Traditions are a big part of the Christmas holidays. Once again this year the Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School Leadership Class hosted “Battle of the Grades”. Students had to participate in fun Christmas activities with a “twist”. From cookies and milk, to unwrapping Christmas gifts with oven mitts, these mixed up Christmas activities gave students quite the challenge! In the end, the Grade 12 students managed to sneak in a close win and claim the title of this Bishop holiday tradition!
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Celebrating Partnerships at BACCSS Breakfast
Thank you to Greater Sudbury Police Services who helped serve a delicious breakfast at Bishop Carter’s breakfast club. Students were treated to a hot breakfast with all the trimmings. Constable Duguay and Constable Hasanefendic served eggs, hashbrowns and a variety of other items to Bishop student Kiana James. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2016 from the staff and students at Bishop Carter CSS.
Elementary Students Experience Tech Day at BACCSS
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School recently welcomed their feeder school grade 8 students to a fun filled day exploring the trades. Students had the opportunity to integrate themselves into a scene being filmed by our SHSM students in Information & Communication Technology. They were exposed to demonstrations in MIG Welding, Oxy Acc., and C N C Plasma in the manufacturing class. They also had the opportunity to make bird houses in the construction class and raced RC cars in the gym. Bishop looks forward to welcoming all incoming Gators in September!
Bishop ACCSS Recipients of the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Award
On Tuesday, November 17, Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, along with teachers Robert Boucher and Marah Pardoe were presented with the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement Award for 2015 from the provincioal Education Quality and Accountability Office at the Sudbury Catholic Board meeting. The group from Bishop had attended a recognition ceremony that took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, in Toronto. This recognition program was established by the EQAO board of directors in 2009, as a tribute to Dr. Stephenson’s lifelong commitment and contribution to education and public service. The award was given to Bishop ACCSS, one of the 18 elementary and secondary schools in the province to receive this honour, to recognize this school’s community for its efforts, over many years, at improving student achievement and for its use of EQAO results to improve student learning. Mike Young, Principal, School Support and Outreach for the E.Q.A.O. office was on hand at the board meeting to present the group with a plaque and to explain why Bishop was selected. According to Young, the school has used three important initiatives – using all human resources available, using technology in the classroom, and collaborating with the feeder schools. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board for SCDSB congratulated the group for their efforts. “We want to publically recognize the hard work happening out at Bishop and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement,” stated Cameron. “We know this hard work is paying off, as our Bishop data is indicating, and we are very pleased to see that our teachers continue to make our students’ successes a priority.”
A Walk to Remember at Bishop ACCSS
On Wednesday, September 30th, Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary students participated in the third annual Memorial Walk in memory of Mackenzie Rooney and Denis Dechaine. Mackenzie was a Grade 11 student at Bishop whose life was cut short in a atv accident. Denis was a teacher at Bishop who lost his courageous fight with cancer. Students kicked off the day with a prayer service and zumba, led by Bishop’s mascot, The Golden Gator and KICX 91.7 Radio’s mascot, Moola.
After the 10km walk, students found themselves back at school enjoying a barbecue put on by the teachers, karaoke, and of course the famous teacher vs. girls flag football game! For the first time in Bishop history, the girl’s flag football team tied the teachers.
Mackenzie and Denis’ family and friends joined the students and teachers on the walk. “This day always touches my heart. I understand why Denis loved teaching at the school and why he considered it his extended family” said Anne Dechaine, Denis’ wife. Money raised from the walk supports KICX for Kids and Mackenzie and Denis’ Memorial Fund.
R/C Racing Back at BACCS
On October 8th, Bishop Alexander Carter hosted its 4th Annual BAC Traxx Invitational Remote Control car race. It was an afternoon of thrills, spills and high revving R/C action as the Bishop Carter drivers challenged the racers from École Secondaire Franco Cité. In all, well over 30 drivers competed in this year’s event. Adding to the excitement was the all new 2250 square indoor speedway that Bishop Carter teachers and students purpose built for R/C racing. On this track, cars are able to reach speeds in excess of 70km/h and fly over 10 feet in the air! Also adding to the excitement was this years “All Star” Shootout. Racers in this event included celebrity DJs Scott and Chrissy from KICX 91.7 and Nevena and Chloe from The New Hot 93.5. Also competing was Bishop Carter’s own principal, Cassandra MacGregor. It was definitely a memorable event that Bishop Carter is looking forward to hosting again in the future.
BACCSS Catches the Jays Spirit
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School staff and students caught the Blue Jays spirit! Students took a break from hitting the books to watch and cheer for their favourite baseball team. The gym was adorned with blue and white and transformed into a mini stadium with its very own TD Comfort Zone couch. In September, students in the Bishop Elite Sports Training (BEST) program, as well as students in the Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM) in Fitness were able to use the Blue Jays training facility and toured their locker room and medical facilities.
Bishop Gives Back to the Community
Bishop Alexander Carter CSS held its annual Memorial Walk on September 30th. Partial proceeds from the walk is given back to the community. Once again this year, a cheque was presented to Chrissy and Scott from KICX radio to support their KICX for Kids Campaign. Presenting the cheque are two students, Kianna (Grade 12) and Jacob (Grade 9) and Cassandra MacGregor (Principal).
June 2015 OAPCE Newsletter
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our Sudbury Catholic parents, the SCDSB would like to provide a link to the latest newsletter from The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE).
This month’s newsletter comes in three parts:
Larocque and Taylor-Horeck – 2015 Chairperson’s Award Winners
Every year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board of Trustees selects a recipient for the Board’s prestigious Chairperson’s Award – someone who embraces Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity, and contributes positively to the lives of students and staff. On May 28, at the Board’s Retirement Dinner and Celebration for 25 year employees, two Sudbury Catholic employees were presented with this year’s Chairperson’s Award -Jean-Gilles Larocque, a teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, and Kim Taylor-Horeck, the Board’s Attendance Counsellor.
Jean-Gilles has been with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for over 12 years, and has been a teacher at Bishop ACCSS beginning September, 2003. He was nominated by staff for being a leader within the school, and for his dedication and ambition in setting the school apart. Larocque is also an outstanding coach and mentor, and encourages students to become involved in sports and extra curricular activities in the school. According to the school’s principal, Cassandra MacGregor, “Jean-Gilles fosters the search for meaning as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest in our students – he consistently encourages students to think, reflect and fully evaluate situations when solving problems. He models being a lifelong learner and encourages students to set and reach their personal goals and beyond.”
Taylor-Horeck, began with the Sudbury Catholic Board as an educational assistant in 1986 and then took on the role of Attendance Counsellor in 1993. Marymount Academy principal, Lucie Lapalm-Cullen nominated Taylor-Horeck as “Kim always has a very positive and compassionate way of dealing with our most sensitive students. She never gives up on them and is very patient, positive and professional. She will drop everything she is doing to help a student get their life back on track…” According to staff, Taylor-Horeck is quick to help line up students with the services and supports they need and does not “close” their file when she is done. Kim stays in touch with the students, checks in on them and continues to advocate for them.
Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board of Trustees presented both Larocque and Taylor Horeck with their awards. “ Jean-Gilles and Kim are very deserving recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award,” Cameron stated. “These two employees truly exemplify staff who embraces Catholic values, demonstrate initiative and ingenuity, and contribute positively to the lives of students and staff. We thank them both for their outstanding contributions to the Sudbury Catholic Community, and congratulate them for receiving this year’s award.”