Principal's Report 

Advent 

The third week of Advent we remember the gift of joy we have in Christ. We remember the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her - a child who would save and deliver all people. Joy is the gift we all receive from the unconditional love Christ has for us.

Advent Prayer of Joy

Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming by helping us see that Christ came for every person we meet wherever we go.

We ask this in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord.

Amen

End of Year Mass and Graduation

Last Thursday the school community came together to celebrate the final Mass for the school year. It was a wonderful celebration where the students had a chance to reflect on the year gone by and to also acknowledge those staff, students and families who are leaving the school at the end of the year.  Thank you to Fr Junray for celebrating and Mrs Maher for her preparation of the mass. I also thank the Grade 5/6 teachers and Mrs Bourke for their assistance in the mass.

During the Graduation ceremony, some of our students were acknowledged and received some special awards

Knights of the Southern Cross Award 

Congratulations to Jobe Hutchinson & Georgie Chapman.  This award is sponsored by the Knights of the Southern Cross.  The criteria of this award require the recipients to have upheld the school’s values and ethos and be continuing their secondary education in a catholic school.

Amy Castles Music Award

Congratulations to Max Adams.  

Amy Castles was born in 1880 and went to St Kilian's Primary School and St Mary's College in Bendigo. The Castles family were highly musical and all the children were involved with singing in one form or another. Amy is well known as a soprano, performing in many countries and was well received by royalty, particularly the Queen of the Netherlands. Amy died peacefully in 1951.  

The criteria for this award include an active participant in the school choir and an eagerness to learn in the performing arts program.

Christine Alderton Reading Award 

Congratulations to Isabella McEvoy & Bohdi Jakubik.  Our reading award, which is sponsored by the Alderton family, is named the Chris Alderton Award, for the love and development of reading.  Our senior staff shortlisted from the Grade 6 cohort to select students who represent the love and reading development over the years.

School Reports

Student school reports have been uploaded to PAM and can be accessed via the website: www.pam.skbendigo.catholic.edu.au The reports are a summary of the progress your child has made throughout the year. I encourage you to sit with your child and discuss and celebrate the progress made and to set goals for the new year. 

I sincerely thank the staff for all the work they have put into writing the students’ reports.

Final School Assembly

Our Final School Assembly will be celebrated on Friday 15th December 2:30pm.  This is the final farewell for graduating students.

Thanks

We would like to acknowledge the staff for their wonderful efforts throughout the 2023 school year.  Nothing was impossible for every one of you and I thank each one.

Farewells

Congratulations and best wishes to our Grade 6 students on completing their seven year journey of primary school. 

Max Adams 

Aaliyah Aldred 

Ivy Bell 

Cooper Betts 

Samuel Boylson 

Levi Bugeja 

Daisy Bui 

Chloe Butler 

Piper Caldow 

Lily Carter 

Eliza Chapman 

Georgie Chapman 

Dylan Clymo 

Emma Colt 

Oscar Connolly 

Bailey Doyle 

James Everton 

Max Haw 

Charlie Horby 

Shi bah Htoo 

Jobe Hutchinson 

Bohdi Jakubik 

Pollyanna Jupp 

Oliver Macnee 

Noah Maltby 

Callan McCarthy 

Charli McConvill 

Harper McDonald

Isabella McEvoy 

Amity Micallef 

Alex Moulden 

Ellie Petersen-Coleman 

Olive Powell 

Tarkyn Ralphs 

Scarlett Rees 

Tahli Russell 

Lon Schelfhout 

Wesley Scholtes 

Zalie Seamer 

Zara Senior 

Hudson Wingrave

Farewell and thank you to our staff who have cared for our students during their time at St Kilian’s School - Karlee Schade, Nicky White, Mardi Ryan and Keith Gordon.

Start of 2024

School commences for students on Tuesday 30th January.

Final Newsletter for 2023

As this is the final newsletter for the year, on behalf of all the staff and myself, I wish all families of the school a very safe, blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I would like to thank all families for the great support you have given to the staff, children and myself throughout the 2023 school year. 

I would also like to wish those families who are leaving the school in 2024 every success for the future. I hope you hold and treasure your time spent at St Kilian’s School.

God Bless 

Kimberley McSweeney  

Principal