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Nicholson Catholic College

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Nicholson C.S.S.
Address
Map
301 Church Street

Belleville
,
Ontario
,
K8N 3C7
Information
School typeSecondary
Motto"Quis ut Deus"
("Who is Like Unto God?")
Founded1960
School boardAlgonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
SuperintendentTerri Slack
PrincipalLucy Teves
Grades9-12
Enrollment~600 (2013)
LanguageEnglish
Colour(s)Green, White   
MascotCrusader Knight
Team nameCrusaders
Website[1]

Nicholson Catholic College (commonly abbreviated by students and staff as NCC) is a Catholic Secondary School in Belleville, Ontario. The school operates under the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, and teaches students the Ontario Secondary School Diploma Curriculum.

Nicholson Catholic College is named after Monsignor J.F. Nicholson, a priest at the local St. Michael's Church Parish. The school requires students to wear uniforms, and it is also one of the only schools in the immediate area to offer IB World Education services.

History

Nicholson Catholic College first opened in September, 1960, when it replaced the previous St. Michael's High-School which had been in existence since 1930. In 1960, Nicholson consisted of grades 11, 12, and 13. In 1965, Nicholson was expanded to include grades 9 and 10, when the Belleville Separate School Board opened Nicholson Senior School adjacent to Nicholson Catholic College.[1] This new school addition also included a new and improved gymnasium, as well as 8 fully equipped classrooms.

Nicholson Catholic College was the only Catholic School in the Quinte region for many years after its founding. However, because students from all the surrounding area who were enrolled in the ALCDSB had only the choice to attend Nicholson, this meant that by the early 1990s Nicholson was far over its student capacity. To solve this problem, the school board planned the construction of two additional schools (St. Paul's and St. Theresa's Catholic Secondary School's) in the Bay of Quinte Region to facilitate students who were outside of the Nicholson C.S.S. bus zone. Because of this transfer of students, the enrollment numbers for students at Nicholson dropped significantly in the late 1990s from almost 1,000 to around the current number of 600 students.

Mission statement

The mission statement of Nicholson Catholic College sums up the schools catholic educational values and inclusive social atmosphere.

We are a Catholic School system, called to work in partnership with home, parish and community, on our journey to understand and live the way of Jesus Christ. We are committed to excellence in Catholic education and to lifelong learning, so that those with whom we journey may become caring and contributing citizens in a world of constant challenge.

Administration

There are currently over 50 staff members at Nicholson Catholic College. The leader of the administration is the principal, followed by the vice principal. The administration generally operates with managerial elements and according to rigid policies set out by itself, the school board and the Ontario government. Students are not allowed to go against policy and have generally limited power to legally combat policies and the will of the administration, yet teachers have slightly more clout through unions such as OECTA.[2] Students, parents and staff who have concerns about the administration can voice their opinions to the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board at board meetings, visiting the board office at 151 Dairy Avenue, Greater Napanee or by contacting the board by phone, fax or email (contact information available at www.alcdsb.on.ca).

Student views on the administration vary with subjectivity playing a large role in their opinions. The closeness of the Catholic school community gives opportunity for the administration to communicate with students at events such as school mass and liturgies, fun events, and through student participation in athletics and extracurricular activities.

Academics

General Academics

Nicholson offers extensive transition supports to new students including a formal peer mentor program, shadow day experiences, dances for students in Grades 7 and 8 and focused Guidance support within both elementary and secondary environments. The school offers all courses that constitute the Ontario Secondary School Diploma curriculum as well as that of the IB Program.[3]

Students who attend Nicholson Catholic College are taught under the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or the IB World Education curriculum if they are enrolled in the program. From 2008 and onward Nicholson Catholic College has maintained a consistent school overall ranking of between 6.9 to 7.4 out of 10.[4] The gender gap between both males and females in mathematics has been about equal in the same timeframe since 2008 with a slight change from year to year, although the same gap between males and females has been much more skewed towards female students for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test every year but 2012. However, despite the unequal success rates between male and female students, Nicholson's OSSLT results still exceeded the provincial norm by 10% in 2012.

