Chev Need to Knows 

Dear parents and carers,

Welcome to the 2025 school year at Chevalier College!

It is with great excitement that we welcome all students, families and staff to the 2025 school year at Chevalier College. While our Year 7 and Year 12 students had the privilege of beginning their journey yesterday — one group taking their first steps into secondary education, and the other embarking on their final year — today marks the first day with all students back on campus, bringing the energy and vibrancy that makes our College so special.

As we begin this new chapter together, I shared a message with our students this morning, setting the tone for a year filled with dedication, perseverance, and opportunity. Drawing inspiration from remarkable Australians, I encouraged them to embrace the values of hard work and persistence.

Seven-time Australian World Surfing Champion, Layne Beachley, once said, "You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for."  This powerful reminder underscores the importance of effort and commitment in achieving our goals.  Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom echoes this sentiment: "Energy and persistence conquer all."  Our nation’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, reinforced this message when she stated, "Persistence is the key to making progress, especially when faced with obstacles that seem insurmountable." And Australian entrepreneur and adventurer Dick Smith summed it up perfectly: "The key to success is persistence. It’s about staying with it, even when the going gets tough."

With these guiding words, I encouraged our students to embrace three key principles for 2025:

Work Hard, Persist, and Take Your Opportunities.

Beyond individual determination, we also recognize the power of community and connection. At Chevalier College, we are not just individuals striving for success - we are part of something greater. Our MSC ethos reminds us of the bigger picture, beautifully captured in MSC Constitution 32:

"Ours is a spirit of family and true friendship,

formed by kindness and understanding,

by compassion and mutual forgiveness,

by gentleness, humility, and simplicity,

by hospitality and a sense of humour."

This spirit is what makes Chevalier College a unique and nurturing place for our young people to grow, learn, and thrive.

To all parents and carers, thank you for entrusting us with the education and formation of your children.  We look forward to an inspiring and successful year together.  Please take a moment to view my welcome message for the 2025 school year, which can be found below.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead, filled with hard work, persistence, and boundless opportunities!

With best wishes,

Greg Miller

Principal

Monday 3 February

This is not a Flexible Monday and therefore ALL STUDENTS ARE TO ATTEND SCHOOL. 

Monday 3 February timetable will be Day 8, and then:

Tuesday 4 February - Day 2 

Wednesday 5 February - Day 3 

Thursday 6 February - Day 4 

Friday 7 February - Day 5 

(Please note this information is always accessible to parents in Parent Lounge/Orbit, and students in Student Cafe).

Scroll down to 'Extra Curriculum' section for start dates for extracurricular activities.

Important information

Student Information Booklet

• The Student Information Booklet has been updated for 2025 and contains information about school rules and regulations, uniform guidelines, learning and wellbeing, what to do if your child is absent and plenty more. 
• Please familiarise yourself with this booklet to ensure you are well informed of the College’s expectations. 
• Parents can access the booklet in Parent Lounge/Orbit via School Links - Student Information.
• Students can access the information in their Student Diary.

Uniform

• Students must wear the correct summer uniform, including the new College backpack* for Years 7 to 11. 

  *Senior students will have the option to purchase a College tote bag as advised by email on December 6. If you intend to purchase a tote bag for your Year 11 or 12 student, they can use their current bag until the totes arrive in Term 1. You will be advised when they arrive. 

• Please ensure your child's hairstyle complies with the guidelines.  If a student presents at school with a non-compliant hairstyle, you may be contacted to collect your child and have the issue resolved before returning.
• Please refer to the Student Information Booklet for complete uniform guidelines and examples of acceptable and non-acceptable hairstyles.
• All final decisions regarding uniform regulations are at the discretion of the Dean of Students.
• The Chev Shop opening times can be found here. 

PDHPE Practical Days

• The PDHPE practical days have been added to Parent Lounge/Orbit and can be accessed via School Links >> Student Information.
• On their PDHPE practical day, students are to wear their full College sports uniform for the entire day, including travelling to and from school. 

Student College Diary

• All students have been issued with a newly designed College diary and instructed on the correct use of the diaries. 
• The new diaries also contain the information available to parents/carers in the Student Information Booklet. 

School Calendar

• The School Calendar can be accessed in Parent Lounge/Orbit via Calendar - School Calendar.  
• This is a live calendar that is updated regularly as new events are added or changes are made. We encourage you to check it regularly to keep across what is happening.

Drop-off and pick-up

• Please use Pick-up Point A (enter from Moss Vale Road) or Pick-up Point B (enter from Eridge Park Road) to drop off and pick up your child. Ensure your child knows which Pick-up Point you will use. This process is to ensure student safety and continuous traffic flow. Campus map
• Charlotte Street car parks, at Gate 4 or Gate 5, CANNOT be used to drop off or pick up your child at the beginning or end of a school day.  The boom gates are closed before 9.15am and after 3.00pm. 
• Police presence in school zones (40kph speed limit) may be high as school returns. 

Absences from school

Please use one of the following methods to advise us of your child's absence:

• Parent Orbit app – click on Absences on the home page.
• Parent Lounge – click on Absences in the left-hand menu. 

A telephone call is not an acceptable method of advising us of your child’s absence.

Your child's details

Please check the details we have on record for your child in Parent Lounge/Orbit. To advise us of any changes, click on the 'update' button in the following sections:

• Parent Details  
• Address Details (includes phone, email and Emergency Contacts)
• Student Medical Details 

School Photo Day - Wednesday 5 February

School photographs will be taken on Wednesday 5 February. The instructions for placing online orders are listed below.  Individual photo pack orders can be placed at any time.  If you wish to order sibling photos, your order must be placed by midnight on Tuesday 4 February.

