CLASS OF 2026!

GRADUATION vs. CONVOCATION

GRADUATION = completing all the requirements to earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
– click HERE for GRADUATION requirements and look under “What do I need to graduate?”

CONVOCATION = ceremony to celebrate the Class of 2026
(the Class of 2025 is the group of students who started grade 9 in 2022 and are at the end of their 4th year of high school)
– you do NOT have to complete ALL GRAD REQUIREMENTS to participate in convocation
– you can ONLY attend convocation ONCE, at the end of your 4th year, unless advised differently by your guidance counselor.

Convocation 2026

Save the date!

• Convocation will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

Graduation Photographs

• Sittings may be booked to take place at St. Mary’s (Library Seminar Room) March 9-13 and 23-27.
• To book a graduation photo sitting at St Mary’s HS – https://edgeimaging.ca/en/book-your-grad-session/ (school code is MAS)
• Students who missed sittings at St. Mary’s may book directly through Edge Imaging in Guelph

Convocation Fees – available February 9 to April 17 (on School Cash Online)

• $70 – Convocation ceremony, including souvenir keepsake gown, cap and sash
• $20 – Souvenir gown, cap and sash ONLY (no ceremony)
• $10 – Optional Grad Breakfast – Tuesday, May 26, 2026
• NOTE: convocation fees do not include tickets for audience members.

Ticket Purchases – Completed through Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

• Each family will be allocated 10 tickets at a cost of $10 per ticket + box office fee
• Tickets may be purchased from April 7 to May 8:
  • online: https://kwtickets.evenue.net/events/SMHS
  • by phone: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. by calling 519-578-1570
  • in person: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Auditorium located at 400 East Ave., in Kitchener

Community Awards (see below) – Applications available February 9 – April 24, 2026

Grade 12 Meeting – Wednesday, February 11, 2026 during period 2 in Alumni Hall

• Convocation Info – coming soon

• Graduation Info – coming soon

Class of 2026 Spirit Wear – check School Cash Online to order

Valedictorians

• Nominate Candidates for the Valedictorians of 2026 – click: HERE – deadline: Friday, March 13th

• The (online) vote to determine the Valedictorians will take place: Wednesday, April 8th

• Only a St. Mary’s student in grade 12 may nominate a fellow student to be a valedictorian candidate. You may nominate yourself.

• In order to be considered as a candidate for valedictorian, a student must fulfill the following criteria:
  – be involved in a positive leadership role in school activities
  – maintain a strong academic record
  – have exemplary attendance
  – participate in making a difference in the community
  The list of nominees who meet the requirements and have the most nominations will be reviewed by the graduation committee, administration and guidance to create a short list of candidates who reflect an equitable representation of the graduating class.
  All Graduates will have the opportunity to vote for 2 Valedictorian Candidates from the list of qualified nominees

Photos from the convocation ceremony held on Thursday, June 13, 2025 (last year)
This is a password protected page, to honour students’ privacy.
The password is printed in the Convocation Programme, or use this google form to receive the password.
You must be logged in to your WCDSB account to access the form and receive the password.

Graduation Awards & Scholarships – available now until April 24

• Leadership
• Academic achievement
• Club and/or athletic involvement
• Character
• Faith, spirituality, and/or demonstration of Catholic values
• Staff references
• Embodiment of the school motto, “Kindness Matters”

Community Awards

• Doon Pioneer Park Community Association Volunteer Spirit Award
• Lieutenant Governors Community Volunteer Award for Student
• The R.J. McCarthy Scholarship
• The Kinsmen Award
• The Elizabeth Woodger Award
• Waterloo County School Bus Operators Association Award
• St. Vincent de Paul Society Award
• Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo Bursary

Faculty-Selected Awards Determined by Criteria

• The Moore Family Scholarship for Dedication to Literary Studies
• The Robert Haas Memorial Award – Donated by Rosemarie Haas
• Mission Statement Award
• Eagle Citizenship Award
• Diocese of Hamilton Award
• Student Council Award
• The Congregation of the Resurrection Bursary Award
• WCDS Board of Trustees – Student Excellence Awards (U/C/W)
• The Institute for Catholic Education OCSGE Medals
• Susan Benedetto Memorial Health Sciences Award
• Document Imaging Partners Award
• Edge Imaging Excellence in Arts Award
• Shelley Des Cotes Kiwanis Award
• Retired Principals’ Award