Principals Update 

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a busy and vibrant few weeks at the College, with a wide range of activities, events and opportunities across our community. As I have moved from one event to the next, I have been reminded of how important these experiences are to the education of our young people.

While academic learning remains at the heart of what we do, it is equally important that we provide opportunities for students to discover their strengths, pursue their passions, build confidence and contribute to the life of the College. Whether through sport, music, leadership, faith, service, the arts or community events, these experiences help educate and develop the whole child. They allow our students to showcase their talents in many different ways and remind us of the richness of life at Catholic College Sale.

Founders Day

One of the highlights of the past few weeks was our celebration of Founders Day.

It was a fantastic day as we came together to honour and celebrate our founding orders, the Sion Sisters, who began Catholic education in Sale in 1890, and the Marist Brothers, who arrived in 1922. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these courageous and visionary religious communities, whose commitment to Catholic education laid the foundations for the College we enjoy today.

During the day, I reminded students that many of their parents, grandparents and other family members had been educated by the Marist Brothers and Sion Sisters. The impact of their work extends far beyond our current students and staff.

I shared with students an important message:

"People do not simply pass through Catholic College Sale. They become part of its story."

We are a community built across generations. A community that stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. Every one of us has been given opportunities that previous generations worked incredibly hard to provide. That is a privilege. And with privilege comes obligation.

Our obligation is to make the most of those opportunities, to work hard, to be grateful, to support one another, to strive to be the very best version of ourselves, and ultimately to leave this place better than we found it.

The day began with a beautiful liturgy in which we acknowledged our founders and gave thanks for their contribution to Catholic education. It was a meaningful opportunity for our community to reflect on our rich heritage and the values that continue to guide us.

This was followed by the much-anticipated House Acts. Once again, our students were outstanding. The talent, creativity, enthusiasm and spirit on display were exceptional, and it was particularly pleasing to see students from all year groups collaborating and supporting one another. These performances are a wonderful example of the community spirit within our House system and highlight the importance of participation and belonging.

In addition to the House Acts, we were treated to several outstanding individual and band performances. These performances showcased the remarkable depth of talent at Catholic College Sale and were a wonderful reminder of our students' confidence, dedication and creativity. Congratulations to every student who participated and shared their gifts with our community.

Congratulations to Theodore House, led by Mr Rodney Curtis, who were deserved winners on the day. Thank you to all students and staff for helping to make Founders Day such a memorable celebration of our history, identity and community.

Timor Immersion and Vietnam Tour

Over the past fortnight, we also saw our Timor Immersion Group depart for what proved to be a life-changing experience.

Working alongside the Australian Marist Solidarity team, students and staff had the opportunity to visit schools across Timor-Leste, assist in educational settings and witness firsthand the impact of our College community's fundraising efforts. One of the most powerful aspects of immersions such as this is seeing the difference our support can make in others' lives while also gaining a deeper understanding of gratitude, service and global citizenship.

The feedback from both staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive, with all reporting it an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience. Opportunities such as these challenge our young people to step outside their comfort zones, develop a greater appreciation of different cultures, and strengthen their commitment to service.

A sincere thank you to Julia Moulton, Mark Dobel and Sarah Jeffery-Spiteri for their leadership, care and commitment in guiding our students through this wonderful experience.

As one group returns, another begins its journey. Our Vietnam Tour Group departs this week, and we look forward to following their travels and experiences on our College social media channels over the coming weeks. We wish all students and staff safe travels and an enriching experience.

School Musical

Last Thursday evening, I had the privilege of attending our College musical, and it was a fantastic production.

From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear how much work, commitment and talent had gone into bringing the performance to life. Our students delivered an outstanding show that entertained the audience from start to finish. The quality of the singing, acting, choreography and musicianship was exceptional, reflecting the countless hours of rehearsal throughout the year.

One of the aspects I enjoyed most was seeing students from Years 7 to 12 working together towards a common goal. The musical provided a wonderful opportunity for students of all ages to collaborate, support one another and build friendships across year levels while creating something truly special.

The production was also a powerful reminder of the incredible talent in the performing arts within our College community. The stage provided students with an opportunity to shine, build confidence and share their gifts with a wider audience.

Thank you to all students who participated and represented the College with such pride. A special thank you also goes to the staff who have worked tirelessly since the beginning of the year to make the production possible, particularly Tom Cousins, Milan Salvatore and Sophie Garner. Their passion, dedication and countless hours of work were evident in the quality of the final performance.

To the many other staff who assisted behind the scenes and on the night, thank you for your support in ensuring the production was such a success.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the Term 3 break, I hope it offers our students, staff and families a chance to rest, recharge and spend valuable time together. School life is often busy, and the holidays provide an important opportunity to reconnect with family, enjoy some downtime and prepare for the term ahead.

I would like to thank our staff for their ongoing commitment to our students and our families for their continued support of the College. Together, we build a community in which young people are encouraged to pursue excellence, develop their gifts and become the very best version of themselves. 

We look forward to welcoming students back for the commencement of Term 4 on Monday 5 October.

God Bless,

Brett Van Berkel