At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, learning French opens doors to new opportunities, meaningful connections, and remarkable achievements.
This year, OCSB students demonstrated the strength of the board’s French as a Second Language (FSL) programs through exceptional results on internationally recognized language assessments and an impressive collection of awards, scholarships, and honours earned at the board, regional, provincial, national, and international levels.
These accomplishments reflect not only strong French language proficiency but also the confidence, creativity, and leadership fostered through engaging learning experiences, innovative teaching practices, and the dedication of French educators across the system.
Innovative Learning That Inspires Success
Student success begins in OCSB classrooms, where French teachers work collaboratively to create meaningful learning experiences that encourage communication, creativity, and confidence.
Across the board, educators continually explore innovative approaches that help students use French authentically while developing the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. By encouraging students to communicate naturally in French from the start of class, educators are helping learners build confidence and fluency in real-world situations.
Teachers have also embraced engaging platforms such as SMASH Education and Manie musicale, connecting language learning with contemporary culture, music, and student interests. These tools make French learning relevant and dynamic while helping students develop strong communication skills in engaging and modern ways.
Together, these innovative teaching practices are preparing students for success not only in the classroom but also on provincial, national, and international stages.
DELF Results Reflect Strong Language Proficiency
The Ottawa Catholic School Board continues to encourage Grade 12 Core French and French Immersion students to participate in the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française).
Issued by the French Ministry of National Education, the DELF is an internationally recognized diploma that evaluates four key language competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Across the 2025-2026 school year, 557 OCSB students participated in the DELF examination. Students writing during the November session achieved an overall success rate of 89%, while those participating in the April session achieved a success rate of 95%.
These results reflect the strength of French language instruction across the system and the commitment of educators who create engaging learning environments that support student growth and achievement.
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
While strong DELF results demonstrate language proficiency across the system, OCSB students are also applying their skills in authentic and meaningful ways beyond the classroom.
One of the strengths of the OCSB French program is the wide range of extracurricular opportunities available to students across elementary, intermediate, and secondary panels.
Students can participate in public speaking competitions, writing contests, poetry challenges, video creation projects, and heritage fairs, allowing them to apply their French skills in authentic and creative ways.
This year, OCSB students earned recognition at every level of competition. Together, these achievements demonstrate the strength of a program that empowers students to excel at the board, regional, provincial, national, and international levels.
Building Bridges Through Language Learning
Learning a second language is about more than acquiring vocabulary and grammar. It is about building confidence, developing cultural understanding, and creating connections with others.
Through innovative teaching, enriching extracurricular opportunities, and the dedication of educators who inspire students every day, OCSB’s French as a Second Language programs continue to open doors and build bridges for learners across the system.
The accomplishments of OCSB’s French learners this year are a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and passion for learning. They also reflect the collective efforts of teachers, support staff, school leaders, and families who help students achieve their full potential.
Congratulations to all of the students whose achievements have brought recognition to their schools and to the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Student Award Winners
Board Level
Concours d’art oratoire (OCSB)
2026 OCSB Finalists
- Chiara Frangione (St. Pius X High School)
- Justin Peter Ammar (Holy Trinity Catholic High School)
- Mara Guerrier (St. Pius X High School)
- Raphaela Mbaya (Holy Trinity Catholic High School)
- Nada Mahdi (St. Paul High School)
- Matiya N’tah (All Saints Catholic High School)
- Margaret MacGillvray (St. Paul High School)
Concours d’art oratoire Immersion Panel Competitions
Grade 8 Immersion
- Riad Drissi (St. Mother Teresa High School) – 1st Place, Gold Medal
- Blessing Buyana (St. Mother Teresa High School) – 2nd Place, Silver Medal
Grade 7 Immersion
- Zephyrine Demefack (St. Mother Teresa High School) – 1st Place, Gold Medal
- Caleb Brown (St. Mother Teresa High School) – 2nd Place, Silver Medal
Regional Level
Ottawa Regional Heritage Fair
Prix Héritage Ottawa Winners
- Kendra Singheng (Immaculata High School)
- Ashlane Kepseu (Immaculata High School)
Prix de l’histoire militaire Winners
- Jack Macaulay (Immaculata High School)
- Jeremy Lincoln (Immaculata High School)
Provincial Level
Canadian Parents for French Concours d’art oratoire
1st Place Winner (Niveau 5, Francophone)
- Matiya N’tah (All Saints Catholic High School)
National Level
Concours Immersion Clip (ACPI Video Contest)
1st Place Winner
- Nico Tripi (St. Paul High School) – $12,000 Scholarship
3rd Place Winners
- Adriana Vasileski (St. Paul High School) – $4,000 Scholarship
- William Provost (St. Paul High School) – $4,000 Scholarship
Scholarship Winners
- Shahed Labidi (St. Pius X High School) – $4,000 Scholarship
- Clare Varty (St. Paul High School) – $4,000 Scholarship
Concours national de rédaction
Winner
- Gabriell Elias (St. Paul High School) – $1,000 Prize
Concours vidéo « Les langues façonnent » (CASLT)
Winner
- Ava Abtahi (All Saints Catholic High School)
International Level
World Oceans Week Poetry Contest
1st Place Winner (Grades 9–12)
- Kaylie Totten (Holy Trinity Catholic High School) for Le petit requin
