At St. Peter Canisius in Watford, the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation of Being a Caring Family Member came to life during two memorable on-ice events earlier this year.

This expectation underscores the vital role of respectful, compassionate relationships within families and the broader community, deeply rooted in Catholic teachings about prayer, service, and selflessness. It calls on students and families alike to nurture bonds through acts of care, patience, and generosity.

This spirit was clearly seen during a family skating day when kindergarten parents set an inspiring example. Despite their busy lives, they offered their time and patience, carefully tying skates and leaning into the experience alongside their children. For many little skaters, the ice was unfamiliar and unsteady ground, but with these caring adults by their side—offering steady hands and words of encouragement—they transformed uncertainty into joyful confidence.

The connection continued as the Grade 8 class demonstrated their commitment to one another at the local Silver Stick hockey tournament. Cheering enthusiastically from the stands, these students showed how teamwork and unity extend beyond the classroom, strengthening their bonds and enriching the school community as a whole.

Principal Erin Moffat-Sharpe reflects, “Our school community is rooted deeply in compassion and connection. When parents and students come together with such genuine care, they bring to life what it truly means to be a caring family member—lifting one another up in faith and friendship. These moments don’t just shape our school; they ripple out to the world beyond.”