CISVA News

Where Faith, Academics & Culture Collide.

Walking Together in Truth and Reconciliation: Blanket Exercise
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Walking Together in Truth and Reconciliation: Blanket Exercise

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, CISVA educators will gather for an afternoon of deep learning and reflection for an interactive workshop developed by KAIROS Canada.

This unique professional development opportunity offers participants a moving, first-person experience of the history and continuing impacts of colonization in Canada, as told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. Through guided role-play, storytelling, and dialogue, educators are invited into a space where empathy, understanding, and reconciliation become shared practice.

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Investing in Our Principals, Investing in Your Children: Professional Development with Dr. Julia Sadusky
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Investing in Our Principals, Investing in Your Children: Professional Development with Dr. Julia Sadusky

Dr. Sadusky brings a wealth of experience as both clinician and author, including her co-authored book Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth (IVP Academic). Her ability to bridge psychology, pastoral wisdom, and lived reality makes her especially valuable for Catholic school communities who want to respond faithfully and thoughtfully to students’ needs.

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Back to School: Building Community and Inspiring Kindness in CISVA Schools
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Back to School: Building Community and Inspiring Kindness in CISVA Schools

Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and with it comes a unique sense of excitement and renewal throughout the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA). This time of year is always special a chance for our students to return to familiar faces, for teachers to inspire new minds, and for parents to play an active role in their children’s learning journey. As we approach this important moment, it’s essential for both parents and teachers to check in with their schools. Important communications about new procedures, health and safety guidelines, extracurricular offerings, and community events are being shared, and staying connected ensures everyone begins the year well-prepared and informed.

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Pete Burak: Igniting Faith and Leadership in Our Catholic Educators 
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Pete Burak: Igniting Faith and Leadership in Our Catholic Educators 

We are excited to welcome Pete Burak as our keynote speaker for CISVA's annual Faith and Development Day on August 27! Pete is a nationally recognized Catholic leader and the Vice President of Renewal Ministries, serving as a passionate mentor to educators and young adults across North America. 

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CISVA Schools: Living Catholic Social Teaching Through Generosity and Service
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CISVA Schools: Living Catholic Social Teaching Through Generosity and Service

The Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese Administrators Association (CISVAAA) is proud to announce a remarkable achievement for the 2023/2024 school year: CISVA schools collectively raised $37,091 for Catholic charities. This inspiring effort vividly reflects the guiding principles of Catholic social teaching—especially our unwavering commitment to compassion, service, and solidarity.

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Jumpstart to Teaching at CISVA: Inspiring Excellence for Tomorrow's Learners
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Jumpstart to Teaching at CISVA: Inspiring Excellence for Tomorrow's Learners

Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children while working in a supportive, values-driven environment? The Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) is gearing up to launch its celebrated Jumpstart to Teaching program, and the excitement is building among educators, parents, and the wider community.

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Leading Faith Into the Future: The Visionary Journey of Mathew Sanders CEO of Longbeard
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Leading Faith Into the Future: The Visionary Journey of Mathew Sanders CEO of Longbeard

Leading Faith Into the Future: The Visionary Journey of Mathew Sanders, CEO of Longbeard

In a time when technology is shaping every aspect of our lives, Mathew Sanders stands out as a leader ensuring faith, wisdom, and innovation walk hand-in-hand. As CEO of Longbeard, Sanders has forged a global reputation for pioneering digital solutions that serve the Catholic Church’s deepest mission: to bring faith alive for new generations, across every continent and culture.

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The Arts in CISVA Schools: Nurturing Creativity and Faith
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The Arts in CISVA Schools: Nurturing Creativity and Faith

Beyond academics and athletics, the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) are vibrant centers for the arts, where every student can discover their creative gifts and celebrate beauty as a reflection of God’s presence.

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The Quiet Power of Prayer in CISVA Schools
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The Quiet Power of Prayer in CISVA Schools

One of the most cherished aspects of Catholic education in CISVA schools is the daily rhythm of prayer. Rooted in a centuries-old tradition, prayer is a gentle thread that weaves through each school day, inviting students and staff to pause, reflect, and connect more deeply with God and one another.

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Building a Culture of Kindness: How CISVA Schools Inspire Everyday Compassion
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Building a Culture of Kindness: How CISVA Schools Inspire Everyday Compassion

The Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) foster more than academic achievement—they cultivate communities of caring, respect, and genuine kindness. For families, students, and educators alike, one of the greatest strengths of a Catholic school is its commitment to shaping strong character through daily acts of compassion.

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The Book of Kells: From Celtic Origins to a Home in Vancouver’s Archdiocese
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The Book of Kells: From Celtic Origins to a Home in Vancouver’s Archdiocese

The replica facsimile of the Book of Kells that is now housed with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver was produced by the Swiss publisher Faksimile-Verlag Luzern as part of a special, limited edition project beginning in 1979, with the full-color facsimile completed through a collaboration that ran from 1979 to 1986. The facsimiles themselves were available for purchase internationally shortly thereafter, including in Vancouver, where acquisition efforts took place in the late 1980s

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How CISVA Schools Practice Catholic Social Teachings
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How CISVA Schools Practice Catholic Social Teachings

Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA) are dedicated to nurturing the whole person through an education deeply rooted in the Gospel and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Here’s how CISVA schools translate these teachings into daily life and curriculum, with examples of practices at the school level.

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The Search Continues: Finding Community in the Construction of Modular Schools at St. Helen’s School 
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The Search Continues: Finding Community in the Construction of Modular Schools at St. Helen’s School 

The original structure that was St. Helen's School was in need of major repairs, and our community found itself having to make immense sacrifices in order to accommodate the current enrollment of students. From the administrative planning of budgets, to the new challenges faced by our staff to work in different environments, the transitional years were ones that helped to shape our improved school culture founded on resiliency.  

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Celebrating the Spirit of CISVA Elementary Track & Field 2025
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Celebrating the Spirit of CISVA Elementary Track & Field 2025

The annual CISVA Elementary Schools Track & Field Championships are a highlight of the spring season, bringing together young athletes from across the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese for two inspiring days at Swangard Stadium. This event is more than a competition—it's a celebration of perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of movement.

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