Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Schools

Holodomor National Awareness Tour Brings History to Life for Sudbury Catholic Students

Posted on by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) was honoured to host the Holodomor National Awareness Tour (HNAT) at Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools from November 3-6, 2025. This impactful, cross-Canada tour brought its state-of-the-art Holodomor Mobile Classroom (HMC) to students, providing an immersive educational experience focused on the Holodomor — the genocide that occurred in Ukraine between 1932 and 1933 — and inspiring reflection on the universal values of human rights, freedom, and democracy.

Through film, storytelling, survivor testimony, and interactive digital learning, Sudbury Catholic students were challenged to think critically about propaganda, disinformation, and social responsibility, while deepening their understanding of how history continues to shape today’s global landscape. The program strongly aligned with Ontario curriculum expectations and supported the development of essential 21st-century skills including critical thinking, digital literacy, and empathy.

Holodomor Mobile Classroom School Visits:

  • November 3 – Marymount Academy
  • November 4 – St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
  • November 5 – St. Charles College
  • November 6 – Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School

“As a proud Ukrainian Canadian, I was deeply honoured to welcome the Holodomor National Awareness Tour Mobile Classroom to Sudbury Catholic Schools,” shared Morris Hucal, Director of Education for SCDSB. “This important educational initiative provided our students with a meaningful opportunity to learn about one of the most tragic and defining moments in Ukrainian history — the Holodomor — and to reflect on the enduring importance of human rights, justice, and compassion.”

About the Holodomor Mobile Classroom

The Holodomor Mobile Classroom (HMC) is a 42-foot interactive multimedia classroom on wheels, designed to bring this critical history to life for students across Canada. Inside the mobile classroom, students participated in facilitator-led sessions that included documentary films, survivor testimonies, and interactive learning activities exploring both the historical context and the modern-day relevance of the Holodomor.

Through this experience, students:

  • Learned about the Holodomor through digital storytelling and multimedia exhibits
  • Explored how historical events continue to shape today’s world
  • Were inspired by stories of resilience and survival
  • Left empowered to uphold Canadian values of freedom, justice, and democracy

At Sudbury Catholic, we remain committed to ensuring students understand the lessons of history so that such injustices are never forgotten or repeated. The visit of the Holodomor Mobile Classroom served as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people and the vital role education plays in building empathy, understanding, and global citizenship among future generations.

For more information about the Holodomor National Awareness Tour and the Holodomor Mobile Classroom, visit www.holodomortour.ca

School Highlights:

Student Bus Patrollers Lead the Way in Promoting Safe Bus Habits at Immaculate Conception 🦺

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Even a little rain couldn’t stop students at Immaculate Conception School from putting their knowledge into action for School Bus Safety Week! Thanks to the help from the school’s Student Bus Patrollers, students practiced important bus safety and evacuation procedures, learning how to stay safe while boarding, riding, and exiting the bus. A special thank you goes out to the dedicated student bus patrollers, who helped guide their younger peers and demonstrated leadership throughout the exercise.

Did you know that Immaculate is not the only school to have student bus patrollers? Earlier this year, elementary students across several Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools, took part in Bus Patroller Training hosted by the Consortium. The training helps older students develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility as they learn how to support younger riders in following safety rules on the bus. 

To learn more about this and other school safety initiatives, check out our latest Director’s Corner blog!

📖 Read School Safety Blog

St. Anne Students Give Thanks to Mother Earth Through Hands-On Learning 🌽

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Just in time for Thanksgiving Weekend, students at St. Anne School took part in a hands-on learning experience with the school’s Indigenous Support Worker, Ms. Carissa. They explored traditional fall harvesting and celebrated the gifts of the land, giving thanks to Mother Earth. 🌽


Through this activity, students learned about gratitude, community, and caring for others. They even created beautiful beaded corn to honour the harvest, connect with Indigenous culture, and explore practices that respect the natural world. Miigwetch to Ms. Carissa for sharing your knowledge and guiding this special experience!

