Grad Update 

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.   

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.   

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:

• www.scholarshipscanada.com/

• www.yconic.com/ 

• ScholarTree: Scholarships Made Simple

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.