School History

• 1980 :  A French Language Unit was created by the Simcoe County Separate School Board.  58 francophone students are regrouped at St. Monica School, on Steele St, and now belong to  « The French Language Instructional Unit ».
  
  
• It’s a start.  We see parents’ determination, wanting a french language school in Barrie.
  
  
• Registration increases rapidly the next five years :    58 students in Septembre 1980, to 73, 110, 140 and then 209 students in  1984.
  
  
• Strength, vigor and courage of francophone parents, children and teachers guide the growth of the French Language Unit and the arrival of portable classrooms.  There is a dream of owning their own building for French instruction. 
  
  
• March 1984, parents of the French Language Unit students  inform the School Board of their worries in regards to the installations offered at St.Monica:  three portable classrooms and three other classrooms in the school.   They claim wanting a distinct school.
  
  
• In Septembre 1985, the French Language Unit officially becomes a school under the principalship of M. Ronald Ayotte.  The school bears the official name École Frère-André.  A school emblem is created in red and white school colors by a parent, M. Miller.  Students are still taught in portables and in school classrooms of St.Monica. 
  
  
• July 1988: a construction contract is signed and the long awaited construction begins.
  
  
• Septembre 1989 :   525 young smiles move into the new French language school École Frère-André at 273 Cundles Rd E, in Barrie.
  
  
•  1995 : the school celebrates its 15 years of existence.  Ten years under the guidance of the school patron Frère-André, the school ambiance is one of learning, sharing and love.
  
  
• 1998 : French language school boards are created.  École Frère-André becomes a school under the responsibility of  Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud.
  
  
• Registration increases, indicating that the francophone community is alive in the Barrie region.
  
  
• Septembre 2003:  grade 7 and 8 students are transfered to the French language high school, École secondaire catholique Nouvelle-Alliance, where they receive their education from grade 7 to grade 12.  École Frère-André becomes a school for learning from Junior Kindergarten to grade 6.
  
  
• May 2005 : École Frère-André celebrates 25 years of existence.  A school mission is adopted by all : Discovering everyone’s potential, their talents, their curiosity and the pride of being francophone and catholic.
  
  
• June 2008, École Frère-André receives the honor title : « School on the Move » by the Secretariat of Literacy and Numeracy of the Ministry of Education of Ontario. Its winning strategies guide the success of the students.  École Frère-André opens its doors to teachers across the province to model these practices.
  
  
• Today,  students and parents of École Frère-André are still proud of their school and honor us in the community.  The school community promotes the work of blessed Brother André, a mission of aid, assistance and comfort.