As a Christian school in the Mennonite tradition, Rockway welcomes students of all faiths and perspectives and encourages respect, inclusiveness and curiosity amid diversity.
Principal's Message
Thank you for considering Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. I believe that we offer one of the best overall middle and secondary school experiences available in our region, with opportunities for personal growth and learning that are unique to our school community. When you visit Rockway, interact with our students, meet our teachers or talk with our alumni, you will learn how deeply connected people feel to this place. Rockway provides exceptional learning opportunities in a setting where faculty and staff are committed to creating inclusive spaces of belonging and purpose. We seek to educate and develop young people who respect one another and who understand their role as contributing global citizens
Josh Hill, Principal
Rockway is, first and foremost, an outstanding school with a robust academic program. Well over ninety percent of our students go on to universities and colleges in their program of choice. We offer small classes designed to reach students of diverse learning styles, taught by a remarkable team of dedicated teachers. Our students are deeply involved in the life of our school. As you will see throughout this website, our small size is a huge asset and it offers us great flexibility in developing and delivering a rich, creative program that addresses the academic, athletic, artistic, social and spiritual needs of our student body, in an affirming learning environment.
Rockway students graduate ready to pursue their dreams, eager to make a difference, and prepared for life’s challenges. If you have any questions about what Rockway has to offer your child, please contact us.
Acknowledging the Land
Rockway has been on a journey to understand and face hard truths about our (Mennonite) involvement in the harm to Indigenous Peoples that continues today. We were founded in 1945 by Ontario Mennonite churches on the site of one of the first Mennonite farms in Waterloo County. Today, over 75 years later, we acknowledge with gratitude and respect, the fact that our school was built on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations/Iroquois), Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Mississaugas) and Chonnonton (Neutral/Attawandaron) Nations.
As a school community, we honour the enduring presence and contributions of all Indigenous Peoples, and affirm our shared responsibility to care for the land and waters for future generations. We pledge to face hard truths about our involvement in the harm to Indigenous Peoples that continues today.
We will work to build understanding by asking questions and learning together as a community.
Engaging in Reconciliation
Reconciliation is an ongoing process that involves relationship building, reorienting of systems and opportunities to learn and take action. In partnership with Clarence M Cachagee from Crowshield Lodge, Rockway designed a Spiritual Emphasis Week around the ideas of better understanding topics like Stewardship vs. Ownership, Two-Eyed Seeing and Allyship.
Rockway has designed school events around reconciliation by connecting with Quilts for Survivors, and hosting the Landed Buggy Exhibit, an artistic land acknowledgement.
We were honoured to host Hereditary Chief, Adrian Jacobs, to share with our community in Chapel and teach through story, in our Grade 7 & 8 program.
We were also fortunate to be able to host the Canadian Geographic Societies Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada which is a massive floor map, free of current borders. We have invited students, families, Church communities and the broader regional community to join us in this learning journey.
Each year, the Rockway community participates in the national programming developed by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The learning that takes place during this national week for Truth and Reconciliation helps us to listen to Indigenous voices that remind us of our colonial history and also share Indigenous wisdom, knowledge and culture from Indigenous nations from across Canada. This week has become an incredibly important week for our community as we continue to engage in the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action for educational institutions.
These small steps of learning, relationship building and understanding, led Rockway to develop and launch a Land-Based Education course in grade 11 where students learn in the classroom and on the land from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. This journey of sitting in the Truth and engaging in reconciliation is ongoing. And, we are grateful for the many relationships that are developing with local Indigenous communities that help to guide this work at Rockway.
A Small School for a Big World
Welcoming Community
As a Mennonite school, Rockway welcomes students and families of all walks of faith and faith perspectives. We welcome and appreciate the richness that this diversity brings to our classrooms and our school community.
Approximately half of our families have a personal connection to the Mennonite church while others in our community come from various faith traditions such as: Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Non-denominational or no church affiliation at all.
Our school population is primarily domestic students, but we have a growing international student population as well. Over the last 15 years, we have welcomed students from Austria, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Check out the Admissions section of our website to learn more about our International Student Program
Inclusive Community
As a Christian school in the Mennonite tradition, Rockway welcomes students and families of all races, ethnicities, cultures and traditions and encourages respect, inclusivity and curiosity amid diversity.
Throughout the school year, our students are encouraged to look beyond themselves and learn about the community around them. Some of our more recent opportunities include:
- Orange Shirt Day – this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
- Black History Month – expanded our learning and grew in our understanding of the experiences of Black Canadians, historical events involving Black Communities that have often been overlooked, and going deeper to learn about anti-Black racism in our community
- Asian Heritage Month – during chapels, we learned more about the cultures and experiences of people of Asian heritage at Rockway, and beyond; celebrated a number of Asian cuisines by partnering with local restaurants and sharing a meal
- Pride – We recognize the historic and continued discrimination faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Non-Binary, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Two-Spirit, Asexual, and Genderqueer individuals. In the spirit of Christ, Rockway seeks to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all. Our first ever Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) was established in the 2017-2018 school year. Students or family members who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ1A+ community are very welcome in our school.
