Each year, Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP (FCR) hosts an accounting case competition for secondary students, challenging participants to apply their knowledge to real-world business scenarios. This year’s competition tasked students with analyzing a case study based on a Sudbury theatre organization and challenged them to develop practical, implementable business solutions. 

The competition provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, professionalism, and problem-solving skills while applying accounting concepts to real-life scenarios. Participants also benefit from feedback and evaluation by practicing accountants, offering valuable insight into industry expectations. 

Among the 13 teams that participated, two teams from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School achieved exceptional results, earning both first-place positions in the competition. Each team was awarded $1,000, for a total of $2,000, which was shared among the student participants. One of the first-place teams was led by student captains Zayle Boyuk and Wesley Wei. 

The outcome exceeded expectations for the St. Benedict teams, with both groups delivering strong presentations under the competition’s time constraints. While the students felt confident in their work, earning both first-place positions came as a proud and unexpected result that reinforced the school’s reputation for excellence in business studies. 

“I think honestly, for both our teams it was a little bit of a shock because we didn’t think we would both get first place, but then when we did it was a big moment of pride because I think St. Ben’s is known as more of an academically strong school especially in business. So, I think that reaffirms that we have that business excellence,” said Zayle. 

Both student captains have developed a strong interest in pursuing accounting at the post-secondary level, crediting their business education at St. Benedict as a key influence.  

“To be honest, this is all because of Mr. Politi. The first time I took a business class was in grade 10 and taught by Mr. Politi, and then it just kind of sparked an interest for me. So, I took grade 11 and grade 12 accounting classes and became interested in accounting,” said Wesley.  

Zayle agreed, and shared “For me, last year I had grade 10 business and it was the subject that clicked most. I like Mr. Politi a lot as a teacher as well. I learned that I have a business mindset, so I started pursuing things like marketing and accounting.”  

When reflecting on advice for future competitors, both students emphasized preparation and leadership. Zayle highlighted the importance of having a strong leader who can guide a team under pressure, while Wesley stressed the value of entering the competition with a solid foundation of knowledge. Preparation, they noted, was essential to success, with Zayle adding that reviewing past competitions and understanding what led to previous wins helped inform their approach this year. 

“Experiential learning opportunities like the FCR Accounting Case Competition allow students to explore career interests, develop practical, real-world skills, and gain valuable exposure to post-secondary and professional pathways,” said Morris Hucal, Director of Education. 

“We are proud of the work Mr. Politi and his students have done at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, and we welcome opportunities like this that help prepare students for success beyond secondary school.” 

For more information on programs at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, visit https://st-benedict.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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St. Benedict is thrilled to announce a truly heartwarming achievement; we raised an incredible $28,256.55 for the Sudbury Food Bank! Each dollar brings us one step closer to ensuring that families in Sudbury are supported.

The Bears Food Drive was a true example of what can happen when inspiration, collaboration, and generosity come together. Inspired by the dedication and leadership of teacher Emi Mardero and Educational Assistant Michelle Dey, this initiative quickly grew into a meaningful project that engaged not only our school, but our elementary schools and community partners.

Ms. Mardero and Ms. Dey played a vital role throughout the food drive. From the very beginning, they encouraged students to understand the importance of giving, especially during the Christmas season. Through conversations in the classroom, class competitions, and daily encouragement, these teachers helped students see how small acts of kindness can make a significant impact for families in need.

As Michelle Dey shared, “It was incredible to see our students realize that they have the power to make a real difference. This food drive wasn’t just about collecting cans—it was about teaching compassion, responsibility, and service to others.”

A key highlight of this year’s food drive was the collaboration with St. Francis, St. David, and Holy Cross. Our students took on leadership roles by visiting these schools to deliver exciting and engaging promotions. Their energy and enthusiasm inspired younger students to get involved, motivating them to bring in donations and canned goods and feel proud to be part of a greater cause.

Emi Mardero reflected on this teamwork, saying, “Watching our students step into leadership roles and inspire other schools was truly special. It showed how powerful collaboration can be when we work together for a common goal.”

Back at our own school, the excitement continued. Friendly class competitions added fun and motivation, while reinforcing the message of compassion and community responsibility. Students rallied together with a shared goal, supported by teachers who consistently encouraged them to see the importance of giving to the greater community.

