Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) has announced her intention to retire on July 31, 2025. After 37 years of dedicated service in education, and 11 years served as the SCDSB’s Director of Education, she leaves behind a legacy of faith-forward leadership, a steadfast commitment to student success, and a lasting impact on the Sudbury Catholic community. 

Under Director Bénard’s leadership, the board has experienced substantial growth, reaching an enrolment of nearly 7000 students.  

During her tenure, she led transformative initiatives to promote leadership development, the enhancement of mental health supports, and the elevation of student achievement in numeracy and literacy, ensuring every learner has the tools to thrive both in the classroom and beyond. Her dedication to equity and excellence has profoundly impacted students and staff, cultivating a vibrant learning environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to realize their fullest potential. 

Michael Bellmore, President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) and Chair of the SCDSB, praised Bénard for her exemplary leadership during her tenure as Director, stating, “Under Joanne’s leadership, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has achieved historic enrollment levels, completed school renewal projects that support safe, healthy, and vibrant modern learning spaces, expanded Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs to provide students with enhanced learning opportunities, and demonstrated a strong commitment to technology renewal, ensuring our students and educators stay current with modern standards—to name a few.” 

“Joanne’s leadership at Sudbury Catholic, especially throughout the challenges of a global pandemic, has laid a strong foundation for the board’s future. She has built a dedicated team poised to carry forward the outstanding work that has been established, with a clear focus on student success and achievement. Her contributions are evident throughout the system, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering dedication to Sudbury Catholic schools. We wish her continued health, happiness, and well-deserved rest as she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her life,” he continued.  

Reflecting on her career, Director Bénard acknowledged the many people who contribute to the success of Sudbury Catholic, stating, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional staff for their tireless devotion to bettering our school communities, our dedicated trustees, who have shown extraordinary commitment to our board’s vision and goals, our families and community partners who play a vital role in shaping our Sudbury Catholic community, and most importantly, our students who have been at the heart of every decision made.” 

“At Sudbury Catholic, our vision is to be leaders in learning and faith. Throughout my time at Sudbury Catholic, I have witnessed this vision come to life through the kindness, generosity, and dedication of our students and staff — both past and present — who lead initiatives that promote innovation, growth, and a strong sense of community. Their consistent demonstration of stewardship has instilled confidence in the lasting positive impact Catholic education will have on the many generations to come. I am certain that our board will continue to flourish, guided by its commitment to excellence, amazing staff and governance rooted in faith.”  

The recruitment process for Director of Education will begin shortly and more information will be provided as the details become available.  

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Students in Mr. Duncan’s Shop Class at St. Charles College(SCC) recently received a generous donation from local dealership Cambrian Ford, offering parts like engines, steering components, turbo chargers, transmissions and more!

These valuable contributions will significantly enhance the transportation program at SCC, providing students with hands-on, real-world experience that is crucial for their future careers in trades and apprenticeships.

We deeply appreciate the support from Cambrian Ford and Ford Motor Company. Your dedication to fostering educational opportunities ensures our students are better prepared for success in the workforce.

For the month of November, students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School (BAC CSS) 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,” said teacher and campaign organizer, Patrick Lezun.  

He added, “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.”  

While the staff’s participation was a fun and engaging way to raise awareness, the true driving force behind the fundraiser was the students. Their generosity and enthusiasm were instrumental, with donations pouring in from all grade levels. Thanks to their efforts, the school not only met but exceeded the initial $1,500 fundraising goal. 

For more information on Bishop Alexander Carter, visit https://baccss.sudburycatholicschools.ca/. 

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The St. Charles College Cardinals hockey team went 7-0 and only allowed five goals on their way to winning the St. Michael’s Mustangs tournament for the third time.

The Cardinals have won the tournament at the Niagara Falls school three times, in 2018, 2022 and in 2024. This was the first year the team went undefeated.

Liam Judd was named tournament MVP, while the team’s goaltending tandem of Rowan McCann and Brody Mabbott only let in five goals in seven games.

Overall, the Cards’ record for the year is an impressive 26-1-1, including exhibition games, league games and tournaments. 

Way to go, Cards!

On Wednesday, November 27, students from Mrs. Trottier and Mr. Mailloux’s fifth grade social studies classes at St. David Catholic Elementary had the privilege of hosting Mayor Paul Lefebvre in their classroom as part of their studies on local government. 

Principal Dawn Wemigwans described the event as a truly unique experience for St. David Elementary. “Our students were delighted to meet Mayor Lefebvre, whose inspiring life journey and great sense of humour left a lasting impression. His words motivated and encouraged them, making it a memorable day filled with new learning and inspiration.” 

