Dear Parents / Carers,

It has been a wonderful first full week of school for all students, with the College settling quickly into the rhythm of learning, community, and connection. Yesterday we gathered for our Opening Mass, where Father John Mulrooney msc offered a homily that captured the spirit of Chevalier so beautifully.

As someone who first walked through our gates as a Year 7 student 60 years ago, and who later served the College as a teacher, boarding supervisor, and principal in the early 2000s, Father John is uniquely placed to speak to the heart of our community. Currently, Father John serves as our College Chaplain, and his homily at yesterday’s Mass resonated deeply. I share much of it below and although it was directed to students, I am sure staff, parents, and the wider Chev community can take much from what Father John shared.

“As a Catholic MSC school we have a good story to tell about the power of love in the very heart of a school – a story that has been passed on from generation to generation – and as this simple story tells, you are all at the heart of that story.

Here at Chev since its beginning 80 years ago, we have tried to be a place where love, compassion and kindness are at its very heart – that no matter how bad things seem, no matter what tragedies happen, no matter what mess we might get into, whatever mistakes we make – there is good to be found in each and every one of you and every staff member and every parent. There is God to be found in all things.

If the historical Jesus of Nazareth who lived in Palestine for a short 33 years was standing here and asked us what we meant when we talk about love being in the heart of the school, I think we would answer him this way……

It’s a love that values each of you as a unique individual with your own gifts and talents to contribute to the life of Chev, your family and the community beyond;

It’s a love that welcomes each of you here no matter your background, your gender, your gender identity, your intellectual abilities, your orientation, your religious tradition or no tradition, your disability, your cultural background and so on. You are all welcome! You create a web of relationships;

It is a love that challenges you to be better than you sometimes think you are;

It’s a love that affirms you and challenges you too when your behavior is even less than you would expect;

It’s a love that wants you to reach your age-appropriate potential each year;

It’s a love that wants you to grow to be a very beautiful human being;

It’s a love that says we are all different and you are OK, you do have an innate goodness in your heart and you are loveable.

You know what I think Jesus would then say to us: “You Chev mob – you are blessed.” And when he says the word ‘blessed’ he is saying, “You guys are giving this a good go. Just keep working on it as you do.” None of us are perfect, we don’t always get it right – but we keep working on it and keep that vision in front of everyone.”

Father John reminds us, in the year when we celebrate our 80 years as a College, that the charism handed down to us by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart remains as alive and needed today as it was in 1946. His words call us back to what truly matters: seeing the goodness in one another, recognising God’s presence in all things, and choosing love, even when it is difficult. 

As we begin this year together, may we continue to nurture a community where every person feels welcomed, valued, challenged, supported, and deeply loved.

Have a great weekend.

Greg Miller

Principal 

Flexible Monday - Reminder

This Monday 9 February is a Flexible Monday for Years 10, 11 and 12.  

As communicated in the College Statement emailed to parents and carers on 9 December, there is no flipped learning for Years 7, 8 and 9 in 2026.  These year groups have a timetabled day of face to face lessons on Flexible Mondays.

Reception and Student Services Now Co-Located

The College Reception, Student Services and First Aid are now co-located and accessible via the main glass doors at the former Reception entrance. Parents and carers are asked to attend Student Services in this location when collecting students or attending scheduled meetings. Parking can be accessed via Gate 4.

McGrath Hall Redevelopment – Changes to Car Park Arrangements

Construction works will commence shortly, impacting the JFC / McGrath Hall car park. For student safety, parents and carers must use Pick-up Points A and B and should not enter the JFC / McGrath Hall car parks.

Student Address Collection - 2026

The Australian Government Department of Education requests non-government schools to provide address details for the purpose of informing Australian Government school education policy and helping to ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need.

Chevalier College is required to provide the department with the following information about each student at the school by no later than Wednesday 11 March 2026:

• Names and residential addresses of students’ parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
• Student residential address (excluding student names)
• Whether the student is a primary or secondary student (education level)
• Whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).

The school collects the above information by generating a unique and unidentifiable student reference number (SRN) for each student record, which is also provided to the department.  

What you need to do

If your residential address has recently changed and you have not yet advised us, please update your details in Parent Orbit.  

Project Compassion

Recently the College was recognised for our 2025 fundraising efforts in Caritas Australia’s 2026 Schools Fundraising Guide. It was wonderful to see last year’s efforts across a number of initiatives being acknowledged in this way. Next month we will launch our 2026 Project Compassion Campaign.

Year 12 Retreat

Information was sent to families late last year regarding the Year 12 Retreat. If you have not done so already, please ensure that you have given your child permission using Parent Orbit. If your child has any dietary requirements, please register these using the Venue 360 link sent from the Collaroy Centre. Please contact Sandy Abbey, Assistant Principal - Faith formation and Mission, if you have any questions.

Sandy Abbey

Assistant Principal - Faith Formation and Mission

SKODEL - Digital Wellbeing Platform 

As part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, we are continuing Skodel access for all students at Chevalier College. Skodel is a wellbeing assistant for students, and is supported by leading psychologist, Andrew Fuller. It helps students unpack their feelings and provides action steps they can take to improve their wellbeing. Following the successful implementation in 2024, we are commencing Skodel across the College starting Term 1. 

How it works

We will use Skodel to send students a check-in message up to 3 times per term. Each check-in gives students an opportunity to reflect on and share how they are feeling at the time. Skodel will guide them through this process, and at the end of the check-in it will suggest action steps they could add to their action plan. It also includes links to wellbeing resources that can be accessed by students at any time. 

