LONGLAC – Two longstanding educations institutions, deeply rooted in their respective francophone communities, are marking 75 and 40 years of educational service, respectively, with special events that honour their histories and impact.
École Notre-Dame-de-Fatima: 75 Years of Francophone Education in Longlac
Founded in 1948 in a rented space with just 12 students and one teacher, by 1988 École Notre-Dame-de-Fatima had become the largest Northwestern Ontario Catholic school east of Thunder Bay. Since joining CSDCAB in 1998, it has operated fully in French, currently serving 93 students.
“I find that the numbers are pretty stable, we are a small community,” said principal Vicky Rancourt. “And with mills closing, I find that we are lucky over the past few years to keep around 90 students.”
Extra-curriculars are central to school life.
“Sports is really important at our school,” Rancourt said. “We do all the sports, and that is something the students like to participate in. We also do a lot of improv, just for fun. We invite the parents to come and cheer on the students.”
A unique project this year involves a student sewing club making a quilt of the school logo, Voyageur de NDF, to display on the wall. The parent council also plays an active role. “At Mother’s Day we did a painting, for Father’s Day we are doing a soccer night,” Rancourt shared. “We are developing a project for a school mascot. We think that as a French school, we need to show ourselves and our values.”
To mark its 75th anniversary, the school hosted a community dance at the Long Lac Community Legion. “The event is for the teachers that teach here, the parents and grandparents, it’s open to everybody above the age of 18, in the community,” said Rancourt. “We are going to have a few games, a DJ, a poutine bar, we thought that poutine represents ‘les Français’ a little bit.”
École catholique Franco-Terrace: 40 Years of Community-Driven Education in Terrace Bay
The school began in 1984 when francophone parents came together to secure French-language education for their children. Initially a French section within an anglophone school, it became École catholique Franco-Terrace in 1993 and gained full independence with CSDCAB’s creation in 1998.
“We are a community, a family,” said principal Caroline Scott, who has spent most of her 30-year teaching career at the school. “I spent a few years at Franco-Supérieur in Thunder Bay, but I came back. I’ve been here for the majority of the school’s life.”
Scott highlights the deep roots many families maintain with the school. “We still have one of the original families who helped start the school involved in our community,” she said. “And our other parents? I’d say they’re 100% involved.”
She also reflected on the generational impact of the school.
“I’m proud to say that my kids grew up at this school and went on to complete their education in French. My daughter now works at the school board in Thunder Bay.”
Field trips remain a key part of the learning experience.
“Most of our students haven’t travelled past Marathon,” Scott explained. “So getting the chance to go to Thunder Bay and visit places like Fort William is huge for them.”
The school’s 40th anniversary will be celebrated on June 17, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Terrace Bay Arena. The community-wide event will include a barbecue, inflatable games, ice cream tasting, souvenirs, and chances for past and present community members to reconnect.
