PVNC Catholic Reports Steady Progress From Latest EQAO Literacy and Math Results

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released the latest results for Ontario school boards from the 2025-2026 school year, showing significant boardwide progress in literacy and across Priority Schools in mathematics within PVNC Catholic.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

“We are extremely proud of the growth our students, educators and administrators have achieved in literacy and mathematics this year,” said Stephen O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Education Officer. 

The following are the results:

• Grade 3 Reading and Writing: Reading proficiency grew to 76.7 per cent, an increase of 5.5 per cent from last year. Similar gains were realized in writing, with a result of 66.2 per cent, which marks a 5.1 per cent year-over-year increase 

• Grade 3 Math: Students exhibited gains of 2.4 per cent, with 65.3 per cent of students now meeting or exceeding the provincial standard, which mirrors provincial results and outpaces the provincial year-over-year increase of 1.5 per cent

• Grade 6 Reading and Writing: PVNC Catholic students continue to excel in reading, with 84.2 per cent achieving or exceeding the provincial standard. Writing results exhibited gains, with 86.2 per cent meeting the standard, slightly above the provincial result 

• Grade 6 Math: Results across PVNC Catholic Priority Schools indicate the number of Gr. 6 students who have met the provincial standard in math has increased by 21 per cent since 2021-2022 

• Grade 9 Math: PVNC Catholic students’ success rate in relation to the provincial standard was 51.8 per cent 

• Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT): 78.2 per cent of first-time eligible students passed the test, which mirrors last year’s results

“Our Grade 3 results meet or exceed provincial results in all areas, while our Grade 6 mathematics results demonstrate that we have virtually eliminated the achievement gap between PVNC Catholic Priority and non-priority schools. The number of Grade 6 students in Priority Schools who have met the provincial standard in math has increased by 21 per cent since 2021-2022. We are very pleased with the substantial reduction in the Priority School mathematics achievement gap over the past three years,” said O’Sullivan. “These results reflect the hard work, dedication, and innovative teaching strategies that our staff have implemented to boost student confidence in literacy and mathematics. We will continue to provide opportunities for educators to build their content knowledge and to grow in their confidence and efficacy with respect to both instructional and assessment practices to support continued student academic growth.”

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Trent University and PRHC Launch New Research Grant to Honour Former Late Health Centre Director

Trent University and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) launched the Natalie Beavis Collaborative Research Grant – a new funding initiative designed to strengthen applied research partnerships and accelerate real-world impact across both institutions, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

The Grant is named after the late Natalie Beavis, a Trent alumna and former PRHC Director who passed away on Dec. 17.

The program provides up to $21,525 in total funding, including $14,025 in cash support and $5,000 to $7,500 in matching funds through Mitacs Accelerate or Business Strategy Internship (BSI) programs. Projects will be supported for up to 12 months, with embedded student research trainees engaged for four-to-six-month internships, ensuring a strong focus on mentorship and experiential learning.

“This grant is a meaningful way to honour Natalie and the spirit of collaboration she embodied,” said Evan Lyons, PRHC executive vice president of digital services, strategy and transformation. “By bringing together researchers, clinicians, and students, PRHC and Trent are building on the momentum of our recent Collider event and taking the next step toward a more connected and impactful research ecosystem.” 

The initiative builds directly on the PRHC x Trent Collider event held earlier this year. It brought together over 100 clinicians, researchers and faculty members to share current projects, spark new ideas, build relationships and lay the groundwork for initiatives such as this grant to translate ideas into action.

Eligible projects must include collaborators from both Trent University and PRHC, involve at least one research trainee and demonstrate clear impact beyond academia, such as improvements in healthcare delivery, operational insight, policy relevance, or innovation potential. Applications will be reviewed by a committee representing both organizations according to Dr. Tana Allen, Trent University vice-president of research and innovation.

“The healthcare needs of our region and the province require greater contributions of highly educated and experienced professionals,” she said. “Our partnership with PRHC enables faculty to contribute research expertise to improve care and facilitates professional opportunities for students to prepare to work in the field. This grant is a fitting tribute to Natalie Beavis and her belief in the impact of collaboration.”

