News

Applications to start the Cyber program in September 2026 will be available from Monday November 24 to Friday December 12, 2025 at noon. Northview’s Special Program Information Night (SPIN) took place on November 12, 2025. The presentation slides from the evening can be found HERE.

Northview’s Open House takes place on November 26th (6-8pm). The focus is the regular program, but Cyber will be there to answer any questions.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) ICE Certifications. Students spent the day at Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre, developing solutions to protect the local wildlife.

September 23 students attended Houdini HIVE Equinox – a VFX conference and workshop. They learnt how to create forms and animations using the software.

Welcome to our new Grade 9 Cyber students! We kicked things off with an afternoon of creative challenges that culminated in a card costume showdown!

An ARTICLE about our Partners with Lakeside Animation Studio and the work our Cyber/SHSM Students recently completed.

202425

MAY

MAY 8: Arts Night

You and your family/friends are invited to Northview’s annual ARTS NIGHT 2025! This evening celebration takes place on Thursday, May 8th, 6pm – 9pm at Northview Heights SS.
Along with amazing art galleries, film and animation screenings, live music/dance/drama performances there will also be tasty food for sale, free henna & face painting stations, and a fashion show! Fun for the whole family! The more the merrier! Free Admission!

Park in the East parking lot, and use Entrance 11.

MAY 13: ANIMATION POOL FESTIVAL II

Last May, Northview played a big part in the TDSB’s first Animated Film Festival. This year we are back with 400 attendees!

The event will showcase student animation and concept artwork work to industry guests; animation studios / production companies. Last year’s inaugural event resulted in high-quality animation co-op placements, mentors and technology donations. We expect similar success this year by strengthening industry relationships and highlighting TDSB talent.

Northview has 100 tickets, all Cyber / SHSM students have been sent an EMA link or PDF permission form. Complete NOW to secure a spot!

MAY 6: ONTARIO SKILLS

Four students have made it through to the provincial-level competition. On May 6 they will compete in the 2D Animation competition for a chance at going to Nationals.

The Skills Ontario Competition features over 2,400 competitors. It is the largest skilled trades and technologies competition in Canada, drawing in over 38,000 visitors over two days. Competitors vie for medals in 70 different contest areas.

MAY 22, 2025: CyberGRAD / SHSM CELEBRATION

We will be celebrating all grade 12 Cyber and Creative Centre SHSM Graduates on May 22nd. Due to the size of the group we are moving to the auditorium for the ceremony and live rock band. All family and friends are welcome.

Reception, Rock and Art: 5:30-6:30pm Ceremony: 6:30-7:30pm

RSVP: [email protected]

APRIL 2025

Northview Students Chosen for the 2025 TAAFI Festival

Nine student animations were chosen to be screened at the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International. The animation festival welcomes a large audience of talented professionals, students, studios and enthusiasts from all over the world. The festival not only screens groundbreaking animated films and series but also offers workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

Photography & Installation Art Workshop

On April 22nd, SHSM students took part in a Photography and Installation Art workshop at Forest Valley. They learned how to use both their cell phone s and DSLR cameras to capture nature and art. In the afternoon students utilized natural elements and processes, incorporating the natural landscape into an artwork.

Metalworks Studio Workshop

Also in April we went to Metalworks Music
Institute and Studio for a SHSM Reach
Ahead. The students learnt about the music
business and had the opportunity to record
tracks in the same studio used by Prince,
Drake, Bowie… and many more!

MARCH 2025

Northview Students Shine at the 2025 TDSB Technological Skills Competition

Northview students made an impressive showing at the 2025 TDSB Technological Skills Competition, taking home Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Teams of two competed in the 2D Character Animation category, where they had just 6 hours to transform a sound bite into a story featuring engaging characters.

Teams will now compete in the Provincial Competition on May 6th.

Film / TV Production Competition

Last weekend students also competed in the Skills Ontario Regional Qualifying Contest at Humber Polytechnic. Students had just five hours to complete a film on the subject of Artificial Intelligence. They competed against sixteen teams from six different school boards. While they will not be going on to Provincials, they did post their highest score to date and moved up to third in the TDSB rankings.

DECEMBER 2024

Experience Seneca Day

Students in grade 10, 11 and 12 spent a day at Seneca Polytechnic. They were given a tour of Seneca @York, a presentation and took part in a workshop. The Narrative and Design workshop was delivered by a Professor from the Faculty of Communication, Art & Design. The day ended with a presentation on Seneca’s various programs and qualifications, including Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Master’s Degrees.

