The grade 11 Current Aboriginal Issues class participated in the 5th annual Sisters in Spirit day of commemoration in Sudbury. The day began at Tom Davies Square with mayor Brian Bigger proclaiming October 4th as Sisters in Spirit Day in Greater Sudbury, where we honour women and girls who were victims of violence and who are no longer with us.

The speeches were followed by an awareness march to N’Swakamok Native Friendship Center. While at the Friendship Center, the students heard some powerful stories and songs, they viewed the “Red Dress” campaign and enjoyed a traditional feast.

Teacher, Jennifer Petahtegoose says “Our students felt honoured to participate in this day, singing, drumming and carrying our school board’s eagle staff in the walk.”

Miigwetch to Lisa Osawamick, Aboriginal women’s violence prevention co-ordinator with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, for allowing us to attend this day of commemoration and feeling part of the solution in raising awareness to this important issue.

As part of spirit week at St. Charles College, each grade of students, along with the staff sport a different colour on the Friday to close the week. This day also happened to coincide with the anniversary of the Franco-Ontarien flag which takes place this weekend.

Mme. Rocca in grade 7 & 8 French Immersion teamed up with Mr. Boisvert in the high school F.I. program to celebrate the green and white flag which was raised for the first time on September 25th, 1976 at Laurentian University in Sudbury.

It’s a week intended for all the students at St. Charles College but it is especially exciting for new grade 7, 8 and 9 students. Spirit week is filled with theme days such as colour crusade and twin day but it all begins with character day today.

Today at school, staff and students are decked out in Pokemon gear, Harry Potter costumes and even a couple Where’s Waldo characters have surfaced.

Students Amariah and Grace Levac went all out on a hot, muggy day, along with classmate Ben Amari. All three students are in grade nine are especially excited for the full slate of activities on Wednesday for grade nine day.

This year was the first year that grade seven and eight students were introduced to the mix at St. Charles College. The high school which has been in existence since 1951 introduced a 7-12 model in September 2015. That meant there was not one but two sets of graduates this year.

June saw more than 200 grade twelve students cross the floor and then another 100 students again to form the first ever graduating class.

Along with their diploma, each grade eight student was given a special gift in preparation for grade nine next year in the high school setting.

In photo: Grade eight students Loukus Lalonde and Aidan Ragognia head down the aisle to become two of more than 100 grade eight graduates for the first time in St. Charles College history.