Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! Whether you are joining the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) for the first time or returning for another year, we are delighted to have you as part of our Catholic learning community.

Each new school year brings an exciting sense of renewal and possibility. Building on the achievements of last year’s Student Achievement Plan, we remain focused on the goals outlined in our multi-year strategic plan, Inspire 2026. These priorities include supporting faith and well-being, advancing human rights, equity, and Indigenous education, and improving student learning.

Our spiritual theme for this year is Blessed are the Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), which was inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s invocation of peace, and his prayer that “one and all” may be helped “to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace”. Blessed are the Peacemakers will guide our reflections, actions, and community spirit throughout the year. I encourage you to visit our website to learn more about this theme and view our student designed poster.

We are excited to announce the People of Peace recognition program, a new initiative that brings to life our spiritual theme as we celebrate faith in action. Each month, we will honour one student and one staff member who exemplify the spirit of peacemaking – those who actively build bridges, foster understanding, and reflect God’s love in their daily lives. To learn more about the People of Peace program and to nominate a student or staff member, please visit our website.

We recognize that families play a vital role in student success. To stay informed and engaged, we invite you to create an Edsby account, download the SchoolMessenger app, read our monthly newsletter to families, and follow the board on social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube). We believe that strong partnerships between home, school, and parish help us to best serve our students and to fulfill our mission: to be an inclusive Catholic learning community that inspires every student to reach their full potential through faith and education. Opportunities to connect include participating in your school’s Catholic School Council and the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee, which hosts regular meetings, events, and activities. To learn more about ways to be involved in your child’s education, we encourage you to speak with your school.

We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, September 2, and wish everyone a joyful and successful start to the school year.

Yours in peace and faith,

Gerard Winn
Director of Education