We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2021-2022 school year.
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
The students and staff of Pius XII Catholic Elementary School, alongside staff and volunteers from Holy Redeemer Parish couldn’t have asked for better weather on November 3, 2015 as they all took part in the Pius Walk-a-Thon for NEO Kids. Jocelyne Bene from Holy Redeemer had approached the school a while back to see if they could partner up to support this local initiative. “The motto for Holy Redeemer Parish is Walk the Talk,” explained Bene. “This saying became more meaningful to them as they became the hands and feet of Jesus for other children in our community.” Students from grades 3-6 at Pius, including students from the Care and Development class arrived at the church at 9:45 a.m., and after a brief rundown of the day and prayer, the students began their two-hour trek around the church grounds under brilliant sunshine. Funds were collected through pledged donations and a total of over $1600.00 was raised to support the NEO Kids initiative.
“We have a really great relationship with Holy Redeemer Parish,” explained Laurie Zahra, principal of the school. “We are so proud of our students and staff for taking part in this most important initiative, and we also want to recognize and thank our parish partner for allowing us to join them in supporting NEO Kids.”
Pius XII Catholic Elementary School was honoured to have Amber Konikow talk to the students about smart goals, self-esteem and motivation. The students learned about practice, being prepared, hard work, and dedication. Amber spoke about her difficult times in school and how she was picked on, however, having the support of close friends, family and teachers allowed her to make the right choices in her life. She reminded students that people will always remember you for your kindness, friendship and support – and that is what is important and how we should act with one another.
Amber Konikow is a registered nurse, endurance runner, Olympic style boxer, stunt actor,membero fhte Canadian Esteem Team and motivational speaker. She has been nominated for the Premier award under the Health and Sciences category for Ontario. Amber is also the 2011 winner of the 40 under 40 ward.
Pius XII Catholic Elementary School grade 4-8 students had a ‘blast’ recently when they partnered up with the Knights of Columbus Council #10888 to participate in a Hockey Blast Competition. Students from grades 4-8 were able to show off their stickwork and accuracy in the competition. Learning Strategies Teacher, Kathleen Donnelly says, “The Knights of Columbus Council #10888 have been actively involved in the school by volunteering their time for events such as the Freethrow Competition, Hockey Blast, Grill Cheese Day and Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) — it is awesome to have them volunteering in our school!”
Pius XII Catholic Elementary School is one of many of the Sudbury Catholic Schools who have partnered up with the Knights of Columbus for their annual ‘Free Throw Competition’. Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus International Free Throw Championship for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14. Oscar Barowette, a Knights of Columbus member, feels that holding this competition is ‘a great way to get out into the public and introduce the Order to the community — while providing youths with a rewarding activity that yields a chance for local, state or provincial, and international recognition’. Good luck to all Pius Penguins, as well as all other Sudbury Catholic students who are moving on to the next level of competition.
Students at Pius XII Catholic School participated in the “Try-it” Parasport Clinic recently.
During the clinic students were provided with a specific sport and an equipment demonstration of different types of sports activities, such as basketball, hockey, bocce and curling. The importance on being “physically fit” was also emphasized throughout the clinic.
Susan Levesque with SportLink Greater Sudbury Sport Council lead a Parasport clinic with the Pius XII students. Numerus classes including the Special Education class participated in wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, bocce and curling.
The Pius students were able to experience what it feels like to be in a wheel chair, and they quickly realized that it was possbile to participate in many sports activities through the use of a specially designed equipment.
Pius XII Catholic School would like to thank Susan Levesque with SportLink for providing the students with the equipment which allowed them to participate in this unique sports activity.
The Grade 2 and 3 students at Pius XII Catholic School participated in the ‘Sudbury Rocks Race’ in downtown Sudbury on Sunday, May 6, 2007. The one kilometre race started at the YMCA on Durham Street. The children ran down Durham to Beech Street around the corner to Elgin and back up Elgin Street to the YMCA.
The students at Pius XII Catholic school trained hard for more than a month for the race with representatives from the Running Room and have completed the Kids Fit fitness tests. The students’ fitness scores improved so remarkably that the Running Room suggested that the students enter the Sudbury Rocks Race which is also the qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Proceeds from the race went to the Diabetes Foundation.
Pius XII Catholic School is the winner of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s 2005-2006 Fitness Challenge. The goal of the program is to lower the resting and exercise heart rates of the Board’s students over the course of the school year.
Staff and students in the Junior Division participated in this program under the supervision of Mr. John Tarini, Coordinator of the Fitness Challenge for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The heart rates were measured three times during the 2005-2006 school year.
Students from Pius XII Catholic School received a plaque and a small token of appreciation from Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Chairperson, Mrs. Paula Peroni during a recent board meeting for winning the Fitness Challenge.
The Lung Association is pleased to announce Laps for Lungs. It is a fun filled activity that combines fundraising and health promotion that directly benefits children living with asthma and our school.
The Lung Association is a registered charity that funds respiratory research, promotes better management of asthma, helps those with chronic lung disease, promotes a tobacco-free society and addresses the effects of air quality on lung health.
Visit www.on.lung.ca/events/laps4lungs.html for more information.
