Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School hosted a Grade 9 Club and Sports Fair during the third week of school. Often Grade 9 students find entering Grade 9 and a new high school scary or intimidating. The staff and students at Bishop want students to feel comfortable in their new school and want to encourage students to get involved. Many studies speak to the importance of students getting involved in their school. Students who are involved in any extra curricular activity (sports or clubs) are more likely to stay in school and report higher levels of engagement. Grade 9 students had the opportunity to see the many clubs and sports teams at the school during their annual Club and Sports Fair. Senior students at the school were responsible for setting up a booth and promoting their activity to the Grade 9 students. The Grade 9 students were able to sign up for a club/sport and enjoyed seeing what the school had to offer.
Category: Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School
“The Bishop Cup” – BACCSS’s First Ever R/C Car Race
On May 9th, 2013, Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School hosted its first ever R/C (remote controlled) car races. It was a great day for motor car racing. The sky was blue and the temperature was holding study at about 20 degrees. There was an impressive turn out of about 18 cars and approximately 75 spectators. The cars were divided up into 3 different classes, Monster Truck, Stock, and Mod. To wrap-up the day, a no-holds-barred race named “Top Dawg” was held where all the drivers raced at once.
It was an afternoon full of thrills, spills, and speed as racers participated in a total of 16 different heat races. In the end, four winners crowned. In the Monster truck Class, student Liam Mitchel came out on top and student Zander Fortier topped the field in Stock. In the Mod class, teacher Paul Mailloux prevailed and finally in Top Dawg, student James Roque beat out all the other competitors to claim first place. When the dust settled at the end of the day, all of the drivers (students and teachers alike) did an awesome job of keeping the crowd entertained and the cars running strong all afternoon. A special thanks goes out to all the spotters (people who flip the cars back on their wheels after a crash), lap counters, announcers, grillers, and spectators. Without your help and support, none of this could have happened!
BAC R/C club didn’t pop up over night. It actually began way back in September 2012, when a group of teachers (Kirk Mckee, Serge Remillard, and Paul Mailloux) thought it would be great if there could be a club that would interest the schools large population of “Gearheads”. I was decided that R/C car racing would be the perfect club because it’s very hands on, students learn about how cars work, safe, and it’s affordable. Anther bonus is that the racing ties into curriculum nicely. The Manufacturing and Wood Working classes were crucial in the actual fabrication of the track. The Gr. 9-10 Workplace Math class was put in charge of measuring and dividing the track into 10 equal sized chunks. The Specialist High Skills Major class recorded the event from an array of different angles and are currently editing the footage. Numerous teachers are incorporating the cars into physics and math questions. In the future, the club plans on further expanding its membership and possibly team up with some community clubs. While the members aren’t racing, the teachers are showing the students how to maintain and tune-up their machines.
Brand new “Traxxas” R/C cars start off at $200 for a ready to go package which includes the car, battery, charger and radio. Also, all the parts to repair the cars are available at Best Buy and Future Shop. Lots of people think of the old, slow, clumsy R/C cars that they had when they were a kid. Don’t get confused, these aren’t toys. Out of the box, these electric 1/10 scale cars can go anywhere from 35-70mph!
There are all kinds of ways to get involved with R/C club at BAC. Maybe the most obvious way is to buy a car and race, but that isn’t the only way. The club is always looking for members who want to be involved in track maintenance, spotting, lap counting, marshalling, and so on. Without members doing these important jobs, the races are very hard to put on. The club will be hosting several other races this spring. Spectators and new members are always welcome, and remember, no car is needed!
Learning About Goalball at SCDSB
Students from St. James Elementary School recently participated in the Ontario Blind Sports Association Recreational Tournament. The tournament took place in Brantford Ontarion on May 11th, 2013. In addition, Ontario Blind Sports Association, along with the CNIB, provided goalball clinics at St. James Elementary school, Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School and Marymount Academy on May 23rd and 24th.
On May 25th, a goalball clinic was held for members of the public at Sudbury Secondary Highshool.
A recreational goalball league is planned to begin operation in the fall of 2013.
Goalball is “the” blind sport, created specifically for the blind. It’s an indoor court game played around the world by the blind and visually impaired. The sport was developed in the late 1940’s and is played internationally up to the world championship and Paralympic Games levels.