During his visit, Mayor Lefebvre shared his vision for the City of Greater Sudbury, discussed what inspired him to pursue a career in government, and provided insight into his responsibilities as the city’s leader. 

He then opened the floor to questions from the students, which ranged from “What is the hardest part of your job?” to “What is your favorite hockey team?” 

To conclude his visit, the students presented Mayor Lefebvre with a St. David’s T-shirt, officially welcoming him as an honorary Dragon. 

For more information on St. David Catholic Elementary School, visit https://st-david.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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St. Charles College (SCC) and Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School have wrapped up their annual canned food drive with remarkable success.  

This year, the campaign 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!” said organizer and teacher Jessica Demore.  

“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, “she added. 

The canned food drive, a beloved SCC tradition for over a decade, reached new heights this year thanks to a meaningful partnership with Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School. The combined efforts made an even greater impact on local families in need. 

“We are incredibly proud and deeply honoured to carry on this cherished tradition at St. Charles College,” said SCC Principal Aaron Barry. “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.” 

For more information on St. Charles College visit, https://scc.sudburycatholicschools.ca/ 

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At its Annual Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, November 20, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) re-elected Trustees Michael Bellmore as Chair and Ray Desjardins as Vice Chair, demonstrating continued confidence in their leadership and vision for the Board. 

Michael Bellmore, also the President of the Ontario Catholic Trustees Association, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fellow trustees on Tuesday, stating, “We are truly blessed with the Board and trustees we have here. Each of you is deeply committed to our values, professional in your approach, thoughtful in your deliberations, and guided by faith. We should take pride in the work we do here at Sudbury Catholic; it’s meaningful, impactful, and above all, a team effort. It’s an honour to have been re-elected. I am both proud and privileged to serve alongside the members of this Board.” 

Ray Desjardins reflected on his extensive career in education, sharing insights into the unwavering passion and dedication that fuel his continued commitment to the Board. He stated, “I have had a long and rewarding journey in education, and what inspires me to continue is witnessing the passion of our principals, staff, teachers, and students as they embrace new and innovative programs, inspire us with their talents and abilities, and remind us daily of the importance of supporting a dynamic and forward-thinking learning environment.”  

Director of Education Joanne Bénard expressed her support for the re-elections, stating, “Our Chair, Michael Bellmore, and Vice Chair, Ray Desjardins, are exemplary leaders in education, and I am confident that they will continue to do remarkable work for the Board throughout the school year. I also want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all our trustees, whose collective commitment to excellence makes our Board truly outstanding.” 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board operates 17 schools across Greater Sudbury and Killarney and is committed to realizing each student’s potential by nurturing and developing their mind, body and spirit. 

Board meetings for the SCDSB are held on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year and are open to the public. For more information, visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/board-meetings/. 

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Mme Gabriella and Mme Kayla’s students 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.

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 the impressive buying power of $1 equaling $6, the funds raised will be able to provide much-needed support, potentially offering up to $660 worth of food to the local community.

Mme Gabriella, students and the Sudbury Food Bank would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Amanda Aitchison, whose generous donation helped families in need. Her contribution played a key role in amplifying the impact of this initiative, allowing the group to make an even greater difference.

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

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Paola Stefanuto as Chair and Amanda Dittrich as Vice Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for the 2024-2025 school year.  

The PIC is composed of parent representatives from each of the elementary and secondary Catholic School Councils. Members are parents who serve as chairpersons or have been elected to sit on their respective Catholic School Council.   

Paola Stefanuto, who has over 15 years of dedicated service to the SCDSB, shared her thoughts on the upcoming year, “Parental involvement not only supports academic growth but also nurtures each child’s social, emotional, and physical well-being. As Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee, I’m excited to work toward even stronger connections with our school communities. By equipping parents with the support and resources they need to participate, we can help every child find their sense of belonging and build the confidence needed to succeed.” 

The PIC connects parents, school administrators, a trustee representative and the Director of Education, fostering the communication and collaboration needed to promote student well-being and academic success. This parent-led perspective is a powerful asset, enhancing educational environments and ensuring that every student’s needs are considered. 

Michael Bellmore, Chair of the SCDSB and President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustee’s Association shared his thoughts on the important role parents play in supporting a successful school year, “Parents play a pivotal role in shaping student achievement and success. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of individuals on our Parent Involvement Committee who are deeply committed to supporting our students and enhancing our school and Board community.” 

He added, “I am confident that our Chair, Paola Stefanuto, and Vice Chair, Amanda Dittrich, are a perfect fit for these roles and will do wonders for the committee throughout the school year.” 

For more information on the Parent Involvement Committee, visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/PIC. 

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