From the Principal...


March 3, 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you all for another great week here at the school.  We had our swim team and ski team members represent themselves and the school with great pride this week at their respective OFSSA championships.  And our varsity girls’ volleyball team will be participating in the OFSSA Volleyball championship this coming week in St. Catherines.  Additionally, many of our musicians participated in music competition and our student actors are preparing for the National Theatre School Drama Festival.  There was also a fundraiser organized this week to support the earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria.  

T.A. Blakelock is a hub of activity and I want to thank all of our staff, students and parents/guardians who have helped to make it all possible.  

Please review the following information.

School Council Message:

Parent/Guardian-Teacher Interviews:

Student Recognition Messaging:

Music Night In - Save the Date:

Parent Involvement Conference:

Student Services Update:

OUAC/OCAS

Community Involvement Hours  

Blakelock students can submit their Hours and also obtain copies of the Community Involvement form, Paid Employment reflection form and Family Support form through this Google link: ​https://bit.ly/TABCommunityHours

Additional Info from the HDSB:  Community Involvement Hours During Adaptive Learning and/or School Closures

Course changes for the 2023-24 school year

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

The T.A. Blakelock website tab.hdsb.ca can be a helpful resource to parents/guardians and students for school related information and updates.
Please check it frequently to stay informed.
Please be sure to follow us on social media - Twitter - @TABTigerLife and Instagram - @blakelocktigers and check the T.A. Blakelock High School website regularly for information and updates.

Thank you again everyone for another great week and have a fantastic weekend.

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School


February 24, 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

I hope that you are all doing well and that you have enjoyed this unusually short week! Have a wonderful weekend, whatever your plans. 

Please review the following information.

School Council Message:

Parent Involvement Conference:

Student Services Update:

ELearning Graduation Requirement

Course changes for the 2023-24 school year

Oakville Community Awards Hub

Gap Year Expo

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Thank you again everyone for another great week.

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School


February 17, 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

I hope that you are all doing well and that you have had another great week!  This coming Monday, February 20 is the Family Day holiday and there are no classes.  We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend.

Please review the following information.

School Council Message:

Pink Shirt Day:

Student Services Update:

Students who have applied to College and/or University

Course changes for the 2023-24 school year

Oakville Community Awards Hub

Schulich Builders Scholarship program

HDSB Network & Google Workspace for Education applications, data, and email for students not returning in Semester 2

IMPORTANT:  If your student used their HDSB email when applying for post secondary, resume,  job applications, etc. they will need to update their information and change it to a personal email address before access to their HDSB account is lost.

To retain Google Workspace data please see one of the options below:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Thank you again everyone for another great week.

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School


February 10, 2023

First Week of Semester 2!


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you all for another great week here at the school. We had many different events taking place this week with our students in the community representing themselves and the school with great pride! 

For your awareness, next Friday February 17 is a professional development day for T.A. Blakelock staff.  There will be no classes for students that day.

Please review the following information.

School Council Message:


Semester 1 Report Cards:


Student Services Update:

Night School Registration

Students can register for Night School classes on www,MyBlueprint.ca/Halton, Continuing Education until Feb 16th.  For more details, please visit www.garyallan.ca.


Y’s Move Tutoring Program for literacy and numeracy support 

The program will provide free tutoring support to Halton District School Board students in Grades 9, 10 and 11. The program will consist of eight sessions held in person at the Ron Edwards Family YMCA in Burlington or virtually through MS Teams.  Participating students will have access to one 90-minute tutoring session per week. The sessions will be available to students after school, beginning at 3:30 pm. For more information, please contact Diana Svendsen, Head of Guidance, at svendsend@hdsb.ca


Guidance appointments for Semester 2

Now that Semester 2 timetable changes are complete, Online Guidance Counsellor Appointment booking is available.  Please see below for details:  

Students with last names N - Z:  Ms. Svendsen, https://bit.ly/BookwithSven

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:


​​​​​​​Information and Links:  

Please be sure to follow us on social media - Twitter - @TABTigerLife and Instagram - @blakelocktigers and check the T.A. Blakelock High School website regularly for information and updates.


