Dear Parents and Carers,

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in Wednesday's Peace Mass celebration. It was a genuinely moving and reverent occasion that brought our school community together in a spirit of unity, reflection, and hope. The students were outstanding in their participation, both in behaviour and in the respect they showed throughout the liturgy. Their reverence and engagement were a credit to themselves, their families, and our school.

A sincere thank you to all the staff who contributed their time, energy, and creativity to making the day so special. From preparing the liturgical elements and guiding the students in their roles and ensuring everything ran smoothly, this was a massive undertaking, and your efforts are deeply appreciated.

As we turn our focus to Eisteddfod Week, there’s a palpable buzz of excitement in the air. This is always one of the highlights of our school calendar, and this year promises to be no exception. Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents across various creative disciplines, including music, drama, dance.

We look forward to seeing our students shine—on the stage, in the classroom, and behind the scenes—as they embrace this celebration of culture, creativity, and school spirit.

We are also delighted to share that Noah and Kaiden will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation next Thursday. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, and we keep them in our prayers as they take this important step in deepening their relationship with God. May they feel the love and support of our school community as they continue to grow in faith.

Best wishes for a joyful and inspiring week ahead!

Maria

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

We hope you have a wonderful day. 

Today, our gorgeous Foundation grade students celebrated their 100 days of school.

They had a dress-up day and cupcakes!

Three of our students attended a workshop as part of the Writers' Festival at the Regent Theatre.

Thank you to Janette Sampson for driving them there and back.

Mental Health and Wellbeing News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Building Resilience Together – A Message from Our Staff

This week, Maria, Anthony and I were fortunate to attend The Resilience Project 2025 Teacher Seminar in Melbourne. The experience left us feeling inspired and energised to continue embedding wellbeing practices into everyday school life.

The seminar reinforced three key pillars that support mental health and resilience in children – Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM). These simple yet powerful strategies help young people develop emotional strength, build positive relationships, and bounce back from life’s challenges.

As a school, we are committed to integrating these practices into our classrooms and across the wider school environment. Through daily gratitude reflections, mindful moments, and kindness initiatives, our goal is to create a culture where every student feels seen, valued and supported.

We encourage you to continue these conversations at home. Ask your child what they’re grateful for, talk about acts of kindness they’ve noticed or taken part in, and share a few quiet, mindful moments together. These small actions can make a big difference.

We are excited to announce that we have registered to continue the program in 2026. Research from Monash University, The University of Adelaide, and Melbourne University has shown the powerful impact of The Resilience Project. Findings included:

• 34% lower rates of anxiety and 47% lower rates of depression in participating students
• Higher scores in life satisfaction, hope and coping skills
• Increased confidence, self-esteem and emotional expression
• Stronger relationships and more supportive classroom environments

We feel extremely grateful to be able to offer this evidence-based, transformative program to our school community.

Together – school and home – we can help our children thrive.

To learn more or explore family resources, visit:
 www.theresilienceproject.com.au

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact me.

Deb Owens

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Religious Education

Today, August 8th, we come together to celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint and a woman of deep faith, courage, and compassion. This special day is an opportunity to honour her legacy and reflect on the values she lived by — particularly her dedication to the poor, her commitment to education, and her unwavering trust in God.

Born in 1842, Mary MacKillop co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and went on to establish schools, orphanages, and other charitable institutions across Australia, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Her guiding principle, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” continues to inspire generations to serve others with love and humility.

This year, as we commemorate her feast day, we are invited to reflect on how we can embody Mary’s example in our own lives — by standing up for what is right, supporting those in need, and placing our trust in God, even when challenges arise.

Today, the Grade 4/5/6 class led the school in a beautiful prayer service reflecting on the life and mission of Mary Mackillop.

Let us give thanks for Saint Mary MacKillop’s enduring influence and pray that we may follow her example of faith in action.

“Do all you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God.” – Saint Mary MacKillop

We are so excited to announce that we are in the process of switching to a new official uniform supplier.

Very soon, parents will be able to order all our uniform items directly from one place. Beleza Uniforms in Traralgon will stock all our uniform items, including socks, tights and school bags.

Beleza is a trusted, family-owned manufacturer and supplier with an impeccable reputation for quality and customer service.

Parents will have the option to order uniforms online or in-store at their Traralgon outlet:

Beleza Traralgon Store
16A Seymour Street
Traralgon, VIC 3844

(03) 5176 5077

Monday – Friday: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

This change comes due to the high costs and logistics involved in maintaining our current uniform shop in school. We prioritise providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible uniforms for all students.

Transition Period:

We will let you know when online ordering becomes available. 

We appreciate your support and cooperation as we make this positive change for our school community.

If you have any questions, please contact the school office at: 03 5182 5659.

We also have a uniform secret that will be revealed very soon. Watch this space....