The Sudbury Catholic District School Board had its annual Junior Boys Handball Tournament at St. Benedict School on March 25th. The tournament provided opportunities for students within our Board to develop their physical skills in a competitive environment. It also provided the opportunity for new friendships to be formed – a great thing considering many of these boys will be classmates in grade 7 and 8, and later on, in secondary school. It also strengthened existing friendships, and allowed an abundance of parents and relatives to appreciate the athletic talent of the students. The results of the tournament were as follows:
1st Place: St. Raphael
2nd Place: Corpus Christi
3rd Place: St. Francis
4th Place: St. David
A big thank you must be extended to the players, coaches, referees, scorekeepers, parents, and volunteers who helped make this tournament such a success. And another big thank you must be extended to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, for allowing the players to use their beautiful facility.
Month: March 2012
Sugar Bush Visit a “Sweet” Field Trip for Corpus Christi Students
Corpus Christi students from teacher Daniela Visentin’s grade 2/3 class had the opportunity to visit the Despatie Sugar Bush farm in Hanmer recently. The students learned about sap collection and how maple syrup is made. The class was able to walk right into the bush to see the buckets collecting the sap, and then visited the sugar shack to observe the process of making maple syrup. The best part of the day way the chance to roll the hot syrup on the snow with their popsicle sticks allowing them the chance to enjoy their maple treat.
Marymount Academy Takes First in Laurentian University Engineering Competition
On Friday, February 24, Laurentian University held an engineering competition for Grade 12 Physics students from the community’s secondary schools. Each team was required to build a machine that would transport material across a specific distance and then drop the material off at the end of the journey. The students then presented their creation and tested their machine againstt the other competitors. The team from Marymount Academy captured first place in the competition.
St. Anne Winter Carnival Spells Last Hurrah For Winter
St. Anne School staff and students celebrate the end of winter with their annual winter carnival. This year however, the entire school body wondered if there would even be a carnival. Sudbury Catholic Board teacher and annual carnival planner, Nannette Shonwise stated, “We will be moving up the festivities by a week to make sure there will be enough snow.” However, a sudden mild spell had even those best laid plans up in the air right down to the last minute. Would the carnival be able to take place outdoors or not? Fortunately, Mother Nature was on their side. The students from J.K. to Grade 6 were able to participate in all types of winter events like hockey, curling, the luge and of course, a hot chocolate station. No team comes out as the grand winner for the day. The purpose of the carnival is to allow the children to just have fun without the added pressure of competing to come in first. The events help promote such virtues as responsibility and patience, as well as promoting teamwork between the youngest to the oldest students. The day was a huge success thanks to the efforts of teachers, parent volunteers and of course, the team spirit of the student body. Winter may be on its way out, but you can be sure the memories of this year’s winter carnival will be around for quite some time! Way to go Angels!
Vive le francais! – at St. Paul
St. Paul the Apostle’s Semaine de la Francophonie was a great opportunity to promote the importance of French culture in the lives of their students. Each day began with O’ Canada and a prayer (en français) lead by 7/8 immersion students. The Grade 8 Core French class talked about the gift of learning two languages. On Tuesday, the staff and students dressed in green and white. During the assembly, there was a testimonial from teacher Lucie Gautheir and a beautiful prayer, written by Tiffany Hodgins (Grade 7 immersion), was recited. Since music is a very important part of French culture, a video showcasing second language learners singing “J’aime parler français!” was featured. That song resonated throughout the school for the rest of the week! Wednesday’s activities included a colouring contest for younger students. The older grades were asked to design a St. Paul School francophonie button for next year’s Semaine de la Francophonie. The week ended on a sweet note with everyone savouring their maple syrup cupcakes! At. St. Paul the Apostle School, they celebrated that….. le français ….. c’est le passeport pour le monde!
