On December 7, 2010 trustees from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board gathered for their Inaugural Board meeting at which time Barry MacDonald and Paula Peroni were acclaimed as Chair and Vice-Chair (respectively). Both Chair MacDonald and Vice-Chair Peroni will serve in their newly elected positions for the 2010-2011 school year.

Barry MacDonald represents Zone 6 and is beginning his eighth term as a trustee with with Sudbury Catholic previously sitting as Vice Chair. In his address to the Board, MacDonald expressed his gratitude to the other trustees for having faith in him and “looks forward to working together with fellow trustees, community partners and all stakeholders to ensure that the Board is delivering exceptional Catholic Learning for all SCDSB students.” As well, MacDonald told the group that “previous Chairs have set the bar and is really looking forward to the challenges ahead,and working on them together as a team.”

Paula Peroni, representing Zone 5, brings to her role 13 years of trustee experience having served 2 years as Ontario Catholic Trustee Association (OCSTA) President, 2 years as OCSTA Vice President, 2 years as Canadian Catholic Trustee Association (CCSTA) Vice President and is currently sitting as CCSTA President. As well, Peroni has served several terms as Sudbury Catholic Chair and Vice Chair. Peroni also expressed her thanks to her fellow trustees for their confidence in her abilities and felt privileged once again “to be an integral part of such a dynamic, faith-filled system that influences so positively the community of which it serves.” Peroni also added that she happily accepts the position of Vice Chair. ”It feels good to be back in a leadership role at Sudbury Catholic and I am excited to be part of such a talented team. I am very optimistic that it is going to be a great year.”

Also in attendance were newly elected trustees Michael Bellmore (Zone 3), Ray Desjardins (Zone 2), and returning trustees Jody Cameron (Zone 4) and Estelle Scappatura (Zone 1). As part of the Inaugural meeting, all trustees, Senior Administration and invited family and guests celebrated with a mass with Auxiliary Bishop Noel Simard at which time they took their oaths and were officially sworn in as Sudbury Catholic trustees.

Corpus Christi teacher Daniela Visentin has organized a Corpus Christi Free The Children Club for the school.  On Nov. 18th, the students  who are part of the club, took a Vow of Silence in order to raise awareness amongst students and staff, that would help give a voice to children around the world who suffer quietly due to poverty, war and oppression.  The club hopes to embark on various projects throughout the year to continue to build awareness for this very worthy cause.

Despite the cold, the snow held off for staff and students of Marymount Academy as they wrapped up another successful Goals for Girls Ball Hockey tournament this past week. The Goals for Girls campaign is held to encourage young women to be physically active and to help them recognize and become involved in the many activities and opportunities available in their school and community. As well, this tournament is also a fundraiser in which monies raised are used to sponsor young women who cannot financially afford to play sports, to purchase fitness equipment and to provide financial support to other community schools and programs whose female programs are severely underfunded. This year, Marymount raised over $4200 to support this campaign which is almost a $1000 more than they collected last year.

Dan Bartolucci, program leader at Marymount Academy and organizer of the event felt very proud of the girls for their participation and show of school spirit. “It is great to see such student engagement and I am proud of their enthusiasm,” he said. “This tournament helps encourage the young women of this community to set their own personal goals and strive to achieve them.”