On Friday, October 28th, Maclean’s 2011 Universtiy Rankings hit newstands. On that same day, Kelly Nootchtai, St Benedict’s Class of 2009, visited a Native Studies class at St. Charles College to talk about the importance of making good choices and Aboriginal Education. This is significant because Kelly is on the cover of this issue. She is a third year Native Studies and Philosophy student at Laurentian University and understands the value of a good education. She talks fondly of her years in elementary school taking Ojibwe classes at St James. Kelly looked forward to continuing the language program at the secondary level but, it wasn’t until her graduating year that St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School was able to offer any Native Studies programming. Kelly talked about how lucky the students are to have Native Studies as an option and having great teachers like St. Charles College teacher Jennifer Petahtegoose. Both Kelly and Ms. Petahtegoose are members of Atikameksheng Anishinawbek (formerly Whitefish Lake First Nation near Naughton). Students listening to Kelly’s message were inspired and felt a sense of cultural pride. Ms. Petahtegoose stated “As a community member we are very proud of Kelly’s accomplishments and as an Anishinaabe educator I am always looking for positive First Nation, Metis and Inuit role models. Kelly has overcome obstacles to get where she is today and we are proud that she is one of our graduates and can share her story to inspire those coming up behind her.” After the talk, Kelly signed covers of the magazine and Ms Petahtegoose served homemade cookies and cedar tea.
Category: St. Charles College
St. Charles College Supports Community With Most Successful Canned Food Drive Ever
The students at St. Charles College greatly surpassed their goal on October 28, 2011 of collecting 60 thousand cans for the Sudbury Food Bank. More than 121 thousand cans were collected for the food bank and many of the cans will be housed at the Sudbury Food Bank’s new can stock location on Webbwood Drive. The school presented Chief Elsner, President of The Sudbury Food Bank with all of the food as well as a cheque for $21 000. St. Charles College is proud to be the first organization to stock the new Food Bank on Webbwood Drive.
Jim Szilva of Freedom 55 and graduate of the high school continued the yearly tradition of remaining on a Greater Sudbury transit bus for a whole week until the students’ achieved the goal set by school administration to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of the school.
The bus also made stops to St. Andrew, St. Bernadette, Pius XII, St. Raphael, St. John, St. Paul and St. David schools. Students there traditionally join the cause and collect in their respective neighbourhoods.
Principal Patty Mardero said: “Seeing our students succeeding and doing well academically inspires me, but there is nothing more uplifting than watching the students at St. Charles College pull an entire community together by collecting one can at a time.”
In partnership with Rogers Radio Q92 and EZRock 105.3, the students worked tirelessly to collect as many food items as possible, and also worked at many of the local grocery store chains by bagging groceries in exchange for cans or monetary donations. Buses were also sent out every night of the week for students to reach out to every part of the large community and canvass the area.
The secondary school has been taking part in a community food drive since the mid eighties.
St. Charles College Students will be treated to the Scientific “Opportunity of a Lifetime
The students from two science classes at St. Charles College will get up close and personal with great Canadian scientist David Suzuki early next month.
Approximately sixty students at the school will take part in a virtual discussion with Suzuki November 2nd.
School science teacher Lloyd Rebeiro completed the application to participate.
Only 200 schools across Canada were selected for the virtual classroom discussions that are being hosted by the National Film Board of Canada and the David Suzuki Foundation.
Rebeiro says, “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for the students. They all know who David Suzuki is because he is the greatest science and environmental guru in our country.”
To prepare for the virtual classroom event, students must watch and study “Forces of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie.”
The student discussion with Suzuki will focus on Suzuki’s core message which is “humans have exhausted the limits of the biosphere and it is imperative that we rethink our relationship with the natural world.”
Some students may be chosen to the contribute to the discussion by asking their very own questions.
The event will take place at 1:30 p.m. on November 2nd in the school’s ampitheatre.
St. Charles College on Par with Golf
Congratulations to the St. Charles College boy’s golf team who won the Sudbury District Secondary Schools Athletic Associations (SDSSAA) golf tournament September 22 led by Stephen Gonko who also finished second in individual play at the tourney. The win qualified the boys for NOSSA play. At NOSSA the boys played extremely well with Ryan Lafreniere shooting 73 followed by Stephen Gonko with a score of 74. They placed both first and second in individual play. The team itself then had to play an extra hole breaking a tie with Franco-Cite from Sturgeon Falls. In the playoff, Ryan Lafreniere drove the green and two putted for birdie. The team proceeded to take the team competition thus qualifying them for OFSAA October 11-13 to be held in Belleville. Members of the golf team are: Stephen Gonko, Ryan Lafreniere, Joel Charlebois, Evan Purcell and Stan McGillis.
Grade Nines are Gold
St. Charles College hosted its annual grade 9 spirit day September 21st. More than two hundred grade nine students were grouped in teams to participate in tons of team and relationship building activities.
The students are a spirited bunch and co-ordinated team costumes and colours.
St. Charles Has got Talent
Three students from St. Charles College will all be heading to Toronto next week to compete in Citytv’s reality series Canada’s Got Talent auditions.
The auditions are taking place at the Air Canada Centre for much of next week.
Sarah Lamothe and Kassandra Bazinet are both in grade 9 and are the best of friends. Kassandra says, “I told Sarah about it because we are best friends and do everything together.”
Sarah Lamothe will be singing her rendition of Amy Whitehouse’s “Back to Black”. Kassandra Bazinet is singing “Hurt” by Christina Aguilera.
Grade 10 student Payton Mills is no stranger to the stage. Payton had a leading role in the school play last year in just her rookie year at St. Charles. She has been a trained vocalist since the age of three and plans to sing “Good Morning Baltimore” from Hairspray.
The show is slated to air in the spring of 2012.
St. Charles College ‘Niners’ Learn to Navigate Secondary School at Annual Barbecue
Grade nine students got a jumpstart on high school life at St. Charles College August 31st. Students were invited to pick-up their timetables, take a tour and sign-up for the various clubs and teams the school offers at the welcome barbecue.
“There are more than two hundred grade nine students entering their first year at St. Charles College this year. Their success and happiness mean a lot to us,” says Patty Mardero, the school principal.
For students, the school year begins Tuesday, September 6th.
Sudbury Catholic’s Third Annual Outdoor Adventure Race a Smashing Success!
Despite the rainy weather, it was a spectacular day for the third annual Sudbury Catholic Outdoor Adventure Race in Killarney on June 8, 2011. Students from all four of the Board’s secondary schools entered teams to take part in a four part outdoor race which included biking, canoeing, orienteering and a mystery challenge which involved a first aid rescue exercise. A total of fifteen teams with three students per team participated and, although rain-soaked for part of the race, managed to keep smiles on their faces throughout the entire challenge. The past two years has seen St. Charles College and then St. Benedict take home the coveted banner, and this year St. Charles managed to win back the first place spot. A team from St. Benedict won in terms of time, however, due to a small mistake in the orienteering section, they were given a 5 minute penalty which put the St. Charles team consisting of Adam McKibbon (Grade 12), Michael Wandziak (Grade 11) and Jonah Lynott (Grade 11) in first place. Awards were also given out for first place for a co-ed team as well as an all-girls team.
St. Charles College Thinks Pink
Recently, St. Charles College had a fundraiser for the Breast cancer equipment fund and raised $500 in one day. The students dress in Red and Pink and donated a loonie to support this cause. The ladies of Angels in Pink also made cupcakes which they sold at lunch time and more more money for the cause. Organizer and S.C.C. teacher Paola Gutcher felt that this was a great opportunity to show students how important it is to give back to the community and was proud of the support shown by the school.