From Our Principal

Newsletter ~ Term 3, Week 4, 2026

Principal's Message:

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends of St Mel’s Primary School,

Another wonderful fortnight of school learning comes to a close as we approach the middle of Term Three. I am grateful for the support of a dedicated team of teachers and allied staff who daily support the learning needs of our children within the Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd MAGNIFY approach to evidence-based learning and teaching.

In coming weeks we look to offer a series of Learning Walks providing parents, carers, grandparents and members of the parish with an opportunity to visit our Learning Suites to observe learning sessions in progress and then gather together to unpack the visits with a prescribed process. Stay tuned for dates and times to follow.  

Magnify Sandhurst' 

Every Student - Every Teacher - Every School - Every Day!

Installation of Bishop Rene Ramirez as 9th Bishop of Sandhurst:

Parishioners, families, staff and students gathered in celebration with our new Bishop Rene in Bendigo last Thursday for his holy Installation as Bishop of Sandhurst. It was a truly wonderful celebration of our Catholic faith and of Bishop Rene's new mission as shepherd of the Sandhurst flock.

I encourage you to read Bishop Rene's HOMILY shared with those gathered for his Installation and reflect on his first words to the people of the Diocese of Sandhurst. We look forward to a visit from our new Bishop (and former Parish Priest) once he has settled into his new role.

Bishop Rene has also issued his first Pastoral Letter to the Sandhurst Diocese which is also attached to this newsletter:

2027 Foundation Enrolments:

We are approaching capacity for Foundation enrolments for the 2027 school year with three new enrolments this week.

Families still yet to present for enrolment and/or complete the required documentation are reminded to do so by completing ONLINE enrolment forms via our school website now:

www.smshepparton.catholic.edu.au

2027 St Mel's Kinder Enrolments:

Parents and carers with children to commence at St Mel's Kindergarten are advised to enrol now for next year. Independently judged as best local kindergarten, the St Mel's Kindergarten offers a wonderful early years program for pre-school children. Places will fill quickly and parents and carers are advised to contact Kinder Enrolment Officer Leah via:

                    Phone: 0439 336 014

                    Email: scececenrolment@ceosand.catholic.edu.au

                    Website: www.stmelskindergarten.weebly.com

2026 Athletics Day (Today):

Congratulations to all students who participated in our annual Athletics Carnival today at McEwan Reserve. Many thanks to Lily Beer, PE Specialist Teacher for the hours of planning and preparation to ensure a wonderful day of activity. Lily has been supported by Chris Munari (PE Specialist Teacher) and Danae Napier (deputy Principal).

It was lovely to observe the children enjoying themselves and striving to Do Their Best and Help Others Succeed!

Results:

• House Spirit Award: Mel

  Winning House: Scalabrini

Thank you to the many parents, carers, grandparerents, family members and parishioners who visited McEwan Reserve across the day to encourage and cheer the children on in their respective heats. It truly was a wonderful day of athletic participation and competition with our students displaying wonderful House and school spirit. So encoraging to see our children so enthusiastic and 'having a real go' at the events across the day. 

we are also especially grateful to teacher, Trent and the Year 10 students from our sister school St Anne's College, Kialla, for supporting our students participate in the varioues athletic events across the day. A few past St Mel's students and some students who attended other local primary schools back in the day, providing our students with outstanding role models, whilst providing wonderful encouragement yesterday!  Well done to all!

CESL Teaching For Impact PL Day - This Thursday 13 August 2026:

Our teachers, Learning Support and Wellbeing staff will travel to St Mary of the Angel's College for a professional learning day facilitated by Teach Well, an organisation focussed on enhancing teaching, direct instruction and supporting student learning. We look forward to this day of professional learning with colleagues from local CESL schools and colleges.

A reminder - there is no school for students on this day.

St Mel's Uniting OSHC will offer a day long program for families seeking care on Thursday.

The Year 3/4 Specialist Program will be moved to Friday 14 August - remember to dress in correct school sports uniform on this day!

