A great community requires great amenities in order to thrive and provide for its residents. That is why we love to hear stories like that of St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School in our Summerlea community. Built in 2010 St. Matthew School in Binbrook, just on the outskirts of Hamilton, is one of the first elementary schools in the province to employ a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation. The building’s design portrays the excellence and innovation that has come to be expected of its staff and students.

Innovations in Green Building

In order to achieve LEED certification, a building must obtain a certain level of ‘points’ in various categories. These points can be achieved by building with green materials, having green features or providing technology and landscaping that encourages green behavior after construction is complete.

For St. Matthew School, the LEED certification was achieved by initiatives such as providing bicycle racks and pathways to encourage walkers and riders as well as shading heat-generating paved areas with tree canopies. As we move into the building, there are expertly placed windows encouraging natural light and ventilation, with sunscreens to reduce heat in the summer. High windows along the central gymnasium provide light to both the facility and the corridors throughout.

Other LEED features include light censors that turn off when there is no movement and automatically adjust to the amount of natural light available. Solar panels heat water and generate electricity and low consumption plumbing features will reduce the amount of water waste. Other building features offer educational value, such as an outdoor classroom beside the secondary storey green roof and monitoring systems both in classrooms and in the corridors, where students can monitor or observe their energy consumption.

Excellence in Teaching

In addition to the healthy learning environment provided, St. Matthew has established a reputation for teaching excellence. Every year, The Learning Partnership picks 40 individuals in the country to commemorate their commitment to innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and creativity in finding solutions and opportunities. In 2015, St. Matthew’s principal, Ms. Flora Nordoff was named one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals. In addition to joining the ranks of this prestigious distinction, Ms. Nordoff also benefited from a five day leadership training program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Having built a successful school culture of inclusion at her previous school, Ms. Nordoff was tasked with recreating a similar culture at St. Matthew. Nominated by her peers and staff, it could not be clearer that Ms. Nordoff has had a profound impact on achieving just that. Candidates are chosen using a number of criteria, including innovative leadership, partnership with staff, parents and community and examples of successful change. The praise and support for her nomination from her staff, peers and the larger community made it immediately evident that Ms. Nordoff exemplified this criterion.

Superintendent of Education, Gus Hubbard, nominated Ms. Nordoff for the award, stating her effective use of student data to inform teaching and learning resulted in a 30 percent increase in Grade 6 EQAO reading assessment scores. Mr. Adrian DeTullio, Principal of St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School said in a letter supporting the nomination, “Good principals not only have a positive influence on their own schools, but impact other principals as well as other school communities”. Hamilton Police Service School Resource Officer Perry Mason spoke to Ms. Nordoff’s obvious devotion to her students, her commitment to collaboration with Hamilton Police and the City of Hamilton in Restorative Justice practices.

We’d like to congratulate Ms. Nordoff and St. Matthew School in Binbrook for its wonderful achievements over the years and for the work they will continue to perform in bettering for their students and community.

Light, bright and comfortable, Empire’s model home at our Summerlea Woods community in Binbrook, Ontario encapsulates cool coastal style with a soothing neutral palette and soft textures. Read on to shop the look and bring this style into your own space.

Glass upper cabinets are a clever design choice that keeps the feel of the kitchen light and airy; small pops of colour and warm woods balance the kitchen’s cool tones.

Get the Look: 1. Conversion Dish Towel, Crate & Barrel. 2. Nonstick 10-Piece Set in Blue by Greenpan, West Elm. 3. Esse Wooden Counter Height Stool in Light Oak, Article. 4. Pog Salad Servers, Amazon. 5. Briar Metal Basket, EQ3.

Summerlea Woods’ dining room brings the outdoors in with woven accents and a sturdy stoneware dining set.

Get the Look: 1. Kiley Upholstered Dining Chair in Sand by Mistana, Wayfair. 2. Headlands Bell Pendant in Natural, Serena & Lily. 3. Garrido Stoneware Dinner Plate, EQ3. 4. Garrido Stoneware Bowl – Large, EQ3. 5. Landscape Live Edge White Washed Dining Table, CB2.

