Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School is a Catholic high school located in the south end of Guelph
, Ontario
, Canada
. It is one of the three high schools in the Wellington Catholic District School Board
, all of which are located within the city limits of Guelph.
The school's roots go back to when the Loreto Sisters
, also known as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, arrived from Toronto and opened a school for girls in 1856 (housed in the convent, the last remaining structure that is standing as part of the original school). The enrollment quickly increased, that in 1872 an addition was constructed. In 1883, it was decided that the younger grades would be moved to two other sites on the original property (St. Agnes school for girls - which is still standing and St. Stanislaus School for boys - which was rebuilt in 1977) and the convent school would continue to house the high school students. By 1926, enrolment was continuing to increase and the new Loretto Academy was built immediately next door the convent school, and the all-girls school continued to be operated by the Loretto sisters.
In 1953 the co-educational Notre Dame High School was erected, and at this time, laywomen and men joined the Sisters as part of the teaching staff. This building provided facilities for grades 9 and 10 and was infamous for its gymnasium and its "caged gallery". On the other hand, Loretto Academy also became co-educational and housed students in grades 11, 12, and 13. In 1962, Loretto Academy and Notre Dame were renamed Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School, after Bishop Alexander Macdonell
(1762–1840), a well-respected Catholic leader in his own time, and a few years later in 1966-1967, the two schools were officially joined by an addition.
In 1992, a report highlighting the needs of the Catholic community through a Board-School-Church committee, recommended the closure of the original high school and a recommendation of a school of the same name to be built in the future. Despite a long and hard-fought battle with support from many members of the community, the school was closed in June, 1995 and the three buildings, with the exception of the original 1856 convent building, were demolished in 2004.
In September 2004, the recommendation of the committee finally came forth as the existing school on Clair Road West opened starting with grades 9 through 11. Grade 12 has since been added, thereby enabling full granting status of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
, continuing the tradition of the Loretto Sisters and Celtic Pride in Guelph.
On June 16, 2009, Grade 9 student Isabel Warren was killed by a cinderblock wall collapsing on her in a washroom facility in Larry Pearson Park, which is located behind the school.
ed school. The uniforms are a blue tartan
kilt
and French cut white blouse
for girls, and a golf shirt and black slacks for boys. The school's motto is “Wisdom - Honour - Courage".
Guelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is one of the three high schools in the Wellington Catholic District School Board
Wellington Catholic District School Board
The Wellington Catholic District School Board is a school board in Ontario, Canada, serving the students of the City of Guelph and Wellington County...
, all of which are located within the city limits of Guelph.
History
Originally, this school was located in downtown Guelph at the intersection of Cork and Norfolk Street, next to the Church of our Lady Immaculate.The school's roots go back to when the Loreto Sisters
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
, also known as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, arrived from Toronto and opened a school for girls in 1856 (housed in the convent, the last remaining structure that is standing as part of the original school). The enrollment quickly increased, that in 1872 an addition was constructed. In 1883, it was decided that the younger grades would be moved to two other sites on the original property (St. Agnes school for girls - which is still standing and St. Stanislaus School for boys - which was rebuilt in 1977) and the convent school would continue to house the high school students. By 1926, enrolment was continuing to increase and the new Loretto Academy was built immediately next door the convent school, and the all-girls school continued to be operated by the Loretto sisters.
In 1953 the co-educational Notre Dame High School was erected, and at this time, laywomen and men joined the Sisters as part of the teaching staff. This building provided facilities for grades 9 and 10 and was infamous for its gymnasium and its "caged gallery". On the other hand, Loretto Academy also became co-educational and housed students in grades 11, 12, and 13. In 1962, Loretto Academy and Notre Dame were renamed Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School, after Bishop Alexander Macdonell
Alexander Macdonell (bishop)
Bishop Alexander Macdonell was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Kingston, Upper Canada.-Early years:...
(1762–1840), a well-respected Catholic leader in his own time, and a few years later in 1966-1967, the two schools were officially joined by an addition.
In 1992, a report highlighting the needs of the Catholic community through a Board-School-Church committee, recommended the closure of the original high school and a recommendation of a school of the same name to be built in the future. Despite a long and hard-fought battle with support from many members of the community, the school was closed in June, 1995 and the three buildings, with the exception of the original 1856 convent building, were demolished in 2004.
In September 2004, the recommendation of the committee finally came forth as the existing school on Clair Road West opened starting with grades 9 through 11. Grade 12 has since been added, thereby enabling full granting status of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is a diploma granted to high school graduates in the province of Ontario.-Diploma requirements:The Ontario Academic Credit system applies to students from Grades 9 through 12...
, continuing the tradition of the Loretto Sisters and Celtic Pride in Guelph.
On June 16, 2009, Grade 9 student Isabel Warren was killed by a cinderblock wall collapsing on her in a washroom facility in Larry Pearson Park, which is located behind the school.
Notable alumni
- Todd BertuzziTodd BertuzziTodd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
(NHL) - John CullenJohn CullenJohn Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer...
(NHL) - Blake MarshallBlake MarshallBlake Marshall was Canadian football player with the Edmonton Eskimos for 8 seasons. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1991 and was a CFL All-Star three years in a row....
(CFL) - Jamie TarasJamie TarasJamie Taras is a former professional Canadian football player with the Canadian Football League British Columbia Lions, and current Director of Community Relations with the BC Lions...
(CFL) - Greg Marshall (CIAU Football Player and Coach)
- Jeff O'NeillJeff O'NeillJeffrey O'Neill is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger in the National Hockey League . During his career, he played for the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs...
(NHL)
The school today
The school now has an approximate population of 749 students ranging from grades 9-12. It is a uniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
ed school. The uniforms are a blue tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
kilt
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
and French cut white blouse
Blouse
A blouse is a loose-fitting upper garment that was formerly worn by workmen, peasants, artists, women and children. It is typically gathered at the waist so that it hangs loosely over the wearer's body. Today, the word most commonly refers to a woman's shirt but can also refer to a man's shirt if...
for girls, and a golf shirt and black slacks for boys. The school's motto is “Wisdom - Honour - Courage".
See also
- Alexander Macdonell (bishop)Alexander Macdonell (bishop)Bishop Alexander Macdonell was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Kingston, Upper Canada.-Early years:...
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High SchoolOur Lady of Lourdes Catholic High SchoolOur Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School is a Grades 9–12 catholic secondary school in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and is part of the Wellington Catholic District School Board.-History:...
- Saint James Catholic High SchoolSaint James Catholic High SchoolSt. James Catholic High School is a Grade 9 to 12 Catholic secondary school located in Guelph, Ontario and is part of the Wellington Catholic District School Board.- History :...
External links
- Official website
- Profile at the Education Quality and Accountability OfficeEducation Quality and Accountability OfficeThe Education Quality and Accountability Office is an arm’s-length Crown agency of the Government of Ontario, Canada, legislated into creation in 1996 in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Learning in February 1995....
(EQAO) web site