Goderich District Collegiate Institute

A reminder that if you're on student council, our first student council meeting of the school year is on Tuesday, September 1st at 12:30 pm in the Seminar Room off the Learning Commons. We will be doing lots of planning for this upcoming school year so don't miss it!

Getting ready for a new school year? We’ve got your supply list!

Whether you’re heading into Grade 7 or Grade 12, having the right supplies can help you start the year feeling prepared and confident. Our recommended school supply list includes the essentials every student should have, including a backpack, pencil case, binders, writing tools like pencils, pens, lined and regular paper, erasers, highlighters, and rulers, and a lock for your locker.

We’ve also included math and art supplies that students in Grades 7–9 will definitely find helpful, and if you're in Grade 10-12 may be required depending on the courses you have. 🎨📐

So save this post, check it twice, and get ready to start the school year strong! 💙

🎓 The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command Bursary Assistance Program helps eligible students pursue their educational goals.

Applications open in September, with funding available for qualifying children, grandchildren and spouses of Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and eligible Legion or Ladies’ Auxiliary members.

📅 Annual deadline: Last Friday in March
⏰ Apply early—funding is limited!

For eligibility and application details, scan the QR code or contact:

📞 1-888-207-0939
📧 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Please share this information with a student or family who may qualify!

Did you know that AMDSB has a mobile Multilingual Language Learner Team that supports students and their families who are new to Canada or whose first language at home is not English?

The MLL team can meet at your local school to assist with school registration, provide language support, interpretation, and make connections to local services.

Contact our team at [email protected] or call 1-800-592-5437 x 600267.

Visit amdsb.ca/mll to learn more!

Volleyball and raising funds for our community track!

Today's Alumni Spotlight is Sarah Gowanlock! Read what she had to say about her career below:
"After graduating from GDCI in 2017, I completed a Bachelor of Science at Western University and am now in the fourth year of a five-year direct-entry PhD program in Microbiology and Immunology at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. My research focuses on developing new ways to measure and activate the latent HIV reservoir, which is the primary barrier to a cure for HIV/AIDS. Throughout my studies, I have travelled abroad to places like New York City and Uganda, where I have acquired new laboratory skills and trained fellow researchers to advance HIV cure efforts for the underrepresented populations of people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. One of the things I love most about my career path is the opportunity to collaborate with scientists around the world and conduct hands-on research that could one day have a meaningful impact on people's lives."

From a few months to a full school year, host families are needed for September! GDCI welcomes international students from Italy, Spain, and beyond. There is no “ideal” host family, from families with children of all ages, couples without children, retirees, and single individuals. What matters most is providing a safe, welcoming home and an opportunity to build meaningful connections. Hosting an international student is a chance to experience another culture, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and build relationships that can last a lifetime.

Interested in becoming a host family? Contact Mary Heffron (Homestay Coordinator – GDCI & F.E. Madill) at [email protected] or 519-524-0240.

🚨 Incoming Grade 7 & 9 Vikings: this one’s for you!

Join us for our Welcome Barbecue on Tuesday, September 1 from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Come grab some food, socialize, and get the information you need before the school year begins! Students in other grades can pick up their timetables after 12:30 p.m. See you soon, Vikings! 💙

Today's Alumni Spotlight is Josh Fisher! Read what he had to say about his career below:
"I am a Program Manager at McAfee. I graduated GDCI in 2002 and enrolled at Mohawk College in the Software Engineering Program. This program had a co-op stream and I was lucky enough to spend my coop terms at BlackBerry helping to create some of the first smartphones. I started in software quality and transitioned to project management. After BlackBerry, I continued my career in technology and held multiple roles as a project manager and as a program manager for the last 9 years. I love how fast paced and dynamic program management in high tech can be: No two days are ever the same."

A bird's-eye view of progress! We saw this incredible aerial photo posted by Papple Aviation of the ongoing track reconstruction at GDCI. Seeing the transformation from above really highlights how far this exciting project has come. Every day brings us one step closer to a renewed space where our students and community can learn, train, compete, and celebrate for years to come. We can't wait to share more updates as the project continues!