Every year, the students at Marymount Academy take part in a week long Spirit Week Celebration in September. With different themes each day, all the students and staff are encouraged to take part with a variety of costumes and scheduled events. This year, the students had the opportunity to be a part of Superhero Day, Tropical Day, Glamour Day, Rock Star and Pyjama Day. “It is a great way for the students to have some fun and feel a bit more comfortable in the school, “ stated Lucie Cullen, principal. “Especially for the students new to the school – the Grades 7, 8 and 9’s – it allows them to have a few laughs, and lose some of the “beginning of the school year” anxieties that they might have. Many of the staff dress up as well, and this helps the school build and strengthen school spirit – as a result we are a closer school community.”
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Grade Nines are Gold
St. Charles College hosted its annual grade 9 spirit day September 21st. More than two hundred grade nine students were grouped in teams to participate in tons of team and relationship building activities.
The students are a spirited bunch and co-ordinated team costumes and colours.
St. Charles Has got Talent
Three students from St. Charles College will all be heading to Toronto next week to compete in Citytv’s reality series Canada’s Got Talent auditions.
The auditions are taking place at the Air Canada Centre for much of next week.
Sarah Lamothe and Kassandra Bazinet are both in grade 9 and are the best of friends. Kassandra says, “I told Sarah about it because we are best friends and do everything together.”
Sarah Lamothe will be singing her rendition of Amy Whitehouse’s “Back to Black”. Kassandra Bazinet is singing “Hurt” by Christina Aguilera.
Grade 10 student Payton Mills is no stranger to the stage. Payton had a leading role in the school play last year in just her rookie year at St. Charles. She has been a trained vocalist since the age of three and plans to sing “Good Morning Baltimore” from Hairspray.
The show is slated to air in the spring of 2012.
Popular Actor and Former St. Raphael Student Visits School
“Get tooned… be tooned… Stay tooned!” These were the words that echoed the halls of St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School on Thursday, September 22 as actor/producer, and former student Christian Potenza visited the school’s Grade 8 students. Known for his voice roles in the popular Teletoon cartoons Total Drama Island (Chris McLean), 6Teen (Jude Lizowski), Sidekick (Trevor Troublemyer), as well as the toothbrush in the popular Listerine commercials, the school was thrilled to be visited by such a talented and energetic speaker.
Potenza, who attended St. Raphael for Grades 3 – 5, contacted principal Vicki McGuire to see if he could stop by and speak to some of the classes. In town for Cinefest to promote a film entitled Moon Point, (in which he acted and helped produce), he hoped to go back and visit the school, and get the chance to talk to some of the students about his different work experiences and making good choices in life. Starting the day helping McGuire with the school’s announcements, the excitement level increased dramatically as the students instantly recognized Potenza’s very distinct cartoon voices. Immediately following this, the Grade 8’s joined their guest in the gym. His positive message was clear as Potenza spoke to the Grade 8’s about finding their passion, and working hard towards achieving their goals. He also reminisced with the students about several Sudbury landmarks he remembered – including Adanac Ski Hill, and Cortina Restaurant. Accompanying Potenza was the film’s Director Sean Cisterna and lead actor Nick McKinlay. At the end of the presentation, Potenza encouraged the students to “read more books… so you can watch more cartoons!” Swarmed by students, Potenza high-fived and shook many hands as he left to attend his film’s screening at Silver City. The school’s principal Vicki McGuire was excited that the students responded so positively to their special guest. “It was a joy to see the Grade 8’s so excited to listen to Christian,” McGuire said. “We are very fortunate to have had this opportunity, and are delighted that our students really connected to his message. We are hopeful he will come back and speak with our students in the future!”
Proud to be a “St. Anne Angel!”
Nothing says school spirit like the students at St. Anne School in Hanmer! Early each September, the school joins forces with OnSite Sports Wear to allow students to purchase t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts with the school’s name, the school’s angel mascot, and extra stencils which the children themselves can choose. The promotion helps students to “display, not just say” how proud they are to be attending their valley school within the Sudbury Catholic System. Allowing the children to also pick their stencils and decide where they want to place them on their shirts helps each item of clothing to have that personal touch. After all, St. Anne School is a family of students and teachers, where each student is recognized for the individuality they bring to the group. Each child helps to make our school setting a better place! Way to go Angels!
St. Benedict Students get MADD
On Monday, September 19, 2011, all of the Grade 9-12 students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School gathered in the gym to listen to a presentation by MADD Canada. The Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization creates a new video each year to share with groups about the dangers of driving while intoxicated. This year’s video, entitled “Damages” has the main character living with the emotional, physical and legal ramifications of deciding to drink while intoxicated. It also shows three real-life accounts of families who have had to live with the consequences of loved ones killed by drunk drivers. This hard-hitting, extremely powerful presentation had the entire student body speechless.
Neil Cowan, the representative from MADD spoke to the students after the video, and had them do a few interactive exercises that allowed them to connect to the message, and recognize how devastating the wrong decisions can be. “This presentation for our students is crucial,” Laura Kuzenko, principal of the school stated. “The message is extremely powerful as we know that there are devastating effects when someone makes the wrong decision – at the expense of ourselves or others. Having MADD share with us this presentation is truly a gift – so that we can do everything we can to inform and support our students, and guide them to always make the right decision.”
The MADD organization also shared their presentation with the other secondary schools at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
60,000 Cans for 60 Years at SCC
To mark the 60th anniversary of St. Charles College, students at the school are aiming to collect 60 thousand cans for the Sudbury Food Bank this fall.
The school is collaborating with St. Andrew, St.Bernadette, Pius XII, St. Raphael, St. John, St. Paul and St. David schools. A kick-off is being held at each school to start the drive.
David DiBrina, the school’s Student Administrative Council president says, “The goal is to reach out into the community and get students, parents and teachers involved in feeding hungry families in our city this winter.”
The secondary school has been taking part in a community food drive since the mid eighties.
The food drive brings in upwards of 100-thousand cans for the local food bank each year.
St. Anne School Welcomes Newest Little Angels!
St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer is known as the “home of the angels”. During the past week, St. Anne School welcomed its newest little angels. First year students within the Early Learning Kindergarten Program began their staggered enrolment into the program bright and early Monday morning. According to their parents, Jody O’Daiskey, Andre Bertrand, and Melanie Anzil, their children have been excited, anxious and ready to go! In fact, they were so anxious that Anthony and Celyna wanted to join older siblings who began their school year on September 6th.
Early Learning Kindergarten teachers along with Early Childhood Educators within the English and French Immersion program were outside meeting parents and busses and greeting their new students on their first official day of school. Both staff and
students within this Sudbury Catholic school recognize and consider their newest friends as nothing short of angellic. What a great way to start the school year. Welcome little angels!
Parish Partners Supporting Early Learning at St. Francis
St. Francis students in one of the school’s new Early Learning classroom were treated to a special visit from Father Tony Man-Son-Hing on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Father Tony stopped by teacher Angele Lachance’s class to meet the new Early Learning students and to show support for the school’s newest registrants. Lorrie Petryna, principal of St. Francis was thrilled with the visit and joined with the students in welcoming Father Tony to their classroom. “It is always a pleasure to have our parish representatives celebrate learning with our students,” Petryna stated. “Father Tony, as well as Father Larry Rymes from Our Lady of Hope Parish are regular visitors to our school, and really support our teachers and students to help us strengthen our faith community.”