Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute


Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute is a high school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the Steeles neighbourhood of the former suburb of Scarborough. It was founded in 1979 and named after Norman Bethune, a Canadian doctor and communist who served under the Eighth Route Army. The school is attended by over 1000 students, most of whom speak a primary language other than English, the language of instruction. Bethune is also partners with the neighbouring senior's homes: Mon Sheong and Tendercare, and with Beijing#15 High School in Beijing, People's Republic of China.
WWW bethuneci.com

School Information

Students taking Modern Language classes are offered opportunities, including outings to French and Spanish movies, theatre productions and restaurants. Senior students may travel abroad to France and Spain.
Students can choose from visual art, photography, computer art, dramatic arts vocal music, and repertoire instrumental music and strings. Outside the classroom, students can join the art club, the drama club, or the music council.
The school's T-Wing features a woodshop, an autoshop, and an electronics lab. The school also has several computer labs. Students may participate by choosing technology courses or by joining the many clubs involving the technology department. These clubs include Programming Club, or Electronics Club.
  • Stellar Program
The Stellar Program is an enrichment program for grade 9 and 10 in Math and Science.
This program is no longer offered at the school starting in the 2019-2020 school year.

School Programs

  • English as a Second Language
Bethune's ESL program features field trips that promote Canadian culture and experiential learning. The semestered program has 5 levels in addition to ESL sensitive courses in Geography and History. Bilingual classroom helpers, full-time settlement workers, peer mentor programs, the Chinese Association, and the Newcomer Orientation Week in August help to ease the transition to Canada and to Bethune. In addition to after-school and week-end support classes, OSSLT preparation classes and peer-tutoring support ESL students throughout the year.
  • Individual Education Plan
A variety of special education programs and services are offered to meet the needs of all students, including students with exceptionalities, such as behavioural, communication, intellectual, physical and multiple learning disabilities. Students' exceptionalities are identified through a formal review process undertaken by an Identification, Placement and Review Committee.

Co-curricular activities

More information about Bethune's co-curricular activities can be found on

Student Leadership Groups

  • The Student Administrative Council coordinates extra-curricular activities within the school.
  • The Bethune ESL Mentor program helps newcomers with English and adaptation to Canada and provides mentorship in academic studies.
  • Bethune REPs are the representatives of Bethune and help set up and run events such as parent nights.
  • The Athletic Bears Council organizes all athletic events within the school.
  • Bethune Journal is the school newspaper that delivers current news and opinion columns every few months.
  • The Bethune Music Council is responsible for organizing events related to the music program at Bethune, such as retreats, banquets and various music trips.
  • The Bethune Creative Arts Council organizes and brings awareness to events related to the visual and dramatic arts.
  • The Bethune Environmental Action Team works to spread awareness about pro-environmental ideas and has helped Bethune become a Platinum Certified Eco-school.
  • The Bethune Environmental Action Team will not apply for 2013 Platinum Eco-Schools Certification because of Bill 115 that has now been passed.
  • Healthy Schools is a committee that educates students and staff about healthy living though events promoting nutrition, mindfulness and exercise.
  • Bethune Yearbook is the team responsible for designing and preparing the yearbook.

Clubs

  • Anime Club
  • Art club
  • ASL Club
  • Bethune Journal
  • Bethune Outdoor Club
  • Breakfast Club
  • Bethune Environmental Action Team
  • Cheer Team
  • Chess Club
  • Chinese Association
  • Christian Fellowship
  • Crossword Club
  • Dance Troupe
  • Debate Club
  • DECA
  • Design @ Bethune Team
  • Drama Club
  • Electronic Club
  • Film Club
  • GSA
  • HOSA
  • Library Helpers
  • Math Club
  • Prom Committee
  • Reach
  • Red Wiggler Team
  • Robotics Club
  • Science Club
  • Skateboard Club
  • Spanish Club
  • Young Woman On The Move
  • WE Take Action Bethune

Athletics

A variety of sports are offered through different seasons. Students may choose to participate in a maximum of 2 sports per season.

Fall

Winter

Spring

Competitions

  • Computer and Technology Competitions:
  • DECA Regionals, Provincials, and ICDC
  • Mathematics Competitions:
  • Music Competitions:
  • Science Competitions:
  • Robotics:

Awards

Notable Awards given to the school and the students in it
  • Platinum Certified Eco-school
  • Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement
  • Zildjian Outstanding Percussion Section Award
  • I. Keith Mann Outstanding Band Director Award

Alumni