Did you know? Halloween originates from All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day, when Catholics honour those we acknowledge as Saints who have passed on to their heavenly home. Following this, on November 2, the Church observes All Souls Day to remember all the other faithful departed and offer prayers on their behalf for the Angels to lead them safely to their heavenly home.
St. David School recently hosted Joan Yawney-Matz, Religious Education and Faith Consultant for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, to discuss the Catholic significance of Halloween. Joan engaged students in a presentation, highlighting the connections between Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.
Her presentation focused on the importance of saints in the Catholic Faith, paying particular attention to St. David, the school’s namesake. Overall, the session enriched the class’s understanding of the holiday and deepened their appreciation for the saints who have preceded us.
Thank you to Ms. Yawney-Matz for contributing to our student’s learning experience and holiday celebrations!
Rather than the typical physical education class, which rotates through a variety of different sports throughout the year, St. James Catholic Elementary School students from grades six to eight now have the option to participate in the Hockey Focus Program. The new class focuses specifically on hockey skills, including puck handling, skating fundamentals, passing, and shooting.
The Hockey Focus Program is open to all students and is adaptable to players of varying skill levels and experience. The class emphasizes body movement, teamwork, dedication to improvement, and gameplay, rather than a grade on overall ability.
Twice a week, students walk across the street to Tom Davies Community Arena, where Skill Development Coaches Rob Dymtruk and Pat Courtney from Chiseled Hockey lead the class, helping students work as a team to improve their on-ice abilities.
“We have students with a wide range of abilities, from those who’ve been playing for years to beginners just learning to skate, but we are open and inclusive to everybody,” said Coach Rob Dymtruk. “It’s still a team sport. The students are all out here working with one another and helping each other…building teamwork and leadership skills.”
Some students who have more experience with the sport are using it as an opportunity to teach their classmates. Easton, a Grade 8 student who has been playing hockey for ten years, shares his enthusiasm for the class. “It’s been an experience forming a stronger bond with my classmates. I usually only see them in class but now I have been seeing them on the ice as well. I’ve been helping some of the younger kids with edges. When I first started, I had a lot of trouble with edge work, so it’s nice that I can help out now.”
His appreciation for the class goes beyond the chance to improve his own skills; he values the opportunity to spend class time playing the game he loves most. “I prefer this class over a typical gym class setting because hockey is my favourite sport. I’d rather be out here for an hour than play a different sport in gym class and the coaches have been amazing. They teach us what we need to know while making it fun.”
Other students share Easton’s enthusiasm. Jody O’Daiskey, Principal at St. James Elementary noted, “Students are excited to attend and look forward to learning new skills from our certified trainers. They have commended the program’s inclusivity and well-rounded approach to meet students at an appropriate level. The focus on skill development, life lessons, and personal growth have resonated positively with students and their families.”
The St. Charles College hockey team has returned from their inspiring trip to Nashville, Tennessee.
During the trip, the Cardinals watched the Predators take on the Edmonton Oilers, participated in an NHL-style practice led by Assistant Coach Derek MacKenzie, and played in a series of exhibition games against other competitive teams in the area.
The team was also awarded the opportunity to meet NHL players Roman Josi, Luke Evangelista and Philip Tomasino.
The SCDSB would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at SCC and the Predators Organization for providing a fantastic experience for our students!
Fun fact: Head Coach Andrew Brunette and Assistant Coach Derek MacKenzie of the Nashville Predators are both proud alumni of St. Charles College
St. Paul Catholic Elementary School’s Grade 2/3 class celebrated World Mental Health Day with a nature walk scavenger hunt. The students guided by Ms. Pigozzo enjoyed fresh air and physical activity, while learning how nature can reduce stress and boost mood.
During the walk, students worked together to find different items, sparking curiosity, teamwork, and observation skills. Back in the classroom, they wrote about what they saw, heard, and felt, then shared their stories with their classmates, fostering a sense of connection and enhancing communication through storytelling.
This activity raised mental health awareness while giving the class a chance to reflect, connect, and learn in a fun, hands-on way. Well done, Panthers!
On Friday, September 20, Marymount Academy kicked off their annual Walk for the Terry Fox Foundation with an inspiring speech from their very own Regal Lily Yeomans. As a cancer survivor, Lily delivered a powerful message of hope, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own challenges.
“Perhaps you have your own obstacles,” she shared. “As you walk today, I hope you reflect on Terry’s Marathon of Hope and that it gives you the strength and perseverance to help you get through whatever obstacles come along your path.”
A heartfelt thank you to Lily for inspiring her peers and reminding us all of the power of hope and resilience!
In addition, thank you to the Greater Sudbury Police Service for their incredible support during the walk for Terry Fox.
