Marymount Academy’s curling team showcased their prowess and determination at the prestigious OFSAA Curling Tournament held in Kingston. Over the course of five intense days, the Regals demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork, culminating in a remarkable achievement: a silver medal in a field of fierce competitors. Congratulations!
Category: Marymount Academy
2022-23 Director’s Annual Report
We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2022-2023 school year.
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
Marymount Academy Makes Milestones in Music: Violet Smith Joins the Woodwind Section of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board and Marymount Academy are thrilled to share that Grade 11 music student, Violet Smith, will be making history on November 25th by performing with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra in their Christmas Concert, “Poems for Snow.” Violet will be the first high school student to join the woodwind section of the orchestra.
Violet expressed her excitement on this achievement, emphasizing how this opportunity reflects her journey in music.
“This experience is really special to me.” Say’s Violet. “When I started playing the flute in Grade 7, I never imagined I’d be playing with experienced professionals four years later. I am proud of myself and thankful to my music teachers at Marymount Academy who have taught and supported me on my educational journey. I’m honoured to play alongside the skilled and talented musicians in the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and have been practicing every day to prepare for our upcoming performance.”
A special moment in the concert will be a flute duet, featuring Violet and Marymount Academy’s Grade 7/8 Music Teacher, Danielle Conti. Ms. Conti praises Violet’s dedication, highlighting the strong music community at Marymount.
“Marymount has a very strong music program. We have dedicated music teachers and dedicated music students and we are all proud of Violet for her hard work,” say’s Danielle Conti. “I’ve been with her since Grade 7, and I watched as the world threw setbacks at her that were not in her control. Despite those challenges, Violet’s enthusiasm for learning was always evident and I am so proud to see how far she has come since she first started at Marymount.”
Emily Tokola, Marymount’s Grade 9/12 Music Teacher, explains how practical experiences are important for developing students in the music program. “This experience beautifully exemplifies how Marymount Academy nurtures practical opportunities for its students. It goes beyond the theoretical aspects of the music curriculum, as Violet is now seamlessly applying the skills she learned in the classroom to a professional setting. This underscores our overarching goal—to build a solid foundation of musical knowledge and skills, empowering students to utilize these foundations in real-life situations.”
Principal, Cassandra Tenbergen adds saying, “This is a great moment of leadership for our community where our students and staff can see a student applying the learning that takes place in class to the real world. There are many young Regals looking forward to going out this Saturday and cheering her on from the audience.”
According to the school, Violet Smith is not only a rising star in the music department but also an active member of the Marymount Academy community. As a Grade 11 student, she holds the position of co-chair of the student advisory council at Science North, participates on the basketball team, serves as the co-president of the band council, and participates in both the jazz band playing trumpet and senior concert band playing flute. Additionally, Violet generously volunteers her time to support the elementary and junior bands at Marymount Academy.
While Violet’s future career aspirations lie in science and engineering, she values the importance of Art and plans to apply her musical skills to other areas of her life. The duet between Violet and Ms. Conti reflects Marymount Academy’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing a passion for Art within their students regardless of their career aspirations.
“While Violet’s future career goals might not be in music, she knows the importance of it and that speak volumes to other students that having an art outlet is essential.” Said Emily Tokola.
The “Poems for Snow” Christmas Concert promises to be a magical evening, and Violet’s participation adds an extra layer of excitement and pride for the Marymount Academy and Sudbury Catholic School Board communities. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.showpass.com/sso-poems-for-snow/.
‘Together We Lead’ – First Blog of the 2023-24 School Year
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is delighted to share the first blog of the 2023-24 school year, “Together We Lead.”
This blog is a celebration of the remarkable stories and experiences that unfolded throughout our community during the past two months. In this edition, you’ll find inspiring accounts of collaboration, leadership, and dedication from students, teachers, staff, and community partners.
Highlights from September include:
- Honouring Terry Fox – Features stories from St. Paul, Pius XII, St. Francis, and Holy Trinity.
- Marymount Academy’s Fundraiser for NOFCC
- Franco-Ontarian Day Celebrations – Features stories from St. Charles, St. James, and Immaculate Conception.
- National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Initiatives – Features stories from St. Charles College, St. Albert, and St. Anne.
Highlights from October include:
- Learning Disabilities Awareness Month – Features Holy Cross Raising the Flag with the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury at James Jerome Field.
- International Day of the Girl – Features Grade 7 and 8 students at Skill’s Ontario’s Women in Trades Conference.
- Jill of All Trades Event – Features Secondary Schools and SCDSB Scholarship Winners.
- International Heritage and Language Classes at St. Albert
We invite you to read the full blog, where the incredible stories of leadership, collaboration, and community spirit come to life.
Director’s Corner – Together We Lead
Sudbury Catholic District School Board Supports HEADSTRONG: Youth Mental Health Summit
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to join students from Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island for HEADSTRONG, an evidence-based anti-stigma initiative that inspires students to Be Brave, Reach Out and Speak Up about mental health. The summit will occur on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Cambrian College.
This day-long conference will bring together approximately 140 Secondary students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, and Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario.
Spearheaded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the HEADSTRONG movement educates youth ages 12 to 18 to recognize the signs of mental health problems and to help reduce the associated stigma.
