About Us

We are proud to be a part of the legacy of excellence in service, scholastics, stewardship and sportsmanship which has characterized Nicholson Catholic College (NCC) from the very beginning. As we embark together on a new school year, we will honour all who have walked these halls before us and work together to continue to build our community on the cornerstone of Catholic faith and tradition. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are leaders of today and we commit to support you through each day of your high school career.

Our mandate in this Catholic community is to behave in a manner which reflects our gospel values, and which influences others to do the same. “Quis Ut Deus”, Who is like unto God, is our motto and it reminds us all to strive in humility to use our gifts to the fullest in the service of God’s will. We will support each other, grow as individuals and as a community, and take time to celebrate our achievements throughout the school year.

School Mission Statement

School History

Nicholson Catholic College (NCC) opened its doors for the first time in September 1960, when it replaced St. Michael High School, which had been in existence since 1930. In 1960, NCC consisted of grades 11,12, and 13. Five years later, NCC was expanded to include grades 9 and 10, when the Belleville Separate School Board opened Nicholson Senior School adjacent to Nicholson Catholic College.

Nicholson was named in honour of Monsignor J.F. Nicholson, V.G., P.A., with whose help and guidance a Catholic high school was first opened in Belleville. Monsignor Nicholson was the pastor of St. Michael's parish.

The school owes much to bequests from Monsignor Nicholson and Dean L.B. Garvin, as well as to the continuing support of the clergy and people of Belleville and area. Notable among these is the religious community of the Sisters of Providence and the many sisters who staffed the school from the beginning.

Nicholson Catholic College was originally built as a private secondary school to educate the children of the Catholic community in Belleville and the surrounding area. Nicholson was named in honour of Monsignor J. F. Nicholson, the pastor of St. Michael's Parish, whose help and guidance was instrumental in making the dream become a reality. The school is now a publicly funded secondary school in the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

NCC is a school that is concerned for the development of the whole child, fostering the growth and development of a student who possesses the knowledge and skills required to make an impact in an ever-changing world, and the mental and moral maturity required to discern which impact will improve society.

While the school welcomes all students who wish to register, regardless of their religious affiliation, the majority of students are still drawn from the Catholic community. Students attend a course in religion each year. Families choose to have their children attend Nicholson Catholic College because of its tradition of academic excellence and for the Christian values that permeate the entire curriculum and the ethos of the school.

Our Crest

The coat of arms bears the stars of Providence - a reference to the Sisters of Providence.
The stars are symbolic also of the Star of Bethlehem and Our Lady, who is often referred to as the Star of the sea.
Between the stars is a gate in a city wall, overhung by a bell, which represents the city of Belleville.
The pictured fiery sword belongs to St. Michael; the upsweeping wings indicate the rising of the spirit of God.

The Nicholson Catholic College crest bears the motto "Quis Ut Deus" ("Who is like unto God"), which links the school to St. Michael whose name has the same meaning.