Our Coolock students concluded their academic year with an Advent Liturgy led by our students. The focus was on the four candles of Advent – hope, peace, joy, and love.

Thank you to our choir members and Mrs Deborah Ross for the beautiful singing which enhanced our Liturgy: Alice Bibby, Victoria Tomkins, Daisy Bui, Phoebe Crowle, Hannah Torney, Willow Brown, Imogen Keller, Ellie-Rose Reidy and Clementine Field.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, we celebrated those in our community who had thrived and served throughout Term 4. The following students were awarded the prestigious Spirit of Catherine Award for Term 4.

Year 7

Ava Giblin

Today, we take a moment to celebrate Ava Giblin, a member of our community who truly lives out the Mercy tradition and the legacy of Catherine McAuley. She has actively embraced leadership by serving on the Student Representative Council (SRC) and volunteering time as an Open Day helper, showing incredible hospitality and pride in sharing our College with prospective families. It is for her outstanding contribution to the SRC, her generous volunteering, consistent academic excellence, remarkable tally of commendations, and clear, daily demonstration of the Mercy values that we proudly present the Spirit of Catherine Award to Ava.

Ellie-Rose Reidy

Ellie-Rose has made a wonderful start to her secondary schooling at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, demonstrating the Mercy Values of Service and Compassion daily. Her contribution to the College has been outstanding, highlighted by her involvement in the Production, Music Program, Book Week activities and as a representative of our College at the Bendigo Agricultural Show. Like Catherine once did, Ellie-Rose always gives her best and displays a positive attitude, and she has been rewarded for her efforts with eighteen commendations, making her an excellent role model for her peers and a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Year 8

Keighlan Grae Madalino

Keighlan is a consistent role model within the CMCB community, demonstrating all of our Mercy Values. She listens attentively to the needs of others and shows compassion for those around her by offering a helping hand and a place to sit during learning time. Keighlan demonstrated the courage she possesses by applying for a leadership role in 2026. During the interview process, it was wonderful to hear of her strong connection to faith. Keighlan does not do things by half measures; she can always be relied upon to give 100% effort, typifying the responsible type of learner she is. Through these actions, Keighlan has not only lived the Mercy Values, but she has also inspired her peers to follow her example and is a very deserving recipient of the Spirit of Catherine.

Inca Bolton

Inca is a wonderful member of our community, radiating positivity and kindness. Not a day goes by that Inca does not make the time to greet others by name and with a smile; the hospitality she demonstrates is extraordinary. When it comes to work ethic, Inca strives for greatness; she is a diligent learner who works hard for the results she achieves, much like Catherine's determination. Inca has a strong sense of what is right and wrong and possesses a presence that rubs off on others. Those who spend time with Inca will know they are with a terrific person and wonderful role model. Inca’s commitment to the College, and our Mercy Values, makes her a worthy recipient of the Spirit of Catherine.

Student Leadership 2026

The following students were announced as the student leadership team for 2026.

YEAR 8

• Year Level Captains: Ava Giblin & Sebastian Carmichael
• Faith Captain: Hannah Torney

House Captains:

• Backhaus: Preston Anfuso & Zara Grieve
• Champagnat: Grace Kentish & Xavier Rykers
• Djaara: Chelsea Wilson & Ellie-Rose Reidy
• MacKillop: Georgia Rankin & Violet Walsh
• McAuley: Isaac Manley & Alex Connolly
• Vincent: Olivia Parker & Pip Sibley

YEAR 9

• Year Level Captains: Arianna Gibson & Jordyn Rinaldi
• Faith Captain: Rose Merry Ku

House Captains:

• Backhaus: Grace Wyatt & Ava Fry
• Champagnat: Georgia Bray & April Wainwright
• Djaara: Forest Jackson-Leahy & Seb McGilchrist
• MacKillop: Keighlan Grae Madalino & Ruby Goggin
• McAuley: Jonothan Peters & Mila Childs
• Vincent: Ava Chittenden & Zander Walker

Congratulations

We also acknowledged and celebrated the Year 7 Boys Cricket State Champions and the Junior Girls Cricket State Champions.