Brebeuf College School

Infobox Education in Canada


name = Brebeuf College School
motto = "Studio Gradum Faciant"
motto_translation=To Win Merit Through Study
established = 1963
schooltype = Separate
affiliation = Roman Catholic
principal = Mr. Anthony Azzopardi
city = Toronto
province = Ontario
campus = Suburban (14 acres)
enrollment = 1050
streetaddress = 211 Steeles Avenue East
faculty =
mascot = Redmen (1963-2003)
Bulls (2003-Present)
colours = Red, White, and Black

Brebeuf College School is a Roman Catholic all-boys' high school founded by the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1963 and located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is now under the spiritual direction of the Presentation Brothers of Mary. Brebeuf College has a tradition of devotion to Christian values and academic excellence, which prepares students for university and to be "men for others".

Students participate in a various activities, including faith and service-related clubs, music and drama productions ,and athletic programmess at both the intramural and extramural levels. Extended French, Gifted, ESL, and Co-operative Education programs are available for students with appropriate qualifications. As well, Brebeuf offers an Advanced Placement program that allows students to study enriched materials and to develop university level skills. In many cases they may also earn advanced placement (credit) for university, while still in high school. Students in this 4-year program will study an enriched curriculum in areas such as English, Mathematics, Science and History.

The school operates on the semester system and has an enrolment of approximately 1,000 students. The majority of students come from Willowdale and northern Scarborough; roughly 20% live in York Region and students travel from as far away as Newmarket, Mississauga, and Pickering to attend the College. Almost 20% of the teaching staff is alumni.

History

t. Jean de Brébeuf

The name Brebeuf was chosen for the new Toronto Catholic High School that opened its doors to the first students in 1963 for three reasons. One of Ontario's most illustrious and heroic pioneers was Jean de Brébeuf who first came to Canada in 1625, only 17 years after the founding of this country by Champlain's French colonists in 1608. Brebeuf journeyed to the area around the present-day Midland, Ontario and introduced Christian values to the Huron Indians of that area.

A second reason for selecting the name Brebeuf was that St. Jean de Brebeuf was a French Jesuit priest and the priests who founded Brebeuf College School in 1963 were the Jesuits of the Upper Canada Province. Brebeuf High School's first principal was Father Robert Meagher, S.J., a native of Montreal and a follower of the Loyola tradition in that city. Brebeuf's first staff consisted of 8 Jesuit priests, 1 Jesuit brother and 6 laymen.

The third reason the name Brebeuf was chosen for this high school was to provide each student and staff member with a person to emulate in his daily life. As is well known, Jean de Brebeuf was a giant among men, not only physically with his six-foot plus posture, but also academically with his exceptional linguistic skills, and more so spiritually with his dedication, zeal and courage. In 1649 Brebeuf was martyred after serving for 16 years among the Hurons.

Jean the Brebeuf died at the age of 56 years for the faith he hoped to implant in the hearts, minds, and the souls of his Huron brothers. In 1956 his grave was discovered by Father Denis Hegarty, S.J. at the present site of Ste.-Marie-among the Hurons, near Midland, and a simple, hand-etched lead plaque told the story of this heroic life:

P. Jean de Brebeuf:Brûlé par les Iroquois:Le 17 de Mars, 1649

This school named after the Jesuit missionary, Jean de Brebeuf, opened with one hundred Grades 9 & 10 students in September, 1963. Their Excellencies, Bishops Philip F. Pocock and Francis A. Marrocco presided at the official opening and solemn blessings on January 5 1964. Brebeuf's first graduation class in 1966 consisted of 30 students, among them Mr. Michael Daoust presently the head of mathematics at Brebeuf. The 1967 year had 74 graduates, one of whom was Mr. Robert Lato, formerly the head of guidance at Brebeuf.

Father Jean de Brebeuf who spent three periods of his life in Huronia in the 17th century (1626-29, 1634-42, and 1644-49), less than 150 miles from the present site of Brebeuf College School, is now honoured permanently as patron of Brebeuf College School.

In May, 1983, Father William Ryan, the Provincial of the Jesuits, announced that the Jesuits were going to give up responsibilities for the operation of Brebeuf College School by June, 1984. This decision was made necessary by the steady decline of available manpower. Immediately, Cardinal Gerald Emmett Carter and the staff of the Archdiocese of Toronto began to explore the possibilities to ensure the continual operatrion of Brebeuf. In February, 1984, Cardinal Carter's office announced that the Presentation Brothers were willing to assume responsibility for Brebeuf College, and would officially take over on July 31 1984. Brother Lawrence Maher FPM was the new Principal. Thus the school is now operated by the Presentation Brothers.

