Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Tag: experiential learning

Shaping Careers: Sector Partnership Enhances Skilled Trades Learning at St. Charles College

Posted on by Erin Kendall

In partnership with Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that St. Charles College has enhanced its learning facilities with cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art equipment to help support student development in the skilled-trades. 

In February, the school welcomed new equipment funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited. The donation included three multiprocessor welders, two fume extractors, two pallets of welding consumables, safety gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), and four SMART TV monitors. In addition, the school also received six new garage bay doors for both automotive and construction shop areas that were recently installed over the March Break. These contributions will bolster the school’s learning programs and ensures students have access to state-of-the-art equipment that supports their engagement in areas such as welding, metal working, construction, automotive, and more. 

Felix Lopes Jr., president of Lopes Limited, passionately encourages today’s youth to get into the trades, “As leaders in the trades industry, we believe it’s our social responsibility to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways for our youth to pursue a career in the trades.” 

The newly added equipment aims to ignite an interest and passion amongst students in the skilled trades, potentially shaping the career paths of tomorrow’s workforce. The initiative, organized and generously funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, will help support students to engage in further hands-on learning opportunities that could potentially lead them to choosing a career in the skilled trades. 

“St. Charles College is proud to work with such amazing local partners and is committed to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the skilled trades. The new resources installed at our school this year will make a massive difference in the learning experience for our students. We extend our deepest gratitude to Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited for their generous contributions.” Says Principal Aaron Barry. 

Enhanced Promotion of Skilled Trades in Ontario schools: 

The Ontario Government is taking proactive steps to boost awareness and engagement with skilled trades in schools, aiming to provide students with opportunities to cultivate interests and skills that pave the way for successful careers. Currently, there are more than 140 skilled trades in Ontario. They fall under four sectors: construction, industrial, transportation and service. The skilled trades present a compelling array of fulfilling and financially rewarding paths for students. Through specialized training and hands-on experience, these professions offer secure employment, excellent compensation, and personal satisfaction. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades-ontario-schools for more information about the promotion of skilled trades in Ontario schools. 

“The ongoing promotion of the skilled trades within our schools is essential. By 2026, one in six job openings are projected to be in the skilled trades. This inevitable outcome means ensuring we have cutting-edge learning environments to promote the skilled trades within our secondary schools is now more important than ever.” Says Dan Levecque, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Specialist High Skills Major Secondary Consultant with Sudbury Catholic. “The newly added resources will encourage students to cultivate a genuine passion and skills for the many thrilling opportunities awaiting them in the skilled trades sector.”

Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education adds, “Not only will these new resources enhance the facilities in one of our largest school communities, it will further support our students in reaching their full potential, which always remains a top priority.” 

Equipment Drop Off

SCC Hosts Successful International Dessert Fair for Northern Cancer Foundation

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

What a wonderful day for St Charles College students and staff as they celebrated the various cultures and diversity at the school by hosting their annual International Dessert Fair. 

There were over 40 student booths with a variety of countries being represented. Students travelled to Nigeria, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Mexico, France, Canada, Brazil, China, Japan, Lebanon, Norway, Philippines, Honduras, Austria, Korea, Spain, Chile, Zimbabwe, Bahamas, South Africa, Germany, Tibet, India & Israel, and go to enjoy bite sized desserts from each country. School Principal Mr. Aaron Barry was blown away by the various desserts and booths, after spending the afternoon conversing with many students and learning about their culture & foods, he said he has definitely added a few places to travel on his bucket list. 

The event was a huge hit raising funds for the Northern Cancer Foundation. The event was planned by the schools’ international clubs,  student council, foods classes and the amazing teaching staff involved. 

 St. Charles College Students Claim First Place in Skills Ontario Qualifying Competitions 

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

 St. Charles College students Parker Tilbury, Kyle Nyereyemhuka and Brady VanDruenen all placed first in the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competition held at Canadore College on April 1, 2023. 

Parker took home gold in the Individual Carpentry competition while Kyle and Brady wrote, filmed, and produced an innovating short film on climate change which earned them the gold medal in the TV/Video Production category. 

“There were some requirements before heading to Canadore. We had to do a storyboard, a production brief, and a script. We came prepared, were dead set to win and we really wanted to move onto Toronto. Overall, we’re really proud of our efforts” said Brady VanDruenen, St. Charles College Student. 

