Latest Updates

Message From the Principal

September 21, 2026

Principal’s Update

I am pleased to share that the start of the 2026–27 school year has been a smooth one, with our school community settling into positive, productively engaged routines. Over the next few months, the focus for the administrative team, as well as for the staff, will be in supporting and reinforcing our expectations for the year: accountability, resilience and a sense of community. As we look ahead to a semester filled with learning and school community activities, please review the following updates to help keep you informed of what is happening at St. Joseph High School:

Morning Drop-Offs and Parking in Front of the School

A huge Thank You to parents for supporting our changes to the morning drop-off routine -- the North Entrance to the school is now safer for both students and teachers. A reminder that entrance to the school parking lot via the North Entrance is restricted from 7:45AM to 8:00AM each morning, except to yellow school buses, staff, and special transportation vans.

OCTranspo has also asked us to remind parents that parking in front of the school (along Greenbank Rd.) is not permitted in the morning and at the end of the school day as this is a designated bus drop-off area. 

Food Deliveries

Food delivery services, such as Uber Eats or Skip, are not permitted on school property. They pose logistical problems and privacy concerns. Deliveries will be turned away from the main office and the deliverer will be asked to leave the property.

Catholic School Council 2026-2027

On Monday, September 14, the 2026-2027 Catholic School Council (CSC) was formed. Congratulations and thank you to the following individuals who represent the parent/guardian voice at St. Joseph High School:

Co-Chairs: Kate Ledgerwood and Virginia Fauras

Secretary: Helen Svoboda Dorner

Treasurer: Stephanie Udeh

CSPA Rep: Mourad Graidia

Parish Rep: Mariane Carvalho

Members at Large: Zaid AlShaddadi, Patricia Beilby-Plain, Tam Vo, Jade Reeve, Fidelia Addison,  Andrea Gil, Mari Tudos and Erika Kujawski 

Information on the CSC can be found on the SJH webpage, under the parents tab. That also is where agendas and minutes from the meetings will be posted. Should you wish to reach out to the CSC, the email address is:stjoes.councilinfo@gmail.com. The CSC meets monthly at 6:30PM in the SJH Learning Commons. Please note the following meeting dates, which are open to all parents of the SJH community:

October 5

November 2

December 7

January 18 (virtual)

February 22 (virtual)

April 5

May (tbd)

Leadership Camp 2026, September 16-18, written by gr. 12 student Oliver Lira

When people imagine what Leadership Camp is like, they often get the wrong idea. They envision only the activities, the overnight stay, and the new skills the campers gain. Although this accurately describes Leadership Camp in its own right, it misses the one key element of connection. It is seemingly impossible to imagine how people who were strangers mere hours before can become so connected overnight. This year's Leadership Camp demonstrated how the impossible suddenly became reality. Within this short amount of time, connections were formed, teams were bonded, and spirits were high. Fueled by competition and friendly rivalry, each team gave it their all, expressing their team pride and unwavering spirit. This year, students participated in a variety of activities, ranging from dance shows and campfire games to an amazing race and a trivia night. Throughout these activities, bonds were formed not only between teams but across the entire camp as a whole. In a few short days, strangers became like family and made memories that would last a lifetime. The competition between teams was tight, a race for victory that stretched throughout our time at Red Pine Camp. After an entertaining dance show and comedic judging from our teachers, especially Mr. Cummings, the winners of Leadership Camp were announced. Congratulations to the Blue Team on their victory. A huge thank you to Red Pine Camp and their amazing staff for hosting our school’s Leadership Camp. Overall, Leadership Camp 2026 was the experience of a lifetime where new friendships were made, passions were ignited, and people came together.

St. Joseph High School’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation 

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). To prepare students for this day, homeroom classes will complete daily guided reflections starting on September 23. These age appropriate mini lessons will help students to contextualize this event in history and in contemporary society. They, along with the assemblies detailed below, will also help students to understand why they are being invited to wear orange shirts on September 30. 

On September 29, all Grades 9-12 students will be invited to morning assemblies where Ojibwe Elder Doug Commegan, who is a residential school survivor, will share about his time at residential schools, his healing time afterwards living with his grandparents and reconnecting with culture teachings, and his time as an advocate who has supported the government in treaty negotiations and more on Canada's path toward Truth and Reconciliation. 

On the morning of September 30, Kyrstin Dumont, Algonquin youth leader and daughter of Albert Dumont, former Poet Laureate of Ottawa, spiritual leader, and activist, will present to all Grade 7&8 students about growing up Algonquin in Ottawa. She will help students to reflect on what it means to live on unceded Algonquin territory and help them to understand the intentions of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. She will invite students to focus forward on our roles and relational responsibilities as we all work together toward Truth and Reconciliation.

On September 30, all students and staff will be invited to wear orange, and there will be information posted inside the atrium and outside where students will be welcome to do a learning walk. All homeroom classes will also be asked to write a few words on an orange rock to share the culmination of their learning from September 23-30. These rocks will be placed around the school garden to commemorate the survivors and families whose lives are affected by the legacy of residential schools.

Jag Jog

On October 1st, the grade 12 Rec Leadership class will once again be hosting Jag Jog! Click HERE for the official Jag Jog poster. Jag Jog is our school's only fundraiser whose purpose is to build school community, participate and contribute to the Terry Fox Cancer Society, along with supporting school initiatives and supporting other local charities. It is a day our entire school comes together, walks 5km, plays games against other homerooms, dunks teachers in the dunk tank, celebrates the Arts Department with a dance showcase and cheers on the Varsity Football team after lunch (for high school students) or attends a groovy dance (for the intermediate students).  Jag Jog is a day where students can put down their pencils, close the books, hang out with their friends and focus on SCHOOL SPIRIT!  Participation is by donation via School Cash Online.

Semester 1 Final Exams and RSTs

Please note that almost all courses from Grade 9-12 will now have a final exam. Teachers will have communicated to students whether or not an exam will be written for their course. More information will be shared as we approach the end of the semester. Please be advised of the following:  

The Semester 1 Final Exam period will take place from January 21-26, 2027. Some courses (such as grade 9 mathematics, MTH1W) may have final assessments taking place outside this window. Grade 9 - 12 students’ examinations or Rich Summative Tasks (RSTs) WILL NOT be rescheduled for holiday or travel convenience, and all appointments should be scheduled so as not to conflict with exams and RSTs. If a medical problem arises, a Vice-Principal must be contacted prior to the exam or RST.  Medical certificates will be required to permit alternate arrangements for final examinations.

Students and Parents/Guardians can refer to the OCSB website for the Grade 9 - 12 calendar. These calendars identify the first and last day of school, PD days, Statutory Holidays, Board Holidays, and High School exams for both semesters.

Hold on to Your Student ID Card

Keep your current Student ID Card as it will still be valid and used at the start of the next school year. Holding on to your ID helps ensure a smooth return in September!

Age of Consent: 18+ Consent Requirement for Communication

As we approach the end of the school year, we would like to remind families of information shared earlier in the semester and available on our school website regarding students who are 18 years of age or older.

Once a student turns 18, they are considered an adult under Ontario privacy legislation (MFIPPA). As a result, schools are not permitted to share personal student information, including graduation status, attendance, and event details, with parents or guardians without the student’s written consent.

To ensure you continue to receive important year-end updates (including graduation information), consent must be provided through the Over 18+ Parent Portal Consent Access form.

Students who are 18 or older can complete this form by logging into their Compass Student Portal using their OCSB credentials, navigating to the Forms section, and submitting the required consent.

Once submitted, parent/guardian access to applicable information will be updated by the next school day.

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