Winchester Junior and Senior Public School

We Feature

Edible School Garden

Our 11,000 square foot garden on the corner of our playground provides a habitat for children to explore their relationship to the natural world and food production. Food grown in the garden is served in our daily hot lunch and salad program. The food waste is composted and returned to the garden.
The garden also has student art and sculptures, and a rain catchment system. Open to the community in the summer, it provides programs for all ages.

Winchester Junior and Senior Public School's Mission Statement

Winchester Public School, a JK-8 elementary school, has been serving the students of the Cabbagetown and St. James Town neighbourhoods since 1874. The diverse student population represents over 40 countries and languages.

Winchester Jr. & Sr. PS offers French Immersion for JK-8 and a regular track for 7-8 only. We place a strong emphasis on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment where all students can and will learn.

Winchester is a vibrant school community, providing opportunities and active partnerships with neighbourhood organizations, including TurningPoint, Sherbourne Health Centre, Skylark, MLSE Launchpad, Cabbagetown Youth Centre and Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. CNH provides daycare for children, aged 2 1/2 – 5, and a Before and After Care for school age children. Several local agencies also provide child care, KClub, CNH,Wellesley Community Centre and CYC.

Gold Eco School

We work in close partnership with Green Thumbs Growing Kids so that the language, arts, and science curriculum is enhanced through experiential learning in our garden. We have an active Eco Club.

More Information About Winchester Junior and Senior Public School

Library

Our recently renovated library is the hub of our school. We have an extensive collection of books in English and French. Our librarian partners with teachers in order to enrich the curriculum and provide the resources that students need.

Smart Technology

Technology is used effectively to improve student learning, engagement and for communication with families. SMARTBoards, digital document cameras, tablets, netbooks, laptops are in all our classrooms. Apps to support learning can be accessed at school and home to support a rich learning experience.

Arts Opportunities

We value arts opportunities. We have a vibrant vocal, strings, steel pan and band program. With the generous support of our SAC we have a well used and loved class set of ukuleles. We have started w Winchester tradition of Art Matters. A family event where auctioned student artwork raising money to support our rapidly expanding arts program.

Nutrition Program

Healthy minds need healthy food. We have an extensive nutrition program providing a daily healthy snack and hot lunch. Through our monthly Wellness Weeks students have an opportunity to work with our Nutrition Coordinator, Ms. Charmyne Urquart, to make healthy snacks and discuss nutrition. All food served is halal and follows the Canada Food Guide.

Student Life - Where You Belong

GO TEAM

Mental Health and Wellness is a priority at Winchester. Our students are involved in many activities including our well-respected basketball, volleyball, cross country, track, and soccer teams. We organize activities that our students identify as important to them.

We have an active Student Senate, raising funds for Save the Children, and an Environmental Club which works with Green Thumbs Growing Kids. The library is open before school each day for homework help and there are intramural sports at lunch. Senior students are announcers and ambassadors in our school office.

Some of our grade 8 students are selected to attend Central Commerce High School where they earn high school credits in the morning and then return to Winchester for their grade 8 program in the afternoon. Others represent Winchester as part of DareARTS, Model United Nations and Ontario Model Parliament.

The Sultans of String will provide a musical backdrop at our kick-off community barbeque this year. Our April concert will coincide with Arts Week and Earth Day. Last year, the renowned Nathaniel Dett Chorale performed at our school, as well as Ballet Creole and Ache Brasil.

WHAT SETS US APART

Partnerships with local community organizations that support Mental Health & Wellness and support families in a variety of ways. For example, TurningPoint, Skylark, MLSE Launchpad, Wellesley Community Centre, The Community Corner to name a few.

Our community garden with Green Thumbs Growing Kids

Model Schools for Inner Cities

Daily snack and hot lunch program

Borden, Ladner, Gervais - Reads to Kids Partnership

Mentor athletes from Ryerson University, Ryerson Rams

Friendship In Action

LOVE

PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Monthly Family Workshops to support parent interests

Home Alone through TPH

Toronto Foundation for Student Success

Faculties of Education: OISE/UT, York University, Ryerson, Queen's

Central Neighbourhood House Day Care

Wellesley Community Centre

Cabbagetown Preservation Association

School Council: participation in Budget, School Improvement, Garden, Nutrition, Environment, Safe Schools, French Immersion and Fundraising Committees, annual Fun Fun Fair

Garden Club -- Parent volunteers in classroom, garden, library

Curriculum Night Picnic

Talent Show

Concerts

Culture Night