Th Presentation Brothers of Mary are a religious congregation founded with a single intention -- to work for the Christian education and the formation of youth. The Order was founded in 1802 in Ireland by Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, a wealthy and well-educated businessman in the city of Waterford. By the age of forty, Edmund Rice was noted as a generous layman, particularly concerned with the plight of the poor. After entering a monastery in Europe, he realized that his real vocation lay with the uneducated and poverty-stricken youth of Waterford.

It was in 1802 that Edmund Rice gave up his personal wealth and by 1822 he had become the founder of the Presentation Brothers and the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Brother Edmund Rice died in 1844 but the work he began continued throughout the world.

Today the Presentation Brothers operate elementary and secondary schools in the United States, Soutb America, the West Indies, England, Ireland, Africa, and Canada.

In 2002, the Toronto Catholic District School Board announced funding for a new building to replace Brebeuf's outdated facilities. Under Principal Michael Pautler '76, the Brebeuf community was temporarily housed in the former Bathurst Heights Collegiate while the new building was being constructed. On January 5 2004, exactly forty years after Bishop Pocock presided over Brebeuf College School's Solemn Blessing, staff and students began classes in the new state-of-the-art facility at the old campus.

Crest & Motto

The Brebeuf Crest was designed by Father Robert Meagher S.J., Brebeuf's founding Principal. It symbolizes the rich heritage and history of Brebeuf.

The black bull is taken from the family coat-of-arms of St. Jean de Brebeuf.

The cross of St. George and maple leaves are taken from the arms of the Province of Ontario.

The blazing sun forms the arms of the Society of Jesus who founded the school, and of which Brebeuf was a member. The flames on the circle symbolize the infinite love of Christ, and the little cross, the pinnacle of that love. The Greek letters "iota", "eta," and "sigma" are the first three letters of Jesus's name.

The angel's wings behind the large cross are those of St. Michael, the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Toronto. The five small crosses on the larger cross represent each of the five Canadian Jesuit Martyrs (Jean de Brebeuf, Gabriel Lalement, Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier, and Noel Chabanel).

The Latin motto "Studio Gradum Faciant" is translated "To win merit through study", emphasizing the academic nature of the school.

Prinicipals

I) Father Robert Meagher, S.J. (1963-1972)

II) Father Clement Crusoe, S.J. (1972-1976)

III) Father Ken Casey, S.J. (1976-1979)

IV) Father Winston Rye, S.J. (1979-1984)

V) Brother Lawrence Maher, F.P.M. (1984-1996)

VI) Mr. Joseph Brisbois, B.A.,B.Ed.,M.Ed. (1996-2001)

VII) Mr. Michael Pautler, B.A.,B.Ed.,M.Ed.,M.A. ('76) (2001-2004)

VIII) Mr. Nicola "Nick" D'Avella, B.A.,B.Ed.,M.Ed. (2004-2008)

IX) Mr. Anthony Azzopardi, B.Sc.,B.Ed.,M.Ed. (2008-Present)

Awards and Scholarships

The Honour Roll recognizes students who have an overall average of 80% with no marks below 60%. Students who achieve Honour Roll status for every year of high school are inducted into the Blessed Edmund Rice Society, named for the Founder of the Presentation Brothers, at Graduation.

There are awards for the highest overall average in each grade and these are named for the college's Jesuit principals:

Grade 9 - Father Robert Meagher S.J. Award

Grade 10 - Father Clement Crusoe S.J. Award

Grade 11 - Father Kenneth Casey S.J. Award

Grade 12 - Father Winston Rye S.J. Award

chool Media

The "B" newspaper has been published continuously since 1963.

The "Brebeuf Relations" is the newsletter sent out 2-3 times per year to the parent community and friends of the school.

The "Alumni B" is published each December and has kept Old Boys connected to their alma mater since 1982.

Brebeuf's yearbook, "Echon" takes its name from St. Jean de Brebeuf's name in the Huron language, and has been produced annually since 1967.

BNN, or Brebeuf News Network, is a closed-circuit television system consisting of six monitors placed strategically throughout the school. It broadcats announcements and short news and video clips produced by the school's media arts courses.

