RENFREW COUNTY CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
St. Thomas the Apostle School Celebrates New Chapter with Grand Opening of New School Building

St. Thomas the Apostle School officially celebrated the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art building on Wednesday, October 15th, marking a major milestone in the school's long and proud history. The ceremony, attended by students, staff, families, and community leaders, celebrated the next chapter for the school community, now housed in a facility designed for 21st-century learning.

While the school has a rich legacy in the community, the new building represents a significant investment in the future of its students. The modern facility provides students and educators with the tools and environment needed to flourish.

Distinguished guests, including Bishop Michael Brehl of the Diocese of Pembroke, MPP Billy Denault, and Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon, attended the grand opening ceremony to celebrate the new school building. 

"St. Thomas the Apostle is the physical embodiment of our commitment to our mission and our promise to our students," said Bob Schreader, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "We are not just opening a new building; we are opening a new world of opportunities. This is a place where faith and knowledge will grow hand-in-hand, empowering our students to become the leaders and servants our community needs."

The project, which provides a forward-looking educational experience while honouring the school's heritage, was made possible by over $22 million in funding from the Ministry of Education. This new building was brought to fruition through the fiscal oversight of our RCCDSB trustees, the dedicated project team, and community partners.

"This beautiful new building gives our incredible staff the environment they deserve, but the true beneficiaries are our students," said Sally Douglas, School Principal. "These new learning spaces allow us to move beyond traditional teaching and provide hands-on, innovative experiences that spark curiosity. You can see the future in the excitement on our students' faces." 

The grand opening ceremony held an extra special significance with the dedication of the new gym to Harold Bolger, former Principal of St. Thomas the Apostle, who served 26 years at this school. Mr. Bolger's family was in attendance to accept the dedication in his honour. 

In addition, the school recently unveiled a mural of the seven grandfather teachings on the doors of the front entrance, as well as in the halls of the school. The artist, Connor Sarazin, attended the grand opening and received a token of appreciation from RCCDSB for his work. 

"Today is a truly exciting day for the entire St. Thomas the Apostle School community," added Director of Education Mark Searson. "This new building is more than just bricks and mortar; it's a symbol of progress, a testament to collaborative spirit, and a vision of how learning happens. We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Ministry of Education and our community partners who made this vision a reality."

The celebration concluded with a final blessing by Bishop Brehl, followed by each class receiving a rosary for their classroom in the new school, and a reception of hospitality.