Chev Need to Knows 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Your opportunity to give us feedback!

In 2021, specialist education consultancy MMG Education was engaged by the College to conduct a series of surveys to staff, students and parents. MMG work with schools in the areas of strategic reviews and stakeholder satisfaction, and their clients include many schools across Australia.

The process led by MMG in 2021 yielded in-depth and detailed findings that informed actions which responded to the priority areas from the surveys. With the passage of time, and due to changes which have taken place at the College in response to the survey, it is appropriate and necessary for the Chevalier community to engage with the surveys again. Findings from this second survey will provide an opportunity to review progress since 2021, and will also provide insights about our progress compared to other similar schools across Australia.

With the above in mind, and as part of our commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation, we will provide an opportunity next week for all parents, students and staff to share their feedback across a number of aspects of College life and offerings. 

On Monday, you will be sent an email from MMG Education, who are again administering the survey on our behalf. The email will contain a link to the survey.

The survey will remain open until Sunday 2 November. 

To ensure confidentiality and to encourage frank and complete expression of views:

• All responses will be de-identified.
• The data will be reported back in aggregated form only.
• All data collected by MMG Education will remain under its control and archived according to research protocols. The College will not be able to access it.

At the conclusion of the research period, MMG Education will provide a report to the College, with key findings to be shared with staff, students, parents and the College Board.

I strongly encourage all parents to engage with the process. Your views about the education offered by the College for your child are most important, and I look forward to your engagement with the process.

New College Logo to celebrate 80 years

Over the 79 years of Chevalier College’s history, we have seen several iterations of the College Shield and logo. Last year it was noted that Chevalier College was the only MSC school that did not present its logo as a shield. We therefore considered simply ‘encasing’ our current logo inside a shield, as an uncomplicated way of providing consistency across MSC Schools.

We engaged with Bright Agency to facilitate this work for us, and were then encouraged to think more deeply about how we wanted our shield to look. In response, and in preparation for marking 80 years as a College next year in 2026, we established a working party comprising past students, current staff, MSC representatives (including our very own Fr John), and a Board member to engage in a series of workshops with Bright Agency. As part of those workshops we remembered our heritage, considered our history and balanced that with our aspirational future. Essentially, we reflected deeply about what is at the very heart of our Chevalier community. 

What emerged is a new visual identity expressed as a shield. This identity blends the traditions of the past and acknowledges the College’s future-facing aspirations for the next 10 to 20 years. I am excited to share that our Board has endorsed the new shield, and it will be revealed to students and staff at our Chevalier Day Mass next week on Friday.  It will then be shared with parents and carers through the Need To Knows, and soon after to the wider community through social media.

For me, the new shield symbolizes a wonderful way to remind ourselves who we are as a community at this most important time, as we celebrate 80 years as a College.

With best wishes for an enjoyable weekend,

Greg Miller

Principal

Chevalier Day and Mission Fair

Chevalier Day will be celebrated on Friday 24 October. Families are welcome to join us in celebrating Mass at 9.00am. A sausage sizzle and drink will be provided for all students in the afternoon, and following lunch, Mission Fair will commence.

Mission Fair

Mission Fair is a community event which helps raise funds for important mission projects including our Vinnies Christmas Appeal and the Gethsemane Project. Each Home Room has been asked to run a stall, including purchasing food, competitions and games. Over the coming fortnight, students may come home requesting items to contribute to their Home Room’s stall (for example, cupcakes for a cake stall).

Purchasing Coupons

Stalls will be cashless with students pre-purchasing coupons during Break 1 and Break 2 during Week 2. Coupons are 50c each. While there will be an opportunity to purchase coupons during Mission Fair, students are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase. 

Pre-purchased coupons will be delivered to Home Rooms prior to Mission Fair.

This year we will also be running a competition to see which House can collect the most coupons through their stalls.

Sandy Abbey

Assistant Principal - Faith Formation and Mission

Generative AI and Learning - Online Parent Seminar 

As Generative AI becomes part of modern learning, it's important our students can navigate this environment effectively and responsibly. This online session will outline our approach to AI and learning, focusing on Clarity, Consistency, and Capacity.

