About Us
At St. Edward Catholic School, we pride ourselves on the strong partnership that exists among the home, the school and the parish.
How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students
At the forefront of all we do is our commitment to creating a Catholic environment at our school. All our students receive a program of religious education and family life. Gospel values permeate our curriculum in all domains.
We constantly strive to create a safe and welcoming environment. Our code of behaviour is taught and upheld in all situations. We attempt to ensure the wellbeing of all of our students. We also have a safe arrival program at our school, which runs extremely well thanks to the efforts of our secretary. The ongoing diligence of our caretakers ensures us a safe physical plant and grounds.
Our curriculum initiatives are to raise the overall level of students’ literacy and communication skills by enhancing reading and writing proficiency, and to raise the overall level of students' numeracy skills and understanding of mathematics. We offer an after school numeracy and literacy program.
We will continue to provide opportunities, hope and dignity for all our students to achieve success through a variety of programs.
St. Edward has a Peace Garden that was funded by Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation. It is stocked with native plants and attracts many species of birds. It is maintained by parents, staff and students.
We have a Computer Lab, which is well used by the students to enhance their technology skills. The lab consists of new and parent donated computers. An emphasis is placed on the Intermediate students using technology for presentations.
Our students come from diverse linguistic, cultural and educational environments. We have English-Language Learner (ELL) and Special Education programs to help students who require support to succeed.
St. Edward offers a strong cocurricular and extracurricular program that staff and parents coordinate. The activities include volleyball, hockey, swimming, softball, soccer, cross-country, track & field events, W5H, chess, skating, karate, public speaking, Carnival, authors, Artists-in-schools, Scientists in school, choir, band, charity drives and a wide range of excursions.
School History and Tradition
St. Edward Catholic School is proud of its tradition of family, community and faith, which permeates all that we do. The school has a history of close to 100 years. The original location of St. Edward School was beside St. Edward Church, when it was located at Yonge and Greenfield. The school moved to Eddfield Avenue in September 1985, and finally to 1 Botham Road. The church is now on Churchill Avenue.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) acquired 1 Botham Road, the school's current location, to accommodate a 425 pupil place, elementary school on the site of a former Anglican convent. The site offers a large variety of vegetation and wildlife, and sits on the peak of the City's largest ravine (Don Valley).The design of the new school building took the approach of a pavilion nestled amongst the mature trees.
Our school is named for St. Edward the Confessor, as is our parish. Edward was an 11th century king of England, the l of the Anglo-Saxon line, prior to the Norman kings. He encouraged the growth of monasticism and founded Westminster Abbey in which he is buried. He was renowned for his abilities as a healer. St. Edward the Confessor was canonized in 1161.