This month we had two very successful religion field trips.  One for a small group of grade 12 students and one trip for all the semester 1 grade 10 religion class.

For both trips, students visited the National Art Gallery and Notre Dame Cathedral, in downtown Ottawa. Students were given the opportunity to examine and take in Religious Art and Architecture.  At the Cathedral students took in the impressive collection of statues, stained glass windows, decorations and designs throughout the church on Sussex drive.  The students participated in a guided tour and learned about the history of the church and meaning of some of the images and statues.  They were able to make connections to biblical stories, and Catholic Faith practices.  Stain glass images and statues of St Patrick were highlighted for the students.  The Irish Catholic community was one of a few of the founding groups behind the building of Ottawa’s first church in the 1840’s.  

Another fascinating fact is that the Pipe organ is made up of almost 5000 pipes.

At the National Gallery of Ottawa.  The students took in religious and contemporary art.  There the students learned how to read and interpret art, enabling them to better appreciate and discuss the signs and symbols of religious art.

This experience will help students to better appreciate and understand the medium in which many traditions, and lessons of faith are stored and passed on to each of us who wish to take it all in.

 Grade 12 students enjoying the Byward market during Lunch

Payment Option Moving to School Cash Online ONLY 

Starting February 2nd, the St Patrick’s Main office will no longer be accepting cash payment for items listed on School Cash Online.  Team fees, field trip payments, grad fees, student fees, spiritwear etc. will now be paid through School Cash Online only.  This is to streamline our financial processes with those of the OCSB.  

If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from using School Cash Online, please contact the office directly to make necessary arrangements.

Uniform Reminder

As we approached the Christmas Break, we have noted a decline in student compliance when it comes to wearing the school uniform.  I am resharing with you the expectations for all St Pat’s students on a daily basis to avoid having students being sent home or asking parents to bring uniform items to the school! 

Bottoms: black dress pants, black cargo pants, black skirt or SPH Kilt (black leggings may be worn under the skirt and/or kilt however NOT on their own). NO jeans or jogging pants are to be worn. 

Tops: Top Marks tops as well as Spirit wear can be worn.  No other tops are to be worn over them.  Grade 12 students are permitted to wear their Grad sweatshirt as part of their uniform as well..  

Students are expected to be in proper uniform all day, every day. 

*** BLACK JEANS, LEGGINGS AND JOGGING PANTS ARE NOT considered uniform bottoms. ***

Donation of used uniforms for families in need would be greatly appreciated to help replenish our Used Uniform supply. 

We ask that you support your child in arriving at school in proper uniform starting on January 5th.

Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement 

• The Ministry of Education has introduced a new Certificate of Recognition to be given out at Graduation to students who go above and beyond the required 40 hours of community service hours.  Please click on this LINK for further information. 

Edge Imaging - Free Shipping 

Celebrate 2026 early with FREE SHIP-TO-HOME!

Spend $55+ on at least one student for your order to qualify for FREE ship-to-home!*

HURRY! Until December 31: get free ship-to-home with coupon code NY26 just add your products to your cart then enter your coupon before checkout!

Visit edgeimaging.ca/order and enter your portrait codes to get started. Lost codes? Check out our online look-up form edgeimaging.ca/lookup or call the Edge Customer Care team at 1-888-416-3343. Otherwise, email us at customercare@edgeimaging.ca.

*NOTE: Promotion applies only to elementary and high school (not grad) students who order between Dec 9-31, 2025. The Edge Team will be enjoying their holiday break from Dec 22-Jan 4. All orders will be promptly shipped after our shutdown period, should you place your order during that time.

High School Exams and RSTs 

Our Grades 10-12 students will once again be completing RSTs and/or Exams as a part of the final assessment of their courses.  A reminder to families that Grade 9–12 exams and RSTs cannot be moved for vacation or travel plans.  Please schedule all appointments outside these dates. If a student is ill, a Vice-Principal must be contacted before the exam; a medical note is req

Once again, Grade 9 students will only complete RSTs, they will NOT have exams as part of their final assessments. Grade 9 students are expected to attend everyday as per the schedule below in the Important Dates.  

RSTs will be completed in the final 2-3 weeks before exams.  We ask that families please take note of the following dates and to avoid any non-essential travel or absences during those periods.  It is critical that students complete the designated final assessments to be able to earn their credit. 

Semester 1 RST Period                                                            January 6 - 21, 2025

Semester 1 Examinations (Grades 10-12)                            January 22 - 28, 2026

Semester 2 RST Period                                                             June 1 - 17, 2026

Second Semester Examinations (Grades 10-12)                  June 18 - 24, 2026

Important Dates 

Please mark your calendars for the following key dates:

First Day of Classes in 2026! - January 5, 2026

United in Black Day - January 15, 2026

High School Final Assessments/Exams Period 1 - January 22, 2026

High School Final Assessments/Exams Period 2 - January 23, 2026

High School Final Assessments/Exams Period 3 - January 27, 2026

High School Final Assessments/Exams Period 4 - January 28, 2026

PD Day - January 30, 2026

First Day of High School Semester 2 and Intermediate Term 2 - February 2, 2026

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!