Catholic Identity

2026 Diocesan Theme
Seek Peace & Pursue It.

Our New Diocesan Theme ~ From our Staff Beginning Year Prayer ~

Early Years Prayer – Celebrating the Resurrection

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Our Year 1 & 2 students recently led us in a beautiful prayer reflection on the Resurrection, helping us continue to celebrate the joy of the Easter season following the holidays.

Through their words, song, actions, and gentle reverence, they reminded us of the hope, new life, and promise that Easter brings. A special moment within the prayer was the return of the Alleluia, a word we “put away” during Lent as we entered a time of reflection and preparation. Its reintroduction symbolises the joy of Easter, celebrating that Jesus is risen and reminding us of the light and hope that shines after a time of waiting.

It was a meaningful and uplifting experience, with our young students leading us so beautifully in faith and prayer. We thank our Early Years students and staff for creating such a special moment for our school community.

ANZAC Day ~

On ANZAC Day, our Year 6 Leaders, Toby and Lila, represented St. Mel's School Community with pride and reverence as they placed a wreath at the 11am service at the Shepparton Cenotaph. We thank them for honouring the service and sacrifice of our veterans on behalf of us all.

ANZAC Day, observed on April 25th each year, marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli in 1915. It is a solemn day of remembrance for all who have served and died in war, conflict, and peacekeeping operations. At St. Mel’s, we value this opportunity to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of the ANZAC's, and to teach our students about the importance of peace, gratitude, and community.

Reconciliation Week ~ Save the date

From 27th May to 3rd June, we will acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week, with this year’s theme, “All In.”

This theme invites each of us to play our part in building respectful relationships and a more united future ~ walking together in truth, understanding, and hope.

Across the week, we will engage in both school-based and diocesan experiences that support learning, reflection, and action as we continue our journey of reconciliation.

More details to come.

"Go forth and set the world on fire"
St Ignatius of Loyola

Sacramental Candidates

Please continue to keep our Sacramental Candidates in your prayers as they journey closer to receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist on Pentecost Sunday, May 24th. This is a sacred and significant time in the lives of these young members of our faith community, as they deepen their relationship with Christ and the Church.

Throughout next week, our Sacramental children will be visiting each of our pastoral groups to share their personal reflections on their preparation, the saint names they have chosen as spiritual guides, and the meaning behind their choices. As a symbol of their journey and a reminder of our communal prayerful support, they will also present each group with a special prayer card. These will be placed on classroom prayer tables, serving as a tangible sign to keep our candidates in daily prayer.

We give thanks for the faith, courage, and joy our candidates have shown, and we ask that as a community, we continue to surround them with love and prayer as Pentecost approaches.

We're looking forward to our next cluster group at our school on Thursday, 14th May.

Actions speak louder than words, let your words teach and your actions speak”

Saint Anthony of Padua

Catholic Education Week ~

This coming week is Catholic Education Week, a special opportunity for all Catholic schools across our diocese to celebrate our Catholic Identity, something we are so proud of and is at the centre of all we do. It is a time to reflect, give thanks, and renew our commitment to the values and mission that shape our learning, relationships, and service.

This year, our diocese embraces the theme “Seek Peace and Pursue It.” This theme invites us to be people of peace ~ in our words, our actions, and in the way we care for one another and the world around us.

As a school community, we are called to actively seek peace in our daily lives — in our classrooms, in the playground, and in our relationships and to be people who bring calm, kindness, and understanding to others. Throughout the week, we will take part in prayer experiences, acts of kindness, reflections, and our World Labyrinth Day that bring this theme to life. These moments allow us to deepen our faith, strengthen our connection with one another, and respond to the call to be peacemakers in our world.

Sandhurst Switches Off ~

As part of Catholic Education Week, we will also participate in Sandhurst Switches Off. All Catholic schools and Catholic Education Offices are encouraged to turn off lights and electronic devices for part of the day, or a whole day. This action is a powerful symbol of our commitment to caring for God’s fragile creation and standing in solidarity with those affected by climate change.

Let us continue to reimagine our relationship with all of creation.

“If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder… our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters…”— Laudato Si’, Pope Francis

This is a meaningful way for us as a Catholic community to live out our faith through action. As we continue to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis, we are reminded of his deep call to care for our common home, a call that invites us to live with greater awareness, responsibility, and peace.

World Labyrinth Day – All Welcome

As part of our Catholic Education Week celebrations, we warmly invite families to join us for World Labyrinth Day on Friday, 8th May.

This year’s theme, “Seeds to Pathways,” beautifully connects with our diocesan theme, “Seek Peace and Pursue It.” Just as seeds grow into something new, the labyrinth invites us to walk with intention — reflecting, noticing, and finding moments of peace along the journey.

The labyrinth offers a simple yet powerful experience of prayer in motion, where each step becomes an opportunity to slow down, be present, and draw closer to God.

We would love for you to join us as we come together in stillness, reflection, and community.