School History
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of Our Lady of the Way to provide, in partnership with the home, church and community, excellence in Catholic Education.
Our Lady of the Way will continue to be the voice of Catholic Education in our community and continue to educate our students to become respectful, responsible, caring and accountable citizens, who strive to reach their God given potential.
Our Lady of the Way believes that a child is God's opinion that the world should go on and all children are created in the image and likeness of God.
School History
Our Lady of the Way School officially opened on September 27, 1987. “Our Lady of the Way” invokes Mother Mary’s guidance as students journey through life. “Ecole Notre Dame Du Chemin” is the French interpretation of the English name. “Bakite Waabigwan” is the Ojibwe name given to the school by Anne Wilson of Rainy River First Nations. The name originates from the legend of “Bakite Waabigwan” which translates to “White Water Lily” and symbolizes the desire of the Creator to become closer with His people. It is said that the Creator dropped a star into the water in the form of a water lily so that His people could be near Him.
Mark Hyatt was the principal of Our Lady of the Way from the school’s opening in 1987 to 1993 and was proceeded by: Harold Huntley (1993-1997), Mark Hyatt (1997-98), Linda Huntley (1998-2000), David Sharp (2000-2003), Ron Fryer (2003-04), Brendan Hyatt (2005-10), Darlene Fejos Rousseau (2010-13), Brendan Hyatt (2013-14), Kim Anderson (2014-17) and Lisa George (2017-2020).
On September 26, 2012, Our Lady of the Way School commemorated 25 years of Catholic Education in the west end of the Rainy River District and continues to serve students in Stratton and its surrounding communities.