Chev Need to Knows 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I trust you are well as we come to the end of a busy and joyful week, where we celebrated the launch of our House Shields in dazzling Autumn sunshine – more will be said about this in our end of term edition of Chev News next week.

Last Saturday we hosted our biggest ever Open Day.  Despite the rain, over 800 people registered to visit the College.  I thank the many students who attended the day and demonstrated wonderful Chev spirit by showcasing their KLA, engaging in extracurricular activities including music, drama and sport, bbqing sausages, serving coffee and milkshakes, and of course taking families on tours around our campus.  It is our authentic, welcoming students who show the College at its best, and the feedback from families confirms this wholeheartedly every year.  We have received several requests for a copy of the presentation I shared on the day during my Principal Talk in the JFC; if you would like to read it, please click here.

2025 Federal Election — How to have your say

As a College, we have a stance of not getting involved in political matters either locally, nationally or internationally.  However, on this occasion when it directly impacts matters of education, and where it may impact the budgets of Chevalier families who have chosen an Independent school for their children, there is a need to share information.

As such, I share the information below with you, provided by the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AIS), not to influence your vote, but to inform it regarding the matter of Independent school funding.  

The School Choice Counts campaign is a national initiative by Independent Schools Australia, of which Chevalier College is a NSW branch member.

The campaign centres on one simple idea – If student funding is cut from non-government schools, schools may be forced to raise fees at greater rates than previously experienced. Families should not be penalised for choosing a school that they deem best meets their child’s needs.

The AIS believes it is important that families understand the policy positions of the major parties and those who may hold the balance of power in a hung parliament.  The AIS is not advocating for one party or another, nor is Chevalier College, but we both believe you should be aware of each parties’ education policies. 

As such, below are public statements from Labor, Coalition and Greens spokespeople summarising their positions on Independent schools:

PARTY POSITIONS

Labor (Senator Deborah O’Neill)"Labor stands with Independent schools and the invaluable work they do, particularly in supporting vulnerable students. The idea that Independent schools are ‘castles’ is nonsense—most are modest, community-focused, and provide critical outreach and learning pathways. We don’t believe in pitting one sector against another—every child matters."

Coalition (Senator Sarah Henderson)"The Greens have made it clear they want to defund Independent schools entirely—calling them ‘leeches’ on public education. This is an outrageous attack on school choice and family freedom. A Dutton government will stand strong for non-government schools and ensure families aren’t penalised for their choices."

Greens (Senator Penny Allman-Payne)

“The Australian private school system is a leech on public education. It doesn’t ‘take pressure’ off the public system—it sucks resources and students from it. And they get to play by their own rules… Labor should immediately end government overfunding of wealthy private schools and redirect that money to public schools.”

You are also invited to read the attached toolkit or visit schoolchoicecounts.isa.edu.au to learn more.

Another option is to view a summary of the Catholic Education Priorities, and a briefing paper outlining these is available on the NCEC website at  2025 Federal Election - NCEC.

We understand how much families sacrifice to send their children to Chevalier, a school that is right for you. 

Again, this information is not intended to influence your vote in the upcoming Federal election, but to inform it regarding one matter of many when casting your vote.

I wish you a peaceful weekend as we look forward to our final week of Term 1 next week.

Kind regards,

Greg Miller

Principal

Year 8 Future Anything Days - Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 April

On Monday and Tuesday next week, Year 8 will attend a two-day workshop called ‘Spark’, led by Future Anything. Spark is a two-day, school entrepreneurship workshop which sparks curiosity, a drive to collaborate with others and a passion for solving problems that matter to our school and local community.

Students are to:

• Attend Home Room on both days. 
• Bring a fully charged device and pencil case.
• If possible, reschedule Peripatetic lessons.

Jo Kirby

Assistant Principal - New Ambitions and Innovation

Year 7 Buddy Program - Morning Tea

As the formal Buddy Leader program concludes this term Year 7 students have been asked to bring some morning tea on Tuesday 8 April to share with Year 11 Buddy Leaders as a way of saying thank you.

Students can bring items to the main staff room before Home Room on Tuesday.

Temporary Tattoos - Reminder 

As part of the house shield assembly, students received a small gift from the College including a house-themed temporary tattoo.  Students are reminded that all “tattoos” must be removed by Monday 7 April.

Removal instructions:  To remove a temporary tattoo, you can use baby oil or olive oil, applying to the tattoo and gently scrubbing with a cloth or cotton pad.  A warm soapy washer will also work.

Student Diary replacements

It is mandatory for students to use their diaries and we thank you for your support with signing the diary weekly and signing the front pages with our College expectations. Diaries that are lost or have unremovable graffiti in them will need to be replaced.

The replacement cost of a diary is $15.  They can be purchased using the link below:

https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/CHEVALIERCOLLEGELIMITED

If your child requires a replacement diary, pay the $15 using the link above and take a screenshot of the receipt.  Students are to bring the screenshot to Student Services, where their name will be recorded and a replacement diary will be handed out. This will be checked against our records.

