Director & Chairperson Message

I am pleased to share the 2021-2022 Director’s Annual Report.

This past year was the second full year of education during a pandemic. Thanks to our entire staff’s efforts, we could still provide a rich educational experience to our students. Our Strategic Commitments of “Be Well,” “Be Innovative,” and “Be Community” served as pillars for the work that we did to support our school communities.

Our Catholic Trustees supported our staff by using reserves to continue focusing on students’ mental health and well-being and offering virtual school options during the pandemic. 

Our commitment to a call to action for Truth and Reconciliation continued as we partnered with Indigenous elders and Indigenous community partners. Our focus on equity is on-going. We will continue to listen, learn and unlearn to better support members of the 2SLGBTQ+ and all who feel disenfranchised in our schools.  Our work on anti-black racism is advanced thanks to the collective efforts of our students, staff and community, who continue to share their lived experiences with us.

St. Josephine virtual secondary school and Blessed Carlo elementary virtual school became essential members of our school community. Both schools offered an impressive list of online extracurricular activities and experiences to their students and their families.

The Board successfully improved 100% of our school ventilation systems and expanded the use of portable HEPA filters throughout the district. The Board received the great news that we would receive funding to build two additional elementary schools. A new elementary school in Findlay Creek and a new elementary school in Riverside South have been added to the future development schedule, along with a new elementary school in the Fernbank/Kanata area and a new elementary school in south Nepean. 

We began a new Spiritual Theme in 2021-2022,  “Gratitude Rooted in Joy Fills us With Hope. ” We continued to find many areas of our lives that we had gratitude for, even during the pandemic. We celebrated Catholic Education Week Mass with Archbishop Marcel Damphousse and Auxiliary Bishop Yvan Mathieu. We are fortunate to have collaborative relationships between schools and parishes where we can nurture our Catholic Faith.

Thank you to our Board of Trustees for their unwavering support of Catholic Education in partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa, parishes, families, and schools.

Thank you to everyone for another successful year of support to Catholic education.

Mourning the Loss of Trustee John Curry

The Ottawa Catholic School Board was saddened to learn of the passing of Trustee John Curry in February. Trustee Curry was widely respected for his collaborative, compassionate, and student-focused leadership for twenty-plus years. John will be remembered for his advocacy for students with special needs and gifted students, as a pioneer in energy conservation and environmental awareness, fiscal accountability, and his commitment to student success and well-being.

Chair of the Board Mark Mullan said, “John will be missed around the Board table and the province for his professionalism, his caring approach, his friendship and his leadership in Catholic education.” 

Ottawa Catholic School Board Director of Education Thomas D’Amico, described John as a multi-talented individual who was an author, filmmaker, journalist, historian, poet and a true gentleman. Mr. D’Amico said, “John never sought the limelight for himself – he was much more comfortable shining the light on others’ accomplishments.” He added, “everyone will miss John’s quick wit and ability to build consensus through humour, common sense, and kindness.” 

Trustee Curry set a great example of Board-wide leadership by serving on many committees. He was also the driving force behind the Board’s 150 Years of Catholic Education Book. 

Though many still feel his loss, his legacy lives on through his books, poetry, and contributions to Catholic education.