Meet our dedicated heritage and language instructors: Giulia, Tolulope, Adejare, and Olivia. They pour their hearts every Saturday morning teaching our students about the beauty of both the Italian and Yoruba culture
This morning, our international heritage and language classes came together to celebrate the rich and vibrant Yoruba culture. Our students gathered in our conference room to immerse themselves in the traditions and customs of this incredible heritage.
To kick off this morning’s celebration, our Italian teachers were gifted beautiful handmade t-shirts and adorned with “Gele” traditional head ties, unique to Yoruba women. Just take a look at how stunning Maestra Olivia and Maestra Giulia look!
Our international Heritage and Language students had the privilege of hosting a special guest today – Storyteller Elder Samuel Eleko.
During the session, Elder Eleko shared fascinating insights into Yoruba folklore, particularly the significance of animals in their stories. Did you know that animals play essential roles in Yoruba tales, often symbolizing various virtues and qualities?
One of the most beloved characters is the tortoise, revered for its wisdom and longevity. In Yoruba folklore, the tortoise is said to live over 300 years, making it incredibly wise and cunning.
The highlight of the session was the retelling of the classic story “The Tortoise and the Elephant” in the Yoruba language, followed by an English translation. This timeless tale carries profound lessons about humility, the power of knowledge, and the importance of never underestimating anyone.
As our students immersed themselves in the story, they were reminded that true wisdom comes from learning, and humility is key to growth. Let’s continue to celebrate Black History Month by honouring the rich cultural heritage and valuable teachings of the Yoruba people!
What a truly magnificent celebration we experienced yesterday at Holy Redeemer Church as we honoured our first cohort of 2023-2024 PSW graduates!
Our School’s Superintendent of Education, Peter Prochilo, provided greetings from the board, and trustee Ray Desjardin attended the celebration.
We are excited to announce that 14 graduates have achieved their PSW certification, marking a significant milestone in their healthcare journey. But wait, there’s more – an additional 5 students have earned a double graduation, obtaining their PSW certificate alongside their OSSD!
With not one, but two valedictorians due to a tie in voting, Audrey and Dianne shared inspiring words that truly captured the essence of our graduates’ spirit.
Audrey eloquently expresses, “It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today, representing this dynamic group who have equipped themselves with vast knowledge and embraced a holistic approach in considering one’s health. I can assure you that this group seated before you here today is definitely the difference to the world of personal support workers.”
While Dianne passionately affirms, “Learning is a powerful tool…and we are the backbone of the healthcare system, the eyes, and the ears for those above us. We are team players, problem solvers, compassionate, trustworthy, and empathetic, among other qualities…”
We extend our gratitude to our community partners who provided invaluable hands-on experience to our students during their placements. A big shout out goes to St. Joseph’s Villa, St. Gabriel’s Villa, Maison McCullough Hospice, Center for the Deaf and Blind, ICAN Sudbury, and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
Special thanks to Dawn-Marie Brunet, our PSW teacher and coordinator of the PSW program, for her dedication, guidance and support.
Congratulations to our PSW grads: – Dominica A – Julie A – Chaomu B – Alexandra B – Dianna F – Able L – Kaylyn L – Audrey M – Alyssa M – Rebecca N – Celeste P – Ashley P – Kaitlyn W – Courtney W