Thank you again everyone for another great week.

Sincerely,


Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

February 6, 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to everyone in the T.A. Blakelock community for a great first semester. Final evaluations are complete and semester 2 started today. I want to thank everyone for all of their efforts and engagement in semester 1 and we look forward to continued progress and success in semester 2!

School Council Message:

Semester 2 Photo Day:

Semester 1 Report Card:

Student Services Update:

Semester 2 Timetables have been sent!

Course changes for Semester 2:

HDSB Scholarship site:

Inclement Weather:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Thank you all again for a fantastic first semester here at T.A. Blakelock and we look forward to another productive semester as we begin semester 2.

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

January 27, 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to everyone in the T.A. Blakelock community for another great week here at the school.  Final evaluations started on Thursday and they will continue into next week.  Please refer to the Final Evaluation Schedule below for additional details.

Final Evaluation Information:

Dates of Significance:

In joining with our community and school partners, TA Blakelock supports the inclusion and freedom from discrimination for all people by acknowledging the significance of the following dates:

School Council Message:

Semester 2 Photo Day:

Student Services Update:

Semester 2 Timetables

Course changes for Semester 2

Course Selection 2023-24 for current students in Grades 9 to 11

The Town of Oakville:  Employment Opportunities

 HDSB Scholarship site

Student Council - Cocoa and Cram:

Inclement Weather:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Thank you all again for a great week!  Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone next week!

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

January 20, 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to everyone in the T.A. Blakelock community for another great week here at the school.  This was our last full week of instruction for semester 1 as final evaluations start on Thursday, January 26.   Please review the information below about the final evaluation schedule starting next week.


School Council Message:


Final Evaluation Information:

Semester 2 Photo Day:

Student Services Update:

Course Selection 2023-24 for current students in Grades 9 to 11

Not Returning Grade 12 Students

Directions are available here: https://bit.ly/Grade12NotReturning2023.

MyBlueprint Access After Graduation

Night School Registration

HDSB Scholarship site 

 Student Council - Cocoa and Cram:

Inclement Weather:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Thank you all again for a great week and we hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

January 13, 2023

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back for the start of 2023!  I hope that everyone had an enjoyable winter break and that the first week back for the New Year was a positive one.  It was nice to see the school halls full again with staff and students as we enter the final month of semester 1.

Grad Photos:

School Council Message:

Final Evaluation Information:

 Student Services Update:

Course Selection 2023-24 for current students in Grades 9 to 11

Course Selection processes for Current Grade 12 students

Directions are available here: https://bit.ly/Grade12NotReturning2023.

ELearning Graduation Requirement

Student Council - Cocoa and Cram:

 Inclement Weather:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Have a great winter break and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2023!

Sincerely,
Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

December 22, 2022

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

I want to thank the entire T.A. Blakelock community for all of their efforts and support as we finish off the 2022 calendar year. I hope that you all have a safe and restful winter break and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2023! Go Tigers!

Grad Photos:

School Council Message:

Student Services Update:

Course Selection 2023-24 for current students in Grades 9 to 11

Course Selection processes for Current Grade 12 students

Post Secondary Applications

Inclement Weather:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Have a great winter break and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2023!

Sincerely,
Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School


November 25, 2022

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you everyone for another great week here at T.A. Blakelock. I want to thank all of the staff and  students who helped to organize a number of excellent activities this week as part of our anti-bullying  week initiatives. A number of students took part in these opportunities and their active participation  continues to make T.A Blakelock a great place to be.

 We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and please review some of the information below  related to upcoming events and school based updates.

School Council Message:

 
Grad Photos:

 
Student Services Update:

 HDSB Pathways Nights

 A Future that Fits

 A School Within A College

Graduation Requirement: 2 eLearning credits


Indigenous Post-Secondary Fair:


Athletics Update:

 

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:


2022-2023 Yearbook Update:


Information and Links:  

Thank you to all of our members of the T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!

