Wishing all our students, staff, and families a lucky St. Patrick’s Day! Stay safe, keep warm, and enjoy every fun moment this day holds. May the luck of the Irish be with you always.
Last week our schools got into the spirit with hands-on activities, green attire, root-beer floats, shamrock artwork, classroom celebrations, and so much more. Check out some of the highlights below:
Drama Club students from Pius XII Catholic Elementary School have earned second place in the 2025 Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) Short Video Contest for their video, It Just Takes One Holy Voice.
Students were awarded with second-place certificates at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) February 17 Board Meeting by OCSTA President and SCDSB Chair,Michael Bellmorewhere they also had the opportunity to highlight the Drama Club and the welcoming, inclusive space it has fostered within their school community.
The OCSTA Short Video Contest is an annual, province-wide initiative open to students in Grades 4–12 at Catholic schools across Ontario. This year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness,” invited students to reflect on faith, hope, and the values of Catholic education through the creation of short videos. Pius XII’s winning submission resonated strongly with the online voting community for demonstrating how even one voice can inspire hope and bring a community together. Their creative efforts resulted in their submission not only getting votes from across Sudbury, but Canada and all around the world.
“It was truly an honour to present this award to the students and staff at Pius XII Catholic Elementary School. Competing with much larger schools from across Ontario, their submission stood out as a powerful example of how student voice brings Catholic education to life within our communities. We are incredibly proud of all our students and the work they put in to capture the theme.”
– Michael Bellmore, SCDSB Chair
According to the school the success of It Just Takes One Holy Voice was made possible through the guidance and encouragement of staff members Ms. Jarrett and Ms. Cousineau, as well as the collaborative spirit of all the students involved.
“Our Drama Club is a space rooted in commitment, creativity, teamwork, hard work, dedication, and inclusion, and provides students with opportunities to express themselves, build confidence, and develop social and technical skills. As we celebrate this achievement, our school looks forward to continuing to expand opportunities for students to explore their faith, imagination, and artistic callings. Thank you to everyone who voted and helped Pius XII be recognized at a provincial level.”
– Merrill Sanowar, Principal
During the meeting, student and Drama Club member Chimmuanya shared how students were empowered at every stage of the project – from developing the concept and writing the script to filming, editing, and promoting the video. Beyond the creative process, additional members also designed an outreach strategy to encourage voting and build community engagement at school, parish, and local events. This collaborative approach blended innovation and critical thinking, creating a space where students with a wide range of talents could contribute.
“Drama Club is a place where you get to be creative and work as a team. We learn to commit, work hard, and include everyone. It’s helped me express myself, build confidence, and learn new skills, and it’s something I really look forward to.”
– Chimmuanya, Student
While the provincial recognition is a significant achievement for a smaller elementary school with approximately 278 students, the true success lies in the inclusive space the school has created for students of all talents and grade levels to come together and showcase their creativity in meaningful ways.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s mission is to realize each student’s potential within an inclusive Catholic Learning Community by nurturing and developing students through mind, body, and spirit.
This annual celebration highlights the importance of literacy and the essential role families play in supporting children’s learning and development. Research continues to show that reading together, engaging in regular conversation, and encouraging independent reading helps build strong literacy skills and supports long-term student success. That is why schools across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will once again provide opportunities for families to come together in celebration of Family Literacy Day.
Family Literacy Day 2026 Theme:
Make mealtime family learning time
Preparing for mealtime is a fun (and tasty) way for families to learn together. Whether it’s following recipes, making shopping lists, or sharing stories at the dinner table, make your mealtime family learning time. In addition to school-based activities, families can explore additional Family Literacy resources through ABC Life Literacy Canada.
Literacy goes beyond reading and writing — it includes understanding, communicating, and using information in everyday life. These skills support academic achievement, build confidence, and foster lifelong learning.
Did you know?
Research shows that families with children who are read to, spoken with regularly, and encouraged to read on their own develop stronger literacy skills and are more likely to succeed in school.
Families play a vital role in nurturing literacy at home and in our communities. By working together, we continue to create a learning environment where every child feels supported, confident, and inspired to read, learn, and grow.
