It is with great joy that we share the news that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop René Ramirez RCJ as the Ninth Bishop of Sandhurst.

Bishop René is well known in the diocese, having served between 2023 and 2025 as Parish Priest of Shepparton South and Nagambie and, later, also Supervising Priest at Rushworth, before he was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne in February 2025.

I am sure all in the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo community will join me in congratulating Bishop René on his appointment and warmly welcoming him on his return to Sandhurst.

On behalf of our community, I thank Fr Brian Boyle for his leadership as Administrator following Bishop Shane Mackinlay’s appointment as Archbishop of Brisbane. We are grateful that during this time, Fr Brian has continued to be a regular visitor to CMCB, celebrating masses and engaging with students in Religious Education classes.

Bishop René’s Installation will take place on Thursday 30 July, 11am, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo. As Bishop René prepares to begin this new chapter, let us keep him in our prayers as we look forward to the leadership and faith he will bring to our diocesan community.

End of Term 1

A busy Term 1 ended with reverent observances of Easter, our final efforts for Project Compassion and joyful celebrations of community at both campuses.

A special thank you to the students and staff involved in presenting the Stations of the Cross and the musicians who contributed so beautifully to the Easter Liturgies. (READ MORE – add link to article)

Well done to the Coolock students who walked 7km for Caritas Ks, and the St Mary’s students and staff who arranged the Caritas Carnival.

On their final day, as part of our sesquicentenary, staff followed in the footsteps of Mother Aloysius Martyn and the pioneering sisters who journeyed before us. They moved through the significant moments and places that have shaped the heart and story of our College. (READ MORE – add link to article)

Year 7 2027
A reminder to current families – if you have a child commencing Year 7 in 2027, you need to complete the Enrolment Application online. Enrolments close on Friday 8 May 2026, and it is important that families meet this deadline to avoid disappointment.

Opening Our Doors: Note that next week (21 – 24 April) we will host more of our popular Learning Walks (for families – children welcome) and from 30 April to 6 May, Discovery Day sessions (for Year 6 students).

Welcome Back
I trust that all in our community have had a restful break and are looking forward to another busy and rewarding term, within and beyond the classroom. The College’s co-curricular offerings are an important part of the education offered by Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, and we encourage students to make the most of these opportunities to grow, represent the College and gather as a community during Term 2. In the first fortnight alone, we have Anzac Liturgies, excursions and incursions, a range of sporting teams representing the College, and the production cast in rehearsals, to name just a few.