On Tuesday, June 10, the entire St. David Catholic Elementary School joined their community partners at the location for the new school’s site. Just off of Frood Road, between the Spectrum and CTV buildings, approximately 250 students and staff joined Sudbury Catholic board staff as well as other community organizations to smudge the new site with elder Vince Pawis. Dawn Wemigwans, principal of the school welcomed all the students, staff and guests, and after a prayer by student Czesh Malik, the group listened to student singers/drummers while Pawis smudged the site to bring good feelings to the space. Wemigwans explained to the group that, “today we are smudging the space for our new school. We are doing this to clear any negative energy and bring only good thoughts and prayers into the building of our new school.”
Michael Bellmore, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees also addressed the crowd during the ceremony. “It is very exciting for us to be part of such a unique building opportunity that embraces the natural space around it, and incorporates nature as a focus in its design,” Bellmore stated. “We are so pleased that the architects’ design for the school is so forward thinking – having both nature and culture taking centre stage, and allowing for a distinct and remarkable space for our students.”
The new school is scheduled to be open in September, 2015, and will be a Full Day Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school.
Category: Programs
Ten Year Anniversary for Johhathan Hetu Walk at St. Charles Elementary
For the past nine years, students and staff of St. Charles Catholic Elementary have taken part in the Johnathan Hetu walk. Johnathan Hetu was an exceptional student at the school and passed away in 2004 after a two-year battle with leukemia. Teacher David Nicholls, who was to have Johnathan in his class that next year, felt compelled to do something to honour Johnathan’s memory – thus the creation of the Johnathan Hetu walk. Students were asked to raise funds, and all the monies were donated to the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (N.O.F.C.C.). This year, students and staff once again participated in the walk and raised an outstanding amount of $7112. 77 bringing their grand total to close to $60,000 for their ten year anniversary of the walk. Once again, Johnathan’s family joined the school for the walk and the entire school community celebrated Johnathan’s spirit and inspiration.
School principal, Dave Soehner, was overwhelmed with the school’s spirit once again. “I am extremely proud of my students and staff for continuing to honour our former student and his family through this walk and their donations,” Soehner stated. “The Johnathan Hetu walk brings us closer as a school community, allows us the opportunity to celebrate one of our own, as well as give back to our own city in a very positive and direct way through N.O.F.C.C.”
Sudbury Catholic Elementary Track and Field
Sudbury Catholic elementary students have participated in the board’s track and field meets over the last couple of weeks. Luckily, with the great weather, the students competed under sunny skies and all the events went off without a hitch. Thank you to the many staff who volunteered to help organize these events, and congratulations to all of the students for your participation and positive attitudes!
Bears Soccer Finish 4th in Ontario
The St. Benedict Bears Sr. Boys Soccer team finished 4th at OFSAA in London, Ontario (June 5-7, 2014). This is the second straight final 4 appearance for the team at the provincial championships. The squad won their round-robin pool with a perfect 3-0 record. The squad then won the quarter-final 3-1 over Port Hope. Unfortunately, the Bears would fall 2-0 to Glegarry SS from Ottawa in the semi-final, who eventually went onto win the gold medal. The Bears lost a close 2-1 match to Ridley College from St. Catharines in the consolation game. The team finished with it’s best results in program history and a season record of 13-2 (only losing on the final day of the season). Coaches were Giuseppe Politi, Giorgio Urso, and Aaron Dent. The squad members include: Brad Mansfield, Brandon Moxam, Cody Boyle, Cody Nkongolo, Cody Piche, Connor Vande Weghe, Curtis Carpino, Elliot Swan, Jon Zanini, Josh Rancourt, Matthew Bertuzzi, Nathan Shane, Nick Filippetto, Nick Hechler, Rudy Giusti, Ryan Keenan, Ryan Phillips, Shawn Wilcox, Josh Girolametto, David Portelance, and JC Carriere.
Art Club Blossoming at St. David School
The teachers and staff at St. David Catholic Elementary School appreciate that good education is based in holistic instruction. Art develops the whole brain. Art strengthens focus and increases attention, develops hand – eye co-ordination, requires practice and strategic thinking and involves interacting with the material world through different tools and mediums. Art builds self esteem, increases motivation and can strengthen our relationship with the environment.
Mrs. Elissa Zuliani, the school’s primary prep teacher offers her time each week after school for those students interested in expanding their knowledge of visual arts. The St. David School Art Club is offered every Wednesday from 3 – 4 pm. Participating students work with various mediums (paint, oil pastels, marker, etc.) and learn about famous artists and their styles. All students bring their artwork home at the end of the program in a portfolio after it is showcased in the school. Healthy after school snacks and drinks are provided to all student participants each week. To date, the students have learned about Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinski, and various Inuit artists.
According to Mrs. Zuliani, “Art is good for the soul and anyone can paint. This is our motto. We welcome all grade 2 and 3 students at all levels of ability and celebrate each other’s talents”.
