On Thursday, November 14th the Gr. 11 Fitness class at Marymount participated in a boot camp and kangoo session with Clint and Lisa from Bodyworks Studio. This is the third time that Bodyworks Studio has visited Marymount and the fitness sessions are becoming more and more popular. With random spectators popping out of nowhere, the galleries and cafeteria filled throughout the period to see what this kangoo was all about. The students in the Gr. 11 Fitness class demonstrated that it’s all about cardio, strength, and endurance……not to mention FUN!!!! Most popular question at the end of class – “whoa….k seriously, when are we doing that again???”
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Exploring Careers and Beyond At Marymount Academy
Marymount Academy students had the opportunity on Friday, November 8 to look into their futures. Over 22 different presentations were set up for the students – all by women in successful careers willing to share their stories. Brenda Thompson, head of guidance for the school set up this career day to showcase a variety of careers to inspire the students. The students could sign up for four of the 22 different presentations including a firefighter, a physiotherapist and a carpenter. What was really great for the students was that several of the presenters were also graduates of Marymount Academy and they shared their journeys from their Marymount days down the path to their present careers.
“With a school made up of all female students, we know it is important to inspire the girls and help them recognize their unlimited potential,” explained Thompson. “Our students do very well academically, and we know that it is key to showcase a multitude of career options for them to help them achieve their own successes.”
School Liaison Officer Inspires Marymount Students
Students in Marymount Academy teacher Allison Cameron’s English classes had the opportunity to talk to their school liaison officer Hally Willmot on November 5. Cameron thought it would be a great connection for the students to talk to a strong female role model, but also to get inspiration about following one’s dreams. Willmot, a police officer with the Greater Sudbury Police Services for the last 17 years is also a published author. Willmot enjoys talking to secondary school students to show them that the police are definitely approachable and not “just a uniform”. Willmot shared with the students about her life growing up and moving around a lot. Because of the moving, she took comfort in reading and writing creatively and, as a result, is now a published author with her second book being launched very shortly. Willmot shared her experiences – both positive and negative about the people who did and didn’t support her through this writing process, and shared the lesson of believing in yourself and the importance of following your dreams. Cameron was excited for her students to listen and talk to Willmot during her classes. “I think the students were really interested to see a police officer who is also an author, and not a true crime or murder mystery author either, but a fantasy fiction author – not what most people would expect of a police officer,” explained Cameron. “It is a great lesson for my students to understand that there is more to all of us than meets the eye, and it is-also important to meet people in our very own community that can serve as inspiration and role models for our young women at MMA.”
MMA & CYGA Visit the Idywylde
On Tuesday, October 29th fifteen students from Marymount Academy’s Gr. 11 Fitness Class visited the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club for a Day Event as part of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance’s (CYGA) Search for Self I course. The students have been studying philosophy of life issues under the instruction Ryan Cooney, founder of the CYGA every three weeks. The program is a voluntary one that the students are offered and the feedback has been nothing but incredibly positive. Brandon Beeson, chairman and Northern Ontario Director of the CYGA says that “the partnership with Marymount Academy over the past couple of years has been wonderful. The students are eager, very cooperative, and appreciate the opportunities that are presented to them with the CYGA. The Canadian Youth Golf Alliance is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on assisting youth in “at-risk” environments with issues that they sometimes struggle with that surround every day discussions. Dan Bartolucci, teacher at Marymount Academy and the CYGA Board’s Education Chair agrees that “the opportunities presented to these youth through the programs offered by the CYGA are outstanding. Last year, the CYGA employed 28 youth from around the province and three of these youth were Marymount students”.
The Day Event at the Idylwylde offered seminars by the managers of a number of departments from greenskeeping and course management to event coordination, to every day bookings through the pro shop. For more information about the CYGA please visit:
www.canadianyouthgolfalliance.com
Regals Find Strength in the Power of Being a Girl
All grade 8 students from Marymount Academy were invited to the Steelworkers Hall on October 18 for a full day conference. Organized by the YWCA Sudbury, the students took part in the annual “Power of Being a Girl” conference that provides girls with the opportunity to discuss topics of interest including healthy relationships, communication, body image and decision making. Lori Holden, vice principal of Marymount Academy feels it is a great day for the students to learn about themselves and help build their confidence and personal awareness. “This is such a great event for our students to help them build skills for positive self esteem and increase healthy and productive attitudes,” explained Holden. “It allows the girls to feel empowered and increase their independence. With Marymount being an all-girl school, we recognize the importance of building these skills to support the development of our students to becoming strong, independent, confident women.” Several students in grades 10, 11 and were selected to be trained to become mentors for the conference, and they attended a one day training session on October 5 to learn how to help support the younger students with their discussions and questions. On the day of the conference, the students worked through three separate workshops, which included the Power of Body Image – Media and Identity, the Power in Relationships, and the Power of Words. Several students from grade 8 at St. Raphael and St. Francis Catholic Elementary Schools were also invited to take part in the one day conference.
St. Charles College Hosts University Information Program – October 10
St. Charles College will host representatives from all of 21 of Ontario’s universities on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm. The University Information Program (UIP) is free and all secondary school students and their parents/guardians are welcome to attend.
Students who are considering university will be able to speak to university representatives and learn more about different admission requirements, scholarships, residence the application process, campus life and much more. The University Information Program is designed to help graduating students make an informed decision before they apply to universities in January 2014.
