Premier visits new North Toronto Collegiate.
Premier Dalton Mcguinty, centre, listens in as a North Toronto Collegiate music class runs through a number during his visit to the school on Tuesday.
Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Having settled into their new school digs, students at North Toronto Collegiate Institute got a visit from a special guest Tuesday, Oct. 5.
Premier Dalton McGuinty dropped by the school to check out the new and improved North Toronto Collegiate along with St. Paul's MPP Eric Hoskins.
The pair visited a few classrooms and spoke with students and staff.
McGuinty seemed impressed with the new school, calling it a "remarkable tribute to all the people who had a dream and felt that they could realize that dream."
McGuinty lauded the vision used to build the school, whereby the school board sold off land they could do without and invested the proceeds from that sale into what McGuinty branded a "magnificent new facility."
The premier said the new school, which features a state-of-the-art performing arts theatre, increased student capacity and upgraded computer and science facilities among its many features, was in line with his government's focus on education.
He said that by putting more emphasis on education, aided by top-notch institutions such as North Toronto, would be key in overcoming some of the economic obstacles that have been faced in recent years.
"The good news here is that one of the most important things that we can do to build up a strong economy over the long term is to invest in the skills and education of our people," he said. "(North Toronto has) got a great music program...they've also got a great sports program, great academics here. It's a wonderful high school."
The premier's visit was a unique thrill for many of the students. McGuinty dropped by two music classes to hear students play string instruments and sing O Canada, and offered encouragement to those classes and other students.
Grade 11 student Kate No and Grade 12 student Lucy Chen were somewhat starstruck after meeting and having their picture taken with the school's high-profile guest.
"It's pretty amazing because it's our new school and we're really proud of it," No said. "Just the fact that he came here to take a look at our new school, it's amazing."
Chen said the school's grand opening on Wednesday, Sept. 29 was a unique highlight for students but added that it was, "pretty special having the premier come and visit our new school."
No and Chen said they enjoyed the new auditorium and courtyard, as well as the fact students in North Toronto's vaunted music program could enjoy rooms dedicated specifically to band, strings and vocal.
"It's so much better than the old school," Chen said.
Principal Joel Gorenkoff concurred, noting there were some growing pains as the staff and students got used to their new school but adding those were not unexpected.
"It's like moving into a new house," he said. "You don't know where everything is, we're still unpacking, but when you look at the facilities and how they compare to our old school, it's worth it."
Gorenkoff noted the school has been busier than usual over the first couple of weeks of the school year. Always a hectic time as students and teachers return, North Toronto has also managed to fit in the premier's visit, the grand opening celebrations and planning for upcoming commencement ceremony.
He said the staff was happy to accommodate the premier's visit.
"It's a brand new school, it's an exciting school and people want to come check us out," Gorenkoff said.