Simple activities likereadingtogether, visiting the library, telling stories, or talking about books can make a big difference. These shared experiences help build vocabulary, comprehension, and alove of learning.
Visit ABC Life Literacy Canada for more information about Family Literacy.
Each year, Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP (FCR) hosts an accounting case competition for secondary students, challenging participants to apply their knowledge to real-world business scenarios. This year’s competition tasked students with analyzing a case study based on a Sudbury theatre organization and challenged them to develop practical, implementable business solutions.
The competition provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, professionalism, and problem-solving skills while applying accounting concepts to real-life scenarios. Participants also benefit from feedback and evaluation by practicing accountants, offering valuable insight into industry expectations.
Among the 13 teams that participated, two teams from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School achieved exceptional results, earning both first-place positions in the competition. Each team was awarded $1,000, for a total of $2,000, which was shared among the student participants. One of the first-place teams was led by student captains Zayle Boyuk and Wesley Wei.
The outcome exceeded expectations for the St. Benedict teams, with both groups delivering strong presentations under the competition’s time constraints. While the students felt confident in their work, earning both first-place positions came as a proud and unexpected result that reinforced the school’s reputation for excellence in business studies.
“I think honestly, for both our teams it was a little bit of a shock because we didn’t think we would both get first place, but then when we did it was a big moment of pride because I think St. Ben’s is known as more of an academically strong school especially in business. So, I think that reaffirms that we have that business excellence,” said Zayle.
Both student captains have developed a strong interest in pursuing accounting at the post-secondary level, crediting their business education at St. Benedict as a key influence.
“To be honest, this is all because of Mr. Politi. The first time I took a business class was in grade 10 and taught by Mr. Politi, and then it just kind of sparked an interest for me. So, I took grade 11 and grade 12 accounting classes and became interested in accounting,” said Wesley.
Zayle agreed, and shared “For me, last year I had grade 10 business and it was the subject that clicked most. I like Mr. Politi a lot as a teacher as well. I learned that I have a business mindset, so I started pursuing things like marketing and accounting.”
When reflecting on advice for future competitors, both students emphasized preparation and leadership. Zayle highlighted the importance of having a strong leader who can guide a team under pressure, while Wesley stressed the value of entering the competition with a solid foundation of knowledge. Preparation, they noted, was essential to success, with Zayle adding that reviewing past competitions and understanding what led to previous wins helped inform their approach this year.
“Experiential learning opportunities like the FCR Accounting Case Competition allow students to explore career interests, develop practical, real-world skills, and gain valuable exposure to post-secondary and professional pathways,” said Morris Hucal, Director of Education.
“We are proud of the work Mr. Politi and his students have done at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, and we welcome opportunities like this that help prepare students for success beyond secondary school.”
Join Sudbury Catholic Schools at our upcoming 7-12 School Open House Events!
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites students heading into Grades 7-12 and their families to attend our upcoming Open House Events. Participants will have the opportunity to meet teachers and staff, speak with current students, tour our modern school facilities, and explore the wide range of programs and opportunities available. Please contact the appropriate school for more information about open houses and for questions about registering for school.
Marymount Academy: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles College: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School: Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Pre-Register for School
Register now for the 2026/27 School Year on our easy online registration platform. Please contact the appropriate school for questions about registering for school.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is proud to welcome celebrated skilled trades advocate Jamie McMillan, founder of Made in the Trades, for a series of inspiring presentations to students at four SCDSB schools this November.
McMillan, an ironworker and nationally recognized speaker, will share her journey in the skilled trades while encouraging students to explore apprenticeship pathways, dismantle stereotypes, and discover the rewarding career opportunities available in today’s labour market. Her presentations highlight hands-on learning, strong earning potential, and the importance of essential skills – messages that directly support Ontario’s Grade 7-10 career education curriculum.
McMillan will visit the following Sudbury Catholic Schools from Nov. 24-27:
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School – Grades 8 and 10
Holy Trinity Catholic School – Grades 4-6
Marymount Academy – Grade 9
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School – Grades 7-10
Across all presentations, McMillan will share stories from her career, offer real-world insights into apprenticeship opportunities, and speak to the growing demand for skilled professionals in Ontario. Her message empowers young people to recognize their strengths, explore diverse pathways, and consider futures rooted in hands-on, meaningful work.
