This year, we proudly celebrate 231 St. Nicholas Adult High School graduates! These aren’t just numbers—they’re stories of determination, resilience, and the power of second chances. To mark this important milestone, a graduation ceremony was held at Meridian Theatres, where graduates were celebrated by their peers, educators, and community members.
Speeches from OCSB Chairperson Mark Mullan, Board Trustee Luka Luketic-Buyers, Superintendent of Continuing & Community Education Ben Vallati, and the 2024 Valedictorian, Thiago Coelho Reis, highlighted the incredible journeys these graduates have taken. Master of Ceremonies Tammy Coyle and Anne-Marie Pinel, both key members of the guidance team at St. Nicholas, led the ceremony. Principal Don Murphy proudly presented certificates and acknowledgments, celebrating each graduate’s unique path to success.
Recognizing Exceptional Achievement: The Principal’s Award
One of the standout moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the St. Nicholas Principal’s Award, a recognition reserved for a student who has faced and overcome significant adversity. This year, that honour went to Jessica Bower, a student whose journey exemplifies the heart of what we strive to achieve at St. Nicholas Adult High School.
Jessica’s story is one of resilience. Having stepped away from high school in Grade 8, she returned to complete her studies and build a better future for herself and her family. With her two children as her inspiration, she pushed herself to earn her Ontario Secondary School Diploma, showing them—and herself—that anything is possible with perseverance. Jessica was accepted into the Police Foundations program at Algonquin College, where she is eager to positively impact her community.
Reflecting on her journey, Jessica said, “Winning this award made me feel extremely proud and confident in my abilities.” Her achievement reminds us of the transformative power of education and the importance of never giving up on our dreams.
A Year of Innovation and Success
The 2023-2024 school year was filled with new milestones and progress for St. Nicholas Adult High School. One of the most significant changes was the successful amalgamation of our two campuses into one at 893 Admiral Avenue. This move has allowed us to create a more cohesive learning environment that’s centrally located to better serve our community.
We also saw 171 students apply to college through the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) and 88 students apply to university through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). These numbers reflect the drive and ambition of our learners, many of whom are pursuing post-secondary education for the first time.
The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) program continued to be a crucial resource for our students. With over 200 students participating in the Junior PLAR program and more than 160 in the Senior PLAR program, students received credit for their prior learning and life experiences, giving them the opportunity to advance in their studies more quickly.
Always striving to improve, we updated over 50% of our courses to align with current assessment and evaluation practices and the latest AI protocols. This ensures that we’re offering relevant and forward-thinking education to all of our learners.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Core
This year, we also focused on professional development for our staff, particularly in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion. In the winter, we were fortunate to have renowned speaker Chris D’Souza lead a Professional Development (PD) Day on these topics. His insights provided valuable guidance as we continue to foster an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and supported.
St. Nicholas Adult High School isn’t just a place to earn a diploma—it’s a place where lives change. Through innovation, support, and a commitment to equity, we are helping adult learners reach their full potential and move forward with confidence into whatever comes next.