The History of St. Roch Catholic Secondary School

Building our Tomorrow ...

In October 2007, the Trustees of DPCDSB hired Stafford Haensli Achitects company to design and build St. Roch CSS. Building commenced until the summer of 2009. Mr. C. Homick and the staff were announced and given possesion of the building in mid-August of 2009 from the Stafford Building company.  

St. Roch CSS opened it's doors on September 8th, 2009 to 212 grade 9 students and 31 staff members. Since then it grown each year, adding new cohorts of students. 

St. Roch's School Blessing ... & doing God's will!

On Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, St. Roch Catholic Secondary School celebrated its Solemn Blessing. The ceremony was presided by His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins and Father Jim Tobin. The Blessing marked the offical Grand Opening of St. Roch CSS.

The Director of Education, Mr. John Kostoff, brought greetings from the Dufferin-Peel CDSB and welcomed the school to the Brampton West Family of Schools. The Honourable Mayor Susan Fennel brough greetings from the City of Brampton and welcomed St. Roch to the community.

A Bustling Community Began ...

With the dawn of a new school meant new traditions and new programs. St. Roch began as a Regional Arts School, offering programs in Media Arts, Dance, Drama, and Music - both instrumental and vocal. The traditions that St. Roch carries on today were part of this inaugural year: ROCHtv began it's premiere season, boasting a innovative and creative communication tech program; Roch Idol, a holiday tradition, entered it's first competition year, allowing both vocal and instrumental students to show their talents; the dawn of Concert Band and Choir which continues today, among others; "Wait, Wait, Bo Bait!", the first drama production, allowed the Drama majors to showcase their talents.

A Growing Sports Legacy ...

During it's inaugrual year, St. Roch's Athletics took on new heights. Many of the sports enjoyed today started in these humble beginnings: St. Roch Boys Football, Girls and Boys Volleyball, Girls and Boys Basketball, Cross Country, Track & Fireld, Girls & Boys Soccer, Bocce, and even Intramurals. Since then St. Roch has gone to play in many ROPPSSA and OFSSA Championships, continuing the Legacy that started back in 2009

The Seeds of Social Justice ...

On Thursday, October 1st, 2009, the students of St. Roch CSS participated in planting bulbs which will grow in a garden in the front of the school. The task was organized and led by Mr. L. Skjold-Pettersen, in cooperation with his students. The flowers and plants allowed students to get involved in the school community and have hands on learning, and also helped to beautify the front of the school while also leaving a legacy for years to follow. 

Clubs began to form that would sow the seeds needed for the beginnings of seeking Social Justice in our community and beyond. Green Team and Social Justice Team were just the start of what we see today, where Equity, Diversity and Social Justice continue to be in the forefront of the lives of both students and staff at St. Roch.

Growing into the future ...

St. Roch is now home to 1453 students and over 130 teaching, administration, and support staff. With over 20+ clubs and organizations, Fall, Winter, and Spring Sport seasons, a thriving Regional Arts Program and SHSM in Business Studies, and numerous concerts, plays, presentations, litrugies, masses, and cultural celebrations, St. Roch continunes to be home to a bustling school community that seeks to empower, enlighten and enliven it's members, at the core, allow all to be the "Light of the Mind, and Light of the World"

Wise Words ...

Mr. Homick, St. Roch's First Principal, reminds us that "St. Roch is not the building but the people ... this first year shows a school with a full spectrum of activites and achievements. The Traditions set by the inital students and staff will be fostered by each class of Roch's students and staff members who walk through its doors. St. Roch CSS is truly a magnificent school?"

Mr. Ryan, St. Roch's First Chaplain, reminds us to "look back each year and remember what we did ... this is what 'living stones' do.. This is how we build a school that lasts forever. Watch as St. Roch CSS grows, because 'living stones' can grow. We are the only kind of stones that grow. And when we grow, what do we become? Richer and wider and deeper and more loving"