History of Our High School 

The school opened in 1962 with an enrolment of 466 students in three grades (9, 10 & 11) and offered academic, commercial (business) and technical programs. By 1965 enrolment doubled and the vocational wings were constructed including shop areas for automotive, carpentry, electronics & electricity, drafting, commercial art, beauty culture, hot metals and lithograph. Two science labs, one multi-activity area and eight classrooms completed the addition. In 1983, two of the areas were renovated to house the Home Economics facilities and in 2000, a new library and music room were added along with new computer and science labs and numerous classrooms.

LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Saint Francis is the founder of the Franciscan Order.  He was born at Assisi, in Italy, in 1181 or 1182 and died in 1226.  As a youth, Francis was extravagant and popular.  He lived for the day, seeking out the pleasures which his father’s wealth could afford.  At the age of twenty, because of civil strife, Francis entered the military.  Before he reached the front, Francis fell ill and in his delirium heard a heavenly voice telling him to “serve the master rather than man”.  Francis returned home and dedicated his time to prayer and visiting the sick.  His loss of worldly ambition so annoyed his father that he disinherited Francis, who adopted the brown hemp garment of a labourer as a symbol of his life, poverty and commitment to Christ and to the poor.  Francis was nicknamed “Il Poverello”, the poor man.

Francis’ life is an example of what every person can become.  While living in a world where money is often regarded as the only criterion of contentment, we must try, as did Francis, to be more reasonable in our demands and to be more conscious and willing to give to those in need.  We must try to respect and live in harmony with what St. Francis referred to as “our sister,  Mother Earth”.  We must have peace within ourselves and encourage others to justice, peace and love. 

On his deathbed St. Francis challenged his followers with these words, “Let us begin — for up to now we have done nothing”.