In addition to the grant, PRHC and Trent have also recently launched a new Research Community of Practice – a forum for ongoing knowledge exchange, collaboration, and development of future projects.

The grant is now open for submissions, with a deadline of this Friday at 5 p.m.

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Fleming College Its Community to Share Ideas With the Integration With St. Lawrence College

Fleming College invites students, employees, alumni, community members, and industry partners to share their ideas and perspectives as planning for the upcoming integration continues.

File Photo.

Since announcing their intention to integrate as equal partners in April, Fleming College and St. Lawrence College say they have worked to create a stronger, more sustainable institution that can best serve students, faculty, staff, employers and local communities for years to come. According to a press release, the primary objective is to increase access to education for current and future students while better aligning programs and capacity with local and regional labour market needs.

To support this work, the colleges have developed a structured engagement program that gives people opportunities to share input throughout the integration process. Those looking to submit comments and suggestions are encouraged to email integration@flemingcollege.ca. Feedback can also be shared through a series of short, rotating survey questions available at flemingcollege.ca/integration. Survey links will also be shared via social media and on digital display boards across campuses. All responses will be kept confidential and will not be shared publicly.

“Feedback from the people who know our colleges best is an important contribution to the integration planning process,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Fleimg interim president. This is an opportunity to better understand what people value most about each institution, while we work toward our shared goal of expanding student access to unique academic programs and pathways, as well as research and work-integrated learning opportunities.”

Engagement will continue as the integration moves forward and Fleming will share additional opportunities to provide input in the weeks and months ahead.

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Trent University Symons Campus Has Reopened After Completed Watermain Repairs

After completing water main repairs and required water quality testing, Trent University's Symons Campus has reopened and in-person classes have resumed as scheduled.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The temporary closure was required after a break in the main water line servicing Symons Campus, leaving all buildings without access to water.

Campus buildings, including Bata Library, the Student Centre, the Trent Athletics Centre and the colleges, have reopened and returned to regular operating schedules.

Students, employees, community partners, and visitors may return to campus now that repairs are complete.

Classes and operations at Traill College and Trent's Durham GTA campus were not affected by this outage.

Symons Campus residence buildings Student Housing has been communicating directly with students about returning to residence and providing individualized support throughout the temporary closure.

In recognition of the disruption experienced by students living in impacted residences, the University is refunding residence fees for the period during which students were unable to access their residence rooms.

Students living in residence at Traill College and in the Annex residences on Water Street were not impacted by the closure and could remain in their residences throughout the disruption.

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Trent University Doctoral Candidate Honoured For Research Excellence In Electrochemistry

Doctoral candidate Tyra Lewis has been given the Electrochemical Society (ECS) Canada Section Student Award for her research exploring the relationship between electrical energy and chemical reactions over her seven years in the Martic Lab at Trent University.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Her research has earned her three major awards in the last year and is the first at Trent to receive this award. She was recognized for her research exploring electrochemistry as a greener approach to synthesizing and recycling organic compounds from environmental pollutants. 

The Materials Science Ph.D. candidate was also honoured with the Analytical Chemistry Division of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) Graduate Student Award and the International Conference for Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy (ICASS) Burgener Research Graduate Student Travel Award. 

"Tyra is an exceptional student and we are lucky to have her here at Trent,” said Dr. Sanela Martic, associate professor in Forensic Science. “She has contributed significantly to scientific discovery well beyond my own lab, as evidenced by the well-deserved national and international recognitions she has received over the last year." 

Lewis joined Professor Martic’s lab in 2019, conducting research while she completed both her bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science and master’s degree in Environmental and Life Sciences at Trent.

Her work includes applying electrochemistry expertise to a new environmental challenge in agriculture: detecting sugars in soil according to Trent.

“Traditional methods for detecting sugars often require larger analytical tools that can be costly and time-intensive to use,” explains Lewis. “My research aims to introduce alternative approaches that could make testing sugars faster and more accessible.”

She is developing two approaches for detecting sugars. One is an electrochemical sensor that can be integrated with a smartphone for quick results. The other is a rapid colour-change test kit.

