Students at St. David School had an exciting opportunity to explore the world of geoscience during a special visit from Laurentian University experts. Geoscience Technologist Cailyn Morgan and Professor Tobias Roth engaged Grade 4 and Grade 4/5 students in a hands-on learning experience about rocks and minerals.
Through interactive exploration, students examined various geological specimens and even had the chance to try on the specialized gear used by geoscientists in the field—learning firsthand just how heavy the equipment can be! The session provided a deeper understanding of Earth Sciences and sparked curiosity about the natural world.
Sudbury Catholic Schools extends its gratitude to Cailyn Morgan and Tobias Roth for an engaging and educational morning that brought science to life for our students.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of Pekka Marttinen, a dedicated custodian at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School who continues to go above and beyond in supporting students and staff and fostering a positive school environment.
In addition to his daily commitment to keeping the school clean and organized, Mr. Pekka recently introduced a creative and engaging initiative—an interactive recycling scavenger hunt. By placing recycled materials around the school, he has encouraged students to explore, learn about sustainability, and actively participate in the cleanup process.
What makes this initiative even more special is the involvement of two students Joe and Benn, who have been collecting the materials while practicing their bike riding skills. This hands-on approach has not only promoted environmental awareness but also provided a unique opportunity for students to build confidence and independence.
“Mr. Pekka’s creativity and dedication to our school community make a lasting impact,” said Principal Christine McCracken. “He continually finds ways to engage our students and inspire them in meaningful ways.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends its heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Pekka for his hard work, innovation, and unwavering commitment to students. His efforts exemplify the spirit of community and learning that defines our schools. Thank you for all that you do!
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the winners of its annual Board-Wide Science Fair. This year’s event showcased the ingenuity, dedication, and scientific curiosity of students across our schools.
The competition featured a diverse range of projects, with grade 7-8 students exploring topics from robotics and environmental science to chemistry and even engineering. Judges were impressed with the level of innovation and research displayed by all participants.
3rd Place: Gabriela Gavidia & Mackenzie Gainer (St. James) – Quelle type de sol Est la Meilleur dans l’ensemble
Honorable Mentions:
Best Presentation:
Mitchelle Alphonsus (Marymount Academy) – How does a Motor and Battery Power a Fan
Sophia Leigh (Marymount Academy) – Carbon Dioxide and Plants
Most Creative:
Simone Thompson (Marymount Academy) – Affordable Wheelchair Robotic Arm Prototype
Braeden Farrow (Bishop Alexander Carter) – The Pucker Upper
In addition to the top winners, several outstanding students have earned the opportunity to represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board at the upcoming regional science fair.
Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S.: Jacob Liddard & Calvin Marshall, Mia Jokhu & Elsa Rancourt, Kaitlyn Lewis & Makayla Rumley, Hailey Tousignant & Skylar Turgeon, Braeden Farrow
St. James: Gabriela Gavidia & Mackenzie Gainer
“We are incredibly proud of all our students who participated in this year’s science fair,” said Natasha Folino, Superintendent of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “Their passion for scientific exploration and innovation was truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing our students shine at the regional level.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board congratulates all participants, teachers, and mentors for their hard work and dedication to fostering scientific curiosity and excellence. We wish our advancing students the best of luck at regionals!
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Attendance Awareness Month Poster Contest for both the Secondary and Elementary categories! A huge thank you to all students who participated this year, and we’re excited to celebrate your creativity and commitment to the theme Be Present, Be POWERFUL!
1st Place: Kassidy Esguerra (St. Charles College Elementary) 2nd Place: Mata Taranun (St. Benedict’s Elementary) 3rd Place: Maxwell Hawke (St. Charles College Elementary)
Moira EscandorKassidy EsguerraMaxwell Hawke
Passing the Torch We’d also like to take a moment to recognize last year’s first place winners who are passing the torch to this year’s champions:
Samuel Chirsky (St. Charles College) – First Place, Secondary
Vera Thompson (Marymount Academy) – First Place, Elementary
Vera ThompsonSamuel Chirsky
Thank you to Samuel and Vera for setting the bar high with your incredible artwork last year. We are excited to see this year’s winners continue the tradition of excellence!
The artwork from this year’s winners will be displayed throughout our schools and will be a key part of our ongoing Attendance Awareness campaign. Let’s keep encouraging each other to Be Present, Be POWERFUL! 🌟
A big THANK YOU to our dedicated attendance counsellors, Brad Pharand and Amanda Lanthier, for their hard work and dedication to organizing this annual initiative for our schools.
