2021 was an incredibly challenging year for many in our schools, and in our community. With this in mind, we wanted to ensure our students knew just how proud we are of all they have accomplished while navigating the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19. 

Staff and students came together, both in-person while maintaining ​​health and safety standards, and virtually to mark the end of the school year, and celebrate those students reaching milestones on their learning journeys. 

Of course, we could not forget about the Grade 12 graduates who were about to take the next step on their chosen pathways. Graduating from secondary school has always represented a milestone achievement. It represents the culmination of more than a decade of learning, growing and hard work in pursuit of personal growth and accomplishment. In the time of a global pandemic, taking time to recognize and celebrate graduates was more important than ever before. 

Each of our 16 secondary schools worked hard over a number of months planning their end-of-year celebrations for their graduating students – we know the graduates and their families so appreciated the chance to recognize their accomplishments while abiding by health and safety guidelines. 

In addition to school-level activities, the WRDSB couldn’t help but share just how proud we are of our graduates across Waterloo Region. It was hard to miss our excitement and pride, as our visual campaign extended to the sides of buses, to digital billboards, to the radio airwaves. 

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce joined us in celebrating and recognizing our students and their achievements. A selection of video messages congratulated students who were making milestone transitions, including those in Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 8 and Grade 12.

We are so proud of all of our graduates, and indeed all of our students who successfully completed an incredibly challenging year. #WeAreWRDSB