Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board joins school boards across Ontario in recognizing Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, taking place November 17–21, 2025. This week provides an important opportunity to showcase kindness while reaffirming our shared commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and faith-filled learning environments where every student feels valued, supported, and respected.

Together, we are all invited to continue learning about bullying —exploring relevant resources and taking part in activities that help us identify, prevent, and ultimately eradicate it.

What to Expect?

Throughout the week, students, staff, and parents are encouraged to deepen their understanding of bullying and its impact on student learning and well-being. While bullying prevention is a year-round focus, this week serves as an important reminder of the work happening each day across K–12 schools.

Sudbury Catholic Schools use this time to highlight the different forms bullying can take and to promote kindness, gratitude, and acceptance through daily announcements, kindness clubs, classroom lessons, stories, and school-wide activities.

Our Role

Bullying prevention promotes the development of healthy relationships rooted in respect—both in person and online. As Catholic educators, parents/guardians, and caring adults, we all play a vital role in teaching and modelling relationships grounded in dignity, kindness, and empathy.

Throughout the week, Sudbury Catholic Schools will:

  • Share daily messages that promote kindness, inclusion, and respect;
  • Engage students in activities that build empathy and strengthen relationships;
  • Encourage student voice and leadership in promoting safe and welcoming environments;
  • Reinforce key expectations outlined in PPM 144: Bullying Prevention and Intervention.

SS11 – (REVISED) Bullying Prevention & Intervention

Resources

The following resources can be used by families and the community to support Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week:

Mental Health Hub

Prev Net – Bullying Info for Parents

Random Acts of Kindness

Kids Help Phone

Ontario: Bullying – we can all help stop it

Kindness Book List

Kindness at Home Lesson Plans – Parents/Guardians

Bullying Canada

Media Smarts – Canada’s Centre for Digital Media Literacy

Canadian Centre for Child Protection

Christmas Artwork Contest for K-12 Students

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to participate in the Annual Christmas Artwork Contest. Create artwork in any medium (drawing, painting, etc.) that reflects our Catholic faith and the joy of Christmas.

Submissions can be emailed to webmaster@sudburycatholicschools.ca or sent to the Board office by November 22, 2025.

How to Submit:

All submissions (whether in hard copy or e-mailed) should have the following information included in addition to the artwork: 

  • Student first and last name 
  • Grade
  • School 

Submissions can be e-mailed to webmaster@sudburycatholicschools.ca in a JPG/PNG or PDF format. Or mailed to the Board office at Attention: Christmas Card Contest 165A D’Youville street Sudbury, Ontario P3C 5E7 

CONTEST DEADLINE:

Artwork must be submitted no later than November 22, to be considered for the contest. 

What Can I Win?

Two winning designs (one elementary and one secondary) will be featured on the annual Christmas cards sent to Board Trustees, school administration, and community partners. Winners will also receive a package of custom Christmas cards featuring their artwork!

You can submit multiple entries up until November 22, 2025. For more contest details, please refer to the attachments below. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the season through art!

2025 Contest Guidelines

Contest Poster

Christmas Artwork Ideas/Themes

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

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

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation 🪶

Orange Shirt Day

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

On September 30, we will join schools across Canada to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. We are reminded that Orange Shirt Day also offers an opportunity to honour and pray for those who never made it home.

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Activities 

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) offers a series of opportunities for the public to participate in events throughout the week of September 22 to September 26. More information can be found on the NCTR website.

Lunch and Learns – NCTR

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

2025 – Truth & Reconciliation Week

Truth & Reconciliation Relay 

Sudbury Catholic Schools have been invited to participate in the Truth & Reconciliation Relay event hosted by the Greater Sudbury Police Services (GSPS). This relay aims to honour history, increase awareness, promote healing, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous communities, while promoting an active lifestyle.

Available Support

Along with the activities listed on this page, schools may be engaging in additional ways to observe and honour this time. These events and activities may differ, but support is always provided. As this can be a difficult topic for many, if you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419

Resources You May Also Like….

Indigenous Education at Sudbury Catholic Schools

Safe & Accepting Schools

First Day of Fall 🍁

On September 22, we joyfully embrace the changing leaves and welcome the First Day of Autumn—a season that invites us to reflect on thankfulness and gratitude. We extend warm wishes to all our students and staff and look forward to a season rich in new experiences that celebrate growth, learning, and faith.

Autumn Blessing

O God of Creation,
You have blessed us with the gift of the changing seasons.

As we welcome the autumn months,
may the earlier setting of the sun
remind us to pause, rest, and reflect.

May the brilliant colors of the leaves
fill our hearts with awe at the beauty of Your creation.

May the steam of our breath in the crisp air
remind us that every moment of life is a gift from You.

May the harvest from the fields
teach us gratitude for Your abundance
and inspire us to share generously with others.

And as summer’s warmth fades,
may we remember Your promise that life is eternal,
and death is but a doorway to Your everlasting love.

We praise You, O Lord,
for Your goodness now and forever.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Marks First Meeting of 2025–26 with New Appointments

Yesterday marked an exciting start to the 2025–26 school year as the Sudbury Catholic District School Board held its first board meeting of the year.

During the meeting, we proudly commissioned our new Student Trustee, Lily Yeomans from Marymount Academy. We are excited to welcome Lily to the Board and look forward to the leadership, perspective, and student voice she will bring to the table alongside her Co-Student Trustee, David Akero from St. Benedict.

The meeting also marked the first official meeting for our new Director of Education, Morris Hucal, and our new Superintendent of Education, Paul Nalli.

We are inspired to begin this school year with such dedicated leadership, united in our mission to support student success and well-being across all Sudbury Catholic schools.

Secondary Open House Events 2025

Join Sudbury Catholic Schools at our upcoming 7-12 School Open House Events!

Pre-Register for School

Register now for the 2025/26 School Year on our easy online registration platform. Please contact the appropriate school for questions about registering for school.

Edsemblie – Online Registration Platform

Program Brochures 

National IT Professionals Day

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.

Thank you to our IMS team for all that you do!

Welcome Back!

Celebrating the First Week of School

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to thank our incredible students, dedicated staff, and supportive families for making our first week of school a resounding success! 

This year’s theme, Together in Service, is all about working together to support one another. This past week, everyone’s smiles, enthusiasm, and teamwork have truly set the tone for what promises to be an incredible year. We can’t wait to witness all the learning, growth, and joy the 2024-25 school year will bring.

Here’s to another week filled with discovery, friendships, achievements, and working together in service.

Friendly Reminder:

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping children and teens use technology responsibly. When sharing photos online, the Greater Sudbury Police Services recommend avoiding including personal details like names, addresses, hobbies, etc. to help protect your family’s privacy.

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