Grad Updates

GRAD UPDATE - OCTOBER PART TWO

OCAS/OUAC Transmission

Both OCAS and OUAC have received your information. Please log into your OCAS and/or OUAC account(s) and confirm that the grade and course information is accurate. It is your responsibility to check that your marks are accurate. Please note that mid-term marks have not yet been uploaded to OUAC.

GRAD GOWN ORDER:

It is time to order your graduation gown and RSVP to the June Commencement ceremony . Your grad gown order includes a graduation cap and tassel. Please note that no additional payments are needed, as this cost is covered in your grad fee. Please ensure that your grad fee has been paid on School Cash Online and complete this form by Monday, November 16th, 2026. Please see Mrs. Cheshire with any questions. 2027 Commencement Grad Gown and RSVP

GRAD PHOTOS

*** IMPORTANT: Please note there is no sitting fee for yearbook photos, sitting fee applies based on the package chosen.

Edge Imaging will be at St Peter High School beginning on November 2, 2026, to take your graduation portraits!

Your graduation portrait will also help secure your place on the St Peter HS class composite and the “Must Have” Yearbook, which will remain forever part of your school’ heritage.

How to Book Your Graduation Photos

1. Visit:
BookMyGrad.ca

2. Select:
“Book graduation photos at your school”
(dark grey box)

3. Enter your school code:
FJX - St Peter Catholic High School (Orleans)

4. Choose:
The date, time and type of sitting that works best for you. (Fill in all your coordinates and payment type.)

5. Book early!
Appointments can fill up quickly.

Not Sure What to Expect?

Watch this short video to see what to expect during your graduation portrait session:

Watch the Graduation Portrait Video

We look forward to helping you celebrate this important milestone and capturing a great graduation portrait for you!

University/College Information

The College Information Program (CIP) Tour will be in Ottawa on Monday, Oct 26 from 5:30-7:30 at Algonquin College. Representatives from all Ontario colleges will be in attendance to answer questions about their programs, financial aid and pathways linking college and university. Register at this link.

Parliamentary Page Programme

Interested in politics, the parliamentary system and decision making in Canada? Watch it all unfold as a Page in the House of Commons. Applications are being accepted for September 2027 until November 4th. For more information and to apply, go to: https://www.ourcommons.ca/about/pageprogram/become-e.html

Upcoming University Visits (will take place in the atrium)

Naval Reserves/Armed Forces - Thursday, Oct 22 at lunch

University of Calgary - Tuesday, Oct 27 at 2:00 pm

Trent University - Monday, Nov 2 at 2:00 pm

Nipissing University - Thursday, Nov 5 at 2:00 pm

GAP YEAR INFO

Any student interested in learning more about the Gap Year program can find more information in the attached brochure. You can also view this link for a video.
The Discover Year team is inviting you to their next info session: November 19th, 2026, 7:00-9:00 PM. Register here: Discover Year

FULL DISCLOSURE DATE

Students wishing to drop a course and not have it shown on their transcript must do so by a certain date. This date is called the full disclosure date. Any courses that you choose to continue past the full disclosure date will be reported on and will appear in your university or college application.

Semester 1 - November 24th, 2026

COMMUNITY SERVICES HOURS

Check the bulletin board across from Student Services or see Ms. Lydon for more volunteer opportunities.

Watson’s Mill Haunt Night - Oct 22-24 from 5-9:45 pm, Carriage Shed 5524 Dickinson St, earn up to 15 hours of community service and get free pizza and water email haunt@watsonmill.com

Volunteer Fair - Sat Oct 24 10:30-1:30 pm, Ruth E Dickinson Branch 100 Malvern Drive. Come and chat with local Ottawa organizations to see what volunteer opportunities they have available.

Aqua Life Swim Academy - ongoing 265 Centrum Blvd, assist with camps, support instructors or help manage activities apply HR@theaqualife.ca

Sending Sunshine to Seniors

1 - on going, help package handwritten cards that will be sent to seniors, can do from home on a day that works best for you email info@sendingsunshine.ca

2 - on going, create handwritten cards and send them to seniors, can do from home on a day that works best for you email nominations@sendingsunshine.ca

Virtual Volunteer French Tutor - tutor french for children 5-14 yrs, must be strong in both French and English, click this link

You can also check out Volunteer Ottawa, Keen to Help and Charity Village for opportunities in the Ottawa region.

TUTORING

If you are interested in becoming a tutor, please fill out the QR Code in Student Services. You can earn community service hours or an hourly rate.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award - The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award is open to students of all abilities and all fields of study. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award recipients are selected for their dedication to the humanitarian ideals of Terry Fox, their courage in overcoming obstacles, and definite marks of distinction and persistence in the pursuit of excellence in academic, athletic, and civic life. We are looking for humanitarians, those who improve human welfare, make a difference, and have a positive impact on the community and others.

