Pierre Elliott Trudeau H.S.

(905) 887-2216 pierre.elliott.trudeau.hs@yrdsb.ca
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Graduation

Helpful links:

 

A. Graduation Counseling Sessions

Guidance counsellors are visiting period 3, Grade 12 classes between October 8th and 10th, 2025 to present important information about graduation requirements and application for post-secondary education. Students who don't have a period 3 class or can't attend any of the sessions can come to the make-up session in period 5 on October 14th. More information will be provided.

For more information on graduation requirements and OUAC /OCAS (post-secondary education application process), please visit the Guidance section.

Grad Counselling Video - Coming Soon!

 

B. Graduation Ceremony

Thursday, June 25, 2025, 7 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  *Graduates are asked to arrive at 6:15 p.m. and bring their cap, gown and stole. 

Location:  Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School Gymnasium

Graduates are asked to pick up their two complimentary tickets for guests, and their graduation cap, gown and stole on Thursday, June 4 during Blazers' Bash. 

 

C. Valedictorian / Masters of Ceremony Selection Process

Application forms​ are due by 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1.

  1. Must be a graduating student at PETHS.
  2. Must have a minimum average of 75% in your top six Grade 12 courses taken at PETHS day school.
  3. Must possess strong public speaking skills.
  4. Must have made significant contributions to PETHS and the community during your high school years.
  5. Must have demonstrated the York Region's character attributes (respect, responsibility, honesty, empathy, fairness, initiative, courage, integrity, perseverance, optimism) throughout your high school career.

 

  • Working with a staff adviser, write and deliver a 5-7 minute speech (800-1200 words) at the graduation ceremony.
  • A combination of serious and humourous elements, your speech should inspire your peers as they leave high school and embark on exciting adventures. 

  • Working with a staff adviser, rehearse the graduation ceremony script, which will be given to you.
  • Host the graduation ceremony, introducing the speakers and agenda to the audience.

DateItem

March 25 - April 1 

Grade 12 graduating students are invited to apply for the positions of valedictorian and/or masters of ceremonies.  Deadline for applications:  2:30 p.m. on Wed, April 1.

April 1 - April 7 

Student academic records are verified.  All applicants must have a minimum average of 75% in their top six Grade 12 courses taken at PETHS day school. Applicants are vetted by the administration. 

April 8 - April 10 

Applicants’ academic records and answers to application questions are shared with all PETHS staff. PETHS staff members are invited to rank all candidates applying to be valedictorian.  The names of the top five candidates will appear on the valedictorian ballot for online student voting. PETHS staff are invited to rank all candidates applying to be masters of ceremonies. Deadline for teacher ranking:  2:30 p.m. on Fri, Apr 10

April 13 - April 15

Grade 12 students will receive an email on their GAPPS YRDSB account with a link and a password to vote for their top choice for valedictorian. The graduation committee asks that candidates do not campaign for the valedictorian position, either in or out of school, in person or digitally. After four years, your actions in academics and the school community already show who you are and if you'd be a good valedictorian. Also, this helps reduce stress during the busy midterm period. Your overall high school record speaks for itself. Deadline for student voting for valedictorian:  2:30 p.m. on Wed, April 15

April 16

Based on the outcome of student voting, the valedictorian will be announced. Based on staff ranking of MC candidates (after excluding the valedictorian), two masters of ceremonies will be announced.

After April 16

The valedictorian and masters of ceremonies are asked to work with a staff member to prepare for their roles in the graduation ceremony.

June 25

Graduation ceremony

 

D. Graduation Awards 

**Note: For more information about financing your education, please visit HERE. 

  • Each year, Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School provides its graduating class with numerous award opportunities.
  • The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Staff and the Graduation Committee determine the recipients of the awards

 

Overall Guidelines:

  • Students may apply to be considered for a maximum of two (2) Grad Awards in total

  • Complete one online Application.  You must respond to all the questions and fill out the required categories on this Google Form.

  • The deadline for the application is TBD.

  • Only the student selected to receive the award will be contacted.
     

Award

Value

Criteria

Dr. Jonathan Tai Health Sciences Award

$300.00

  • Graduating student pursuing Life/Health/Medical Sciences in post-secondary school
  • Has a minimum of 90% overall average
  • Has made a significant contribution to our school community through participation in extracurricular events, activities, clubs

Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award

Certificate and Award Pin

  • Must be one of the top potential graduates for the total number of volunteer hours
  • Has made an exemplary and impactful contribution to the community through volunteer activity

 ** Winner of this award must provide a photograph (head and shoulders), signed consent to release personal information, and recipient information form to the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat

OSSTF Graduation Award

$400.00

  • Demonstrates strong commitment to leadership
  • Has made a commitment to lifelong learning or social justice
  • Has made a positive contribution to the school community

Trudeau School Council Award

$100.00

  • Contribution to their/our community
  • Well-rounded personal growth by participating in a variety of activities throughout high school.

** Presented by the Trudeau School Council to one graduating student

 

Student Trustee Award for Character

 

$100.00

  • Graduating student who exemplifies the character values of the YRDSB
  • Is a role model to their peers
  • Academic and ethical thinker

** Please see guidance to obtain a separate application for this award

YRDSB Dual Credit Scholarship Fund

$150

  • Benefited greatly from the dual credit opportunity
  • Overcame barriers that supported their learning
  • Demonstrated improvement and achievement learning skills and work habits
  • Demonstrated high interest and commitment to the dual credit program
  • Helped to reinforce of a future pathway (Apprenticeship, College, Workplace, University) through this dual credit opportunity
  • Overall academic achievement in the dual credit

YRDSB OYAP Scholarship Fund

$150

  • Academic achievement
  • Teacher evaluations of the student’s Cooperative Education placement as an OYAP student
  • An employer’s assessment of the student’s performance during a Cooperative Education program
  • Official registration as an OYAP apprentice with a placement under an Apprenticeship Agreement with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Skills, Training and Development (MLISTD);
  • Additional certification status of the student related to their apprenticeship (e.g. WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, Working at Heights, Smart Serve, PROTON, etc.); and/or
  • Achievement in the Accelerated OYAP program

YRDSB SHSM Scholarship Fund

$150

  • SHSM Student
  • Academic achievement in either the Apprenticeship, College, Workplace, or University pathway
  • Academic achievement in their Co-operative Education program
  • Formative assessment by the employer in their Co-operative Education program
  • Demonstration of proficiency in the essential skills of the SHSM sector

Trudeau Business Department Graduation Award

$1000

  • Must be attending a post-secondary business program in the fall semester
  • Demonstrated strong academic performance in business courses, and a commitment to business related activities either within and outside of school.  

Trudeau Business SHSM Graduation Award

$500

  • Must have completed all the requirements for the Specialist High Skills Major Program with a focus on the business sector 

Trudeau Business DECA

Graduation Award

$500

  • Must have been an active member of the DECA Trudeau team for at least two years of their high school career

Director’s Achievement Award

$150/ award

  • Demonstrated excellent academic achievement and contributions to the school community
  • 3 awards

Ontario Principals Council Award

Plaque

  • Demonstrates leadership within the school

Markham- Unionville Rotary Award

$250

  • Excellent academic standing and Continuing to post-secondary education
  • Completed community service work with an emphasis on non-school related volunteering

South East Collector Environmental Services Award

$1000

  • For students who have shown commitment to care and stewardship of the environment and have volunteered or participated in environmental initiatives, clubs, and activities.
  • Available to Grade 12 students who are pursuing post-secondary studies in the environmental field in college, university or through an apprenticeship. Students must also demonstrate financial need.