Curriculum
The staff at St. Anthony's are committed to working together and fostering an atmosphere in which each child can experience love, respect & acceptance and is filled with the spirit of our Catholic Faith. We are fully immersed in the Curriculum Redesign that was introduced to the province. We use the Canadian Catechism as the basis to sharing our faith. It is important that the parents support us in the implementation of this program so that it truly comes alive to the children. Parents are to take the initiative and leadership in the religious education of their children, (i.e. family prayer) and to set an example by practicing their Catholic faith.
Your presence is very important, so please involve yourself by attending classroom celebrations, parent meetings and related religious activities because it means a great deal to your children. You are your child's first teacher. Staff are called to support the family and the parish in facilitating the religious formation of your child. Plan to celebrate with us when school liturgies are held.
Your presence is very important, so please involve yourself by attending classroom celebrations, parent meetings and related religious activities because it means a great deal to your children. You are your child's first teacher. Staff are called to support the family and the parish in facilitating the religious formation of your child. Plan to celebrate with us when school liturgies are held.
Academics
St. Anthony's is an educational facility, partially funded Group 1 Independent School and is part of the Catholic Independent Schools of Prince George (CISPG). We operate with BC Certified Teachers and have a system of tuition fees with rates for both individual students and families. We follow the course content and teaching methods required by the Ministry of Education. In addition, our mandate is given by the parents to integrate God, God's Truth and God's Life into the entire curriculum and everyday life of the student's life here at school.
Fine Arts
Thanks to our wonderful Parent Support Group, who financially support the Fine Arts Program, we are able to offer music, band and art in the classrooms. All students receive musical instruction as part of the curriculum starting in Kindergarten. Extensive research and the effects of music education shows that learning music through listening, performance, voice, and instrumental instruction improves a child's social and academic development. It has been proven that music increases a child's reading, writing, mathematical, and spatial temporal reasoning skills, and that socially, it encourages self-discipline, respect and understanding of others, and aids in a child's general development.
Kindergarten to Grade 2 receive music instruction twice a week, recorders are introduced to students in Grade 3, Grade 4 begins our 'Junior Band'. Once students graduate into our Middle School, band continues during school hours, with two streams: Band A (performing band) and Band B. St. Anthony's School Choir leads singing at the 10 am Children's Mass on the first Sunday of each month. We even have a Ukulele club!
Kindergarten to Grade 2 receive music instruction twice a week, recorders are introduced to students in Grade 3, Grade 4 begins our 'Junior Band'. Once students graduate into our Middle School, band continues during school hours, with two streams: Band A (performing band) and Band B. St. Anthony's School Choir leads singing at the 10 am Children's Mass on the first Sunday of each month. We even have a Ukulele club!
Technology
Our portable computer lab has 30 computers that are used in the classroom. As well, our primary students have accesses to iPads to support their classroom learning. All parents/students sign an internet agreement form at the beginning of each school year for each child enrolled.
Religious
As a Catholic School in the Prince George Diocese, St. Anthony's offers Religious Education using the Alive In Christ program as directed by our Bishop, Stephen Jensen.
We have a minimum of one School Mass per month in the church, usually, the first Friday of each month. In addition, we attend mass at other times, such as Ash Wednesday, our Saint Day etc. Together, we celebrate the Eucharist while each grade has an opportunity to prepare and lead us! Parents and community members are invited and most welcome to join us on these special occasions. We invite you to 'come and see' how special school mass can be!
There are times when a funeral is scheduled the same day, and the casket may be present in the church. Dealing with death is a necessary part of life, but some children can be very sensitive to dealing with death. If this might cause anxiety for your child, please notify the school through your child's teacher. We are fortunate to have Father Babji contribute his time, energy and religious guidance in providing the best possible Catholic education for our students. Staff members attend mass regularly, as well as school based and regional spiritual development retreats and conferences.
We have a minimum of one School Mass per month in the church, usually, the first Friday of each month. In addition, we attend mass at other times, such as Ash Wednesday, our Saint Day etc. Together, we celebrate the Eucharist while each grade has an opportunity to prepare and lead us! Parents and community members are invited and most welcome to join us on these special occasions. We invite you to 'come and see' how special school mass can be!
There are times when a funeral is scheduled the same day, and the casket may be present in the church. Dealing with death is a necessary part of life, but some children can be very sensitive to dealing with death. If this might cause anxiety for your child, please notify the school through your child's teacher. We are fortunate to have Father Babji contribute his time, energy and religious guidance in providing the best possible Catholic education for our students. Staff members attend mass regularly, as well as school based and regional spiritual development retreats and conferences.
Student Support Services
Educational services are offered through our Resource Department. These services are designed to support students who have special educational needs. St. Anthony's coordinates resources to oversee programs for students with special medical and learning needs who are funded by the Ministry of Education, as well as those not funded. We offer a learning assistance program designed to assist students with mild-to-moderate difficulties in learning. The focus is on providing remediation, learning strategies and compensatory skills. Our specific skill development, we offer short-term, direct instruction in a small group setting. This service enables students who are behind in reading, writing or math (for reasons other than a learning difficulty) to get caught up with the regular classroom program. We currently have 7 full time Educational Assistants support our students and classroom needs!
Athletics
St. Anthony's encourages their students to participate in active living both at school and out! All grades have gym classes with either their classroom teacher, or another teacher, following the Ministry guidelines. All classes participate in Daily Physical Activities.
