At the centre of innovation is creativity. Creativity is one of the 6 global competencies (6 C’s) identified in the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL). When learners are engaged in the 6C’s they learn more than content as we focus on building the knowledge, abilities, and competencies for living, working and being a good citizen in the 21^st century. Creativity is described as economic and social entrepreneurialism; asking the right inquiry questions; pursuing and expressing novel ideas and solutions; and leadership to turn ideas into action (NPDL). For our latest blog, it is my pleasure to showcase examples of creativity within our schools. I would like to thank the amazing team we have at Sudbury Catholic, as well as our community partners for providing the essential learning opportunities that prepare our students to be curious, independent learners, as well as thoughtful, productive, active citizens.

St. Charles Elementary Students Think Outside the Box: The Power of Creativity in STEM Learning

Learning opportunities that focus on creativity encourage our students to think outside of the box and approach challenges in new and innovative ways. This year, St. Charles Catholic Elementary School held STEM Challenges (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) which encouraged students to enhance their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills. 

The challenges included creating paper boats and predicting what would happen when in the water, as well as building either a bridge or playground using simple machines. Through these challenges, students were given the opportunity to approach problems using inventive methods, while developing essential problem-solving skills. With minimal instructions, students designed blueprints and worked through trial and error to create their successful structures.  

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Staff Testimonial

“By incorporating their creativity and innovation into their projects, such as adding characters to their paper boats and experimenting with different tools, students were able to engage with the material in a fun and meaningful way. This not only solidified their understanding of the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts, but also allowed them to use their imaginations and think outside the box.” 

- Alanna D’Angelo, Grade 1/2 Teacher

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Student Testimonial

“I used cardboard and popsicle sticks for my bridge because I know they are strong.”

– Mavrick Chisholm, Grade 1

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Student Testimonial

“I love that our bridge was super secure, and it was able to hold all of the marbles.” 

– Ava Martin, Grade 2

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Student Testimonial

“I loved using the different materials Mrs. D'Angelo gave us to test out what would be best for our playground.”

– Emily Lacriox, Grade 2

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Ontario Arts Council Grant Enables St. James Students to Create Hand-Made Mural

Creative opportunities help to build and nurture student self-esteem and self-confidence. This year, St. James students have been actively working on a mural project with visual artist Jessica Somers from Focal Point Artistry. This exciting opportunity was made possible by a grant from the Ontario Arts Council and was proposed by St. James’s Grade 3 Teacher, Mme Thiessen. The project allowed students to be inspired and innovative as they collaborated with Ms. Somers to create a hand-made mural that represents Indigenous teachings and the land. Classes continued working on the mural throughout February and have just recently finished the design which proudly hangs in the heart of their school.  

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Staff Testimonial

“This opportunity not only encouraged students to celebrate Indigenous art and teachings, but students felt it was an extraordinary moment where they were able to share what they learned with others.” 

– Ginette Toivenen, Indigenous Education Lead

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Artist Testimonial

“I am grateful to have been part of such a great collaboration between students and teachers. I loved watching the children learn to trust their instincts and gain confidence while working on this mural. This confidence carries over into decisions they will make in other areas of life. Art is so much more than just creating. It helps with the development of motor skills, language skills and social skills. as well as risk-taking, and inventiveness. I love helping others live a life of creative expression through stories and teachings of Indigenous culture.”

– Jessica Somers, Artist

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Student Testimonial

“I like that we are working with a real artist, it makes us feel special!” 

- Mia, Grade 2 Student

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St. Francis Students Showcase Creativity and Confidence Through Book Creation Project

During Family Literacy Week held in February, the Grade 3/4 French Immersion students at St. Francis created their own books. This learning strategy provided students an opportunity to develop their writing and communication skills, as well as their ability to collaborate with others. Working in pairs, the students planned their books by brainstorming ideas for characters, setting, and problem/solution, and then wrote their stories. They then edited and illustrated their books, working collaboratively with their peers to ensure their ideas were clearly conveyed. 

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Staff Testimonial

“Through this activity, I saw the confidence, creativity, collaboration, and enthusiasm of each student flourish. They all were very proud of their completed stories, and they enjoyed reading them aloud to their classmates. At the beginning of this experience, our class did not understand the layered process that goes into writing/publishing/illustrating a book. Not only does our class have a newfound appreciation for how this process works, but now after this project was complete, there are several students who are writing stories in their spare time for fun because they enjoyed it so much.”

 - Jessica Mieto, Teacher, Grade 3/4 FI

Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture

Sudbury Catholic recognizes that when students are given the freedom to express themselves and to create, they feel empowered and can develop a positive appreciation for arts and culture and their unique talents. 

The Arts and Culture SHSM program (Specialist High Skills Major) at Marymount Academy and St. Charles College enables students to build a foundation in sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering a pathway such as apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Students take classes focusing on drama, dance, integrated arts, media arts, visual arts, Indigenous arts, instrumental music, and vocals which give them the skills and experience required to succeed in different creative fields.

