Learning and Teaching 

Create Belonging

Our teachers have begun the term with a strong commitment to ensuring that our Vision for Learning is clearly reflected in every classroom. This dedication has been evident through the significant number of staff participating in professional learning delivered by Shaping Minds. This professional learning is designed to support teachers in maximising outcomes for all students. Through this work, staff are engaging with evidence-based practices grounded in extensive research from the fields of educational and cognitive sciences. These practices are being implemented with the goal of creating learning environments that actively engage students and provide experiences that are inclusive, meaningful and empowering for every learner.

Parent teacher interviews will take place next week. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to build connections and relationships with our school and their child’s classroom teachers. We strongly encourage all families to make time to meet with your child’s teachers, as we know that when strong partnerships are developed between family, school and student, the opportunity for success increases. Information regarding this was sent out this week via email. If you need any further information, please contact the school.

As a part of our school tradition, our Year 7 Students participated in the Charism Day. Students explored the meaning of belonging within the Catholic College Sale community, and were asked to reflect on how they feel they can belong or create belonging in our community. They then collaboratively create a “Belonging Tree” that is displayed in the John 23rd building. 

Some of the student’s reflections included the following.

I feel like I belong when: 

"People celebrate me"

 

"I'm in the yard with my friends"

 

"I'm in my house colours"

 

"When I come to school" 

 

"My teachers talk to me" 

Share Success

Honouring International Women’s Day

Last Friday, we celebrated International Women’s Day. This is a significant global event that recognises the achievements of women and calls us to continue to aspire for equity and opportunity for all.

International Women’s Day invites us to reflect on the progress made, and to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable contributions of every woman in every sphere of life.

At Catholic College Sale, we are very proud of the extraordinary women who shape our community each day, our staff, our student leaders, our aspiring young people across all areas including music, sport, the arts, and our mothers and carers who nurture their children so beautifully. 

On Friday, we took time to acknowledge the women in our school community and recognise their strength, leadership, compassion and impact on others.

As a school community, we are committed to nurturing confident, capable young women and to ensuring that, no matter the gender, every student feels empowered to achieve their goals for the future and be wonderful members of society.

Strive for Excellence

This week, our students in Years 7 and 9 have begun NAPLAN testing. These assessments provide a snapshot of students’ progress in key areas of literacy and numeracy, including reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. NAPLAN helps schools understand how students are developing these essential skills and supports teachers in identifying areas of strength as well as opportunities for further growth. While the assessments are an important part of monitoring student progress across Australia, they are one aspect of our broader approach to understanding and supporting each child’s learning. We encourage students to approach the assessments with confidence and simply do their best.

We are pleased to offer after-school Maths tutoring sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays to provide additional support for students who would benefit from extra practice and guidance. These sessions are a great opportunity for students to strengthen their mathematical understanding, build confidence and consolidate the skills they are learning in the classroom.

We would like to remind students and families that the school library is available after school from Monday to Friday until 4:15 pm for private, supervised study. This provides students with a quiet and supportive environment where they can complete homework, read or revise their learning. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this space to develop positive study habits and stay organised with their schoolwork.

VCE / VM Information Evening Resource 

Please access the link below to view the VCE/VM Information Evening PowerPoint for families who were unable to attend.

Alumni Profile 

This week’s Alumni profile is from Class of 2013 graduate, Grace Hurley. After an incredible journey from Melbourne to London and across Europe, Grace is now Head of Marketing, Communications and Content at the Australian Cricketers’ Association, where she creates impactful projects and works closely with athletes.

Where's life taken you since graduating from Catholic College Sale (e.g., university, work, travel)?

After school I moved to Melbourne to live on Res at Deakin University in Burwood to start a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in communications. I had no idea what I wanted to do so I thought studying something a little broad would be helpful. I ended up deferring my degree to move to London to be a live in nanny for 6 months. 

Once I got to London, I fell in love with the city and ended up staying in the UK for 6 years. After about 8 months of nannying, I got a job as an intern with an influencer marketing company called Tribe. After three months they offered me a permanent full time role and I ended up working there as an account manager, managing influencer marketing campaigns for brands like Unilever, National Geographic, TikTok and Spotify, for about three years.

I then moved to Manchester for a couple of years and continued working in the influencer marketing industry before moving back to Australia. I have travelled all over Europe and am very grateful for the travel I was able to do while I was living in the UK. 

What are some of your favourite memories from your time at Catholic College Sale, or what was your favourite school tradition or event?

I always loved the performing arts days and often sang at school assembly’s which I really enjoyed. I have so many memories of my time at CCS and so many of my best friends from school are still my best friends now. I loved classes in VisCom with Beany and Psychology with Holmesy. 

What do you enjoy about your current career?

 My current role is Head of Marketing, Communications and Content at The Australian Cricketers’ Association. I love the creativity I get to explore in my role and I enjoy working with athletes to create meaningful projects that have impact. I enjoy the travel I get to do and I love that it’s not an industry I ever thought I would be working in but have really enjoyed being a part of over the last 3 and a half years. I still learn so much every day. The challenges are what keep it interesting. 

What advice would you give to your younger self back in school?

You won’t follow a conventional path but things will work out better than you could have hoped. Trust the process, be yourself and don’t let the opinions of others define you. 

What is one message you would like to share with today’s students and teachers at Catholic College Sale?

I’ve learnt that your career may not always fill every bucket of your life so you need to have balance. It’s important that you’re building a life while you’re also building your career. Start a passion project, travel, create, invest in your relationships, find joy in different things. You’re currently living in what will become the good old days so make them count. 

Rachael Bown 

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching