Principal's Update 

Welcome Back to Term 3

I would like to warmly welcome all students and families back to Term 3 after what I hope was a restful and enjoyable holiday break. I trust everyone has returned refreshed and ready for another busy and rewarding term of learning, growth and opportunity.

A special welcome back to our Year 12 students as they begin their final full term of compulsory schooling. This term marks a significant milestone in their educational journey before they move into exams, further studies, apprenticeships, traineeships, employment opportunities and work placements in Term 4.

At our recent Year 12 assembly, I spoke with students about the importance of "locking in" for the rest of the term. With the finish line now in sight, it is important that they make these final weeks a priority and commit to giving their personal best in everything they do. The habits, decisions and effort they invest now can make a significant difference to the opportunities available to them beyond school.

I challenged students to avoid finishing their Year 12 journey with the question, "What if?" What if I had studied a little harder? What if I had cut back a few hours at my part-time job to focus on my studies? What if I had truly given my best in those final weeks? We want our students to finish the year knowing they have done everything within their control to maximise their potential and achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

For many students, this may mean setting aside time to prepare thoroughly for assessments and examinations, establishing effective study routines, and, where possible, prioritising learning commitments over extra hours at work. It also means supporting one another through the challenges that inevitably arise at this stage of the year. A word of encouragement, a reminder to stay focused, or simply checking in on a friend can have a profound impact. Success is rarely achieved alone, and our strongest outcomes come when we work together as a community.

While much work remains, the end is in sight. I encourage all our Year 12 students to embrace these final weeks with determination, resilience and confidence, knowing that their efforts today are laying the foundations for tomorrow's opportunities.

Subject Selection Information Evening and Pathways Expo

A big thank you to all students, families and community members who attended our 2027 Subject Selection Information Evening and Pathways Expo.

Once again, the event was a tremendous success, bringing together our College community and a diverse range of Gippsland organisations to support students as they plan their future pathways. The evening offered valuable opportunities for students to explore subject options, engage with tertiary institutions, training providers and industry representatives, and gain greater clarity about the many pathways available to them beyond school.

Making informed decisions about future studies and career aspirations is an important part of every student's educational journey, and we hope the information and guidance provided throughout the evening will help students as they begin to shape their plans for 2027 and beyond.

A special thank you to our dedicated teachers, external providers, exhibitors and presenters, who generously shared their expertise and insights. Their commitment to supporting our young people was instrumental in making the evening a valuable experience for our students and families.

Master Plan and Facilities Update

It is exciting to see continued progress across several important facility projects that form part of our long-term Master Plan for Catholic College Sale.

The refurbishment of the historic St Patrick's building continues to move forward, with the majority of demolition works now completed. Over the coming months, the project will enter its next phase as the internal fit-out begins to take shape and the vision for this revitalised learning space becomes a reality.

One of the unexpected highlights of the demolition process has been the discovery of several fascinating historical artefacts hidden within the building. Among the items uncovered were student work samples dating from the 1950s and 1960s, including Latin worksheets, history assignments and other examples of classroom learning from a bygone era. These remarkable pieces of our College's history offer a unique glimpse into the experiences of students who walked these halls decades ago. We are committed to preserving these artefacts and adding them to our College archives so they can continue to tell the story of Catholic education in Sale for generations to come.

Under the supervision of our Facilities Manager, Mr James Doherty, significant renovations have also been completed at the College Oval Pavilion. This versatile, multi-purpose facility has undergone substantial upgrades to enhance its functionality and create additional learning spaces for students.

The improvements will not only provide greater flexibility for College programs and activities but also ensure we are well prepared to host major Marist sporting events in the coming years. Catholic College Sale is proudly scheduled to host the Boys' Marist Cricket Carnival in 2026, followed by the Girls' Marist Cricket Carnival in 2027. These events will bring students and staff from Marist schools across Australia together and provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase our College, our facilities and our Gippsland community.

These projects represent another important step in ensuring our facilities continue to support contemporary learning while honouring the rich history and traditions that have shaped Catholic College Sale. We look forward to sharing further updates with our community as these exciting developments continue.

God Bless,

Brett Van Berkel

Principal