How to order

• Parents who placed a school photo order in 2024 will have an account. Follow the link below and sign in with your email address and previously set password.  Use the ‘forgot password’ link if you cannot remember your password.
• New parents or those who did not place a school photo order in 2024 will need to create an account.  Follow the link below and click the ‘sign in with Student Details’ button.  Enter your child’s surname and date of birth to start creating an account. 
• https://chevaliercollegebowral-nsw.msp.photos/
• If you require assistance, MSP Photography’s phone line is available from Friday 31 January.

Student ID cards

• Students in Years 7, 9 and 11 will be issued with a complimentary ID card.
• Students in Years 8, 10 and 12 can purchase a replacement card for $15 through the ordering website.

Uniform/hair requirements

• Uniform, hair, makeup and jewellery requirements must be followed for your child’s photo to be taken on this photo day.
• Year 12 students are required to wear their blazer.
• Please refer to the Student Information Booklet in Parent Orbit via School Links >> Student Information, or your child’s diary.
• Students not in compliance will be withdrawn from photos on the main photo day. They will need to resolve the issue before being given the opportunity to have their photo taken on the catch-up photo day.

Year 7 Information Evening - Thursday 6 February

The College will be holding an information session on Thursday 6 February at 7.00pm for Year 7 parents and caregivers to discuss academic care and wellbeing for students as they begin their journey at Chevalier.  Please save the date and stay tuned for further details.

Year 10 Vaccinations - Monday 10 February

The NSW School Vaccination Program will be visiting the College for Year 10 vaccinations on Monday 10 February.   

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.

New Parent Welcome Evening - Thursday 20 February

A Welcome Evening for parents and carers of Year 7 students and new students to the College will be held on Thursday 20 February at 6.30pm.  Please save the date and stay tuned for your invitation which will be emailed next week.

Swimming Carnival - Friday 21 February

The Swimming Carnival is a compulsory whole school event and all students are expected to attend to represent their house and support their peers.  Details will be provided soon.

Extra Curriculum Term 1 2025

Extracurricular activities will resume for Years 8-12 on the dates indicated below.  Year 7 received further information regarding extracurricular start dates at their Welcome Day on Thursday 30 January.

• Summer Sports training resumes - Tuesday 4 February
• Mountain biking resumes - Wednesday 5 February
• Show Team resumes - Wednesday 5 February
• Chev Gym resumes - Wednesday 5 February
• Pi Shop resumes - Wednesday 5 February
• All Ensembles (excluding Dance) resume - Week 2 (specific rehearsal days listed on Parent Lounge/Orbit under School Links - Extra Curricular)
• Art Enrichment resumes - Wednesday 5 February
• ISA Round 7 - Saturday 8 February

Year 7 – Term 1 Extracurricular opportunities

Students in Year 7 who are interested in participating in extracurricular activities in Term 1 were given an opportunity to register during their Welcome Day.  Permission notes will provide full details of each activity and will be sent via Parent Orbit.

Extracurricular activities available Term 1:

• Mountain Biking
• Show Team
• Cadets
• Art Enrichment
• Dance Ensemble
• Choir
• Concert Band
• Guitar Ensemble
• Jazz Band
• Junior Band
• Orchestra
• Pi Shop (Mathematics)
• Public Speaking
• Debating
• Chev Gym

Please note that all students will have the opportunity to register for a Winter Sport during Week 6.  Summer sport will be available to Year 7 from Term 4.

CIS and ISA Representative Sport Nominations

Students wishing to trial for the following ISA or CIS Sports Teams in 2025 are invited to submit an expression of interest via the student nomination form.

ISA Representative Opportunities

• Basketball – Girls Opens
• Basketball – Girls 16 years and under
• Basketball – Boys Opens
• Basketball – Boys 16 years and under
• Tennis – Boys and Girls
• Water Polo – Boys and Girls
• Softball – Girls

ISA Student Nomination Form_2025

CIS Representative Opportunities

• Individual Triathlon
• Team Triathlon

CIS Triathlon Nomination Form_2025

Students are reminded that, for ISA nominations, they must be playing the relevant sport for the College (where applicable) and must be playing in the First or 'A' team for their age group to be considered.

Nominations for these sports close Friday 7 February at 9.00am. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Coach Phillips

Extra Curriculum Administrator

• Year 7 Retreat (Burford, Clancy, Giles) - 3 February
• Year 7 Induction (Osborne, Reid, Riversdale) - 3 February
• School photos - 5 February
• Opening Liturgy and HSC High Achievers Ceremony - 6 February
• Year 7 Information Evening - 6 February
• ISA Round 7 - 8 February
• Year 10 Vaccinations - 10 February
• Year 7 Retreat (Osborne, Reid, Riversdale) - 10 February
• Year 7 Induction (Burford, Clancy, Giles) - 10 February
• Year 11 Biology Excursion - 10 February
• Year 12 Physics Excursion - 10 February 
• Catch-up Photo Day - 13 February
• Year 11 Information Evening - 13 February
• Show Team Kangaroo Valley Show - 14 February
• ISA Round 8 - 15 February
• Welcome Event - 20 February
• Swimming Carnival - 21 February
• ISA Round 9 - 22 February