Across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, our schools are embracing Thanksgiving with kindness, gratitude, and a spirit of community. Check out more stories from our schools celebrating this season of thanks on social media.

Every Child Matters: St. Anne School Creates Prayer Ties for Orange Shirt Day 🎗

Posted on by Erin Kendall

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, St. Anne school community came together in a meaningful and heartfelt way to honour the children, families, and communities affected by residential schools.

Leading up to this important day, Ms. Carissa, the school’s Indigenous Support Worker, guided students and staff through learning and reflection rooted in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. Through the sharing of Phyllis’s books and videos, they learned about the significance of Orange Shirt Day and engaged in thoughtful conversations around how we can demonstrate reconciliation and move forward together in unity.

As part of our learning journey, students created promise/ prayer ties using the four sacred colours of the Medicine Wheel—each one carrying a message of hope and a promise for reconciliation: Yellow – We promise to listen and learn, Red – We promise to be kind and care for each other, Black – We promise to show respect to all people and cultures, White – We promise to remember the children in our hearts and share the truth.

On the day of our event, the school first gathered as a community to reflect on the 7 Grandfather Teachings—Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. They focused especially on Respect, our monthly virtue, recognizing it as the root of truth and reconciliation. Together, they explored how respect is not only one of the teachings, but one that connects and supports all the others. 

Together, they walked in reflection, carrying these promises and prayers in our hearts. At the end of their walk, we placed our prayer ties on a specially created banner that will be displayed in our school as a daily reminder of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

This banner serves as a symbol of hope, action, and remembrance—a daily visual reminder that Every Child Matters / Chaque Enfant Compte / Gichi-apiitendaagoziwag Akina Abinoonjiiyag and our schools’ commitment to truth and reconciliation. We also created reflective artwork for our school display for this day.

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College Honour Truth & Reconciliation with “Every Child Matters” Tribute 🧡🏈

Posted on by Erin Kendall

On Thursday, September 25, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College school communities came together to host the second annual “Every Child Matters” tribute during the Jr. Boys Football Game at James Jerome Athletic Field. 

The tribute highlighted both schools’ commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the experiences of Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities, while emphasizing their ongoing dedication to acknowledging the past and walking together toward a reconciled future.

The evening began with a land acknowledgement and opening ceremony led by Beverley Belanger, Principal of St. Benedict School, underscoring the importance of reconciliation. This was followed by a smudging ceremony that included participation from crowd attendees. After warm-ups, both teams lined up on the field wearing orange armbands in recognition of Orange Shirt Day—symbolizing remembrance and hope for the future. Joining the players were members of the Indigenous Education team, Juno-nominated artist Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, Lil Miss Atikameksheng 2025/26, Honor Nootchtai, currently a St. Benedict student and Miss Atikameksheng 2025/26 and St. Benedict alumna Destiny Nootchtai.

To conclude the ceremony, a drumming honour song was performed by Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, followed by a coin toss by Destiny Nootchtai. 

“This tribute provided an important opportunity for our students, staff, and community to reflect together,” said Skyeanne Trudeau, Indigenous Support Worker at St. Benedict School. “Through sport, song, and ceremony, we honoured the past and reinforced our commitment to a more understanding and compassionate future.”

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College remain deeply committed to ensuring the spirit of Every Child Matters is carried forward in their classrooms, on their sports fields, and throughout the broader community. Both schools are proud Legacy Schools with the Downie Wenjack Fund, where they have pledged to take meaningful Reconcili-Actions that honour the past and build a better future.