CESL Spirituality Day at St Mel's PS:

Our hosting of, and involvement in, the 2026 CESL Spirituality Day was a wonderful day for our Staff Team and the teams from:

• St Anne's College, Kialla
• St Mary's PS, Mooroopna
• St Joseph's PS, Nagambie
• Sacred Heart PS, Tatura
• CESL Central Team, Tatura

Over 250 staff participated in a day of prayer, reflection and colleagialty, in solidarity with staff from across Sandhurst. The program for the day included:

• Acknowledgement of Country & Openin g Prayer
• Online Keyntoe Presentation from Bishop Tim Norton, Brishop of Broome
• Online Presentations from Stan Grant and Lisa McInnes-Smith
• Face to Face Reflective Sessions led by our own Danae Napier and Ann-Margaret Carroll (St Mary's PS, Mooroopna)
• Online Q&A session between Kate Fogarty, Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst and Bishop Tim Norton

It was a truly wonderful opportunity to gather locally and across the Sandhurst Diocese to engage in personal, spiritual and professional reflection, especially with colleagues from local schools. This was also a perfect opportunity to show off our school and developments that have occurred over recent years to our learning and outdoor spaces. Former staff of St Mel's PS, now working in local schools, who returned on Wednesday were very compementary of the significant improvements that we have been making.

Bullying! No Way!! Day!!!

This annual focus on Pro-Resilience and Anti-Bullying will be held on Monday 17 August.

Book Week 2027 ~ 'A Symphony of Stories'

 As part of the celebrations children will attend a theatrical Book Week themed performance in our hall, have an opportunity to purchase books from our Book Fair and on Friday 28 August dress up in the theme of Book Week. Keep en eye on our library as Maria performs her Book Week Magic to transform this learning area in keeping with this year's theme.

Details to follow...

Capital Improvement Update:

Our tender period closed recently with a builder to be announced shortly who will transform our Year 3 to Year 6 Learning Suites into separate spaces divided by 'teaching walls' and moveable doors. The kitchen, project and intervention spaces will also be transformed into separate stand-alone learning areas, similar to the Atelier adjacent to our Year 1 and Year 2 Learning Suites. It is expected works will commence later this term and be completed by the end of the school year. Our project also includes an upgrade of student tables and chairs, along with new floor coverings. This exciting and much needed capital improvement project has been funded by the Australian Government Capital Grants Program for Non-Government Schools, with a local contribution from our Capital Levy. We are very grateful for the ongoing support of the Australian Government and Victorian Catholic Block Grant Authority for supporting this school improvement project. Plans are underway to relocate the Year 3 to Year 6 Pastoral Groups onsite during this exciting capital improvement project with will significantly improve the learning and teaching environments for these students.  

ORIMA School Improvement Annual Survey:

These will be made available to parents and carers shortly as part of our continual school improvement agenda. Feedback from our broader community is most welcome as part o fthis annual survey period. In addition to our parents and carers, children from Year 4 to Year 6 will be surveyed during class sessions and our Staff Team surveyed across a number of areas of school life. For the past three years we have analysed the survey feedback at School Advisory Council and Staff meetings, using the feedback as part of our Strategic and Annual goal setting for ongoing school renewal and improvement. As a multifaith, multicultural Catholic school community we are seeking a cross section of responses from our school community.

Staffing Update

• Di Walker, our Leader: Learner Diversity, Pastoral Wellbeing & Mental Health Leader will be away for the coming week.
• Robyn Banfield, Arts Specialist Teacher has been on Long Service Leave this week.
• Our Year 4 teacher, Shane Griffin, has recently taken leave as part of his 60th birthday celebrations. Our children, especially the Year 3 and 4 children, have been very excited in helping Shane celebrate this significant '0' birthday this week!

St Mel's Uniting Outside School Hours Care - Vacation, Student Free Days and Before School Care: 

NOTE: Registering your child/children in St Mel's Uniting Outside School Hours Care can take up to a week to process, given the documentation required.

Parents and carers are recommended to register NOW if there is a possibility of using this service at any time this year. Once registered, children are booked in via the registration app.

Parents and carers seeking more information or wishing to register children for Vacation Care are directed to contact Uniting Vic Tas directly by:

             Phone: 1800 183 103

             Email: earlylearning@unitingvictas.org.au

St. Mel's Uniting School Holiday Care:

The St Mel's Uniting Outside School Hours Care service offers an exciting and interesting program for the school holidays. Students can be booked in from one day through to all days of the program. Further program information will be available closer to the next holidays.

School Dates:

Please check the Upcoming Dates & Events section of the newsletter regularly.

Did you know? ~