Our School

Goulbourn MS

We would like to acknowledge that our schools are on unceded Algonquin Territory, and thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us on their land.

Our School 

Goulbourn Middle School (GMS) is located in the community of Stittsville. We are a community of co-learners where all stakeholders are committed to creating an inclusive, safe and caring learning environment. This supports our goal of assisting students to develop to their full potential, become critical thinkers and responsible and contributing members of a global society. Currently in our 46th year, we are proud to offer a Regular English Program, Early French Immersion, Middle French Immersion, a Specialized Gifted Program and a General Learning Program.

Our Students

GMS has an enrolment of 369 students in grades 6, 7 and 8. They exude incredible school spirit and pride and are actively involved in the local community. They continue to develop the OCDSB Community of Character traits which contribute to a safe, caring, inclusive and positive learning environment.

Our students are instrumental in organizing and contributing to local and international fundraising campaigns. These campaigns have been highly successful and have heightened awareness of global issues amongst our student population. Our students realize that they are part of a larger global community and that their efforts do make a difference.

Upon completion of grade 8, most students attend South Carleton High School.

Our Staff

GMS proudly boasts a hard-working school team who loves children, works well together, and with the community to ensure the success of our students. Our team consists of 23 teachers, 4.5 educational assistants, 1.5 office staff, a part-time library technician, 3 custodians and a principal and a half-time vice-principal administrative team.

Our Community

Parents and Community

GMS serves the communities of Ashton, Munster Hamlet, Stittsville, and Richmond. Our Specialized Programs (GLP and Gifted) encompass a larger geographical area within Ottawa. All of our students are transported by bus or van to and from GMS.

Parents and community members are always welcome to volunteer at GMS. Our School Council works closely with teachers and administration in the pursuit of excellence for our students. Our current dedicated volunteers fundraise to provide resources and programs to support and enhance the curriculum, are actively involved in the Health Bar lunch programs, and assist with field trips.

Mission Statement

GMS supports the OCDSB’s Mission Statement Educating for Success-Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship. We also proudly adhere to the OCDSB’s Community of Character as the foundation of our learning environment and student success.

Here are some parent comments:

“All three of my kids have gone, or are currently going through GMS. Over the years, I have always felt any concerns were listened to and dealt with very professionally. The level of care and commitment from the teachers is impressive, and I've always felt how much they want the kids to succeed. This is especially true for kids with an IEP.”

“I can't be more pleased with the environment that staff has created for students at GMS. My daughter has been loving GMS since her first day there three months ago and is actually happy to go to school!”

Facilities and Resources

  • A large 5-acre site with softball diamonds, soccer pitches, a football field, and a running track.
  • Two computer labs, projectors in each classroom and sixty iPads—Wi-Fi is available
  • A large double gym and change rooms
  • A modern well-equipped Science & Technology room
  • Dedicated rooms for Instrumental Music and Integrated Arts
  • Three portable classrooms
  • A well-equipped Library with an extensive French and English collection

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

Our school is organized on a Balanced Day and operates on a five-day cycle: 100 minutes of learning, Nutrition Break and recess, 100 minutes of learning, lunch and recess, 100 minutes of learning.

  • Grades 6-8 Regular English Program including 200 minutes of Core French per cycle.
  • Grades 6-8 Early French Immersion with 300 minutes of English per cycle
  • Grade 6 Middle Immersion with 200 minutes of English per cycle.
  • Grade 7 and 8 Middle French Immersion with 300 minutes of English per cycle.
  • Two Specialized Programs (General Learning Program and Congregated Gifted)

Classroom Organization

GMS is a grade 6, 7, 8 triple track school organized on the basis of grade and program as follows:

Grade 6: 1 English class; 1 Middle Immersion

Grade 7: 4 English classes; 2 EFI classes; 1 MFI class; 1 Congregated 1 MFI class; 1 Congregated Gifted class

Grade 8: 3 English classes; 2 EFI classes; 1 MFI class

Special Education and ESL Programs

  • General Learning Program - 16 students
  • Grade 7 Congregated Gifted - 13 students
  • We have a full-time Learning Support Teacher as well as one full-time and one half-time Learning Resource Teachers who collaborate with the teaching staff to support our exceptional students through the integrated model. We also have four full-time and one half-time Educational Assistants who provide support for students in the classroom.
  • As an extension of the GMS team, we have access to the following special services: a Social Worker, a Psychologist, a Speech and Language Pathologist, Learning Support Consultants and other Itinerant Support Staff.

Clubs and Activities

  • Yearbook Committee
  • Future ACES Leadership Team, Social Action Committee, Student Council
  • Bands (Jazz and Concert) and G Notes Choir
  • Club de français, Chess Club, Eco Schools Environmental Club
  • Annual Musical
  • Eager Readers, Write On, and Math Counts
  • Athletics for intramural and competitive participants in such sports as soccer, floor hockey, touch football, cross country running, volleyball, basketball, and track and field
  • Special Events include Winter Activity Days, the annual grade 8 Trip, Hoops for Heart, Richard Kee run and others.

Safe Schools Initiatives

Our students are supervised from the time they get off the bus at 7:40 am until they leave at 2:25 pm. Teachers wear fluorescent, orange vests when they are outside on yard duty. They also carry MIKE phones which link them to other teachers in the yard, and to our central office.

Parents and visitors to the school sign-in at the office upon arrival, and carry an identification badge before proceeding to classrooms.

GMS’ Code of Conduct, developed by students, staff and parents, is printed in the student handbook. This Code is visible in the school, is posted on the school website and is regularly referred to with students.

GMS has a Safe Schools Team that oversees all initiatives and areas related to student safety. We support a philosophy of Restorative Practices in alignment with the OCDSB’s Community of Character and work alongside our School Resource Officer to ensure safety and student success. Our SRO leads a weekly North Star Girls Program and hosts presentations with our students to review student safety and important life skills. We regularly practice Lockdowns, Secure School, Shelter in Place and Fire Drills to ensure that students and staff are prepared in the event of an emergency.

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