Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Greening the Stage: Bishop Alexander Carter Students Transform Sudbury Theatre Centre’s Patio Space

The Sudbury Theatre Centre (STC) has always been a hub of creativity and community engagement. Now, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Alexander Carter’s Grade 11 and 12 Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and Green Industries class, its patio space has received a stunning makeover.

In collaboration with YES Theatre, the students took on the challenge of beautifying and reviving the patio space at STC. This project is one of YES Theatre’s first out-of-classroom projects of the year, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

Armed with enthusiasm, creativity, and passion, our students got to work. Drawing on their knowledge of agriculture and green industries, they carefully planned and executed the transformation of the patio space.

And the results speak for themselves. The patio space has been transformed into a vibrant and welcoming area. With added lush greenery, colourful flowers, and comfortable seating, the space is now an inviting oasis for members alike. The Agriculture SHSM and Green Industries class can be proud of their contribution to enhancing the beauty and functionality of STC’s outdoor space.

Projects like these not only provide students with valuable hands-on experience but also allow them to make a meaningful impact in their community. The revitalized patio space at STC is a testament to the power of teamwork, creativity, and a shared vision for creating welcoming community spaces. 

The Sudbury Theatre Centre (STC) has always been a hub of creativity and community engagement, and now, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Alexander Carter’s Grade 11 and 12 Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and Green Industries class, their patio space has received a stunning makeover.

In collaboration with YES Theatre, the students took on the challenge of beautifying and reviving the patio space at STC. This project is one of YES Theatre’s first out-of-classroom projects of the year, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

Armed with enthusiasm, creativity, and passion our students got to work. Drawing on their knowledge of agriculture and green industries, they carefully planned and executed the transformation of the patio space.

And the results speak for themselves. The patio space has been transformed into a vibrant and welcoming area. With added lush greenery, colourful flowers, and comfortable seating, the space is now an inviting oasis for members alike. The Agriculture SHSM and Green Industries class can be proud of their contribution to enhancing the beauty and functionality of STC’s outdoor space.

Projects like these not only provide students with valuable hands-on experience but also allow them to make a meaningful impact in their community. The revitalized patio space at STC is a testament to the power of teamwork, creativity, and a shared vision for a better tomorrow.

St. Charles College Student Participates in Skills Ontario Canada Competition with Special Guests Premier Doug Ford and Minister Stephen Lecce

St. Charles College student competitor Rena Flarity had an exciting opportunity this morning as she participated in the Skills Ontario Canada competition. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce were guests at the event, which took place next to Rena’s Graphic Design presentation boardroom.

During the event, Premier Ford and Minister Lecce met and spoke with Rena and her teacher, Ms. C. Thompson, about the rapidly evolving media industries. Premier Ford shared insights from his background in the print business, having worked with companies in both Canada and the US. Minister Lecce highlighted the swift evolution of media and shared anecdotes from his recent visit to Sudbury. He also took a moment to discuss Rena’s dream of becoming a teacher, showing support and encouragement for her future endeavours.

St. Charles College and St. Benedict students are participating in two events at the Toronto Congress Centre. Today, students are competing in the Skills Ontario Canada competition in Construction (led by Mr. Kohut), Automotive (led by Mr. Duncan), and Media (led by Ms. C. Thompson). Additionally, students are attending the FMNI (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives) Conference with Indigenous Studies Teacher, Ms. Petahtegoose, and Indigenous Graduation Coach, Mrs. Agowissa.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled on St. Charles College’s social media for more information and photographs regarding their events!

St. Benedict Student Appointed as Sudbury Catholic Schools Next Student Trustee

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that Grade 10 St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School student David Madiba Akero was appointed as Student Trustee for the 2024-2026 term by the Board of Trustees at their April 16th meeting.

David is a passionate student leader, with a strong work-ethic, determination, and desire to help others through leadership. He has served as the Grade 8 Valedictorian and has been the recipient of the RJ. McCarthy Award, the 2023 Grade 9 honour roll student and Soccer Coaches Award, the 2024 Milk-Up Ontario Soccer Leadership Award, and has been a NOBEEP Entrepreneur Feature. David is deeply involved in community service, volunteering over 70 hours of his time to support youth groups, and collaborating with the Kenyan Canadian Association to launch a new initiative that promotes community engagement through soccer.

David’s unwavering commitment to community service is further exemplified through his steady involvement in the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program (NOBEEP). In addition to being featured as an entrepreneur/client in NOBEEP, David is an active volunteer and continues to support their work of providing assistance and resources to Black entrepreneurs and business owners to help foster economic growth and inclusion in Northern Ontario.