Today, staff at the Catholic Education Centre (CEC) gathered to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a delicious pancake breakfast! From flipping pancakes to sharing a meal, it was a wonderful way to come together before the Lenten season begins on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
In addition to the Catholic Education Centre, students and staff across our schools are marking Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally, this day is a time for reflection, reconciliation, and preparation for the Lenten journey. The word “shrove” comes from the old English word “shrive,” meaning to confess and receive absolution.
Pancakes have long been a symbol of this day, as people historically used up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter before the Lenten season of fasting and prayer. As we gather to share in this tradition in our own unique ways, we are reminded of the importance of faith, repentance, and renewal.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated school volunteers who help bring this tradition to life for students! May this celebration prepare our hearts for the solemn and prayerful season of Lent.
Last week, the Immaculate Conception Catholic School community came together to celebrate the virtue of the month; Compassion, recognizing students who exemplified kindness, empathy, and a commitment to helping others.
Students were honoured for their meaningful actions, whether through offering a helping hand to a classmate in need or sharing words of encouragement. Their gestures, both big and small, reflected the true spirit of compassion and the values at the heart of our school community.
A special thank-you goes to Mrs. Mailloux’s Grade 3/4 class, who led the school in a moving reflection, inspiring all to continue fostering a culture of care and support.
“At Immaculate Conception, we believe that by uplifting one another, we strengthen our community. Together, we continue to grow in faith and service.” Said Principal Jodi Cunningham.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Indigenous Education Team proudly hosted its first Round Dance at Marymount Academy, bringing together staff, students, families, and community members for an evening of ceremony, unity, and celebration.
The event created a welcoming space for participants to connect through song and dance while fostering a deeper appreciation for Indigenous culture. Guided by the wisdom and leadership of Elders, a Pipe Carrier, a Stickman, an MC, Singers, and dedicated volunteers, the gathering honored the spirit of community and reconciliation.
“We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this special event,” said Ginette Toivonen, Indigenous Education Facilitator for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “The Round Dance was a meaningful opportunity for learning and connection, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate and support Indigenous education by hosting more events like this in the future for our community.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board remains committed to promoting cultural awareness and creating inclusive spaces where Indigenous traditions are honoured and shared.
Chi miigwech to all who attended and supported this event. The Board looks forward to future opportunities to engage with the community through Indigenous education initiatives.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon (CSC Nouvelon), Rainbow District School Board (RDSB), Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) and Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord have approved the School Year Calendar for 2025-2026.
The four school boards have worked together to produce a common calendar for many years, facilitating the co-ordination of services such as student transportation. Each board adopted the calendar following its own consultation process. The calendar will now be submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Education for final approval.
The 2025-2026 School Year Calendar will be the same for all English and French-language schools in Greater Sudbury, Espanola, Manitoulin Island and Sudbury East (including Warren, Markstay, Noëlville, St. Charles and Killarney).
The 2025-2026 school year for students will begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, following the Labour Day weekend. There will be no early dismissal. (Please note that Tuesday, September 2, 2025 is a professional activity day.)
In addition to the first day of school, the School Year Calendar includes the dates for the Christmas Break, the March Break, statutory holidays, secondary school examination days and professional activity days in 2025-2026.
Overview of the 2025-2026 School Year
Elementary and Secondary Schools
Labour Day
September 1, 2025
First Day of School for Students
September 3, 2025
Thanksgiving
October 13, 2025
Christmas Break
December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026
Family Day
February 16, 2026
Mid-Winter Break
March 16 to 20, 2026
Good Friday
April 3, 2026
Easter Monday
April 6, 2026
Victoria Day
May 18, 2026
Last Day of School for Students
June 26, 2026
Examination Days for Secondary Schools
1st Semester Exams
January 23 to 29, 2026 (5 days)
2nd Semester Exams
June 22 to 26, 2026 (5 days)
Professional Activity Days
Seven days for professional development activities will also be held during the 2025-2026 School Year, as follows:
September 2, 2025
September 26, 2025
October 20, 2025
November 28, 2025
January 30, 2026
February 27, 2026
June 5, 2026
The Draft School Year Calendar for 2025-2026 is available on the school board website here.
This week, students across Sudbury Catholic Schools embraced democracy in action by participating in Student Vote Canada! This hands-on learning experience provided students with the opportunity to engage in the electoral process, practice informed citizenship, and cast their own ballots in a parallel election.
By taking part in Student Vote Canada, students gained valuable insights into how elections work, the importance of voting, and the impact of their voices in shaping the future. Through this initiative, they not only learned about government and leadership but also developed critical thinking skills to make informed decisions as future voters.
We extend our gratitude to CIVIX Canada – FR and Elections Canada for making this enriching experience possible in our schools. Their efforts continue to empower young Canadians with the knowledge and confidence to participate in democracy.
