The regions Notre Dame College offers busing from are:
How we see Athol Murray College of Notre Dame
The school began its life in 1920 as a convent school, though came into its own—and gained the present name—after Father Athol Murray arrived in 1927. Murray is one those great Canadians that we all should know more about. Charity was a guiding principle, and he believed that quality education was to be offered to all, if they wanted it, whether they could pay for it or not. Indeed, many students he admitted couldn’t, and he took them anyway. It was on that basis that he was invested into the Order of Canada.
Still, Murray is more remembered today due to his influence in regional and professional hockey. He once said, “I love God, Canada and hockey—not always in that order.” He built the Notre Dame Hounds into a force, and in time the program attracted students for that reason, many of who went on to professional careers. Olympic medalist Delaney Collins is an alum, as is Wendell Clark and of course many others. That said, there is far more to the school than hockey. The program is based in the Catholic tradition, and attention to values is a particular attraction, both for students who share that tradition as well as those who don’t. Character is important, too, and while we tend to look first at the hockey program, the list of notable alumni would be impressive even without the NHL players. The ideal student is one looking for a strong foundation for their careers at university and beyond.
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How Athol Murray College of Notre Dame sees itself
"Athol Murray College of Notre Dame is a private, independent, co-educational boarding high school, rooted in Catholic tradition and open to students of all faith backgrounds. Athol Murray College of Notre Dame is committed to developing young men and women to become purposeful leaders with virtuous character. Notre Dame provides an exceptional educational and boarding experience with a balance of strong academic, athletic and spiritual growth in a safe and caring prairie environment."
"Athol Murray College is more than just a school, it is a way of life. The College is located on 50 acres within the small rural Village of Wilcox, surrounded by endless skies and expansive views, with breath-taking sunsets and ocean like wheat fields. This physical location allows for our students to feel safe, secure and part of a local community. It provides an unique atmosphere free from the distractions, but still connected to the global world with our 21st Century Education Learning Plan."
"Families will choose Notre Dame because of the proven success of our challenging academic, athletic and spiritually balanced lifestyle. Notre Dame develops leaders who are equipped with the emotional, physical, mental and social tools needed to become successful and contributing members within their own communities. The developmental growth within ND students is the most noticeably distinguished character commented on by our parents and guardians."
"Families might find surprising that no other high school in the world has developed more elite junior, collegiate, USPORTS, NCAA, National, Olympic, NHL and professional hockey players than Notre Dame with over 215 NHL drafted players alone. ND graduates also receive more than twice as much in post-secondary scholarships and 50% more scholarships that the average Canadian high school. 80% of all students are on the Honour Roll with 100% graduation rate."
"One of the aspects of our school that is often overlooked is the convenience of all essential amenities located in one location. Our university style campus provides everything you need with no more long hours spent driving to location for sports or clubs. It's all right outside your doorway. We are not just a hockey school, we have 15 high school sports including ND Alumni competing professionally in football and rugby and a new Esports Athletic Program (Canada's 1st Prep-College Program)."
"We are a co-educational prep-college with 300 students from up to 20 different countries.
We have been building our legacy since 1920 developing leaders including: 8 alumni awarded into the Order of Canada, 215 NHL drafted players, published authors, award winning actors and movie director, sports hall of famers, provincial and federally elected politician, industry leaders and developers, a medal of honour winner and more.
We are 90% Boarding. 80% of students on Honour Roll."
Duncan McNeil Hockey Arena
Gymnasium
University Calibre Weight Room
Art Room
Drama Room
Hockey Arena and Classroom
Varsity Hall
Campus View - St. Augustine and Archives
Classroom
Classroom
Science Lab
Female Dorm Room
5 Dormitories: Male and Female
Male Dorm Room
21st Century Learning - Digital Classroom
21st Century Learning - Digital Classroom
Varsity Dining Hall
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Student Lounge
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Rob Palmarin, President
"Come on kid, let me tell you what it means to be a Notre Dame Hound." If one could picture Father Athol Murray walking down the main street of Wilcox (Saskatchewan), one can easily envision Pere approaching a young student in a gruff, but warm, fatherly tone welcoming the new student to Notre Dame College.
Father Murray left this earth in 1975 but the Notre Dame that he built, along with the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis, remains with us to this day as it has since its inception in 1920.
Although rooted in the Catholic tradition, Notre Dame is open to students of all faiths. Athol Murray College of Notre Dame puts a strong emphasis on delivering an education and character formation based on the beliefs and principles of Christian humanism. We offer a balanced approach to student development in three keys areas: mind, the body, and the spirit.
Rob Palmarin, B. Ed., M.A.
President
Athol Murray College of Notre Dame
Most big schools provide your extroverted child with plenty of social opportunities and the ability to interact with different peer groups with a wide range of personalities, interests, values, etc. A larger student population and more extracurriculars—including activities like team sports, arts programs, and debate—will give them a broader scope of opportunities to participate in events that scratch their interpersonal itch. “This may also give them the opportunity to hone certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students.”
At a boarding school, your extroverted child will likely enjoy seeking out and interacting with peer groups from different backgrounds, away from home. In fact, studying and living with other kids for an extended period of time, as many alumni tell us, provides the unique opportunity to form close relationships that can last well beyond the school years. Many boarding schools also have large student populations and more extracurriculars—including activities like student council, team sports, and arts programs—which will give your outgoing child a broader scope of opportunities to feed off the energy of others, and possibly even become a leader, in a dynamic environment.
Keep in mind, though, “Being an extrovert can be a catalyst for getting involved in lots of activities, which can sometimes be hard to manage,” says Joanne Foster, Toronto-based education consultant and author of ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids. “For instance, a particularly extroverted child may try to end up juggling too many people and activities. While they still may thrive at a boarding school, it helps to know your child and how much social interaction they can handle comfortably.”
Make sure any prospective school, no matter what size, provides the right social environment to help your child feel at home, make friends, and develop confidence. This is especially important at big schools, which are sometimes more socially overwhelming and challenging for an introvert to find their bearings in. Of course, “Because larger schools usually have a more diverse student population, introverted kids are more likely to find a small group of people like them, a peer group they can relate to and find acceptance from,” says Dona Matthews, Toronto-based education consultant and co-author (with Joanne Foster) of Beyond Intelligence.
Bigger schools often have a broader scope of extracurricular activities, which is another way to help your child meet the right group of friends. “This may also give them the opportunity to develop certain skills,” say Ann and Karen Wolff of Wolff Educational Services. “For instance, they might run for student council to develop leadership and public speaking skills and learn to be a voice for other students. Remember, though, each child is different—so what works for one may not work for another.”
At a boarding school, your introverted child will be more motivated (and virtually compelled) to seek out and interact with different peer groups. Away from home and in a new environment, they’re more likely to take the initiative to form close friendships, which can boost their independence and confidence, and help them develop critical social skills.
"Consider, though, whether your child will be comfortable and confident while living away from home, and while having to navigate the various, and sometimes unforeseen social-emotional experiences, alongside the academic challenges,” says Joanne Foster, education expert and author of ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids. Finally, ensure support systems are in place to promote their social and emotional development, and that your child is willing and prepared to take advantage of them. Your child will often need to advocate for themselves at a boarding school, and they’ll need confidence and perseverance to do so.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: Athol Murray College of Notre Dame
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