Catholic Identity
Grade’s 1 & 2 Grandparents Mass – Friday, 31st July
As we prepare to celebrate our Grade 1 and 2 Grandparents tomorrow, we warmly welcome the grandparents of our Grade 1 and Grade 2 students to join us for this special occasion on Friday, 31 July.
The celebration will begin with Mass at 11:45am in the Shed, followed by classroom visits where grandparents will have the opportunity to spend time with their grandchildren and experience some of the learning taking place in our classrooms.
Our Grade 1 and Grade 2 students and teachers have been busily preparing for this wonderful event and are excited to share their learning and celebrations with their grandparents.
As a Catholic school community, Grandparents Day provides a special opportunity to honour the important role grandparents play in the lives of our children and to celebrate the strong bonds that connect generations. It is also a time to give thanks as we continue to live, laugh and learn in God's love.
We look forward to welcoming grandparents to our school community tomorrow and celebrating the invaluable contribution they make to the lives of our students and families.
Closure Day – Spirituality Day
This coming Wednesday, our school will be closed to students as staff gather for our annual Spirituality Day, a significant event dedicated to faith formation, personal reflection, and professional growth.
This year is particularly special as we welcome colleagues from across the Bendigo region, including St Monica's Kangaroo Flat, St Joseph's Quarry Hill, St Therese's Kennington, Holy Rosary Heathcote, and staff from Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL). Bringing together educators from a number of Catholic school communities provides a valuable opportunity to deepen connections, share experiences, and be renewed in our shared mission of Catholic education.
The theme for the day, "Living Life to the Full," will encourage participants to reflect on what it means to flourish personally, professionally, and spiritually, while continuing to serve our students and communities with purpose, hope, and compassion.
We are privileged to welcome an outstanding line-up of guest speakers who will challenge, inspire, and enrich our thinking. Bishop Tim Norton SVD, Bishop of Broome, is widely respected for his pastoral leadership and commitment to building vibrant faith communities. His experience ministering across diverse communities in Australia brings a unique perspective on faith, service, and living the Gospel in today's world.
Joining Bishop Tim will be Lisa McInnes-Smith, one of Australia's leading motivational speakers and authors in the areas of human performance, leadership, and team development. Renowned for her energy, practical wisdom, and ability to inspire positive change, Lisa will encourage participants to unlock their potential and strengthen their capacity to lead and collaborate effectively.
We are also honoured to hear from Stan Grant, one of Australia's most respected journalists, authors, and public commentators. Through his powerful storytelling and thoughtful reflections on identity, truth, compassion, and reconciliation, Stan challenges audiences to engage deeply with the human experience and consider how we can contribute to a more hopeful and inclusive future.
The day will conclude with a special interview featuring our new Bishop, Most Reverend René Ramirez, providing an opportunity for staff to hear his vision for the Diocese of Sandhurst and his hopes for Catholic education in the years ahead.
As we prepare for this important day, we extend our sincere thanks to Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited, our guest speakers, organisers, and all those working behind the scenes to make the event possible. We look forward to a day of inspiration, reflection, and renewal as we continue our shared commitment to helping young people, and one another, truly live life to the full.
Catholic Identity Leader
Dave Waters