School Photos & Grad Photo Updates:

Photo Retakes — Thursday, October 22nd

Photo retakes are strictly by appointment for students who either missed the original photo day or wish to purchase a retake package. If your child missed the original photo day, please ask them to check their school email for their assigned appointment time. To request a retake, please contact Jaime Dale at jaime.dale@ocsb.ca.

Graduation Photos — November 23rd–27th

Grad photos will take place the week of November 23rd–27th. Booking details and further information will be sent directly to graduating students in early November.

Getting Started With Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Financial Aid: Helpful Tips for Grads and Their Parents/Guardians

Are you exploring how to finance your post-secondary education? Navigating the vast landscape of scholarships, bursaries, and awards can feel overwhelming, and understanding how student loans work is just as critical.

To help with this process check out this handy guide: Getting Started With Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Financial Aid. It breaks down the basics of what you need to know about these topics and provides some helpful tips for success.

Coffee House

Does your child love to perform? Students in Grades 9–12 are invited to audition for this year’s Coffee House! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their talents, whether it’s singing, playing in a band, performing on an instrument, dancing, acrobatics, spoken word, comedy, drama, magic, or something else entirely.

Auditions will take place at lunch in the Music Room on Monday, November 2, Tuesday, November 3, and Wednesday, November 4.

We look forward to seeing the many talents of our students shine at this year’s Coffee House!

Student Fees & Yearbook 2026–2027

Student fees support student programming and include the cost of the yearbook.

• 1 student: $65 (includes 1 yearbook)

• 2 students: $115 (includes 2 yearbooks)

• 3 students: $155 (includes 3 yearbooks)

Please pay via School Cash Online . Yearbooks are included in the student fee and won’t be sold separately later.

St. FX Athletics

It has been an action-packed start to the year for St. Francis Xavier High School Athletics! Several teams' seasons are in full swing, including the Varsity Girls Basketball Team, Senior Boys Soccer Team, Tennis Team, Senior Boys Volleyball Team, Golf Team, Junior Boys Soccer Team, Ultimate Frisbee Team, Girls 7s Rugby Team, Junior Boys Flag Football Team, Cross Country Team, and Senior Boys Flag Football Team. 

A huge congratulations to St.FX golfer Sawyer Scatcherd for qualifying for OFSAA in golf; we wish him the best of luck competing in Windsor, Ontario this week!

At Coyote Prowl, the Junior Boys Soccer Team played against the Senior Boys Soccer Team in a hard-fought matchup, with the Seniors ultimately pulling out a 2-1 victory. 

Tryouts for the Junior Boys Basketball team, Varsity Wrestling Team, Senior Boys Basketball team, Nordic Ski Team, Senior Girls Volleyball Team, and more are starting soon. 

Stay up to date on everything St.FX Athletics by checking the HS Announcements and following us on Instagram @stfxcoyotesathletics!

Catholic School Council

Our October meeting for Catholic School Council will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM.  Please use this Google Meet Link to join the meeting. All parents/guardians are welcome.

Grade 7/8 Excursion - Ottawa 67s

We are excited to move forward with our Grade 7/8, 67's Game Day activity on October 28th! Please ensure your child brings a packed lunch or cash/card to purchase food at TD Place Arena. We look forward to an amazing day cheering on our local team and making great memories with friends! 

Skills Ontario International Women's Initiative Event

On Thursday, October 15th, a group of our Grade 7 & 8 girls attended the Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives event at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The students participated in hands-on workshops in electronics and masonry, learned about future career pathways in the skilled trades, and heard an inspiring keynote from pilot and air traffic controller Kathy Fox. It was a great day of learning and discovery! 

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) will take place this fall. Please note the following important dates for students who are writing the test:

Grade 10 students: Students currently enrolled in an English class in Semester 1 will write the OSSLT on one of the days between November 9–12, 2026.

Grade 11 & 12 students: Students who have not yet successfully completed the OSSLT will write on Friday, November 13, 2026.

OSSLT Practice Test: Students will participate in a practice test during the week of October 19–23. This will provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with the online test format and the types of writing prompts they will encounter.

Additional information and OSSLT preparation resources are available HERE.

A Thoughtful Approach to Halloween Costumes

With Halloween just around the corner, many families are beginning the search for the perfect costume. While it can be tempting to let children dress up as anything they wish, it’s important to take a moment to consider whether a costume is culturally sensitive and appropriate.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, cultural appropriation is “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect the culture.”

Halloween is meant to be a fun and creative celebration. With a little guidance, parents can help their child(ren) choose a costume that shows imagination while also respecting all cultures and communities. Taking a proactive and thoughtful approach ensures that everyone feels comfortable, valued, and included so that Halloween remains a fun and positive event for all of our students.

Communicating Absences

St. Francis Xavier now uses SafeArrival, an attendance management system that makes it faster and easier for parents/guardians to report student absences or late arrivals. Instead of contacting the school, you can now report absences securely in one of three ways:

• SM Home App – Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play

• Online – Visit home.schoolmessenger.ca - link now embedded on the school website

• Phone – Call 1-844-478-2598

Parish Updates