These solutions could improve on-site soil health assessment, helping farmers make informed decisions to optimize crop growth and productivity according to Lewis.

“The potential for this research to have a global impact motivates me to keep pushing it forward,” she explained. “Each research project has helped me recognize the value of the skills that I’m learning at Trent. While the topics have varied, the projects relied on many of the same core technical and soft skills. These are experiences that I will always be grateful for.”

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St. Paul CES Lakefield Receives $16,000 Grant For Music Program Growth

Students at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Lakefield will have more opportunities to explore, create and learn through music thanks to a $16,000 grant from MusiCounts, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of PVNCCDSB.

The grant application was developed last year by then-Principal Jennifer DeMaeyer and music teacher Elena Johnson.

The funding was used to purchase a variety of musical instruments and materials, provide safe storage for the equipment and support a music program subscription for the current school year and next year. As a result of the application, St. Paul may also be eligible to apply for a secondary grant in the coming years. 

Jean-Paul St-Amour, St. Paul principal, says the new resources will give students opportunities to explore music through hands-on experiences while introducing them to a wide range of instruments, musical traditions, and creative tools. 

“These tools will provide hands-on experiences that deepen students’ understanding of rhythm, melody, and cultural traditions. Instruments like egg shakers, xylophones, and bells will introduce basic concepts and allow for interactive rhythm exploration,” he said. “Recorders serve as an accessible entry point for wind instruments, while bucket drums make practicing drumming patterns enjoyable. Drumsticks will enable students to explore various percussion techniques and ukuleles will promote collaboration through learning chords and strumming.”

He adds that the investment will help St. Paul CES continue building a music program where students can develop musical skills while experiencing the creativity, collaboration and cultural learning that music can bring to the classroom. 

“Incorporating Indigenous drums will diversify our program and enhance our cultural context. Additionally, integrating music software will foster creativity and composition skills. We would also like to invite Indigenous Music leaders to share their knowledge and lead us in Indigenous music workshops,” explained St-Amour. “Together, these resources will create a vibrant, hands-on music program that would inspire creativity and a lifelong love of music among our students.”

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Trent University Closed Until Monday Due to Watermain Break; All In-Person Classes Closed

Trent University has been closed until Monday, with all in-person classes on its Symons Campus cancelled, following a watermain break, reported on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The University says there is no imminent risk to personal safety but the disruption is affecting water availability across campus and requires temporarily closing campus buildings and services while repairs are completed.

Bata Library, Student Centre, Athletics Centre, and the colleges are closed and will remain closed during the closure.

Students, employees and on-campus partners and members of the public are requested not to visit campus until further notice.

All in-person classes and labs at the Campus are cancelled and will resume Monday. Faculty and instructors will communicate directly with students in impacted classes. Some classes may be moved to remote delivery.

Classes at Traill College and Trent’s Durham GTA Campus, and all online courses, are not impacted and will continue as scheduled.

Residences including Champlain, Lady Eaton, Otonabee, and Gzowski Colleges are closed. Trent Housing says it is supporting students living in impacted residences as they make arrangements to return home or, if possible, find alternative accommodations. 

Students living in residence at Traill College and in the Annex residences are not affected by the closure and can remain in their buildings.

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PHOTOS: Local Kids Get a Back-to-School Head Start From United Way's 23rd 'Backpacks For Success' Initiative

The United Way Peterborough & District’s 23rd Backpacks for Success initiative filled roughly 400 backpacks with supplies to help kids get a head start on the back-to-school season at the Calvary Pentecostal Church on Thursday.

Elisha Rubacha, United Way Community Impact Specialist (left) and Jason Seguya, CEO (right) getting supplies together for backpacks. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

Volunteers from Swish and IG Wealth Management were on hand to help United Way staff stuff the backpacks. They are being distributed to students across Peterborough and surrounding areas.

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Trent University Awarded Two Prestigious Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs

Two internationally renowned researchers, Dr. Don Lafreniere and Dr. Ryan Sullivan, are joining Trent University to tackle pressing environmental and societal challenges facing Canada, backed by a $16 million federal investment through the highly competitive Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs program.

