St. Mary Catholic Secondary School

SUMMER SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!

Please visit Student Services for information and permission forms for Summer School 2023.

Information can also be found at http://www.stcharles/ss

 

SCHULICH BUILDERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SKILLED TRADES

A new Scholarship opportunity has been presented here at St. Mary. The Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades is an outstanding opportunity for our college bound students. You could earn a $40,000 scholarship. Please see the link below for information. If you would like to be nominated, please see Mr. Girolametto in Student Services. The deadline is April 14th.

https://schulichbuilders.com/

 

TIMETABLE CHANGES

As the end of the semester draws near, many students may be wishing to make timetable changes for semester 2. Please book an appointment on the STMA guidance booking portal. Choose your counselor, the day, and the time. This should be done ASAP as the first week of semester two will be extremely busy and you may struggle to get an appointment during the drop and add period. Please also be aware that we will be open from 8:30-12 during exams.

Are you a Black or Equity deserving Canadian high school student interested in coming to McMaster University but have some questions about the admissions process/ requirements, our programs, finances, residence, etc.?

Please open the link below.

https://admissions.mcmaster.ca/portal/jodi

https://admissions.mcmaster.ca/portal/armaan

 

UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS DUE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12TH!!

Welcome back. If you haven't done so already you need to apply immediately. The deadline for OUAC applications is this
Thursday!

OUAC Applicant Services Extended Hours Prior to Application Deadline:

Tuesday, January 10 - Wednesday, January 11, 9:30 am - 7:00 pm (EST)
Thursday, January 12, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (EST)
Applicant Services Phone: (519) 823-1063

 

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Many of you have yet to pick up your OUAC Pins for applying to university. If you are in the building today please come to Student Services to sign for and pick up your PIN.

OUAC Application - Due January 12th

OCAS Application - Due February 1st.

 

NURSING, MEDICAL LAB TECH AND PARAMEDICS....FREE EDUCATION!!

https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-learn-and-stay-grant?mc_cid=40ff99177b&mc_eid=da5bf36d55

If you are applying to any of these programs make sure you check out this link.  The Ontario Government will be awarding grants for tuition and lab/book fees for select cities and colleges/universities.  You would need to commit to working for at least 6 months in the same town after graduation.  Come to see Mr. girolametto if you have any questions.

 

P.I.N.s are IN!!!

This is an announcement for ALL university applicants. Your OUAC Pins are ready to be picked up in the student services office. Please pick them up ASAP.

 

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY VISITS HERE AT ST. MARY.

Please see the link below to sign up for our college and University visits. We have selected post secondary Admissions Representatives coming here to the school to share information and answer any questions about their specific institutions. Students must sign up using the form to attend. Attendance will be recorded.

https://forms.office.com/r/uB9zSPxdA2

 

Welcome to St. Mary Student Services

The Vision

Creating Pathways to Success is founded on a vision in which all students leave secondary school with a clear plan for their initial post-secondary destination, whether in apprenticeship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace, and with confidence in their ability to implement, and revise or adapt, their plan throughout their lives as they and the world around them change. This vision sees students as the architects of their own lives.

Program Goals

The goals of education and career/life planning program are to:

• Ensure that students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed education and
career/life choices through the effective application of a four-step inquiry process;
• Provide opportunities for this learning both in and outside the classroom;
• Engage parents and the broader community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of
the program, to support students their learning.

To achieve these goals, every elementary and secondary school, under the direction of the principal and with the assistance of key staff and students, will develop, document, implement, and evaluate an education and career/life planning program based on the policies outlined in this document. (Creating Pathways to Success 2013)

In order to achieve the above goals, guidance counsellors:

• assist the principal in developing, coordinating, and implementing the school’s guidance and career education program;
• provide instruction in guidance and career education through credit courses;
• deliver workshops and seminars;
• implement a process that will ensure that all students complete an Individual Pathway Plan;
• assist students in completing their IPP;
• assist in the IPRC process and correlate the IEP (including the transition plan) and the IPP for exceptional students;
• maintain and establish links between elementary and secondary schools and with community partners to coordinate their involvement with the guidance and career education program;
• deliver and monitor orientation and exit programs and peer assistance programs;
• provide individual assistance and short-term counselling for individuals and small groups;
• assist principals in arranging case conferences;
• recommend appropriate school board staff and community agencies for the provision of individual assistance and short term counselling beyond the school;
• assist students with the transition to postsecondary education, training, and the workplace;
• facilitate the ongoing review and evaluation of the school’s guidance and career education program and the program effectiveness survey.