David is a strong advocate for student voice and believes it is necessary for student development and growth. He hopes to bring more attention to elevating post-secondary support within schools in order to further empower students in building their post-secondary portfolios and navigating their educational and career pathways effectively.

“I am honoured to be chosen to represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as the next Student Trustee. I wish to serve as an example to people of all backgrounds and show how we as students, have both the capacity and the opportunity to shape their learning experience. I believe that student voice and involvement are crucial elements for an effective education
system. When students are engaged, schools have a better understanding of their needs and can continue to implement changes and updates that coincide with generational developments that help students excel in their education.” Said David Madiba Akero, Student Trustee.

“We are immensely proud to have David Madiba Akero represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as the Student Trustee,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “David’s exceptional leadership skills, dedication to community service and student involvement make him an exemplary ambassador for our community. We have full confidence in his ability to advocate effectively for the voices and interests of fellow students and are excited to have him join us at the Board table next year.”

David Madiba Akero will officially assume his role as Student Trustee alongside fellow Student Trustee Julia Parenteau on August 1, 2024. His appointment reflects the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s commitment to fostering student leadership and engagement, ensuring that student voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process.

Small Hands, Big Impact: Pius XII Students Celebrate Earth Day with Schoolyard Cleanup

In honour of Earth Day, students at Pius XII, including those in the Full-Day Kindergarten program, are participating by picking up garbage in their schoolyard. Students wore protective gloves and disposed of the collected trash with the help of our educators. This initiative reminds us that no matter how small we are, we can make a big difference in protecting the environment by working together. By participating in such activities, we nurture meaningful lessons and discussions about the importance of sustainability and conserving natural resources for future learners. 

Today, as we celebrate our beautiful planet, we reflect on how we can protect and preserve it for future generations. Every action counts, from reducing energy consumption, recycling, planting trees, cleaning our local neighbourhoods, or spending more time outdoors.

Thank you to Pius XII for nurturing an insightful lesson that will support their school community’s efforts to keep the planet clean and beautiful. 

Shaping Careers: Sector Partnership Enhances Skilled Trades Learning at St. Charles College

In partnership with Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that St. Charles College has enhanced its learning facilities with cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art equipment to help support student development in the skilled-trades. 

In February, the school welcomed new equipment funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited. The donation included three multiprocessor welders, two fume extractors, two pallets of welding consumables, safety gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), and four SMART TV monitors. In addition, the school also received six new garage bay doors for both automotive and construction shop areas that were recently installed over the March Break. These contributions will bolster the school’s learning programs and ensures students have access to state-of-the-art equipment that supports their engagement in areas such as welding, metal working, construction, automotive, and more. 

Felix Lopes Jr., president of Lopes Limited, passionately encourages today’s youth to get into the trades, “As leaders in the trades industry, we believe it’s our social responsibility to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways for our youth to pursue a career in the trades.” 

The newly added equipment aims to ignite an interest and passion amongst students in the skilled trades, potentially shaping the career paths of tomorrow’s workforce. The initiative, organized and generously funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, will help support students to engage in further hands-on learning opportunities that could potentially lead them to choosing a career in the skilled trades. 

“St. Charles College is proud to work with such amazing local partners and is committed to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the skilled trades. The new resources installed at our school this year will make a massive difference in the learning experience for our students. We extend our deepest gratitude to Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited for their generous contributions.” Says Principal Aaron Barry. 

Enhanced Promotion of Skilled Trades in Ontario schools: 

The Ontario Government is taking proactive steps to boost awareness and engagement with skilled trades in schools, aiming to provide students with opportunities to cultivate interests and skills that pave the way for successful careers. Currently, there are more than 140 skilled trades in Ontario. They fall under four sectors: construction, industrial, transportation and service. The skilled trades present a compelling array of fulfilling and financially rewarding paths for students. Through specialized training and hands-on experience, these professions offer secure employment, excellent compensation, and personal satisfaction. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades-ontario-schools for more information about the promotion of skilled trades in Ontario schools. 

“The ongoing promotion of the skilled trades within our schools is essential. By 2026, one in six job openings are projected to be in the skilled trades. This inevitable outcome means ensuring we have cutting-edge learning environments to promote the skilled trades within our secondary schools is now more important than ever.” Says Dan Levecque, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Specialist High Skills Major Secondary Consultant with Sudbury Catholic. “The newly added resources will encourage students to cultivate a genuine passion and skills for the many thrilling opportunities awaiting them in the skilled trades sector.”

Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education adds, “Not only will these new resources enhance the facilities in one of our largest school communities, it will further support our students in reaching their full potential, which always remains a top priority.” 

Equipment Drop Off

St. Charles College Elementary Choir Wins Silver at Sudbury Music Festival

St. Charles College students showcased their skills and musical prowess at the 2024 Sudbury Music Festival. Among the standout performances, the Elementary Choir captured hearts and acclaim, earning a Silver Award for their performance. Congratulations to the St. Charles College Elementary Choir for their remarkable achievement, marking another milestone in St. Charles College’s rich tradition of artistic excellence.

Immaculate Conception Students Shine in Sudbury Young Authors Awards Writing Contest

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to announce the outstanding achievement of several students from Immaculate Conception who have emerged victorious in the Young Authors Awards Writing Contest at the Sudbury level. This competition serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the remarkable writing talents and accomplishments of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Participants are invited to submit short stories, poems, and nonfiction articles in English or French.

The competition consists of three tiers: school, unit, and provincial. Winners at the school level progress to the unit level, and from there, first-place winners proceed to the provincial competition. Each year, a compilation of winning entries is published in book form, showcasing the creative prowess of young authors across the region.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the following Immaculate Conception students, who have demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity in their writing:

  • Olivia: First place in English short story
  • Ella: First place in English play
  • Neve: First place in French short story and English nonfiction
  • Rya: First place in French nonfiction
  • Andarielle: First place in English play and English poem
  • Arianna: First place in French poem 

These talented students will now advance to the Provincial level, representing Immaculate Conception with their exemplary work. We commend them for their dedication and commendable achievements. Well done, and best wishes for the next stage of the competition!

St. Benedict Educator Receives Science Ambassador Award

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that Erika Weber, a St. Benedict grade 8 teacher, was recently honoured with the 2024 Science Ambassador Award by the Sudbury Regional Science Fair.

The Science Ambassador Award recognizes educators who exhibit extraordinary commitment to promoting participation and excellence in science fairs among their students. Mrs. Weber’s continuous passion for STEM education has propelled her students to new heights of achievement, inspiring them to explore, innovate, and succeed in scientific inquiry.

Nominated by St. Benedict Vice Principal Mr. G. Kent Macneill, Mrs. Weber stood out specifically for her support in engaging students in scientific exploration beyond the classroom. She was celebrated at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 7, at Laurentian University.

This prestigious award underscores the importance of dedicated educators in cultivating a passion for science and inquiry-based learning. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends our congratulations to Mrs. Weber for her achievement highlighting her outstanding commitment to nurturing students’ scientific curiosity and critical thinking. Her efforts are instrumental in shaping future scientists and innovators. Congratulations!

Sweet Partnership: Holy Trinity Students Tap into Maple Syrup Making with Great Lakes Cultural Camp

A Day in the Anishinaabe Sugar Bush Camp

On April 9th, students from Holy Trinity School were in for an exciting day of hands-on learning exploring the tradition of maple syrup making. Led by experts from the Great Lakes Cultural Camp, students embarked on a journey to uncover the secrets of making Maple Syrup in an Anishinaabe Sugar Bush Camp. 

This engaging activity was coordinated by the school’s Indigenous Support Worker, Stacey Dell. Students from Grades 1-2 classes and kindergarten eagerly participated, making it a truly enriching experience.

Holy Trinity Students & Great Lakes Cultural Camp

Activity Highlights:

  1. Identifying Maple Trees: The students learned how to spot the Ninaatig, or Maple Tree, which is crucial for Maple Syrup production.
  2. Tapping and Gathering Sap: They participated in learning how to properly tap Maple Trees and safely collect the precious Maple Tree Water, or Ninaatigwaaboo.
  3. Boiling Down the Sap: With eager anticipation, students witnessed the transformation of the Maple Tree Water into rich Maple Syrup through the boiling process.
  4. Crafting Maple Sugar: Under the guidance of Noodin and Miisheen, the students learned the art of making Ziisbaakwad, or Sugar, from Maple Syrup.
  5. Sweet Rewards: Finally, they indulged in the fruits of their labour, tasting the sweet and savoury Maple Sugar they had helped create.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to thank Great Lakes Cultural Camp, including Maheengun, Small Cooks, Miisheen, and Noodin, for their invaluable teachings and for helping to organize this enriching experience for students. These experiences are essential in supporting students in fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Chi miigwech to all who made this memorable day possible. 

Making Maple Syrup
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