Last year, around this time, the newly formed FIRST Robotics team at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School gathered around a box of parts and contemplated where to begin. With a group of students relatively new to robotics, and roughly a year ahead of them before their first competition, their first goal was simple: build a robot and get it to move, if only an inch. 

Fast forward to November 2025, and the team has far exceeded that humble objective. Not only did they successfully design and build a fully functioning robot, they built two of them, and their hard work, creativity, and persistence paid off in a big way as they captured first place at the FIRST Tech Challenge Regional Competition. 

Teams participating in the FIRST Tech Challenge work together to design, build, code, and operate robots that face off in alliance-style competitions. With support from coaches and mentors, participants strengthen their STEM abilities and apply real engineering practices, such as documenting their progress in an engineering notebook, to robotics challenges. Along the way, they gain an appreciation for collaboration, creativity, and the effort required to bring their big ideas to life. 

Teacher and Team Coach Loretta Cuda praised her team’s ability to work together and think quickly under pressure. “Our goal was just to get the robot to move, so to see them come together, mentor new grade 9s in our club . . . and score the most points out of all the teams there, I am extremely proud. Was I expecting to be slated for second and then become the winning alliance? No. I am blown away. This team is good at taking criticism and knowing where they need to improve, and I think the whole community is proud of this team and what they’ve done,” she said.  

Grade 12 student Michael Phillips shared how the experience brought the group closer than they ever expected. “Aside from learning more about robotics, I think we really came together and learned what it means to be a team,” he said. “It’s one thing to plan for what we’ll do if a problem comes up with the robot, but on the actual competition day, we learned to put everything aside and work toward a common goal. Each person thought about what they could contribute to help us win.” 

For many students, the competition also opened their eyes to the broader scope of skills required in robotics. Grade 12 student David Akero said the event pushed the team beyond just mechanical and technical work. “The thing about this competition is that it’s not just about how well our robot performs,” he explained. “It’s also about how our business team performs, what our outreach was, how our presentation goes, and how we can share more about our story. There’s a lot of documenting too, that was something we lacked before, but this time it’s something we’re really going to focus on.” 

Akero added that the structure of the challenge reflects real-world expectations. “The way they format the competition, it’s basically like running a business. Some people look for sponsors, others build specific parts. Some of us have to work on public speaking or take part in interviews or understand financial aspects. The organizers included all of that. There’s something for everyone here, and you come out of it better than when you started.” 

Director of Education, Morris Hucal, praised the team on their success. “Congratulations to the St. Benedict FIRST Robotics team on their remarkable achievement at the FIRST Tech Challenge Regional Competition. This win reflects the dedication, creativity, and problem-solving skills that define our Sudbury Catholic students. STEM education continues to be a key focus for our board, and it’s inspiring to see how initiatives like robotics are preparing students for the future. The continued growth of robotics programs across our schools highlights our commitment to hands-on learning and innovation. Congratulations once again to the students, mentors, and educators who made this success possible.” 

For more information on programs and teams at St. Benedict Catholic secondary School, visit https://st-benedict.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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At its Annual Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, November 19, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) re-elected Trustees Micheal Bellmore as Chair and Ray Desjardins as Vice Chair, demonstrating continued confidence in their leadership and vision for the Board. 

Michael Bellmore expressed his gratitude to his board colleagues for their support of his leadership and their dedication to good governance at Sudbury Catholic.  

Following his re-election as chair, Bellmore praised his colleagues for their commitment to student success and highlighted the efforts of the entire community in creating a welcoming and effective learning environment. 

“To the entire Sudbury Catholic community: thank you for everything you do. You truly set a gold standard by putting students first,” Bellmore said. He added, “Trustees on this board consistently show up, do the work, ask the important questions, and committed to good governance and student success. Thank you for answering the call and demonstrating true servant leadership.” 

Director of Education, Morris Hucal, expressed his support for the re-elections, stating, “Chair Michael Bellmore and Vice Chair Raymond Desjardins are exceptional leaders who consistently place students at the forefront of their work and champion the strength of Catholic education. I am certain they will continue to move our Board forward in meaningful ways this year. I also want to recognize our trustees, whose commitment to excellence and dedicated service truly strengthens our entire school community.”  

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board operates 17 schools across Greater Sudbury and Killarney and is committed to realizing each student’s potential by nurturing and developing their mind, body and spirit. 

Board meetings for the SCDSB are held on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year and are open to the public. For more information, visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/board-meetings/. 

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Throughout October and November, students and staff across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) participated in a “Pilgrims of Hope” walk, joining Catholics around the world in recognition of the Jubilee Year 2025. 