STUDENT SERVICES STAFF

V. Faiazza (front desk) - Extension 3417

G. DiPaolo, Department Head - Extension 3432

A. Ovcjak, SHSM Counsellor - Extension 4168
J. Girolametto, Counsellor - Extension 4182



Co-operative Education Teachers

V. Spadafora/D. Baldin - Extension 3434


SUPPORT STAFF

K. McLaughlin, Christian-Service Animator (Wednesdays) - Extension 3429
K. Duffy-Kariam, Social Worker (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays) - Extension 3446

 

Tips for Selecting Courses for 2022-2023

Tips for Selecting Grade 10 Courses 2022-23
Tips for Selecting Grade 11 Courses 2022-23
Tips for Selecting Grade 12 Courses 2022-23
Tips for Selecting Grade 12 Plus Courses 2022-23

 

OCAS - When to Apply?

When to Apply

As long as space remains in an Ontario college program, you may apply for it. However, there are some important dates to keep in mind, especially for popular programs that fill up quickly.

Apply to college as soon as the online application becomes available in October. Complete and pay for your application on or before February 1 in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs beginning the following September.

February 1, 2023: The deadline for applying to highly competitive programs. Applications received and paid for before this date will be given equal consideration by the colleges. NOTE: Applicants for all programs are encouraged to apply before this date, as website volumes are highest at this time.

The following dates apply to programs starting in the Fall of 2023. The application process at ontariocolleges.ca follows an annual cycle, based on the academic year (August to July). For programs beginning at other times of the year, please contact the individual colleges for more information about application processing dates.

Early October 2022: Online Application Opens

In early October, access to the online college application becomes available for programs beginning in the following academic year (August to July). You may create an account and begin your application.

Offer November 1, 2022 Earliest date the colleges may release offers to applicants. Offers will continue to be issued until programs are filled or wait lists are established. NOTE: Applicants who have not met admission requirements for a program may be notified at any time during the application process.

November 1, 2022 Earliest date that applicants may confirm an offer of admission.

May 1, 2023 The most common deadline for confirming offers of admission - but not the only one. Applicants should check their offers of admission for exact deadline dates.

February 1, 2023: Equal Consideration Date

Apply on or before this date in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs starting the following fall. After this date, colleges consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full.

Note that applications to Highly Competitive Programs must be received by this date in order to be considered. As these programs receive a high volume of applicants, all seats may be filled by February 1.

Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications well before the Equal Consideration Date, as website volumes on the online application are at their highest at this time.

Many programs continue to accept applicants after February 1. Use our Find a Program tool at any time to find programs that are still open.

February 1, 2023: Earliest Offer Date

This is the earliest date that colleges may begin to send offers of admission to programs for the upcoming academic year. Offers will continue to be issued until programs are filled or wait-lists are established.

May 1, 2023: Deadline to Confirm Offers of Admission

Applicants must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission by this date. Log in to your ontariocolleges.ca account to confirm your offer.

Colleges may extend offers of admission after this date. Each college will set the deadline to confirm offers made after May 1, and this deadline will be communicated to you with your offer.

June 2023: Tuition Deposit Due at the Colleges

The colleges require payment of a tuition deposit in June to secure your spot in your program. Each college sets its own tuition deposit amount and payment deadline. This information will be communicated to you by the college.

Consult http://www.ontariocolleges.ca for more information.

