A Fitting Farewell: St. Michael Catholic Elementary School celebrates legacy
June 25, 2026
Students and staff at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School in Cobourg gathered on June 25 for a memorable final day of celebration, marking the close of the 2025–2026 school year and the end of a remarkable chapter in Catholic education at the University Avenue school.
The group came together for an assembly to honour the legacy of St. Michael Catholic Elementary School with a history stretching back to 1883.
Honouring a history that spans generations
The celebration reflected on the school’s long-standing roots in the Cobourg community. Originally founded in 1883 as a two-room brick school on University Avenue, St. Michael served Grades 1 to 8 and was opened by four Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto—Sisters Pauline, Theodosia, Maxentia, and Margaret—whose dedication helped establish a lasting tradition of Catholic education in the area.
Over the decades, the school grew alongside the community. Expansions in 1903 and again in the 1950s added classrooms, modern conveniences, and the auditorium and west wing spaces that became central to school life, gatherings, and celebrations for generations of students.
A meaningful final assembly
The closing assembly provided a powerful opportunity for the community to reflect on its shared history. One of the most significant moments of the day was the opening of a time capsule from 2000. Its contents offered a moving glimpse into the past—artifacts and memories from students and staff who once walked the same halls.
Following this moment of reflection, a new time capsule was created for 2026, preserving messages and keepsakes from the current school community to be discovered by future generations.
Looking ahead to a new chapter
While the closure of the school building marked the end of an era, it also signalled the beginning of a new chapter for students. In September, the St. Michael community will join the Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School community.
As part of this transition, Notre Dame will become a dual-track school, offering both English and French Immersion programming. This change brings together two school communities and expands learning opportunities for students across Cobourg.
A legacy that endures
The final celebration was filled with emotion—gratitude for the past, pride in the present, and hope for the future. As memories were shared and farewells exchanged, the enduring impact of St. Michael was clear: a school shaped not only by its buildings, but by the faith, dedication, and spirit of the people who filled them.
Though the doors of St. Michael Catholic Elementary School have now closed, its legacy continues—carried forward by generations of students and staff who will bring its story with them into the future at Notre Dame CES and beyond.