Building the Enchanted World of “Beauty and the Beast” at St. Charles College

This year, St. Charles College (SCC) has been actively preparing for its “Beauty and the Beast” production to be held in May.  This production features over 30 talented performers from SCC. As the cast continues with rehearsals, SCC’s aspiring team of set designers have been constructing the stage environment for this famous story to come to life. To help this creative process, in November, the team had an incredible opportunity to learn hands-on from Award-Winning Designer Shannon Lea Doyle, and spent the evening at the Sudbury Theatre Center, collaborating with the locally renowned YES Theatre (Youth Entertaining Sudbury) team to gain hands-on experience in set, lighting, and costume design from Ms. C. Thompson. 

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Staff Testimonial

“This was an excellent opportunity for our students to explore their interests and develop their skills in the arts and culture industry. We’re grateful to Yes Theatre for this wonderful learning experience and Alessandro Costantini, Co-Founder, Artistic & Managing Director of YES Theatre and SCC Alumni who helped make this opportunity possible. Stay tuned for our fantastic production in May!”

– Aaron Barry, St. Charles College Principal

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Marymount Academy Presents: “Pure Imagination” – A Musical Extravaganza

Mark your calendars for an exciting theatrical performance coming to Marymount Academy in April 2023 – “Pure Imagination”! This amazing show will showcase a variety of songs from beloved productions such as Willy Wonka, Seussical KIDS, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Elf: The Musical, Peter Pan, Annie, Winnie the Pooh, Matilda: The Musical, Shrek: The Musical, and many others.

Don’t miss out on the chance to experience this spectacular event!

The Future is Now: Bishop Alexander Carter CSS Students Develop Engineering Skills with Lego Spike Kits

The Robotics Club at Bishop Alexander Carter CSS offers an exciting learning experience for students who are passionate about technology. The club provides numerous interactive activities that allow students to expand their knowledge of robotics and develop essential skills.

This school year, the club has organized innovative experiences and challenges to help students learn how to code and program robots, design and build contraptions, among much more.

For example, in December, the grade 7 and 8 students took a unique approach to learning coding and design using Lego Spike kits. Under the guidance of their lead teacher, Julie Blahey, these students explored new challenges and solved them by utilizing critical and creative thinking skills, which require them to put their “Gator Grit” into action. Throughout this process, the students are also developing their communication skills, learning to be effective and compassionate group members, and honing their abilities as innovative budding engineers.

Coding for Wellness: Health and Wellness SHSM Students Learn App Development at Science North

In December, secondary students at Bishop Alexander Carter in the Health and Wellness SHSM Program had the opportunity to participate in a day-long coding event at Science North. During this event, the students were introduced to the world of health application development, covering a wide range of topics such as the key functions that health and fitness apps can provide, the characteristics of effective health applications, and the early stages of creating these apps.

Throughout the day, the students engaged in various activities and workshops that allowed them to gain practical experience in the art of app creation. By the end of the event, the students had developed a deeper understanding of the various considerations involved in creating an effective health application, and had acquired valuable coding skills that will serve them well in the future.

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Staff Testimonial

"The Bishop Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major students benefited greatly from this coding event, which provided them with a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field and gain hands-on experience in a rapidly-growing area of technology."

- Stephanie Venturi, Principal

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St. Benedict Channels Creativity Across the Curriculum

St. Benedict School encourages creativity across the curriculum, promoting student exploration, inquiry and innovation. 

Technological Design Class 

In the Technological Design class, students are encouraged to unleash their inner creativity and develop practical skills that they can use in real-life situations. Currently the class is exploring opportunities in design by building houses digitally using Google SketchUP. This enables students to gain experience in creating 3D models of homes that they have designed, using art and technology together to bring their visions to life. With so much to discover in this class, students are developing a range of skills that will prepare them for a variety of exciting careers including construction, carpentry, masonry, architecture, engineering, graphic design, and more. 

Foods Class

The Foods class at St. Benedict is a special place where culinary artistry and education go hand in hand. Each day, students are introduced to new techniques and taught how to prepare and cook food with skill and precision. The class focuses on creating unique and inventive meals, with students learning how to chop, sauté, spice, and beautifully plate their creations. These dishes not only satisfy the palate but also ignite a passion in students to create their own masterpieces in food. In the end, students leave the class not only with a wealth of culinary knowledge but also with a newfound appreciation for the art of food.

Integrated Arts Program 

St. Benedict also offers an Integrated Arts program that allows students to explore multiple art disciplines within a single class. Throughout the course, students are exposed to a variety of creative activities, including costume and fashion design, sewing, embroidery, painting, drawing, set design, artisan crafts, and goods production. The Integrated Arts program encourages students to think outside the box and develop their artistic talents in new and exciting ways. By blending different art disciplines together, students are able to express themselves in ways they may not have considered before.

A final thought…

Sudbury Catholic Schools recognize the importance of creativity in the education of our students, and we strive to provide opportunities for our learners to explore, inquire, research and to turn creativity into innovation. By fostering creativity through activities, like STEM challenges, mural projects, story creation, technological design, and arts and culture SHSM opportunities, we are helping our students develop the creative skills they need to be successful in today’s modern world and be innovative, resilient members of society. I look forward to continuing to see the ways we will continue to nurture creativity and innovation within our schools through modern learning programs, hands-on activities, field trips, technology, school-wide projects, extracurriculars, and so much more!