Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Author: Erin Kendall

St. Benedict LSC Students Bring “Cookies in a Jar” to Catholic Education Centre 🍪

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Staff at the Catholic Education Centre were treated to a thoughtful and delicious surprise today, as students from the Learning Support Centre (LSC) at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School hosted a pop-up booth to showcase their latest project — Cookies in a Jar.

The initiative is part of an experiential learning opportunity developed in collaboration with the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board through their Limitless Ventures program — an innovative initiative that supports students in alternative education settings by fostering entrepreneurial and employability skills.

Each jar, carefully packed with pre-measured ingredients for homemade cookies, was designed, assembled, and prepared by the students. Through this hands-on experience, students have been involved in every aspect of the process — from measuring and mixing to decorating, promoting, and selling the product. The project supports the development of essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, organization, and creativity.

Proceeds from the sale of Cookies in a Jar will directly support LSC programming and future student opportunities at St. Benedict.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends its congratulations to the students and educators involved in this initiative and thanks them for bringing such joy — and such a sweet treat — to the board office today.

Free Summer Mental Health & Addiction Counselling for Students 🏖

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Support Doesn’t Take a Summer Break.

Supporting the mental health and well-being of our students remains a priority all year-round. To help our students stay connected and supported this summer, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Mental Health and Addiction Services team is offering free, brief one-on-one counselling sessions (up to three per person) for Sudbury Catholic students aged 8 to 17.

Sessions will be available: July 7 to 25 and August 11 to 29, 2025.

Mental Health Doesn’t Take a Holiday. These confidential sessions provide Sudbury Catholic students with a safe, supportive space to talk and receive professional guidance. Whether you are facing challenges or simply need someone to talk to, our team is here to help throughout the summer months.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Free Service Dates

📅 July 7–25 & August 11-29, 2025
⏰ Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Flexible Meeting Options: In-Person, Virtual, & Telephone Sessions

This free service provides flexible meeting options to best meet students’ needs and preferences, including in-person (face-to-face), telephone, and virtual (Zoom) sessions. In-person appointments are available at St. Francis School (691 Lilac Street) for students aged 8 to 17, while virtual and telephone sessions are only offered for students aged 12 and up.

How to Book A Session?

To request a session, please call 705-929-3970 and leave a message for Laurie Milling. A registered clinician will return your call to arrange an appointment. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: This is not a drop-in service. All counselling sessions must be booked in advance with a registered clinician.

📞 705-929-3970

Please note: This is not a crisis service. For immediate mental health support, contact HSN Crisis Intervention at 705-675-4760 or go in person to the HSN Emergency Department.


PD Day Spotlight: Honouring the Journey – A Gathering of Indigenous Voices 🪶

Posted on by Erin Kendall

On Friday, June 6, our secondary staff members came together at Cambrian College for our PD Day, “Honouring the Journey: A Gathering of Indigenous Voices.”

We had the honour of welcoming keynote speaker Dr. Anton Treuer. Dr. Treuer is a Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, author of many impactful books, and a leader in equity, education, and cultural preservation. His keynote address to our secondary staff was thought provoking, insightful and inspiring. In Dr. Treuer’s words, “The tenor of racial reckoning is full of hope, though rarely comfortable. Let’s examine how we all do better, when we all do better.”

Alongside the keynote, staff took part in a variety of incredible workshops led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and community partners, including sessions on Indigenous plant wisdom, unpacking and addressing racism in schools, cooking with the foods of our ancestors, basket making, and connecting to history through traditional games, among many others.

Not only is June National Indigenous History Month, but June 6th was Anishinaabe Giizhigad – Anishinaabe Day. It was particularly meaningful to engage in culturally grounded learning that deepens our understanding, strengthens relationships and honours the voices of First Nations, Metis and Inuit on this day.

A heartfelt Chi-Miigwech goes out to our Indigenous Education Team for the important role they played in creating this day and making it such a success.

Grade 8 Marymount Academy Student Wins National Science Award 🥈

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Congratulations to Grade 8 Marymount Academy student Mercia Thompson, who placed second in the Excellence Award category at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton this morning!

Mercia was recognized for her innovative project, “Anti-Pull Collar for Dogs“, in which she developed an electronic collar that helps train dogs not to pull on the leash during walks. The collar features a built-in sensor that automatically detects when a dog pulls and responds by emitting a sound and vibration that the dog finds unpleasant.

What sets Mercia’s collar apart is its automatic response—it requires no input from the person walking the dog, making the training process more consistent, reliable, and immediate. This not only helps synchronize the dog’s pace with the owner’s but also creates a safer and more enjoyable walking experience.

Unlike traditional training tools like shock collars or choke chains, Mercia’s design does not cause pain or fear, making it a humane and safe alternative for dog training.

Well done, Mercia!

Bishop Alexander Carter Staff Hit It Out of the Park at SDSSAA Tournament ⚾️

Posted on by Erin Kendall

The Bishop Alexander Carter staff softball team was in action this weekend at the SDSSAA Teacher Tournament!

