Notre Dame Regional Secondary School

Those words suggest a belief in something beyond our own capabilities and understanding. They suggest that we must possess the necessary component required to sustain such conviction, especially during the difficult times.  That component, of course, is faith. It often sees us through the storms of daily life and is the one constant in our lives that we can truly count on.

Faith is not knowing what the future holds but knowing who holds the future.  At Notre Dame we work hard every day at instilling that belief and confidence in ourselves, and, most especially, within our students.  It is the spiritual bond that connects our entire community and is intended to bring us closer together.

There will be times in our lives where we feel alone or even abandoned; times when our faith is put to the test.  When we are going through something difficult and wonder where God is, we must remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test.  Quiet, yet always present, aware, and ready to assist if and when needed.

This school year, as we face all of life’s challenges and strive toward their solution, let us be mindful that we are human and imperfect but also mindful that with God’s help, all things are possible. Mindful that….we can do all things through Him.

In the early 1950s, Archbishop Duke invited religious orders from across North America to come to Vancouver to found a high school to educate the children of ten Catholic parishes in east Vancouver and Burnaby (Corpus Christi, Holy Cross, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Helen's, St. Jude's, St. Mary's, St. Theresa's, Our Lady of Sorrows, Sacred Heart). The Sisters of Charity of Halifax accepted his challenge, and in 1953 Notre Dame opened its doors for the first time.

Notre Dame Regional Secondary is co-educational, offering academic, fine arts, and business programs, as well as athletic, performing arts, and other extra-curricular programs, for students from grades 8 to 12. Notre Dame Regional Secondary School is a Catholic school, one with the mission of Christ, which seeks to educate the whole student — the body, the mind, and the spirit.

In 1953, Archbishop Duke invited the Sisters of Charity of Halifax to establish a high school to educate the children of ten Catholic parishes in east Vancouver and Burnaby (Corpus Christi, Holy Cross, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Helen’s, St. Jude’s, St. Mary’s, St. Theresa’s, Our Lady of Sorrows, Sacred Heart). The school is co-educational, offering academic, fine arts, and business programs, as well as athletic, performing arts, and other extra-curricular programs, for students from grades 8 to 12.

In accordance with British Columbia's model of education, Notre Dame practices an inclusive model, promoting equitable access to learning. To ensure that individual needs are met, Student Services collaborates with parents, teachers and the student to create an Individual Education Plan. An Individual Education Plan describes individualized goals and what is required to achieve those goals. Often, Individual Education Plans are necessary because the learning needs of the student are different from the learning outcomes of the course.

The Notre Dame Student Services Department is a team of Teachers, Special Education Assistants and the Student Services Department Head. Teachers in the department teach a variety of classes. Program Support focuses on developing organization and time management skills, improving reading and writing skills and providing support for students in their academic classes. Work Experience and an Apprentice Program provide students with the opportunity to build skills necessary for the transition into the workplace after high school. Life skills teaches functional curriculum, daily living skills and social skills for students on modified school programs.

Special Education Assistants work with students in the classroom, one-on-one or in small groups, implementing Individual Education Plans. Special Education Assistants provide adaptations and/or modifications to the learning environment, materials being used and the presentation of information.