 

Grade 12 Post Secondary Information

Click here for Grade 12 Post Secondary Information

Gr 12 Post-Secondary Info

 

ST. MARY CATHOLIC SECONDARY  APPLICATION PROCESS FOR UNIVERSITIES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

1. How many universities are there in Ontario?

There are 19 public universities in Ontario (including the Royal Military College) - many have affiliate colleges and/or multiple campuses:
Brock (St. Catharines)         Carleton (Ottawa) 
University of Guelph         Lakehead (Thunder Bay)
Laurentian (Sudbury)         McMaster (Hamilton)
Nipissing (North Bay)         University of Ottawa
Queen's (Kingston)         Royal Military College (Kingston)
Ryerson (Toronto)         Trent (Peterborough)
University of Waterloo         University of Western Ontario (London)
Wilfrid Laurier (Waterloo/Brantford) University of Windsor
York (Toronto) 
University of Toronto (downtown Scarborough, Mississauga)
Ontario College of Art and Design (Toronto)

2. Do any other institutions offer degree programs?
There are private universities, such as Redeemer in Ancaster.  A number of colleges offer applied degree programs with admission requirements similar to universities'. For more information go to degreesindemand.ca

3. What's the length of programs? 
Most undergraduate degree programs are four years

4. What's the approximate cost for a year?
The approximate cost for one year of study if a student moves away from home is approximately $20,000(includes tuition, student fees, residence, meals, textbooks, personal costs)

5. What are the admission requirements?
The basic requirement for admission is 6 "4U" or "4M" courses; most programs have specific subject requirements; some universities require a minimum number of "U" type courses.

6. How much does it cost to apply through OUAC?
The cost is $150 for the first three application choices, and $50 for each additional choice.


University Research Checklist

1.       Research your many options by using the following publications and resources:
             a. OUinfo - https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/
             b. www.ouac.on.ca/101/
             c. Schoolfinder.com
             


2.       Record the programs
3.       Obtain your confidential PIN letter from Student Services 
4.       Apply On-line by January 13, 2023
5.       After you submit your COMPASS application – you can review and change 

Research What? What do you need to know?  

The following information:
• Course content * Program availability
• Prerequisites needed * Size of the university
• Location of university * Cost
• Distance away from home * Housing
• Athletics * Student life
• Scholarships and financial assistance

SCHOLARSHIPS
www.scholarshipsCanada.com 
www.schoolfinder.com   
www.studentawards.com 

AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES  
www.collegeboard.org American College Board
www.petersons.com American College & Universities
https://www.commonapp.org/          American central application site

CAREER EXPLORE/SELF ASSESSMENT
 www.canadiancareers.com 
www.jobbank.gc.ca  
www.indeed.ca  
www.monster.ca  
www.youth.gc.ca  
www.jobpostings.ca  
www.mohawkcollege.ca/community-employment-services  
www.careerbuilder.ca 

 

Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

Scholarships, bursaries and awards can be granted based on academics, athletics, leadership, community involvement, creativity, theatrics, humanitarianism and financial need.

Research your options by using OUinfo and the universities’ websites, and visit student services, flip through the university handbooks and speak to your guidance counsellor about the programs and universities you are interested in. https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/                                 Apply online by January 13, 2023, at: http://www.ouac.on.ca

 There are a number of awards available through external agencies. Some of these awards are listed below alphabetical by award name and/or organization with links to the appropriate web sites. Use these links to learn more about the terms & conditions, application deadlines and more, of each scholarship being offered. 
 TIP – It is never too early to begin your search. Apply early as many awards have application due dates well in advance of the next academic session. 
Online Search Engine
• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
• Academic Invest
• National Educational Association of Disabled Students (N.E.A.D.S)
• Indspire (Indigenous Education)
• Studentawards.com
• Scholarshipscanada.com
• Schoolfinder.com
• Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation
• Campus Perks - Community Achievement Awards
• https://yconic.com

The following scholarship and award opportunities list is not conclusive but it meant to be a guide of some of the opportunities that are available for each student to access and research.  The chart will be amended if the need arises, and additional information will be added as it becomes available in Student Services. 

https://loranscholar.ca/
https://horatioalger.ca/en/scholarships/about-our-scholarships-programs/provincial-programs/
https://terryfoxawards.ca/
https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financial-aid/application-required/future-students/major-awards
https://www.johnhollandawards.com/
https://schulichleaders.com/
https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/solutions/student-banking/community-leadership-scholarship-for-canadians/
https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/scholarships/index