Guidance is an area where students can receive assistance with educational planning, career goals, personal counselling, or referrals to outside agencies. Guidance counsellors are teachers with additional expertise in the area of Guidance and Career Education and are trained to help students make informed decisions about their future.
Guidance News
- Grade 9 or 10 Technology Credit: Beginning with the cohort of students who enter Grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year, all student must earn one grade 9 or 10 technology credit as part of the graduation requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
- Online Learning Credits: Beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year, all students must earn a minimum of two online learning credits as part of the graduation requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma unless they have been opted-out or exempted. Families wishing to opt-out of the mandatory online courses required for graduation must complete and return the “Opt-Out Form" to the Sinclair Guidance Office.
| Guidance Team |
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT HEAD
J. Barsky (Grade 12 Counsellor)
N. Dolabaille (Grade 10 Counsellor)
N. Taylor (Grade 11 Counsellor)
M. Thomas (Grade 9 Counsellor)
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| Guidance Appointments |
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Students can book an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor using the link posted in their Guidance Google classroom. They must be logged in through their DDSB account to access the booking page. The Bookings software will send students an email which they will show their classroom teacher to allow them to exit their class and attend their appointment.
Guidance Counsellors are available for students to help with Career Planning, Wellness and Mental Health Support, plus access to other supports.
Note: Caregivers who would like to join their student for a caregiver/student meeting are encouraged to have their student book the appointment. This allows students to coordinate an appropriate time in their schedule for the meeting.
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| Student Registration |
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To attend Sinclair S.S. you must live within the boundaries of Sinclair as set by the DDSB.
Please first verify that you reside inside our boundaries by using the DDSB School Locator.
1. Possible registration dates are set by administration and you will be provided with possible options. All documentation must be received prior to the appointment being set.
2. Please choose the applicable documentation checklist below depending on the scenario;
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3. Email Sandra.Murray@ddsb.ca (guidance secretary) to schedule an appointment to submit and review documents.
4. Families will be contacted regarding a potential registration appointment once all the documentation listed on the checklist has been submitted and reviewed by an administrator. A Parent/Guardian must be present with the student once the registration appointment is secured.
If any questions or new to Canada, please email Sandra.Murray@ddsb.ca (guidance secretary)
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| Ordering Student Transcripts |
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The Ontario Student Transcript (OST) is an official record of a student’s academic achievement at the secondary school level in the Province of Ontario. Transcripts are required for post-secondary institutions and may be required for many other reasons. The last Ontario High School you attended is responsible for holding students transcripts and all secondary schools keep student transcripts for 55 years.
Requesting an OST?
Email Sandra.Murray@ddsb.ca in the Guidance Department of Sinclair to request a transcript. Once a request is submitted, a link will be provided to pay for the transcript.
If you moved to another Ontario School after Graduating from Sinclair then you will need to contact your most recent school as your OSR and OST will be held by that school.
School Closed for Vacation?
During the second week of July through to the end of the third week of August when secondary schools are closed, an online transcript request form is available to you. Please complete this form and your request will be fulfilled by staff at the Education Centre.
Please note: this service is only available during the week of March break and the months of July and August.
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| Graduation Requirements |
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Students looking to graduate high school in the Durham District School Board by earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) or a Certificate of Accomplishment (COA) can see below the specific requirements for their chosen pathway.
| OSSD - Credits (30 Required) |
Compulsory Credits (18 Required)
- 4 English (1 credit per grade)
- 3 Mathematics (at least one in Grade 11 or 12)
- 2 Science
- 1 Canadian Geography
- 1 Canadian History
- 1 Arts (dance, drama, media, music, visual arts)
- 1 Health and Physical Education
- 1 French as a Second Language
- 0.5 Civics and Citizenship
- 0.5 Career Studies
Plus one credit from each of the following 3 groups:
Group 1:
- English (including the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course) or French as a second language
- A Native language
- A Classical or International Language
- Social Sciences and the Humanities
- Canadian and World Studies
- Guidance and Career Education
- Cooperative Education
- American Sign Language as a Second Language
Group 2:
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts
- Business Studies
- French as a Second Language
- Cooperative Education
- American Sign Language as a Second Language
Group 3:
- Science (Grade 11 or 12)
- Technological Education
- French as a Second Language
- Computer Studies
- Cooperative Education
- American Sign Language as a Second Language
The following conditions apply to compulsory credit selections from the above three groups:
- In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of two credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
- Students who have taken Native languages in place of French as a second language in elementary school may use a Level 1 or 2 Native languages course to meet the compulsory credit requirement for French as a second language.