​​​​​​​

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

November 18, 2022

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you everyone for an action packed week here at T.A. Blakelock!  It was another busy week at T.A. Blakelock this week. We want to thank everyone who came out to our Grade 8 to 9 Transition Open House this past Thursday. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet many parents/guardians and students who will become a part of the Tiger Community next school year.

We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and please review some of the information below related to upcoming events and school based updates.

School Council Message - Next Meeting Nov. 21 @ 7:00pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Kristina Kriston & Joanne Chubb
TA Blakelock School Council Co-Chairs

tabschoolcouncil@gmail.com

Student Services Update:

HDSB Pathways Nights

November 22 - GDHS
November 24 - GWSS
November 29 - MMR
December 1 - MDHS

Midterm mark upload to Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and Ontario Colleges

Full Disclosure

Athletics Update:

Schedules to parents should be coming out soon.

Anti-Bullying Week:

Anti-Bullying Week is the week of November 21-25.

Our staff is committed to supporting inclusive and engaging environments and activities are being planned for our school community for that week.

A number of activities have been planned for the week.

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Information and Links:  

Thank you to all of our members of the T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

November 11, 2022

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,

Thank you everyone for an action packed week here at T.A. Blakelock!  I want to thank all of the students who helped to put together our Remembrance Day ceremony.  It was an opportunity to take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many and to come together as a school community.

We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and please review some of the information below related to upcoming events and school based updates.

School Council Message - Save the date!:

Student Services Update:

Full Disclosure

Post-Secondary Applications

The application deadline for equal consideration is February 1, 2023.

​​​​Launch 2022 Follow Up

College Applicants:

University Applicants:

Athletics Update:

Anti-Bullying Week:

T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:

Post-Secondary information sessions:

The following post-secondary institutions will have representatives on-site at the school during the upcoming weeks.  Representatives will be here at lunch from 11:00am-12:00pm:

2022-2023 Yearbook Update:

Upcoming Program Nights:

Information and Links:  

Please be sure to follow us on social media - Twitter - @TABTigerLife and Instagram - @blakelocktigers and check the T.A. Blakelock High School website regularly for information and updates.

​​​​​​​​​
Thank you to all of our members of the T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson
Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

November 4, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


Thank you everyone for an action packed week here at T.A. Blakelock!  I want to thank everyone who came out to learn more about the I-STEM program that is launching at T.A. Blakelock in September 2023!  It was a great turn out and we appreciate all of the staff, students and parents/guardians who participated.  Our students in the Community Pathways Program also participated in a Board wide ballhockey tournament at Elsie MacGill Secondary School.  They did a fantastic job and represented themselve and the school with great pride!  Well done!


We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and please review some of the information below related to upcoming events and school based updates.

School Council Message - Save the date!:


Student Services Update:


Anti-Bullying Week:


T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:


Post-Secondary information sessions:

The following post-secondary institutions will have representatives on-site at the school during the upcoming weeks.  Representatives will be here at lunch from 11:00am-12:00pm:


2022-2023 Yearbook Update:


Upcoming Program Nights:


Information and Links:  


 Thank you to all of our members of the T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

October 28, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


Thank you everyone for a fantastic week here at T.A. Blakelock!  We were lucky to have some wonderful weather which allowed many of our students in the Community Pathways Program to be out in the community and engaging in their learning outside of the classroom.  A big shout out to our Girls’ Varsity basketball team for a great win this past week.  It was a close game against Nelson and our team pulled off a great victory.  Their playoff run starts next Tuesday against Garth Webb - Go Tigers!


We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and please review some of the information below related to upcoming events and school based updates.


Halloween Messaging:


School Council Message - Save the date!:


Student Services Update:


T.A. Blakelock “TABloid”:


Post-Secondary information sessions:

The following post-secondary institutions will have representatives on-site at the school during the upcoming weeks.  Representatives will be here at lunch from 11:00am-12:00pm:


2022-2023 Yearbook Update:

Athletic Updates/Calendar:

 

Upcoming Program Nights:

Library Update - Chromebooks:

Information and Links:  


Thank you to all of our members of the T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!


Sincerely,


Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

October 24, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,


We hope that you are all doing well.  As we prepare for Hallowe’en, we wanted to remind our community of a few points related to costumes.