Dual Credits

In December a number of our SHSM and Cyber students completed Dual Credit courses in Film Studies, Drawing, Design and Fashion. Dual credit programs allow eligible students to take college courses that count towards both their High School Diploma and a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. We have fifteen more students starting in Semester Two!

Animation Club

On Wednesday the Animation Club watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Christmas Cabin Fever. We were joined live online by Northview Graduate, Franchesca, who produced over one hundred shots for the film. Franchesca answered questions about working on this, and other, film projects; including an update on her current project, due in cinemas in October 2025.

NOVEMBER 2024

Cyber Creative Centre: One of a Kind Show Field Trip

In preparation for their Curatorial Culminating Activity students in grade 11 and 12 went to the One of a Kind Show. The handmade showcase is the largest in North America with over 600 artisans represented. The students interviewed exhibitors and looked for inspiration for their own upcoming exhibit.

Intro to Ad

Grade 11 and 12 students spent the day cossette Marketing Agency for Intro to Ad. They were given a tour of the redesigned office space and a presentation by the Chief Creative Officer. They spent most of the day working on a campaign pitch with staff from various departments, before presenting their ideas to a panel of judges.

Ontario Camera field Trip

Creative Centre students in grade 10, 11 and 12 attended a workshop at Ontario Camera. They had a tour of the facility that provides equipment to the movie industry and learned how to operate a professional camera. The knowledgeable staff at OC ended with an extended Q & A, topics ranged from technical questions to networking.

Northview’s CSIP Open House

Our Central Student Interest Program Information Session took place on November 5th. Northview’s staff and students were on hand to demonstrate the many courses and opportunities provided by the three CSIP programs; APGA, Cyber Creative Centre and HMST.

Applications for the 2025/26 School year are open until November 22nd, 2024 and can be found on the TDSB CSIP website.

The Cyber slides from the Information Night can be found HERE.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Lakeside Animation Workshop

Senior students in Cyber and SHSM programs enjoyed an inspiring presentation from Matthew Lyon last week. Chief Creative Officer at Lakeside Animation and creator of the Netflix film Arctic Dogs (2019), Matthew spoke about his Career and getting ahead in the Creative Industries. Covering wide ranging topics such as Story Editing, Concept Design and Music Composing. The day ended reviewing some of the students’ own work.

Nelvana Mentors Visit

This year’s Nelvana Mentorship launched with a visit from the studio. Animators and Directors spent time reviewing the students’ film ideas and their progress to date. The school also received a donation of three additional drawing tablets.

OCTOBER 2024

Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival

We are excited to announce that four Northview student films have been selected for the Toronto Youth Shorts’ 15th anniversary film festival. The films were made by students in grade 11 for the SHSM Animation Pool Festival last May.

Founded in 2009, Toronto Youth Shorts is a multi-event festival featuring the best films by the industry’s future storytellers. The programming repertoire highlights many voices of different backgrounds, providing a true reflection of diversity. It takes place on November 1st and 2nd and will feature over 42 short films presented across five unique program lineups.

See the trailer here:

Toronto Youth Shorts: 15th Anniversary Film Festival Trailer (2024)

Details on the films and the Festival schedule can be found on the website: www.torontoyouthshorts.ca/2024fest

The Immersion Room Virtual Production Studio

Last week we enjoyed a Guided Tour of the Immersion Room; a state of the art Virtual Production studio in Downsview Park. Their technology is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in film production. In collaboration with xoTO, the City of Toronto Film Department, we are exploring educational opportunities for TDSB students.

Find out more here: https://immersionroom.com/

24 Hour Animation Contest

Three Northview teams from took part in this years 24 Hour Animation Contest. Students from around the world compete in groups of 5 to complete a 30 second animated film based on a given theme. This year 556 teams from 17 High Schools and over 200 Universities and Colleges took part. The challenge was to create a vision for the future with AI as a friend or foe and show how our world might fail or benefit from its evolution.

We are proud of the students that collaborated on original and meaningful concepts. The animations, and behind the scenes footage, can be showcased after the awards show this weekend.