- A maximum of two credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits, selected from any of the above three groups.
- The Grade 9 Expressions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Cultures course may be used to meet the compulsory credit requirement in the arts
* Students who are English language learners may count up to three credits in ESL or ELD towards the four compulsory credits in English. The fourth credit must be a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
Optional Credits (12 Required)
Selected by students based on interests and future pathway plans.
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| OSSD - Community Involvement Hours (40 Required) |
Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of mandatory Community Involvement prior to graduation. More information can be found under the Community Involvement Hours section of our website.
- An indication of completion will be entered on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript when the 40 hours have been submitted.
- Guidance staff will discuss appropriate types of Community Involvement activities and projects with students and may offer suggestions, but the selection and management of the involvement is to be directed by the student.
- The DDSB publishes a list of “approved” and “non-approved” activities; students must receive pre-approval for volunteer activities from their Guidance Counsellor or Vice-Principal.
- Activities may take place inside or outside the school day. If inside, activities may not be part of a credit program or while students are expected to be in scheduled class.
- The student may not displace a worker who would normally have been paid to perform the same function or receive pay.
- Community Involvement may begin in the summer after Grade 8.
If you're unsure what you want to do for your community hours, check out Volunteer Durham and Youth Opportunities Ontario.
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| OSSD - Literacy Requirement |
| Students must write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in Grade 10, which is created and marked by the Ministry of Education. Students who write the OSSLT and who have been unsuccessful at least once are eligible to take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC). |
| OSSD - Online Learning Graduation Requirement |
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Online Learning Credits
Beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year, all students must earn a minimum of two online learning credits as part of the graduation requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma unless they have been opted-out or exempted.
Families wishing to opt-out of the mandatory online courses required for graduation must complete and return the “Opt-Out Form” to the Guidance office.
Exemption: Remote Learning Credit Earned in 2020-2021
The ministry recognizes the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, up to one secondary school credit completed by Grade 9 students in the 2020-2021 school year during the province-wide school closures (from April 2021 to June 2021) may be counted towards the graduation requirement.
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Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)
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The Ontario Secondary School Certificate will be granted on request to students who leave school before earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma provided they have earned a minimum of 14 credits distributed as follows:
Compulsory credits (total of 7)
2 credits in English
1 credit in Mathematics
1 credit in Science
1 credit in Canadian Geography or Canadian History
1 credit in Health and Physical Education
1 credit in the Arts, Computer Studies or Technological Education
Optional credits (total of 7)
7 credits selected by the student from available courses
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Certificate of Accomplishment (COA)
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| Students who leave school upon reaching the age of 18 without having met the requirements for the OSSD or OSSC may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment. This certificate is a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who plan to continue certain kinds of training or find employment.
A student may return to school and take additional credit and non-credit courses and have their transcript (OST) updated. A new certificate will not be awarded, but an OSSD or OSSC will be granted when the returning student has fulfilled the requirements.
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| Course Selection |
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Course selection dates for Secondary School Students for the 2025-2025 school year: TBD
Students and families are encouraged to review the information shared in the following documents:
Choosing My Success: Student Transition Guide: Planning for Grade 9
Refining My Pathway: Student Transition Guide Planning for Grade 11 and 12
Designing My Future: Student Transition Guide: Planning for Your Initial Post-Graduation Destination
Pathways to Student Success
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| Night School & Summer School |
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Night and Summer school are offered through Durham Continuing Education (DCE). Full information regarding these courses can be found on their website, www.dce.ca
Students sign-up for these courses through their DDSB myBlueprint account using the Continuing Education tab.