While Terry faced many obstacles, and quite clearly a physical one, candidates may face different types of obstacles. A myriad of obstacles exist, and we consider any adversity that calls for a demonstration of courage, compassion, and fortitude. Financial need is not in itself a criteria of our Award. It can, however, be included as an obstacle.

Please visit Terry Fox Humanitarian Award for more information and to apply. Opens: November 1, 2026.

Schulich Leader Scholarship - Awarded to students enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Science) at selected universities across Canada. If you are interested in this award, your application (from the Schulich website) is due in Student Services by January 19, 2027. The school will select one student to nominate for this award.)

Check out Student Scholarships for scholarship applications.

BFCN will be hosting another edition of the BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop for Black students and their families. Could you please share this opportunity with all of your Black families. I've attached the flyer and below is some text you can use to advertise the event:

BFCN will be offering another edition of their Scholarship Application Workshop! Join online on Wednesday, October 28th from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET.

This workshop is open to all Black students from any school board or institution. Please share this invitation widely and especially with Black youth who are currently in Grade 8 or high school. Access to this information is vital and helps Black students and their families make informed decisions about funding options and their continued educational journeys.

Register for the BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop on October 28: https://bit.ly/BFCNWorkshopOctober28Also, the BFCN Scholarship Directory is available as a resource for obtaining additional scholarships.

https://bit.ly/BFCNScholarshipDirectory

OCTOBER - PART 1

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

OUAC (Ontario University Application Centre)

NOW: Application Centre open for registrations
January 15, 2027: Deadline to submit your completed applications to the OUAC

OUAC Transmission

OUAC transmissions were sent recently. Please log into your OUAC account and confirm that the grade and course information is accurate. It is your responsibility to check that your marks are accurate.

OCAS (Ontario College Application Service)

NOW: Applications become available for programs starting the following fall.
November 1: Colleges may begin sending offers of admission.
February 1: Equal Consideration Date – apply to highly competitive programs on or before this date.

Algonquin College - a representative from Algonquin College will be visiting on Thursday, Oct 15 during period 2. In order to attend, students will be required to sign-up using this link. There will be limited space available, so please sign up early.

Upcoming University Visits (will take place in the atrium)

Thursday, Oct 22 @ 10:45 - Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting

Tuesday, Oct 27 @ 10:45 - University of Calgary

Monday, Nov 2 @ 10:45 - Trent University

Thursday, Nov 5 @ 2 pm - Nipissing University

Do you know anyone who is considering taking a gap year after high school? We would love to meet them at our upcoming Info Session!

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20th from 7:00-9:00 pm ET

WHERE: Online via Zoom

WHAT TO EXPECT:

- Meet and Greet: Meet Discover Year students, alumni, parents and staff

- Discover Year 101: The what, how, where and when of a Discover Year

- Q&A: Hear what our students, alumni and parents have to say about their experiences at Discover Year

Full Disclosure Date

Please check this chart to see the full disclosure date for your courses:

Semester 1 - November 24th, 2026

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HOURS

Please hand your community service hours to Student Services.

SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS

Check out scholarships here: Student Scholarships

ScholarTree: October 2026 Scholarship List

Jake Weitz Memorial Scholarship: Apply Here

Welcome back!

We know that this is a very important and sometimes stressful time in your lives; you’re finishing up your last year of high school and thinking about your future plans - and how to best achieve your goals.

In order to keep the lines of communication open, we will be emailing you a Grad Update every three-four weeks. The purpose of this email is to inform you of events and/or deadlines related to your graduating year. You will receive information about the application process for college/university, awards and scholarships, post-secondary information, and more.

Some of the Guidance Counsellors will be visiting grade 12 classes next week (Thursday, period one) to give you some initial information about the application process.

If you ever need to discuss options, please let your Guidance Counsellor know.

Guidance Counsellors

Michelle Lydon (michelle.lydon@ocsb.ca) (A-Di)

Cristina Crochetiere (cristina.crochetiere@ocsb.ca) (Dj-K)

Justin Malloy (justin.malloy@ocsb.ca) (L-Ph)

Catherine Rea (catherine.rea@ocsb.ca) (Pi-Z)

Below is your first Grad Update.

GRAD UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2026

GRADUATING INFORMATION

In order to graduate, students must successfully complete 30 credits and 40 hours of community, plus the literacy test requirement.

**If you have completed community service forms filled out, please drop them off in Student Services. Also, please note that the list of acceptable activities is on the back of the form (outside of Student Services).