Natalie LaGarde

Dean of Students

Sydney Swifts Netball Camp

Chevalier College netball players have been invited to attend a netball camp at the College on 22 April.  Ali Smith and Teigan O’Shannassy, two star players who have played with the Sydney Swifts, will be sharing their skills.

Invitations have been sent via email. There are 70 places available. If you support your child in attending this camp, please provide permission in Parent Orbit and make payment as soon as possible. Places will be allocated to the first 70 students who have permission and have paid.  Please see your email for details.

Winter Sports Training

Regular training will commence next week for all Winter sports teams including those teams not finalised.

Sports teams which have been finalised have been loaded to Student Café: Student Café> My Activities> Extra Curricular

If your child’s team has not been loaded to Student Café yet, it will be finalised early next week & uploaded before the end of Term.

Cross Country rescheduled – Monday 5 May

The College Cross Country has been rescheduled for Monday 5 May 2025.

Student registrations will be reopened until 3:25 pm Friday 11 April.  No Registrations will be accepted after this date.  Students should follow instructions in the Daily Notices on Monday 7 April to complete their registration.

Winter Sports Uniforms

Students selected for a Winter Sports team will be able to purchase uniforms on Tuesday 8 April during the below listed times. Payment must be made via cash or card on the day.  Payment over the phone will not be available on this day.

Break 1: Boys Sports Teams

Break 2: Girls Sports Teams and Tennis

Students selected in a 1sts team must also attend to be sized for their dress/jersey and purchase any other relevant Items.

Coach Phillips

Extra Curriculum Administrator

College Tote Bag

We are happy to announce that a College Tote Bag will be available for senior students only from Term 2.

The tote bag can be used instead of, or in conjunction with, the College backpack. We strongly recommend that if using the tote bag, devices should be in a case, and/or padded bag. The tote bag will not provide the protection for devices that the backpack does. 

All Year 11 students must have either the College backpack or College tote bag from Term 2 onwards.

The price for the tote bag will be $40 and can be purchased from the Chev Shop.  We will advise when stock arrives and allow a period of time for the change over.

Natalie LaGarde

Dean of Students

Winter Uniform Preparation

As Term 2 approaches, we would like to remind you that the winter uniform is mandatory for Terms 2 and 3. To avoid the inconvenience of having to visit the school during the break, we encourage you to begin preparing your winter uniform now.

You may either visit the clothing shop in person or place an order over the phone during the shop's opening hours listed below.

For further details, please refer to the Chev Shop link on Parent Orbit.

Term Opening Hours

Thursday and Friday: 8.30am – 2.30pm 

Closed for lunch: 12.30 - 1.00pm

No appointment is necessary

School Holiday Opening Hours

Thursday 24 April: 9.00am - 1.00pm

Monday 28 April: 9.00am - 12.30pm and 1.00pm - 2.30pm

Apply Now for Year 7 2027!

If you have a child currently in Year 5, now is the time to submit your application for enrolment in Year 7, 2027.  Applications are due 1 June 2025.

We are receiving a high number of applications for this year group and we don't want our current families to miss out on a place.  If you know any friends who are also hoping to enrol their children, please encourage them to submit their application now.  

Click here for a link to the online application form.

Mother’s Day High Tea - Friday 9 May

We warmly welcome mothers and mother figures to our Mother’s Day High Tea, to be held on Friday 9 May from 9.30 - 11.00am.

Tickets are $27 each (plus booking fee), which includes a professionally catered high tea. Beautiful lucky door prizes will be on offer and our CAPALoT students will be performing for our guests.

Please follow the link below to purchase tickets by Monday 5 May.

Mother’s Day High Tea Tickets

*Please note that tickets are required for mums/grandmas/guests only. Students will join us for the liturgy and reflection and will return to class when food service commences.

We look forward to a wonderful morning of celebration and connection.

Year 7 Vaccinations - Monday 12 May 

The NSW School Vaccination Program will be visiting the College for Year 7 vaccinations on Monday 12 May.   

Year 7 students are offered a single dose vaccine for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) and a single dose vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV).

Vaccination will only be given at school if parental/guardian consent has been received. Please provide online vaccination consent for your child using this link. You must have a Service NSW account and a Medicare card to log in. 

Should you require further information, please read the NSW School Vaccination Program Newsletter. For more information, please visit NSW School Vaccination Program.

• Mountain Bike The Willo - 6 April
• Sydney Royal Easter Show - 7 April to 13 April
• Year 10 Cookery Excursion - 7 April
• Year 11 Studies of Religion Incursion - 7 April
• Year 8 Future Anything Day 1 - 7 April
• Year 8 Future Anything Day 2 - 8 April
• Youth Council Meeting - 10 April
• Easter Liturgy - 11 April
• School Holidays - 12 April to 28 April
• All Students Return - 29 April
• Years 9 and 10 da Vinci Decathalon - 2 May
• ISA Round 1 - 3 May
• Cross Country -  5 May
• Year 11 Studies of Religion 2 Excursion -  5 May
• Year 9 iSTEM Excursion - 5 May
• Years 9 and 11 White Card Training - 5 May
• Mother's Day Morning Tea - 9 May
• ISA Round 2 - 10 May