Dr. Ryan Sullivan, chair in Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry 9left) and Dr. Don Lafreniere, chair in Community Geography (right) will return home to Canada to establish transformative research programs at Trent. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Lafreniere, chair in Community Geography and Sullivan, chair in Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, are returning to Canada from universities in the U.S. to establish transformative research programs in the Trent School of the Environment and Department of Chemistry focused on community resilience and sustainable chemistry, respectively.

“Securing two Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the University’s research excellence and leadership,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Don and Ryan are exceptional researchers whose work reflects what Trent does so well: bringing disciplines and people together to tackle complex challenges and turn knowledge into meaningful impact. Their leadership will build on Trent’s longstanding strengths in environmental and community-based research, create new opportunities for students and faculty, and deepen the contributions Trent makes in Canada and around the world.”

The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program, formerly known as the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program, is part of a $1.7B federal government investment to attract top international researchers to Canada. The two incoming Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs to Trent are part of the first intake of 64 chairs coming to Canada.

Lafreniere and Sullivan each receive eight million dollars over eight years from the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs program as an investment in Canadian research talent development. According to Trent, the researchers will use the funding to build research teams of highly skilled students, post-doctoral fellows and research staff to support community collaborations that help translate their discoveries into industry, policy and public impact.

Lafreniere is a professor of geography and geographic information science (GIS) whose research uses geospatial technologies and historical data to better understand how built, natural, and social environments shape communities over time. Formerly a professor at Michigan Technological University, he is recognized for leading interdisciplinary, community-based research that addresses local challenges such as urban sustainability and health, watershed management, land use and climate change.

Lafreniere will develop a national program that employs and trains disadvantaged youth in geospatial technologies and research to work with communities to strengthen sustainability, resilience, and civic participation. As a researcher in the Trent School of the Environment, Dr. Lafreniere’s work will advance teaching and experiential learning in a variety of programs in the School, such as Geography and Environmental Science and Studies, as well as graduate programs in the Frost Centre for Canadian and Indigenous Studies.

“Trent understands that meaningful community-based research starts with listening and building relationships, and that takes time, collaboration and commitment,” said Lafreniere. “There is incredible expertise at Trent across geography, sustainability, environmental science, Indigenous Studies and beyond, and a shared desire to improve the places and environments where people live. I’m looking forward to bringing those strengths together to build a program driven by the needs of communities across Canada.”

Sullivan is an environmental chemist and engineer whose interdisciplinary research spans environmental chemistry and engineering to understand and remove pollutants affecting climate, water, ecosystems, and human health. Formerly a professor of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University for 15 years, he has developed innovative technologies to treat persistent contaminants such as PFAS, including patented approaches being advanced through commercialization efforts and with Sudoc, a startup he co-founded.

According to Trent, Sullivan will bring new opportunities for cutting-edge research at Trent through investments in advanced instrumentation, talent development and innovation, and new green tech development, further strengthening the University’s capacity for sophisticated chemical analysis of contaminants that affect the environment and evaluation of new remediation methods to remove them. Dr. Sullivan will contribute expertise in environmental chemical transformations and atmospheric chemistry, and expand opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research across programs including Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Master of Instrumental Chemical Analysis, Master of Science in Materials Science, Environmental and Life Sciences M.Sc. and Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D.

“I’ve been aware of Trent’s leadership in environmental studies since I was an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, and I’ve always been drawn to Trent's interdisciplinary approach and placing the environment at its core,” said Sullivan. “The opportunity to build my research program at a university where collaborative research across disciplines is so deeply embedded in the research and education culture is particularly compelling. Trent’s unique resources for environmental research such as the Water Quality Centre and Canadian Environmental Modeling Centre will amplify the impact of my research.”

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Trent University Honours Campus Builder and Philanthropy Champion With Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Awards

Robert Ballarin and Sherry Booth have received the 2026 Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Awards at the Heart of Trent, the campus’s annual employee appreciation event, in recognition of decades of service to the University.

