On Thursday, September 26, 2024, The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) celebrated its 7th Annual Welcome BBQ for International Students attending SCDSB schools this year. 

The Board was pleased to welcome 36 international students, 11 more than the previous year.  

The objective of the International Student Program is to foster a genuine and enriching Canadian experience where students can enhance their English language skills and immerse themselves in a supportive community that encourages personal growth, cultural exchange, and lifelong friendships. 

“Students have travelled from far and wide to attend Sudbury Catholic Schools, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences that have truly enriched our school communities. We are blessed to welcome students from an ever-growing list of countries which enriches the experience for all,” said Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education. 

Studying in Canada also gives students the unique opportunity to explore different hobbies and extra-curricular activities they may otherwise not have access to in their home countries.  

Christie, a Grade 12 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, expressed her excitement for the start of the sports season. “I play a lot of sports that I couldn’t really play in China. This year, I’m on the golf and basketball team!” 

Grade 11 students Olivier and Roberto, from St. Charles College, shared her enthusiasm. “We are on the football team, and we don’t really have that sport in Europe. It was something we were really looking forward to—along with learning how to ice skate.” 

They added, “We are also looking forward to winter. Our host family has a snowmobile that we are excited to try.” 

The International Student Program relies heavily on the generosity and support of local families who create a ‘home away from home’ for international students.  

Chair Michael Bellmore, a strong supporter of the program, added, “We are extremely grateful to our host families who make this program possible, and we are always eager to welcome more hosts to our growing community. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain new cultural perspectives, create lasting memories and even rediscover your local community.”   

This year the SCDSB has received students from China, France, Japan, Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. 

For more information on the International Student Program, visit https://international.sudburycatholicschools.ca/. 

For more information on becoming a host family, visit https://www.mlihomestay.com/hosts/the-homestay-experience/. 

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You’re invited! Join us on May 24, 2023, during our online MLI Homestay information sessions. During this information session, you will:

• Learn about the benefits of hosting an international student.
• Learn about the application and approval process.
• Hear first-hand from current hosts and international students!

There will be two different time slots available. Please register for one of the following 45-minute Zoom sessions:

• May 24, 2023, 6pm EST: https://tinyurl.com/7hebckcm
• May 24, 2023 8pm EST: https://tinyurl.com/2t237kxz

Please see the attached poster for more information. 

Edubridge hosted a mini education fair in Vietnam on March 19, 2023 where representatives held a booth for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board! During the fair, Edubridge had an opportunity to meet with many students who showed interest in the Board and our Secondary schools and advise them on the program options available!

Below are some photos of the fair:

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Our International Students were treated to a Sudbury Five game! They were joined by members of their host families, school staff and School Board staff as they watched the game, had fun dancing and a few lucky students even won some pizza!

It was a great way for the students to continue to build community and connection – and they sure had fun! View some of the photos below.

Students in Mrs. Cimino’s class enjoyed learning about Lunar New Year which was celebrated on January 22nd. They made Chinese lanterns to join in the festivities and to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!

The Lunar New Year is a time for celebration and renewal, and it is an important cultural event for many around the world. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on January 22nd, 2023, and marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit.

In Chinese culture, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity, so it is regarded that 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.

Many of our schools find unique ways to celebrate this holiday, and we look forward to seeing how they will incorporate the celebration of Lunar New Year into the classroom by teaching students about the holiday and its history through activities.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity, and celebrating Lunar New Year is one way to accomplish this. By celebrating Lunar New Year, we promote understanding and acceptance of different cultures, and foster a sense of community within our learning environments.

Wishing everyone a Happy Lunar New Year! May the Year of the Rabbit bring good luck, prosperity, and hope to all.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that 28 students have entered the International Education program for the 2022-2023 year; 21 students have arrived for the Fall Semester and seven new students will also be arriving in February 2023. 

Countries of origin for current students include China, Hong Kong, Japan, Nigeria, Spain, and Vietnam. The Board will also be welcoming students in February from the countries of Bangladesh, China, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. The goal of the International Education program is to provide students with an authentic Canadian experience while they improve their English proficiency and prepare for success in an inclusive, caring, and innovative Catholic learning environment.

To date, students are registered at the following schools:

• Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S: 1 Student
• St. Benedict C.S.S: 12 Students
• St. Charles College: 4 Students
• Marymount Academy: 4 Students

The students who have arrived and their host families were welcomed to Sudbury and the Board during a barbecue which took place on September 27, 2022, at Marymount Academy. 

“Each year, we are fortunate to welcome students from all over the world into our school communities. This year, we are welcoming 28 exceptional students throughout the year,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “Students will originate from 10 different countries! We look forward to connecting with these students throughout the year as they improve their English proficiency, make lifelong friends and experience everything our wonderful city has to offer! The success of our growing program is only possible through the caring and supportive approach offered by our amazing teachers and staff. We are very thankful for all that they do each day to make our program a success.” 

“We are delighted to welcome new and returning students to the International Education program,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “This year, we will be welcoming students from two new countries; Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In addition, our program continues to grow as more schools across the Board are welcoming students to their communities. The Board of Trustees is honoured to support a program geared toward diversity, connectivity, and inclusion.”

The success of the program is also a result of the many generous and supportive host families we have available. The board is always looking to recruit to fill the ever-growing community of host families at MLI Homestay. Interested families can contact Devon Crossgrove at dcrossgrove@mlihomestay.com or 705.507.8052. Being a host family is an amazing opportunity for our students and our families. 

International Students and their host families from Sudbury Catholic Schools were invited to a fun evening of learning how to bake Gingerbread cookies led by Skills Ontario expert and Summer Camp Program Manager Kayla Bezarie.

Try out this delicious recipe; Learn To Bake Gingerbread Cookies while trying out the skills of a Patisserie or Pastry Chef during the Christmas holidays!

The Parent Involvement Committee is very pleased to once again to support virtual learning sessions throughout the winter and spring. 

Our next session is on March 10: MLI Homestay. Being a host family is a rewardingexperience! Join this session to understand how Homestay works herein Sudbury. This session will touch on the many benefits of becoming ahost family and the key requirements for hosting an internationalstudent. We will also discuss how things have been modified as we alllearn to live with Covid-19 in our midst.

All sessions will take place virtually through Zoom between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.  These are excellent opportunities to learn about topics that are relevant to you. 

Register HERE!

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the most important festival in China and a major event in other Asian countries. Chinese Lunar New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12th and is celebrated for 16 days! Happy New Year!

Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet is the most important and popular holiday and festival in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year marking the arrival of spring based on the Lunar calendar, a lunisolar calendar. The name Tet Nguyen Dan is Sino-Vietnamese for Feast of the very First Morning.

Tet takes place from the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar (around late January or early February) until at least the third day. Many Vietnamese prepare for Tet by cooking special holiday foods and cleaning their house. There are a lot of customs practiced during Tet such as visiting a person’s house on the first day of the new year (xông nhà), ancestral worship, wishing New Year’s greetings, giving lucky money to children and elderly people and opening a shop.