Student Lucas Gutscher shared his experience, “Being part of the food drive made me realize how much of an impact we can have as a team. Bagging groceries and collecting donations was hard work, but seeing the community come together was amazing. I’m proud to be part of something that really helps others.”

To cap off the experience, our students volunteered their time at Messier’s Independent and Chris’ Independent, where they bagged groceries and collected donations from the community. Their hard work, positive attitudes, and willingness to serve did not go unnoticed. These days were an incredible success and a powerful reminder of the impact our students can have beyond school walls.

“I am deeply grateful to our dedicated staff, our amazing students, supportive families, and generous community partners. Together, we have truly lived our faith by reaching out to those in need and sharing the spirit of hope and kindness. This compassion and commitment remind us that the greatest gift we can give is our faith in action.”— Mrs. Belanger, Principal

The Bears Food Drive truly displayed the spirit of generosity, teamwork, and leadership. Thanks to the inspiration of dedicated teachers, the collaboration of our elementary schools, the commitment of our students and our community partners, this year’s food drive was a meaningful success raising $28,256.55.  This accomplishment truly reflects the genuine spirit of giving in the Bears Den.

Last year, around this time, the newly formed FIRST Robotics team at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School gathered around a box of parts and contemplated where to begin. With a group of students relatively new to robotics, and roughly a year ahead of them before their first competition, their first goal was simple: build a robot and get it to move, if only an inch. 

Fast forward to November 2025, and the team has far exceeded that humble objective. Not only did they successfully design and build a fully functioning robot, they built two of them, and their hard work, creativity, and persistence paid off in a big way as they captured first place at the FIRST Tech Challenge Regional Competition. 

Teams participating in the FIRST Tech Challenge work together to design, build, code, and operate robots that face off in alliance-style competitions. With support from coaches and mentors, participants strengthen their STEM abilities and apply real engineering practices, such as documenting their progress in an engineering notebook, to robotics challenges. Along the way, they gain an appreciation for collaboration, creativity, and the effort required to bring their big ideas to life. 

Teacher and Team Coach Loretta Cuda praised her team’s ability to work together and think quickly under pressure. “Our goal was just to get the robot to move, so to see them come together, mentor new grade 9s in our club . . . and score the most points out of all the teams there, I am extremely proud. Was I expecting to be slated for second and then become the winning alliance? No. I am blown away. This team is good at taking criticism and knowing where they need to improve, and I think the whole community is proud of this team and what they’ve done,” she said.  

Grade 12 student Michael Phillips shared how the experience brought the group closer than they ever expected. “Aside from learning more about robotics, I think we really came together and learned what it means to be a team,” he said. “It’s one thing to plan for what we’ll do if a problem comes up with the robot, but on the actual competition day, we learned to put everything aside and work toward a common goal. Each person thought about what they could contribute to help us win.” 

For many students, the competition also opened their eyes to the broader scope of skills required in robotics. Grade 12 student David Akero said the event pushed the team beyond just mechanical and technical work. “The thing about this competition is that it’s not just about how well our robot performs,” he explained. “It’s also about how our business team performs, what our outreach was, how our presentation goes, and how we can share more about our story. There’s a lot of documenting too, that was something we lacked before, but this time it’s something we’re really going to focus on.” 

Akero added that the structure of the challenge reflects real-world expectations. “The way they format the competition, it’s basically like running a business. Some people look for sponsors, others build specific parts. Some of us have to work on public speaking or take part in interviews or understand financial aspects. The organizers included all of that. There’s something for everyone here, and you come out of it better than when you started.” 

Director of Education, Morris Hucal, praised the team on their success. “Congratulations to the St. Benedict FIRST Robotics team on their remarkable achievement at the FIRST Tech Challenge Regional Competition. This win reflects the dedication, creativity, and problem-solving skills that define our Sudbury Catholic students. STEM education continues to be a key focus for our board, and it’s inspiring to see how initiatives like robotics are preparing students for the future. The continued growth of robotics programs across our schools highlights our commitment to hands-on learning and innovation. Congratulations once again to the students, mentors, and educators who made this success possible.” 

