PVNC Catholic elementary principals embark on Deep Learning journey

Oct. 21, 2025

Earlier this month, elementary school principals from across the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board came together at St. Martin Catholic Elementary School in Ennismore for the first Deep Learning Principal Network Meeting of the 2025–2026 school year. 

Hosted by Information Technology Services Principal Frank Bradica, the full-day session on Oct. 8, 2025, brought together leaders to explore the transformative power of Deep Learning and its four design elements within their schools.

The principals in attendance heard about successes of Deep Learning at St. Martin CES by Principal Jennifer Fisher and also toured through several classrooms at the school to see how Deep Learning was being implemented.

The Principal Network offers a unique opportunity for school leaders to collaborate, co-create, and model deep learning practices, ensuring students are empowered to develop critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills.

“Working as a group of Principals collaborating on how we lead deep learning in schools is critical for developing strong Deep Learning practices by fostering systemic coherence and accelerated learning across PVNC Catholic,” Bradica said. “These networks enable school leaders to be lead learners, ensuring a collaborative, shared and consistent vision, best practices, and resources related to changing teacher practice, often focused on Catholic Graduate Expectations.”

Over the years, Bradica says PVNC Catholic has seen remarkable successes through this approach. 

Many schools have moved from isolated classroom initiatives to whole-school transformations, creating vibrant learning environments where students and teachers engage in meaningful, lifelong learning together. 

This year’s meeting marked the onboarding of the final group of elementary principals, completing the rollout of the Deep Learning Principal Network across all PVNC Catholic elementary schools.

Looking ahead, principals will continue to implement the four design elements of Deep Learning throughout the school year.