St. Elizabeth Catholic High School

For other uses, see St. Elizabeth High School (disambiguation).

St. Elizabeth Catholic High School
Address
525 New Westminster Drive Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 7X3 Canada
Coordinates
Information
School type	High school
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Founded	1987
School board	York Catholic District School Board
Principal	Angela DiPrima
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	1,800 (2011)
Language	English
Colour(s)	Black, white and Red
Mascot	Panther
Team name	Panthers
Website	seh.ycdsb.ca

St. Elizabeth Catholic High School is a high school in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. St. Elizabeth CHS was founded by the York Catholic District School Board in 1987, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007. St. Elizabeth is the home of Regional Arts Program for drama, dance, visual arts, and music students in York Region. The enrollment averages between 1300 and 1500 students per school year.

In the beginning, the school consisted of (and was only open to) grade nine students. However, the school added the tenth grade for the 1988-1989 school year and the eleventh grade for the remainder of 1989. Due to the overpopulation of school enrollment, a change of location was announced and the current location began construction in 1988. Once completed in January 1990, it was officially opened to students and staff in February 1990. The high school's original location (located at 21 Mullen Drive in Thornhill) was changed to Holy Family Catholic School, and officially opened in September 1990.

In February 2006, the school opened a theatre worth $1.00, despite many criticisms from teachers and students alike. Many opposed the construction of the theatre because many felt that the money would have been better spent on more important educational purposes.

Feeder schools

• Blessed Scalabrini (Bishop Scalabrini)
• Our Lady of the Rosary
• Father John Kelly
• Our Lady of Peace
• Holy Family
• St. Joseph the Worker

Clubs and teams

• Student Council (SAC)
• Alumni
• Anime Club
• Arts Council
• Band
• Break Out
• Choir
• Drama Council
• Free The Children
• Improv
• OSAID
• Mock Trial
• Music Council
• Musical
• Newspaper
• Peer Ministry
• Share Life
• Ski Club
• Social Justice
• Weight Training
• Wrestling Team
• Harmony
• Global Culture
• Liturgical Committee
• Graduation Committee
• Library Leadership Society
• Investment
• Media Team
• DECA

SWIM TEAM

• Desire for Change

Events

• Variety Night
• Sweet Music (Karaoke Night)
• thinkfast
• Staff-Student Hockey Game
• Sharelife
• Grade 11 Semi Formal
• Grade 12 Prom

Variety Night A show wherein the participants exhibit their talents in music, drama and dance. Hosted by the Student Council.

Sweet Music A new event that started in late 2006 that used karaoke as a means to raise money for a school trip.

Staff-Student Hockey Game An annual hockey game between the staff body and student body held at Garnett Williams arena.

Sharelife A charity event where the money raised goes to the Sharelife foundation. It has annually been the best fundraiser, though in the past year the amount of money raised decreased significantly due to administrative decisions.

Yearbook Actually consists of a class.

Sports

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Hockey
• Soccer
• Nordic Skiing
• Downhill Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Badminton
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Slo-Pitch
• Baseball
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Golf
• Cross Country
• Wrestling

Peer ministry

Peer Ministry is a youth-based organization at St.Elizabeth Catholic High School with over ninety members. It is a group of motivated student leaders that help with daily student activities, problems, and events through the ways of Jesus. Peer Ministry has been involved in numerous initiatives including Thanksgiving food drives to Grade nine orientation day and retreats, Ash Wednesday celebrations, masses, Thinkfast, Sharelife, and much more.

Mural

To celebrate the opening of the theatre, a group of students created a 20 foot mural of a peacock. The project took 4 months to complete with many of students missing classes, staying late nights after school and coming in on Saturdays to work on the mural. It is one of the most interesting sites to see when visiting the school.

Another mural that was put into place was the 3 piece mural made by the 2008-2009 Grade 9 RAP Visual Arts students. It is a mosaic that symbolizes faith, in addition to the unity of the school, as the contrasts of the mural are incorporated to create a harmonious whole. It took 5 months and is hung up in front of the school office.

Regional Arts Program

Starting in 2003, The Regional Arts Program at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School offers an integrated approach to learning through the Arts in a Christ-centered learning environment. Students specialize in Dance, Drama, Instrumental or Vocal Music or Visual Arts. Our Regional Arts Program encourages students to appreciate all areas of the Arts and to seek a balance between academics and the Arts. Students are able to enhance and develop their artistic talents through participation in workshops, and Master classes with professional guest artists. Students in the Regional Arts Program will also be afforded many opportunities to perform, as part of an ensemble and in solo work, in front of an audience at a variety of events and in partnership with community groups through the run of the four-year program.

Notable alumni

• Roberto Giacomi, professional soccer player, Kristiansund BK
• Paula Brancati, Actress
• Luke Bilyk, Actor

See also

• List of high schools in Ontario

External links

• St. Elizabeth Catholic High School