Costumes that mimic the traditional attire of an ethnic, religious, racial or gender group/identity are inappropriate and unacceptable for Halloween at our school. This includes dressing in clothing of the opposite gender that is demeaning. 


Pretending to be a member of a group for ‘fun’ is evidence of cultural appropriation and sends the message that cultural attire is a ‘costume’ to be donned for entertainment purposes. 


Additionally, do not wear costumes that require you to assume a racialized minority or other marginalized identity. Assuming such an identity for entertainment purposes trivializes and disrespects the oppression of the group. Examples of costumes that mimic ethnic, religious, racial or gender group/identity include: 

● a caricature or representation of an Indigenous person by a person who does not have Indigenous Identity (e.g., Pocahontas) 

● a person who is Transgender 

● a person who is a Khalsa Sikh 

● a person who is a Hasidic Jewish person.


If you student(s) choose to dress up in a costume for Halloween, please ensure that they are contributing to the positive and prosocial climate that our school is cultivating around recognizing Halloween. 


Costumes that are intended to, or have the impact of, inciting fear and anxiety for others are not acceptable costumes and special sensitivity needs to be exercised around current socially trending incidents such as people dressing up as characters from popular media and approaching youth to frighten them at random. In the past, this has included scary clowns. 


Replica weapons and costume masks should not be brought to school. 


Thank you for your support of students and families in the T.A. Blakelock community.


Your T.A. Blakelock Administration Team.

October 21, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


I hope that you are all doing well. Thank you to the Tiger community for another great week.  I want to share a BIG SHOUT OUT to our Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey Team.  They made it to the Halton Championship this week and although they were not victorious, they represented themselves and the school with great pride - well done!  We also had our Senior Drama students perform their one act play in front of a live studio audience and the reviews from the show were fantastic.  It was another week of our T.A. Blakelock students showcasing their many, many talents!


Student Services Update:


Post-Secondary information sessions:

The following post-secondary institutions will have representatives on-site at the school during the upcoming weeks.  Representatives will be here at lunch from 11:00am-12:00pm:


2022-2023 Yearbook Update:


School Council Update and Introductory Messaging - School Council Co-Chairs - Joanne Chubb and Kristina Kriston:


Upcoming Athletic Opportunities:

Winter sports are starting up:

 

Upcoming Program Nights:


Information and Links:  


 Thank you to all of our members of the T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

October 14, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


I hope that you are all doing well. It was a shorter week this week, however the school continued to be a busy place with many great things happening.  One highlight was our very own Mr. Vittorio Iafrate receiving an HDSB Inspire Award on Wednesday evening.  Congratulations to Mr. Iafrate on his nomination and for being recognized for an Inspire Award!


Principal’s Remarks:

T.A. Blakelock High School is a wonderful school and is a part of a great community.  We want T.A. Blakelock to continue to be a safe and accepting place for all, and our students play an important role in making this happen.  


We want our T.A. Blakelock community to know that the adults in the school are here to work collaboratively with our students.  As such we would encourage all of our students to connect with a caring adult in the school when challenges arise or there are matters of safety that need to be addressed.  Communicating a safety concern to a teacher, or another staff member when someone may be in need, is of the highest priority.   This active participation in moving from being a ‘bystander’ to an ‘updstander’, brings awareness to safety needs, and is appreciated as we all do our best to continue to make T.A. Blakelock a fantastic place to learn and teach.  


Thank you to our students, parents/guardians and staff for their continued collaboration and support.


Parent/Guardian - Teacher Night - Thursday Oct. 20:


Student Services Update:


Yearbook Update:


School Cash Online:


School Council:


Upcoming Athletic Opportunities:


The following teams will be starting up soon for the fall/winter seasons:


Upcoming Program Nights:


Information and Links:  


Thank you to everyone in our T.A. Blakelock TIGERS community for the support and efforts this week.  We hope you all have a great weekend!


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

October 7, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


I hope that you are all doing well.  I want to thank our students, staff and parents/guardians for their support this week.  Our students and staff demonstrated that they are a resilient team and have the skills to work together when unique circumstances arise.  I hope you all have a fantastic long weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.


