Another successful CCSTA Annual General Meeting is in the books. We would like to send a big thank you to this year’s organizing committee for putting on an incredibly enjoyable, informative, and relevant conference.

“It was excellent,” says CCSTA Executive Director Julian Hanlon. “The location, of course, was beautiful. The facilities were excellent. The speakers were very relevant. All in all, it was a very successful conference.”

Mr. Hanlon also emphasized how timely the speakers and workshops were.

“The list of speakers that they had covered a wide variety of topics, but all the topics were very relevant to what trustees are dealing with back in their school board,” he says. “That was very appreciated.”

On Saturday evening, Sr. Teresita Kambeitz was presented with the 2018 Higgins Award for a lifetime of dedication to faith and education. She gave an excellent and humbling speech.

“Everyone enjoyed the Higgins Award winner,” says Mr. Hanlon. “She spoke very nicely.”

Read more: 2018 CCSTA AGM a Huge Success!

The CCSTA is pleased to announce that this year's Toonies for Tuition campaign will be distributing $74,000 to help ensure children and youth across Canada can access Catholic education in their hometown. That’s an increase of $17,700 (31%) over last year’s total. That money will be helping fund Catholic education for over 100 students and 20 schools in provinces with partial to no funding.

The enthusiasm shown by students and school staff in raising money for this great cause is inspiring. Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, or helped spread the word. Your generosity is appreciated.

Since its inception in 2006, the CCSTA has distributed over $440,000 through the Toonies for Tuition campaign. Yet requests for assistance continue to outstrip our funding. It is our heartfelt desire that one day we will be able to ensure that no Catholic family who wants to send their child to a Catholic school will be turned away.

We now have an online donation button!

Read more: Toonies for Tuition Has Record-Breaking Year

CCSTA President Marino Gazzola was honoured at the recent Catholic Principals Council of Ontario Awards and Gala Dinner in Toronto. Joined by family, friends, and colleagues, Marino was presented with the Father John Redmond Memorial Award for advocacy in Catholic Education. Father John Redmond aspired to help others all his life. He was passionate about Catholic education. Through his example of a Christian life and the discipline of sport, he inspired young people to be their best. These same qualities are exemplified in the passion and purpose that Marino Gazzola brings to his work as a Trustee each and every day.

Marino is currently serving in his 15th year as Chair of the Wellington Catholic District School Board and has been a Trustee since 1990. Serving also as President of the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association, a position he has held since June 2016 after being elected to the CCSTA Board of Directors in 2010, his impact promoting and protecting Catholic education is well known provincially and nationally.

Read more: CCSTA President Marino Gazzola Honoured with Father John Redmond Memorial Award