Teams of three try to score goals using a ball similar in size to a basketball that is about the same weight as a brick and has a bell inside it. Players attempt to roll or throw the ball across a goal line. The opposing team tries to block it using their arms, legs and bodies. With a ball flying at speeds of 65 km/h or more, it’s exciting!
Games last 20 minutes and are divided into two equal halves of ten minutes each, with a 3 minute half time.
The object of the game is to score goals by rolling a ball (called a Goalball) down a 9m x 18m (volleyball size) court toward the opposing team’s goal, which spans the entire 9m width of the court. Players (1 centre and 2 wingers) attempt to prevent the Goalball from crossing the goal line in a totally sightless condition. A Goalball weight is 1.25kg and contains noise bells and along with raised lines on the court, help to orientate the players.
Therefore, while play is in progress, silence is required in the venue to allow the players to concentrate and react instantly to the ball. However, cheering is permitted after a goal is scored and at the end of a game.
Goalball is a benefit to any education curriculum & sports teams
Goalball introduces able bodied students to living with a disability and functioning without vision in a practical, fun setting. It focuses on what the blind and partially sighted can do rather than on what they cannot do. It continues to break down barriers.
It teaches valuable athletic performance skills such as: communication, non visual focus, team work & kinesthetic awareness, explosive lateral movement.
Goalball is one of the most inclusive sports in the world. All participants must wear eyeshades, so removing the sense of sight for all participants creates a level playing field for all.
Professional Speaker at BAC for All Parents
On Thursday May 9, 2013 beginning at 6:30pm in the school gym at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School parents from St. Charles Elementary School, St. Anne Elementary School and Bishop Alexander Carter are invited to attend an evening with Dr. C. Sturdy.
Dr. Sturdy is a professional speaker based in Toronto who is also an author, father, teacher, former school principal and active community member. On this evening he will be discussing two topics, “Bullying…How to Help Your Kids!” and “Hurried Adult/Hurried Adolescent”.
The presentation will last approximately 1hour 15 minutes with a Question/Answer period.
Additionally, he will be selling his CDs for $10.00 and the book, “The Hurried Life: 101 Ways To Slow It Down” for $20.00. If you will be attending you are asked to please RSVP the school.
On a final note there will be door prizes donated by Perkins Restaurant. We hope to see you there!
Bishop ACCSS Student Jumps to New Heights
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School student Leah Blanchette is quite a busy girl. Not only is she a dedicated student, she is also quite an accomplished equestrian whose dedication to her sport takes up quite a bit of her time outside of school as well. According to her mother, Kate Blanchette, Leah is a quiet girl and “knowing Leah, not many realize her accomplishments as she is so modest about her success.”
Leah completed on the “A” circuit national level the past season and that has meant a lot of time away from home and school with her coach Cathy Inch. Leah and her horse Jinjovan AKA “Joe” train out of Foothills Farm in Chelmsford. Most days involve at least 10 to 12 hours of practice, or showing in the ring and Leah spends at a minimum 5 days a week with Joe and her coach.
Leah and Joe have qualified for the Royal Winter fair, which is the Canadian Equestrian championships, to be held in Toronto starting Nov 2nd. Not only have they qualified, but they have managed to be pinned in all 4 of their divisions (Junior Hunter, A equitation, Junior Medal, and Jump Canada Medal) and they will go to nationals with finishing their qualifying season overall 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place standing. The Royal Winter fair is Canada’s premier equestrian show and is a platform for future Canadian Olympians as well as internationally known champions. Equestrian sport is the only Olympic sport where both men and women compete as equals.
Dave Soehner, principal of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School is extremely proud of Leah. “We are blown away by Leah’s dedication and passion for her sport,” Soehner said. “ We support her efforts 100% as she embodies the true Gator spirit, and wish her the best of luck with her upcoming championship.”
While she is competing, her trips in the ring can be watched on the Royal Winter Fair website, live feed. Leah and Joe will be in the ring on Friday Nov. 2, 3rd and again for Jump Canada finals on Nov 6th.