Below are some upcoming events and updates


Next Week:


Yearbook Update:


School Cash Online:


School Council:


Come Cheer on your Tigers!:


Upcoming Program Nights:


Information and Links:  


Have a great long weekend TIGERS


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

October 7, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


I hope that you are all doing well.  I want to thank our students, staff and parents/guardians for their support this week.  Our students and staff demonstrated that they are a resilient team and have the skills to work together when unique circumstances arise.  I hope you all have a fantastic long weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.


Below are some upcoming events and updates


Next Week:


Yearbook Update:


School Cash Online:


School Council:


Come Cheer on your Tigers!:


Upcoming Program Nights:


Information and Links:  

 Have a great long weekend TIGERS


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

September 30, 2022


Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,


I hope that you are all doing well and thank you for another productive week at T.A.Blakelock. We had a busy and exciting week with the Terry Fox Run, our Open House evening and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  I want to thank everyone for their participation in these school wide events.  A BIG THANK YOU to the staff, students and parents/guardians who helped to make it all happen.


Below are some upcoming events and updates


Next Week:


School Cash Online:


School Council:


Upcoming Program Nights:


Information and Links:  

Student Services Update:


T.A. Blakelock Spirit Wear:

 

Thank you all for another fantastic week at T.A.Blakelock! I hope you all have a great weekend, rest up and we look forward to seeing everyone next week. GO TIGERS!


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

September 16, 2022


Dear students, parents and guardians,


It was another great week for the Tigers of T.A. Blakelock.  Students have been actively engaging with their teachers in the classroom and the school definitely feels like a hub of activity.  Similarly, students have been able to participate in a number of extracurricular activities and they are reaching out with new ideas of clubs and teams that they would like to see get off the ground this school year.


We have a number of events and opportunities that are coming up at the school and please take a moment to review the information below.


Save the Date - September 29 Open House:


School Council:.


School Entrance/Parking Lot:


Respecting the school building:


‘Grad Wear’ Information:


Information and Links:  


Course changes and registration:

The following message is from Food4Kids Halton:

Smile Cooking Campaign

Oakville Smile Cookie Campaign - Smile Cookies to Support Oakville Students!

 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to let you know that from September 19-25, all Smile Cookie purchases made at Tim Hortons locations in Oakville will directly support Food4Kids Halton! Food4Kids Halton currently supports more than 900 children in Halton by providing nutritious foods to ensure that children have access to healthy foods over the weekend and during the summer months. Smile Cookie purchases can be made at Tim Hortons locations in Oakville, or can be purchased in bulk through the Food4Kids Halton. For more information about the Smile Cookie campaign, and how to support local children, please visit: Smile Cookie Campaign in support of Food4Kids Halton.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities:


T.A. Blakelock Spirit Wear:

 

We continue to have a great start up to the school year and we look forward to additional opportunities to connect with our community.  Thank you for all of your support in helping our students with their positive start to the year!  


I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and GO TIGERS!


Sincerely,


Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School

September 9, 2022 

Dear students, parents and guardians,


I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome to T.A. Blakelock during this first week of school.  It has been a pleasure meeting so many of you over this past week, and I look forward to many more positive interactions as the year progresses. It has been a very busy week and our staff and students have been working towards building relationships and diving into the learning.  


We had a fantastic first day of school on September 6th, with our Tiger Crew leading the way for our new grade 9 students.  The energy around the school that day was amazing and it was wonderful to see students back in the school connecting with old friends and making new ones throughout the day.


I would like to use this weekly message as an opportunity to share information with you about upcoming events and opportunities connected to the T.A. Blakelock community.  Please review the following information at your convenience and reach out to the school should you have any questions.


Picture Day:


School Council:


Information and Links:


Course changes and registration:


Extra-Curricular Opportunities:

 

T.A. Blakelock Spirit Wear:


It has been a great first week of school at T.A. Blakelock and I’m looking forward to many great weeks ahead!  I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and GO TIGERS!


Sincerely,

Paul Dawson

Principal - T.A. Blakelock High School