A message from the Principal

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

As we move through the season of Advent, our Big Question invites us to reflect on how we can bring peace to others. Advent is a time of preparation and hope as we journey toward Christmas — a time to slow down, show kindness, and make space for others.

Across the next four weeks, each week will focus on a different Advent theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. This week’s focus is on Peace — finding moments of calm in our hearts, our classrooms, and our community. Through our actions, words, and care for others, we can be people who bring peace wherever we go.

Our School Blitz this week is Moving around in the hallways and lining up for class — reminding us that peaceful movement and respect for space are part of creating a calm and caring school environment.

Staff Planning Day – Reflecting on 2025 and Preparing for 2026

Last Friday, all staff gathered for our annual Staff Planning Day — a valuable opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and to thoughtfully prepare for the year ahead.

The day was filled with rich discussion, collegiality, and a shared sense of purpose. Staff spent time celebrating the successes of 2025, acknowledging the incredible growth of our students, and recognising the hard work and commitment that each team member brings to St Peter’s.

We also looked ahead to 2026, exploring ideas, structures, and initiatives that will strengthen learning, wellbeing, and community connection. It was a day marked by collaboration, bonding, and deep reflection — all centred on creating the best possible environment for our students.

A sincere thank you to our staff for their passion, professionalism, and dedication. St Peter’s continues to be a thriving school because of the people who make it special.

Preparing for Change

As we approach the end of the year, our focus across the school has turned to preparing for change — a natural part of growing, learning, and moving forward.

Change can sometimes feel uncertain or challenging, especially for children who thrive on routine and familiarity. Whether it’s moving into a new classroom, meeting a new teacher, or stepping into new roles, it’s normal for students to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Throughout this term, our students have been actively preparing for their transition into 2026. They have begun visiting the learning spaces they will move into next year, meeting new staff, and becoming familiar with new environments. These small but important steps help reduce worry, build confidence, and make the transition feel much smoother.

At St Peter’s, we gently support students through these moments by:

Talking about what change looks like and feels like
Helping them name their feelings and ask questions
Reminding them of their strengths and achievements
Showing them that they already have the skills to succeed in new situations

We reassure students that even when things feel different, they are not alone. They have supportive teachers, ESO’s, friends, and a whole school community behind them. Preparing for change helps children step into new experiences with confidence, resilience, and a sense of hope.

Our goal is for every child to feel safe, known, and ready for the next step in their learning journey as we move into 2026.

Important Dates

We are down to the last three weeks and a bit — with just 16 days of school remaining for the year!

Key dates include:

Monday 24th November – School Advisory Council Meeting
Thursday 27th November – Year 5 Leadership Day
Friday 28th November – Culture & Languages Day
Tuesday 9th December - Orientation Day
Wednesday 10th December – End of Year Mass at St Kilian’s (6:00pm), followed by a Picnic Dinner (BYO) on the school grounds
Friday 12th December – Unit Fun Day
Monday 15th December – Last Day of School for Students

Additional dates and events will be shared throughout the term.

Prep Transition 2026 – Session 3

Our third Prep Transition session for 2026 students and their families will take place this Tuesday, 25th November, from 9:30–11am. This is a key session where children will spend time in the Prep classroom while parents attend a presentation covering all the important information for Foundation next year. Families will also have a chance to view the school uniform, confirm sizes, and meet our CES speech pathologist. It’s a wonderful opportunity to prepare for a smooth and confident start to school life — we look forward to seeing everyone there!

Year 5 Leadership Day – Thursday

On Thursday, 8 of our Year 5 students will join students from Catholic primary schools across Bendigo for the Year 5 Leadership Day, held at St Francis of the Fields, Strathfieldsaye. This is a valuable day for our students as they reflect on what it means to be a leader and begin developing the skills and confidence needed to take on leadership roles as Year 6 students in 2026.

Culture & Languages Day – Friday

This Friday, we celebrate the incredible diversity of our school community with Culture & Languages Day. With over 14 unique cultures represented at St Peter’s, this day gives us a chance to honour the stories, languages, and traditions that make our community so special. The day begins with a Liturgy at 10:00am, followed by cultural workshops and activities throughout the day, highlighting our Indigenous, Malayalam, Karen, and Tagalog communities — just to name a few.

End of Year Mass & Picnic

Our End of Year Mass is a time to celebrate the faith, growth, and achievements of the year gone by. It will be held on Wednesday 10th December at 6:00pm at St Kilian’s Church, followed by a family picnic on the school grounds (BYO dinner). This is always a wonderful evening to come together as a community, share in gratitude, and draw our year to a close. The Christmas Raffle will also be drawn on the night!

Prayer for the Week – The First Week of Advent (Hope)

Loving God,

As we begin this season of Advent, help us to open our hearts to Your light and Your promise.

May hope guide us through busy days and quiet moments, and remind us that each small act of kindness brings Your love into the world.

Be with our families, friends, and school community as we prepare for Christmas with faith, peace, and joy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

God Bless,

Jeremy Darmody

Principal

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