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Immaculata High School Parent Newsletter | October 16, 2026
Message From The Principal
The first two weeks of October have been filled with community spirit, reflection, and meaningful learning opportunities for our students. Many of these experiences are highlighted in this newsletter.
Students celebrated Thanksgiving liturgies on Tuesday and Wednesday at Canadian Martyr’s Parish this week. Thank you to all students and staff who planned and participated in the liturgies.
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our entire school community for the incredible generosity and enthusiasm shown during this year’s Terry Fox Run. It was inspiring to see our students and staff come together to honour Terry’s legacy, helping us achieve a record-breaking total for Immaculata’s 34th annual run! Thank you to our dedicated staff, retired colleagues, students, and community members who helped make this event such a tremendous success.
We are also grateful to the local businesses that generously donated prizes: Singing Pebble Books, Sula Wok, Happy Goat Coffee Co., Xing Fu Tang, Loblaws (Isabella St.), McDonald’s, and Subway. Your support makes a meaningful difference and reflects the strength of our community.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Linda Meulenbroek
Principal
Chaplaincy Leader Message
Feast Day of our Patroness - St. Marguerite D’Youville
Today is a very special day for our Immaculata Catholic School community as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Marie-Marguerite D’Youville, our patroness. St. Marguerite was the foundress of the religious community of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who founded Immaculata Catholic High School in 1928. St. Marguerite is co-patroness of Immaculata along with Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
St. Marguerite D’Youville was the first Canadian-born saint and was born Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais in Varennes, Quebec on October 15, 1701. After her father died seven years later, the family lived in poverty. Thanks to the generosity of relatives, Marguerite was able to study at the Ursuline convent in Quebec for two years and when she returned home, she educated her five younger brothers and sisters.
She married François D’Youville in 1722 but her husband proved to be a selfish and indifferent man who was involved in the illegal liquor trade which caused her great suffering. When he died eight years later, he left her with two young children and enormous debts. Four children had previously died in infancy. She provided for the education of her two sons who later became priests. Marguerite undertook many charitable works and developed a special love and concern for the poor, and welcomed a blind woman to live with her in her home.
After paying off her husband’s debts, she rented a house in Montreal in 1737 with three companions who gave shelter to women in need. These women became the first members of the religious community of the Sister of Charity of Montreal, also known as the “Grey Nuns”. A branch of this community evolved into the community of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who founded our Catholic school community.
Her great love for and devotion to the poor brought her much hardship including ridicule and taunts from her relatives and neighbours, health issues, and a devastating fire that destroyed their home. In 1747, Marguerite was given charge of the colony’s general hospital which was deeply in debt. She worked hard and saved the hospital and rebuilt it in four years after it was destroyed by fire.
Following a brief illness, she died on December 23, 1771. Marguerite was canonized a saint of the Church on December 9, 1990. As a young person, I remember this day well and watched the canonization on CBC Television on that Sunday morning as it was promoted to students at my high school as the canonization of the foundress of the Grey Sisters and the first Canadian born saint. Many Grey Sisters taught in the community I grew up in and served in the local hospital and long term care home. Following the example of their foundress, many Grey Sisters served as educators and health care workers and administrators in our local community and in various missions elsewhere in Canada, and abroad in places like China, Japan, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
When Pope John XXIII beatified Marguerite on May 3, 1959, he called her the “Mother of Universal Charity”, a well founded title to honour a venerable woman who loved the poor as Jesus did. St. Marguerite D’Youville continues to inspire us for her fidelity to God and her devotion to serve the poor and vulnerable and we are blessed to honour her as co-patroness of our Catholic school community.
St. Marguerite D’Youville, pray for us!
Dr. Jason G. Dedo
Chaplaincy Leader
Exploring Indigenous Knowledge and Making Connections on the Day of Truth and Reconciliation
To commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, our Mentorship Program took a meaningful trip to the Museum of Nature on September 30th. Students explored Canada’s varied ecosystems and animals, while deepening their appreciation and understanding for Indigenous ways of knowing Canada’s natural history and resources.
This excursion also gave our mentors and mentees an opportunity to make valuable connections and learn important real world safety skills as they walked through the community to the museum. Many thanks to Ms. Thomas for making this rich learning and social experience happen.
Terry Fox Day Success!
On Thursday, October 8, the Immaculata community came together for our annual Terry Fox Run, raising an incredible over $30,000 in support of cancer research!
Blessed with sunshine, our day began with an inspiring message from Mr. Rob MacDonald of the Métis Nation, who spoke to our students about Terry Fox’s Métis heritage and sent them off with a meaningful reminder of Terry’s legacy of courage, perseverance, and hope.
