Students in Marymount Academy teacher Allison Cameron’s grade 9 English class had a unique lesson on Shakespeare recently. In order for the students to become more engaged with this unit of study, Cameron had each of her students create a mask reflecting their book study on Romeo and Juliet. As part of this lesson, students brought in different sorts of crafts and decorations that would be used to create unique masks. “When you give students the opportunity for hands on learning, they are much more likely to connect to the lesson,” Cameron stated. “The students have fun and get to be totally creative, all the while they are really learning on a deeper level. It is a great way to engage the student and make the lessons come alive!”
Author: admin
Canadian Youth Golf Alliance
Despite the snow falling on the ground, several Marymount Academy students were eager to hear about golf at Sudbury’s Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on Monday, October 29, 2012. The day’s events, however, were about so much more than golf. Ryan Cooney, Executive Director of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance invited the group of students to learn all about the organization he founded just over a year ago – the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance. The mission of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance is “to lessen the risk factors for Canada’s ‘At-Risk Youth’ communities by facilitating efficient and effective programs in the areas of Golf Participation, Youth Employment, and Education. Through these programs, the youth of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance learn character building principles such as integrity, responsibility, dignity, honesty, gratitude, and leadership.”
Cooney, who attended St-Charles briefly and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School for the majority of high school, is a graduate of St-Albert’s Adult Education School. Being a former at-risk student himself, he now works towards helping those who are in a similar position he once was. The former golf pro at Lively Golf & Country Club and the Timberwolf Golf Club, (who now holds a Master’s degree in Humanities), works with different community partners and various organizations to give students opportunities to better themselves through sport, business, and education. On days like the one organized at the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club, Cooney works closely with Brandon Beeson (the Northern Ontario Regional Director) and the Greater Sudbury Police Services to provide learning seminars, mentorship programs, and employability training for the students selected to be a part of the Day Event. The educational courses delivered by the CYGA and taught by Cooney are designed to allow the students to learn about themselves, others, their community, the larger community, and humanity as a whole. In addition to the programs, post-secondary scholarships and bursaries will be available to deserving members of the CYGA. In order to ensure all the programs and initiatives can be delivered, there is a dedicated fundraising team who believes in the CYGA’s vision and mission to support youth.
Dan Bartolucci, a teacher at Marymount Academy and the newly appointed Education Director for the C.Y.G.A. feels it is really a dynamic and very meaningful program. “I am inspired by how Ryan has turned his own life around and has committed to educating and assisting ‘at-risk’ youth. I truly believe that the C.Y.G.A. is going to be around for a long time to come and it is very exciting to be a small part of it – helping out the youth in our own community.”
For more information about the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance, please visit www.canadianyouthgolfalliance.com.
M.M.A. Gets Into the Books with Teen Read Week
As part of the first ever Sudbury Teen Read Week, Marymount Academy students in teacher Allison Cameron’s English class got to visit the Sudbury Public Library to take part in the official launch of the event. Along with two other secondary school classes, the Marymount students were welcomed by event coordinator Pierre Dubuc, the Child and Teen Programmer for the Greater Sudbury Library.
Teen Read Week is a literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association that began in New York. This is Sudbury’s first event and its focus is to encourage teens to regularly read books just for fun so that reading recreationally becomes a habit.
As part of the official launch, the students were encouraged to attain a library card if they didn’t already have one and learn more about the services and products offered at the library including books, e-books, dvd’s etc. Also on hand were representatives from several community organizations to talk to students about their connection to the library and literacy including Laurentian University, Cambrian College, College Boreal and the Student Action Center for Youth (S.A.C.Y.).
Cameron was excited for her class to be invited to the Teen Read Week Launch and encouraged all of her students to sign up for a library card if they didn’t already have one. “What a great opportunity for our students to see what amazing books are available to them,” Cameron stated. “This event is a great way to engage our students through recreational reading – it doesn’t just have to be about assignments and school work. Teen Read Week emphasizes the importance of reading books just for fun, and I am sure that my students will respond enthusiastically!”