In order to apply to university, students must have at least SIX U/M-level (University or Mixed) credits. Universities will specify which courses are required prerequisites for specific programs. It is very important to check this information early to ensure that you are in the correct courses. We will be handing out your status sheets next Thursday so you can see if you have all of the necessary requirements.

**There will be presentations for grade 12 students in a few weeks to give a brief overview of how/when to apply to University and/or College

HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CHANGE REQUESTS

A reminder that Tuesday at 2:10 is the last day to request a course change for semester one. Students wishing to make a course change should follow the procedures outlined HERE.

Those students requiring a guidance appointment will need to fill out a google form indicating the reason for their appointment. Guidance counsellors will refer to this form and call students down, based on priority. To access the form, there is a QR Code posted outside of Student Services next week.

E-LEARN GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

Students choosing not to take e-Learning courses can be opted out of this requirement by their parent/guardian. A form will be sent to parents in semester 2, allowing them to opt out. This WILL NOT affect your pathway towards graduating or applying to college/university.

NIGHT SCHOOL

Night School is now OPEN for registration (closes September 14th - Visit OCDSB Summer School for information on courses, schedule and dates. If you are signing up, be sure to sign up under the heading “Non-OCDSB students.” You will need to submit a status sheet with your registration. Please email: peh.guidance@ocsb.ca to request your status sheet.

**Night School registration closes on September 15th

UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE VISITS

Please check your emails often to get any college/university visit updates! When visiting our school, the university representative will set up a table in the atrium. Feel free to drop by to ask questions and pick up information. Please check out our new digital sign in the atrium (beside the tuck shop) that will show updated university and college information.

Upcoming visits:

University of Ottawa - a representative from the University of Ottawa will be visiting on Monday, Sept 14 during period 1 (last name A-K) and period 2 (last name L-Z). In order to attend, students will be required to sign-up using this link. There will be limited space available, so please sign up early.

Carleton University - a representative from the University of Ottawa will be visiting on Thursday, September 18 during period 1 (last name L-Z) and period 2 (last name A-K). In order to attend, students will be required to sign-up using this link. There will be limited space available, so please sign up early.

Guelph University - Tuesday, September 15 @ 10:45

St. Francis Xavier University - Friday, September 18 @ 10:45

Ontario Universities Regional Fair:

Location: Cairine Wilson Secondary School @5 to 7 pm

RMC

If you are thinking of applying to the Royal Military College next year, you should begin the process now. Visit https://forces.ca/en/apply-now/, if interested.

GRAD WEBSITE

We will be updating the Grad Website regularly (http://peh.ocsb.ca/ - Go “Graduation Information” on the school’s website homepage).

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

You can check out the Daily Announcements slide deck on the St. Peter website and the bulletin board across from Student Services for current volunteer opportunities.

You can also visit Volunteer Ottawa, Charity Village, or contact a charitable organization in the community to explore volunteer opportunities. Some examples of possible activities are listed on the bulletin board across from Student Services.

SCHOLARSHIP/BURSARY INFORMATION

1. Loran Scholarship - High level of academic performance (85%+ avg for last 3 years), leadership and a record of community service to the community. 30 awards valued at up to $80,000. The online application is available at:

www.loranscholar.ca. Apply directly (opens on Sept. 9th)

2. Queen's University Chancellor’s Scholarship

Value: $12,000 annually

Criteria: Superior academic ability (90+); creative and original thought; proven leadership qualities. The school can nominate 2 students. Check out Major Admission Awards at www.queensu.ca/studentawards for more info and application form. If you wish to be nominated by the school, please submit your completed application (Admission Awards Application from Queen’s website) to Student Services by November 11th.

3. Schulich Leader Scholarship

Awarded to students enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Science) at selected universities across Canada. If you are interested in this award, your application (from the Schulich website) is due in Student Services by January 19th, 2027. The school will select one student to nominate for this award.)

4. You can search community scholarships and bursaries at the following websites:

5. School, Community, and OCSB School Board Awards - A general application form with 20 to 25 different scholarships / bursaries / awards will be posted in December/January. All applications will be reviewed by the St. Peter High School Honours and Awards Committee. All successful applicants will be announced at the Grad Commencement in June.

6. St. FX J.P Mccarthy scholarship - The successful candidate must have: a minimum 90% average and achieved superior academic standing while demonstrating St.FX qualities of leadership and service to the community. St. Peter is only eligible to nominate one candidate, so if we have multiple students who qualify, the St Peter Awards committee will determine who our candidate will be based on the award criteria. Please put your name forward by January 28th.

6. Any information about special scholarships will be posted on the grad website when available.

O.S.A.P. (Ontario Student Assistance Program – osap.gov.on.ca) - application opens in the spring.

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