For more information on programs and teams at St. Benedict Catholic secondary School, visit https://st-benedict.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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Last month, we were honoured to welcome Dr. Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and Executive Advisor Meena Deol at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

Their visit included meaningful discussions with Vice-Principals about the Right to Read and Dreams Delayed reports, followed by an inspiring conversation with St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s Diversity Student Union. Together, they shared reflections on human rights, inclusion, and the power of student voice to inspire positive change in our communities.

As we move quickly through the school year, visits like these—sparking meaningful conversations on equity and inclusion—serve as powerful reminders of our shared commitment to creating safe and welcoming learning environments. These reflections are especially meaningful as we enter Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.

Students in the Hospitality and Tourism program at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School recently hosted their annual Friendsgiving event, where they prepared and served a full Thanksgiving meal for clients from the March of Dimes. We are pleased to share that once again, this event was a resounding success!

Thank you to all students and staff who took part in the event, and to Hospitality and Tourism teacher Mike Sipos for organizing this meaningful endeavour for another year.

March of Dimes Canada is a national charity dedicated to championing equity, empowering ability, and creating real change that helps people with disabilities in Sudbury and across the country unlock the richness of their lives.

This annual tradition provides St. Benedict students with a hands-on opportunity to showcase their culinary skills, foster community connections, and celebrate Thanksgiving with a spirit of gratitude. The event allowed students and guests to come together over a shared meal , strengthening relationships and spreading joy during the Thanksgiving season.

St. Benedict School Shared:

“We are thrilled to provide our students with real-world experiences in hospitality while connecting with members of our community. Friendsgiving is about more than food—it’s about gratitude, collaboration, and celebrating the bonds that make our community strong.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to extend its thanks to the March of Dimes organization for partnering with our students and supporting meaningful opportunities that highlight both community service and student learning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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On Thursday, September 25, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College school communities came together to host the second annual “Every Child Matters” tribute during the Jr. Boys Football Game at James Jerome Athletic Field. 

The tribute highlighted both schools’ commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the experiences of Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities, while emphasizing their ongoing dedication to acknowledging the past and walking together toward a reconciled future.

The evening began with a land acknowledgement and opening ceremony led by Beverley Belanger, Principal of St. Benedict School, underscoring the importance of reconciliation. This was followed by a smudging ceremony that included participation from crowd attendees. After warm-ups, both teams lined up on the field wearing orange armbands in recognition of Orange Shirt Day—symbolizing remembrance and hope for the future. Joining the players were members of the Indigenous Education team, Juno-nominated artist Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, Lil Miss Atikameksheng 2025/26, Honor Nootchtai, currently a St. Benedict student and Miss Atikameksheng 2025/26 and St. Benedict alumna Destiny Nootchtai.

To conclude the ceremony, a drumming honour song was performed by Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, followed by a coin toss by Destiny Nootchtai. 

“This tribute provided an important opportunity for our students, staff, and community to reflect together,” said Skyeanne Trudeau, Indigenous Support Worker at St. Benedict School. “Through sport, song, and ceremony, we honoured the past and reinforced our commitment to a more understanding and compassionate future.”

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College remain deeply committed to ensuring the spirit of Every Child Matters is carried forward in their classrooms, on their sports fields, and throughout the broader community. Both schools are proud Legacy Schools with the Downie Wenjack Fund, where they have pledged to take meaningful Reconcili-Actions that honour the past and build a better future.

Discover more about Legacy Schools with the Downie Wenjack Fund by visiting: downiewenjack.ca

Grade 11 students from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School spent a day in the chemistry labs at Cambrian College, conducting experiments and having some hands-on fun. 

The chemistry class at St. Benedict is equivalent to a course the students would take at the post-secondary level, and the college has opened its labs to the students so they can complete the requirements of their course. 

“We want to make sure students have the chance to experience what chemistry is like at the college level,” said Hadi Fergani, a professor and program coordinator for Cambrian’s chemical engineering programs. “This has been such a successful program, and the students really seem to enjoy the day in our labs. We hope it encourages more students to pursue careers in chemical engineering.” 

In addition to spending time in the chemistry labs, students also enjoyed lunch in Cambrian’s Student Life Centre, as well as other activities around campus to demonstrate what Cambrian has to offer.