Experiential Education Opportunities

Nicholson Catholic College offers a broad range of Experiential Education Opportunities. Students at Nicholson can earn credits through experiential experiences called Co-op. Students will explore occupations and career interests through participation in real workplace experiences. Co-op education is an important element of the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) or Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) training.

Nicholson offers three Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) opportunities:

Apprenticeship is a method of training in which employers train workers to become skilled workers through on-the-job training and classroom instruction. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is for students who have career plans to become an apprentice in the skilled trades. During secondary school, students will begin the theory and hands-on-experience required for apprenticeship while completing high school credits. The hands-on experience is obtained through the co-op program.

The Algonquin Lakeshore Technology Center (at Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf): The Algonquin Lakeshore School Board and Sir James Whitney School have formed a partnership in order to provide technological training for their students. Course offerings include Health and Personal Services, Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Transportation, Design, Manufacturing and Construction Technologies. These courses are offered off campus in two credit blocks. Nicholson is expanding the broad number of community partnerships to support experiential learning for students of all grade levels to build bridges to Apprenticeships, College programs and University programs

The Life Long Learning Center (Eastern Campus – Cobourg, Ontario): Students interested in the construction trades may apply for this program which prepares students who are interested in becoming a certified brick and stonemason, cement finisher or construction craft worker. After the five-week pre- apprenticeship program students are placed in the field of their choice and embark on their apprenticeship journey.

Dual Credit: School + College + Work: The Dual Credit Program provides secondary school student with the opportunity to earn up to 4 dual credits by participating in apprenticeship training and College courses. While enrolled in college dual credits you will earn both high school and college credit s for successfully completing a course at the college.

International Students

Nicholson Catholic College accepts over twenty-five international students who come from Asia, Germany, Mexico, and South America to enroll in the Ontario secondary school curriculum. These students stay with families in the community for the duration of their stay, which is usually no longer than one school year, although some choose to pursue Canadian post-secondary opportunities such as University or College. It is the purpose of the international student program that students from different countries will learn about culture, faith, and values in Canadian society. It is also hoped that the students in the school community who permanently reside in Canada will gain a genuine understanding and appreciation for different cultures through interaction with the exchange students.

IB School

At Nicholson, students have the option of taking either the full IB diploma program or select courses in what is known as an IB certificate. Students work towards both the diploma and the certificate program in grades eleven and twelve.[5].

Catholic School

School Community

Nicholson's school community also ties in with the values of Catholic Education, and is described on the schools website in full.

Nicholson Catholic College was originally built as a private secondary school to educate the children of the Catholic community in Belleville and the surrounding area. Nicholson was named in honour of Monsignor J. F. Nicholson, the pastor of St. Michael’s Parish, whose help and guidance was instrumental in making the dream become a reality. The school is now a publicly funded secondary school in the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

The origins of the school can be clearly seen in the strength of the school community. There is a special appreciation for the religious community of the Sisters of Providence and the many sisters who staffed the school from the beginning. Many parents in the community went to school at Nicholson Catholic College. They hold a deep attachment to the school, and a strong desire to see it continue to thrive and grow. They also wish to ensure that it retains its traditional role as a school that is concerned for the development of the whole child, fostering the growth and development of a student who possesses the knowledge and skills required to make an impact in an ever changing world, and the mental and moral maturity required to discern which impact will improve society.

While the school welcomes all students who wish to register, regardless of their religious affiliation, the majority of students are still drawn from the Catholic community. Students attend a course in religion each year. Parents choose to have their children attend Nicholson Catholic College because of its tradition of academic excellence and for the Christian values that permeate the entire curriculum and the ethos of the school.

School Beliefs

Nicholson Catholic College has a long standing rich tradition in Catholic education. One of the many pillars in its foundation has always been the people who make up the community, such as students, staff, parents and parishes. With these partners, Nicholson strives to work together as a Catholic community of learning in which all students are afforded equal opportunities to achieve their potential in spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical and social development. Additionally, Nicholson takes pride in the strong spirit of community that is evident in all aspects of our school life and continue to demonstrate this spirit of enthusiasm both inside and outside the classroom.

