Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School

History

The school recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. The first Philip Pocock location opened in 1981 by the Dufferin-Peel Separate School Board and was at the site where John Cabot Catholic Secondary School is currently located. Then, due to an ever-increasing student population, Philip Pocock's grade 11-13 students were temporarily located at Vincent Massey Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke, Ontario from 1987 to 1992 until construction of the new, permanent third location was completed at the intersection of Tomken Road and Eglinton Avenue in Mississauga. This third and current location at Tomken and Eglinton opened in 1992. Presently, Massey became the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the Toronto Catholic District School Board)'s Michael Power/St. Joseph High School campus in 1993.

Origins

Philip Francis Pocock was born in St. Thomas, Ontario on July 2, 1906. He studied Theology at St. Peter's Seminary, London and was ordained on June 14, 1930 by Bp. Denis P. O'Connor of Peterborough at St. Peter's Cathedral, London. In 1933, Father Pocock went to Rome for graduate studies and obtained the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. On April 7, 1944, he was appointed Bishop of Saskatoon. On June 16, 1951, Bp. Pocock was named Apostolic Administrator of Winnipeg, and on August 6 of the same year, Coadjutor Archbishop of Winnipeg. Abp. Pocock succeeded to the See as Archbishop on January 14, 1952. Due to Card. McGuigan's poor health, Abp. Pocock was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Toronto on February l8, 1961. He succeeded to the See of Toronto and became Archbishop upon Cardinal McGuigan's resignation, March 30, 1971. On April 29, 1978, Archbishop Pocock resigned the See of Toronto and took up residence at St. Mary's Parish, Brampton. He remained active as a priest, celebrating mass at elementary schools, confirming students, and visiting a senior citizens' home as well as performing his parish duties. He died on September 6, 1984 and was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill.

Athletics

The Philip Pocock Pirates compete locally in the Region of Peel Athletics Association (ROPSSAA) and provincially with OFSAA. Philip Pocock Athletics has a storied past with many ROPSSAA, DPAA, and TDCAA championships. Some of the notable championship teams include boys Football which have achieved 3 championships at both the junior and senior levels, Track and Field which achieved overall ROPSSAA championships in 1999-2002 and girls rugby which won ROPSSAA gold in 2008. On the individual front the Pirates also have many provincial and national champions in track and field which include Valerie Tulloch (Canadian Interscholastic Record holder in the Javelin), Nicholas Caramanico (OFSAA Sr. Boys shot put champion, 2002), Stephen Porciello (OFSAA Sr. Boys Javelin champion, 2002), and Damian Anisko (Jr. Boys Discus champion, 2000 and Canadian Jr. Discus Champion, 2002).

Extended French Program

The Extended French Program in the province of Ontario typically begins in grade five and continues until the end of high school. Students enrolled in the program are taught half of the year's subjects in French. At Philip Pocock, Extended French students take the following subjects in French: French, Geography, Religion and World Religion. Philip Pocock encourages its Extended French students to participate in French language and French public speaking contests, sponsored by Canadian Parents for French.

Notable alumni