Catholic high school renamed Our Lady of the Bay

After a strange twist of events, the Catholic high school in Collingwood will be able to change its name to Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School.
The school community at Jean Vanier Catholic High School set out to change the school’s name when it came to light that Vanier was found to have assaulted at least six women over the course of several decades.
The effort was derailed when Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board trustees voted against the name, Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School, which was decided on during two votes. Trustees then turned the power to confirm the name back to staff.
A June 10 news release said, the tragic news about Jean Vanier became public in February and deeply impacted the school community. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board provided counselling and support, discontinued the wearing of school uniforms bearing Vanier’s name and initiated a number of committees to work on a path forward, including one tasked with renaming the school. 
“Our Lady of the Bay has great meaning for the Catholic community in Collingwood – the name honours Mary, the Mother of Jesus and pays tribute to the significance of the “Bay” in the Collingwood community,” said Joe Zerdin, Board Chair. “It honours First Nations peoples and the immense ecological significance of Georgian Bay both historically and today. It also makes a meaningful connection with St. Mary’s Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, also named in honour of Jesus’ mother.” 
“I am so incredibly pleased that this school now has a new name so that they may continue the healing process and build a new identity, while still honouring the tremendous accomplishments of all students, staff, and families who have been involved with this strong, faith-filled Catholic school since it opened” said Brian Beal, Director of Education.