Confederation Secondary School

Home of the Chargers

Grades 7 to 12   |   Val Caron, ON

Be Loud. Be Proud. Be A Charger.

Mission Statement
Confederation Secondary School is committed to providing the highest quality programming and educational opportunities in a challenging, supportive and safe learning environment where best practices, life-long learning, personal development and responsible citizenship are fostered.

Guiding Principles

• Promoting best practices for student success
• Promoting a dedication to life-long learning, physical well being, a sense of self-worth, and responsible citizenship through community involvement
• Providing and promoting ongoing professional growth for all staff
• Providing character education instruction by promoting core values of respect, honesty, responsibility, self-control, courtesy, tolerance, integrity, initiative, and perseverance as well as respect for self, others and the environment
• Providing a caring and safe environment that recognizes the rights and dignity of all
• Providing equitable opportunity for all students to access services and programs within available resources

School Background
Confederation Secondary School was officially opened on April 20, 1968 by Roger Allan, Superintendent of Education of the then Valley East Board of Education. The school had been offering classes in the evening out of another school since September of 1967. (It was, after all, a centennial school.)

Since this time, the school has strived to achieve the ideals expressed above under the guidance of administrators, teachers and support staff. While remaining true to its community school principles, Confederation Secondary School has adapted its programming over the years to meet the diverse learning needs of its student population.

Confederation Secondary School offers programming for students from Grades 7 to 12. Situated in Val Caron, Ontario, Confederation draws its students from the communities of Blezard Valley, Val Caron, Val Therese, Hanmer, Capreol and Garson. Citizens from these towns have long recognized Confederation as the school that cares about its students and community.

Today, the school encompasses four shops, five science labs, computer labs, an outdoor education lab, a library, cafeteria, amphitheatre, gymnasium and weight room, and an outdoor track and soccer/football field. Students have easy access to the community arena and ball field located in our backyard.

Students who attend our community school develop a strong community spirit, close and long lasting friendships, a sense of school and community pride, and a legacy of memories built on a foundation of excellence in education.

Arts

Our high school Visual Arts program gives students opportunities to explore their creativity, develop artistic skills, and express their own ideas through a wide variety of media and techniques. Students work with drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, design, and other creative processes while learning the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. As students progress, they build confidence, develop their own artistic style, experiment with new materials, and create increasingly personal and meaningful works of art while building a portfolio that showcases their growth.

At Confederation Secondary School, we have the pleasure of offering Drama in both English and French. Our Grade 9 French Immersion students study Drama as part of their Immersion curriculum. All other students are able to take Drama in English, and gain creative problem solving and communication skills that are beneficial for life. If any students are interested in performing, working backstage, or getting creative with writing a play, they can also participate in our play productions. We’ve had five shows in the last four years, and we hope to offer a new show each spring. This is also a great opportunity for students to work backstage and earn volunteer hours working with our creative extracurricular community.

Athletics 

Confederation Secondary School offers extensive intramural and co-curricular programs. Our goal is to maximize student participation by offering students the opportunity to train for and play as many sports as the Sudbury District Secondary School Athletic Association offers.

Staff and administration take pride in Confederation Secondary School’s athletics programs through coaching and mentoring all students and athletes. To view some of our athletes in action, please visit our school website. Here you will find students participating in over 20 different sports, including football, hockey, basketball and volleyball.

In addition, our students have access to strength and conditioning equipment and training through coaching and fitness classes. 

Outdoor Education

Our very popular outdoor education program complements the athletic programming at Confederation Secondary School. Here students experience all that mother nature has to offer. Programming offers a balance of outdoor physical activity, survival training and environmental studies. Students are exposed to all outdoor environments and elements through canoe trips, hiking excursions, winter camping and quinze building, to name a few.

Trades And Technology

Confederation Secondary School offers one of the strongest trades and technology programs in Northern Ontario. Four fully outfitted shops with state-of-the-art equipment are led by highly qualified and experienced trades people. 

Students have the opportunity to explore Transportation, Manufacturing, Construction, Design and Integrated Technology, Hair and Aesthetics, Robotics, as well as Hospitality, providing them with a rich, hands-on learning experience.

French Immersion

Located in a strong and passionate bilingual community, Confederation Secondary School prides itself on offering students the opportunity to learn in both official languages. Our French Immersion program qualifies students for the French Immersion Certificate. In addition, French Immersion students develop the necessary language skills and competencies to successfully undertake the DELF examination in Grade 12. Both our Immersion and Core French programs provide students with a strong sense of French Canadian culture. Many of our students go on to pursue post secondary studies in the French language.

Academics

Confederation offers all prerequisite courses for entrance to Canadian and international universities and colleges. From the sciences to mathematics, English and social studies, to technologies and business studies, Confederation Secondary School’s knowledgeable and talented faculty strive to create a learning environment to engage all learners. Confederation graduates circle the globe as they apply their knowledge and skills to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and mysteries. Our Confederation Advanced Academic Program (CAAP) challenges and offers our learners the highest academic standards and promotes critical thinking and problem solving to ensure they are prepared for post secondary and beyond. 

Special Education

Confederation Secondary School, along with the Rainbow District School Board, provide for the needs of exceptional students through a range of programs and services. Confederation offers a number of tailored Special Education programs including Resource, Transition, Life Skills, and Gifted opportunities aimed at supporting students with equipment and professional support for students with unique learning, physical, or behavioural needs.

Special Education programming in each school is supported by the Board’s Special Education/Student Services Department consisting of psychology staff, speech/language pathologists, and the services of itinerant specialists for the hearing and visually impaired. 

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Experiential learning allows students to explore possible career paths while learning valuable employment skills and fostering connections between the classroom and the world of work. Supported by our strong business community, Confederation’s Co-operative Education Program (co-op) has grown to be one of the largest in the Rainbow Board. Students start with two weeks of in-school preparation where they learn job interview and résumé writing skills, complete quizzes to identify their interests, skills and abilities, review health and safety issues, and receive WHMIS training.

Once this is completed, students begin their co-op placements. Placements cover a wide area of interests including the trades, education, health care, protective services, such as law enforcement and fire fighting, information technology, office and clerical services, and accounting. These placements provide students with challenging opportunities to apply and extend their knowledge and to practise and refine the skills acquired in their related in-school courses.

Included in Co-operative Education is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) option. Working with the Rainbow District School Board and area businesses, youth apprenticeship programs are available to students in a variety of trades pathways. While in OYAP, students not only gain high school credits through co-operative education, they also accumulate time towards their journeyperson’s papers. If you have a particular apprenticeship goal, we can help you find a placement to meet your needs.