On Wednesday, October 1, Marymount Academy was honoured to welcome back one of their own: The Honourable Donna Skelly, Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. As a proud alumna of Marymount, Speaker Donna Skelly delivered an inspiring address to our students about leadership, civic engagement, and the power of education.
Following her remarks, students took part in a dynamic 90-minute session exploring topics such as the three levels of government, the legislative process, and how young people can actively participate in our democracy.
The day concluded with an interactive mock debate in the Chamber setting, giving our students a firsthand look at the responsibilities and procedures of Parliament under the guidance of the Speaker herself.
A special thank you as well to MPP France Gélinas for joining us and highlighting the importance of encouraging more women to pursue leadership roles in politics and public life.
We are so grateful to Speaker Donna Skelly for sharing her wisdom and passion with the next generation of leaders!
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
Today, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board was proud to join local organizations in demonstrating our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation during the closing ceremony of this year’s Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay hosted by the GSPS in Bell Park. On this occasion, we are thrilled to announce that St. Charles College – Team Cardinal earned the distinction of being the top secondary school in Sudbury for total distance covered in the 4th Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay. At today’s ceremony, Indigenous Graduation Coach and Team Cardinal member Shannon Agowissa accepted the award on behalf of the school. Congratulations, Team Cardinal!
The Truth & Reconciliation Relay, hosted annually by the Greater Sudbury Police Services, is a community initiative that honours history, raises awareness, and promotes healing with Indigenous communities. Its purpose is to educate participants about the history of Residential Schools and highlight the 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Participants watched an educational video, reviewed the Calls to Action, and selected one that resonated with them personally. The relay provided a meaningful moment of reflection, inviting participants to consider how they can bring their chosen Calls to Action to life in both personal and professional spheres.
Superintendent Paul Nalli shared: “We are incredibly proud of Team Cardinal for this achievement and for inspiring their St. Charles College school community through such a meaningful initiative. Miigwetch to all our schools for your heartfelt participation and to our community partners for your continued commitment to honouring the truths of the past and taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation.“
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends its gratitude to GSPS and community partners, including the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, for providing this important opportunity. Since its inception in 2022, the relay has become a cherished tradition, and Sudbury Catholic Schools looks forward to participating each year with the help of our Indigenous Education Team.
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Elementary School proudly took part in the Terry Fox School Run once again this year, continuing their strong tradition of supporting cancer research. Over the past 12 years, the school has raised more than $26,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
This year, students set out with a fundraising goal of $1,000, and more than tripled it, raising an incredible $3,430! A special shoutout goes to Grade 5 student Jake, who raised an outstanding $750 on his own.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated teachers and staff who make this event such a success each year. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board also wishes to recognize St. Paul staff members, Lisa Dubien and Julie Hayes, who have been leading this initiative for the past eight years. And a big thank you to Sudbury’s Pure Country for coming out to support the event and cheer on the students!
From September 22 to 25, students across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) participated in a series of dynamic classroom presentations and interactive assemblies featuring retired NHL player and motivational speaker Jason Simon. This meaningful opportunity was organized by the SCDSB Indigenous Education team and explored essential topics, including self-esteem, goal setting, perseverance, mental and physical wellness, and standing against racism. By listening to his experiences of facing and overcoming adversity on and off the ice, this occasion encouraged students to reflect on the importance of inclusion, equity, and respect for others and oneself – key values at the heart of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Over the course of four days, Jason visited seven SCDSB schools, connecting with students from Grades 3–12. Visits included:
September 22: Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School & St. Anne Catholic Elementary
September 23: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
September 24: St. Charles College & Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School
September 25: St. James Catholic Elementary School & St. Francis Catholic Elementary School
“If you don’t know where you’re going in life, it’s hard to get there. There’s always hope, but it doesn’t come on its own. You have to assert yourself, put in the work, and fight for the person you want to become.” Shared Jason Simon, when reflecting on what he hoped students would take away from the interactive sessions.
