St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School is Celebrating 25 Years of Catholic Education

Celebrating 25 years of Catholic education, past and present members of the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School community in Ajax will reunite to recognize this milestone anniversary. The event includes a liturgy and open house at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. 

The Durham Catholic District School Board and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School community is pleased to welcome Father Joseph and Father Massimo from St. Francis de Sales Parish, to this milestone celebration. 

25th Anniversary Celebration

Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
15 Bennett Avenue, Ajax

Remarks from special guests will be shared after the liturgy, followed by a reception and displays located in the school.  Past and present families are invited to come out to this special celebration.

Principal Breen O'Connor and Vice-Principal Chris Hurst brought their staff and students to 68 Coles Avenue, the grounds of St. Jude Catholic School while St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School was being built.  Although the original plan was to move into the school in March 1991, students and staff relocated to the new school building in May 1991.  

The blessing and official opening of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School took place on Tuesday, June 2, 1992. The Most Rev. R.B. Clune officiated at this celebration.

In 1995, Gene Kiernicki became the new principal of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, with Anita Sherwin-Hamer and Brian Miettinen serving as vice-principals for the next three years. During these first years at St. Catherine of Siena, many of the traditions that continue to be hallmarks of the school were initiated.

School spirit has been a tangible part of life at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. Colours of teal and silver were selected after spirited student debate! The team mascot of a stinger was shortlisted and eventually selected because of its fierce persistence. The population of our school was growing to include families that were both new to Durham Region as well as to the country. Reflecting and celebrating the cultural diversity of the school has been an ongoing focus for the school.

During the summer 2010, construction began once again at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. This time, a permanent addition to the primary hallway would eliminate seven portables.  On Shrove Tuesday, 2011, the school community came together to celebrate the next chapter in the life of our school.

The commitment to developing and sustaining this Catholic learning community remains strong today. In the words of our great patroness, St. Catherine of Siena, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire."

All past and present students, families and staff from the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School community are welcome to attend. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and are asked to contact the school to confirm attendance.

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About Durham Catholic District School Board

The Durham Catholic District School Board shares a sense of community among families, educators and parishes and is committed to integrating the teachings of the Gospel with quality educational programs that guide students in their journeys to meeting the Catholic Graduate Expectations. The Board currently serves approximately 23,000 students in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, and the townships of Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock.

Media Contact:

Sandy Coscarella, Principal
Tel: 905-427-6105
Email: Sandy.Coscarella@dcdsb.ca