St. Mary CSS Student Retreat Leaders and Student Summit Team Facilitate ‘Beyond the Hurt’ Workshops to Local Catholic Elementary Schools

Posted On Tuesday February 28, 2017

The Grade 11 Retreat Leadership Class at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School have made it their mandate to end bullying in schools.  Recognizing the enormity of this task the GPP3O2 students thought it would be in their best interest to first be formally trained in the art of preventing bullying and building relationships based on the Catholic values of empathy and respect. With the assistance of Red Cross facilitators, the student leaders engaged in a two-day training session that provided them with the tools and skills needed to understand:

  • bullying, harassment and discrimination;
  • how youth can use their personal power to resolve and prevent these problems; and
  • how to find and use resources to respond to bullying and harassment, including cyberbullying.

The St. Mary Retreat Leaders then facilitated workshops on the Red Cross’ “Beyond the Hurt” program to Grade 7 students at the following local elementary schools:

  • Father Fénelon Catholic School;
  • St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School;
  • St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School; and
  • St. Wilfrid Catholic School.

The St. Mary Student Summit Team also was involved in the presentation, which included a prayer, ice-breakers, St. Mary videos, lessons on the key resources and supports available to St. Mary students, an opening the locker lock challenge, discussions and games. Their goal was to welcome and acquaint Grade 7 students with St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. 

BRAVO to members of the St. Mary Catholic Secondary School’s Retreat Leadership class and Student Summit Team Members:

  • Fernando Castillo 
  • Marley Dean
  • Christopher DeCastro
  • Ellise De Sousa
  • Amanda De Souza
  • Gail Del Castillo
  • Youssef Iskander
  • Julia Lamanna
  • Larissa Lewis
  • Connie Moncada
  • Erin Paschos
  • Luca Perciaseppe
  • Joseph Ruscica
  • Jessica Stephens
  • Dominic Stewart
  • Peter Witalis

Thank you for your commitment to creating safe and caring schools and your dedication to ending bullying and outstanding leadership skills.