Notre Dame CES celebrates 25 years of new name in Cobourg

On Friday, May 10, students and staff of present and past gathered at Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School to celebrate 25 years as a school community.

Originally home to St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, the opening of the new elementary school in Cobourg was not without its trials and tribulations, recalled past administrators, who joined current staff and students for the celebration at the tailend of Catholic Education Week. 

According to Jacques Normand, the first principal of St. Mary Catholic Elementary School, being assigned to a yet-to-be-named school in 1999 was no easy feat. 

“The school I see around me today is a far cry from the scene of chaos I saw back in July of 1999,” said Normand. “With less than two weeks before the start of school after a summer of renovations, there was work to be done from staff with creating a welcoming environment for our students.”

A Catholic School Council was formed the week before students were scheduled to be in classrooms, and soon after the start of the school year the process of selecting a name for the new school was started. 

After considering a few of the most popular suggestions, the Board chose Notre Dame (Our Lady) as a nod to the former St. Mary namesake as well as the bilingual nature of the new dual-track French immersion school. 

Throughout Friday’s celebration, each class delivered a performance for their school community with the theme of Notre Dame CES as a community. Following speeches and performances, students and staff gathered around a newly planted tree to commemorate the day. Students from St. Mary Catholic Secondary school also assisted in creating the plaque that is displayed underneath the tree. 

“This celebration holds a particularly special significance as I have seen this building’s story unfold,” said current principal of Notre Dame CES, Sherri Slade-Brady. “As both a former student and teacher of our school, it holds a special place in my heart. It’s a place where I received a part of my own elementary and secondary education, and where my three children were educated, and it is now a place I am beyond honored to lead as principal.” 

“I was very proud to be principal of Notre Dame in 1999,” reflected Normand. “I would like to congratulate the current principal, Mrs. Slade-Brady, and the staff and Catholic School Council for continuing the excellent work that was begun 25 years ago.”