Board Awards

Celebration of Excellence Policy

Number: II 006
Subject: Celebration of Excellence

Approval Date: September 29, 2008
Effective Date: September 29, 2008
Revised: January 27, 2020

Policy Statement:

As a Board that appreciates and recognizes the achievements of our staff and students and the contributions made by stakeholders in our Catholic education system, we wish to foster a culture of celebration of excellence.

Accordingly, the following Board of Trustees awards will be presented annually:

1. The Chair’s Award: presented to a person or persons in the school system who has contributed significantly to Catholic Education. It is given annually in recognition of outstanding contribution made to the Catholic school system serving the students, staff and greater community of Waterloo region or to the betterment of Catholic Education in Ontario in general. Awarded at the Staff Recognition event. Nominations will be retained for 3 years. This does not preclude anyone from being re-nominated in any given year.
2. The Community Partner Award: presented annually in recognition of outstanding contribution made by a community partner or agency to the Catholic school system serving the students, staff and greater community of Waterloo Region. Awarded at the Staff Recognition event. Nominations will be retained for 3 years. This does not preclude anyone from being re-nominated in any given year.
3. The Distinguished Graduate Award: presented to a graduate of more than 10 years from our school system who has demonstrated outstanding examples of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. Awarded at the graduation exercises of the recipient’s Secondary School or other appropriate public venue. Nominations will be retained for 3 years. This does not preclude anyone from being re-nominated in any given year.
4. The John Sweeney Scholarship: presented in recognition of John Sweeney’s Catholic leadership and his contribution to our system, our community and our province. Presented to a graduate attending St. Jerome’s University who demonstrates academic excellence, the qualities such as perseverance, loyalty, integrity, commitment and a balanced involvement in their school, church and civic community. Awarded at the graduation exercises of the recipient’s Secondary School.
5. The Student Trustee Award: presented to a student trustee who has fulfilled the one year commitment to the term of office. Awarded at the graduation exercises of the student trustee’s Secondary School.

7. Student Excellence Award: Presented at each secondary school graduation to recognize student excellence for students destined for University, College and the World of Work.
8. On-going recognition: Trustees will support and recognize achievement at any of the school sites within the system through letters of congratulations, presentations or public acknowledgement as appropriate.