"Triple Bronze" is an annual poetry anthology which began in 1971.

tudent Government

The student body is represented by a Student Council, elected directly by the students. The executive consists of a President, Vice-President, Sports Representative, Social Representative, Junior Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Student Council organizes such events as dances, clothing sales, pep rallies, the graduation formal, and intramural sports.

ports Championships

Brebeuf College has a long history of sports championships as part of the Toronto District Colleges Athletic Association (TDCAA) (needs to be updated).
BASKETBALL (BANTAM): 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1976
BASKETBALL (JUNIOR): 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1988
BADMINTON (BANTAM): 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999
BADMINTON (BANTAM MIXED DOUBLES): 1988
BADMINTON (OFSAA): 1998 Mixed Doubles "A" Flight, 1995 Men's Doubles "B" Flight
BADMINTON (JUNIOR): 1990, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2008
BADMINTON (SENIOR): 1990, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008
BADMINTON (TEAM): 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2008
CROSS COUNTRY (OFSAA BANTAM): 1979
CURLING: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2008
GYMNASTICS: 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
HOCKEY (JUNIOR): 1977
HOCKEY (SENIOR "B"): 1994
RUGBY 15s (SENIOR): 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996
RUGBY 15s (JUNIOR): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993
RUGBY 15s (BANTAM): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996
RUGBY 7s (ALL-ONTARIO-SENIOR): 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997
RUGBY 7s (ALL-ONTARIO-JUNIOR): 1989, 1996
SOCCER (BANTAM): 1968, 1988, 1995
SOCCER (JUNIOR): 1990, 1991
SOFTBALL: 1988
SQUASH: 1995
SWIMMING (BANTAM): 2008
SWIMMING (JUNIOR): 2008
SWIMMING (SENIOR): 2008
SWIMMING (OVERALL BOYS): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
TENNIS (SENIOR DOUBLES): 1983, 1988, 1989, 1994
TRACK AND FIELD (BANTAM):1995
TRACK AND FIELD (OFSAA-BANTAM-4x100m): 1986
VOLLEYBALL (BANTAM): 1988
WRESTLING (OPEN): 1972, 1973
WRESTLING (JUNIOR): 1982

Mission Statement

Brebeuf College School is a community of faith integrating Christian principles and Catholic values with all living and learning experiences in an environment which recognizes the spiritual dignity of each individual as a child of God.

Brebeuf College School is a family of student-teacher-parent-alumnus working together to encourage excellence, integrity, responsibility, initiative and respect for the other in the classroom, on the playing field and in the larger community of parish, municipality and country.

Brebeuf College School stands for an education that develops soundness in mind, soul and body. Brebeuf pursues an educational philosophy centred on academic and moral discipline. Brebeuf encourages the spirit to soar and the imagination to inquire. Brebeuf nurtures the sense of wonder in each student's unique development. Brebeuf College School rewards hard work and eager application. Brebeuf expects all members of its family to realize the fullness of the potential given by God.

Brebeuf believes that the way, the truth and the life informed by the teachings and life of Jesus lead one to success, to happiness and service to the other. Brebeuf's hallmarks are friendship, faith, discipline and hard work.

Prominent Alumni

Some prominent alumni include:

* Joseph Boyden, author of "Three Day Road".
* Kevin Sullivan, a film director of such Canadian films as "Anne of Green Gables" and "Road to Avonlea".
* Gar Knutson, former Member of Parliament and Minister of the Crown.
* Marc Kielburger, co-founder of Free the Children and Leaders Today.
* Mike Murphy, former coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs and vicepresident of the NHL.
* Larry Uteck, CFL player and former deputy-mayor of Halifax.
* Phil Horgan, President of the Catholic Civil Rights League.
* Fabrizio Filippo, a well-known Toronto actor.
* Bill Hutchison, CTV News Anchor for the evenings news.
* Richard Mahoney, former President of the Liberal Party of Canada and lawyer.
* Aldo DiFelice, President of TLN Television (Telelatino).
* Richard Ciano, Vice-President of the Conservative Party of Canada.
* Daniel Leckie, former Alderman for the City of Toronto.
* Father Gregory Smith, priest and Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
* Ascot Waithe club and radio DJ for Flow 93.5; known as Scott Boogie
* Frank Nutzenberger, Canadian gymnast and Olympian.
* Todd Binns, world-champion squash player.

Prominent Former Staff

* His Grace Bishop Terence Prendergast S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa.
* Father Jim Webb S.J., Provincial, Jesuits of English Canada.
* James Barry, editor of many English textbooks.
* Michael Pautler '76, Director, Halton Catholic School Board

External links

* [http://www.brebeufcollege.ca Official website]
* [http://www.brebeuf-alumni.org Brebeuf Alumni Association]
* [http://www.presentationbrothers.com Presentation Brothers]
* [http://www.jesuits.ca Jesuits of English Canada] .