St. Elizabeth Catholic High School
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| St. Elizabeth Catholic High School | |
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| Address | |
| 525 New Westminster Drive Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 7X3, Canada |
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| Information | |
| School board | York Catholic District School Board |
| Principal | Catherine Rosenberger |
| School type | Catholic |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Language | English |
| Mascot | Panther |
| Team name | Panthers |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Enrollment | approx. 1,600 |
| Homepage | St. Elizabeth Catholic High School |
St. Elizabeth Catholic High School is a high school in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. St. Elizabeth CHS was founded by the York Catholic District School Board in 1987, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007. St. Elizabeth is the home of Regional Arts Program for drama, dance, visual arts, and music students in York Region. The enrollment averages between 1300 and 1500 students per school year.
In the beginning, the school consisted of (and was only open to) grade nine students. However, the school added the tenth grade for the 1988-1989 school year and the eleventh grade for the remainder of 1989. Due to the overpopulation of school enrollment, a change of location was announced and the current location began construction in 1988. Once completed in January of 1990, it was officially opened to students and staff in February of 1990. The high school's original location (located at 21 Mullen Drive in Thornhill) was changed to Holy Family Catholic School, and officially opened in September of 1990.
On February 2006, the school opened a $10 million theatre despite many criticisms from teachers and students alike. Many opposed the construction of the theatre because many felt that the money would have been better spent on more important educational purposes.
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[edit] School Diversity
The school is culturally diverse with many students coming from different parts of the world. Here are some ethnicities represented:
- Australian
- Romanian
- Armenian
- Canadian
- Italian
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Filipino
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Korean
- Indian
This multiethnicity is a reflection of the city of Toronto.
[edit] Councils
- Arts Council
- Dance Council
- Music Council
- Student Administration Council
[edit] Clubs
- Animation Club
- Global Culture Club
- The Edge
- Investment Club
- Social Club
- Politics Club
Animation Club Animation Club is a student-run club that was started in 2004. Starting with few members, it now has over 25 active members. Many activities include drawing anime, reading anime, watching anime and playing videogames.
Global Culture Club A club devoted to promoting different cultures and ethnicities through activities.
The Edge The school's official newspaper featuring school news, events, cartoons, teacher interviews and games.
[edit] Events
- Variety Night
- Sweet Music (Karaoke Night)
- Staff-Student Hockey Game
- Sharelife
- Thinkfast
Variety Night A show wherein the participants exhibit their talents in music, drama and dance.
Sweet Music A new event that started in late 2006 that used karoake as a means to raise money for a school trip.
Staff-Student Hockey Game A annual hockey game between the staff body and student body.
Sharelife A charity event where the money raised goes to the Sharelife foundation. It has annually been the best fundraiser, though in the past year the amount of money raised decreased significantly due to administrative decisions.
[edit] Sports
- Basketball
- Snowboarding
- Skiing
- Soccer
- Badminton
- Volleyball
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Curling
- Golf
Ultimate Frisbee One of the most interesting sports team is the ultimate frisbee team. The team was established in the summer of 2003 despite the lack of talent of the squad. However, as years passed by, new talent emerged and the team quickly became a strong, dominant force in their division. In 2006, the team finished with 5 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. At regionals, the team finished with 2 wins and 2 losses placing 3rd overall. This was by far their best season on record.
The team is known for their flair and freestyle on the field, dramatized tosses, and end game cheers.
[edit] Peer Ministry
A student group that helps with day to day student activities, problems and events through the ways of Jesus.
[edit] Mural
To celebrate the opening of the theatre, a group of students created a 20 foot mural of a peacock. The project took 4 months to complete with many of students missing classes, staying late nights after school and coming in on Saturday to work on the mural. It is one of the most interesting sites to see when visiting the school.
[edit] The Purple Powder Prank
Prior to graduation day of 2004 a group of students initiated a prank that went horrifically wrong. These students placed a powder substance on the door knobs and handles, and stairway railings. When in contact with an aqueous solution the substance turned purple. Other students who touched the targeted areas quickly became aware of the formation of purple colorization on their hands and arms. They notified school officials who then proceeded to contact fire and ambulance officials. Afterwards, the school went into a lockdown and all students had to be checked. The situation escalated when a few students became allergic to the substance, and had to be sent to the hospital. These students eventually recovered.
As the events unfolded, it quickly gained media attention. Soon news helicopters, reporters and news vans converged at the school during the afternoon whilst many students were being checked. Many news reporters and unaware civilians proposed that it was a biological attack.
The students who perpetrated these acts, where arrested and charges laid upon them. The school further took action by preventing them to graduate in that school year, and expulsion.
The Aftermath
Due to the extreme nature of the prank, the school in consequent years increased the security at the school to prevent a reoccurence. This action however angered many students because they were not able to perform pranks of a lesser nature without facing major consequences.
In previous, less extreme end-of-the-year pranks, students let chickens and crickets loose on the school's first floor.
[edit] Regional Arts Program
Staring in 2002, The Regional Arts Program at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School offers an integrated approach to learning through the Arts in a Christ-centred learning environment. Students specialize in Dance, Drama, Instrumental or Vocal Music or Visual Arts. Our Regional Arts Program encourages students to appreciate all areas of the Arts and to seek a balance between academics and the Arts. Students will be able to enhance and develop their artistic talents through participation in workshops, and Master classes with professional guest artists. Students in the Regional Arts Program will also be afforded many opportunities to perform, as part of an ensemble and in solo work, in front of an audience at a variety of events and in partnership with community groups through the run of the four year program.
[edit] Yearbook
A full year, two semester course that requires commitment and technological/artistic talent. Selected students may end up staying as late at 10pm on certain nights, especially as they approach deadlines. A knowledge of computers and cameras is a definate must for producing a professional yearbook.
[edit] External links
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