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Welcome to École Mathieu de Gravelbourg

École Mathieu de Gravelbourg is the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) school in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. It serves Francophone families from the communities of Gravelbourg, Assiniboia, Lafleche and Meyronne that seek quality Francophone education for their children at the elementary school level. The French first language education offered at École Beau Soleil is delivered by teachers who are inspired by best practices in use across Canada. And it all starts with our free prekindergarden program.

By registering your children at École Mathieu de Gravelbourg, you are ensuring they will have access to the very best education available anywhere. Every new day at school will help them acquire new academic skills. They will develop their Francophone identity through enhanced, tailored programming. You will discover a world of learning opportunities for your children and possibly yourself. École Mathieu de Gravelbourg's qualified teachers and educators all contribute to students' success and the school's in delivering exceptional educational services, with the support the local francophone community.

Francophone education at École Mathieu de Gravelbourg

In the early 20th Century, Regina Archbihop O.-E. Mathieu dreamt of a Catholic educational institution that would cater to the needs of French Canadian Catholics. In 1918, the Collège catholique de Gravelbourg opened, and in 1920 the Oblates agreed to run the school until 1976, when it became a lay institution. Collège Mathieu first allowed girls to register at the school in 1970. By that time, the school welcomed only high school students
On May 14, 1988, Collège Mathieu suffered a major blow when the complex was destroyed by flames in a major blaze. Undaunted, the community successfully lobbied for financial help in rebuilding the cherished institution and the new complex was officially inugurated in 1990. The complex became known as the " Toits Rouges" -- the Red Roofs.
In 2003-2004, École secondaire Collège Mathieu joined the Francophone school board: Division scolaire francophone no. 310. The school completely integrated with Conseil des Écoles Fransaskoises in 2004-2005.
During the 2015-2016 school year École Secondaire Collège Mathieu is renamed École Mathieu de Gravelbourg.

Studies have shown that Francophone schools are the best place for francophone students to get an education -- and they will have the advantage being fully bilingual at the end. Enrollment in French first language education will lead to students self-identifying more readily as bilingual Francophones than if they attend immersion school. Francophone students spend the school day in an environment where day-to-day life occurs predominently in French. This includes school interaction with parents, between teachers and ultimately with the community at large. Students experience French as a language not only for going to school, but for their future workplace and life in general. Their proficiency in French will remain longer. It will be part of who they are.

Incidentally, because of the nature of the environment in which we live, proficiency in English is easily acquired by our students. They learn French first, but they acquire English just as fast. Our Francophone students end up developing as good a command of the English language as native English-speakers.

Francophone education prepares students well for today's life journey

Upon graduation, our students' proficiency in both French and English tends to broaden the scope of choices available to them through advanced education at technical institute and college levels. Their Francophone school years are sure to influence the careers paths they will follow. The family decisions our graduates eventually make as adults are more likely to reflect the Francophone experiences at the heart of the Fransaskois school foundations. Perhaps they will be compelled to give the gift of Francophone education to their own children. This cycle of life is intricately woven through education, culture and community.

École Mathieu de Gravelbourg is an essential ingredient -- with École Beau Soleil (elementary school) -- in helping ensure the Fransaskois contribution to the shaping of Saskatchewan society remains vibrant in the years to come.