On February 10th, St. Francis students and staff marked an exciting milestone—100 days of learning, growth, and fun!
Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of creative and educational activities centered around the number 100. From counting exercises to hands-on projects, the celebrations highlighted the progress and accomplishments of our young learners.
“This special day would not be possible without the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the support of our families. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!” – Jennifer Connelly, St. Francis Principal.
Here’s to the next 100 days of learning, discovery, and success!
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) called on Catholic schools across Ontario to participate in its Annual Short Video Contest by submitting student-created videos centered around the inspiring theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
This year, St. Charles College (SCC) earned an impressive third place among nearly 100 school entries in the contest. Their video featured a warm message from Deacon Bruno Michel and highlighted how SCC’s passionate staff, talented and engaged students, wide range of classes and robust extracurricular offerings come together to foster a vibrant, faith-filled community.
The video was the result of a collaborative class project led by Patricia Demore, a dedicated teacher at SCC and Grade 11 student Ravi Aguilar, who played a key role in production.
St. Charles College has participated in the short video contest before, placing first in 2020. Demore credited this year’s success to her hardworking students and shared their excitement at being recognized as a top entrant. “What a fantastic way to kick off 2025. Earning third place this year is an achievement our students are truly proud of.”
During last night’s board meeting, Patricia Demore received the third-place certificate from OCSTA President and SCDSB Chair, Michael Bellmore.
Michael Bellmore, an alumnus of St. Charles College himself, expressed his enthusiasm, sharing, “It is a great honour to deliver this award to one of our schools here at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. There are some larger boards who enter the contest, and the competition is quite strong, so this accomplishment is a testament to the creativity and talent of our students here in the North. Congratulations to Patricia and her students on this well-deserved recognition.”
The School Bus Transportation Consortium would like to provide an important update regarding transportation services for today: Morning transportation services are canceled for the following rural areas: Estaire, Alban, French River, Hagar, Markstay, Warren, Noelville, St. Charles, Monetville, and Killarney. However, services for these areas will resume this afternoon.
Bus services are operating as usual in Manitoulin Island, Espanola, Massey, and the Greater Sudbury area.
Additionally, parents in the Greater Sudbury area who were provided an inclement weather stop yesterday are asked to bring their children to the same designated stops this morning.
This decision was made due to road conditions that are worse in some areas that are not maintained. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we prioritize the safety of our students and drivers.
Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) has announced her intention to retire on July 31, 2025. After 37 years of dedicated service in education, and 11 years served as the SCDSB’s Director of Education, she leaves behind a legacy of faith-forward leadership, a steadfast commitment to student success, and a lasting impact on the Sudbury Catholic community.
Under Director Bénard’s leadership, the board has experienced substantial growth, reaching an enrolment of nearly 7000 students.
During her tenure, she led transformative initiatives to promote leadership development, the enhancement of mental health supports, and the elevation of student achievement in numeracy and literacy, ensuring every learner has the tools to thrive both in the classroom and beyond. Her dedication to equity and excellence has profoundly impacted students and staff, cultivating a vibrant learning environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to realize their fullest potential.
Michael Bellmore, President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) and Chair of the SCDSB, praised Bénard for her exemplary leadership during her tenure as Director, stating, “Under Joanne’s leadership, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has achieved historic enrollment levels, completed school renewal projects that support safe, healthy, and vibrant modern learning spaces, expanded Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs to provide students with enhanced learning opportunities, and demonstrated a strong commitment to technology renewal, ensuring our students and educators stay current with modern standards—to name a few.”
“Joanne’s leadership at Sudbury Catholic, especially throughout the challenges of a global pandemic, has laid a strong foundation for the board’s future. She has built a dedicated team poised to carry forward the outstanding work that has been established, with a clear focus on student success and achievement. Her contributions are evident throughout the system, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering dedication to Sudbury Catholic schools. We wish her continued health, happiness, and well-deserved rest as she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her life,” he continued.
Reflecting on her career, Director Bénard acknowledged the many people who contribute to the success of Sudbury Catholic, stating, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional staff for their tireless devotion to bettering our school communities, our dedicated trustees, who have shown extraordinary commitment to our board’s vision and goals, our families and community partners who play a vital role in shaping our Sudbury Catholic community, and most importantly, our students who have been at the heart of every decision made.”
“At Sudbury Catholic, our vision is to be leaders in learning and faith. Throughout my time at Sudbury Catholic, I have witnessed this vision come to life through the kindness, generosity, and dedication of our students and staff — both past and present — who lead initiatives that promote innovation, growth, and a strong sense of community. Their consistent demonstration of stewardship has instilled confidence in the lasting positive impact Catholic education will have on the many generations to come. I am certain that our board will continue to flourish, guided by its commitment to excellence, amazing staff and governance rooted in faith.”
The recruitment process for Director of Education will begin shortly and more information will be provided as the details become available.
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s Business Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students are thrilled to have secured First Place at the Freelandt Caldwell Reilly (FCR) Accounting Competition for secondary students.
The competition, which is known for its challenging case studies and real-world applications, welcomed students from all English-Speaking school boards on December 5th at the Northbury Hotel & Conference Center. The St. Benedict team made up of Rebekkah Johnson, Sullivan Smith, Wesley Wei, and Mauro Cusinato impressed judges by skillfully applying their knowledge of accounting principles, demonstrating strong analytical abilities, and excelling under pressure.
