Multiple current and former staff have spoken out about the ongoing issues at this school, yet nothing has been resolved. The fact that so many staff have left to work at other schools is telling. The toxic culture was felt from day one and observed by many staff.

It often seemed that certain team members were deliberately trying to undermine others or make them appear incompetent in front of colleagues, despite the fact that everyone was meant to be equals simply trying to do their jobs. The work of an EA is already challenging enough, dealing with high-needs students and frequent violence. But when staff don’t have a supportive team to back them up, it becomes deeply discouraging. On top of that, being micromanaged and constantly monitored by program support made the day-to-day experience feel tense and exhausting. Staff were under a microscope from the moment they walked in.

It takes a toll on mental health. Coming in every day stopped being enjoyable and became mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. These are very real and very concerning issues that lead to burnout and job dissatisfaction. Nobody should be treated this way.

Something needs to change. There needs to be some accountability and honest self-reflection at all levels. Good staff are being driven out due to unchecked negative behaviour, and that should concern anyone who truly cares about creating a safe, supportive, and professional environment for the safety and wellbeing of both students and staff.

I am an educational assistant. I work in a small class with special needs students. I am hit/kicked on a regular basis. I’ve needed to leave work to see a doctor. Thankfully I’ve never been off long term, yet. We are constantly short staffed. We sometimes have to evacuate our class due to a violent student. Our admin are great and do their best to support us. These students need more help, more support. We are failing these students because our hands are tied by the board and the government. Students and staff should not have to be fearful to go to school/work.

Principal is very micro managing. Feels like you're under a microscope constantly. Program Support is also this way. I Didn't enjoy working here as a supply staff.

Chronic lice problems with students. Very little done about it!!!

Never in my years working have I experienced a low staff morale (in the last 2 years )as at St. Anne’s. Staff are mentally and physically exhausted with little to no support from admin. There are far too many students in the school with no clear boundaries or consequences for misbehaviour. Which in turn puts staff in dangerous situations. Staff are beat up(one sent to hospital) because a dangerous situation was not made awareness to staff, slapped, hit, kicked, spit on, verbally abused…etc. Staff really do their best to provide each other with support when needed but there is a lot of segregation in the building, there’s no “team” playing. I truly think this is from admin not listening to the needs of staff. Things are not dealt with properly and in turn, people are hurt. It really feels like an unsafe place to work. Sad to say.

Not happy since the new principal started last year (***) extremely dismissive, doesn’t listen or care to follow through, and the worst part is with regards to special education she doesn’t do much other than give it to *** who now has taken reins and IEPS are not fully abided by; the Educational Assistanrs are all over the place, don’t know what they are doing , all new faces - kids missing the EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS who were exceptional lost a few of them with no knowledge of where they went ….. why? What happened? Horrible.