Donovan Community Welcomes Spring with Traditional Feast
With a new season beginning, we must welcome it with open arms. Wednesday evening, March 21st, 2012, a traditional feast was in order for the Sudbury community to celebrate the beginning of spring. Performing the ceremony, was traditional elder Vince Pawis. Taking place in the gym of St. David Catholic Elementary School, several community members, families, students and staff were on hand to take part in this event. Cheryl Partridge, local aboriginal singer, opened the celebration with the welcoming song Biidagenh which means welcome, come in, in the local Ojibway language. The translation of the lyrics are “Welcome every nation, come in and sit down. Join us” – a fitting song to begin the evening’s event.
Pawis began with a prayer and smudge to spiritually cleanse all participants. He then explained the significance of the four directions in aboriginal culture, focusing on the Easter doorway as it signifies spring. “I am sitting in the Eastern doorway because the season that sits in the East is spring,” Pawis explained. “New life, newborns, marriages usually happen around this time.”
The gym was decorated with the colours of each direction, and after the explanation by Pawis, the group sat down for the “main event”. Traditional foods were served to the guests including fish, wildrice and strawberries. During the meal, Pawis also spoke to the group about the significance of each of the foods and their importance to Aboriginal culture. St. Charles College student Chayenne Oechsler was on hand for the Feast and felt it was successful event for the attending community. “I really enjoyed this evening with Vince,” stated Oechsler. “It was a really welcoming atmosphere, and it was great welcome spring together as well as learn more about Aboriginal culture.”
Submitted by St. Charles College co-op student, Cheyenne Oechsler.
Marymount Academy’s Heartthrob Thursday Supports Heart and Stroke Campaign
The Marymount Academy Catholic Charities Council (MC3) presented a cheque to Karen McNally, Program Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in the amount $1300.00 on March 27th, 2012. The money was raised by the council’s second annual Heartthrob Thursday event which took place on February 16th, 2012. As part of the day’s activities, students participated in a Zen fitness aerobics class in the morning promoting heart health. The students also took part in several other events throughout the day to raise funds. “As always, our students look forward to supporting such a key organization in our community,” Lucie Cullen, Marymount Academy principal stated. “Both students and staff at Marymount recognize the importance of healthy living, and will continue our support as many of us have loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke.” This is the fifth year Marymount Academy has contributed to the Sudbury Heart and Stroke campaign.
Franco-Fun Day at Immaculate Conception
On Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 Immaculate Conception School held its second Franco-Fun Day celebrating French language and culture. In the morning, students, dressed in green and white clothes, laughed and cheered as they closely watched the Amazing Rene perform his magic tricks. Students enjoyed all the magic tricks and even learned some magic words in French. Mme. Boudreau, with the help of all the teachers at Immaculate Conception School, organized fun French language activities which all students had an opportunity to learn and play. At lunch time, students enjoyed French Canadian Tortiere, Tarte au sucre and a bread roll. The students and staff thank all the ladies from the Catholic Women’s League at St. Kevin’s Parish and the parents and grandparents who came out to prepare and serve the excellent French foods to the students. It was a great day, and students proudly wore their French Canadian flag tattoos on their face all week.
Vivre le Francais
At St. Mary’s School the student body and the teachers were buzzing on Franco Fun Day. The day started with our grades 4, 5 and 6 students teaching the kindergarten to grade 3 students a few words “survival words” in French. “The purpose of this exercise was to give the students the skills they needed to meet and greet people in French,” said student Maverick Noel.
The whole school community was then challenged to speak French as often as possible during the day. Prizes were award to the teachers and students who demonstrated the most enthusiasm. The day ended with the whole school community sharing in some French croissants with butter, prepared by Ms. Bortolotti and her French students.
This was an experience that opened up our student’s minds to other cultures and languages. “We are fortunate to live in a country that is a ,” said Ms. Bortolotti.. Franco Fun Day gave the school the school community an opportunity to learn French can be fun and that French speaking skills will open doors for children in their future.