Celebrating 50 Years of Catholic Education

Posted On Friday January 25, 2019

On Wednesday, January 23, 2019 the Durham Catholic District School Board celebrated 50 years of Catholic education. The evening celebration included performances by the Father Fenelon Catholic School choir and Grade 7 and 8 Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School band. 

Local dignitaries and the Minister of Education offered messages of congratulations, while current and retired Directors, Superintendent of Educations, Prinicipals and Trustees gathered in celebration. Guests had an opportunity to view the 25th and 50th Time Capsules while networking. Our Most Reverend Bishop Nguyen led the audience in a para-liturgy and blessed the 50th anniversary time capsule and leadership pins.

In 1969, the Ontario County Separate School Board was created from seven smaller independent boards that stretched from Lake Couchiching south to Lake Ontario. At that time, there were 29 schools, 384 teachers and 9,152 students.

Today, our board serves more than 21,000 elementary and secondary students in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and the Townships of Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock. We have 38 elementary schools, 7 secondary schools and 6 alternative and continuing education centers and 2,100 staff committed to integrating the teachings of the Gospel with quality educational programs that guide students in their journeys to meeting the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. 

A special thank you to everyone who attended and shared memories from the past 50 years.