Marymount Academy is proud to announce that the Junior Concert Band has received a silver medal at the Sudbury Music Festival, scoring an impressive 84! This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of all the musicians involved.
A special thank you goes out to all the musicians and their families for their support and commitment to rehearsals since September and congratulations to the Junior Concert Band on their achievement!
We can’t wait to see the Junior Concert Band in action once again at their Spring Concert on Wednesday, June 4th in what promises to be another memorable performance.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School student Cameron O’Daiskey, who was invited to Laurentian University’s prestigious President’s Reception for High Achievers this year.
This past February, Cameron was among only 56 students selected to attend this event, which featured a special brunch and reception with Laurentian’s President, Deans, and representatives. During the event, she had the honour of meeting Dr. Lynn Wells, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University, as well as Dr. Joy Gray-Monroe, Dean of Science, Engineering, and Architecture.
As a testament to her academic excellence and dedication, Cameron has officially accepted her offer to join Laurentian’s Mining Engineering program this fall.
Reflecting on her journey, Cameron shared: “My time at Bishop Alexander Carter CSS has been nothing short of amazing. I have worked to maintain a 95+ average while focusing on math and science. This work ethic has hopefully prepared me for the next step in my journey as I enter the Mine Engineering program at Laurentian University. The teachers at Bishop Alexander Carter CSS have been incredibly supportive, both academically and through extracurriculars, allowing me to thrive as both a student and an athlete, competing on over 12 teams each year. As I enter Mine Engineering, I am excited to apply my passion for problem-solving and I am also excited to continue my journey right here in Sudbury, a city known for its mining excellence. Bishop Alexander Carter CSS has given me the foundation to chase my dreams, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board congratulates Cameron on this remarkable accomplishment and wishes her continued success as she begins this exciting new chapter at Laurentian University.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to congratulate 2024 graduate Alexis Teixeria from St. Charles College, who has been awarded a $1,000 bursary by the Greater Sudbury Police Services Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC). Alexis has shown exceptional dedication to promoting diversity, inclusive practices, and cultural acceptance in her school and community.
Thank you, Alexis, for your inspiring efforts to make our world a more inclusive and welcoming place. Your commitment motivates us all!
Alexis Teixeria
“I would like to thank the Diversity Advisory Committee for choosing me as the winner of their Diversity Bursary; I feel honoured to have been selected as the Sudbury Catholic District Schoolboard recipient. I will continue prioritizing diversity and equity throughout post-secondary years, and even more so as a teacher someday.” – Alexis Teixeria
Thank you to Greater Sudbury Police Services and Gurpreet Singh Broca, Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee, for recognizing and fostering leadership in our community.
The Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury (LDAS) recently hosted its 8th Annual Fundraising Awards Dinner. The occasion celebrated individuals and community partners’ exceptional contributions to the organization’s growth and success.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that on this occasion, LDAS recognized two individuals from St. Albert Learning Centre for their outstanding educational commitments.
Lochlan MacNeil was presented with the LDAS Resilient Learner Award, a testament to his exceptional determination and hard work in the face of learning challenges. Despite a learning disability, Lochlan’s unwavering commitment to education and admirable perseverance in tackling academic obstacles inspire both peers and educators. This award is especially significant because only one student is selected each year, meaning that Lochlan represents all the students in Sudbury!
Lochlan MacNeil
Katie Kurt received the Outstanding Educator Award for her dedication to evidence-based practices, continuous learning, and tireless efforts to support all students, particularly those with learning disabilities. Katie’s genuine passion for inclusivity and equity fosters an environment where every learner can thrive.
“I feel so honoured to have my hard work recognized,” said Katie. “It’s a journey that my students and I have been on together. I’m reinvigorated by this success to continue following my passion for supporting students to with unique learning needs!”
Katie Kurt
These awards recognize individual achievements and exemplify a growth mindset through active engagement in professional development, contributing significantly to the improvement of our educational community.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to congratulate Lochlan and Katie for their well-deserved awards. Their outstanding achievements are a testament to their dedication to our learning community.
