GUELPH – A future Catholic elementary school in Drayton is close to being named, but for now, the Wellington Catholic District School Board is keeping people in the dark about what that name might be.
After more than half a year of consultation, board officials have narrowed the name down to four options.
The school is expected to open in 2026, with space for 222 students and 64 day care children from Mapleton and Minto.
The board established a Drayton School Naming Committee in early 2025, which includes trustee Andrew Finoro, executives Tracy McLennan and Betty Farrell, pastor Hayden Starczala, principals and vice principals of local schools and two student senators.
This committee created a list of criteria that the name should reflect:
- Catholic identity and values;
- divinity, Catholic tradition and Gospel values;
- aspirational qualities to inspire students, parents and staff; and
- an exemplary Catholic individual of local or historic significance who made noteworthy contributions to the broader Catholic community.
A naming form was created and sent to 132 high school students who attended elementary school in Mount Forest, Arthur or Elora, as well as students and families currently attending those elementary schools.
Local school parishes and St. Martin Church in Drayton were also sent the naming form.
There were 26 responses submitted before a May 7 deadline, with suggested names and rationales.
These were reviewed by the committee and rated anonymously with a scoring matrix.
The top four names have been shared with the board’s executive team and Douglas Crosby, Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, for feedback.
The final decision on the name will come to the board of trustees for approval.
During a board meeting on Sept. 8, Farrell presented a report about the naming process.
Trustee Vikki Dupuis expressed concern about the possibility of naming the school after a local individual, noting the board had discussed only naming schools after saints.
Farrell said of the school names suggested, all that included names were those of saints.