“After two years of virtual competitions, it feels good to compete in person! We’re excited to meet the other students involved and excel at the Provincial level next month,” said Kyle Nyereyemhuka, St. Charles College Student. 

Teacher mentors Chris Kohut (Construction SHSM Teacher) and Christina Thompson (Digital Media SHSM Teacher) are very proud and excited to see their students compete at the next stage. 

“It was great watching Parker apply his skills and knowledge throughout the competition. Winning the gold in North Bay has made him even more focused on his goal to reach the podium in Toronto, and after that, maybe even the National competition. We’re very proud of his efforts so far and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes!” said Chris Kohut, Construction SHSM Teacher at St. Charles College. 

The students will next compete against the best in Ontario at the upcoming Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions. A total of 13 secondary students from St. Charles College and 2 students from Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S will represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1 –

3, 2023. Contests will include Carpentry, TV/Video Production, Graphic Design, Auto Service Technology and Photography. Participating students will have an opportunity to win medals, be awarded with scholarships and bursaries, and qualify for the National Skills Competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Kyle Nyereyemhuka (left) and
Brady VanDruenen (right) with SCC Teacher Mentor Christina Thompson (middle).
Parker Tilbury competed in the carpentry competition.

Sudbury Catholic Students Advance to Championship Rounds in the Skills Ontario’s JUNK DRAWER RACES!

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Grades 2-12 students across the province were invited to participate in the 2nd annual Skills Ontario’s Junk Drawer Races! In this program, students had fun while exploring various challenges to build their skills and explore different pathways for their future.

This past week the winners of the Regional round of the competition were announced on Skills Ontario’s YouTube Channel.

We are excited to report our results in the following competitions:

Grade 4/5 Cardboard Car Races

St. James placed 1st & 3rd

Grade 6/7Paper Glider Competition

Bishop Alexander Carter placed 1st & 3rd as well as St. Paul’s 2nd

Grade 8 Paper Hydraulic Crane Challenge

Bishop Alexander Carter placed 1st & 2nd

These teams will be competing in the Provincial Championship round and will have until March 3rd to review their existing blueprints, potentially modify their designs to meet the provincial challenge and construction requirements while explaining their modifications and submit their new submissions. Provincial Submissions will be evaluated by industry volunteers, and the top three teams will be awarded prizes by Skills Ontario. Winning teams will be notified by March 27th. We wish our students the best of luck and thank Skills Ontario, industry partners, the Government of Ontario and Bombardier for giving our students a unique experiential learning opportunity.

Junk Drawer Races 2022/23

Robot Walker Race
Cardboard Car Races

For grades 4-5

St James placed 1st(Team 1) and 3rd(Team 3)

Paper Glider Competition

For grades 6-7

BAC placed 1st (Team2) 3rd(Team 10)

St. Paul 2nd (Team 1)

Paper Hydraulic Crane Challenge

For grades 8

BAC placed 1st(Team 4) and 2nd (Team 7)

BAC Constructs Custom Warming Station for Local Snowmobile Club

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School built a custom warming station for the Valley Trailmasters Snowmobile Club. Over 70 students in grades seven through 12 worked on the warming shelter, which took approximately seven weeks to complete. Most of the 70 participating students were students in Grades 7 and 8, with a small group of current SHSM students acting as mentors in their supporting roles. Throughout the course of the project, the grade 7 and 8 students were exposed to Bishop Alexander Carter’s technology courses and trades areas, as well as the Green Industries and Manufacturing Specialist High Skills Major Programs, which Grade 11 and 12 students are able to enrol in.

“There are so many job opportunities in the trades right now. We try to start introducing students to the trades as young as Grade Seven, so that they can see the pathway opportunities with their own eyes. Students designed and constructed everything within the shelter – from the fireplace to the frame. I’m very proud of them,” said Paul Mailloux, Co-Op teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S.

Grade 12 student, Noah Brabant throughly enjoyed the experience.

“The best part about the experience was completing the welding. That’s why I wanted to do this, I wanted the experience to learn about trades and experience it first hand!” he said.

Marymount Students Take First Place in Skills Ontario Challenge

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Grade 7 Marymount students Annabelle Richardson, Isabella Palladino and Mila Kidd placed first in the Popsicle Stick House Challenge; an event hosted by Skills Ontario as part of the International Day of the Girl Virtual Challenge Series. 