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Elementary School proudly participated in the Terry Fox School Run last week. Over the past 11 years, the school has raised more than $23,000 in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. This year, they not only met but surpassed their fundraising goal of $800, coming together to raise over $1,400 for cancer research!
To celebrate this amazing achievement, eight lucky students got the chance to pie a teacher (and if they were lucky a principal) as a fun reward for their efforts.
A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated teachers and staff for organizing this event and supporting such an important cause. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would also like to make a special shoutout to St. Paul staff members, Lisa Dubien and Julie Hayes, who have been leading this event for the past seven years. Thank you for all that you do!
This September, St. Anne School kicked off the school year by celebrating their incredible school spirit! Students and staff came together to proudly wear their school colours, showcasing the pride and unity that make their school community so special.
“At St. Anne, our faith reminds us of the importance of coming together as one family, supporting and uplifting one another in all that we do,” said Principal Megan Murphy. “Our school spirit celebration was a joyful reflection of these values, as we demonstrated our love for our school and the community we’ve built together.”
The school would like to thank everyone who participated and made this celebration a success. The enthusiasm and vibrant spirit of students truly brought the school to life! St. Anne hopes to carry this energy and sense of togetherness throughout the rest of the school year.
Although current students were not yet born when Terry Fox ran through Sudbury on August 4, 1980, his spirit lives on at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB), where his legacy is honoured each year through the Terry Fox School Run.
The Terry Fox School Run is an annual nationwide event, allowing students across Canada to participate in non-competitive runs or walks to celebrate Terry Fox’s legacy as a cancer research activist and athlete. Fox’s 1980 “Marathon of Hope” continues to resonate, encouraging physical fitness, community involvement, and charitable giving, with donations supporting vital cancer research.
For the 2024-25 school year, seven Sudbury Catholic Schools will proudly continue their tradition of holding their own Terry Fox School Run. This includes:
St. Albert
St. Francis
Holy Trinity
St. James
Marymount Academy
St. Paul
Pius XII
Superintendent of Education, Erica Raymond, expressed her gratitude for the continued support: “As a Board, we acknowledge the impact of the Terry Fox Foundation. We are immensely proud of our students and staff who have supported this important cause year after year. In 2023, our participating schools raised over $4,000, contributing to an impressive grand total of $115,000 in Sudbury Catholic School donations over the past 19 years.
Not only is it about the fundraising aspect, but Erica also explains how educators have used the event as a catalyst for a wide range of classroom discussions and activities. “It incorporates Cross-Curricular Learning, as the run can be linked to various subject areas, such as social studies, history (learning about Terry Fox’s journey), and physical education and health. In addition, it provides an opportunity for schools to help students build emotional intelligence. Through Terry Fox’s story, students learn about empathy, kindness, and the human capacity to overcome challenges, contributing to their emotional and moral development.”
Among the 7 schools participating this year, St. Paul Catholic Elementary in Coniston stands out as it marks its 12th consecutive year taking part in the Terry Fox School Run. Over the past 11 years, the school has proudly raised more than $23,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation, and this September, they aim to add $800 to that total during their event on Thursday, Sept. 19th, 2024.
St. Paul School
“I’m incredibly proud to join St. Paul this year as we take part in the Terry Fox School Run,” says Principal Derek Radey. “The energy and enthusiasm that our staff brings to this event is truly inspiring. It means so much to our students and their families. Having already raised over $23,000, I’m excited to see that number grow as we continue to teach new generations about Terry Fox’s remarkable legacy.”
To support this great cause, St. Paul will be collecting donations starting Monday, September 16, leading up to their walk on Thursday. To add a bit of fun and motivation, the school has promised that if they reach their fundraising goal, selected students will have the chance to throw a pie at a few volunteering teachers.
A St. Paul student shared their excitement: “I am excited to participate in the Terry Fox Run. I like seeing how our school is making a difference.”
Terry Fox continues to represent the best qualities of Canadians—courage, determination, and resilience. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the potential we all have to make a lasting impact. To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $850 million, providing hope and essential support to cancer patients and their families. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to play a part in keeping Terry Fox’s dream alive through our continued support of the Terry Fox School Run.
Today, we join in celebrating National IT Professionals Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of our Information Management Services (IMS) team. In our increasingly digital world, the role of IT professionals has never been more crucial. Their expertise ensures that our technology runs smoothly, our data remains secure, and our students and staff have the tools they need to succeed.
Our IMS team works tirelessly behind the scenes to support our mission of providing a safe, innovative, and effective learning environment. From managing complex systems and networks to providing immediate technical support, they play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of our schools and offices.
Please join me in expressing gratitude to our IMS professionals for their dedication, problem-solving skills, and unwavering support. Their hard work significantly impacts our ability to deliver quality education and services.
