Welcome to our updates page. Please see our most recent news updates below. These updates are written by our office staff and are very important for those who want to keep up to date with events and announcements. If you, or someone you know is currently attending SOC, see below to see our school’s most recent news.
Sep 2022 – Update from the Principal
From the Principal
Alison Currie
We hope you are well. We are now one month into the 2022/23 school year. Classes are well underway, and students are happy to be back in the swing of academic life after a long summer.
Student Handbook
We’ve recently sent parents an updated copy of our Student Handbook. We hope you’ll take some time to become familiar with some of the key policies and procedures – especially those around attendance and punctuality, academic honesty, assessment, uniforms and use of phones in school. SOC’s policies are designed to protect students, support optimum academic achievement, and provide a safe, enriching social experience. Please contact me at alison.currie@mysoc.ca if you have any questions or feedback, or if you didn’t receive a copy of the handbook.
Hot off the Press!
SOC is in Lagos in October!
Join SOC team members, Maryam Yusuf and Molly Mignault in Lagos on October 10 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) at the Eko Hotel and Suites. Contact via WhatsApp 1 905 869 0991 and +234 701 121 2000; admin@mysoc.ca and info@mysoc.ca
SOC Counsellor wins UNB Award!
Congratulations to Southern Ontario Collegiate’s Guidance Counsellor, Molly Mignault, who recently received the University of New Brunswick’s Outstanding Guidance Counsellor Award. UNB’s Jie Jiang presented Molly with the award at a celebration dinner in Hamilton.
Thank you, Molly, for all you do to support student success and well-being at SOC.
Mid-term Exams
Time is moving quickly; mid-term exams will be held October 13 and 14; report cards will follow. You should be receiving log-in information regarding your access to Edsembli, which will allow you access to student academic results. Please read the instructions carefully regarding establishing passwords etc. For information on Edsembli access, please contact catherine.mcfarland@mysoc.ca
Covid and Travel Update
It will be a relief to many travellers to know that restrictions on travel to Canada will be lifted in October.
Effective October 1, 2022, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to:
- submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website:
- provide proof of vaccination
- undergo pre- or on-arrival testing
- carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation
- monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada
Accordingly, we are amending our documentation for travellers to indicate:
- quarantine is no longer required
- ArriveCAN app is no longer required
- Proof of vaccination is no longer required for travel
- While masks will no longer be required on planes, some individuals may wish to wear a mask in crowded situations.
SOC still requires all students and teachers to be vaccinated against COVID. The school will assist students to receive their Covid vaccinations which are provided at no cost.
Community Service and Volunteer Activities – Walk this Way
As you know, 40 hours of community service is a requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This autumn, our students are participating in a program that benefits the United Way, an international charity that works to build communities where everyone can thrive. The United Way works with partners in the fields of health, education, mobility and food security. We are very pleased to be working with them to support community development and wellbeing.
SOC is one of many partners in Hamilton taking part in the UW’s ‘Walk This Way’ project. The whole school will be joining thousands of others in counting our steps and measuring our activities to support the power of the United Way between September 23 and October 3. As students input their daily activity into the ’count’, we’re amazed at the tens of thousands of steps they are quickly accumulating. There is some friendly competition between residences and with the school staff. Keep your eyes open for the results!
University Visits
September 27 University of New Brunswick
October 3 Trent University
October 12 McMaster University
October 27 University of Alberta
Upcoming Events
September 30 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
October 1 Nigerian Independence Day
October 4 Field Trip
October 7 Thanksgiving Feast
October 10 Thanksgiving Holiday (school closed)
October 13, 14 Mid-term Exams
Highlight on SOC Policies:
Each month we’ll highlight some of the important policy aspects from the Student Handbook
This month – Uniform Policy
SOC’s uniform includes:
- the school polo shirt
- the school’s navy fleece jacket (worn as needed, for warmth)
- school approved uniform trousers
- students receive a full supply of shirts, trousers and a fleece.
- no sweaters, sweatshirt or jacket apart from the school fleece should be worn over the polo shirt.
