At All Saints High School, remembrance extended far beyond a single day in November. It became an ongoing journey that brought history to life in meaningful ways. In Vanessa Kirtz’s history classes, more than 300 students stepped into the lives of Canadian soldiers from the Second World War, uncovering their stories and honouring their sacrifices.
A Canadian Story of Sacrifice and Liberation
Through a deeply personal research project, students explored the lives of 189 soldiers buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands. What began as a classroom assignment became a living tribute that united Deep Learning, spiritual reflection, and global citizenship.
During the Second World War, Canadian soldiers played a vital role in liberating the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. Beginning in 1944, the First Canadian Army advanced through the country, freeing Dutch cities that had endured years of hardship. More than 6,700 Canadians gave their lives in that effort — a sacrifice the Dutch people have never forgotten.
The enduring bond between Canada and the Netherlands remains visible through acts of gratitude such as the gift of tulip bulbs that inspired the Ottawa Tulip Festival, a lasting symbol of friendship and remembrance.
Learning with Purpose
Inspired by this history, Ms. Kirtz guided her students as they researched individual soldiers buried at Groesbeek. Each student was assigned a name — not simply a soldier, but a person with a life, a family, and a legacy. They searched archives, reviewed military files, and reflected on the humanity behind the heroism.
Students wrote personal reflections and short stories about their assigned soldiers, displays that filled the school lobby and were included in All Saints’ annual Remembrance Day ceremony. As Vanessa Kirtz explained, the project was “a way to prevent heroes from being forgotten over time.”
Her own visits to Groesbeek deepened that commitment. Standing among the graves, including those of more than 60 Indigenous soldiers, she saw how profoundly the Dutch continue to honour Canada’s role in their liberation. Streets were lined with flags and filled with music - gratitude and remembrance united across generations.
Deep Learning in Action
The All Saints remembrance project reflected the Ottawa Catholic School Board’s vision of Deep Learning - education that reaches beyond academics and engages the heart. Students learned not only history but also empathy, spirituality, and respect for service and sacrifice.
They strengthened essential global competencies:
- Citizenship, by understanding Canada’s role in world history.
- Character, through acts of empathy and remembrance.
- Critical Thinking, by conducting historical research.
- Communication and Creativity, by sharing stories of courage.
- Collaboration, by contributing to a shared mission of memory.
The project was not just learning; it was transformation.
A Spiritual Journey of Remembrance
The initiative also embodied the OCSB’s Spiritual Theme We Are Called to Open Doors. Through their research, students opened doors to the past, giving voice to stories long silent and creating space for reflection and compassion.
They learned to recognize the dignity of every life and to see God’s presence in the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of others. Quoting cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, Ms. Kirtz reminded her students:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Students as Living Proof
The All Saints remembrance project stood as a testament to the power of faith, empathy, and education. By opening the doors of history, students opened hearts and minds, discovering that the past is not only behind us but very much within us.