Guidance Department
Guidance is a space where students can receive academic planning, pathway and career planning, and mental health supports including personal counselling or referrals to outside agencies and online resources. Please review the list of menus below to see how we can help support Brock students.
Counsellors and Contact Information |
General inquires to the Brock High School's Guidance department can be addressed to Ms. Patricia Rooney-Earle at patricia.rooneyearle@ddsb.ca or 705-432-2311 ext. 250023 Ms. Kimberly Vanderlinde is the Department Head and supports Grade 10 and 12 students. She can be reached at kimberly.vanderline@ddsb.ca or 705-432-2311 ext. 250020 Ms. Sarah Mappin supports Grade 9 and 11 students. She can be reached at sarah.mappin@ddsb.ca or 705-432-2311 ext. 250021 |
New Student Registration |
Students who live in the Brock High School catchment area must complete the appropriate registration package and submit all necessary documents, outlined in the attached checklists below, to Brock's Guidance Department. Upon completion of the Registration documents, our guidance secretary will reach out to the family to schedule an intake meeting. Students already registered in the Durham District School Board:
Students NOT currently registered in the Durham District School Board: |
Booking a Guidance Appointment |
Students may book a guidance appointment by visiting Guidance (room 310) in person before school, during lunch, or after school. Students will NOT be able to book an appointment during class time. Our guidance secretary is happy to support students in setting up an appointment time that works for their academic schedule. Students can also book an appointment by completing our Google Form. Pat will set the appointment time and email students their appointment date/and time to the email they provide on the form. |
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma |
An Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) shall be granted to a student upon successful completion of the following:
*A maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language may count as additional compulsory credits - 1 credit from Group 1, and 1 credit from either Group 2 or Group 3 ** A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.
Please note: Students who successfully complete a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program as part of the requirements for their OSSD will receive a diploma with an SHSM red seal. In addition to the 30 credits as outlined above, students will also need to complete 40 Hours of Community Involvement, successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, and 2 eLearning courses. For more information about these requirements, please see the details below. |
Mandatory Community Involvement |
Every student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This requirement is in addition to the 30 credits needed for a high school diploma.
The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility, and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities. Although this diploma requirement applies to students in Grades 9 to 12, students in Grade 8 will now be able to start accumulating community involvement hours in the summer before they enter Grade 9. A single forty-hour activity, or a series of shorter-term activities totalling forty hours may be completed. Students will be able to choose their own community involvement activities within guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Education. Students are provided with an Activity Record on which they will complete a list of their activities, followed by signatures of the community organizers. Please Note: These signed records are to be given directly to the Guidance department. To find more information on acceptable activities students are encouraged to check the Brock Guidance Google Classroom(s) or listen to morning announcements. A copy of the Community Involvement Activity Record can be found here. |
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) |
All students must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test in order to earn a secondary school diploma. This test is normally taken in Grade 10 and will be based on the Ontario curriculum expectations for language and communication, particularly reading and writing, up to and including Grade 9.
The test result is recorded on each student’s transcript. Brock High School will provide remedial support for students who do not meet the standards in their first attempt. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O1) has been developed to provide students who have been unsuccessful on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test with intensive support in achieving the required reading and writing competencies, and with an alternative means of demonstrating their literacy skills. Registration in OLC4O1 is at the discretion of the principal. Students who successfully complete OLC4O1 will have met the provincial literacy requirement for graduation and will earn one English credit. |
Online or eLearning Requirement |
Students are required to earn two (2) online learning credits to graduate from secondary school, beginning with every student who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year. Parents/Guardians can opt-out of the Online Learning requirement for graduation on their students' behalf. Students who are 18 years of age or older can opt themselves out of the Online Learning graduation requirement. To opt-out, please complete the form found here. |
Courses and Programs |
Click here to view our course offerings. Course Selection occurs each year in February. During this time, students use myBlueprint to select their courses for the following academic year. Each year our course offerings change slightly to meet the needs of our students and teaching staff. |
myBluePrint |
myBlueprint is an online space where students can select their courses, complete their Individual Pathway Plans, explore careers, apprenticeships, colleges, and universities. Students are also able to sign up for continuing education opportunities, learn about budgeting, and so much more! Students can log into myBlueprint here. Students will need to click "School Account Log In" and enter their school email and password to access their myBlueprint resources. |
Unique Learning Opportunities |
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Special High Skills Major (SHSM) |
Brock High School offers Special High Skills Major (SHSM) programs in 4 areas:
Students who participate in the SHSM program commit to taking 6-8 courses in their Grade 11 and 12 years that relate to their area of speciality as well as a co-operative work placement. Students are provided the opportunity to engage in sector recognized certification and training. Students who successfully complete the course requirements and training provided graduate with a SHSM seal on their diploma. |
Summer School and Night School |
Durham Continuing Education (DCE) offers a variety of summer school programs. Summer school gives students of all ages an opportunity to get ahead or catch up with their programs and classes. You can take summer courses in-class, online, or as cooperative education. Summer School locations are determined in the spring of each year by the Durham District School Board. For more information, please made an appointment to speak with a Brock guidance counsellor, or visit the Durham Continuing Education website. |
Academic Support |
Brock High School staff is eager to help support students' academics. Guidance counsellors regularly review student success and grades and will meet with students who are struggling to achieve success at the mid-term point of each semester to offer academic support. Students are encouraged to make effective us of Skills. Skills is an academic space monitored by teachers and Education Assistant specifically to support students academic needs. Skills is open each school day at 8:15AM and EAs are available to work one-on-one with students on any academic subject. Students who are seeking additional support outside of the school day are encourage to visit their guidance counsellor to discuss private tutoring needs and options. All students are encouraged to make effective use of Mathify and Khan Academy for academic support in Math. |
Mental Health Support and Resources |
Brock High School's guidance team is willing and able to support students emotional and mental health. Counsellors are available for personal counselling through an appointment or for students in a crisis situation on demand. Counsellors are also able to refer students to DDSB psychological supports and social workers. If you feel this is necessary for you/your student, please contact your student's guidance counsellor for more information. In the event that Brock High School students need added support outside of school hours or would like to talk to someone anonymously, the following resources may be of assistance:
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