Discover more about Legacy Schools with the Downie Wenjack Fund by visiting: downiewenjack.ca

St. Charles College Honoured as Top High School in 4th Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay 🏆

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Today, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board was proud to join local organizations in demonstrating our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation during the closing ceremony of this year’s Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay hosted by the GSPS in Bell Park.
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On this occasion, we are thrilled to announce that St. Charles College – Team Cardinal earned the distinction of being the top secondary school in Sudbury for total distance covered in the 4th Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay. At today’s ceremony, Indigenous Graduation Coach and Team Cardinal member Shannon Agowissa accepted the award on behalf of the school. Congratulations, Team Cardinal!⁠
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The Truth & Reconciliation Relay, hosted annually by the Greater Sudbury Police Services, is a community initiative that honours history, raises awareness, and promotes healing with Indigenous communities. Its purpose is to educate participants about the history of Residential Schools and highlight the 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Participants watched an educational video, reviewed the Calls to Action, and selected one that resonated with them personally. The relay provided a meaningful moment of reflection, inviting participants to consider how they can bring their chosen Calls to Action to life in both personal and professional spheres.

Superintendent Paul Nalli shared:
“We are incredibly proud of Team Cardinal for this achievement and for inspiring their St. Charles College school community through such a meaningful initiative. Miigwetch to all our schools for your heartfelt participation and to our community partners for your continued commitment to honouring the truths of the past and taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation.“

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends its gratitude to GSPS and community partners, including the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, for providing this important opportunity. Since its inception in 2022, the relay has become a cherished tradition, and Sudbury Catholic Schools looks forward to participating each year with the help of our Indigenous Education Team.

To learn more about the Truth & Reconciliation Relay, please visit: gspsrelay.indigenoussudbury.ca

Holy Trinity School Raises Franco-Ontarian Flag in Honour of 50th Anniversary 💚

Posted on by Erin Kendall

On September 25, Holy Trinity Catholic School proudly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian Flag with a special flag-raising ceremony. The event marked a historic moment for the school community, as the Franco-Ontarian flag was raised for the first time on school grounds—symbolizing pride, culture, and belonging.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Director of Education, Morris Hucal, joined Superintendent Erica Raymond and FSL Learning Consultant Camille Heaton for the celebration. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 gathered as Principal Colin Lapalme and Director Hucal spoke about the importance of the day and the significance of honouring Franco-Ontarian heritage and identity.

As the flag rose high, students’ voices echoed with pride as they sang “Franco-Ontarien!”—a joyful celebration of culture and community spirit.

“Moments like this remind us of the importance of celebrating our shared identity and the diversity that strengthens our Catholic school communities,” said Superintendent Erica Raymond.

The flag, which was first raised in Sudbury in 1975, stands as a proud symbol of the Francophone community’s history and ongoing contributions across Ontario.

Holy Trinity’s flag-raising ceremony served as both a commemoration of this milestone anniversary and a reflection of the school’s commitment to fostering cultural pride and inclusion among students.

Franco-Ontarian Day

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Celebrating Franco-Ontarian Day – September 25!

On September 25, we proudly celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day! This special day recognizes the rich culture, heritage, and contributions of the Franco-Ontarian community in our province.

Let’s come together to honour the Francophone spirit that is an important part of our Board community. Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens! (We are proud of our francophone heritage!)

For more information on Franco-Ontarian Day and its significance, please visit the following resources below:

Franco-Ontarian Resources: 

Ontario.ca – Franco-Ontarian History

Mon Drapeau Franco

Colouring Page

St. Benedict LSC Students Bring “Cookies in a Jar” to Catholic Education Centre 🍪

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Staff at the Catholic Education Centre were treated to a thoughtful and delicious surprise today, as students from the Learning Support Centre (LSC) at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School hosted a pop-up booth to showcase their latest project — Cookies in a Jar.

The initiative is part of an experiential learning opportunity developed in collaboration with the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board through their Limitless Ventures program — an innovative initiative that supports students in alternative education settings by fostering entrepreneurial and employability skills.

Each jar, carefully packed with pre-measured ingredients for homemade cookies, was designed, assembled, and prepared by the students. Through this hands-on experience, students have been involved in every aspect of the process — from measuring and mixing to decorating, promoting, and selling the product. The project supports the development of essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, organization, and creativity.

Proceeds from the sale of Cookies in a Jar will directly support LSC programming and future student opportunities at St. Benedict.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends its congratulations to the students and educators involved in this initiative and thanks them for bringing such joy — and such a sweet treat — to the board office today.

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