“ We are proud to offer this information program for students and parents in our community,” says St. Charles College Program Lead of Guidance Silvia Faggioni. “ It is important that students make informed decisions regarding their future. This is a perfect opportunity to explore universities across Ontario, meet representatives and ask questions – all while not having to leave Sudbury.”
At this event, students and their parents/guardians will be able to attend three 30-minute university presentations. A question and answer period will follow. After the presentations, students will be able to visit all Ontario university representatives for the remainder of the evening.
Learning About Goalball at SCDSB
Students from St. James Elementary School recently participated in the Ontario Blind Sports Association Recreational Tournament. The tournament took place in Brantford Ontarion on May 11th, 2013. In addition, Ontario Blind Sports Association, along with the CNIB, provided goalball clinics at St. James Elementary school, Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School and Marymount Academy on May 23rd and 24th.
On May 25th, a goalball clinic was held for members of the public at Sudbury Secondary Highshool.
A recreational goalball league is planned to begin operation in the fall of 2013.
Goalball is “the” blind sport, created specifically for the blind. It’s an indoor court game played around the world by the blind and visually impaired. The sport was developed in the late 1940’s and is played internationally up to the world championship and Paralympic Games levels.
Teams of three try to score goals using a ball similar in size to a basketball that is about the same weight as a brick and has a bell inside it. Players attempt to roll or throw the ball across a goal line. The opposing team tries to block it using their arms, legs and bodies. With a ball flying at speeds of 65 km/h or more, it’s exciting!
Games last 20 minutes and are divided into two equal halves of ten minutes each, with a 3 minute half time.
The object of the game is to score goals by rolling a ball (called a Goalball) down a 9m x 18m (volleyball size) court toward the opposing team’s goal, which spans the entire 9m width of the court. Players (1 centre and 2 wingers) attempt to prevent the Goalball from crossing the goal line in a totally sightless condition. A Goalball weight is 1.25kg and contains noise bells and along with raised lines on the court, help to orientate the players.
Therefore, while play is in progress, silence is required in the venue to allow the players to concentrate and react instantly to the ball. However, cheering is permitted after a goal is scored and at the end of a game.
Goalball is a benefit to any education curriculum & sports teams
Goalball introduces able bodied students to living with a disability and functioning without vision in a practical, fun setting. It focuses on what the blind and partially sighted can do rather than on what they cannot do. It continues to break down barriers.
It teaches valuable athletic performance skills such as: communication, non visual focus, team work & kinesthetic awareness, explosive lateral movement.
Goalball is one of the most inclusive sports in the world. All participants must wear eyeshades, so removing the sense of sight for all participants creates a level playing field for all.
Marymount Academy Student Medals at National Science Fair
Marymount Elementary Academy student Electra Millar competed at the Canada Wide Science Fair held in Lethbridge, Alberta May 11-18, 2013. Her project “Under Pressure” won a Bronze Medal in the Excellence Award Junior Division category, as well as an Entrance Scholarship to Western University.
Marymount Academy Presents – Sleeping Beauty
Elementary students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board were treated to Marymount Academy’s rendition of Sleeping Beauty – which ran from April 23 – 26. Under the direction of teacher Jolanta Tourville, with the assistance of teachers Anna White and Cathy Fairgrieve, and former student Jessica Pugliese, the students at Marymount Academy put on a stellar performance of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty for all audiences.
Tanning is Out at MMA
Sophia Baldan, a grade 9 student at Marymount Academy has learned a lot about tanning beds over the last few months. The one main thing she has learned – is just how bad they are for you. Compelled to spread the word, Baldan decided to apply for a grant for her school to start a “Tan-Free” Grad initiative and help inform her peers about the dangers of tanning beds and sun-exposure. On April 16, Baldan was presented a cheque by C.E.O. of the Canadian Cancer Society – Ontario Division, Martin Kabat to kick off her initiative within the school. Baldan took the opportunity to speak to the other students about several of the alarming facts associated with tanning bed usage – including the fact that the use of tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase one’s chances of getting melanoma by 75%, as well as the fact that it is just as dangerous to one’s health as smoking. Kabat spoke to the students about being the change, and that the young people of Ontario have a lot of power to help make this important shift in the culture. “Young people don’t realize how much power you have,” Kabat explained. “The Canadian Cancer Society has been after the government for years to ban tanning beds and couldn’t get them to do it. It is because of a young person like you that they are finally recognizing the dangers. The voice of one can make a difference, and young people can be the voice.” Kabat went on to congratulate the school for taking up this initiative as they are a wonderful example of what young people can do to inspire change.
M.P.P. of Nickel Belt, Frances Gelinas was also scheduled to speak to the students as she has been instrumental in bringing forward the bill and is very passionate about this initiative. Unfortunately she was unable to leave Toronto to attend the assembly at the school, but sent a message to be shared with the students. Gelinas congratulated Baldan for her efforts and thanked the students “for their positive actions – resulting in more Sudburians having a better and healtheir place to live.”
Baldan will use the grant money to provide information and resources with the other students, as well as purchase different make-up alternatives to tanning for the students to use for their graduations. Baldan appealed to the students to join in the campaign and “be smart about the sun and tanning because this is what making a difference is all about – are you with me?” She then urged them to get involved by writing their members of provincial parliament to support banning tanning bed usage as well as share information they learned with their family and friends.