Principal's Report 

Principal’s Report

Caritas Launch 

Next Tuesday our choir will join the Sandhurst community to launch Project Compassion.  Project Compassion is a national fundraising campaign that spans across the six weeks of Lent every year. It is an initiative of Caritas Australia, a Catholic agency for international aid and development. Project Compassion supports people living in poverty around the world by funding long-term development programs that promote justice and dignity.  Our school raises money by participating in Caritas Ks which will be held later in the term, Friday 28th March (details to follow). 

St Kilian’s Swimming Carnival  

As we approach the St. Kilian's Swimming Carnival for 2025, enthusiasm is building among our students. On Friday March 7th, all students will have the opportunity to participate in various swimming races and novelty events at the Bendigo East Swimming Pool, earning points for their respective Houses. The primary goal of the day is to foster enjoyment, and we encourage students to engage in any events they wish to try. We warmly invite members of our school community to join us throughout the day to support our participants. 

Parents and Friends Committee 

The Parents and Friends (P&F) serves as a social and fundraising entity within St Kilian’s School. In addition to its mission of raising funds to support the school’s resources and facilities, the P&F provides parents with the opportunity to engage in the school community. The P&F aims to create a constructive platform for the exchange of ideas and discussions on pertinent issues, fostering collaboration between teachers and parents. We invite all members of the school community to consider participating in the P&F. 

The 2025 P&F Committee’s focus is enhancing parent and community engagement, therefore the major events planned are 

• Term 1 St Kilian’s Trivia Night (over 18s event) 

• Term 2: Family Movie Night 

• Term 3: Student Disco 

• Term 4: Family Christmas Party/Event 

We are excited to introduce our 2025 P&F Sponsorship packages which will support these events. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for you to make a lasting impact on our school community during the 2025 school year. Sponsorship packages are detailed on the P&F section of our newsletter. 

Public Holiday - Labour Day 

The school will be closed on Monday 10th March, as it is the Labour Day Public Holiday. 

Pupil Free Days Term 1 

The staff are participating in a Professional Learning with the Knowledge Society on Tuesday 1st April.  The YMCA will be offering care on this day, see information in the newsletter regarding this.  This day will focus on the Behaviour Curriculum and the way we interact with each other. 

Volunteers and Working With Children Checks 

At St Kilian's Primary School, we value the support of volunteers. Our volunteers are integral to the school experience for our students and they provide an important link to the community. We welcome your interest in volunteering and hope you will find the experience rewarding.  Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd and St Kilian's Primary School's priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and children. For this reason, we follow all measures, advice and orders that support this. The school requires that any adult who wishes to volunteer at St Kilian’s School, in any capacity, requires a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).  Parents who are teachers do not need a check but need to provide a current VIT registration.  Parents who are Police officers are exempt from needing a WWCC.  Attaining a volunteers WWCC is free and easy. Simply click on the following link for more information: http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/  If you already have a WWCC please email a copy to office@skbendigo.catholic.edu.au  

Grade 6 Camp 

Grade 6 Camp is a valuable experience that provides students with an opportunity to further their learning and social skills development in a non-school setting. The Canberra camp focuses on the Civics and Citizenship curriculum area incorporating an understanding of how we’re governed and our Australian identity. Students develop independence, social skills and deeper conceptual understandings through the direct experience of appropriate camps.  Students from our school will soon be undertaking, an education tour of the national capital. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. Dates: Tuesday 12th March (arrive at school at 7:00 am for a 7:15 am departure) - Friday 15th March (approx 5:30 pm). 

Week 6 

• 4th March Shrove Tuesday  
• 5th March Ash Wednesday  
• 7th March St Kilian’s Swimming Carnival 

God Bless 

Kimberley McSweeney 

Principal