St. Benedict Off to OFFSA
After a 1st place finish in the Sudbury regular season and a playoff city championship in Sudbury (8-0), the St. Benedict Bears Senior Boys Soccer team beat Chippewa Secondary School (of North Bay) 4-0 on Friday afternoon in North Bay. The squad remains a perfect 9-0-0, with 29 goals for and 1 againstt. The Bears beat the Raiders by a score of 4-0, with goals by Shawn Wilcox (3) and Josh Rancourt (1). The shutout was recorded by Connor Vande Weghe. With the win, the squad returns to OFSAA (hosted in London this year on June 4-7) where it earned a 4th place finish last year.
Range Day for the CYGA
On Sunday, June 1st some youth from around the Sudbury Catholic District School Board the Rainbow Board, and Lively Golf & Country Club’s junior golf program received free golf instruction from local pro and “Greatest Golfer in Sudbury” John Hastie at the Hwy. 69 Driving Range. John brought along a couple of assistants to help instruct youth on the basic fundamentals of golf. The instruction was focused mainly on safety, the golf grip, setup, and take away. John Hastie is the CPGA Professional at Lively Golf & Country Club and takes great pride in ensuring that every opportunity is present for local youth to get involved with the great game of golf. John, along with Junior Chair at Lively Golf & Country Club, Max Kallio, have put together in conjunction with Executive Director of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance (CYGA), Ryan Cooney, and Chair of the Board of Directors, Brandon Beeson, a wonderful junior golf program for the youth involved. The Education Chair of the Board of Directors for the CYGA and Marymount Academy teacher, Dan Bartolucci said that “for some of the youth, this was the first time ever swinging a golf club, and it was wonderful to see them involved with the CYGA outside of the classroom as part of the Golf Participation Program.” Once every three weeks, youth from around our local school boards get together and discuss (in a comfortable, seminar like setting) philosophies of life as part of the “Search for Self I” course in the CYGA’s Education Program. “Today, the focus was on the game of golf, and it was great to see some of the youth from Marymount’s CYGA group stepping up and applying that same passion that they do for education and directing it to learning about golf.” Next up for the youth is a “Mentorship Day” on June 13th, where one mentor will golf 9 holes with three CYGA youth. This will include an information session held prior to the players teeing of which will cover a variety of topics ranging from golf course etiquette to golf course culture. To learn more about the CYGA, please visit www.canadianyouthgolfalliance.com.
The Marymount Academy Music Department Proudly Presents a Spring Pops Concert!
Tuesday June 3rd, 7pm – Marymount Gymnasium – Admission by Donation
Baked goods and light refreshments provided.
Featuring:
Senior Concert Band, Junior Concert Band,
Grade 9-12 Strings Class, and Grade 9 Instrumental Music Class
The entire music department has collaborated to perform an evening of popular movie and TV themes for friends, family, and teachers alike. From the Simpsons to Pink Panther, Jurassic Park to E.T. there’s something for everyone! You’re invited to join us for this celebration of all that the music department has worked hard to accomplished this year including the:
Senior Concert Band who won a Silver at the Northern Ontario Music Festival, a Gold at the Kiwanis Music Festival, Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association award, and a Bronze at the Toronto Music Festival in May on their performance trip.
Junior Concert Band (gr.7-10) who won a Bronze at the Northern Ontario Music Festival, a Gold at the Kiwanis Music Festival, the Lougheed Family and Staff award, and have just returned from their two day performance tour of Sudbury Catholic Schools (thanks again to St. Andrew, St. Raphael, and Immaculate Conception!).
Senior Percussion Ensemble who won a Gold a the Kiwanis Music Festival and the Estelle Scappatura award.
It has truly been a fantastic year for the music program at Marymount and we are thrilled to entertain audiences once again by sharing the music we love!
Sudbury Catholic Elementary Band to Perform at Bell Park
Grade 7 and 8 students from four local Catholic Schools have been busy preparing for a hectic spring concert series. The 56 member Sudbury Catholic Elementary Band will perform Sunday night at the Grace Hartman amphitheatre to kick off the City of Sudbury’s 17th Annual Bell Park Concert Series.
In the coming weeks, the group will also travel to each of their home schools (St. Anne, St. Benedict, St. Raphael and Piux XII) to put on concerts for elementary school students and teachers. The last leg of their tour will take them to Mother St. Bride School in North Bay for a joint concert with the host school’s band. Afterwards, the band members will tour lake Nipissing aboard the Chief Commanda II.
The Sudbury Catholic Band had a very successful school year, taking home Gold and Silver awards at local festivals, and performing numerous concerts, including a surprise performance for the board’s retiring director, Catherine McCullough.
Sunday night’s concert begins at 7 pm and everyone is welcome. In the event of rain, the concert will be re-located to the CNIB building at 303 York Street.