University Information Night – October 15, 2012
There will be a University Information Night on Monday, October 16, 2012 for all students interested in finding out more information about Ontario universities. Representatives from all 21 of the provinces universities will be on hand to answer any questions from prospective students including admission requirements, residence, scholarships, application processes and much more. Students and their parents or guardians will be able to attend three different presentations from universities that will be thirty minutes in length. After each presentation, a question and answer period will follow. This university information night was created to help students in their decision making process before they apply to universities beginning January 2013. This event will be taking place at Lockerby Composite School from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
SCDSB Hosts Third Annual Turning Points Essay Awards Ceremony
Students, parents, teachers and invited guests gathered at the Sudbury Catholic District Board office on May 9, 2012 to take part in the SCDSB’s third annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards ceremony. This essay contest is an initiative which stems from the Learning Partnership which is an organization that champions a strong public education system to deliver innovative programs, credible research, policy initiatives, executive leadership and public engagement across Canada. Turning Points is a character development and literacy program that allows students to reflect on their fundamental values and, through a process of self-reflection and dialogue, write a narrative essay about a significant event, or turning point in their lives. As it is the third year, student participation has continued to grow as teachers have continued to encourage their involvement with this rewarding program. The secondary students that took part in this contest and authored the winning essays were awarded plaques, a copy of the publication, as well as monetary awards at Wednesday night’s celebration. The students were honoured for their efforts and several students had the opportunity to read their essays allowed. The audience was visibly moved by these emotional accounts and several of the teachers involved spoke of the courage and strength of their students to be able to write such heart-felt accounts of their experiences. Allison Cameron, a Marymount English teacher was the master of ceremonies at this event and was visibly moved after the students read aloud their essays. “Even after being involved with this initiative for three years, I am never really prepared for the poignant words our students have written and shared with others,” Cameron stated. “The courage of these students to express their deepest feelings and emotions about their life’s turning point is so powerful – for the student, and their families.” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Board echoed Cameron’s sentiments. “I am thrilled that the this program once again met with such success, and am so honoured that our students have courageously shared their most personal and meaningful life experiences. We are certainly overwhelmed by their talent and honesty involved in this writing experience.”
Bishop ACCSS Trying to “Change the World”
Students at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School are trying to change the world. As part of her student’s Grade 10 Religion Class, teacher Shelley Raymond was inspired to get her class involved in the “Change the World” campaign. This campaign is a three week campaign for Ontario Youth, and is a challenge with one goal – to get secondary school students to volunteer in their community. To take part in this challenge, Raymond’s class decided on two different projects. On Thursday, May 3, they organized a school goalball tournament with monies raised for the CNIB. The second project involved a community wide clean up. The goal ball tournament was a huge hit with a school with all ten team spots immediately filled. Sudbury Catholic Specialist Teacher of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Adriano Simonato, helped with the organization and instruction on the rules and regulations of goalball. “One of the great benefits of goalball is that it promotes teamwork and cooperation among participants as all players are blindfolded” Stated Simonato. “Also, because goalball can be played by individuals who are sighted and visually impaired together, it acts as a medium for breaking down barriers. As a result it helps promote awareness within the school community regarding what individuals who are visually impaired can do.” Natalie Perdicou and Brittany Prosser were two of the students who were key in organizing the school’s “Change the World” events. Both girls felt that each element, the goalball tournament and the community clean up were excellent opportunities for Bishop students to join together to make their school and community better places to be.
Sudbury Catholic Students to Take Part in Walk for a Second Chance- April 28
Student from all four Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools will be taking part in the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury’s Walk for a Second Chance on April 28th, 2012. This walk is organized to support organ donation awareness and the Gift of Life which is an initiative that is fully supported by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and its students. On December 13, 2010, the Board launched its own challenge to the Greater City of Sudbury to be the first city in the province of Ontario to have 50% or more of its residents be registered organ and tissue donors, and have continued to spread the word to schools and the community about the importance of organ donation. Catherine McCullough, SCDSB Director of Education is very proud of Sudbury for embracing this initiative. “I am very proud of our Board for partnering with the Trillium Gift of Life Network for this very important initiative, and I encourage the entire community to join us in this challenge – to not only have Sudbury reach or even surpass the 50% registration for city-wide donation in Ontario, but more importantly, to recognize that there is no greater gift than the gift of life.”
David Dibrina, Sudbury Catholic Student Trustee, has been working with the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury to continue to keep organ donation awareness a priority with students. “Organ donation is so important in saving the lives of others,” Dibrina stated. “It truly is one of the most selfless acts that we can do that can positively impact so many people. Students need to make sure they are registered (beadonor.ca) and talk to their families so that they know what their wishes are.”
The walk will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bell Park Amphitheatre, Sudbury.
This is a walk for organ donation awareness and there are no monetary pledges.
For more information, please call (705)566-1328, or contact David Dibrina at St. Charles College at (705)566-9605.