Welcome!

A message from the Principal

Start of Term 2 

We trust that everyone had a restful and joyful Easter break and is now ready to dive into another exciting term of learning. The Easter holidays offered a wonderful chance to refresh and spend time with family, and we hope it was filled with happiness and special moments for all. Welcome back to Term 2! We are excited to continue building on the progress of last term, and we look forward to the incredible learning journeys our students will embark on. Let’s make this term a positive and productive one, as we aim to further ignite curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning! 

Congratulations to Jen Roberts 

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the appointment of Jen Roberts as the new Principal at Holy Rosary Heathcote. We would like to extend our massive congratulations to Jen on this wonderful achievement. Jen has been an integral part of the St. Peter’s community for the past 8 years, and we are incredibly grateful for the passion, dedication, and leadership she has shown during her time with us. 

Jen’s contributions to our school have been nothing short of remarkable, and her legacy will continue to inspire all of us. We will be planning a proper send-off for Jen, where our community can come together to thank her for all she has done for St. Peter’s and the students who have flourished under her care. 

We wish Jen all the best in her new role and know that she will continue to make a profound impact on those fortunate enough to work with her at Holy Rosary Heathcote. 

Staff Professional Learning Week 

While students enjoyed their third week of holidays, the St. Peter’s staff were back at school for a powerful and enriching three days of professional learning. Nearly 3,000 educators from across the Sandhurst Diocese participated in a series of inspiring sessions led by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd. 

Dr. Cooney Horvath’s sessions were all about the Science of Learning, on cognitive load theory, memory, and instructional coaching, which sparked numerous 'aha moments' and encouraged staff to think differently about how we teach and learn. His thought-provoking presentations were filled with practical insights and strategies that will help us enhance student engagement and understanding. 

The knowledge gained during this professional development is already making a significant impact on our teaching practices, and we’re excited to see how these strategies will support our students’ learning journeys throughout the term. 

The Passing of Pope Francis 

Sadly, Pope Francis passed away recently. He was the leader of the Catholic Church, and many people around the world loved and respected him for his kindness, faith, and work for peace. His funeral was held in St. Peter’s Square and was televised, so many people watched it and had the chance to say goodbye and remember all the good he did. 

Now, the Church is starting a process called the Conclave, which is when cardinals from all over the world come together to choose a new pope. This will take some time, but it’s an important part of our faith. While we wait for a new pope to be chosen, we continue to pray for guidance and for peace in the world. 

Let’s remember Pope Francis and all the good he did, and look forward to the new pope who will lead the Church with love and care. 

In Loving Memory of Sister Kathleen Slattery 

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Sister Kathleen Slattery, the first Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, who passed away peacefully on Friday, 11th April 2025 at Bethlehem Home for the Aged, Bendigo. 

Sister Kathleen was a beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy and had a lasting impact on Catholic education. Her contributions to the school and community will be fondly remembered. 

Sister Kathleen’s funeral will be held at St Kilian’s Catholic Church, 161 McCrae Street, Bendigo, on Tuesday, 29th April, at 1:30 pm. 

May she rest in peace. 

Enrolments Open for 2026! 

We are excited to announce that enrolments for 2026 are now open! If you have a child who will be ready for school in 2026 (or if you know someone who does), please get in touch with the office for an enrolment application form. 

Catholic Education Week will be held next week from Monday, 5th May to Friday, 9th May. During this week, we invite you to join us for Learning Walks, where you can tour the school and see how we teach and learn. These walks will be held on Tuesday, 6th May and Wednesday, 7th May, at 9:30 am with either the Principal or Deputy Principal. 

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you all that St. Peter's has to offer! 

Bush Dance & Learning Expo 

At the conclusion of Term 1, we celebrated with our Learning Expo and St. Peter’s Bush Dance. The turnout from the community was fantastic, and it was an evening filled with excitement and joy as we celebrated learning, dancing, and coming together as a school community. 

It was wonderful to see so many families participating in the fun, and the dance floor was buzzing with energy. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the night a memorable one. We look forward to more opportunities to come together as a school and celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students! 

Easter Fundraiser Raffle 

Our Easter Raffle this year was the biggest yet, and the turnout on the last day of school was fantastic. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, with donations pouring in from all corners. A special shoutout to IGA Long Gully for their incredibly generous prize donations. It was wonderful to see so many different winners this year, with only the occasional double-up, bringing extra joy to some lucky families. Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported this annual event. Your kindness helps us continue to provide exciting opportunities for our students. 

Year 5/6 Camp – Next Week 

Next week, our Year 5/6 students will be heading off to Log Cabins, Creswick, for their school camp. The camp will take place from Monday, 5th May to Tuesday, 6th May. 

This camp offers an exciting opportunity for students to engage in a range of fun and challenging activities, building teamwork, confidence, and a deeper connection with nature. We are certain it will be a memorable and rewarding experience for all involved, filled with learning and personal growth. 

A permission note has been uploaded to PAM for parents to complete. Please ensure this is submitted by the due date to allow your child to attend. We look forward to hearing all about the adventure when the students return! 

Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Torch Visit 

This Wednesday, 30th April, from 2:30 pm, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run torch will visit St. Peter’s. This is a special event for our Year 3-6 students, and we are one of only a few schools in Bendigo that the torch is visiting. 

The torch, which has travelled around the world, is currently making its way across Australia. It last visited St. Peter's 10 years ago, and we are excited to welcome it again. Families are invited to come and view the torch, and you are most welcome to join us for this meaningful occasion. The students will have the opportunity to touch and hold the torch, symbolizing peace and unity. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Prayer for Start of Term 2

Loving God,  

As we begin Term 2, we thank you for the opportunities ahead.  

Guide us in our learning and growth,  

Help us to be kind and caring,  

And inspire us to work together as a community.  

May this term be filled with hope, joy, and a deep sense of purpose.  

Bless our staff, students, and families,  

And may we continue to walk in faith and love.  

Amen. 

God Bless,

Jeremy Darmody

Principal