| Barrhaven’s Catholic secondary school is named after a renowned historian | | | | May 27, 2010OTTAWA – The first French-language secondary school in Barrhaven has been named after a celebrated Francophone historian. The school that, until now, has been referred to as École secondaire catholique de Barrhaven will now be called École secondaire catholique Pierre-Savard.The members of the school council expressed their preference for the name “École secondaire catholique Pierre-Savard” following of a consultation process with the school community in Barrhaven. The other two names under consideration were Lionel-Desjarlais and Aurèle-Lalonde.Born in Quebec City in 1936, Pierre Savard arrived in Ottawa in 1972, where he held the position of history professor at the University of Ottawa. He went on to spend 26 years of his career in the history department of this post-secondary institution in the national capital. He also headed up the Centre for Research on French-Canadian Culture for 12 years. Mr. Savard died in 1998, at the age of 62.“As a historian with a strong interest in the Francophone community, it’s appropriate for Pierre Savard to lend his name the École secondaire catholique de Barrhaven, the first French-language secondary school to be built in this suburb south of Ottawa,” said Diane Doré, Chair of the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE). “Francophones have made a place for themselves here, even though it isn’t an area where Francophones have traditionally made their home. This school’s opening, in fall 2009, is itself a significant event in the history of Francophones in the Ottawa area.”Bernard Roy, Director of Education of the CECCE, is proud that the school will be named for a professor who taught several generations of Francophone students. “Pierre Savard is a model for young Franco-Ontarians in search of a cultural identity,” he said. “Thanks to researchers like him, we have words to describe our past and a history to recollect together. These are fundamental to strengthening a sense of belonging to the Franco-Ontarian culture and language.”In August 2009, the École secondaire catholique Pierre-Savard opened its doors, starting with students at the intermediate level, Grades 7 and 8. In August 2010, it will welcome its first secondary students.With close to 19,000 students in 38 elementary and 10 secondary schools, as well as its school for adults, the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est is the largest Canadian network of French-language schools outside Quebec.– 30 –For further information:Roxanne Deevey, Director of Communications: 613-746-3525 – E-mail: deever@ecolecatholique.ca | | | |
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