“We are incredibly proud of Lochlan and Katie for their outstanding achievements. Their commitment to our students’ success and contributions to our learning community are truly inspiring.” Say’s Christina Raso, Principal of St. Albert Learning Centre.
Superintendent of Education Erica Raymond commented, “Lochlan and Katie’s dedication to learning is truly exemplary. We are honored to have Katie as an integral part of our educational team, and Lochlan serves as an inspiring example for others. Congratulations to both of them on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to continuing to support them on their journey with Sudbury Catholic Schools.”
St. Albert School will celebrate these students at a school luncheon on May 8th, during Catholic Education Week: We Are Called to Love. Congratulations, Katie and Lochlan!
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.
David Madiba Akera and SCDSB Chairperson Michael Bellmore
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.
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!
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board andMarymount Academy are thrilled to share that Grade 11 music student, Violet Smith, will be making history on November 25th by performing with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra in their Christmas Concert, “Poems for Snow.” Violet will be the first high school student to join the woodwind section of the orchestra.
Violet expressed her excitement on this achievement, emphasizing how this opportunity reflects her journey in music.
“This experience is really special to me.” Say’s Violet. “When I started playing the flute in Grade 7, I never imagined I’d be playing with experienced professionals four years later. I am proud of myself and thankful to my music teachers at Marymount Academy who have taught and supported me on my educational journey. I’m honoured to play alongside the skilled and talented musicians in the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and have been practicing every day to prepare for our upcoming performance.”
A special moment in the concert will be a flute duet, featuring Violet and Marymount Academy’s Grade 7/8 Music Teacher, Danielle Conti. Ms. Conti praises Violet’s dedication, highlighting the strong music community at Marymount.
“Marymount has a very strong music program. We have dedicated music teachers and dedicated music students and we are all proud of Violet for her hard work,” say’s Danielle Conti. “I’ve been with her since Grade 7, and I watched as the world threw setbacks at her that were not in her control. Despite those challenges, Violet’s enthusiasm for learning was always evident and I am so proud to see how far she has come since she first started at Marymount.”
Emily Tokola, Marymount’s Grade 9/12 Music Teacher, explains how practical experiences are important for developing students in the music program. “This experience beautifully exemplifies how Marymount Academy nurtures practical opportunities for its students. It goes beyond the theoretical aspects of the music curriculum, as Violet is now seamlessly applying the skills she learned in the classroom to a professional setting. This underscores our overarching goal—to build a solid foundation of musical knowledge and skills, empowering students to utilize these foundations in real-life situations.”
Grade 11 student Violet Smith (middle) pictured with her two music teachers at Marymount Academy, Danielle Conti (left) and Emily Tokola (right).
Principal, Cassandra Tenbergen adds saying, “This is a great moment of leadership for our community where our students and staff can see a student applying the learning that takes place in class to the real world. There are many young Regals looking forward to going out this Saturday and cheering her on from the audience.”
According to the school, Violet Smith is not only a rising star in the music department but also an active member of the Marymount Academy community. As a Grade 11 student, she holds the position of co-chair of the student advisory council at Science North, participates on the basketball team, serves as the co-president of the band council, and participates in both the jazz band playing trumpet and senior concert band playing flute. Additionally, Violet generously volunteers her time to support the elementary and junior bands at Marymount Academy.
While Violet’s future career aspirations lie in science and engineering, she values the importance of Art and plans to apply her musical skills to other areas of her life. The duet between Violet and Ms. Conti reflects Marymount Academy’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing a passion for Art within their students regardless of their career aspirations.
“While Violet’s future career goals might not be in music, she knows the importance of it and that speak volumes to other students that having an art outlet is essential.” Said Emily Tokola.
The “Poems for Snow” Christmas Concert promises to be a magical evening, and Violet’s participation adds an extra layer of excitement and pride for the Marymount Academy and Sudbury Catholic School Board communities. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.showpass.com/sso-poems-for-snow/.