A pilgrimage walk is a special journey taken by individuals and communities to grow closer to God. Rooted in centuries-old tradition, a pilgrimage walk invites participants to walk with intention, carrying Jesus in their hearts as they reflect, pray, and strengthen their spiritual connection. More than the distance travelled, it is a meaningful reminder that faith is a journey, and each step offers an opportunity for hope, peace, and renewal. 

The tradition of the Jubilee Year dates back to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Jubilee, which is also known as a “Holy Year.” Its frequency has evolved over time. It was initially observed every 100 years, later every 50, and now typically every 25 years or as designated by the Holy Father. 

To honour the Holy Year, SCDSB students and staff proudly walked with banners and symbols of faith, pausing at seven prayer stations set up around their school grounds. At each stop, they reflected on themes of creation, service, peace, and God’s love. Students prayed together, performed small acts of kindness, and shared messages of hope. 

“We walked today to remember that Jesus is always by your side, and if you need help Jesus is always listening,” said Paisley, a Grade 5 student at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. 

This year’s pilgrimage encouraged students to see their daily surroundings as sacred spaces and to recognize God’s presence in community and creation. 

Students shared some favourite moments from the experience: 

“I liked how we would pray while we were connected with nature. Our teacher told us to put our arms up in the air like a tree or baa like a sheep. That part was really fun,” said Paisley. 

“It was also fun to just be together and walk together as a school,” added Journey, a Grade 6 student. 

“The walk made me think of how grateful I am for the sun and nature and how everything is so beautiful. God created everything that we have, and we should enjoy it,” said Paisley. 

“Yes, it made me think of how grateful I am for God, the earth, the nature, the air,” shared Easton, Grade 6. 

Through prayer, reflection, and community connection, students across the board embraced the spirit of the Jubilee Year with gratitude and joy. As Joan Yawney-Matz, Religious Education and Faith Consultant, explained, “through our pilgrimage walks, students discovered that prayer is not just something we say, but something we live.” She emphasized how powerfully the event united the community, sharing that “our school, family, and parish communities came together to experience the joy of being part of a larger faith community walking together, on the road towards holiness.” 

“I am so proud of our students, staff, families, parish partners and everyone who helped make the Pilgrims of Hope Walk possible. This event is a wonderful example of how we live out our Catholic faith through both learning and action. Together, we have shown what it means to journey in faith and community,” said Morris Hucal, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. 

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Sudbury, ON – The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is currently seeking new representatives to serve a three-year term. SEAC is a standing committee that provides important recommendations to the Board on the establishment, development, and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional students. 

The committee welcomes applicants who are affiliated with organizations or agencies that support children with special needs. Prospective members must be at least 18 years old, hold Canadian citizenship, and not be employed by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. 

Applicants are asked to provide a letter of nomination from the director of the association they represent. Letters should be submitted to Erica Raymond, Superintendent of Special Education Services, via email at erica.raymond@sudburycatholicschools.ca. 

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply and help support inclusive education within our Catholic learning community. 

For more information on Special Education at Sudbury Catholic Schools, please visit https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/special-education/.  

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Last month, we were honoured to welcome Dr. Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and Executive Advisor Meena Deol to the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

Their visit included meaningful discussions with our Vice-Principals about the Right to Read and Dreams Delayed reports, followed by an inspiring conversation with St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s Diversity Student Union. Together, they shared reflections on human rights, inclusion, and the power of student voice to inspire positive change in our communities.

As we move quickly through the school year, visits like these—sparking meaningful conversations on equity and inclusion—serve as powerful reminders of our shared commitment to creating safe and welcoming learning environments. These reflections are especially meaningful as we enter Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.

We are delighted to share that Sudbury Catholic Students were recognized in OECTA’s 2024–25 Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains provincial winners’ anthology, which features the creative works of students from across Ontario.

Congratulations to Immaculate Conception Catholic School students Caden Matz and Ivy Blouin, who were awarded for their outstanding poetry submissions! Both students received recognition plaques during their school’s virtue assembly.

Sponsored by OECTA – Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, these annual awards celebrate the creative writing talents of students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 in both English and French. We are so proud to see our Sudbury Catholic students’ voices and imaginations shine through their writing.

Our winners shared their reflections on the experience:

“It was a very nice experience for young students to showcase their French writing skills.” — Ivy Blouin

“It was a fun and surprising experience to win at the provincial level for my French writing piece.” — Caden Matz

We were truly overwhelmed by the generosity of our students and families at St Francis Catholic Elementary School! Thanks to the incredible amount of halloween treats sent in, the Grade 6 students were able to assemble amazing treat bags to help bring a little joy to those in need this fall.

In collaboration with Kathleen and Father Ramesh Christy from Our Lady of Hope Parish, students packaged the donated treats and delivered them to the Blue Door Soup Kitchen ensuring everyone gets to enjoy a sweet treat this season.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, your compassion makes all the difference!