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Faith, Mission & Community
Community
We aim to build an inclusive Mercy community that fosters belonging and provides opportunities for all to thrive and serve. Through engaging with our families, celebrating events and responding to student voice, we will develop deep connections and an ongoing sense of belonging.
Parent Access Module (PAM)
Our parents and caregivers use PAM to stay informed about their child's information and activities.
The Parent Access Module (PAM) provides real-time access to keep parents updated with their child’s:
- Progress, including Learning Behaviours and Reports
- Timetable
- Personal details – view details and if details are not accurate please email info@cmc.vic.edu.au
- Attendance – view and record absences
- Medical Profile – create your child’s medical profile and attach any current medical plans when you commence at CMCB
- Update your child’s medical information at any time.
- Excursion Activities – grant permission for excursions
- Interview Bookings – online booking for Pastoral Planning Day, Parent Teacher Interviews, etc.
- and more…
Student Voice
Student voice is of great importance, and we continually seek ways to enhance participation. This can improve the confidence of individual students and more significantly, strengthen their connection to the College.
There are many opportunities for students to become involved in leadership from Year 7 to Year 12, working with and for the school community. Students are empowered to actively participate and develop their capacity to lead.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) provides a structured opportunity for students to raise issues, foster house spirit, make recommendations and improve communication between all members of the College.
The SRC is also involved in planning, organising and leading liturgies, assemblies and whole-school events such as Mercy Day and Caritas Ks. Students are the driving force for securing a sustainable future for our community.
Students are consulted about significant developments and the future direction of our College. We nurture a culture that encourages and supports individuals and groups to create change, challenge themselves and others, inspire action and share ideas and opinions.
Inspired by our 2025 theme, “We can never say, ‘It is enough’”, students are encouraged to become proactive agents of change - individuals who identify needs and respond with compassion. Together, we strive to foster a sense of community and pave the way for a sustainable future. Through our efforts, we aim to cultivate a culture of stewardship and responsibility towards each other and our planet, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.
2025 YEAR 12 CAPTAINS
- College Captains: Jaida Raco and Caleb Tobin
- Faith Captains: Holly McColl and Liam Tyndall
- reGEN Captains: Sophie Hughes and Madison Bray
- Sport and Community Captains: Oliver Ryan and Ava Bibby
- Arts Captain: Tarah Frawley
- Backhaus Captains: Kade Hutchinson and Olivia Lacy
- Champagnat Captains: Neve Pinner and Patrick Blake
- Djaara Captains: Jaidi Jackson-Leahy and Will Chalkley
- MacKillop Captains: Bella Goggin and Harriett Whiteacre
- McAuley Captains: Kobi MacDonald and Zali Waugh
- Vincent Captains: Campbell MacKenzie and Annabelle Smith
From Years 7 to 11, leaders have been appointed to represent their year levels and jointly form the Student Representative Council.
Student Voice
Houses
Each student is allocated to a House to form a community. House activities and competitions are popular features of student life. All students are invited to participate and compete in a range of sports and events that are organised throughout the year. Imaginative dress-ups in house colours are a fun way for students to take an active role in their house.
Backhaus
Gentle kindness to one another
Backhaus House (purple) is named in honour of Rev Dr Henry Backhaus, who was the first priest of the Bendigo goldfields. Dr Backhaus was a tremendously well-respected man, famous for his strong work ethic and his ability to be at home with people from all walks of life. Dr Backhaus established the parish of St Kilian’s and helped Bendigo to grow into a prosperous city. Backhaus inspires us to live the values of empathy and service to others in our College.
Champagnat
Compassion in action
Champagnat House (burgundy) is named in honour of St Marcellin Champagnat, who was the founder of the Marist Brothers. St Marcellin was a charismatic man who personified ‘compassion in action’, a trait he learnt from his parents. He saw a need for Christian education in rural areas and dedicated himself to bringing this dream to life. Champagnat inspires us to live the values of simplicity and hard work in our College.
