Guidance Department

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:

1. Current DDSB Student Registration Checklist
2. Previous School Administration Report
3. Extra Curricular Sports Form

Students NOT currently registered in the Durham District School Board:

1. Out of Board Student Registration Checklist
2. Previous School Administration Report
3. Extra Curricular Sports Form

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. 

Grade 12 students attended a Post-Secondary Information Session on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Attached here is the Slide Deck used during that presentation.

Graduating students were also provided College and University Application Information booklets. Families can access the College booklet here, and the University booklet here. 

These resources contain importation information about the application process including important dates, fees, and where to apply.

Any students or families who have questions about this or who may need support with the application process are encouraged to reach out to their guidance counsellor. 

Graduation requirements have recently been updated by Ontario's Ministry of Education. Students entering Grade 9 in 2024 must meet the following requirements:

A minimum of 30 credits of which there are 17 compulsory credits.

• Students entering Grade 9 in 2024 must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma:
  • 1. A minimum of 30 credits of which there are 17 compulsory credits:

    • 4 credits English (1 credit per grade)

    • 3 credits Mathematics (Grade 9, Grade 10, and 1 credit in either Grade 11 or 12)

    • 1 STEM-related Course Credit Group (Business Studies, Computer Science, Cooperative Education, Mathematics, Science, Technological Education)

    • 2 credits Science

    • 1 credit Canadian History, Grade 10

    • 1 credit Canadian Geography, Grade 9

    • 1 credit Arts

    • 1 credit Technological Education

    • 1 credit Health and Physical Education

    • 1 credit French as a second language

    • 1 Technology credit to be earned in Grade 9 or 10

    • .5 credit Civics.5 credit Career Studies

• • PLUS: 13 optional, elective credits.

• • 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.

An Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) shall be granted to a student who entered Grade 9 BEFORE 2024 upon successful completion of the following: 

1. A minimum of 30 credits of which there are 19 compulsory credits

• Students must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma:
  • 4 credits English (1 credit per grade)
  • 3 credits Mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
  • 2 credits Science
  • 1 credit Canadian History
  • 1 credit Canadian Geography
  • 1 credit Arts
  • 1 credit Health and Physical Education
  • 1 credit French as a second language
  • 1 Technology credit to be earned in Grade 9 or 10
  • .5 credit Civics
  • .5 credit Career Studies
  • PLUS: one credit from each of the following groups:
    • Group 1:English, French as a second language*, classical languages, international languages, Native languages, Canadian and world studies, Native studies, social sciences and humanities, guidance and career education, cooperative education*
    • Group 2: French as a second language, health and physical education, the arts, business studies, cooperative education**
    • Group 3: French as a second language, science (grade 11 or 12), technological education, computer studies, or cooperative education**

_{*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.} 

• PLUS: 11 optional credits selected from the menu of available courses
• 40 hours of community involvement activities
• Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

 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. 

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 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.

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.

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 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.

• Co-Operative education is an amazing experiential learning opportunity for students to "try on" a career. Co-op is offered in 2-period (generally for Grade 11 students) and 4-period blocks. Students can select co-op as a part of their traditional Course Selection Process. Students are able, if the wish, to establish their own co-op placement. However, our co-op teachers are more than happy to work with students to help them find a placement.
• Supervised Alternative Learning is an alternative learning opportunity offered at Brock High School. This program is flexible and therefore, may look slightly different for each student working within the framework. This program is designed to help struggling students meet diploma requirements when all other avenues have been exhausted. Please speak with your student's guidance counsellor at Brock High School for more information on this program, if needed.
• Dual Credits is a program that allows students to participate in post-secondary courses and apprenticeship training, earning dual credits that count towards both their high school diploma and their post-secondary diploma, degree, or apprenticeship certification. 

  To find out more information on specific dual credit offerings at Brock High School, students should make an appointment to speak with a guidance counsellor.

Brock High School offers Special High Skills Major (SHSM) programs in 4 areas: 

• Information Communication Technology
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Sports
• Transportation

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.

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.

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.

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:

• Be Safe App: The Be Safe App allows you to make a safety plan and helps you find appropriate help in a crisis. This application is available for IOS and Android devices.
• My TookKit: My Tool Kit is an interactive website that provides students with many resources about mental health, stress, and wellness.
• Connex Ontario: This Ontario website is a place for students to go to for help in dealing with addiction, mental health, and problem gambling.  Students can connect with Connex Ontario workers over the phone to share their struggles and connect to treatment resources and services in their community.
• Bounce Back: Bounce Back is a free skill building program for teens and adults. Youth are provided a variety of resources to manage their mental health. Resources can be delivered over the phone with a coach or through online videos.
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): "From assessment to brief interventions, inpatient programs, day hospital services, continuing care, outpatient services and family support, CAMH provides a wide range of clinical care services" to help with mental health and substance use/abuse issues."
• Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868: Get help via text messages, voice calls, or live chats when you reach out to the Kids Help Phone. Visit the website linked above or call their 24/7 phone line at 1-800-668-6868.
• Durham Distress Centre - 905-430-2500: Durham Distress Centre offers a 24/7 help line where callers can discuss any/all mental health, addiction, or sexuality issues they are facing. Calls are answered by trained professionals who can provide emotional support, help in crisis management, suicide risk assessment, and emergency intervention.