“It was a great opportunity to meet people, including the FCR directors and owners, and to test my skills in business,” shared Grade 11 Business Student, Mauro Cusinato who reflects positively about the competition. “Giuseppe Politi’s business classes really prepared us for this experience. Competitions like these are great for us to explore whether a career in accounting or business is the right fit.”
“We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, teamwork, and dedication to their studies,” said Giuseppe Politi, Grade 11 Business Teacher and Business SHSM Lead at St. Benedict. “Their achievement highlights not only their commitment but also the exceptional education provided through our Business SHSM program. We extend our thanks to Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP Chartered Accountants for organizing this competition and hope to participate in more in the future.”
The Business SHSM program at St. Benedict equips students with specialized training in business, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship, providing the skills needed to excel in today’s competitive business world. In addition to participating in local business competitions, students have also had the opportunity to travel to Ottawa, Toronto, and Niagara Falls for workshops and university visits. The school has also partnered with local businesses, including FCR Chartered Professional Accountants, to offer valuable co-op placements. Such opportunities are vital in deepening students’ understanding of business concepts during their secondary education and inspiring them to pursue business studies beyond post-secondary.
As part of their victory, St. Benedict’s team received a $2,000 cheque and secured a valuable career insights presentation for their class. The session was led by FCR professionals and St. Benedict alumni Curtis Carpino (CPA), Connor Vande Weghe (CPA), and Tori Vance (CHRP), who shared their expertise and career journeys.
Speaking about the competition, Tori Vance, shares “As an HR Manager at FCR, I’m thrilled to see the talent and enthusiasm showcased during this case competition. Events like these inspire the next generation of professionals, providing students with real-world experience and valuable skills for the future. These achievements celebrate their hard work and highlight the bright future of our industry.”
Tori Vance
According to the school, this isn’t the first time St. Benedict students have excelled in accounting and business competitions. In 2024, they secured first place at the Laurentian University Startup Summit Business Challenge, and again at the Cambrian College Case Competition. These wins highlight the school’s strong academic programming, which prepare students for success in both the workforce and post-secondary education.
Looking ahead, St. Benedict’s Business SHSM students will continue to grow their understanding of the business landscape, with plans to attend the Ontario Business Educators Association (OBEA) conference in spring 2025.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to congratulate the St. Benedict Business SHSM students and their teacher for their achievements in 2024. The Board continues to look forward to seeing the growth of all students in the SHSM program.
“One thing is certain,” adds Giuseppe Politi. “St. Benedict alumni are making their mark in the business world, with more graduates becoming Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) each year. It’s inspiring to see our students succeed in their careers, and when they return to the classroom, it brings these pathways to life for our current students.”
FCR Professionals and St. Benedict Alumni: Curtis Carpino (CPA), Conner Vande Weghe (CPA), and Tori Vance (CHRP)
Students in Mr. Duncan’s Shop Class at St. Charles College(SCC) recently received a generous donation from local dealership Cambrian Ford, offering parts like engines, steering components, turbo chargers, transmissions and more!
These valuable contributions will significantly enhance the transportation program at SCC, providing students with hands-on, real-world experience that is crucial for their future careers in trades and apprenticeships.
We deeply appreciate the support from Cambrian Ford and Ford Motor Company. Your dedication to fostering educational opportunities ensures our students are better prepared for success in the workforce.
This week, the Catholic Education Centre staff came together in faith and fellowship to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with a festive Christmas breakfast. Prepared by members of our senior team, this gathering was a beautiful reminder of the power of teamwork, togetherness, and the simple joys that bring us closer during this special time of year.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and talents—whether through preparing the delicious meal, setting up the tables, or creating a warm and festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
A special thank you to Dan Levecque and James Morgan for their uplifting musical talents, which filled the room with the spirit of the season. Moments like these remind us of the blessings of community and the importance of celebrating the season with gratitude and joy.
For the month of November, students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School (BAC CSS) united to support men’s health awareness through a successful “Movember” fundraising campaign. Their efforts raised $2,500 for Health Sciences North, helping to spotlight critical men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer.
The fundraiser not only encouraged monetary donations to support cancer care initiatives but also aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding men’s health. To inspire contributions and show solidarity, several teachers and staff members embraced the spirit of “Movember” by shaving their beards and proudly sporting moustaches throughout the month.
“The students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter are proud of what they have accomplished and look forward to continuing this initiative in the future,” said teacher and campaign organizer, Patrick Lezun.
He added, “It’s not just about teaching students to excel in the classroom, but also about encouraging them to step up, make a difference, bring awareness to important causes and change their community for the better.”
While the staff’s participation was a fun and engaging way to raise awareness, the true driving force behind the fundraiser was the students. Their generosity and enthusiasm were instrumental, with donations pouring in from all grade levels. Thanks to their efforts, the school not only met but exceeded the initial $1,500 fundraising goal.
The St. Charles College Cardinals hockey team went 7-0 and only allowed five goals on their way to winning the St. Michael’s Mustangs tournament for the third time.
The Cardinals have won the tournament at the Niagara Falls school three times, in 2018, 2022 and in 2024. This was the first year the team went undefeated.
Liam Judd was named tournament MVP, while the team’s goaltending tandem of Rowan McCann and Brody Mabbott only let in five goals in seven games.
Overall, the Cards’ record for the year is an impressive 26-1-1, including exhibition games, league games and tournaments.
