A message from the Principal

Big Question – How can I bring joy to others this Advent season?

This week, our Big Question focuses on joy. In Advent, joy is about more than just feeling happy — it’s about bringing light to others through kindness, generosity, and noticing the good around us.

Across the next four weeks, our school will explore a new Advent theme each week as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

This week’s school Blitz will focus on moving safely in the hallways and lining up respectfully for class.

Year 5 Leadership Day – Thursday

Last Thursday, a group of our Year 5 students travelled by bus to St Francis of the Fields for the annual Leadership Day with other Catholic primary schools. The day encouraged students to reflect on what it means to be a leader and to begin building the confidence, responsibility, and teamwork skills they will take into Year 6 in 2026. It was a valuable and enjoyable day for all involved.

Culture & Languages Day – Friday

Last Friday, our school community came together to celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity within St Peter’s.

We began with a beautiful liturgy at 10:00am, led by Fr Junray, who taught the students three Tagalog (Filipino) phrases:

Kamusta ka – How are you
Salamat – Thank you
Ingat ka – Take good care

The day continued with an amazing range of cultural workshops and activities run by staff, parents, special guests, Uncle Tony and the BDAC team. Students enjoyed stories, music, dancing, language sessions, and food tasting.

A special thank you to everyone who contributed time, talent, and resources to make this day such a memorable celebration.

Preparing for Change

As we approach the end of the year, our students continue preparing for their transition into 2026. Today, students once again visited the learning spaces they will move into next year, spending time in the year level above and meeting some of the staff. These sessions help students become familiar with new environments, reduce worry, and build confidence as they approach the next step in their learning journey.

Important Dates

We are down to the last three weeks and a bit — with just 10 days of school remaining for the year!

Key dates include:

Friday 5th December – Boardies ‘Gold Coin’ Fundraiser – wear your boardies to school to raise funds for Boys to the Bush (incredible supporter of our school)
Monday 8th December – Learning Expo come and visit the Term 4 showcase of learning between 2:20 – 3pm for parents, carers and families
Wednesday 10th December – End of Year Mass at St Kilian’s (6:00pm), followed by a Picnic Dinner (BYO) on the school grounds
Thursday 11 December – Graduation Lunch for Year 6’s (made by Year 5’s) followed by the Final Assembly & Murtagh End of Year Awards
Friday 12th December – Unit Fun Day
Monday 15th December – Last Day of School for Students - 3:15pm finish

Additional dates and events will be shared throughout the term.

Prep Transition 2026 – Session 4 & Orientation Day

Our final Prep Transition session for 2026 takes place next Tuesday 9th December, 12:30–1:30pm.

Children will spend time in their new Prep classroom while parents are welcome to grab a coffee nearby, take an hour for themselves or hang out nearby. This day is also our whole-school Orientation Day, where all students will visit their 2026 learning space and meet their teacher for next year.

End of Year Mass & Picnic

Our End of Year Mass will be held on Wednesday 10th December at 6:00pm at St Kilian’s Church.

All families are warmly invited to attend as we give thanks for the school year, celebrate our achievements, and reflect on the blessings of 2025.

Following Mass, everyone is invited back to St Peter’s for a BYO family picnic. The Christmas Raffle will be drawn during the evening.

We look forward to a beautiful night of community celebration.

Prayer for the Week – The Second Week of Advent (Peace)

Loving God,

As we enter the second week of Advent, we pray for Your gift of peace.

May peace fill our hearts, our homes, and our school community.

Help us to bring calm, kindness, and understanding to others, and to make choices that build harmony and hope.

Guide us as we prepare for Christmas with love and gentleness.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

God Bless,

Jeremy Darmondy

Principal

Cultural News

Madison Hall, Koori Educator

City of Greater Bendigo Cultural Calendar

F.I.R.E. Carrier Covenant