October 27, 2017

Delegates from several Belgian Catholic francophone educational institutions visited Sudbury from October 22 to 26 to share strategies and ideas with staff from the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO). The ten principals from Belgium toured five CSCNO schools and took part in discussions regarding the implementation of professional learning communities as well as other educational initiatives and practices.

This visit was part of a partnership agreement that was signed on February 20, 2017 between the eight French language Catholic school boards in Ontario and four Belgian Diocesan educational institutions. During the course of their stay, the Belgium delegates visited school and were greeted by principals, vice-principals and school staff members at École secondaire du Sacré-Cœur (Sudbury), ÉSC Champlain (Chelmsford), ÉSC l’Horizon (Val Caron), Collège Notre-Dame (Sudbury) and École Jean Paul II (Val Caron). The schools had the opportunity to showcase initiatives related to developing the school improvement plan, managing information aimed at improving student performance, implementing collaborative teams, and advancing successful strategies for cultural and spiritual development, special education, elementary and/or secondary school student transition and credits that are essential for earning a secondary school diploma.

Meetings also took place at the school board’s head office where discussions about strategic planning and school improvement implementation plans took place. Both teams took this opportunity to discuss the future of French language Catholic education in Canada and in Belgium.

“It was a pleasure to welcome the Belgium delegates for the first time,” stated Mrs. Lyse-Anne Papineau, CSCNO Director of Education. “We truly benefited from this opportunity to share experiences, strategies and best practices. This partnership was created to strengthen French language Catholic education in Ontario and in Belgium and, after this first visit, I believe we are well on our way.”

The Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario offers a French Catholic Educational Program that is widely recognized for its excellence. The CSCNO provides a quality learning environment and academic program that runs from early childhood to adult education, with some 7,000 students enrolled in 27 elementary and 10 secondary schools.

Source:
Brigitte Morin
External Relations Coordinator
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
705-673-5626, ext. 389
705-690-9740 (cell)