While attendance at the active construction site was limited to approximately 30 invited guests for safety reasons, the ceremony was livestreamed on the board's website and viewed by students, staff, and community members in schools across Grey and Bruce counties.
The event gathered educators, board leaders, community partners, and distinguished guests to celebrate the official start of construction. The new facility will replace the current St. Mary’s High School, which has reached physical capacity due to growing enrolment across the region.
"This is more than just the start of a construction project; it is the beginning of a vision and a continuation of our commitment to our community," said Lori Di Castri, Chair of the Board. "We are laying the foundation, both physically and literally, for generations of students who will walk our halls, form lifelong friendships, discover their passions, and prepare to make a difference in the world."
The ceremony highlighted deep community partnerships, blessings, and a shared dedication to student success. Elder Shirley John of Saugeen First Nation opened the site with a traditional smudge, prayer, and song, invoking divine protection for the land and the youth who will learn there. His Excellency Bishop Wayne Lobsinger led the assembly in a prayer of dedication and blessing over the new school site.
Representing local Indigenous education partners, Jennifer Linklater (Post-Secondary Coordinator for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Board of Education) and Mindy Gill Johnson (Education Administrator for Saugeen First Nation) expressed pride in the collaborative design process that ensures Indigenous culture, history, and traditions are reflected in the new facility.
Key government leaders in attendance included MPP Paul Vickers and Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy, both noting the decade-long effort required to bring the capital investment to fruition. BGCDSB CEO/CEdO Karyn Bruneel shared a letter of congratulations from Minister of Education Paul Calandra and expressed gratitude to Premier Doug Ford and the Ministry of Education for funding the build.
To symbolise the unity of the regional school community, representatives poured soil gathered from feeder schools (St. Basil, Notre Dame, St. Joseph, St. Peter, and St. Paul) alongside soil from St. Mary’s High School into the groundbreaking site, blending their shared heritage into a single foundation.
The state-of-the-art facility is expected to welcome students upon its planned completion, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony anticipated for 2028.
While attendance at the active construction site was limited to approximately 30 invited guests for safety reasons, the ceremony was livestreamed on the board's website and viewed by students, staff, and community members in schools across Grey and Bruce counties.
The event gathered educators, board leaders, community partners, and distinguished guests to celebrate the official start of construction. The new facility will replace the current St. Mary’s High School, which has reached physical capacity due to growing enrolment across the region.
"This is more than just the start of a construction project; it is the beginning of a vision and a continuation of our commitment to our community," said Lori Di Castri, Chair of the Board. "We are laying the foundation, both physically and literally, for generations of students who will walk our halls, form lifelong friendships, discover their passions, and prepare to make a difference in the world."
The ceremony highlighted deep community partnerships, blessings, and a shared dedication to student success. Elder Shirley John of Saugeen First Nation opened the site with a traditional smudge, prayer, and song, invoking divine protection for the land and the youth who will learn there. His Excellency Bishop Wayne Lobsinger led the assembly in a prayer of dedication and blessing over the new school site.
Representing local Indigenous education partners, Jennifer Linklater (Post-Secondary Coordinator for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Board of Education) and Mindy Gill Johnson (Education Administrator for Saugeen First Nation) expressed pride in the collaborative design process that ensures Indigenous culture, history, and traditions are reflected in the new facility.
Key government leaders in attendance included MPP Paul Vickers and Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy, both noting the decade-long effort required to bring the capital investment to fruition. BGCDSB CEO/CEdO Karyn Bruneel shared a letter of congratulations from Minister of Education Paul Calandra and expressed gratitude to Premier Doug Ford and the Ministry of Education for funding the build.
To symbolise the unity of the regional school community, representatives poured soil gathered from feeder schools (St. Basil, Notre Dame, St. Joseph, St. Peter, and St. Paul) alongside soil from St. Mary’s High School into the groundbreaking site, blending their shared heritage into a single foundation.
The state-of-the-art facility is expected to welcome students upon its planned completion, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony anticipated for 2028.