York University Visit

On Wednesday, students from the Grade 12 Cyber and Visual Art classes got to experience post secondary life at York University. They had a Campus Guided Tour from a Northview Cyber Graduate, Portfolio and Scholarship talk from a Professor, Gallery visits and a Scavenger Hunt. Students learnt about pathways and programs in the arts and other areas of study.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Leadership Certifications

The Creative Center Arts SHSM students kicked off this year’s program with a visit to Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre. Presentations and activities focussed on Leadership Styles and skills. The day ended with the students presenting what they had learned and earning a Certification.

Second Semester 202324

June

Nelvana Celebration and Donation

The Grade 11 Cyber and SHSM students wrapped up their successful year with a celebration on Tuesday. They were joined by eight of the mentors from Nelvana; a world leading international producer and distributor of children’s animation and live-action. The mentors worked with teams of students to produce their animated shorts that were screened at Cineplex last month. This year Nelvana has provided professional guidance and a series of industry presentations.

The students were given gift bags and the school received a donation of five studio drawing tablets. There are exciting times ahead, with plans already being made for the 2024/25 school year!

February

NHSS Industry College Day – Nelvana, Toon Boom, Seneca Animation, Sheridan Animation, XOTO, InspireTech and Wacom.

Dr. Kris Alexander Presentation: Leveling Up Education through Game – Technology & Tools

March
- Nelvana Presentation Getting Your Start
- In March the Creative Centre was grateful to receive support from Wacom who donated a number of tablets. This supported a number of initiatives, including the Ontario Skills Contest and software testing with InspireTech; an company that aims to provide accessible software and learning materials.
April
- Marketing and PR Field Trip: Northview Cyber, SHSM and Marketing students had a great day at the PR company Citizen Relations. They took part in a collaborative learning experience. By the end of the workshop, the students had to present their ideas for a professional brief. The day was orchestrated by long term partner, Cossette, a global Marketing and Communication Agency.
- TAAFI Film Festival: Nelvana provided Cyber students with tickets for this Festival. This allowed students to attend all screenings over the weekend.

May

EDGE: Youth Art Show: art by Northview students in grades 9 and 11 was displayed at the 27th annual EDGE: Youth Art Show at Youngplace Hallway Galleries. There were over 250 artworks by secondary school students.

Guest Artist / tdsbCREATES / Student Art Exhibit: The Grade 10 Cyber classes have been working with interdisciplinary artist Sarvenaz Rayati. Students created Light Sculptures that were installed during the school’s recent Arts Night and tdsbCREATES; a board-wide Arts initiative that connects local artists with classrooms. The work was exhibited at Daniels Spectrum.

Arts Night: work from semesters one and two was displayed during the school’s Arts Night. The evening included multiple Galleries, film/animation screenings, live music, dance and drama performances.

GradX, Architecture and Gallery Tour: The Grade 10 Cyber classes also had a Field Trips to learn about the architecture of downtown and gallery tour at the AGO. The Grade 11s visited the OCAD University GradX show and got to meet with former CyberGRADS completing studies in various fields.
Ontario Skills: students also took part in the Ontario Skills Competition at the Provincial level. Students competed in Graphic Design and 2D Animation.
Ongoing Feedback and Mentorship – Nelvana mentors provided feedback, including notes, drawings and meetings. Students learned from Animators, Animation Supervisors, a Supervising Designer, Director, Head of Production, Art Director, Technical Director and Story Developers.

TDSB Animation Pool Festival: On the 14th we took 120 Cyber and Creative Centre SHSM students to Cineplex Empress Walk for the first TDSB Animation Film Festival. Seven films were produced by the Grade 11 class with help from students in grades 10-12. Grade 9 students produced the graphics, animated idents and music that went in between each film. They were assisted by a grade 12 co-op student working in Graphic Design.

The animations can be viewed online at the links below:

Festival Films Part One

Festival Films Part Two

Grade 9 Biomorphic Character Compilation

The day included a career presentation by Lakeside Animation Studios and a Nelvana panel that included a screening of their new CG animated series, Millie the Magnificent. Northview graduates and current animation students were also in attendance. Recorded messages were provided by Franchesca Silva, Christine D.U. Chung and Salwa Majoka. Franchesca, a recent graduate, has already worked for Disney and Amazon Prime. Christine and Salwa spoke about their animation industry experience and Viewfinder, a wordless Graphic Novel recently published by Penguin.

