About our school

Address: 20 Brunel Court, Toronto, ON M5V 0R5 (map)

Phone: 416-393-5462

Website: https://www.tcdsb.org/o/bishopmacdonell/ 

Principal: Lorraine Van Zon - Lorraine.VanZon@tcdsb.org 

Trustee: Kevin Morrison - kevin.morrison@tcdsb.org 

Parish: St. Mary's - https://stmarysbathurst.archtoronto.org/ 

School Name and History

Bishop Macdonell Catholic Elementary School is named after Bishop Alexander Macdonell, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Kingston, Upper Canada. Now a National Historic Person of Canada, he served in the Glengarry Fencibles as a military chaplain in Great Britain during the Napoleonic War and in Canada during the War of 1812.  ​

Alexander Macdonell came to Canada from Scotland in 1804, and was named Vicar General of Upper Canada in 1807. He was elevated to Bishop in 1820 (known by the people as first Bishop of Upper Canada).​

In 1815, Macdonell successfully petitioned the government of Great Britain for grants/subsidies to support Catholic education in Upper Canada as well as his seminary in St. Raphael’s (College of Iona). He started the College with his own resources in 1817, relying on temporary staff until a permanent rector/staff were installed in 1826.  Funds from the British government finally came in 1826 when the diocese of Kingston was created. By 1840, he had established many churches and schools throughout Ontario.​

Located in the heart of Toronto, Bishop Macdonell brings the outdoors in, and makes the city the classroom. The doors to Bishop Macdonell officially opened on January 6, 2020.

Uniform Dress Code

Bishop Macdonell Catholic School has a navy and white dress code which is in accordance with the TCDSB’s Appropriate Dress Code Policy. Students are expected to follow the dress code daily: 

• Plain white or navy top and plain navy blue bottom (pants or skirt)

• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes. No flip flops.

• Jeans or denim pants/skirts, graphic tees, black leggings, “short shorts”, mini-skirts, multi-coloured sweaters or hoodies are NOT part of the school dress code.

• Any item of clothing worn in the school must be navy or white.

Items purchased from our Spirit Wear shop that follow the above guidelines are also considered uniform.

School Code of Conduct

The fundamental expectation of students in our Catholic Schools will follow the ethic of our Catholic faith, where empathy, care for others, and respect for life are present. If you are aware that a student or group of students is in a dangerous situation, then you should tell a caring adult in the school community immediately.

The Bishop Macdonell Catholic School community believes that all children have a right to a safe environment where they can learn. No student has the right to choose a behaviour that infringes upon the rights of others.  Any behaviour which disrupts the teaching-learning process in the classroom, or which demonstrates disrespect for self, others, property or authority will be dealt with by the school staff and administration in order to ensure the well-being and security of everyone in the school.  Students are expected to:       

• Treat and speak to others with care, respect, and kindness

• Respect that everyone’s body belongs to him or her—they determine the boundaries

• Follow instructions the first time given