Format: Online Teams Event (This event will be recorded)

When: Tuesday 4 November (Week 4) 

Time: 6.00 - 7.00pm 

What you will learn: 

• Our approach to AI and learning: Clarity, Consistency and Capacity
• AI road signs for student clarity
• AI Tools available for students
• Building capacity through AI knowledge and skills

Please RSVP here. The Microsoft Teams link for this event will be emailed to registered parents on the day of the seminar.

Ryan Noonan

Teacher / Leader Digital Technologies and Innovation 

Year 10 Buddy Leader Applications 

All eligible Year 10 students are encouraged to apply to become a Buddy Leader.  Students must be on 10 merits to be eligible to apply.

Applications are available in Student Services and must be returned to the relevant Leader of House by 3.30pm on Friday 24 October. 

All successful applicants will be required to attend school on Monday 3 November for Buddy Leader Training.

TEENS and SCREENS Survey and Presentation

Year 9 will have the opportunity to take part in the Teens & Screens program created by researchers at the Black Dog Institute. Teens & Screens is a 45-50 minute interactive presentation aimed at improving digital literacy to help teenagers have better experiences when online. This will occur on Monday 27 October. 

For further information please refer to the email sent to families on Monday 13 October or 

the Study Invitation. 

If you have any questions regarding the program or study, please contact Black Dog

Research Team Contact Details or Kelly Walker - Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Growth.

Presentations Years 7-9

On Monday 20 October, Senior Constable Rachel Kennedy from Youth Command will present the 'ThinkUKnow' program to Years 7, 8 and 9.

ThinkUKnow sessions help young people explore both the benefits and challenges of using technology, while developing the critical thinking skills needed to stay safe online. They also provide practical information about where to get help and support if something doesn’t feel right.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the presentations, please contact Kelly Walker - Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Growth.

Save the Dates - Wellbeing Parent Webinars 

As part of Mental Health Month in  October, the Black Dog Institute is offering a series of free webinars for parents and carers.

Webinar 1: Parents/carers helping teens thrive online

Wednesday 29 October - 4.00pm 

This live session will explore key strategies for parenting in the digital age. 

Register here: Helping Teens Thrive Online

Webinar 2: Teen Mental Health Matters

Monday 20 October and Thursday 30 October - 7.00 pm

These regular live webinars feature a clinical psychologist discussing how parents/carers can support adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties.

Register here: Webpage Teen Mental Health Matters Webinar

Kelly Walker

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Growth

Boys Touch Football and Junior Cricket commence tomorrow

Summer sport will commence tomorrow - Saturday 18 October - for Boys Touch Football and Junior Cricket ONLY. 

All other teams will commence Saturday 25 October. 

Team fixtures and bus information can be found in the Parent Lounge and Orbit app under School Links / Extra Curricular. 

All buses leave from the bus zone on Charlotte Street.  Students leaving the College should be dropped off in the JFC car park. 

IMPORTANT:  We aim to have fixtures and bus times uploaded to School Links by Wednesday each week.  Please check the fixtures every Friday afternoon/evening for any last minute changes to bus times and/or game cancellations. 

Dates 

Gym Closed Monday and Wednesday - Week 2 

The Chev Gym will be closed on both Monday and Wednesday next week (Week 2).  The Gym will re-open Friday 24 October.

Cricket Umpires Required

Chevalier College is urgently seeking cricket umpires to assist during the upcoming summer season.

If you are interested, please email extracurricular@chevalier.nsw.edu.au with your availability.

Extra Curricular Photos – Last Chance to Order

The ordering period for Extra Curricular photos from MSP Photography Illawarra has been extended until Friday 24 October.

The order form was sent home with students in Term 3. If you haven’t placed your order yet, now is your chance! Don’t miss out on securing your child’s Extra Curricular photo.

Follow the instructions on the order form to place your order before the extended deadline.

Coach Phillips

Extra Curriculum Coordinator

• HSC exams - 16 October - 17 November
• Flexible Monday - 20 October
• Year 10 Wilderness (Solo Expedition) - Monday 20 October and Tuesday 21 October
• Equine Industry Careers Tour - Monday 20 October 
• Year 7, 8 and 9 Social Media Presentations - 20 October
• Year 9 Drama Excursion - 23 October
• Show Team Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza - 23 - 26 October
• Chevalier Day - 24 October
• Year 10 Retreat -  27 - 28 October
• Year 11 Visual Arts Excursion - 29 October
• Presentation Ball - 31 October