On Holy Thursday, the students, staff and parents at Immaculate Conception reflected on the night before the Passover, where Jesus took a towel, basin and water to wash the feet of all his disciples. As he washed his disciples’ feet, he said to them: “You, then, should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you”.
Fr. Michael and staff at Immaculate Conception followed in the foot steps of Jesus and washed the hands of all students. The basin, water, towels and the handwashing were visible signs of service to our students, our community and our God. Students understood what Jesus did for the disciples many years ago, and they too will carry on the work of Jesus, our Lord, and live a life of service.
Category: Programs
SCDSB Junior Girls Handball Tournament Results
On March 4, teams from several Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools took part in the Board’s Junior Girls Handball Tournament at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School.
The results were as follows:
1st place – St. Francis
2nd place – St. David
3rd place – St. Paul
4th place – St. Raphael
Congratulations to all the participants and thank you to all of the coaches, teachers, parents and volunteers involved!
They’ve Got the Moves like Jagger
On March 30th, the St. Mary School Community held a dance-a-thon to help raise money for the school. The community collectively raised over $400.00 for our students. Teacher Jenn Bruneau said, “Not only were we raising money so our students could enjoy more extracurricular activities, but we were staying healthy by fulfilling our Daily Physical Activity requirement.” A huge thank you is extended to Mrs. Gauvreau who prepared all the music for our dance.
Additional gratitude is extended to all students who helped raise money to support our school. The whole community felt it was refreshing to be involved in an event that created such spirit and enthusiasm.
Stewardship @ St. James School
During the month of April, Sudbury Catholic Schools celebrate the virtue of Stewardship. At St. James Catholic School students are promoting a variety of environmental friendly initiatives in hopes of reminding everyone that the Earth is a gift to us from God who has entrusted the planet to us.
The grade 8 students are promoting a unique opportunity for all students to become a steward of the Earth by launching a school version of EARTH HOUR. During EARTH HOUR all classrooms are encouraged to turn off their lights during the lunch hour. Students hope that this one initiative is mindful of our ongoing responsibility to take care of our planet. EARTH HOUR is just one of many environmental projects taking place at St. James.
St. Paul Captures Gold at Kiwanis
The St. Paul the Apostle primay choir under the direction of Ms. Kristine Shewchuk and accompanied by Ms. Christina Begin was awarded a Gold Award and a mark of 89 at the Kiwanis Music Festival on Tuesday April 3, 2012. This young group of children sang “A Song of Peace” by Teresa Jennings. The adjudicator wrote “I am thankful to have heard you today! Keep singing!” The staff, students and parents are very proud of their commitment and dedication to their school choir.
Learning Water Perspective at Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School
Students in teacher Jean Gallien’s grade 5 class are thinking about water. These Corpus Christi students are thinking that, here in Sudbury, the average person takes water for granted. As part of the Sudbury Catholic grade 5 essential question – How do we live in community? – the class began discussions about the Global Community and the importance of water awareness. As a response to this question, and their desire to make a difference, the Corpus Christi students have launched their own campaign to raise funds for the Ryan’s Well Foundation which is a foundation committed to delivering access to safe water in an essential way to improve peoples’ lives in developing countries. Having already started a coin collection in the school, the class has begun discussions about upcoming events and initiatives that will support their fundraiser including a possible walkathon. “Most of us take for granted the water we have,” teacher Jean Gallien stated. “It is a necessity and right now we are in our own little cocoon – this initiative will help teach the global perspective. It also ties into the Sudbury Catholic Board’s Destination Conservation initiative so it is also teaching water preservation in our own communities which is also important.” The Grade 5 class will work on their fundraiser until the end of May.
SCDSB Junior Boy Handball Tournament Results
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board had its annual Junior Boys Handball Tournament at St. Benedict School on March 25th. The tournament provided opportunities for students within our Board to develop their physical skills in a competitive environment. It also provided the opportunity for new friendships to be formed – a great thing considering many of these boys will be classmates in grade 7 and 8, and later on, in secondary school. It also strengthened existing friendships, and allowed an abundance of parents and relatives to appreciate the athletic talent of the students. The results of the tournament were as follows:
1st Place: St. Raphael
2nd Place: Corpus Christi
3rd Place: St. Francis
4th Place: St. David
A big thank you must be extended to the players, coaches, referees, scorekeepers, parents, and volunteers who helped make this tournament such a success. And another big thank you must be extended to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, for allowing the players to use their beautiful facility.
Vive le francais! – at St. Paul
St. Paul the Apostle’s Semaine de la Francophonie was a great opportunity to promote the importance of French culture in the lives of their students. Each day began with O’ Canada and a prayer (en français) lead by 7/8 immersion students. The Grade 8 Core French class talked about the gift of learning two languages. On Tuesday, the staff and students dressed in green and white. During the assembly, there was a testimonial from teacher Lucie Gautheir and a beautiful prayer, written by Tiffany Hodgins (Grade 7 immersion), was recited. Since music is a very important part of French culture, a video showcasing second language learners singing “J’aime parler français!” was featured. That song resonated throughout the school for the rest of the week! Wednesday’s activities included a colouring contest for younger students. The older grades were asked to design a St. Paul School francophonie button for next year’s Semaine de la Francophonie. The week ended on a sweet note with everyone savouring their maple syrup cupcakes! At. St. Paul the Apostle School, they celebrated that….. le français ….. c’est le passeport pour le monde!
Donovan Community Welcomes Spring with Traditional Feast
With a new season beginning, we must welcome it with open arms. Wednesday evening, March 21st, 2012, a traditional feast was in order for the Sudbury community to celebrate the beginning of spring. Performing the ceremony, was traditional elder Vince Pawis. Taking place in the gym of St. David Catholic Elementary School, several community members, families, students and staff were on hand to take part in this event. Cheryl Partridge, local aboriginal singer, opened the celebration with the welcoming song Biidagenh which means welcome, come in, in the local Ojibway language. The translation of the lyrics are “Welcome every nation, come in and sit down. Join us” – a fitting song to begin the evening’s event.
Pawis began with a prayer and smudge to spiritually cleanse all participants. He then explained the significance of the four directions in aboriginal culture, focusing on the Easter doorway as it signifies spring. “I am sitting in the Eastern doorway because the season that sits in the East is spring,” Pawis explained. “New life, newborns, marriages usually happen around this time.”
The gym was decorated with the colours of each direction, and after the explanation by Pawis, the group sat down for the “main event”. Traditional foods were served to the guests including fish, wildrice and strawberries. During the meal, Pawis also spoke to the group about the significance of each of the foods and their importance to Aboriginal culture. St. Charles College student Chayenne Oechsler was on hand for the Feast and felt it was successful event for the attending community. “I really enjoyed this evening with Vince,” stated Oechsler. “It was a really welcoming atmosphere, and it was great welcome spring together as well as learn more about Aboriginal culture.”
Submitted by St. Charles College co-op student, Cheyenne Oechsler.