As the years pass, it has become increasingly clear that prioritizing the needs of our digital learners is essential, as science and technology continue to shape how students learn, communicate, and prepare for the future. We recognize the importance of exploring new ways to integrate technology into the classroom to further enhance student success and drive academic progress. 

Our learning professionals at Sudbury Catholic are paving the way for innovation, as evidenced by the stories shared below. 

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s New Robotics Team 

St. Benedict School has made history as the first secondary school within our board to establish a registered FIRST Robotics Team. FIRST, which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is a global nonprofit that empowers young people to engage in team-based robotics, often referred to as “the ultimate sport of the mind.” 

Under the leadership of teachers Loretta Cuda, Sarah Dickieson, and Braydon Magnoli, the team’s mission is to successfully design, build, and program their robot by the end of the second semester, aiming to debut at their first competition in November 2025. 

For many students, this team serves as a valuable opportunity to hone their technical skills in coding and mechanics, providing essential experience as they prepare for post-secondary education and careers in STEM fields. 

“I’m interested in pursuing a career in engineering, so I was excited to join this robotics team — I thought the club could help improve my coding abilities.” – Grade 10 Student, Owen Carpenter.  

“The students enjoy this type of competition because it is collaborative — they can work together to create something spectacular. While it is a fun and innovative way to actively engage in STEM it is a rather expensive hobby. If there are any members of the community who are interested in supporting our Robotics’ Team, we encourage them to get in touch with the school.” — Teacher Loretta Cuda. 

St. Anne Robotics Team Advances to Provincials 

The St. Anne Catholic Elementary School Robotics Team made a strong impression at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) regional qualifying tournament in North Bay, proudly showcasing their skills and representing their school with excellence. Competing against 21 teams from across Northern Ontario, the Angels captivated judges with their impressive robotics skills and, as a bonus, their extensive knowledge of marine life. 

Their exceptional demonstration of innovation, inclusion, and professionalism earned them the highly coveted Core Values Award, recognizing their outstanding problem-solving and teamwork abilities. 

The St. Anne Angels are heading to the Provincial Competition in Whitby, Ontario, and the entire SCDSB community couldn’t be prouder. With their hard work and dedication, they’ve earned this incredible opportunity, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way. Go Angels! 

“A special thank you goes out to our outstanding Teachers, Mr. Viau and Mme Shonwise. Their unwavering dedication, guidance, and passion have been key to the team’s success. Your support has helped shape these students into the talented and bright individuals they are today—thank you for all you do!” — Principal Megan Murphy 

Coding with Kane: Fostering Talent, Leadership, and Connection at St. John Catholic Elementary School 

St. John Catholic Elementary School celebrates the unique talents each student brings to the school while fostering leadership, collaboration, and innovation. This came to life this year through a remarkable Grade 6 student named Kane. 

Kane joined St. John Catholic Elementary School at the beginning of the school year, and his exceptional talent for coding quickly stood out. His enthusiasm and skills inspired teachers and staff to think beyond traditional classroom activities, creating opportunities to develop his abilities while fostering connections within our school community. 

“To help Kane feel welcome, we paired him with peers for collaborative coding projects. These projects showcased Kane’s skills, encouraged teamwork, and led to the creation of “coding buddies” — students supporting each other in exploring coding, and solving robotics challenges.” — Teacher Melissa Vocaturo-Galipeau 

Kane’s role has since evolved into that of a coding mentor. He now supports both students and teachers in implementing the robotics and coding curriculum at St. John School. Whether guiding peers through coding puzzles or assisting teachers with programming robots, Kane exemplifies how nurturing student leadership enriches the entire school community. 

Marymount Academy’s Olivia Bishop Selected for Shad Canada 

We are proud to recognize Olivia Bishop, a Grade 10 student at Marymount Academy, who was selected to participate in Shad Canada this summer. 

Shad Canada is a prestigious program that brings together high-achieving students from across the country for an immersive month of learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Participants engage in hands-on workshops, advanced laboratory work, collaborative group projects, and lectures led by experts at one of 21 participating universities across Canada. 

This opportunity will provide Olivia with valuable skills, new perspectives, and meaningful connections that will support her growth as a leader and innovator. 

Congratulations, Olivia—your hard work and dedication are truly commendable. 

St. Albert Adult Learning Centre’s Photography Club 

Mobile devices have made it easier to snap photos at the press of a button, but the art of true photography is not lost at St. Albert Learning Centre.   

Now in its second year, the photography club continues to grow as more students discover a passion for mastering the principles of lighting, colour theory, and digital imaging. 

 Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced editing software, club members give back to the school by using their skills to create professional-grade images for student ID cards and graduation portraits, with the modelling student receiving free digital copies.   

“At St. Albert Learning Centre, our continuous intake model and self-paced learning approach make traditional photo days a challenge. Thankfully, our talented photography club has stepped up to the plate, ensuring student photos become a reality—all while enhancing their skill set. We’re incredibly grateful for their creativity and dedication!”  — Principal Christina Raso 

Bishop Alexander Carter Students Create Video Games as a Final Project 

Students in Mr. Facchini’s Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Information and Communications Technology program at Bishop Alexander Carter took on an exciting challenge—designing and building their own video games from scratch. 

Using industry-standard tools, they crafted every element of their games: Adobe Photoshop for image editing, Blender for 3D modeling and texturing, Mixamo for character rigging and animation, Adobe Audition for sound editing, and Unreal Engine to code and assemble their game assets. 

By the end of the semester, each student had created a playable game, showcasing their creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. This hands-on experience not only honed their talents but also gave them a taste of what it’s like to work in the gaming industry. 

One standout project was Danger Zone, a combat flight game created by student Max Jolette. The game challenges players to take down enemy jets while racking up points. After a certain number of waves, they must face off against a massive warship boss in an intense final showdown. Danger Zone was featured at BAC’s open house, where it impressed visitors with its polished mechanics and nostalgic aesthetic. 

“Developing video games is an extremely involved process, one that requires a wide range of skills, such as 2D graphics editing, 3D modelling, texturing, rigging and animation, sound editing, coding, and game engine proficiency.  The end results were fantastic!” — Teacher Steven Facchini 

Holy Cross Student’s Get a Glimpse of Underground Mining Technology  

Students in Mrs. Whalen’s Grade 3 class and Mme Fabris’ 4 FI class took a trip to Dynamic Earth where they learned that pickaxes and shovels are a thing of the past! Mining technology has come a long way, and our students were lucky enough to code and control makeblock robots to perform tasks like moving ore.

This engaging experience could inspire a few students to explore careers in mining technology, robotics, and engineering, where they can continue to push the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the mining sector. 

St. David’s STEM Exploding Pumpkin Challenge  

Students at St. David Catholic Elementary School hypothesized what could happen to a pumpkin when a large amount of pressure is applied through elastic bands to its centre. They estimated by counting in increments of 5 up to 600, discussed efficient ways to track data, used descriptive adjectives to share their observations, followed the scientific procedure, and prioritized safety—all in the hopes of witnessing a pumpkin explode.  

The result? The pumpkin did not explode. It seems the elastic bands were no match for the pumpkin’s tough exterior.  

St. Charles College Students Combined the Trades and Science to Create Trebuchets 

Mrs. Thomas’ physics class and Mr. Kohut’s construction class came together for an exciting hands-on project, collaborating to design, build, and test trebuchets. This unique partnership combined physics principles with construction skills, showcasing the power of teamwork and applied learning. 

A trebuchet is a type of catapult used for hurling projectiles, in this case a tennis ball, over long distances. It works by using a counterweight system that generates powerful force to launch objects, such as rocks or other projectiles, towards a target.   

Inspired by real-world engineering collaboration, the goal was to push students out of their comfort zones, challenge perceptions, and foster mutual respect for different skill sets. By working together, physics students gained hands-on experience, while shop students took on leadership roles—both groups learning the value of teamwork and problem-solving. This exciting project not only deepened learning but also encouraged students, especially young women, to explore STEM and trades with confidence. 

“I think it is important to show that failures and mistakes are part of the design process — We had to make adjustments many times, but this is important for students to see because we want to build resiliency in young people. I tell my students all the time that they will encounter many future challenges in their lives and while they won’t always be academic or school-related in nature, the same skills for dealing with these challenges can be applied. In the end Mr. Kohut and I were really pleased by how well our two classes worked together.”  — Physics Teacher Whitney Thomas  

Embracing the Digital Frontier

Education is constantly evolving, and the Sudbury Catholic School Board is committed to staying at the forefront of today’s digital landscape. 

While there are many exciting opportunities on the horizon, and we have embraced numerous advancements, we recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between the digital world and traditional teaching methods to support well-rounded student learning. By fostering innovation while staying rooted in our core values, we empower students with the skills, adaptability, and critical thinking they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Together, we are shaping a future where technology enhances education without replacing the human connections that make learning truly meaningful. 

Sincerely,  

Joanne Bénard 

Director of Education