Dear Waterloo Catholic Families and Partners,

As we approach the Christmas season and prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am filled with profound gratitude for the gift of partnership we share in nurturing the faith and learning of the young people in our care.

Walking through all 52 of our schools these past months, I have witnessed the beautiful ways our community comes together to create spaces where children don’t just learn – they belong, they are cherished, and they encounter Christ’s love through the care of dedicated educators, and the support of engaged families like yours.

This fall, you have entrusted us with over 28,000 precious students, and together we have watched them grow in knowledge, faith, and character. Your partnership through volunteering, attending school events, supporting homework, reinforcing our Gospel values at home, and walking alongside your children through both joys and challenges has been essential to creating the vibrant Catholic learning community we cherish.

Thank you for choosing Catholic education for your family. Thank you for your prayers, your patience, your feedback, and your active participation in our schools and parishes. You embody what it means to learn together, serve one another, and create belonging—the very pillars that guide our mission as a community of faith.

As we enter this sacred season, may you find rest, renewal, and joy with your loved ones. May the peace of the Christ Child fill your homes and hearts, and may you feel the warmth of knowing how deeply you are valued as part of the Waterloo Catholic family.

Wishing you and yours a blessed and Merry Christmas and a grace-filled New Year.

With gratitude,
Annalisa Varano
Director of Education

Students and staff at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School are set to dazzle audiences once again as they present Descendants: The Musical in the school’s cafetorium this week.

We had the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal, where the energy, professionalism and creativity on stage were unmistakable. This latest production marks the sixth full-length musical staged at St. Benedict since 2019, reinforcing the school’s strong commitment to the arts and offering students a vibrant space to showcase their gifts.

The musical opens tonight and runs through Saturday. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through the school’s website. https://stbenedict.wcdsb.ca/descendants/

Rehearsals have been underway since September, with the cast dedicating countless hours to perfecting choreography, character work and musical numbers. The band adds a rich, dynamic soundtrack that elevates each scene, demonstrating remarkable skill and collaboration.

Staff members have also played a pivotal role, lending their expertise, time and enthusiasm to guide students through every stage of the production. From set design to technical direction, their dedication is evident in the quality and spirit of the performance.

Descendants: The Musical stands as a testament to the talent, teamwork and heart within the St. Benedict community, promising an unforgettable experience for all who attend.

The weather outlook is improving. All permits and programs will continue as scheduled this evening and tomorrow. This includes our regular classes, International Language classes, and all events planned for tomorrow.

St. Agnes marked a heart-warming Angel Day yesterday, celebrating with concerts, crafts, and meaningful moments that brought students, families, and staff together in a spirit of joy.

The day began with a lively mini-concert from the Grade 1–3 classes at 9:45 a.m., as students shared music that set a cheerful tone for the celebrations. After the performance, Grade 1 students returned to their classrooms for their craft activity, while Grades 2 and 3 remained in the gym with their families to create beautifully crafted angels.

Later in the morning, the FDK classes welcomed families into their classrooms for intimate mini-concerts and craft activities. Children and parents worked side-by-side, creating angel-themed keepsakes that captured the delight of the season.

In the afternoon, Grade 4–6 students delivered classroom presentations before heading to the gym for their craft session. This was followed by the Grade 7 and 8 classes, who shared their own presentations before joining the school community for the final crafting period of the day.

Throughout the event, the school was filled with music, creativity, and a strong sense of togetherness. Angel Day once again highlighted the vibrant spirit of St. Agnes and offered families a chance to take part in the learning and joy that fill the school each day.

• Due to the current weather conditions, ALL SCHOOL BUSES, TAXIS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES are cancelled.
• All Schools are OPEN.
• All Extended Day Childcare Programs are OPEN.
• St. Louis online, daytime, and evening classes are open at all locations. Community Use Programs are able to operate.

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees’ Board Meeting: Monday, December 8, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-12-08_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

Location:  1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

Last week, St. Daniel Catholic Elementary School opened its doors and hearts to a group of visiting students from Kangirsuk, Nunavik, as part of a meaningful cultural exchange rooted in learning, friendship, and discovery. 

The Journey North program brings together St. Daniel CES in Kitchener and the northern Inuit community of Kangirsuk, located along the Payne River in the Arctic tundra of Quebec. With a population of roughly 550 residents and access primarily by air, the community is part of the Kativik School Board that serves 14 Inuit villages across Northern Quebec. Kangirsuk is known for its strong ties to tradition, close family networks, and a deep relationship with the land. 

