Current and former students, staff, and parents of the St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School community in Newmarket celebrated its 25th anniversary yesterday with a special mass, music, art, a barbecue and, of course, cake.
Dignataries attending the event included Newmarket Mayor John Taylor, who spoke about his experiences as a teacher, Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Tom Vegh, Ward 7 Councillor Christina Bisanz, York Catholic District School Board Trustees Theresa McNicol and Dominic Mazzotta, and Father Efren Alvarez-Pelayo, pastor of St. John Chrysostom Parish.
When St. Nicholas first opened in 1993, it served 571 students, many of whom transferred from nearby St. Paul Catholic Elementary School and area public schools. Its inaugural principal, John Chyz, attended the celebration.
Today, St. Nicholas serves almost 300 students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8. It is well known for its First Nations, Métis and Inuit inspired outdoor classrooms, arts activities, sports activities and supportive parent community.
“St. Nicholas is a beautiful learning community that strives to embrace God’s call for us to love one another in all that we do and say,” said Deirdre Vance, principal.