- outdoor jackets should not be worn in class
- religious head-coverings, as well as those for medical purposes, are permitted
- otherwise no hats, hoodies or other headgear are permitted inside the school
- Students not wearing a school shirt will be given detention for the first offence and fined $20.00 for any subsequent offence and will be provided with a shirt dispensed from the clean supply in the office.
- Students not wearing approved trousers will be given detention for the first offence and fined $20.00 for any subsequent offence and may be sent home to change into appropriate attire.
If you have any questions about SOC’s uniform policy, please contact alison.currie@mysoc.ca
Getting to know a new city as the school year begins
Please don’t hesitate to contact any SOC staff member at any time.
How to reach us at SOC
- Principal, Alison Currie: alison.currie@mysoc.ca
- Guidance Counsellor, Molly Mignault: molly.mignault@mysoc.ca
- Admission and Visa Information: admin@mysoc.ca
- Travel & Residence, Nabil Alkilabi: nabil.alkilabi@mysoc.ca
- Administrative Office, Catherine McFarland: catherine.mcfarland@mysoc.ca
- Accounts, Katie Cox: katie@mysoc.ca
Sep 2022 – Guidance Newsletter
September 2022
It is hard to believe the 2022/2023 academic year is already well underway. I want to extend a warm welcome to both our new and returning students, we are off to already a great start! At this time, I would like to provide some information on graduation requirements in Ontario, course selection, and basic university information. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out the guidance counsellor Ms. Molly, either drop in her office or email her at molly.mignault@mysoc.ca.
Graduation Requirements
There are specific requirements that each student much meet in order to graduate. Every student must obtain 30 credits (courses). In most cases, we are able to give credit for courses completed in your home country. Students beginning in grades 9 or 10 must also complete the Ontario Literacy Test and obtain 40 hours of community service.
Course Selection
If you concerns regarding, you course selection or would like to make changes please see guidance as soon as possible. The last day to add/drop courses is Monday September 19 at 3:00PM EDT.
December Graduates
If you are graduating in December and want to start university/college in January 2023 you must begin applying in the next week. If you have not started your applications, please see Ms. Molly the guidance counsellor as soon as possible.
University Information
Attending College or University is an extremely exciting endeavor, and I will work my hardest to help you all achieve these goals. A wonderful resource with tons of information is the Ontario Universities Information website. please make us of it! This website will be your best friend in researching Ontario university programs. Please note that this website is for Ontario schools ONLY. Should you wish to apply outside of Ontario, please see each university’s website.
LINK: https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/
Ontario University Fair
On October 1st and 2nd there will be a university fair at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This event is fair style with booths from Ontario universities, and it allows you to gather information and chat with representatives one on one. For more information please visit:
LINK: https://www.ontariouniversitiesfair.ca/
Remote Learning Requirements
Students who are studying remotely are required to meet the same standards and expectations as students who are studying onsite.
That is:
- Attend classes daily (electronically) for the full length of the class to meet the Ministry of Education 110 hours of study per course.
- Complete and submit on time all work required by teachers, including writing mid-term and final examinations.
- Respect and adhere to all academic integrity requirements
Remember a fully functioning computer with reliable internet, audio (speakers and a microphone) and visual capacity (camera) is mandatory. You may not study remotely without meeting these requirements.
Study Study Study
Remember, studying is a critical component of learning. You must study the material each and every night in order to master the material. Attending class is not enough to excel. For those in math and science it is encouraged to utilize study hall in period four for extra assistance and study time.
Events and Important Dates
September 19, 2022—Brock University Visit
September 19, 2022—Last day to add/drop courses without penalty
September 22, 2022—Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) Visit
September 27, 2022, University of New Brunswick Visits
October 1-2, 2022 —Ontario University Fair
Land Acknowledgement
Southern Ontario Collegiate is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas and it is still home to many Indigenous people. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
Previous updates
Aug 2022 – Welcoming Students for 2022/2023
Jun 2022 – Update from the Principal
May 2022 – Update from the Principal
NEWS RELEASE – Ontario Colleges – New Training Programs
Apr 2022 – SOC Update from the Principal
Mar 2022 – Update from the Principal
Feb 2022 – Update from the Principal
Jan 20, 2022 – Update from the Principal
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