Happy New Year to all!

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I assume the role as Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. As a long time trustee with this Board and ardent supporter of Catholic Education I am both pleased and amazed at the continued high level of success and commitment of our board staff, students, parents, teachers and volunteers in embracing the new initiatives and programs implemented by our senior administrative team.

This academic year has already proven to be progressive and exciting and will continue to be so. Witnessing the implementation of our Vision Statement, “Creating hopes and dreams through excellence,” in the fall of this year, I assure you that every one of our students, staff and parents are benefiting from the vision and the commitment that the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration have made to its implementation. As educational leaders we share a deep commitment to ongoing improvement and will continue to pursue the many initiatives that are presently underway in our schools to enhance the school environment.

Among many others, I would like to highlight one of the Sudbury Catholic School Board’s latest and most exciting initiatives - the St. Joseph- Killarney Outdoor Education Centre. This facility set to launch in the spring of 2009 will provide outdoor educational programs and services to the students in the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. Activities and programs undertaken at the centre will be based on the Ontario Ministry of Education school curriculum and will add the bonus component of a unique Killarney experience. The centre will focus on outdoor education but will also offer students the opportunity to learn about healthy living, child and youth stewardship, values of faith, community studies, aboriginal studies and environmental studies. Educational excursions will involve both day and overnight trips.

The above initiative is only one of several ongoing new and exciting projects that continues to keep our board ahead of the curve. There will be numerous new Board initiatives and programs that will be introduced over the next coming months.

Sincerely,
Jody Cameron

Chair, Sudbury Catholic District School Board

In my short tenure as Director of Education, I have witnessed the outstanding successes and commitment of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s students, teachers, parents and staff. I would like to congratulate you for all that you do and for your dedication to Catholic Education. With that in mind I would like to harness this positive energy as we move forward in creating a vision for our Board. I have consulted with Trustees, Senior Administration, Principals/Vice Principals, Catholic School Councils, Teaching and Support Staff, students, clergy and many of our partners in Catholic Education and will also be seeking your input in affirming this “shared vision.”

A shared vision engages the community in recognizing the uniqueness of Catholic Education in the City of Greater Sudbury. It also provides the focus and energy to improve the teaching and learning of students. The outcome of this shared vision underscores the beliefs that bind us together as a Catholic community, which in turn heightens the presence and uniqueness of Catholic Education in the Sudbury area.

There are many features that define Catholic education. What is most distinctive in our community of Sudbury Catholic Schools is the emphasis on guiding students to explore and deepen their spirituality and to develop their talents to the fullest. Academic excellence, vocational training, preparedness for the world of work, social competence and personal management are all valued goals of our Sudbury Catholic Schools and in forming lifelong learners.

Please join me as I share with you some of successes of our students, our schools and our Board and our staff.

Sincerely,

Catherine McCullough,
Director of Education,
SCDSB