Winter is upon us, and it is truly a season to be grateful. Our schoolyards have been transformed into picturesque blankets of snow, students and staff are busily preparing for their much-anticipated Christmas concerts, and our school communities continue to shine by spreading holiday cheer and giving back in meaningful ways.  

I am truly inspired and deeply moved by the unwavering kindness and leadership our students and staff have displayed within our community.   Their charitable efforts embody the true spirit of our faith by making a lasting impact on those around them throughout the holiday season and beyond.  

Let us join together in celebrating our students and staff with the hope that their message inspires other acts of kindness and encourages everyone to make a positive difference.  

Bishop Alexander Carter Raised $2,500 for Men’s Health Awareness 

For the month of November, students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School united to support men’s health awareness through a successful ‘Movember’ fundraising campaign. Their efforts raised $2,500 for Health Sciences North, helping to spotlight critical men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer. 

The fundraiser not only encouraged monetary donations to support cancer care initiatives but also aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding men’s health. To inspire contributions and show solidarity, several teachers and staff members embraced the spirit of ‘Movember’ by shaving their beards and proudly sporting moustaches throughout the month. 

“The students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter are proud of what they have accomplished and look forward to continuing this initiative in the future. It’s not just about teaching students to excel in the classroom, but also about encouraging them to step up, make a difference, bring awareness to important causes, and change their community for the better.” — Teacher and Campaign Organizer Patrick Lezun.  

St. Charles and Holy Trinity Teamed up to Exceed Canned Food Drive Goals 

The canned food drive, a beloved tradition at St. Charles College for over a decade, reached new heights this year thanks to a meaningful partnership with Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School. Their combined efforts made an even greater impact on local families in need. This year, the group raised $20,933 for the Sudbury Food Bank, along with 129,263 non-perishable food items.  

“Our main lobby is overflowing with bins of non-perishable items, and students have spent days counting cans and donations. They are thrilled with the results! Significant time and careful planning go into organizing this fundraiser, and its remarkable success has inspired other schools to adopt similar initiatives—all in support of a great cause,”  — Teacher and Campaign Organizer Jessica Demore. 

“We are incredibly proud and deeply honoured to carry on this cherished tradition at St. Charles College. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the incredible impact students can make when working together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community members for their generosity. These donations will undoubtedly make a difference as we approach the holiday season.” — Principal Aaron Barry. 

St. James Catholic Elementary’s Snowman Cookies Warm Hearts 

Students at St. James sweetened the holiday season by donating cookies to the Sudbury Food Bank. The cookies, which were creatively designed as melted snowmen charmed everyone who attended the fundraiser. 

Thanks to the hard work and creativity of the students, the cookies raised a total of $110, which will go directly to helping families and individuals who are facing food insecurity. With an impressive buying power of $1 equaling $6, the funds raised will provide much-needed support, potentially offering up to $660 worth of food to the local community. 

The cookies were donated back to the school, where students had the chance to enjoy them while supporting a great cause. 

Bears Care: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School Partnered Up with Holy Cross and St. David to Make an Outstanding Contribution to the Sudbury Food Bank  

The students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School kicked off their Canned Food Drive with their Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser—a cherished tradition where students and staff serve a delicious meal in exchange for monetary donations to support the Sudbury Food Bank. 

The Bears also paid a visit to Holy Cross and St. David Elementary schools for a pep rally, that energized their school partners to join forces in collecting monetary donations and non-perishable food items. 

With the support of several local businesses, students successfully canvassed the community, achieving an impressive outcome of $28,056.70 and 2,100 non-perishables. 

“We are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to making this initiative a success! A heartfelt thank you to Holy Cross and St. David’s for your partnership and collaboration on this important cause. Together our students and staff have worked diligently to help those in need in our greater community, and better understand the importance of giving back and living our Catholic values.”  — Principal Beverley Belanger  

The Mental Health and Addictions Team Gave Back on Giving Tuesday 

In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, the Mental Health and Addictions Team chose to forgo exchanging gifts and instead made a generous donation of $325 to the Pregnancy Care Centre and Sudbury Infant Food Bank. The organization shares a mission closely aligned with the team’s values: to support the health, material, and spiritual needs of expectant families and their children by providing information, education, supplies, and compassionate care with dignity and respect. 

The Food Drive Fundraiser at the CEC is Well Underway 

The Christmas spirit is in full swing at the Catholic Education Centre! Thanks to our wonderful receptionist, Tammy, the lobby has been transformed into a festive wonderland. 

Every year, staff at the CEC raise money and non-perishables for the Sudbury Food Bank. While there is still plenty of time to donate, we are proud to announce that we have already surpassed our goal of $1,200 and are continuing to exceed expectations. 

Celebrating Student Creativity: Christmas Card Contest Winners Announced!

Our Annual Christmas Card Contest was a great success once again! We were delighted to receive so many submissions, each one a beautiful testament to the incredible talent and creativity of our students. While choosing the winners was no easy task, I am thrilled to announce the following students, whose artwork truly captured the spirit of the season and reflected the vision and values of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. 

Congratulations to all who participated, and we look forward to seeing even more amazing entries next year! 

Winners: Braelyn P. at St. Benedict Secondary School, Abby G. at Marymount Academy, Omori J. at St. Albert Learning Centre.

A Christmas Concert to Remember 

On December 12, students and staff at Holy Trinity delivered a spectacular performance during their annual Christmas concert. The stage was beautifully decorated with a sea of poinsettias that set the scene for a wonderful show of singing, dancing, and laughter.  

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff for making this concert possible. A special thank you goes to Mr. Domenic Vicedomini and Mme Angele Savignac, whose tireless efforts in decorating, planning, and organizing the Christmas Concert have contributed to its continued success year after year. Their dedication ensures that this event is always a highlight of the season.” — Principal Colin Lapalme 

Celebrating Faith and Tradition at All Sudbury Catholic Schools 

The Christmas Concert is a cherished faith-filled tradition across all schools within the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. These heartfelt performances become treasured memories for our students, especially as they transition into life as an Ontario Catholic School Graduate. 

These productions require immense dedication from both students and staff, encompassing everything from designing sets and crafting costumes to tirelessly rehearsing musical numbers. The hard work pays off in the end, resulting in magical moments where every participant can be a star and shine brightly while their loved ones watch on.  

Best of all, these beloved traditions keep faith alive and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.  

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our students, staff, families, and community partners for their support and dedication in making the season of Christmas special year after year. Their contributions and spirit of togetherness continue to enrich our schools and community in meaningful ways. 

As we reflect on the warmth and joy of this season, I wish you all a Merry Christmas filled with peace, love, and happiness. May the New Year bring even more moments of celebration and growth. 

Sincerely,

Joanne Bénard

Director of Education