Programs

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd teaches your child the truth, beauty and goodness of the Catholic Church.  The program is focused around Scripture and the Liturgy of the Church and helps children build a relationship with Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.

French language exposure begins in grade four.

The program is a gesture-based approach called Histoires en Action!. All vocabulary and grammar is taught with the support of gestures from the teacher and presented in a story or play format that is performed at the end of the year.

Our gesture-based approach engages students in learning new vocabulary orally and kinesthetically leading to increased fluency.

Histoires en Action! ensures an extensive vocabulary is learned and reviewed with class, group and partner oral and written activities.

Physical Education classes will provide students with opportunities to get active, develop fitness skills, and build a positive community. The movements and skills presented and practiced are organized to fit varied grade levels, allowing students the opportunity to develop complex movements, build an awareness for a variety of sports, and experience fun while being active. Some of the sports they will participate in are basketball, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey, soccer, and cross country.
Students will also experience the benefits of a healthy and positive attitude, while playing individual and team sports. Let’s get active and have fun!

The focus of Applied Design, Skills, and Technology Class is to provide students with weekly activities which will promote their curiosity, wonder, creativity, and life skills. Students will learn and develop skills in areas such as cooking/foods, sewing, building/creating, as well as a variety of outdoor activities.

We support every child's individual learning needs. Children receive specific support based on the goals outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Learning Assistance

We provide high quality learning support services which may include:

• Numeracy

• Literacy

• Speech and Language services

• Psychological Education Assessments

• Occupational therapy

• Physical therapy

• Other programs as required to meet IEP goals

With a focus on SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bounded) goals and consistent intervention, our students are empowered to achieve their full potential.

"We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us."
- Romans 12:6-7

Special Education

Our school is a safe and supportive environment for children with special needs.

Our Educational Assistants are caring, knowledgeable and experienced faculty members. They'll ensure that all students receive equal access to our high standards of education while ensuring their individual academic, emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs are supported.

Every child is unique and we'll develop a program that brings out the best in your child. We seek to support while ensuring the dignity of each person who walks through the halls of Saint Mary's School.

English Language Learning (ELL)

International students come to Saint Mary's School from around the globe to be immersed in the english language, while integrating completely with a diverse and welcoming community.

ELL provides newcomers a strong English language education, focusing on speaking and understanding English, reading comprehension and all the mechanics of writing - grammar, punctuation, parts of speech, vocabulary, and sentence and paragraph writing.

The ELL department takes pride in reinforcing students in their eagerness to learn English at our school.  They strive for success and usually attain this goal when they come to Saint Mary's.

Academics

Knights of Reading (Grades K- 3, October - May): Home reading program.

Reading Link Challenge (Grades 4-5, March - April)

UBC Science Challenge (Grades 6-7, February - May): Competition at UBC in May.

Robotics Club

Arts

Christmas Musical (All grades, tryouts late September): Monday - Thursday rehearsals at 7:30am, cast roles open to intermediate grades. See this year’s musical here!

Choir (Grades 2-7, September - June): Singing at school masses and special occasions, practice once per week at lunch.

Athletics

Track and Field (Grades 2-7, April - June, tryouts in March): Twice per week. after school.

Soccer (Grades 4-6, Fall): Boys and girls teams. Practices at lunch, one game per week, after school.

Cross Country (Grades 2-6, September-October): 1-2 practices per week at lunch, 3 meets per season.

Volleyball (Grades 4-6, November - January): Boys and girls teams, practices at lunch.

Basketball (Grades 4-6, February - April): Boys and Girls teams, practices before school and at lunch.

Karate (Grades 1-7, Fall and Winter to be confirmed): Practice Wednesday after school, registration required.

Faith

Altar Server Club (All grades, September - June): Once per week at lunch.

Fun

Games Club (Grades 4-7, September - June): Once per week at lunch.

Being stewards of our faith is important, and we're committed to performing acts of service in and around our community.

Students brainstorm their own ways to help, and put their ideas into action – such as singing at retirement homes, holding food drives and baking for the homeless.

Kids Who Can answer the question How will you make a difference in this world? and put their ideas into action to start solving the world's problems. The "Kids Who Can" is a service club run through the grade 6 class.

They fundraise through...

• Recycling

• Car washes

• Bake sales

• Freezie sales

• Babysitting, art projects, textiles, made slime, and more.

They give their time...

• Cleaning

• Yard work

• Child minding

• Picking tomatoes

• Making puppets for an orphanage in Haiti

• Performing at local hospitals and seniors homes

• Shopping for Christmas hampers

• Providing the Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast

...and support individuals and organizations in need.

• "Adopting" children from around the world, including: Pauline Salas (Philippines), James Mwende (Kenya), Thiago Gonzalea (Paraguay) and previously, Sagar Babari (India), who exited the program thanks in part to our aid.

• Supporting charitable organizations: Operation Smile, BC Children's Hospital, local animal shelters, Chalice (a Catholic charitable organization), Caribbean Children's foundation, and more.

Connected with the study of government, Kids Who Can elect a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, hold regular meetings, and make decisions democratically. 

The Saint Mary's community is full of powerful young people passionate about the opportunity to create positive change in our world.