Djaara
Embrace the challenge
Djaara House (orange ochre) is named in honour of the Dja Dja Wrung or Djaara people- the traditional owners of the land upon which we gather. The Djaara people lived with great love and care for the land. Dja Dja means ‘Yes”. The Djaara people are ‘yes’ people, open to all life and all its possibilities. Djaara inspires us to live the values of respect and interdependence in our College.
MacKillop
Never see a need without doing something about it
MacKillop House (green) is named in honour of Mary MacKillop, recently canonised and known as St Mary of the Cross. She founded the Sisters of St Joseph and is Australia’s first saint. From an early age, Mary worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for young people, dedicating herself to the life of a teacher. As the leader of the Sisters, she was tenacious and resourceful in providing education and care for the young people of Australia. MacKillop inspires us to live the values of trust and compassion in our College.
McAuley
Open your hands and your hearts
McAuley House (blue) is named in honour of Venerable Catherine McAuley who was the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine was a joyful and practical woman, who spent her life in service of others. Catherine’s spirit of mercy inspired other women to join her in providing opportunities for education, healthcare, and social services for women and children in poverty. McAuley inspires us to live the values of mercy and hope in our College.
Vincent
Charity knows no limits
Vincent House (gold) is named in honour of St Vincent de Paul after whom the Vincentian Fathers were named. St Vincent de Paul was an extraordinary Priest, who spent his life in solidarity with the poor. It was his deep faith which led to a practical support of the most vulnerable, which has inspired millions around the world to good works. Vincent inspires us to live the values of justice and love.
Houses
Alumni
Our College draws on a diverse and rich history of Catholic education in Bendigo since 1876. St Mary’s College, Marist Brothers’ College, St Vincent’s College and Catholic College Bendigo are the proud predecessors of Catherine McAuley College.
Catherine McAuley College has a proud educational history spanning 150 years, beginning with the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in 1876. Since then, thousands of students have passed through the doors of the College, with hundreds more joining every year.
Our Alumni aims to foster an enduring sense of pride and identity with CMCB by building on the foundations created during the school years. All students, current and past, form a bond based on their common experiences, with most developing friendships and memories during their school days that carry them into their adult life. The Alumni provides an opportunity to maintain connections with the past while building a brighter future.
Our foundation Colleges all have a long, proud history of ‘Old Boys’ and ‘Past Pupils’ associations that have flourished at different times. All have agreed on their aims to foster a spirit of Catholic citizenship and to support the welfare of current students. As well as fundraising, the associations have always provided a means for past students to continue their relationship with the school and remain in contact with their former classmates.
The parents, grandparents and great-grandparents of many of our current students are proud members of our Alumni and take a keen interest in the changes that have occurred over the College since their own time as students.
Every year, there are several major reunions and several unofficial ones. Members are updated on news and coming events via our closed network Alumnly, and through our Alumni Facebook page, email and the publication of the annual Alumni newsletter. Many Alumni maintain close links with the College, including as guest speakers, as guest musicians, by participating in Careers Events or by mentoring.
Stay connected
Join our online networking platform, Alumnly, to receive updates and news.
To enhance and strengthen the CMCB Alumni community for the long term, all past students are invited to join our new Alumni network for improved engagement opportunities and a more enriching experience that is fun and private. The new platform provides endless opportunities to connect, engage, reminisce and stay informed. It will be the main way to promote upcoming events and reunions.
Coming Reunions and Events
- SMC Class of 1975
- SVC Class of 1975
- SMC Class of 1980 – Happening! Date TBC
- CCB Class of 1985
- CCB Class of 1990 – Saturday 4 October 2025, Rifle Brigade Hotel from 4pm, pre-event school tour at St Mary's at 2.30pm (meet at the bottom of Wright Street)
- CCB Class of 1995 – Saturday 4 October 2025 BOOK TICKETS
- CCB Class of 2005 – 20-Year Reunion: Saturday 29 November 2025
- CCB Class of 2015
Planning a reunion? Let the Alumni Office know, and we will help promote your event.
P: 03 5445 9100 | E: alumni@cmc.vic.edu.au
150 Years of Alumni