Cyber / SHSM Graduation: Congratulations to all grade 12 Cyber and Creative Centre SHSM students on completing the necessary courses and certifications to graduate the programs. We celebrated with family, friends and a live rock band. A huge thank you to all the staff and student volunteers that made this event possible.

June, NHSS Nelvana Mentors Day

Cyber and SHSM students were joined by eight of the Nelvana mentors to celebrate their work this year. Teams of students were mentored as they produced animated shorts that were screened at Cineplex last month. This year Nelvana has provided professional guidance and a series of industry presentations. The students were given gift bags and the school received a donation of five studio drawing tablets.

Toon Boom Educational Reel 2024

Northview was also featured in the Toon Boom Educational Reel 2024. The work of Amanda Berlove (Grade 12) was selected to be included with examples from mostly post-secondary institutions. “This showreel highlights an impressive collection of animated shorts created by students and educators using Toon Boom Harmony and Storyboard Pro.”

December 2023: our students learned from staff at the entertainment company Nelvana; a world-leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content. The session included a Q & A with Production/ Studio leaders and grade 11 and 12 students. There was the opportunity to take part in portfolio reviews with Animation Supervisors, a Supervising Designer, Director, Head of Production, Art Director, Technical Director and Story Developers. Also on December 5th all students were invited to a Storyboard software workshop.

December 2024 Alumni Update

Creative Centre Alumni Days provide valuable insight into post-secondary programs and careers. This semester classes have had visits from former students now pursuing Video Game Design, Animation, Advertising, Screenwriting, Film, UI/UX Design and more!

In February 2024, Cyber Grads, Christine D. U. Chung and Salwa Majoka’s first book, Viewfinder, will be published. The Graphic Novel is available for pre-order from all good bookstores.

CyberARTS and SHSM Grad, Franchesca Silva (2021) created over one hundred shots for the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Christmas Cabin Fever. One of her shots, shown above, was chosen for the promotional campaign and was projected in Times Square.

Check it out on Disney+ from December 8th.

Contest Finalist

Grade 12 student Amanda, was a finalist in the Diverse Minds Creative Writing and Illustration Competition. Her beautifully illustrated book for elementary students is about diversity and inclusion. Amanda made it to the finals in Winnipeg and placed 3rd nationally.

The competition is run by B’Nai Brith and this years’ deadline is April 16, 2024.

The Creative Center SHSM students went to Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre in September. They took part in an Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship workshop in Environmental Education.

In November we went to Metalworks Music Institute and Studio for a SHSM Reach Ahead. The students learnt about the music business and had the opportunity to record tracks in the same studio used by Prince and Drake!

November 2023 Northview takes part in Cossette’s semi-annual Intro to Ad event.

This program invites grade 11 and 12 students to our office, to spend a day learning about the advertising industry and introduce them to a career they may not have otherwise thought about.

Find out MORE.

The Grade 9 Visual Art class went to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on December 5th. They explored both the Keith Haring and KAWS family exhibits.

In October, the Grade 12 Media Arts class visited the AGO and OCAD University. In the morning we saw the Family exhibit by artist / designer KAWS and, In the afternoon, had a guided tour of OCAD University.

The same month the Grade 12 Visual Arts class took part in a workshop at the Aga Khan Museum and had the opportunity to visit the National Women’s Show.

At the start of the year the Grade 11 Visual Arts class spent the morning at the Koffler Gallery and the afternoon recording street art in Graffiti Alley. The Grade 11 Media Arts class recently went on a research trip to the Royal Ontario Museum.

October 2023

24 ANIMATION CHALLENGE

CONGRATULATIONS to Northview’s Animation Challenge team, for ranking 4th out of all High Schools. They also scored higher than over 300 Universities/Colleges. Taking part were 431 teams from 104 Universities, Colleges and Schools, in 23 countries. That’s 2155 students!

Students were tasked with creating a love letter to animation and to show its potential. All in 24 hours!

May 2023

INDUSTRIAL BROTHERS PRESENTATION & STUDENT PITCHES

“Matt Fernandes, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Industrial Brothers, shared his inspirational story with the students of Northview. Seeking to motivate this young group with real-life perspective, he shared valuable insights in a storytelling style. Alan Gregg, Head of Content at Industrial Brothers, assisted in explaining the process of producing an original show, starting from the development of an idea through to the finished product on TV.”