Sharing inspiring stories from his professional hockey career, as well as his personal journey confronting racism, concussions, and addiction, Jason Simon’s presentations emphasized the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals, and of creating a clear vision and plan for the life you want. At its core, each presentation conveyed a powerful message of hope, inspiring students from diverse grade levels, interests, and backgrounds to develop resilience, self-awareness, and a strong sense of purpose—qualities essential for achieving their dreams and navigating life with confidence.
“Chi Miigwetch to Jason Simon for sharing his journey and inspiring our students to dream big, persevere, and rise strong,” said Indigenous Education Consultant Ginette Toivonen. “His presentation reminds us to care for ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, ask for help when needed, and show strength and compassion to others. As a First Nations athlete and role model overcoming systemic barriers, Jason’s experiences spark meaningful reflection on equity, inclusion, and respect for others and oneself—important topics we really want to emphasize as we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.”
Along with the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, these visits also corresponded with Rowan’s Law Awareness Day on September 24, highlighting concussion safety and prioritizing well-being for young athletes in contact sports.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to serve as a catalyst for student learning, inspiring reflection on these meaningful topics and empowering students to carry these lessons forward in their own lives. Guided by our mission to help every student reach their full potential within an inclusive Catholic learning community, we nurture growth of the mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca.
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.
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.
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
Today, we join together to celebrate HR Professionals Day and recognize the exceptional contributions of our Human Resources (HR) professionals, who not only support our people with care but bring so much value to our workplace, from negotiating and interpreting, to coaching and problem solving.
Every day, our HR department shapes the Sudbury Catholic District School Board by building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating workplaces where everyone feels supported and respected. Their expertise in labour relations helps build a strong and collobaorative foundation for our Board. And whether it is welcoming new team members at the start of their careers or supporting their growth and development throughout their journey with Sudbury Catholic, they lead with an open heart and are commited to helping everyone reach their full potential within our organization. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, it truly touches everyone, from staff, students and families to the wider community, reinforcing what makes Sudbury Catholic special: our people.
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we extend our sincere gratitude to our HR team and to all HR professionals. Your professionalism, compassion, and tireless dedication strengthen our entire Board, reminding us that we are only as strong as our collective team.
Last week, Director of Education Morris Hucal joined Student Trustees Lily and David, along with Secondary Consultant Brittany Goldsborough, for the first Student Senate meeting of the 2025-26 school year at the Catholic Education Centre.
Representing all four secondary schools across grades 9–12, this year’s Student Senate team continued to bring a wide range of interests and experiences. Guided by our theme “Together We Lead,” each member’s unique perspective is essential to ensuring all voices are heard as they champion student voice, shape initiatives, inspire their peers, and strengthen school communities throughout the year. The first meeting was a defining moment, providing these students with their first opportunity to come together, collaborate, and represent their school communities and peers.
“The Student Senate plays a vital role in ensuring that student voices are heard and that their perspectives help guide decisions across the Board. This partnership between students and the Board reflects our shared responsibility to foster inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environments. We look forward to sharing more highlights of the Student Senate team as our activities get further underway this fall.”
Please join us in welcoming these students to our Board and supporting them as they carry the important responsibility of amplifying student voice!
Sudbury Catholic Schools is proud to share the submissions from this year’s Ma Francophonie Video Contest, which invited French Immersion and Core French students to create 90-second videos showcasing why learning French is meaningful—both personally and within their school communities.
The contest gave students a creative platform to express their connection to the French language and celebrate Ma Francophonie, highlighting the role of French in their daily lives and school experiences.
Submissions are being shared in honour of Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25, 2025. This year is especially significant as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag raising at the University of Sudbury, first held in 1975. Half a century later, the pride and celebration of Franco-Ontarian culture continue to grow stronger each year.
“We are thrilled to see our students’ creativity and passion for French shine through in this year’s submissions,” said Camille Heaton, FSL Curriculum Consultant. “Their work reflects the importance of French language and culture in our schools and communities.”
Sudbury Catholic Schools invites the community to view the submissions and celebrate the achievements of our students as they showcase their pride in French language and culture leading up to Franco-Ontarian Day.
