Principal's Report
100 Days of School – 100 Days of Magnify
This week our prep students reached an exciting milestone – their first 100 days of school! To mark the occasion, our youngest learners enjoyed a day filled with fun, creativity, and celebrations of all they have achieved since starting their school journey. From counting collections of 100 to dressing up as 100-year-olds, the day was full of smiles and joy.
This milestone also marks 100 days of the Magnify program across the Diocese. Just as our Preps have grown and flourished in these first months, Magnify has been inspiring schools to live out its vision of faith, learning, and community. Both milestones remind us that growth happens one step at a time – and that together, we are building something wonderful for the future.
Winter Sports Success
It’s been an exciting week of winter sports for our senior students, with both netball and football on the program. A lot of fun was had by all, with some great games and impressive performances across the board.
A special congratulations goes to our Grade 5 & 6 Girls Football Team, who finished in the top two of their competition and will now advance to the next stage in Swan Hill. We wish them all the best for a fantastic day of competition. Thank you to our teachers and staff for their organisation and support, ensuring the days ran smoothly and that every student had the opportunity to participate.
Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop – Friday 15th August
This Friday, we will celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint and a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to inspire our school community. In her words, “Never see a need without doing something about it.” We look forward to honouring her life and mission together as a school.
Learning Conversations – Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to all families who attended our recent Learning Conversations. It was wonderful to see such strong participation throughout the afternoons and evenings. These conversations play a vital role in our reporting process and provide a valuable opportunity for teachers and families to discuss each child’s progress and learning journey.
CESL Staff Spirituality Day – Wednesday 13th August
All CESL staff will gather for a Staff Spirituality Day on Wednesday 13th August. This special day of professional learning is designed to nurture the spiritual life of our educators and build community across our Catholic schools. As a result, this will be a pupil-free day. We appreciate your understanding and support.
The Science of Learning – Parent Opportunity
We’re excited to invite parents to two upcoming sessions exploring the Science of Learning, presented by renowned educational neuroscientist Dr Jared Cooney Horvath. Dr Horvath led an impactful diocesan professional learning event earlier this year and continues to influence our Magnify learning journey.
Sessions will be held on:
- Monday 18th August – Sleep, Tech and Stress
Monday 25th August – Surviving Study
These sessions will be valuable for any parent seeking to better understand how children learn and how to support them both academically and emotionally.
A letter to parents was circulated earlier this week.
Athletics Carnival – Next Week
Our school Athletics Carnival will take place next week at the Retreat Road Athletics Complex. The weather forecast is promising, and we look forward to a fun and energetic day for all students. Parents are most welcome to come along and cheer from the sidelines.
Winter Sports – Grade 5 & 6
Well done to our Grade 5 and 6 students who represented the school in the re-scheduled football and netball carnivals this week. We saw great effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship—and lots of fun along the way! A big thank you to our staff and the many parents who came to support.
School Advisory Council Update
Our School Advisory Council met on Wednesday evening to discuss a number of important matters, including the Child Safe Standards review, Master Planning, and enrolment trends. We were pleased to welcome Kylie Eddy, our new CESL representative. Her insights will support our connection to the broader Diocesan vision for Catholic education. As several of our current members prepare to conclude their service at the end of the year, we warmly invite interested parents to consider joining the Council. Your voice and experience are valuable in shaping our school’s future.
Go Cats
Paul Wilkinson