About Us
At St. Bede Catholic School, we recognize that for learning to take place, the environment must be safe and welcoming, fostering the development of the whole child. We are a Christ-centered community, rooted in the Gospel values that are lived out in everything we do. Our academic and extracurricular programs are seen through the lens of our Catholic faith; this is the crux of who we are and what we are about.
Each day brings new opportunities at St. Bede. Together, we can achieve any goal we set and overcome any challenge that comes our way. Parents are always welcome, encouraged and supported to take an active role in your child's education.
Mission Statement
In a school community formed by Catholic beliefs and traditions, our Mission is to educate students to their full potential.
On Student Learning, our Mission is to:
Provide consistent feedback building confidence and independence fostering improved student achievement.
Weave our Catholic Values into the learning process and the entire school experience.
Foster a love of learning by meeting all students learning needs through a differentiated approach to teaching.
On Student and Staff Relationships, our Mission is to:
Foster positive relationships based on mutual respect as well as understanding that each child is unique, created in the image of God.
Recognize authentic contributions of our students in meaningful ways.
Nurture a strong sense of discipline through positive reinforcement and consistent guidelines.
On Staff Relationships, our Mission is to:
Collaborate regularly with the goal of improved student achievement as the main idea.
Foster a sense of equity and respect in all aspects of the profession.
Use the lens of being proactive and keep lines of communication open to sustain the positive culture on staff.
On Staff and Parent Relationships, our Mission is to:
Provide an environment that is welcoming and that fosters open communication between the staff and the parents.
Ensure communication is clear and open at all times.
Establish partnerships with parents to work together towards a common goal of improved student achievement.
How We Meet The Diverse Needs Of Our Students
At St. Bede, we believe in the uniqueness of every child. We recognize that children have individual talents and their own special needs. We strive to assist the students to, “be the best they can be,” growing in Christian values, self-esteem and respect for themselves and others.
The catechetical program as approved by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, is the foundation for the instructional program in religious education. Among a variety of strategies employed to ensure a Catholic environment, we practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Acts of charity such as participation in food drives, the ShareLife campaign and supporting families in need, both within the local community and the global community, are encouraged as gestures of Gospel values at work. Our students are very sensitive to, and concerned about, the needs of others. These efforts are essential for reinforcing with the students that our Catholic beliefs need to be reflected in all aspects of the daily program.
Fostering a safe and welcoming learning environment which is an example of Christian community is a vital part of the Mission Statement of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Daily attendance monitoring is one example of this mission in action. Through cooperative parent-school communication, parents advise the school if their child will be absent and school staff monitor attendance patterns and alert the family if any problems are noted. We always appreciate parents notifying us of health conditions which may affect their child at school. We also strive to keep parents and guardians informed regarding issues and situations which impact on their child's health and safety. It is our hope and desire that all families feel welcome when entering the school. We are pleased to provide information about our school and community, to make introductions and to maintain collaborative communications.
Clear expectations for student behaviour are important elements of school life. These are clearly outlined in the School Code of Conduct, found in the agenda of every student. Our school operates under the premise of progressive discipline and restorative justice, where opportunities for learning and improvement are at the forefront of our approach. General guidelines for student deportment are presented to the students in a variety of formats including at student assemblies, in newsletters, through announcements, and during classroom discussions. Regular review and reinforcement take place throughout the year.
To help meet the needs of individual students, teachers modify programs within the regular class, consult with other staff and meet with resource personnel assigned to the school. Special programs support students with particular needs.
A full range of extra and co-curricular activities are available to the students. For those with an artistic bent there are musicals, drama and choirs. The chess, W5H, and Homework clubs provide an excellent opportunity for students talented in these areas to develop and hone their interests. House leagues offer good fun, sportsmanship, friendly competition and plenty of opportunity to participate.
Our School History and Tradition
St. Bede Catholic School was opened in September 1989 in the relocatable building at 36 Sewells Road. During this time, physical classes were conducted in the Malvern Community Centre and the public library was a popular place. As the enrollment grew, physical space became a problem.
Plans to construct the permanent building began in 1989, but government funding was delayed for a couple of years. The sod turning ceremony was held in November 1991, and staff and students moved into the new building at the end of January 1993.
Everyone involved with the establishment of the St. Bede Catholic School community should feel justly proud of the wonderful spirit and tradition which they have developed.
St. Bede lived in the late 7th to early 8th century in Northumbria on the northeast coast of England. He was a priest, scholar monk and a teacher, who loved music, but was mostly famous for his writing. He stood for love of God and scholarship. St. Bede's Feast is May 25.
Our community has a rich diversity of individuals drawn from all over the world. This cultural mix is important to us, for each individual contributes their life experiences within the unifying bond of our common Catholic faith.