Events are planned for the remainder of the week at several of the Sudbury library locations including a “Walking Dead Project Runway” competition on Thursday at the newly renovated South End Library. For more information on all of these events, visit the Greater Sudbury Library website at www.sudburylibraries.ca.
Surpassing Science Expectations Across a Nation
Students at Marymount Academy had a very unique opportunity on Friday, October 12, 2012. Classes from four different grades took part in what could be the world’s largest science lesson. Students from a grade 7, 8, 10 and 12 science class took part in the attempt at a world record for the largest practical science lesson with the hopes of inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. Alongside thousands of other Canadians, different groups took part in this activity across Canada as the official launch of National Science and Technology Week 2012 through Science.gc.ca.
Following strict guidelines, students had to sign in, and the entire activity was documented with time-stamped video and pictures to ensure the group was following the outlined rules. After a brief video introduction from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, the students watched another short clip that demonstrated the two different experiments – “the Kissing Balloons” and “the Water Mister”. Using simple materials such as balloons, string, plastic cups and water provided at each table, the students then worked together in groups to perform both experiments and document their findings. Working in the school’s cafeteria, giggles and laughter could be heard throughout as each student worked through their part of the experiment. Marymount science teacher Lise Callahan was the organizer for the event and made sure she followed all outlined instructions for her students to be included in this monumentous event. “It seemed pretty simple at first,” Callahan remarked. “Just sign up the students and provide the materials… however, I quickly realized that it was a much more involved process. We have to ensure that everything is done properly to be included in the world record attempt. The students have been quite excited leading up to this event and we are thrilled to be a part of it! At Marymount Academy, we have really outstanding students and knew that their level of enthusiasm for this project would be really high. I am proud of our school for participating and can’t wait to see if we do actually set the record!” All of the participants have to have their results sent by October 19 and would find out soon after if their attempt was successful for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.
University Information Night – October 15, 2012
There will be a University Information Night on Monday, October 16, 2012 for all students interested in finding out more information about Ontario universities. Representatives from all 21 of the provinces universities will be on hand to answer any questions from prospective students including admission requirements, residence, scholarships, application processes and much more. Students and their parents or guardians will be able to attend three different presentations from universities that will be thirty minutes in length. After each presentation, a question and answer period will follow. This university information night was created to help students in their decision making process before they apply to universities beginning January 2013. This event will be taking place at Lockerby Composite School from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Marymount Academy Celebrates School Spirit
As part of the school’s annual spirit week, students at Marymount Academy showed up for class dressed in their finest superhero garb on September 17, 2012. Each year, the Girls Athletic Association plans a week of events that helps build school spirit and allows the students to get to know each other on a more informal basis outside of the classroom. Some of this year’s activities include superhero day, pop culture day, western day, pyjama day and the cartoon spirit which involves team activities with the entire school at Delki Dozzi park. Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy looks forward to spirit week every year. “It is such a great opportunity for the girls to get to know each other and really reinforces the unique and collegial element at Marymount Academy,” Cullen stated. “All of the activities and events really create a positive and welcoming environment, not only for those students new to the school, but for all of our students.”
Marymount Academy Student Experiences a Summer of Science
This past summer, one Marymount Academy Student had the opportunity of a lifetime. Sandy Qiu, a grade 12 student, spent six weeks taking part in the elite Summer Immersion Program at the Deep River Science Academy in Deep River, Ontario. What started off as a suggestion from one of her friends, resulted in her participation an intensive co-op program focusing on hands on science. At this academy, exceptional high school students actively participate in research, perform experiments, as well as listen to guest lecturers on various science topics. The students also had the opportunity to participate in numerous recreational activities and meet like-minded students from across Canada. All of the successful participants in the program are awarded two high school co-op credits in acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication. Qiu’s project, titled, “Antimony Adsorption on Zirconium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solutions” was completed alongside a University tutor and Scientific Supervisor.
Deep River Science Academy Program Director, Danielle Martin was pleased to have Qiu as part of the science program. “Sandy Qiu was a wonderful addition to our program this summer,” Martin stated. “ She was an excellent ambassador of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and we hope that her attendance instils a sense of pride within your Board. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful student with us this summer.”
