About Us

Dress Code

PA Day Activities

At St. Raphael Catholic School, we pride ourselves on the strong partnership that exists among the home, the school and the parish.

​St. Raphael Catholic School is dedicated to excellence in education and to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical development of the whole child within the framework of Gospel values. Nurturing Catholic community through prayer, worship, liturgy, and action, we will encourage and strive to strengthen the child’s relationship with God and with one another as respected and responsible members of society.​

Through the unique talents and learning styles of each child, we will teach them fundamental skills while promoting critical thinking, teamwork and ownership of learning.​

Through stewardship education, social justice teaching, creative and expressive arts, academic and athletic participation, leadership training, technology integration, and community service projects, we will strive to promote the growth and development of the whole child.

Safety is of paramount importance at our school. Supervision is provided from 8:00 AM in the school yard, and the teachers supervise and monitor the exit and entrance of the students to and from the school. Students are reminded to play safely and this is reinforced daily in the classrooms and over the daily announcements.

 A safe arrival program is in place at the school. Parents are encouraged to call the school to report a child’s absence. Parents are requested to leave their message on the automated telephone answering service. If parents do not call the school, school staff calls the parents of the children who are absent.

Students are not permitted to leave school during school hours unless they have a dated and signed permission note from their parents. A “sign in/out book” is required to be signed, when a student leaves school during school hours.

St. Raphael Catholic School was built in 1962 and opened in September of that year, with a total enrolment of 347 students coming from St. Philip Neri and St. Charles Catholic Schools. The first principal was Mr. William Crosan. In the fall of 1966, the construction of the first addition to the building was begun, with its completion in February of 1967. On March 5, 1967, the school was officially blessed by Very Rev. P.H. Johnson, the then vice-chairman of the Metropolitan Separate School Board (MSSB), now the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).

In recent years, due to the increase in student population, we have 8 portables sitting on our property. In addition, landscaping was done at the front of the school, new trees were planted and a teaching circle was added. The kindergarten yard was expanded and enclosed. The retaining wall on Ianhall was rebuilt, a higher fence and wider stairs for easy access were also included. Garbage and recycling bins were installed in the school yard as well as some seating rocks. This fresh new look outdoors has been uplifting to our school community.

The school is named after the Archangel Raphael, whose name in Hebrew means “God has healed”. St. Raphael is the angel of healing of the sick, as well as the patron of travelers and young people. St. Raphael’s feast day is celebrated on September 29. The school body always holds a Mass on that day (outdoors, weather permitting) to thank St. Raphael for the many blessings he gives to our school community.

Our school has a long history of active involvement in the area of sports. We participate in all sports from soccer (junior and intermediate levels, girls and boys), basketball (junior and intermediate levels, girls and boys), volleyball (junior and intermediate levels, girls and boys), junior indoor soccer, tennis, cross country, track and field, and co-ed Ultima frisbee. We participate in chess tournaments and both junior and intermediate W5H. We host primary and junior house league activities over lunch. In addition, our intermediate students serve as DPA (daily physical activity) leaders for primary and junior classes.

St. Raphael is also very active in raising funds for local charities. At one time, we participated in the Terry Fox Run. In recent years, we have participated and will continue to participate in fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation (Jump for Heart, Hoops for Heart). In May, our school participates in the Hospital for Sick Children’s Meagan’s Walk. Many staff, students, and parents participate in this fundraiser, and so it becomes a family event. On a smaller scale, we raise funds for Sharelife, Haiti, Christmas for Children, ME to WE, Change for the Environment, Children’s Wish Foundation, Kissograms, Mother's Day Carnations, Mini Draws, Candy Canes, Pennies collection for Meagan’s Walk, and Dress Down funds for local needy families. Our school has also been involved in the Angel Foundation for Learning (AFL) to benefit needy students in our TCDSB community. We have supported their annual gala by providing (donating) handmade angel centerpieces made by students, staff, and parents, under the supervision of our child and youth worker. Our Catholic School Parent Council (CSPC) also annually donates funds to this worthy organization.