Catholic Identity

2025 Diocesan Theme
Pilgrims of Hope: Embracing the Jubilee Year 2025

2025 ~ 2026 Sacramental Program

Sacrament of Reconciliation ~ It was a beautiful night on Thursday, as our Sacramental children made their First Reconciliation. Our children were so reverent and filled with grace as they participated in the liturgy surrounded by their loved ones. Fr. Adi led our community in prayer, and our families supported each of our candidates. We thank our Sacramental Team for their support & guidance in helping to prepare our children.

Our children displayed so much growth during our journey towards making the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and we look forward to witnessing this growth and continuing our journey next year in 2025. We continue to pray for all our Sacramental children as they continue their journey, as they begin to prepare to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist early next year.

Season of Advent & Giving Tree

First Sunday of Advent: A Season of Hope, Anticipation and Preparation

This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, a beautiful season of hope, anticipation, and preparation as we journey toward the celebration of Christmas. Advent invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus into our lives and homes.

For families, Advent is a time to come together in faith and create meaningful traditions. Lighting the candles on the Advent wreath each week is a powerful reminder of Christ as the Light of the World. The first candle, often called the "Candle of Hope," symbolises the hope we find in God’s promises and the joy of the coming Messiah.

This season also calls us to focus on the values of love, peace, and joy. It is a wonderful opportunity to engage in acts of kindness, prayer, and reflection as a family. Whether through daily prayer, reading Scripture, or sharing stories of hope and generosity, Advent reminds us of God’s enduring love and the true meaning of Christmas.

May this Advent season bring your family moments of peace, opportunities for connection, and the joy of preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Wishing you a blessed Advent!

1. Advent Week 1 - 2025.pdf

2. Advent Week 2 - 2025.pdf

St. Mel's Giving Tree: Sharing Christmas Joy

As we enter the Christmas season, St. Mel’s is delighted to continue our heartfelt tradition of the Giving Tree. Each year, our community comes together to provide gifts for those in need, extending our hands in generosity and love through the wonderful work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

If you would like to participate, we welcome donations of small, wrapped gifts with a label indicating the intended recipient (e.g., "10-year-old boy," "5-year-old girl"). These gifts can be brought to school with your child, who will have the joy of placing them under our Giving Tree in the school foyer.

On the final day of term, all the gifts collected will be presented to St. Vincent de Paul for distribution to local families in time for Christmas. This simple act of giving allows our children to experience the true spirit of the season—one of hope, joy, and compassion.

Thank you for your generous support and for helping us spread the light of Christmas throughout our community.

2025 Year Six Graduation Mass ~

We warmly invite our St Mel’s community to join us as we celebrate our Year 6 students and their primary school journey at our Graduation Mass on Thursday, 11th December at 6:00pm at St Mel’s Church. Following Mass, families are invited to return to school for a picnic tea together as we continue the celebration.

We look forward to sharing this special evening with you as we honour our graduating students and wish them every blessing for their exciting next chapter.

"Go forth and set the world on fire"
St Ignatius of Loyola

Sandhurst Awards: Celebrating Inspirational Leadership and Learning

We are so proud to share that two of our Year 5 students, Audrey Gacus and Bray Impey, were honoured at the inaugural Sandhurst Awards held last week in Bendigo.

Audrey and Bray attended with their proud mums and were both presented to the audience, walked the red carpet, and received their certificates from our Executive Director, Kate Fogarty. We are incredibly proud of the way they live out our school values each day. Their dedication, kindness, and curiosity shine brightly and reflect the heart of who we are as a St Mel’s community.

These awards, introduced by Catholic Education Sandhurst, recognise the outstanding contributions and character of students and staff across our Diocese, celebrating those who lead with faith, courage, compassion, and a love of learning.

Inspirational Student Leader – Awarded to a student who leads with faith, courage, and compassion: Audrey Gacus

Inspirational Learner – Awarded to a student who demonstrates a love of learning through curiosity, reflection, and persistence: Bray Impey

Their nomination pieces can be read below.

Actions speak louder than words, let your words teach and your actions speak”

Saint Anthony of Padua

Mission Month ~ Year 5 Just Leadership Day

Ten of our Year 5 students attended the Sandhurst Caritas Just Leadership Day on Tuesday. The day focused on developing leadership skills, deepening understanding of social justice, and recognising the importance of working together to make a positive difference in our world.

Led by Kerry Stone from Caritas Australia, students participated in a range of engaging and interactive activities that encouraged teamwork, empathy, and courageous action. They explored real-world issues faced by communities locally and globally, and reflected on how they, as young leaders, can contribute to building a more just and compassionate society.

Our students represented St Mel’s with enthusiasm and pride, embracing every opportunity to grow as leaders who live out the Gospel values. We look forward to seeing them bring their ideas and inspiration back to our school community.