The roots of this partnership trace back to a conversation between teachers. When Joseph-mina Louka moved north to teach in Kangirsuk, he reached out to his former teacher, Carlos Roque, to imagine what learning could look like when two communities meet with curiosity and respect. Along with colleague Brenna Ianni, he helped shape the idea of an exchange that would allow students in both communities to learn side by side. Teachers noticed increases in engagement and attendance as the project grew. With Carlos and WCDSB Indigenous Learning Consultant, Jennifer Statts, they hope to continue nurturing this relationship for years to come. 

Journey North reflects the WCDSB’s commitment to experiential learning, inclusion, and reconciliation. It invites students to step into each other’s worlds and learn through shared experiences. It also encourages curiosity, empathy, and respect, qualities that help young people grow into kind and informed citizens. 

During their stay, our visitors joined students in classrooms, created arts and crafts, and built new friendships with the St. Daniel students who will travel north in April. They also visited Laurel Creek for a full day of outdoor exploration. Students birdwatched, fed the gentle chickadees, and marvelled at pine trees they had never seen before. The day closed with a barbecue lunch that brought everyone together in a simple and joyful moment of community. 

The next chapter of the exchange takes place in April, when St. Daniel students will journey to Northern Quebec. They will observe how geography, climate, and isolation shape daily life in Kangirsuk, from food systems and housing to recreation, communication, and environmental stewardship. The local school is a central gathering place for education and community life, offering a window into the strength and resilience of northern communities. 

We were truly grateful to welcome our special guests and to learn alongside them. These moments remind us of the power of community, of listening, and of walking together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. As the Journey North project continues, we look forward to strengthening these connections and offering students unique opportunities that honour culture, land, and the shared stories that bring us closer. 

Today marks a proud and powerful moment for Team DAVE, the award-winning robotics team from St. David Catholic Secondary School. Their journey, passion and perseverance are being showcased on the silver screen in a new documentary by local filmmaker and Team DAVE alumnus Jake Durrer. The Drive Never Ends premieres today and tomorrow at Princess Cinemas in Waterloo. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

The feature-length film follows the team’s 2025 season and captures the thrill of competitive robotics through the eyes of its students. Ranked among the top 10 teams in the world, Team DAVE is a source of pride for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and a shining example of the values rooted in Catholic education. Curiosity, community and character are at the heart of this story.

“It really helped me grow into the person I am today,” said Thomas Bader, a 2024 graduate featured in the documentary. “Team DAVE was my favourite and most rewarding high school experience. It helped me grow my passion for coding and engineering, and I would say it helped with getting into the Mechatronics program at the University of Waterloo where I study now.”

The documentary captures the adrenaline of match day, the long hours of design and build, and the bonds that form along the way. For Eden Dietz, one moment stands out above the rest.

“At the Ontario Provincial Championship, we entered the finals of our division undefeated but lost our first match. It took one of the most stressful games of the year to tie the record,” she said. “The pure relief and energy I felt when we won and advanced to the provincial finals is something I will never forget.”

The film highlights mentorship, friendship and the sense of purpose that grows when students discover what they are capable of. Behind the lens is a director who knows the heart of the story well.

“Team DAVE has a culture and dynamic that operate differently from many other teams,” said Jake Durrer. “Most of the mentors are university students or recent graduates. Because the age gap is small, they learn from each other and form bonds that feel different from what you might find with older mentors. I wanted to show the impact of that connection.”

Durrer filmed the documentary on his own while managing a full schedule. He followed two students across an entire season and shaped the story afterward through hundreds of hours of footage. The result is a warm and compelling portrait of what happens when students are trusted, supported and invited to grow.

“When the credits roll,” he said, “I hope the audience feels how important this team is to these students. It may be a high school robotics program, but it becomes their world. They build friendships that last a lifetime and walk away changed.”

Team DAVE continues to inspire across Waterloo Region and beyond. With this latest chapter, their story invites us to reflect on what it means to learn, to lead and to belong. The drive, truly, never ends.

November 28, 2025 – The weather forecast is improving, and all permits and programs will continue as scheduled this evening and tomorrow. This includes our classes, International Language classes, and all events planned for tomorrow.

• Due to the current weather conditions, ALL SCHOOL BUSES, TAXIS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES are cancelled.
• All Schools are OPEN.
• All Extended Day Childcare Programs are OPEN.
• St. Louis online, daytime, and evening classes are open at all locations. Community Use Programs are able to operate.