“Mental health and well-being is a priority for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” says Director of Education, Joanne Bénard. “Working with our co-terminous boards to host HEADSTRONG further supports our ongoing commitment to nurture students by fostering their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Through this experience, HEADSTRONG will provide summit attendees with the essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to confront mental health stigmas respectfully and promote mental health and wellness within their school and surrounding community. We want to thank the support of our sponsors, including Cambrian College, Lions Club, Future North, and the Greater Sudbury Police Services, who have charitably contributed to the success of this upcoming event.”
At the summit, students will have the unique opportunity to listen to speakers with lived experiences, engage in stigma-busting activities, gain insights into available community services, and devise action plans to implement positive change upon returning to their respective schools.
“The Board recognizes the importance of erasing stigmas and cultivating a culture of hope. Though this is a one-day conference, the learning it will provide is meaningful for years to come.” Say’s Tasha Breau, a registered Psychotherapist at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and lead organizer of this year’s HEADSTONG summit. “We are thrilled to see how this year’s summit will educate our students, strengthen our communities, and transform how we can further support mental health and wellness in our schools.”
HEADSTRONG Summit Agenda
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Cambrian College
| 8:30 am to 9:00 am | Registration |
| 9:00 am to 9:30 am | Introduction/Welcome |
| 9:30 am to 9:55 am | Keynote Address: Gabe Parent |
| 9:55 am to 10:10 am | Break |
| 10:10 am to 10:35 am | Keynote Address: Katlyn Kotila |
| 10:40 am to 11:10 am | Breakout Room Activities |
| 11:15 pm to 12:15 pmNote: Best time for media interviews | Lunch/Resource Fair |
| 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm | Prize Draw/Speaker Panel Introductions |
| 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm | Panel discussion with guest speakers |
| 2:00 pm to 2:25 pm | Action planning breakout activity |
| 2:30 pm to 2:45 pm | Youth Presentations |
| 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm | Wrap-up |
About Keynote Speakers:
The first keynote address will be delivered by Gabe Parent. Gabe is a passionate mental health advocate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Gabe’s career journey has included roles as a Youth net/Reseau Ado facilitator and as a healthcare worker, providing care to seniors and youth. Gabe identifies as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and works to be proactively inclusive of all individuals. In addition to empowering youth to follow their dreams, Gabe believes in the value of well-being for all, from the youngest to the oldest members of the community.
Students will also hear from Katlyn Kotila, a passionate public speaker and community leader from Sudbury, Ontario. She is the Co-Founder of the Northern Ontario Pride Connection, a non-profit organization aimed at supporting and empowering the 2SLGBTQ+ community across northern Ontario. At the age of 14, she lost a close friend to death by suicide, a moment that would go on to change her life forever. Since then, she has spent her career advocating for improved mental health services and speaking to audiences across North America about her experiences as a suicide-loss survivor.
HEADSTRONG – Save the Date Poster
Sudbury Catholic District School Board Welcomes 25 International Students for the 2023-2024 School Year
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to announce that 25 international students have joined the Board’s International Education program for the 2023-2024 academic year.
These students have come to Sudbury from China, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sudbury Catholic remains committed to providing our new students with a rich and authentic Canadian experience, fostering English language proficiency, and preparing them for success within our inclusive, compassionate, and innovative Catholic learning environment.
Currently, The Board’s international students are enrolled in the following schools:
- Holy Cross: 1 Student
- St. David: 4 Students
- St. Benedict C.S.S: 11 Students
- St. Charles College: 4 Students
- Marymount Academy: 5 Students
International students and their host families were treated to a barbecue event held on September 28, 2023, at Marymount Academy to celebrate their arrival and extend a warm Sudbury welcome.
Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education expressed his enthusiasm at this event, emphasizing, “Our Board is excited and proud to welcome 25 extraordinary students from nine different countries into our school communities. Together with our staff and host families, we eagerly anticipate the connections we’ll forge with these students as they enhance their English proficiency, establish enduring friendships, and discover the rich tapestry of experiences Sudbury offers.”
Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, also shared his excitement, saying, “We are delighted to welcome students to the International Education program. Our program continues to expand as more schools across the Board welcome students into their communities. The Board of Trustees is honoured to support a program that embraces diversity, fosters connectivity, and promotes inclusion.”
The program’s success relies heavily on the generosity and support of local families who open their homes to international students. The Board is always eager to welcome more families to join the growing host family community at MLI Homestay. Interested families can contact Devon Crossgrove at dcrossgrove@mlihomestay.com or 705.507.8052.
International Teachers’ Day
Today is International Teachers’ Day, a day dedicated to honouring the valuable contributions of educators worldwide.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is very pleased to take this opportunity to recognize our teachers. Their unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and to inspiring our students is exemplary. Their daily actions, which display their hard work, passion and leadership, inspire and empower our students to achieve their full potential in mind, body and spirit.
To all our teachers, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to creating the conditions for student success. Happy International Teachers’ Day! May it be a day filled with well-deserved appreciation for the remarkable and important work that you do.
National Custodial Appreciation Day!
October 2nd is National Custodial Appreciation Day! This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and appreciate every member of our dedicated custodial team, including our custodians, assistant custodians, cleaners, BSTs, and maintenance staff. Their exceptional efforts and hard work are a vital part of our daily lives, ensuring that our schools and Board office buildings are clean and well-maintained throughout the entire year.
Their commitment goes beyond cleanliness; it extends to helping create an inviting environment for our community and contributes significantly to the health and safety of all students and staff.
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and outstanding service. We are very fortunate to have you on the team.
Thank you for all that you do!
Message from the Ministry of Education: June 2023
As the 2022-23 school year comes to close, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, has prepared messages to Ontario parents, students and graduates: