The Sudbury Secondary Unit of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board have ratified a new two year collective agreement effective September 2002 to August 2004. The new agreement includes adjustments to benefits and wage increases of 1.2 percent effective September 2002, an additional 1 percent in February 2003 and September 2003 and 1.5 percent in February of 2004. The agreement ensures that the stable and co-operative work environment will continue at the Boards four Catholic secondary schools and the St. Albert Adult Learning Centre.

Given the current political and financial milieu that exists between school boards in Ontario and the government, it is a major coup that both parties were able to come to an agreement despite the shortcomings of the provincial funding formula. Both the Board and the OECTA bargaining committee decided not to wait until the government completed its review of the funding model to embark upon the task of working together to reach a contract settlement. The Board approved the agreement last week and the teachers accepted the new contract by voting 82 percent in favour of ratification.

Dan Charbonneau, OECTA President stated that “when both parties began negotiations in early June, there was a willingness on both sides to come to an agreement without having to resort to work interruptions, a strike or lockout and/or arbitration. With this recent agreement, our secondary students can be assured that there will be no labour interruptions in the education sector.”

Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic School Board is pleased with the fact that the contract has been ratified by the membership, stating that, “the fact that the OECTA membership ratified the agreement by such a large majority is extremely encouraging. Both parties during negotiations were looking to ensure that the interests of students were at the forefront of our discussions. With labour peace, our students transition to post secondary because of the double cohort will happen seamlessly.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dennis L. Kennelly as the new Faith Animator effective October 23, 2002.

The Faith Animator provides leadership in the spiritual direction and faith formation of Board personnel, and trustees. Mr. Kennelly’s other duties include guiding the school chaplains, facilitating celebration through prayer, sacrament and non Eucharistic liturgies, the provision of spiritual counseling and liaising with the Diocese and local parishes.

Mr. Kennelly is well qualified for the position of Faith Animator. He is a graduate of The Toronto School of Theology and possesses a Baccalaureate in Theology and a Masters of Divinity.

Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board stated that, “the position of Faith Animator is critical to our faith-based Catholic school system. Mr. Kennelly will not only act as a resource person to the entire system in assisting staff to better understand the spiritual needs of the school community but he will also continue to guide the Sudbury Catholic School Board in its mandate to strengthen the partnership of school, parish and home. ”

Zandra Zubac, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic School Board is also very pleased with Mr. Kennelly’s appointment as the new Faith Animator. “Through personal example, counseling and special projects Mr. Kennelly will continue to encourage the faith held in common by our Catholic community. A warm welcome is extended to Dennis and we look forward to his contribution to our administrative team,” stated Zubac.

Recent results from the Ontario School Literacy Test indicate Grade 10 students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board scored extremely well with an 11 percent improvement over 2001. The test, conducted in February 2002, consisted of both a reading and writing component, the purpose of the test being to show whether or not students meet the basic literacy standard across the province. While the provincial average showed an increase of 7 percent from the previous year, the Sudbury Catholic Board’s figures jumped from 69 percent to 80 percent of students that passed the test.

Zandra Zubac, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic Board is thrilled with the efforts of the students. “We are extremely pleased with the test results of our Grade 10 students in our Catholic system,” stated Mrs. Zubac. “The results from the Province of Ontario’s EQAO Assessment testing indicate that our plan is working and reflects admirably on our students, teachers, principals and parents.” Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic Board is also encouraged by the Literacy Test results stating that, “Our mandate as trustees in conjunction with senior administration at the Board has always been and will continue to be, to provide our students with the tools ands resources that they require to receive the best education possible. The very fact that our secondary schools show an 80 percent pass rate which is an 11 percent improvement over last year is proof that we are on the right track and will continue to improve on these results,” stated Cameron.

Visit our EQAO Assessment section to read the full report.

Dear Teachers of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board:

October 5th is World Teacher Day and on behalf of the Board of Trustees I would like to take this moment to acknowledge the vast contribution that you as teachers have made in awakening potential and fostering the fundamental capacity of our students to seek knowledge, to disseminate information and to share your collective wisdom.

As the backbone of the education sector, you assume responsibility for a very challenging assignment – that of developing the potential of our Catholic children as they set out on their individual paths “to learn”, “to do”, “to be” and “to live together”. You as teachers are instrumental in giving children that unique first glimpse of the possibilities of life and in perpetuating the quest for knowledge through lifelong learning.

On October 5th, I invite you to recognize the indispensable, often difficult and self-sacrificing role played by yourselves in providing quality education. We encourage all of you to take pride in your vocation and to continue working within your chosen profession. Through your unceasing quest for greater knowledge, for improvements in the quality of your teaching and for enhancing the learning outcomes of your pupils, you all are vivid exemplars of lifelong learning.

As we move towards the creation of learning and information societies, the role model provided by all of you is as relevant and important as ever.

Thank You!



Jody Cameron

Chair

SCDSB