2026 Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Award recipients, Robert Ballarin (left) and Sherry Booth (right), honoured at Heart of Trent, the University's annual employment appreciation event on Aug. 26. This year, the award was renamed the Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Award in honour of former chancellor Stephen Stohn. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Trent University continually demonstrates a commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience for students, and at the heart of that commitment are the people who work here,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “This year's Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Award recipients, Robert and Sherry, are wonderful examples of how we stand out by standing closer. Over decades at Trent, they have each invested deeply in this University, and their impact will have lasting effects.”

Created in 1978, the Eminent Service Award recognizes individuals at the culmination of Trent careers whose contributions to the University extended well beyond the responsibilities of their role.

Over three decades at Trent, Booth helped transform philanthropy and alumni engagement at the University. Over her three-decade career at Trent, she held seven roles at the University, starting as Annual Fund coordinator and culminating as associate vice president of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. She is also a Trent alumna, completing a degree in the Computing and Information Systems program part-time while working at Trent. Booth championed seven fundraising campaigns for the University that collectively raised more than $130 million, supporting financial aid for thousands of students and leading to the creation of new and renewed campus spaces. A champion of alumni engagement, Booth has helped generations of graduates maintain meaningful connections with Trent and has led by example as a donor for 30 consecutive years.

One alumnus stated the following, “I doubt there is a building, a program, or a trail at Trent that hasn't been shaped by Sherry’s hard work and leadership. Her imprint on Trent has been and will continue to be momentous.”

For over 25 years, Ballarin has helped shape Trent’s campus while stewarding its distinctive built environment. Since joining the University in 2000 as Coordinator, Land, Reality and Project Management, he contributed to numerous transformative projects, including the Endowment Lands Plan, Stanley Adamson Powerhouse, Athletic Centre expansion and the construction of the Trent Child Care, Student Centre, Forensic Crime Scene Facility and River Walk. Throughout his career at Trent, Robert brought a deep respect for the University’s iconic Ron Thom architecture and natural environment to his work, helping create and preserve spaces that enhance campus life while advancing sustainability. 

The celebration also recognized faculty and staff for excellence in service, innovation and community leadership, as well as employees marking significant career milestones.

The full list of award recipients at the Heart of Trent is as follows:

• Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence: Jeff Gardiner, Senior Instructional Technologist, Information Technology  
  Recognizes non-academic staff members who demonstrate excellence and exceptional commitment to Trent.

• Team Innovation Award: Procurement Services Team 
  Recognizes a team, unit, or department at Trent University whose innovative contributions have impacted the strategic objectives of the University.

• Trent Community Leadership Award: Dr. Andrew Monti, Communications; and Ryan Sisson, Team Lead Community Workplace Partnerships, Trent Community Research Centre 
  Awarded to faculty and staff who make exceptional contributions to the local community in Peterborough or Durham regions.

• Emeritus Awards: Dr. Peri Ballantyne, Sociology; Dr. Charmaine Eddy, English Literature; and Dr. Ray Dart, School of Business 
  The honorific title ‘Emeritus’ is bestowed upon eligible retiring members of the Trent University Faculty Association and librarians for their service and contributions to the University.

• Provost’s Award for Support Staff: Melissa Martin, Sr. Manager, Campus Safety Support Services 
  Awarded annually to a support staff member who plays a key role in student engagement and retention and who makes a difference through their performance at Trent.

• Jackie Muldoon Award for Faculty Service: Dr. Paul Szpak, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Archaeology, and Director of Anthropology Graduate Program 
  Awarded in recognition of faculty who have served with distinction in institutional governance roles, provided collegial and effective service to committees, departments, and colleges, led program and department renewal efforts, achieved advancements in administrative responsibilities, and advanced the role of faculty in contributing to the academic and overall success of the University and the profession at large.

2026 Long Service Awards:  

• 40 Years: Michele Sparkes

• 35 Years: Stefan Bilaniuk, Mark Neufeld, David Sheinin, Richard Hurley, Raul Ponce-Hernandez, Deborah White

• 30 Years: Tracy Flaherty, Gyles Iannone

• 25 Years: Dave Russell, Marilyn Burns, Brenda Blackburn, Feyzi Baban, Leslie Kerr, Jennifer Moore, Brian Patrick, David Patton, Kevin Siena, Paul Wilson, Andrew Vreugdenhil, Ingrid Brenner

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