Departments

Arts Department:

Students Excel in the Arts

The Saint Theresa of Lisieux Arts Department is proud to have been host to so many incredible in-person events and experiences over the past several months. Students have used their gifts and talents to create incredible art, in many forms, of which we are all extremely proud. Here is a look at some of the fabulous work our student artists have worked on over second semester.

Our Visual Arts program has created many memorable pieces, ranging in applications, materials, time periods, approaches and styles which included one- & two-point perspective, Prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek, & Roman Art and portraiture. Our Grade 9 student artists created via their new knowledge of the fundamentals of Art. Included were exciting assignments in paper mache sculpture and large portraits, as well as work studying the figure with watercolour. Our dynamic Grade 12 student artists created like modern artists. They had the opportunity to investigate the 20th century and the abundant directions art has taken. They created their own shoes in the spirit of a master artist. They also had the opportunity to work on large scale printmaking and painted portraits.

Business Department:

This spring Mrs. Merenda's and Mr. Deocampo’s grade 12 business classes had the opportunity to collaborate with each other and participate in a full class leadership and team building experience. These students were able to showcase their leadership skills not only for our administration team but also for Superintendent Joel Chiutsi and Director Domenic Scuglia.

Throughout the activity, students quickly realized the importance of effective communication. They also learned that if they wanted to complete the “race” in the quickest time, they would need to work together quickly and efficiently. Through the group's dedication and communication with one another, all students were able to complete the task at hand. Students were able to learn the importance of working together as a team, communicating, giving and taking constructive criticism, and treating each other with respect.

The Business Department would like to congratulate all the students who participated in the University of Waterloo’s Financial Literacy Competitions. Our school earned second place on the university's School Honour Roll, and in recognition, we received a prize of $500 to spend on classroom enhancements related to financial literacy.

A special shout out to the following students who received an Honour Roll standing in their grade division:

Devin Chauhan - Grade 11

Steven Kim - Grade 9

Way to go STL!!!

Canadian & World Studies Department:

The Canadian and World Studies Department (CWS) has dedicated a great deal of time over the past couple of years to try and make lessons that are engaging for students, whether it be remote or in person learning. The department members are proud of the diversity of courses that are offered to students each and every year. The CWS department members continue to be involved in several STL co-curricular activities trying to broaden the horizons of students whether it be through sports or various clubs. We all wish you and your families a safe and happy summer and look forward to seeing you in the fall.

English Department:

During the 2021-2022 academic year, St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School’s English Department once again was able to rise to the challenges of distance learning as well as curriculum delivery within the hybrid classroom. Department members, within course teams, met regularly to ensure programming quality and consistency. In addition, during this year, our department launched NBE 3U1: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Voices as our standard grade eleven university preparation English course. After receiving great insight from York Catholic District School Board administrators and Indigenous community leaders, our team spent much time procuring resources, reviewing curriculum, and program planning in preparation for the delivery of this ambitious and important course. The feedback from department team members and students thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. We are now moving forward with our preparation to offer de-streamed programming to our incoming grade nine students in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Library Learning Commons:

I am excited and saddened to announce that I will be retiring from my position as teacher librarian at the end of June. STL’s library has been my home away from home. I’ve observed and listened to the needs of the students, and I have created an environment that is conducive to all types of learning. I have a quiet area for those who wish to work independently, a work area where students can work collaboratively, and an area for those students who wish to relax and read. I also have a seminar room that students can access to create podcasts and videos, or to study in larger groups. Albert Einstein stated, "The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." The library is where answers can be found, where knowledge is held, and where learning takes place. Information on every subject matter is available both in print form and electronically. It has been my pleasure to help classes access resources for their many assignments and to instruct students about documenting sources in order to avoid plagiarism. The library is and will always be the hub of the school. It is where students share ideas, help one another, and encourage and inspire others.

It has been a privilege and honour to serve students and staff as STL’s teacher librarian. St. Theresa of Lisieux states, “Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love.” What I accomplished in our STL Library Learning Commons was done with love. Thank you STL. God Bless.

Mrs. Liliana Meschino

STL's Library Learning Commons (with the new furniture)

Modern Languages Department:

French National Ambassador:

Just recently, the Department of Modern Languages received news that one of our STL Grade 11 students, Armita Bhatti, was selected to be a National Ambassador at the Youth Forum. The forum is an annual free program involving 33 Grade 10 and Grade 11 bilingual students (secondaire 3 or 4 in Quebec) from across Canada, enrolled in French programs (Core French, Extended French, French Immersion, or Francophone schools). It involves six days of fun, interactive workshops and activities centered on the significance of bilingualism. This year, the forum will take place in Regina, Saskatchewan, from August 14 to 19, 2022 and will bring together 33 teenagers from across the country. The week will be punctuated by workshops on project management, leadership, but also games and activities of all kinds!

The ambassadors’ mission is to promote the French language and official bilingualism in their schools throughout the year following the FNJA. In order to do so, they organize activities related to French. This experience will also give her and other students alike the opportunity to build friendships with the other francophones and francophiles, increase confidence in French language skills and to gain leadership and project management competencies.

Merci.