From Rach Chapman

Year 12 Retreat 

Last week our Year 12 students attended Amberley Retreat in Lower Plenty to participate in our three-day Retreat. The purpose of this Retreat was to afford students the time and space to stop and reflect on their lives so far, in addition to looking toward their future.

Retreat activities were designed to open students to the spiritual dimension of their lives as well as fostering a sense of community and a heightened awareness of their own giftedness and that of others. The Retreat was a fantastic way for students and staff to enhance the journey of Year 12 together. 

The goals of our Retreat were: 

• Providing an opportunity for an experiential component of faith development that can foster a closer relationship with God. 

• Facilitating a time of reflection and personal searching in an environment of challenge. 

• Facilitating establishment of new relationships and strengthening existing ones between students and staff. 

• Fostering a greater understanding of the College Charism and motto; Strength and Kindliness. 

• Providing an opportunity for affirmation. 

   

The Retreat explored the theme, ‘Harvest’ and offered students time to reflect on their own life, their relationships with others and their relationship with God. It is always a wonderful and humbling experience to be a part of, and this year was no exception! Our students were amazing in all activities and experiences, and should be proud of their willingness, openness and participation.

The Year 12s expressed their goal of increasing/wanting to be more cohesive and collaborative as a cohort and their reflections on the final day and in their feedback has overwhelmingly shown that. 

Thank you to Nicole James, Damien McIntyre, Troy Lowe and Bianca Moore for facilitating the Retreat with me. Thank you also to our Year 12 students and their families for supporting this incredible opportunity! 

Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd (CESL) REL Network Day 

On Tuesday 17th March, our St Augustine’s College Catholic Identity Team attended the CESL Religious Education Leaders Network Day in Shepparton. We celebrated a shared Commissioning Mass at St Brendan’s Church, followed by a wonderful day of collaboration and professional learning at the Woolshed.  

We officially recognised our own Angela Shaw as our Years 7–12 Religious Education Leader, as she was Commissioned with all new RE Leaders in the Diocese.  

Congratulations Ange.  

Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey 2026 

Our staff and students have been undertaking our ECSI surveys, which is an opportunity we have every four years, enabling us to reflect on our school community and culture, and providing significant information for us.  

Families will be sent the instructions for their opportunity to complete the survey for us shortly. We encourage you to please take the time to complete this survey, send a screenshot of the final/completed page of your survey (answers are anonymous) so you can be entered into our prize draw! 

If you have any queries or questions regarding this, please contact me at the College.   

Colin Sinclaire Scholarship ~ Congratulations Xavier! 

Through my part in the Colin Sinclaire Scholarship where I completed the Kokoda trail in 2025, I was granted the opportunity of attending the official ribbon cutting and VIP preview of the new "Payne of Valor" exhibition last Thursday at Puckapunyal Military Base.

I had the honour of meeting some amazing people including Keith Payne himself, the last living recipient of the Imperial Victoria Cross, and his wife Flo, as well as Ray Martin and others. The exhibition highlights Keith Payne's legacy and recognises Flo's contributions and support.  

I would like to thank the Kyabram Club, Tiverton Agricultural Impact Fund and other sponsors for their ongoing support towards the Colin Sinclaire Scholarships. 

Xavier P, Year 12 

Term 1 Masses and Liturgies 

Please see below our Liturgies for the remainder of this term: 

Families, members of our school community and parishioners are welcome.  

Thank you to those who continue to attend and support our Liturgies and Masses, we love celebrating and sharing these with you. 

Caritas – Project Compassion  

We are overwhelmed by the continued support of our school community of our Caritas and Project Compassion fundraising efforts this term.  

Thank you for supporting our Project Compassion boxes in TAs, the Easter donations for our upcoming raffle (end of term) and varied activities throughout our College. 

Sacramental Program 2026 

We are excited to announce that details of St Augustine’s 2026 Sacramental Program have been shared in the College News section of this week's newsletter.

Please reach out to Mary Zobec at the Parish Office, or myself at school, if you have any questions or need further information.  

Loving God, 

As we journey through this season of learning, growth, and togetherness, 

we pause to recognise your presence among us. 

We thank you for the many blessings of Term 1— for moments of curiosity, 

friendship, courage, and compassion. 

During our busy days, help us to see your grace at work in the people we meet 

and the opportunities we are given. 

Guide our College community to walk gently with one another. 

May we speak with kindness, listen with patience, 

and act with the heart of Christ in all we do. 

As challenges arise, strengthen us with hope. 

As successes come, fill us with gratitude. 

As we continue to learn, shape us into people who seek truth, justice, and peace. 

Inspired by St Augustine, may we be restless in our search for wisdom 

and generous in our love for others. 

Bless our students, families, and staff in the weeks ahead. 

Keep us safe, centred and open to the joy you offer each day. 

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Rach Chapman

Deputy Principal

Catholic Identity and Community