Opening Mass at St. Charles College
More than 900 students as well as staff members gathered on September 17, 2014 in the school gymnasium with Celebrant Father Sam D’Angelo from St. Andrew’s Church to ring in a new year. The theme of the mass was for students and staff members to love one another this year and throughout their years of high school and beyond.
The choir was composed of Ms. Coyle’s music classes and her choir ensemble.
Every year at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, nominations are sought for the Chairperson’s award. This award is given to a person or persons who makes outstanding contributions to the Catholic school system. The Board believes in the importance of recognizing employees who embrace Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity, and contributes positively to the lives of students and staff. At the board’s annual retirement dinner, on June 11, 2014, Sudbury Catholic staff Eileen Kennedy was presented with this year’s award. Kennedy has been a deaf/blind intervenor for the board for the past 27 years working in both the elementary and secondary school level. Currently, Kennedy works with students at St. Charles College and was nominated by several of her school co-workers as well as board office staff. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board, presented Kennedy with her award and spoke about Eileen’s contributions to the Sudbury Catholic community. “In her role as an intervenor, she constantly strives to find unique and fun ways to encourage these most challenged students to communicate. She researches best practices and activities that will help these students find success in the classroom,” Cameron stated. “She is dedicated to preserving and ensuring the dignity of her students, and her disposition and open-hearted kindness is admired by all who have had the pleasure of working with her.” Cameron cited many examples of how outstanding an educator Kennedy is, and thanked her for her selflessness, and dedication to the Sudbury Catholic students. A very humble person, upon receipt of the award, Kennedy was quick to explain that educating this group of students takes a real team effort. “Over the years, I have worked with some amazing Board administration and teachers,” Kennedy explained. “I would also like the trustees and administration of our board to know that our Intervenors and EAs have been envied all across the country. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at conferences in Winnipeg and Vancouver and have come to know that we are valued here more than anywhere. You respect our knowledge and experience and we truly appreciate that.” Kennedy described many of her experiences where she was able to positively connect with and engage the students as “this helps their world seem a little less overwhelming and more meaningful.” Kennedy closed her speech by expressing that she was honoured to be the first educational assistant to be chosen by the board for this award, and that she is happy to have the privilege of having a career all these years doing what she really loves, and that the award is “icing on the cake!”
On Thursday May 15, the St. Charles college senior physics class was given the opportunity to head underground and visit the SNOlab, which is the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory.
This unique and world class facility specializes in high end particle physics, chemistry, and astronomy. The students were given a one-time opportunity to experience several experiments including the search for dark matter.
Normally this tour is reserved for University students, but Physics teacher Tim Kingshott received special permission for a one time tour for St. Charles College.
Students at St. Charles College were treated to a concert like no other the morning of May 20. The kindness concert spread the message of being the change and changing the world with simple and random acts of kindness.
The act got even more interesting when the cast and crew called up SCC teacher Mr. Kingshott to release “his inner bear” with a cardio aerobics routine. The purpose was to release his inner bear and then share good news and kindness with the world.
The presentation was put on by Live Different. Its motto is “Kindness Changes Everything”.
St. Charles College grade 9 students Brandon Roy, Kayla Folz, Marshall-Deschenes and Sydney Sheppard created a video illustrating what Catholic Education week means to them. The project was part of the learning outcomes in Mrs. M. Sanowar’s religion course.
Three girls at St. Charles College were recently honoured for their written works of art. Grade 12 students Maicie Szilva and Melissa Minor as well as grade 9 student Katie Miscio were recognized at the Sudbury Turning Points ceremony.
Turning Points is a writing competition put on by the Learning Partnership that focuses on building character development and literacy for students in grades 6-12.
The focus of the written submissions is to hone in on an important turning point in student lives. Maicie Szilva won a 2nd place award for her essay entitled “I Lost Her” about her sister’s illness which causes seizures. Miscio and Minor both received honourable mentions at the ceremony. Katie Miscio’s essay called “A New Normal” focused on the death of both her grandparents. Melissa Minor’s called “Aftermath” was about bullying.
Students in St. Charles College teacher Elizabeth Szilva’s Grade 11 English class have been writing letters to children in far off places. The students have been contacting the Chalice children that are sponsored by the school community during the Lenten collection.
Chalice is a Catholic sponsorship program that helps impoverished children with educational support, nutrition, medical care and other needs. Many of the children sponsored by St. Charles College live in places like India, Guatemala and the Philippines.
Students in the Grade 11 English class also learned about the Chalice organization and the success it has in helping students who are living in deplorable conditions.
On Wednesday, May 7th, students and staff at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School joined with Catholic Schools across the province to celebrate the Eucharist. What made this celebration even more vibrant was that students from St. Charles College, Marymount Academy and Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School were also part of the celebration. The theme of Catholic Education Week this year is “Serving in the love of Christ” and in his homily, Fr. Jim Hutton, pastor of St. Patrick Parish, reminded the students and staff of the importance of serving as Jesus did, to not count the cost and to not look for notoriety as we serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. A special message from Pope Francis was also ready to the students as he had sent a letter to be read to all of the Catholic students in Ontario during Catholic Education Week.
St. Charles College wants YOU to join Belle, Gaston, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the cast of Beauty and the Beast. Be our guest as they bring Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to life from May 6-10th at 7 p.m. Parents with small children may wish to take in the 1 p.m. matinee May 10th where they can meet the cast of characters after the show. The production was directed and produced by teacher Diandra Zafiris.
The St. Benedicts Robotics team is hosting an event at Dynamic Earth this Saturday – May 3. We will be demonstrating the robot, in conjunction with Sudbury Youth Rocks Band, as part of National Youth Arts Week. This event will be streamed live across Canada, which is really exciting!
NATIONAL YOUTH ARTS WEEK: ROCK N’ ROBOTICS EVENT
National Youth Arts Week from May 1-7, 2014 provides an opportunity for young people across Canada to create a celebration of youth led events showcasing their talents, expressing and exchanging ideas, getting excited about the arts and celebrating their positive contribution to their communities and to Canada. From St. John’s, NFLD, to Vancouver, BC, and everywhere in between!
For the first time, Sudbury will be hosting their own events throughout the week. A highlight will be “Rock n’ Robotics”, an exciting event that will combine a rock band with mechanical robots and professional stilt walkers. It will be a great opportunity to witness the hard work of these youth led/engaged activities from the Sudbury Youth Rocks Band, RoBenedicts Robotics Team from First Robotics Canada, and the Myths and Mirrors’ Kazzzam Stilt Walking Performers.
Event Details:
May 3, 2014
10am – 12pm
Atlas Copco Theatre, Dynamic Earth
See attached poster and media document for more details.
Look forward to seeing you there!
