Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Have you ever thought about running for Catholic school board trustee?

Trustees are locally elected community members who help guide the future of Catholic education, from strategic planning to budget oversight to policy decisions, all with student achievement and well-being at the centre.

Nominations close August 21, 2026, at 2 p.m., so time is running out to put your name forward. Election day is October 26, 2026.

Want to learn more about the role and how to run?
https://ow.ly/uJH450ZuqCM

📰 Welcome, Guardian Angels: Ministry Approves Name of New Southeast Galt Catholic School

We are pleased to announce that the Ministry of Education has officially approved the name of our newest elementary school: Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School.

The school, opening this September in southeast Galt, was named through a community process that included input from our students, families, and staff. The name reflects themes of protection, guidance, and care; values we know will be central to the new school's identity from its very first day.

Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School will share a joint campus with the Waterloo Region District School Board's Giinawind Public School, a model that reflects our strong tradition of collaboration between the two boards in the Waterloo Region.

Located at 625 Wesley Blvd. in Cambridge, our new joint use campus is set to open its doors in September 2026. It will accommodate 360 students in our Catholic elementary school and 519 students in the public elementary school, along with an on-site childcare space for 88 children, operated by YWCA Cambridge.

"This name was chosen by our community, and it carries deep meaning," said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education and CEO for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. "Guardian Angels speaks to protection, guidance, and care, a beautiful reminder that every child who walks through these doors will be watched over, valued, and loved. We are grateful to build this school in partnership with our neighbours at Giinawind Public School, and we look forward to welcoming our new community this fall."

We extend our sincere thanks to our Board of Trustees, the school naming committee, the Ministry of Education, and everyone who contributed to this process. We look forward to celebrating with our Guardian Angels students, families, and staff at the school's grand opening this fall.

BIG NEWS for Catholic education in Waterloo Region! 🎉

The Ontario Ministry of Education has approved $91,240,874 in capital funding for four WCDSB projects, creating new and renewed learning spaces for nearly 2,000 students. 🏫

Here's what's coming:

- New Doon South Catholic Elementary School (Kitchener) 645 pupil places + a childcare centre with 88 new licensed spaces

- Monsignor Haller Catholic Elementary School Addition (Kitchener) 282 new pupil places, plus retrofits to existing spaces

- New St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School (Kitchener) 657 pupil places in a new replacement school

- Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School Addition (Cambridge) 368 new pupil places and new operational areas

Together, these projects mean 1,952 new or renewed student places and 88 new childcare spaces for families across our region.

"These investments mean more children will learn, grow and be formed in faith in modern, welcoming spaces close to home," says Annalisa Varano, Director of Education and CEO of WCDSB. "We are grateful to the Ministry of Education for recognizing the urgent accommodation needs in our growing communities."

Grateful for this support as we continue building spaces where our students can thrive. 🙏

We are pleased to share that Angela McHardy and Jordan Figueiredo have been appointed as Superintendents of Learning with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, effective August 24, 2026.

Angela joins us from the London District Catholic School Board. She is recognized for her experience in special education, inclusive practices, and faith-centered leadership, and has led diverse school communities while advocating for equitable outcomes and high achievement for all learners. As Principal of Amethyst Demonstration School, Southwestern Ontario's provincially designated Tier 3 intervention school, she led specialized programming for some of Ontario's highest-needs learners, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on evidence-based intervention models that strengthened literacy and numeracy outcomes. She serves as the Elementary Principal Representative on SEAC and is an instructor for CPCO's Special Education for Administrators program.

Jordan is known to many as a dedicated and respected faith-filled leader, most recently serving as Principal of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge, where he led the school through a period of significant growth and transformation. He is known for creating cultures of belonging, collaboration, and innovation, and has a long-standing commitment to coaching and mentorship, recently completing his term as President of District 8 Athletics. Through his leadership on board-level committees, including the current Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Jordan has helped lead system improvement and alignment.

Please congratulate Angela and Jordan on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to the continued impact they will make in service of our students, staff, and school communities.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the natural beauty that surrounds us, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic shores, and the blessing of living in a country where diversity is cherished and celebrated.

Happy Canada Day!

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our Financial Services team, led by CFO Shesh Maharaj, and to our senior leadership team for their outstanding work in developing the Waterloo Catholic District School Board's 2026–2027 budget.

I also wish to thank our Board of Trustees for their thoughtful deliberation and support in passing a balanced budget. Their commitment to responsible governance and to the students and families of Waterloo Catholic makes this work possible.

This budget is a direct expression of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Learn, Serve, Belong, with Faith at the centre. Every decision reflects our collective commitment to helping students learn and grow, to serving our communities with purpose and compassion, and to ensuring every child belongs in a safe and welcoming Catholic school. By keeping student achievement and well-being at the heart of every decision, we are well-positioned to continue advancing our MYSP goals while maintaining the financial stability our system depends on.

The dedication and expertise that went into this work does not go unnoticed. Thank you to everyone involved for your careful stewardship of our resources and your continued commitment to Catholic education in Waterloo Region.

Annalisa Varano
Director and CEO

🔗 Link to News Release: https://www.wcdsb.ca/waterloo-catholic-district-school-board-trustees-approve-451-8-million-balanced-budget/

🕯️🕊️ Today, on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, we pause in prayer.

We remember those who have suffered and lost, asking God to bring peace, comfort, and healing.

May we be instruments of His love and justice in the world.