Once courses have been submitted/requested, students must visit their Guidance counsellor and receive approval. Counsellor approval is what completes the registration. Students who delay receiving Counsellor Approval may lose there seat due to not completing the registration.
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| Grade 8 to Grade 9 |
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Sinclair's Family of Schools (FOS) Includes:
Fallingbrook PS, Glen Dhu PS, John Dryden PS, Ormiston PS, Robert Munsch PS, Sir Samuel Steele PS, Williamsburg, and Willows Walk PS
Important Dates for 2025-2026 Transitions:
- Sinclair Family of Schools Visits - TBD
- Sinclair Parent/Guardian Information Night - TBD
** Students from out of Board or DDSB students not in Sinclair's FOS who are looking to attend Sinclair should attend this Presentation to gain registration information.
- Course Selection Presentations at FOS - TBD
- Grade 8 to 9 Course Selection Dates: TBD
- Sinclair FOS Spring Visits: TBD
- Grade 9 Day - Tuesday, September 3, 2024
| Course Selection Resources |
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| Parent/Guardian Resources |
Teens Can be Resilient...in High School!
A Parent's Guide: A resource from the Durham Region Health Department to promote mental health in teens.
Extracurricular Activities
Sinclair Secondary School offers a wide variety of teams and clubs. You can view the list on the Activities Page of this website.
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| Summer School Info 2025: TBD |
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Summer School Opportunities for Grade 8 Students Entering Grade 9
Durham Continuing Education (DCE) is pleased to share several opportunities for grade 8 students who are entering Grade 9 in the fall. More information can be found on the www.dce.ca website.
- Full Credit Courses As per Ontario Schools, Grade 8 students are permitted to reach ahead to take secondary school courses in the summer prior to entering Grade 9.
- Face-to-Face credits
- Asynchronous Online Classes are through the D2L learning environment
- Getting Ready for High School (GR4HS) Program This program is open to all students entering grade 9 in a Durham District School Board school in September. GR4HS provides students with a brief introduction to the grade 9 English and mathematics curriculum, as well as study skills, time management, and steps to success. The program also allows students to become familiar with their new school and prepares them for the transition from elementary school to secondary school. It is especially helpful for students who are experiencing some anxiety related to the upcoming transition.
*Registration for Full Credit and GR4HS through myBlueprint or www.dce.ca for students new to DDSB
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| Grade 9 |
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Take Our Kids to Work - November 6, 2024
The DDSB is pleased to have our Grade 9 students participate in the valuable experiential learning program, Take Our Kids to Work. Homeroom teachers will provide Grade 9 students with prep activities during class time prior to November 6. Signed permission forms are due to Homeroom teachers no later than October 31st.
Permission Form: Submit to Grade 9 Hoemroom Teacher (Week 1 Period 1)
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| Grade 10 |
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| Grade 11 |
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| Grade 12 |
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Check out the Post-Secondary Information Session document. This document has important dates & deadlines for applying, and information on different options for after high school.
The University Application Seminar occurred on Oct 12. More information is posted on the Gr. 12 Guidance Google classroom.
The Equal consideration date for most universities is January 15, 2024.
The College Application Seminar was on November 14. Apply on www.ontariocolleges.ca
The Equal Consideration date for colleges is February 1, 2024.
Drop-in Application Support Sessions will run Tuesdays at Lunch in the Guidance Seminar room during November and December.
Check the Gr. 12 Guidance Google Classroom regularly for more detailed information.
2024-2025 Information
Ontario Universities' Events
Virtual Information Sessions
- May 22, 5-7 pm
- September 25, 5-7 pm
- November 21, 5-7 pm
Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF)
- October 5-6, 2024 9:30-5:00 pm daily- Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building
Ontario Universities' Regional Fairs
- Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario: September 16-20
- Ottawa and Eastern Regions: September 23-27
- Southwestern Ontario: October 7-11
- Central Eastern Ontario: October 15-18
Individual event dates and locations are TBD.
Ontario College Fair
- October 16, 6-9 pm
- October 17, 9-2 pm
Enercare Centre Hall B, Exhibition Place, Toronto
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Sinclair Arts Department Promotional Video
Virtual School Tour Presented by the 2021 Sinclair Leadership Class