The Sudbury Catholic District School Board celebrated its final board meeting of the year yesterday with a special presentation from St. Charles College, showcasing the outstanding success of their Hockey Skills Academy and hockey programming overall.

This transformative initiative has left a lasting impression on students and families, offering remarkable opportunities both on and off the ice. From teaching young students how to skate to sending the senior boys’ hockey team to skate with the Nashville Predators in Tennessee, and fostering partnerships with the Sudbury Wolves, the program exemplifies passion, growth, leadership, and unforgettable experiences in the world of hockey. As SCC emphasized, the academy is just one of many initiatives brought to life by the dedicated and innovative educators at the school.

Adding to the excitement, St. Charles College announced to Trustees that it has been selected to host the 2025 A/AA OFSAA Hockey Championships later this winter. This prestigious event, which will welcome 32 teams and over 500 participants to Sudbury, highlights the school’s rich athletic tradition and its continued commitment to excellence in sports. It also showcases the school’s positive influence on both students and the greater Sudbury community.

A heartfelt thank-you to the team from SCC, including Kristy Hebert, Darren Michelutti, and Principal Aaron Barry, for their excellent presentation. We are incredibly proud of this remarkable program and all it has achieved. We look forward with excitement to what lies ahead for St. Charles College and its Hockey Skills Academy.

Professional Activity (PA) Days provide an essential opportunity for educators and staff to come together for learning, collaboration, and growth. Guided by this year’s theme, Together We Serve, these days strengthen connections within the school community, and align the shared mission of supporting students and families.

This past month, the school board community gathered in one space at St. Charles College for a reflective and inspiring PA Day. Here’s a glimpse into the highlights of the day:

Eucharistic Celebration

The day began with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration led by Reverend John McCarthy, SJ, a Jesuit priest from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Father John set a warm and reflective tone, inviting everyone to come together in faith.

The celebration was made even more special by the beautiful voices of the staff choir, featuring St. Albert’s PEACE teacher, Katie.

A special moment featured each school presenting their handcrafted canvas crosses. Representing St. Albert Learning Centre, Lynn, an Educational Assistant, carried a stunning cross designed by students Omori, Ryan, Zane, and Kyra. The cross was painted with the school’s colours—burgundy and white—and accented with gold and glitter. To honour the school’s inclusivity and diversity, the students added rainbow jewels, symbolizing the community’s values.

Inspiration from Dr. Jody Carrington

Following the Mass, attendees were inspired by keynote speaker Dr. Jody Carrington, a psychologist, bestselling author, and advocate for authentic human connection. Dr. Carrington shared her insights on strengthening relationships and fostering well-being in both personal and professional lives. Her honest and humorous approach left the audience feeling motivated and equipped with practical tools to embrace meaningful connections.

Afternoon Workshops

The day concluded with a variety of workshops, offering participants the chance to focus on personal growth and professional development.

From the uplifting music of the choir to the creativity and inclusivity reflected in the student-crafted cross, and the inspiring words of Dr. Carrington, this PA Day was a true celebration of faith, community, and purpose.

The spirit of giving is alive and well at Immaculate Conception Catholic School! With the support of our generous families, the school community collected an incredible 1,197 food items for its holiday food drive.

This remarkable achievement reflects the power of compassion and the strength of community within not just Immaculate, but all Sudbury Catholic Schools. The donations will go directly to helping families in need, spreading hope and kindness during the Christmas season.

Student Leadership Shines Bright
A special thank-you goes out to the dedicated members of the Student Council, who played a key role in the food drive’s success. From designing eye-catching posters and making inspiring announcements to carefully tallying and organizing donations every day, their efforts showcased true leadership and teamwork.

Principal Jodi Cunningham shared her gratitude, saying, “We are so proud of our students, families, and staff for coming together to support this important cause. It’s inspiring to see our community live out the values of faith and service.”

A Community United in Service
Immaculate Conception’s food drive is a great example of what can be achieved when a community comes together for a greater purpose. The generosity of our families will make a meaningful difference for many in need this holiday season.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful initiative. Together, you are making a difference and sharing the joy of Christmas.

St. David’s Core French students are spreading joy with their language skills this December! During this holiday season, students are creating Joyeux Noël cards to be distributed to a local Long-Term Care home to bring smiles to seniors.

What an excellent way to spread holiday cheer and bring smiles to different folks in the community. Joyeux Noël to all!

On Wednesday, November 27, students from Mrs. Trottier and Mr. Mailloux’s fifth grade social studies classes at St. David Catholic Elementary had the privilege of hosting Mayor Paul Lefebvre in their classroom as part of their studies on local government. 

Principal Dawn Wemigwans described the event as a truly unique experience for St. David Elementary. “Our students were delighted to meet Mayor Lefebvre, whose inspiring life journey and great sense of humour left a lasting impression. His words motivated and encouraged them, making it a memorable day filled with new learning and inspiration.” 

During his visit, Mayor Lefebvre shared his vision for the City of Greater Sudbury, discussed what inspired him to pursue a career in government, and provided insight into his responsibilities as the city’s leader. 

