On Thursday, August 20, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board was honoured to host Ontario’s Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, at the site of the new St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Elementary School in Bradford. The visit served as the backdrop for a provincial press conference highlighting Ontario’s investments in new school construction and educational expansion across growing communities.  

During the visit, Minister Calandra took a guided tour of the facility, which is on track to welcome over 500 students and provide 49 licensed child care spaces when doors open this September. Minister Calandra also took questions from local media representatives and detailed the province’s long-term commitment to modernizing learning environments. The visit concluded with a photo shoot alongside guests and board leadership.  

The board expresses its sincere appreciation to Minister Calandra for selecting St. Vincent de Paul as a featured site, as well as to the dedicated project staff and school leadership in attendance: Allen Morrison (Controller of Planning, Facilities & Student Transportation Services ), Craig Elliott (Manager of Capital Projects), Cassandra Medve- Racine (Superintendent), Pauline Stevenson (Manager of Communications & Strategic Initiatives), Deanna Boniello (Principal), and Robin Parkes (Vice Principal).

With learning spaces taking shape, the board and school leadership look forward to welcoming students, staff and families on the first day of school in September.