A big thank you to those who attended and Ms. Troscinski and Ms. Dubois from St. Anne Catholic Elementary School for stepping in to support the team. With strong teamwork, great energy, and a lot of fun, the team wrapped up the day injury-free and full of school spirit.


Colouring Contest Victory Brings Pizza and Paramedics to St. Charles 🚑

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Congratulations to Mrs. Childs’ Grade 2 class at St. Charles Elementary School — winners of the Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services Colouring Contest! To celebrate their win, students were treated to a pizza party, a visit from the Bearamedic, and an exciting tour of a real ambulance.

Thank you to Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services for creating such a fun and memorable experience for our young learners.

Dream Chasers: St. Benedict Student Inspires Young Women at Provincial Leadership Conference 🔥👩‍🏭

Posted on by Erin Kendall

There’s nothing more inspiring than watching students take bold steps toward their dreams. At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are proud to celebrate the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers who walk our halls every day.

One of those students is Emily Watson, a Grade 12 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, who earlier this month had the honour of speaking to hundreds of young women from across Ontario at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference in Toronto during the 2025 Skills Ontario event. Emily was just one of only three students chosen to take the stage and share her story. In her powerful talk, she shared her journey into the skilled trades—highlighting her co-op placement at Weir-ESCO, her experience in tech and construction classes, and how she discovered her passion for welding. 

Her message to other young women is powerful and heartfelt:

“Don’t be afraid to try something new. The trades need more women, and we are absolutely capable. Keep an open mind, take that chance—you never know what might ignite your spark.”

And that’s what she’s doing. This June, Emily will graduate from St. Benedict and begin the next chapter of her journey: a Dual Credit Welding Apprenticeship at Cambrian College. Reflecting on her journey so far, Emily shared how her love of learning through doing led her to the trades:

“I’ve always learned best by doing—and welding lets me work with my hands, be on my feet, and create something real. From Grade 9 construction class to my co-op placement at Weir-ESCO and now my dual credit at Cambrian, I’ve fallen in love with the trade. It’s like playing with fire and precision at the same time—and that spark told me I was on the right path. My dream is to become a welder, but more than that, I want to be a role model—to show other young women that we belong in the trades too. We’re just as capable, and the more of us who step in, the stronger the industry becomes. I’d like to thank my incredible teachers, Mr. Labrosse and Mr. Howard, as well as the skilled tradespeople at Weir-ESCO, for helping me explore my interests both in the classroom and during my co-op. I’m especially grateful to my family—and to my dad—for always encouraging me to follow the path that felt right. I am excited to begin this next chapter of my life—meet new people, explore new experiences, and continue to grow both personally and professionally.  

We are incredibly proud of Emily for following her path with courage, confidence, and heart. Her message is one of empowerment, possibility, and leadership—and we can’t wait to see where her spark takes her next. 

Sudbury Catholic School Board Seeks Volunteer to Serve on Audit Committee 

Posted on by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is seeking one community member with financial expertise and business knowledge to volunteer on its Audit Committee for a three-year term. 

The Audit Committee is comprised of two Trustees and two independent members drawn from the community at large.  The audit committee’s main role is to help the board of trustees fulfill its governance and oversight duties in the following key areas: the financial reporting process, internal control framework, risk management practices, performance and function of the board’s internal and external auditors and the board’s compliance with its obligations under legislation.  

The committee meets at least three times annually, with additional ad hoc meetings as required. 

The SCDSB is seeking an individual who: 

  • Has sufficient accounting, senior financial management or other relevant business experience to understand public sector accounting and auditing standards; 
  • Is committed to dedicating their time to contribute to the betterment of the school board and the community; 
  • Is not a current employee or officer of the board or of any other district school board or school authority; 
  • Does not have an immediate family member currently employed by the board. 

Suitable qualified candidates interested in serving on the audit committee are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume to info@sudburycatholicschools.ca. 

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St. Charles College Students Earn Bronze at 2025 Ontario Skills Competition 🥉

Posted on by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of four students from St. Charles College who placed third in Ontario at the 2025 Ontario Skills Competition, held on May 4-6 in Toronto.

Under the guidance of teacher Mr. Kohut, students Carter Barron, Josh Hayes, Brody Mabbott, and Hayden Walsh competed in the Construction – Home Building (Team of 4) category. Their exceptional teamwork, technical skill, and dedication earned them a provincial bronze medal, standing out among teams from across Ontario.

The Ontario Skills Competition is the largest skilled trades competition in Canada, bringing together top secondary and post-secondary students to demonstrate their talent in various trades and technology sectors.

“We are incredibly proud of our students from St. Charles College for this remarkable achievement,” said the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “Their success reflects not only their hard work and craftsmanship, but also the strength of our technology and skilled trades programming.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board continues to foster excellence in skilled trades education, encouraging students to explore hands-on learning experiences that lead to meaningful pathways in construction, engineering, and beyond.

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