Principal's Report
Issue No 31 - 30 October 2025
Term 4 - Week 4
Principal’s Report
World Teachers’ Day 2026
Tomorrow, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a special opportunity to pause and recognise the incredible work our teachers do each and every day.
Teaching is so much more than a profession; it’s a vocation built on care, compassion and a deep belief in the potential of every child. Our teachers inspire curiosity, nurture confidence and walk beside students on their learning journey; often going above and beyond to ensure each student feels seen, valued and supported.
On behalf of our school community, I offer my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers for their commitment, creativity and the countless ways they make a difference. The impact you have extends far beyond the classroom, shaping hearts, minds and futures. Please take a moment to join me in celebrating our teachers, today and every day.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Last Thursday, our school celebrated ‘Grandparents and Special Friends Day’ and what a wonderful celebration it was! Each classroom was buzzing with excitement as students proudly shared their work with their specially invited guests.
Once everyone gathered in the church, it was incredible to see how many people attended—there wasn’t a spare seat left. A great deal of work went on behind the scenes to ensure the day’s success, and our staff deserve sincere thanks and congratulations for their planning and preparation.
A special thank you to Fr Junray for leading us in a beautiful Mass (and for his memorable karaoke-style homily!), and to Mr Podosky for his thoughtful preparation and coordination. I also extend my gratitude to the volunteers who assisted with morning tea, and to Jacinta, our Tuckshop Manager, along with her team of helpers, for organising and serving it so graciously.
Finally, thank you to all the grandparents and special friends who joined us. Days like these remind us of the strength of the St Kilian’s community and the deep care and interest our guests show in the lives of our students. We are truly blessed.
F-2 Swimming Program
The F–2 Swimming Program commenced on Monday. The program includes a range of activities and lessons designed to develop students’ swimming skills and water safety knowledge. It is aligned with the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework, ensuring students gain essential skills and confidence in and around the water. The students will have 5 sessions in total. The dates are 31st October 3rd, 5th & 7th November.
Melbourne Cup Day Dress Up
Tuesday 4th November, St Kilian’s School will embrace the fun and excitement of the Melbourne Cup. Students and staff are invited to dress up in free dress, to celebrate ‘the race that stops the nation’. Whilst students are encouraged to get dressed up in a Melbourne Cup theme, it is optional and those students not wishing to do so can still participate by wearing free dress for the day.
2025 Pupil Free Days
Monday 28th November: Report Writing Day
Tuesday 16th December: 2026 Planning - Day 1
Wednesday 17th December: 2026 Planning - Day 2 (Last day of the school year for teachers)
Final Day of 2025 School Year- Monday 15 December, students will finish at 3:15 pm after our final assembly.
School Camps 2026
Grade 4: Wednesday 6/5/2026 to Thursday 7/5/2026 - Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
Grade 5: Monday 16/9/2026 to Wednesday 18/9/2026 - Campaspe Downs, Kyneton
Grade 6: Tuesday 10/3/2026 to Friday 13/3/2026 - Canberra
2026 Pupil Free Days
The 2026 student free days have been determined to reflect the identified priorities of Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL) and to build on the benefits we have enjoyed as a system in 2025. They will ensure that CESL staff have appropriate time for professional learning and professional duties, and to ensure the ongoing success of Magnify Sandhurst, now also identify time for the induction of new staff members.
Please note: two additional Pupil Free Days are yet to be determined.
Term 1
Tuesday 27th January: Pupil Free- Term 1 Commences for Staff
Wednesday 28th January: Pupil Free- Staff Preparation Day 1
Thursday 29th January: Pupil Free- Staff Preparation Day 2
Friday 30th January: Term 1 Commences for Students
Thursday 2nd April: Term 1 Concludes
Term 2
Monday 20th April: Pupil Free- Learning & Teaching Professional Learning
Tuesday 21st April: Term 2 Commences for Students
Friday 5th June: Pupil Free- Student Wellbeing & Safeguarding Professional Learning
Friday 26th June: Term 2 Concludes
Term 3
Monday 13th July: Term 3 Commences
Wednesday 5th August: Pupil Free- Staff Spirituality Day
Friday 18th September: Term 3 Concludes
Term 4
Monday 5th October: Term 4 Commences
Monday 2nd November: Pupil Free- Report Writing Day
(final date to be confirmed)
Attendance
We want to remind everyone of the importance of regular attendance. Every school day counts, and each day a child is absent means a missed opportunity for learning and growth. We ask for your support in promoting consistent attendance to ensure that every child can benefit fully from the opportunities we provide. Term 4 promises many opportunities with warmer weather and less illness it will be important to be at school and work towards achieving our goals.
Transition & Orientation 2026 Foundation
The 2026 Foundation students will participate in transition sessions on Tuesday 11th November and Tuesday 25th November. During these sessions, we invite parents and carers to join us in the school library for a coffee and chat. We’d love the support of our current families to help make these new families feel welcome. If you are available to assist between 9:15 am – 10:00 am, please email principal@skbendigo.catholic.edu.au This is a wonderful opportunity for new parents to ask questions, hear from current families, and start building connections within our school community.
Additionally, our Orientation Day will be held on Tuesday 9th December, where we’ll host a more formal information session for parents in the school hall.
Grade 6 Graduating Students Events
Thursday November 27th - St Kilian’s School Christmas Concert
Thursday December 11th - St Kilian’s End of Year Mass and Graduation Ceremony
Friday December 12th - Grade 6 Big Day Out
Monday December 15th - Last day and final school assembly (farewell for graduating students)
2026 Students
Planning for the 2026 school year has begun. To assist with this process, if you know your child (in Grade Prep to 5) will be leaving St Kilian’s School at the end of the year, except the graduating Grade 6 class, could you please inform me via email or a letter of your intentions as soon as possible. By doing this, it will assist in organising staffing and class numbers for the 2026 school year. I thank you for your assistance, in advance, for the parents who this applies
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 5
3rd, 5th & 7th November: F-2 Swimming Program
4th November: Melbourne Cup Day Dress Up
5th November: Sacrament of Reconciliation
7th November: Division Cricket Blast
7th November: Grade 4 Excursion- Peppergreen Farm
Week 6
11th November: Foundation Transition Morning
11th November: Remembrance Day (Gr 6 attending service in town)
11th November: Region Basketball (new date)
14th November: Division Cricket Gr 6
St Kilian’s School Christmas Fair - Save the Date!
The Parents and Friends are hosting an event, the St Kilian’s School Christmas Party on Saturday 22nd November (10 am- 2 pm). Fun for the whole family $10 entry per family. We are looking for enthusiastic members of our school community to give us just 30 minutes of time to man one of our stalls or assist with fun Christmas-themed activities. Meet other families and help build strong community connections.
St Kilian’s School Christmas Concert - Save the Date!
St Kilian's is proud to present our Christmas Concert on Thursday 27th November. This wonderful event will be at The Shed (St Francis of the Fields PS, Strathfieldsaye). All families are warmly invited. All classes will perform a song, ending with a big showcase! The first performance will begin at 6:30 pm, students and families arrive from 6 pm.
God Bless
Kimberley McSweeney
Principal
