St. Patrick Catholic School in Harrowsmith lives by and treats all who enter our school by the quote boldly etched in our foyer "What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God". Each and every student is treated as a true gift and are led to live their lives like Jesus did. It is our mission to help our students make connections to our local and global communities through charitable work and social justice projects.

One such project has been our milk bag project which is both a social justice and environmental project. Last year we collected over 10,000 bags and sent them on to Dufferin –Peel Catholic School Board where they were woven into mats for Ebola victims. The mats last for up to 20 years and repel insects and scorpions. This year we decided to make our own mats. We have 10 weaving frames, one for each classroom. Students helped build the frames and the screws were donated by Trousdale's Home Hardware in Sydenham. Grade 7/8 students have taken a lead role in starting the weaving process for classes and demonstrated the proper procedure to make mats. They are also responsible for completing the finished edge by braiding the ends.

The newest of our traditions is the graduating classes' gift to the school. Under the guidance of our wonderful secretary Mrs. Clement, the grade 8 students have given wonderful gifts back to the school. Last year a beautiful stain glass Celtic Cross was made and it hangs in the skylight of our school foyer. This year several students assembled the 'Buddy Bench' seen in the attached picture and it awaits a spot in the shade in our school yard!