He then opened the floor to questions from the students, which ranged from “What is the hardest part of your job?” to “What is your favorite hockey team?” 

To conclude his visit, the students presented Mayor Lefebvre with a St. David’s T-shirt, officially welcoming him as an honorary Dragon. 

For more information on St. David Catholic Elementary School, visit https://st-david.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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St. Charles College (SCC) and Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School have wrapped up their annual canned food drive with remarkable success.  

This year, the campaign raised $20,933 for the Sudbury Food Bank, along with 129,263 non-perishable food items. 

“Our main lobby is overflowing with bins of non-perishable items, and students have spent days counting cans and donations. They are thrilled with the results!” said organizer and teacher Jessica Demore.  

“Significant time and careful planning go into organizing this fundraiser, and its remarkable success has inspired other schools to adopt similar initiatives—all in support of a great cause, “she added. 

The canned food drive, a beloved SCC tradition for over a decade, reached new heights this year thanks to a meaningful partnership with Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School. The combined efforts made an even greater impact on local families in need. 

“We are incredibly proud and deeply honoured to carry on this cherished tradition at St. Charles College,” said SCC Principal Aaron Barry. “This outstanding achievement is a testament to the incredible impact students can make when working together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community members for their generosity. These donations will undoubtedly make a difference as we approach the holiday season.” 

For more information on St. Charles College visit, https://scc.sudburycatholicschools.ca/ 

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At its Annual Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, November 20, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) re-elected Trustees Michael Bellmore as Chair and Ray Desjardins as Vice Chair, demonstrating continued confidence in their leadership and vision for the Board. 

Michael Bellmore, also the President of the Ontario Catholic Trustees Association, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fellow trustees on Tuesday, stating, “We are truly blessed with the Board and trustees we have here. Each of you is deeply committed to our values, professional in your approach, thoughtful in your deliberations, and guided by faith. We should take pride in the work we do here at Sudbury Catholic; it’s meaningful, impactful, and above all, a team effort. It’s an honour to have been re-elected. I am both proud and privileged to serve alongside the members of this Board.” 

Ray Desjardins reflected on his extensive career in education, sharing insights into the unwavering passion and dedication that fuel his continued commitment to the Board. He stated, “I have had a long and rewarding journey in education, and what inspires me to continue is witnessing the passion of our principals, staff, teachers, and students as they embrace new and innovative programs, inspire us with their talents and abilities, and remind us daily of the importance of supporting a dynamic and forward-thinking learning environment.”  

Director of Education Joanne Bénard expressed her support for the re-elections, stating, “Our Chair, Michael Bellmore, and Vice Chair, Ray Desjardins, are exemplary leaders in education, and I am confident that they will continue to do remarkable work for the Board throughout the school year. I also want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all our trustees, whose collective commitment to excellence makes our Board truly outstanding.” 

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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Join Us for an Inspiring Evening with Dr. Jody Carrington!

Parents, Guardians, and Community Members are invited to register for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s upcoming Community Involvement event with renowned psychologist and bestselling author, Dr. Jody Carrington. 

Date: November 28, 2024
Location: St. Benedict School, 2993 Algonquin Road
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Note: This event is free and is open to the public. Limited seats are available – Register now!

At this session, Dr. Carrington will explore the strength found in connection, addressing the effects of isolation and burnout while showing us how we can truly thrive together. Don’t miss this free opportunity to rediscover the importance of community and resilience and reserve your spot today!

Additional Resources

Nov 28: Event Registration Form

About Dr. Jody Carrington

Last week was Treaties Recognition Week! Throughout this week, our students and staff had the opportunity to learn and explore the history, significance, and ongoing impact of treaties in Canada. Thank you to everyone who participated in these important discussions. 

Here are a few activities that happened last week in Sudbury Catholic Schools: 

St. Charles School

Mme. Lewis’s Grade 4/5 French Immersion class at St. Charles School explored the importance of treaties through hands-on learning. Students watched videos on wampum belts, participated in discussions, and listened to a story about wampum’s significance. Inspired by these teachings, they crafted their own wampum belts, using white beads for peace and friendship and purple to represent the treaty, honouring the powerful values behind these symbols.

St. David School

St. David School was honoured to welcome George Couchie, a renowned Anishinabe cultural awareness presenter, for an engaging and insightful morning during Treaty Recognition Week.  His sessions focused on finding one’s spark and embracing the Seven Grandfather Teachings. 

Holy Trinity

For Treaty Week, students at Holy Trinity explored the meaning of treaties and created friendship bracelets, wampum belts, and chain links. 

Holy Cross

The Grade 2/3 class at Holy Cross explored the history and significance of Treaties between First Nations and settlers. Students learned about the promises within these agreements, the importance of honoring them, and our shared role as “treaty people.” To reflect on their learning, students created a Treaty Tree, with each leaf featuring a promise they wrote to uphold the Treaties in their lives. This activity deepened their understanding and commitment to justice, responsibility, and respect, reflecting our Catholic values.