Coziness abounds in the laid-back living room thanks to a plush linen sofa and plenty of soft textiles.

Get the Look: 1. Jackson Tripod Floor Lamp in Natural, Crate & Barrel. 2. Izzie Throw, EQ3. 3. Mara Coffee Table in Walnut, Article. 4. Granada Pillow Cover, Serena & Lily. 5. Replay Sofa, EQ3.

It won’t be hard to drift away in this warm and inviting master bedroom, which features a pleasing mixture of texture, pattern and colour.

Get the Look: 1. Milo Alpaca Throw in Terracotta, Serena & Lily. 2. Highland Dunes Amman Wicker Storage Trunk by Highland Dunes, Wayfair. 3. Flädis Seagrass Basket, Ikea. 4. Balboa Bed in Natural, Serena & Lily. 5. Caden Rug, EQ3.

Schools play a major role in the growth of your family, and are often one of the most important considerations when buying a new home. To help Summerlea Woods homeowners in the Binbrook area navigate their way through their new school options, we’ve put together this guide on all things education. If you’re planning on visiting each school, which we highly recommend, use our handy map to plan your research.

School Districts

Our Summerlea Woods community in Binbrook falls under the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Here’s everything you need to know about the school options, including size, extra-curricular activities and sports.

Elementary Schools

Bellmoore Elementary School

• Address: 35 Pumpkin Pass, Binbrook, L0R 1C0
• Phone: 905-692-5435
• Grade Range: JK – Gr8
• Regular School Day: 8:30 AM – 2:50 PM
• Distance from Summerlea Woods: 4-minute drive
• Full-Day Kindergarten: Yes
• School Size: 680 Students
• Athletics: Cross Country, Swimming, Track and Field, Volleyball, Basketball, 3-Pitch (Grades 6-8 Only)
• Child Care: Morning and Evening Extended Care is Available, Finacial Aid for these programs is also available by application process.

Secondary Schools

Saltfleet District High School

• Address: 108 Highland Road West, Stoney Creek, L8J 2T2
• Phone: 905-573-3000
• Grade Range: Gr9 – Gr12
• Regular School Day: 8:05 AM – 2:35 PM
• Distance from Summerlea Woods: 12-minute drive
• School Size: Approximately 1200 Students
• Extra Curriculars: DECA, Student Parliament Opportunities, School Play, Student-Run Newspaper, Bands, Multicultural Club
• Athletics: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Tennis, Volleyball, Hockey, Water Polo, Badminton, Soccer, Track and Field
• Class Size: 20-30 Students per class

French Immersion:

Ecole Elementaire Michaelle Jean

• Address: 2121 Provincial Route 56, Binbrook, L0R 1C0,
• Phone: 905-692-5436
• Grade Range: Gr1 – Gr8
• Regular School Day: 8:50 AM – 3:10 PM
• Distance from Summerlea Woods: 4-minute drive
• School Size: 125 Students
• Child Care: Available

Catholic Schools:

St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School, Pertaining to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

• Address: 200 Windwood Dr, Binbrook, ON L0R 1C0
• Phone: (905) 523-2316
• Grade Range: JK – Gr8
• Regular School Day: 8:55 AM – 3:30 PM
• Distance from Summerlea Woods: 4-minute drive
• Extra Curriculars: Student Council Opportunities,
• Athletics: Flag Football, Volleyball, Basketball

Out of Boundary Education

Normally a student attends the school located within the boundary where they reside. It is important that boundaries are adhered to whenever possible and that there is consistency across the system, however principals have the ability to take into account special considerations that would allow students to cross boundaries. To request out of boundary education, you can use the forms found here. Please note that approval is at the discretion of the Principal.

In our experience, nothing compares to an actual visit. Sometimes reports and stats don’t take into account the amazing teachers and staff or overall atmosphere of a school. At the end of the day different kids connect with different environments and what works for one family might be different for the next. We highly recommend visiting each school to determine what’s best for your kids.