Qiu felt that it was an exceptional experience and was glad to have been chosen to take part in it. “It was great to be able to be a part of such a unique program,” Qiu stated. “I was so fortunate to be selected to be one of the participants and it was really an outstanding experience. It is definitely something I would like to continue with in the future.”
Marymount Academy Student Selected as Youth Ambassador for National French Forum
With a French father, and an English mother, Amanda Daigle knew that speaking both of Canada’s official languages would be an asset in her life. As a result, the grade 11 Marymount Academy student has been in French Immersion her entire academic career, and this year, it has provided her with an amazing opportunity. Daigle has been selected as one of thirty students from across the country to be a youth ambassador at the National Ambassador Youth Forum (Le Forum National des jeunes Ambassadeurs) which provides bilingual high school students the chance to meet like-minded student leaders from across the country. This event is hosted by French for the Future, a non-profit student-centred educational program that encourages and promotes bilingualism in Canada.
The one week forum will be taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, in which students will learn about diverse career paths and possibilities, take part in unique cultural events, as well as share their experiences and discuss the challenges and advantages of learning two languages. This opportunity came about from her teacher Christine Masimiliano. Masimiliano informed her class about the forum and Daigle decided that this was something she wanted to apply for. After writing her own letter explaining why she would be a great candidate, Daigle also had to provide two letters of recommendation to support her application. At the end of April, she got the call. This all expenses paid trip is something that Daigle is very, very excited for. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Daigle stated. “Not only will it allow me to strengthen my French-language skills, but I will get to make new friends, and learn how to be a better leader in my community.” Daigle is no stranger to being a leader, as she often takes part in community service activities in Sudbury, as well as being a part of the Girl Guides of Canada for many years. “I am very honoured to have been chosen to join the 29 other students for this national forum,” Daigle said. “French Immersion has opened many doors for me in the past, and I am confident that being selected as a youth ambassador for this national French forum will continue to open doors for me in the future!”
SCDSB Hosts Third Annual Turning Points Essay Awards Ceremony
Students, parents, teachers and invited guests gathered at the Sudbury Catholic District Board office on May 9, 2012 to take part in the SCDSB’s third annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards ceremony. This essay contest is an initiative which stems from the Learning Partnership which is an organization that champions a strong public education system to deliver innovative programs, credible research, policy initiatives, executive leadership and public engagement across Canada. Turning Points is a character development and literacy program that allows students to reflect on their fundamental values and, through a process of self-reflection and dialogue, write a narrative essay about a significant event, or turning point in their lives. As it is the third year, student participation has continued to grow as teachers have continued to encourage their involvement with this rewarding program. The secondary students that took part in this contest and authored the winning essays were awarded plaques, a copy of the publication, as well as monetary awards at Wednesday night’s celebration. The students were honoured for their efforts and several students had the opportunity to read their essays allowed. The audience was visibly moved by these emotional accounts and several of the teachers involved spoke of the courage and strength of their students to be able to write such heart-felt accounts of their experiences. Allison Cameron, a Marymount English teacher was the master of ceremonies at this event and was visibly moved after the students read aloud their essays. “Even after being involved with this initiative for three years, I am never really prepared for the poignant words our students have written and shared with others,” Cameron stated. “The courage of these students to express their deepest feelings and emotions about their life’s turning point is so powerful – for the student, and their families.” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Board echoed Cameron’s sentiments. “I am thrilled that the this program once again met with such success, and am so honoured that our students have courageously shared their most personal and meaningful life experiences. We are certainly overwhelmed by their talent and honesty involved in this writing experience.”
Marymount Academy’s Production of Annie Jr a Success!
Audiences at each of the shows of Annie Jr. at Marymount Academy walked away smiling and singing. During the week of April 23, 2012, Marymount students and staff worked tirelessly to put on this outstanding production. When asked what they thought after seeing the show, several Sudbury Catholic elementary students said “it was so awesome!” It was a huge undertaking, from set design, choreography, singing and lighting – the entire production was top notch and was truly a group effort. Congratulations to all the students and staff involved in the musical!