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.
A Tradition of Heart, Hope, & Community That Began At SCC
Since 2018, every spring at St. Charles College has been marked by something truly special — a day when school pride, generosity, and community spirit come together in a powerful way. May 28, 2025, marked the 7th AnnualCards Crush CancerEvent, an all-day, carnival-style fundraiser in support of the Health Sciences North Foundation and the Northern Cancer Fund, where every dollar raised stays local, helping families right here in Northern Ontario.
What began seven years ago as a bold idea has grown into one of SCC’s most beloved traditions — and a true testament to what’s possible when a school community unites for a cause. As more schools take inspiration from this event, we are proud to celebrate the story that started it all. This is the legacy of Cards Crush Cancer.
A Grassroots Legacy of Giving
The very first Cards Crush Cancer event was dreamt up and brought to life by SCC’s passionate Student Council and dedicated staff leaders Jessica Demore, Amanda Montgomery, and Jennifer Freelandt-Humphrey in 2018. From the ground up, they imagined a day that combined fun and fundraising — and from those early beginnings, a movement was born.
For just $10, students from Grades 7 to 12 “buy out” of class and step into a full-day experience of music, games, food, and entertainment — all in support of cancer care. The event has raised over $85,000 to support cancer patients and their families in our community since it started in 2018.
What Makes It Special?
The Cards Crush Cancer event is more than just a fundraiser — it’s a full-blown celebration of life, hope, and the power of coming together. Held entirely outdoors, the school transforms into a vibrant carnival complete with:
Water balloon battles
Live entertainment and DJs
Jumbo lawn games and inflatable courses
A video game truck
Food trucks and assorted snack booths
Zumba, trivia, and student vs. teacher competitions
The list goes on!
Each year brings new activities, more excitement, and deeper meaning — all thanks to the creativity and dedication of SCC staff, students, and community partners. It’s a day that combines joy with purpose, and fun with compassion.
Leading by Example
St. Charles College was the first school in the region to launch an event of this calibre — and its success has inspired others to follow suit. But it’s not just about raising funds; it’s about instilling values like compassion, and civic responsibility within the next generation. As the school explains, Cards Crush Cancer is a hands-on lesson in leadership, empathy, and community service where students can celebrate being a Cardinal, while supporting a cause that began within the very walls where they now learn and grow.
In fact, earlier this month, SCC students had the opportunity to tour the HSN Cancer Centre, giving them a firsthand glimpse at how their efforts over the past seven years have made a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.
This year, Health Sciences North Foundation recognized SCC as one of its top donors, unveiling a commemorative plaque at the hospital to honour the school’s ongoing support. Cards Crush Cancer has also been selected as one of HSN’s spotlight campaigns for May and June — an honour that speaks to the heart of this event.
A Message from the Principal
“Cards Crush Cancer is about creating an experience students will never forget — not just for the fun, but for the values it represents: empathy, community, and action. Each year, the event continues to grow, thanks to the dedication and creativity of our incredible team of planners: Jessica Demore, Amanda Montgomery, and Jennifer Freelandt-Humphrey. This event simply wouldn’t be possible without them.” — Aaron Barry, Principal, St. Charles College
Want to Make a Difference?
If you’d like to support the cause, donations can be made through the Cards Crush Cancer fundraising page on the HSN Foundation website.
The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) proudly hosted the 7th Annual Catholic School Council Evening at Marymount Academy on Tuesday, May 27, bringing together Catholic School Council Chairs, Principals, Trustees, parents, students, and members of our wider school communities. The event focused on strengthening home–school–parish partnerships to support enhanced student achievement and engagement.
Through a short presentation and meaningful small-group discussions, attendees had the opportunity to actively contribute to the Board’s Student Achievement Plan. The evening emphasized collaboration, reflection, and the exchange of ideas, ensuring that diverse voices across our school communities were heard and valued.
Building on the success of previous years, the event fostered thoughtful dialogue between parents, staff, students, trustees, and senior administration—reinforcing our shared commitment to student success and well-being. Every school in our Board was represented, highlighting the strong commitment of our communities to shaping a brighter future for all students.
We extend our sincere thanks to PIC Chair Paola Stefanuto and PIC Vice Chair Amanda Dittrich for their leadership and dedication in organizing this event. We are also grateful to Marymount Academy for graciously hosting this gathering each year.
Thank you to all who attended and participated. Your voices and continued involvement are key to helping Sudbury Catholic Schools grow together in service of every student’s success.
On May 21, Grade 5 and 6 students from St. David and Holy Trinity Catholic Schools came together at Terry Fox Field to play in a series of friendly baseball games, celebrating their success in the 2025 Jays Care Affiliate School Program. This initiative, led by the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, provides select schools with training, equipment, and access to inclusive baseball programming.
Thanks to the leadership of Principal Colin Lapalme and Teacher Louis Mailloux, both schools successfully applied for the program at the start of the school year — and everything that’s happened since has been a home run. Through their partnership with Jays Care, more than 100 students from St. David’s and Holy Trinity learned how to play baseball and received top-quality equipment and resources, including baseball gloves, balls, tees, bats, indoor bases, pylons, and more. This spring, both schools also delivered the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program—a national program by Jays Care that focuses on making baseball more inclusive and accessible. The program, which aims to eliminate barriers so that every child has the opportunity to participate in sports, provides support from trained coaches, uniforms, and league play, enabling students to develop new skills, build friendships, and cultivate a love of the game in a safe and welcoming environment.
