Welcome students, parents/guardians and community members to Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School, where our school motto is “One School, One Goal, One Lord”. This motto sets an appropriate expectation for how our students can connect with their school community and faith.
It is a privilege for me to join this dynamic and outstanding school community as school principal. I am thankful to Carmelo Barone, retired principal who led this school with commitment and grace. I join Bishop Tonnos with great excitement and anticipation for the coming year, and hope to build on the great successes experienced in the school’s (nearly) 20-year history.
On a personal level, I am a proud of the wonderful family who supports me in all that I do. My Catholic faith is the foundation of my family life. My husband of 23 years, and my two children and I are active members of Regina Mundi Parish. Born and raised in Hamilton, I am a proud graduate of Cathedral High School, graduating from the French Immersion program. While pursuing my Honours Bachelor of Commerce at McMaster University, I enjoyed working as a tutorial leader for various university courses in both business and mathematics. It was here that I initially developed my love of teaching! After graduating from McMaster University, I pursued a career in accounting, finance, and human resource management in a manufacturing setting. The desire to return to my passion for teaching continued and after several years in private sector work, I pursued and completed my teacher education program at Brock University in 2004.
Throughout my career, I have been blessed to work with many talented colleagues and mentors that have inspired my view of the current and future Catholic learning environment. My personal beliefs rooted in our Catholic faith are founded in my home life but also the foundation for my role in education leadership. In 2017, I was appointed to the position of secondary vice principal and have served in this capacity at St. Charles Adult and Continuing Education, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School prior to my appointment here at Bishop Tonnos CSS.
I am inspired by students in their academic achievements and also in the expression of their God-given talents in many ways. My love of sports will be seen on the field and in the gym, cheering on our athletes! It is equally important to me to support and witness the co-curricular activities that give students unique opportunities to shine in arts, language, social justice etc.
Communication and information is readily available for students, parents, guardians and community members on our school website as well as through social media X (formerly Twitter) @btcsschool. Our staff is always prepared to answer questions as well, should you need support or information.
Pope Francis said “Jesus keeps knocking on our doors, the doors of our lives. He doesn’t do this by magic, with special effects, with flashing lights and fireworks. Jesus keeps knocking on our door in the faces of our brothers and sisters, in the faces of our neighbors, in the faces of those at our side.” Seeing Jesus in all that we experience allows for His work to continue through us.
Together with Vice-Principals Mr. Crosta and Ms. Palermo, I look forward to working with everyone in our school community.
Sincerely,
Maria Calabrese
Principal