To celebrate International Day of the Girl (which was held on October 11, 2022), Skills Ontario hosted several events including the For Girls, By Girls conference, a virtual celebration, and the virtual challenge series. 

Students were assigned the task of building a house entirely out of popsicle sticks. Along with the structure, students were required to list and describe the various trades required to complete a project such as this. They then submitted a video of their project. 

“We really wanted to win! It was a lot of fun to work together and build our popsicle house. We worked hard all week on our submission,” said Annabelle. 

“The theme of this year’s event was girls can do anything – and I think we proved that! We really like completing these challenges because we’re given the opportunity to work on technical skills and collaborate as a team!” said Isabella. 

The three students also agree that partnering with Skills Ontario and participating in experiential learning opportunities helps prepare them for the future! 

“I want to be an architect – coming to Marymount has been awesome because there are so many opportunities and programs that focus on trades and technology. I really enjoy completing Skills Ontario Challenges and look forward to completing more in the future,” said Mila.

For more information about International Day of the Girl events, please go to https://www.skillsontario.com/idg. 

St. David School Participates in Take Me Outside Day

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

St. David School joined schools across the country and participated in Take me Outside Day on October 19, 2022. Take Me Outside Day helps to raise awareness about outdoor learning and encourages teachers to take their students outside. In 2021, 8,900 educators and nearly 400,000 learners across the country participated in the event. 

For their activity, St. David students had the task of building a structure that would keep a photo of a dog safe and dry. They had 10 minutes to find materials outside and the structure had to leave room for a water bowl and bed. Students learned how to collaborate, problem solve and be innovative.

St. David School regularly engages in outdoor learning as a pedagogical approach to enrich learning, enhance school engagement, and improve student health and well-being. The school believes that spending time outside playing, exploring, and learning should be a regular and significant part of every student’s day. St. David School is set against a backdrop of trees, trails and a structured outdoor classroom which significantly encourages teaching and learning opportunities, such as the Take me Outside program. Having a dedicated space for outdoor learning helps students to learn through imagination, play and inquiry. 

“Using our outdoor space provides opportunities for our students and teachers to interact and learn in an environment which stimulates enhanced teaching and learning. Through our connection with the land, St. David School intends on deepening our connections with Indigenous perspectives, strengthening our health and well-being, and increasing our knowledge on climate change, stewardship, and the environment,” said Dawn Wemigwans, Principal of St. David School. 

“Being outside is awesome because it’s fun to learn outdoors and get some fresh air. I think being outside makes me more creative, said Emmett, Grade 4 student.

“I really enjoyed the activity today. Building the structures wasn’t easy, but we did our best! I love learning outside and interacting with nature,” said Sophia, Grade 4 student. More information about Take Me Outside can be found online at: takemeoutside.ca

For Girls, By Girls: Marymount Students Participate in International Day of the Girl Conference

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

In honour of International Day of the Girl, Marymount Students attended the ‘For Girls, by Girls’ conference on October 11 at Science North. The conference was designed for girls in Grade 6-8 and provided them with the opportunity to discuss the trades and technology and the various career options available to them. 

Heather Walinga (left), Roselyn Urena-Tejada (middle) and Jade Goodson (right) participated on the panel discussion of the For Girls, By Girls Conference.

The conference included a blend of workshops and panel discussions. The keynote speaker was Kendra Liinamaa, a local welder who has completed various apprenticeships with Vale. The panel discussion was moderated by Danielle Robb, a millwright apprentice, and included Marymount students Roselyn Urena-Tejada, Jade Goodson and Heather Walinga.  In addition, participants were allowed to participate in three different workshops. Workshop options included:

  • Boombox Kit Build, hosted by Skills Ontario (English)
  • Exploring the Skills Ontario Trade and Tech Truck (Bilingual)
  • Tools 101, hosted by Milwaukee Tool (English): Showcasing the latest Milwaukee innovation from hand tools to power tools including safety products. 
  • VEX Code VR (bilingual), hosted by Michael Frankfort
  • Electrical Bugs (Francophone), hosted by College Boreal 

Students left feeling inspired and motivated by the conference,  and are eager to further explore their career options. 

“I feel like I know more about jobs that I never would have considered before, “ Alana, Marymount Student

“I thought it was very hands on and interactive. I loved learning and being inspired by the women at the workshop“  Maddie, Marymount Student.

Register Now! E-mail Copied to Clipboard