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

A lifetime of dedication to faith and education has earned Sr. Teresita Kambeitz some well-deserved recognition at the national level; she’s been named the 2018 Higgins Award Winner.

In memory of a distinguished Canadian jurist and Catholic School Trustee, the Honourable Justice James Higgins (1913-1974) of St. John's, Newfoundland, the Board of Directors of CCSTA annually presents an award to a person or group that has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic education in Canada. The Justice James Higgins Award is the highest honour provided by CCSTA. It reflects recognition of an exceptional contribution to Catholic education in this country. Sr. Teresita is the seventh women to receive the honour since its 1975 inception.

Nominated by the Board of Education of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Sr. Teresita’s commitment to education clearly hasn’t gone unnoticed by her peers.

Sr. Teresita’s Dedication to Education

Sr. Teresita’s 56‐year tenure spans from 1959 when she began teaching in Tramping Lake, SK through to the present day in her role as Assistant Director of Religious Education for Newman Theological College, Edmonton: Saskatoon extension‐site.

Sr. Teresita contributed many years to the vocation of Catholic teacher. Over 26 years, from 1959 to 1985, she taught in Grades 8 through 12 and fulfilled many roles including principal, 15 years as a teacher of Christian Ethics, and ten years in campus ministry and as a sessional lecturer at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan.

Read more: Sr. Teresita Kambeitz Named 2018 Higgins Award Winner