Vaughan Secondary School is a community of learners that has undergone unprecedented change over the past few years. A new Vaughan has emerged. Our enrolment has decreased, yet the successes of this year’s student body are the most improved of the past 5 years.
Booker T. Washington put it succinctly when he said: "An ounce of application is worth a ton of abstraction."
Numerous action research projects, initiatives and programs have been established or are slated to begin; all in an effort to ensure our students achieve to their potential and realize success. These successes are born from the hard work of our students and the commitment & caring of parents and staff. We aren’t just talking about what we are going to do. The work of those who have gone before is not lost or ignored. It has served as the foundation for the success stories that we have been able to realize.
Our credit accumulation rates for all subject areas and especially our Alternative Education Students have grown significantly. Credit accumulation is in large part a sign post for the successes our students are having in the classroom. It is also in large part one of the reasons the staff at Vaughan, not only participate in but also organize for one another ongoing professional development activities; in order to hone their practice and to continually grow and develop as professionals; because to stand still during this age of innovation, is tantamount to falling by the wayside.
A large part of our progress in the area of Digital Literacy can be attributed to the work of our ABEL Team. They have been successful in promoting the use of technology in the building as a means of increasing student engagement. From Smart Boards to Moodels, to video conferencing and airliners, the inclusion of technology as a staple, in how we conduct the business of learning day in and day across the classrooms at Vaughan is unprecedented.
Our academic successes in all areas are being celebrated at all levels. The commitment to social activism at VSS through: cultural events celebrating our diversity; awareness campaigns by one of our numerous student groups; fundraising drives; or Earth Charter, are all proof of our Humanistic Spirit as a community.
Our Arts, Music and Drama programs are flourishing as seen by the: successes of our art students on our home page; successes of our students at Music competitions and during music nights; successes of our drama students at the Sears Festival, in showcases and during the performances of their one act plays.
Although only a snap shot in time, it is a testament to the caring & commitment of our staff that our EQAO Literacy & Math scores have continued to be amongst the highest in the Board. Our Advanced Placement Program has continued to increase and will for the third year in a row be composed of more than 20 classes.
Our communication efforts with our parents hit a wall with the software issues surrounding our e-bulletin but we are confident that we will once again be able to re-establish the e-bulletin as a bi weekly newsletter to our community. But our efforts to reach out beyond the walls of Vaughan Secondary School proper go beyond Parent’s Night, phone calls and report cards; to monthly Improvement Reports, and an up to date & relevant website which features the accomplishments of the students at VSS.
But make no mistake; the Vaughan that existed the second, fifth or even tenth year it opened is not the Vaughan of today. You need only look at our School Plan on our Website, to see that “engagement”, that is the fostering of intrinsic motivation in learners to realize their passion and potential, rather than the archaic notion of having a “sage on a stage” teacher centred approach is the New Reality.
Vaughan be a place where all of our students are treated as I would want “My” children, “Our” children, to be treated; from a perspective of caring and love. I ask staff to treat everyone of our students as they would want their child treated. I am pleased to report to you that this shared vision of a caring community is working.
We are a new Vaughan Secondary School and will continue on that Journey together. The introduction of French Immersion in September will increase help to entrench the high expectations and high standards we all want as parents, community members and staff.
Our code of conduct, “DREAMS” taken from our school motto, “Turning Dreams Into Action” exemplifies the character traits an ideal person should embody. Dedication / Respect / Empathy / Achievement / Moral Purpose and a focus on Success; at Vaughan it guides everything we do at Vaughan.
As a learning community we have three areas of focus for our School Plan:
Curriculum Implementation and Student Learning
Vaughan Secondary School is committed to continuously improving literacy among all our students.
Parent and Community Involvement
Vaughan Secondary School strives to inform and involve all parents and community in a participatory and meaningful way throughout the year
Effective Schools
Vaughan Secondary School is committed to maintaining and improving student achievement and learning.
We endeavour to promote the highest levels of excellence and equity for our diverse population.