Nicholson Catholic College demonstrates its commitment to the community by participation in:

  • Outreach Programs
  • Christmas Sharing Baskets
  • United Way Campaign
  • Local and Global fundraising campaigns
  • Environmental clean up activities
  • Random Acts of Kindness Campaigns

Nicholson students help one another through their:

  • Leadership camps
  • Peer helping, Mentorship programs
  • Tutoring
  • Mixed grade homerooms
  • Clubs, teams and spirit activity participation

Facilities

Nicholson Catholic College has a wide variety of high quality school facilities built to provide the schools curriculum to students. The purpose of facilities ranges from general subject classrooms to specialized science labs, as well as off-campus facilities that Nicholson students use for a wider range of skills training. Nicholson's current school facilities include:

  • Chapel, Library with computer lab
  • 2 Gyms
  • 4 science labs
  • Transportation Lab - housed off campus at Sir James Whitney
  • Cosmetology lab – housed off campus at Sir James Whitney
  • Construction technology lab - housed off campus at Sir James Whitney
  • Hospitality and Tourism Program – housed off campus at Sir James Whitney
  • Stage – opens into main gym
  • Music room
  • Radio Station Studio
  • Closed Circuit Television Broadcast Room
  • Fitness Center
  • Lifeskills Center (program to age 21)
  • ALCVC: Virtual Campus
  • Visual Arts studio
  • International Baccalaureate Centre
  • Resource and Student Success Room
  • Enclosed student green space

Extra-curricular activities

Athletics

There are currently thirty teams that represent Nicholson in Bay of Quinte sanctioned sports. Men’s and women’s teams are presently running in:

Men’s Baseball, Women’s Gymnastics and Co-ed Cheer leading are also available to Nicholson students. Nicholson Catholic College has also recently re-constructed the Men's Football team for the first time in several decades.

To date, Nicholson teams have won over 130 Bay of Quinte Championships as well as 50 C.O.S.S.A. Championships. At the provincial level, Nicholson’s athletic teams have captured numerous O.F.S.A.A. medals including: 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze in Gymnastics; 1 Silver and 1 Bronze in Swimming; and 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze in Basketball. The school has also been very proud to host O.F.S.A.A. Championships in Basketball (4), Volleyball (1) and Golf (1).

Clubs and Activities

Nicholson Catholic College has many extra-curricular clubs and activities that do not involve athletics. Some examples of these clubs include, but are not limited to: the Games Club, the Travel Club, and the Badminton Club. Of special note is the Games Club at Nicholson, which is headed by a teacher who is the recipient of several nationwide modelling and painting awards. Involvement in any school or community activity at Nicholson will help students earn points towards one of the school letters. The School Letter Recognition Program attempts to encourage involvement and reward participation. This has become a very popular award at the annual awards night ceremony and is something that many students strive to achieve.

Special events

School dances

School dances are organized and run by the school's Student Council. Supervision is provided by staff members and police to ensure acceptable behavior. Each dance has a specific theme, which is voted on by students from a list of choices compiled by the Student Council. Oftentimes the music is provided by a hired DJ.

School Mass

Once a month students from all grades attend a worship service conducted across the street at St. Michael's Catholic Church across the street from Nicholson. The mass is conducted by Father Richard Wallin, and the purpose is to encourage the student's spiritual development in the Catholic faith.

Grade 9 Fun Day

The Grade 9 Fun Day is held once a year to welcome all freshmen students to Nicholson Catholic College and to make them feel accepted into the school community. All Grade 9 students are divided up into teams which are all assigned a different color, and these teams participate in a wide variety of activities such as tug of war, bean bag tosses, and several other games.

'Civvies' Day

'Civvies' Day's at Nicholson Catholic College usually occur on the last Friday of a month, and are an exception to the school's uniform policy. During these days, students are encouraged to wear in whatever clothes they want as long as they are in keeping with good taste.

School Spirit Days

School Spirit Days are days where students can wear in clothing of their choice that is in line with a specific theme. These themes are usually decided upon by the student council, and these days generally occur as part of a 'spirit week', where every day is a different theme but which are widely related.

Notable Alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ "NCC History". ALCDSB. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  2. ^ "OECTA Home". OECTA. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  3. ^ "NCC School Profile". ALCDSB. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  4. ^ "Ontario School Rankings". Fraser Institute. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  5. ^ "International Baccalaureate Organization". IBO.org. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

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