Students then walked and ran through the community, raising awareness and honouring the many people whose lives have been impacted by cancer. Upon returning to school, they enjoyed a delicious BBQ prepared by retired Immaculata staff, followed by a sweet treat from Merry Dairy, which generously donated a portion of its proceeds to the fundraiser. Student Joel Cummings-Okankwu kept the energy high with music as students enjoyed games, food, and time together.
The day concluded with a lively teacher dance performance and a heartfelt tribute to friendship and hope as retired teacher Ms. Debbie Tracey donated her hair in honour of a friend battling cancer.
A huge congratulations to our lead organizers, Mrs. Leigh-Anne MacSween and Mrs. Adele Casuga, for coordinating such a memorable and successful event! Thank you to our staff, retired colleagues, students, families, and community members who contributed their time, energy, and generosity.
Once again, our Saints have shown what is possible when a community comes together for a cause that matters. Thank you for helping us carry Terry’s legacy forward!
Students Welcome Senator Youance
Students in Mme. Brennan’s Grade 10 Civisme et Citoyenneté class had an opportunity to learn about the important work of the Senate when Senator Suze Youance came to speak to students on Wednesday, October 14th.
The students participated in an engaging discussion and had excellent questions for our guest and practiced their oral French and listening skills.
Class of 2027 - OCAS and OUAC Applications are Now Open!
OUAC and OCAS applications are now open for students in the graduating class of 2027. Families and students are encouraged to review the following resources, all available through the Immaculata website:
We encourage students to apply early, allowing plenty of time to review their applications and make any necessary changes.
Grades 7 & 8 Basketball Buyout - October 30
Get ready for the ultimate basketball showdown! On October 30th, our Grade 7 and 8 students will have the opportunity to watch our teachers take on the Senior Boys Basketball Team in what promises to be an entertaining afternoon on the court.
Students who purchase a $5 ticket will be able to attend the game during Periods 5 and 6. And yes, there will be some legendary appearances on the court, including Mr. Hiscock, Mr. Vespa and Mr. Ouellette!
Tickets are available now through School Cash Online or in person at lunch. Best of all, every ticket sold helps support the Grade 8 Toronto Trip and the Senior Boys Basketball Team.
We hope that you will support these great initiatives, and come out to cheer on the teams! And, of course, students may get to witness the teachers claim another big win!
Grades 9-12 Semester 1 Exam Dates Set
Courses with final exams in Grades 9-12 will be written on the following dates starting promptly at 8:20am.
Exam dates are determined at the board level.
The OCSB school calendar provides for one inclement weather day.
Exams dates are not negotiable. Students are expected to complete final assessment on the set dates.
Parents are encouraged to review the dates prior to considering any additional vacations outside the dates set in the school calendar.
Immaculata School Council
Immaculata School Council meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Immaculata HS Learning Commons. Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30 pm and we will be meeting in the Graham Annex. If you are unable to attend in person, we invite you to join us via this Google Meet link.
Thank you to all parents who give their time to support our school. For meeting agendas and minutes, please see the Immaculata High School website under “Parents”.
Upcoming CSPA Events for Parents
Navigating the Manosphere
Join Children and Screens for our next #AskTheExperts webinar “Navigating the Manosphere: Harmful Online Masculinity Content and Youth” on Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30pm ET on Zoom.
Expert panelists will discuss the pathways that lead youth to the manosphere, the impact of engagement in these spaces on their beliefs, behavior, and well-being, and how parents and educators can help young people critically evaluate the messages they encounter while supporting healthier expressions of masculinity.
Click HERE to learn more and to register for this webinar.
Parish and Diocesan Updates
For more news and events at Canadian Martyrs Parish, please see the weekly bulletin posted on their website: https://canadianmartyrs.org/. Did you know that Canadian Martyrs Parish celebrates Mass every Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm? Please consider attending if you need a midweek, spiritual pick me up.
Please see the Friday Facts from the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.
🎅 Volunteer Opportunity: Help Santa Toy Parade
The Help Santa Toy Parade, Ottawa’s largest holiday parade and an important contributor to Toy Mountain, is looking for volunteers to help manage the parade route on Saturday, November 21, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Toy Mountain helps provide Christmas gifts to local families who may otherwise not be able to afford presents during the holiday season. In past years, high school students have supported the parade as volunteers while earning their Community Involvement Hours. Due to a change in the City of Ottawa’s volunteer policy, volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to our community and help make the holiday season a little brighter for local families.
For more information, please visit the Help Santa Toy Parade.
Upcoming Events
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