The Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales (CSDCAB) is proud to announce that École Notre-Dame-de-Fatima de Longlac is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.e anniversary. Since 1948, the school has marked generations of French-speaking students with its commitment to educational excellence and Catholic values.
The school's history began in 1948 with the recognition of the Catholic School Board as RCSS Board, No.1 Daley Township, Longlac. In January 1950, the school officially opened in premises rented from the Longlac Canadian Legion, with Mr. J.-P. Rochon as its first teacher. Twelve students attended the first school year.
In 1961, a new four-classroom school was built and officially named Notre-Dame-de-Fatima. It included two French and two English classes. In 1969, the Catholic school boards of Beardmore, Geraldton and Longlac were amalgamated to create the Geraldton District RCSS Board. Two years later, the school underwent a major expansion, welcoming up to eight French-speaking classes.
In 1988, Notre-Dame-de-Fatima became the largest Catholic school east of Thunder Bay, with 425 students. The school offers several programs: a French-language section from kindergarten to grade 8, a French-language section from grade 9 to grade 11, and a French-language section from grade 12 to grade 12.e year, an English-speaking section from kindergarten to grade 8e French immersion up to grade 6e and a special class for aboriginal students.
A historic moment came in 1998 with the creation of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales (CSDCAB), marking the achievement of full management of French-language Catholic schools in Northwestern Ontario. Notre-Dame-de-Fatima became an officially French-language school, part of this new Conseil.
Micheline Blais, teacher and accompanying teacher at Notre-Dame-de-Fatima from 1991 to 2022, remembers: "When the educational advisors organized regional improvisation competitions, we went to Thunder Bay, Marathon and Manitouwadge. It was there that my students were able to see that they weren't the only francophones in our region. It was a real eye-opener.
Gabie Couture, school secretary from 1973 to 2019, also witnessed this historic transition: "As the longest-serving board assistant, I had the right to choose which board I wanted to join. My choice was clear: I wanted to continue with the French-speaking board." Her commitment testifies to her attachment to the French language and the local community.
Today, Notre-Dame-de-Fatima remains with its 93 students and continues to distinguish itself by the quality of its teaching, its community roots and its Catholic values.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, three events are being organized:
Dance evening (19 years and older) for former students, current and future parents, current and former CSDCAB employees, and the community
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: Longlac Canadian Legion
Tickets on sale in-line at 30 $
Mass hosted by school alumni and students, accompanied by an intergenerational choir followed by brunch
Date: Sunday 1er June 2025 from 9:30 a.m.
Location: Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
Family activities for school students and families
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: École Notre-Dame-de-Fatima
For further information, visit school Facebook page or contact her directly at 807 876-1272.