The end-of-year gathering on May 21 served as a happy finale to a season of teamwork, skill-building, and inclusive play—leaving a lasting impact on both school communities.
“We are very proud of the students and staff at St. David and Holy Trinity for their dedication and teamwork,” said Principal Colin Lapalme. “There is no doubt about it that participation in the Jays Care Affiliate School Program and RBI Program has had a meaningful impact on students’ lives—both on and off the field. Staff have seen an increase in engagement, with many students asking their families for gloves and continuing to play baseball with friends outside of school.”
“The program provided a great opportunity for all types of students to participate, regardless of previous experience,” said Louis Mailloux, Teacher at St. David Catholic Elementary School. “We have seen students take risks, build friendships, and fall in love with the game. Thank you to Jays Care Foundation for making this possible. We look forward to taking part in more baseball programs in the years to come.”
With their season wrapping up just as the MLB season begins, the Blue Jays may have gained a few new fans this year. As a school board that aspires to excellence, we are proud to celebrate the success of St. David and Holy Trinity’s budding baseball athletes as they stepped up to the plate and discovered their passion for the game.
May 25 to May 31, 2025, is National AccessAbility Week!
National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an annual initiative that celebrates, promotes, and showcases the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our country, and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an accessible Canada. Since 2019, Easter Seals Ontario has recognized the Wednesday of National AccessAbility week as the Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt to raise awareness for accessibility and disability inclusion and make a pledge to help remove physical, attitudinal, and systematic barriers in their schools, workplaces, and communities.
Red Shirt Day
Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. In 2025, Red Shirt Day will take place on Wednesday, May 28. Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Red Shirt Day to promote messages of support for people and families living with disabilities.
About Red Shirt Day
Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada. Learn more!
Join us for a summer filled with learning, laughter, and lasting memories!
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is hosting a FREE Summer Learning Camp, open to all Sudbury Catholic School students currently enrolled in FDK Year 2 (SK) through Grade 6. Taking place from July 7 to 25, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at St. Francis School, the program is designed to support students in bridging learning gaps and preventing summer learning loss through fun, interactive activities.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board
Elementary Summer Learning Camp
📅 July 7–25, 2025
⏰ 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 St. Francis School – 691 Lilac Street
How to Register?
Registration is open until June 6, 2025, and full attendance for all three weeksis required. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. To register click the link below.
This half-day camp will focus on building essential skills in literacy and mathematics, while also promoting creativity, physical activity, and cultural learning. Here are just a few of the exciting experiences campers can look forward to:
Literacy and math skill development (English and French Immersion)
Physical activities that promote teamwork and sportsmanship
Music, drama, and visual arts
Indigenous cultural learning experiences
Use of engaging technology tools like iPads and robots
Opportunities to build confidence and make new friends
Help shape the future of Sudbury Catholic Schools! Share your voice in our community-wide engagement campaign and help guide our priorities for the next five years.
This week, the spirit of Catholic education lit up St. David School—both figuratively and literally—as students in Ms. Toffoli’s Grade 4/5 classroom took part in a meaningful hands-on activity: creating Lanterns of Hope. With creativity, care, and faith guiding each design, the students spent a beautiful afternoon reflecting on themes of light, hope, and community.
Adding to this already engaging activity, the class was honoured to welcome Mr. Ray Desjardins, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Mr. Desjardins joined the students for the activity, rolling up his sleeves to help bring the lanterns to life. His visit made the experience all the more memorable and highlighted the strong connection between our schools and the broader Catholic education community.
Thank you to Ms. Toffoli for organizing such an inspiring and faith-filled opportunity, and for inviting Mr. Desjardins to share in the moment. Activities like these reflect the heart of Catholic education—where creativity, faith, and community come together to light the way forward.
Marymount Academy is proud to announce that Grade 11 student Alexia Hall has been selected to attend CampMed at NOSM University this summer from July 7 to 11, 2025.
Through a highly competitive application process, Alexia demonstrated her strong interest in health care and was chosen to participate in this immersive, week-long experience designed to inspire youth in Northern Ontario to pursue careers in the health sciences.
Hosted at NOSM University, CampMed introduces students to a wide range of health-related professions through hands-on learning opportunities, including anatomy labs, simulations, and mentorship from healthcare professionals. The program places a strong emphasis on Indigenous and Francophone cultures while fostering collaboration and leadership among participants.
“I am incredibly honored to have been accepted into NOSM University’s CampMed program,” said Alexia. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career centered around helping others—whether as a veterinarian, nurse, or doctor. Through my CO-OP placement and current job at Northwood Medical Clinics, my passion for healthcare has only grown.”
She added that the opportunity aligns closely with her long-term goals. “My dream is to attend Laurentian University for my undergraduate studies in science and eventually pursue family medicine at NOSM to become a family doctor. CampMed presents an amazing opportunity for me to explore the healthcare field further, gain valuable insight, and develop skills that will benefit both my academic journey and everyday life. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.”
“We are incredibly proud of Alexia and all that she has accomplished,” said Stephanie Venturi, Principal of Marymount Academy. “Her passion for health care, commitment to learning, and enthusiasm for helping others are truly inspiring. We can’t wait to see where her journey leads.”
Alexia will join other high school students from across Northern Ontario in this transformative experience that blends education, cultural awareness, and career exploration.
