On Friday, May 10, 2024, the students, staff, families and graduates of in Richmond Hill gathered to celebrate their school鈥檚 milestone anniversary celebration. Over the past 25 years, the school has earned a reputation for providing excellent, welcoming education.
The school proudly proclaims, 鈥淲e All Belong,鈥� as its staff, students and families work hard to ensure everyone in its diverse community feels included and loved.
鈥淔ather Henri Nouwen CES is an amazing representation of Canada鈥檚 diversity,鈥� said Principal Robert Caruso. 鈥淪tudents from every corner of the world come to FHN to access our incredible academic programs, successful sports teams and growing focus on the arts.鈥�
The celebration included a school Mass presided聽by Fr. Nicetus Tairo of St. Mary Immaculate Parish.聽Mass was聽followed by speeches from Chair Elizabeth Crowe, Vice Chair Maria Iafrate, Trustee Joseph DiMeo, Interim Director of Education John De Faveri, Superintendent of Education Lou Paonessa聽and Catholic聽School Council Chair Lisa Balsamo.
In the afternoon, students unveiled their school鈥檚 new land acknowledgment, created by a team of students and staff with the assistance of Indigenous community partner Todd Jamieson. To mark the occasion, the school planted three trees that bear the names of local Indigenous nations: Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Wendat.
That evening, the entire Father Henri J.M. Nouwen Community was invited to a meet-and-greet, which was attended by Richmond Hill Mayor David West and Aurora鈥擮ak Ridges鈥擱ichmond Hill MP Leah Taylor Roy.
During the day, the school鈥檚 Catholic School Council donated to the nearby L鈥橝rche Daybreak community. The school鈥檚 namesake, Father Henri J.M. Nouwen, a Dutch priest and writer, who spent his final years living and working at L鈥橝rche Daybreak, which supports adults with intellectual disabilities to explore their unique talents, share their gifts and grow in their relationship with others.
Father Henri J.M. Nouwen CES looks forward to a bright future as its new PACE program gains more students, its sports teams continue to succeed聽and聽it promotes the arts.