“These sessions support the Board’s ongoing commitment to enriching student learning, expanding pathway awareness, and connecting classroom learning with real-life opportunities in the skilled trades.” – Daniel Levecque, SHSM/OYAP/College Link/CO-OP Secondary Consultant
“Sudbury Catholic DSB is dedicated to empowering students to pursue apprenticeship pathways that offer invaluable hands-on experience, strong earning potential, and lasting career opportunities in today’s labour market.” – Morris Hucal, SCDSB Director of Education
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we sincerely thank Jamie for sharing her insight and personal journey with our learning community. The opportunities within the skilled trades are vast, and presentations such as this play an important role in encouraging students to explore their future pathways and the many possibilities available to them before and beyond graduation.
About Jamie McMillan
Jamie McMillan is a Red Seal Ironworker and founder of Made in the Trades, an outreach initiative dedicated to promoting skilled trades and apprenticeship pathways to youth across Canada. Learn more: https://madeinthetrade.com/
About the Sudbury Catholic District School Board
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board delivers quality faith-based education to over 7000 students across Greater Sudbury and Killarney. Through inclusive school environments, innovative programming, and strong community partnerships, the Board is committed to supporting each learner’s spiritual, academic, and personal growth. For more information, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca
On November 20, students from all four Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools came together for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s annual Leadership Retreat at Our Lady of Hope Church, uniting young leaders from across the Board for a day of meaningful connection.
This year’s retreat focused on sustainability and caring for God’s creation. Guided by our Faith Animators and dedicated Sudbury Catholic staff, students participated in hands-on activities that explored environmental stewardship and how we can continue to protect and honour the earth. They also heard from an inspiring guest speaker who shared powerful insights on living sustainably through faith and action.
Our students embraced every moment, offering thoughtful reflections on how they can champion environmental responsibility within their schools and communities.
Check out our photo gallery on Facebook for highlights from this uplifting day of learning, leadership, and faith in action!
This month, Sudbury Catholic District School Board Director of Education, Morris Hucal, visited St. Albert Adult Learning Centre to experience firsthand the innovative programs and unique learning opportunities that make this school community one of a kind. It was a memorable visit — and one of many Mr. Hucal has made across our system as part of his personal commitment to celebrating and understanding what makes each of our schools so special. The answer, of course, lies in the programs, the people, and the genuine care that shine through every community.
During his visit at St. Albert, Mr. Hucal toured classrooms, met with students and staff, and explored the school’s successful Peace Pens & Beyond Program. This student-led initiative blends creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship as learners design and produce their own handcrafted items. With guidance from Educational Assistant Lynn Dubois and St. Albert PEACE student Trent, Mr. Hucal even rolled up his sleeves to craft his very own Peace Pen!
The visit also included time with students in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program, who are developing both the practical skills and the compassion needed to build meaningful careers in care and service. Graduates from this program go on to provide essential support to members of our community who require daily living assistance due to age, illness, or disability.
These visits reflect the Board’s ongoing commitment to being present in our schools – listening to student voices, celebrating creativity, and witnessing the hands-on, faith-filled learning happening each day across our system.
St. Charles Catholic Elementary School in Chelmsford hosted its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony today, in partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 553. This meaningful ceremony is a tradition that has been an important part of the school community for over 20 years, honouring the sacrifices of veterans and those who continue to serve.
Each year, the ceremony not only pays tribute to all of Canada’s veterans, but also helps students deepen their understanding of the many roles and histories of service members in our community. The school continues to proudly display handmade poppies, artwork, and displays throughout the building as a visible reminder of remembrance.
This year’s ceremony was made extra special with coverage from CTV Northern Ontario‘s – Angela Gemmill. Watch the story below to witness how the St. Charles school community comes together in respect, reflection, and gratitude.
Thank you to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 553 for your ongoing commitment to our schools. Your stories and presence help our students understand why we remember, and the role we all play in building a future grounded in peace and freedom.
