Oakwood was founded in 1907. Originally situated above King Edward Public School (Jr. & Sr.), in 1911 architect Charles Hartnoll Bishop[2] completed the permanent location opened at the corner of St. Clair Ave. West and Oakwood Avenue in Collegiate Gothic structure.[3] Oakwood celebrated its 100th anniversary in May 2008 through the co-operation of the school and the Oakwood Collegiate Alumni Association (OCAA).Among its distinguished alumni: Writer and television star Patrick Watson, Spoken Word Poet and writer Boonaa Mohammed, writer Michael Hornyanski, CBC Children's Television executives Fred Rainsberry and John Kennedy, R&B singer Jully Black, jazz musician Jane Bunnett, Bob Ezrin, producer of Pink Floyd's Pink Floyd's The Wall, and Stephen Lewis, former leader of the NDP, broadcaster and diplomat, and renowned magician James Randi.Joe Spence graduated in 1949.went on to work in TV sports at CTV and then read the news on CBC Ottawa from 1973-1995. The school's motto, tempus litteris demus, is translated from the Latin in this context to mean "take the time to learn."
Layoutedit
Oakwood's population studies in a three-storey building and has a gym, weight room and art department located in the basement. The "centre" of the building is the school's auditorium, and can be accessed from the first and second floors. Two wings jut out from the main building, one in a westerly direction (towards Dufferin St.), and one in a southerly direction (towards Davenport Rd.)
The basement houses the departments of Visual Arts and Technological Design, as well as the school's athletic facilities: two gyms, a smaller "games room" used for intramural sports, a pool with a viewing gallery, and a weight room.
Contrary to an increasing number of schools in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the school remained non-semestered until 2019; in other words, a course ran for a full year. Oakwood followed a four-day "block" cycle, although due to its status as a non-semestered school, classes were shorter and occurred more frequently. Each period lasted approximately 75 minutes during a regularly scheduled day. Days that did not fit the regular pattern were modified period starting and ending times. Oakwood became semestered as of September 2020.
Extracurricular activitiesedit
The Acornedit
The Acorn is Oakwood's student newspaper. Articles, as well as stories, poetry, and comics, are submitted by student writers to be published in the paper.
Athleticsedit
Oakwood is home to the Barons and the Lady Barons sports teams. The school has traditionally performed in soccer, rugby, hockey, basketball, field hockey, and archery. The school is home to several intramural leagues (i.e. students against students), including basketball and floor hockey. Athletic teams are managed by the department of Physical Education, the Girls' Athletic Association (GAA) and the Boys' Athletic Association (BAA). The two gyms provide sufficient, yet limited use for games between Oakwood and other high schools. Intramural league games are held in a third gymnasium named the "Games Room"; a weight room is available to students during regular school hours.
The senior Barons boys basketball team won the (OFSAA) Ontario high school basketball championship for the 2013-2014 season. The team won the (TDSSAA) Toronto high school senior boys basketball championship for the 2014-2015 season.
Student governmentedit
Government is provided by the student organization Caput (Latin for "Head"). There are six positions available: The President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Social Convenor are all elected by students in the spring. The five elected students are responsible for electing a sixth student to the position of Executive Member.
Concertsedit
Music students put on several performances a year: two main ones in November and April, jazz concerts throughout the year, and a Chamber Concert for senior students who perform concerti on their instrument. This is also an opportunity for senior students to organize and perform their own musical acts. Concerts traditionally end with a singing of the school song.
Musicalsedit
Every year the Oakwood Drama Society puts on a major production, usually a musical.
Adam Vaughan - Radio and TV journalist; Member of the Canadian House of Commons.[87]
Patrick Watson - Broadcaster, television and radio interviewer and host, author, commentator, television writer, producer, and director.[88]
Al Waxman - Actor and director of over 1000 productions on radio, television, film, and stage; best known for his starring roles in the television series King of Kensington and Cagney & Lacey.[28]
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