If for any reason you have concerns about your child participating in the wellbeing check- ins, please contact Kelly Walker, Assistant Principal – Wellbeing and Growth by midday Wednesday 11 February via email - walkerk@chevalier.nsw.edu.au 

For more information on Skodel, you can visit their website www.skodel.com. 

Kelly Walker

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Growth

Year 10 Vaccinations

Year 10 vaccinations will take place at school on Monday 9 February.

If you would like your child to receive vaccinations, please provide consent online

by following the steps below:

How to provide consent

1. Go to https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school vaccination

2. Log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver's licence. If you don't have a ServiceNSW account, refer to the instructions on this website to create one:

   https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/myservicensw-account/how-to-create-an-account

3. Update or confirm your personal details

4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form:

    

• enter your child's details
• add the Medicare card details for your child
• read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement

• tick the boxes to give consent for each vaccine.

   

Need Help?

To view a short video on how to provide consent click HERE.

Students should attend school as normal on this day and wear sports uniform. NSW Health public health unit will be on site during school hours; students will be called by class group.

Please ensure that consent forms have been completed prior Monday 9 February as students cannot receive vaccinations without parent/carer consent. Please encourage your child to stay hydrated and have breakfast.

If your child is unwell on the day of the vaccinations or you have any questions or concerns, please contact First Aid on 4861 0534.

Taneia Cupitt

First Aid Officer - Chevalier College

Year 11 Information Session

The College will be holding an information session on Thursday 12 February at 7.00pm for Year 11 parents and carers to discuss academic care and wellbeing throughout Stage 6. This will be held in the Sacré Cœur Performing Arts Centre.

• Welcome – Mr Greg Miller
• Acknowledgement of Country and Prayer – Mr Sandy Abbey
• Academic Care and managing the HSC and NESA regulations – Mrs Rebecca Graham
• Wellbeing, Support and Student Leadership – Ms Kelly Walker

• Q and A

   

We look forward to your attendance at this important event.

ISA Round 8 - Saturday 7 February 2026

We’re seeking parent volunteers to help make our home game hospitality a success by assisting at the Sports BBQ.

BBQ and Coffee will be located on Coates Oval.

Your support is greatly appreciated!

Click here to view the BBQ volunteer roster.

Summer Sports Team Photos

Summer sports team photos will be held on Wednesday 11 February during Period 1.

• Students can check Daily Notices for specific photo times.

• All students must be in full summer uniform. Year 11 & 12 must have a blazer.

   

Teams to be photographed:

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Cricket
• Girls Touch Football
• Boys Touch Football
• Mountain Biking - Competition Team (Not Year 7)

NSW All Schools Triathlon

Nominations for students wishing to enter the NSW All Schools Triathlon will open Monday 2 February.

• One team/individual per division will be accepted to compete. Students may be asked to submit verified times to assist with selections.
• For team events, students must have a proven ability in the leg for which they are nominating. For individual events, students must have prior experience in Triathlon or multi-disciplinary events.
• Nominations will close 3:30pm Wednesday 11 February 2026. No late nominations will be accepted.
• The Nomination form can be found in Student Daily Notices from Monday 2 February 2026.

College Swimming Carnival - Friday 27 February

Registrations are now open

PLEASE BE AWARE: We have been advised that many students have not received their email with username and password.  We are working with Sports Tracker to resolve the issue and will update students next week. 

•  The Swimming Carnival is a compulsory school event, and all students are expected to be in attendance.
• Students who wish to participate in events in the 50m pool MUST register online via Sports Tracker.
• All students have been emailed their Sports Tracker login details directly from Sports Tracker.  Students who did not receive the email are to see Coach Phillips in C1 during B1 or 2 Tuesday or Thursday.
• Students cannot register for 50m events on the day of the carnival.
• Novelty events will be held in the 25m pool.  Students do not need to register for novelty events.
• Sports Tracker registrations will close 12:00pm Friday 20 February.
• Relay Teams will be selected by House Captains on the day.
• Students can access Carnival Rules via the link provided in the Student Daily Notices.
• Students can access the Sports Tracker user guide via the link provided in the Student Daily Notices.

Coach Phillips

Extra Curriculum Coordinator

Welcome Evening

Year 7 parents/carers and parents/carers of any students who are new to the College are warmly invited to our Welcome Evening on Thursday 19 February. Come along and meet other families and learn a little more about life at Chev. Enjoy a drink and canapés and hear from our Principal and Student Leaders.

Please book your complimentary tickets below by Thursday 12 February

Welcome Evening Tickets

• Flexible Monday - 9 February
• HSC English Assessment Task 1- Speaking - 9 February
• HSC Physics Excursion to Tyree Transformers - 9 February
• Year 11 Biology Field Study - 9 February
• Year 10 Vaccinations - 9 February
• Year 7 and Year 11 Buddy Leader program - 10 February
• Summer Sport and catch up photos - 11 February
• Year 11 Information Evening - 12 February
• Kangaroo Valley Show - 13 February
• Year 7 and 11 Buddy Leader Program - 13 February
• Flexible Monday - 16 February
• Year 10 VET Concreting Incursion - 16 February
• Year 12 UOW Discovery Day - 16 February
• Year 12 Art Gallery of NSW excursion - 16 February
• Welcome Evening - New Families - 19 February
• Year 7 and 11 Buddy LeaderProgram - 20 February