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Transition
Catherine McAuley College Bendigo is committed to a smooth transition for all students. Our staff will work with you and the primary school to support your child with their transition to our College.
Transition Journey
During the transition journey, we will provide a series of events and opportunities for you and your child to find out more about the College.
Throughout the transition process, we endeavour to collect as much information as possible about your child’s learning and social needs before they begin secondary school.
Transition support for new students includes:
- Orientation Day
- Collection of student data to support individual learners
- Connection with current school
- Parent Evening for families of students with additional needs
- Extra transition sessions for students requiring additional support.
- Transition Newsletters for families
- Headstart program for senior students
Orientation Day - Tuesday 9 December 2025
Orientation Day offers all Year 7, 2026 students the opportunity to spend a day at the Coolock Campus and familiarise themselves with daily life at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo.
Student Life at Coolock Campus
Student Life at St Mary's Campus
Uniform
The uniform is a mark of identity of Catherine McAuley College Bendigo to the wider community and it establishes a sense of belonging within the school community.
All Years 7 – 12 students are expected to wear the full Catherine McAuley College Bendigo uniform.
Uniform Expectations
Catherine McAuley College Bendigo has clear, required Uniform and Dress Code expectations.
These accompany the College Uniform List and should be read in combination.
Please note:
- Academic and sport uniform items must not be mixed e.g. soft shell jacket cannot be worn over academic uniform.
- The blazer is compulsory in Terms 2 and 3 .
- Hats must be worn outdoors in Terms 1 and 4.
- Shoes (academic): black lace up shoes for both boys and girls; girls are also permitted to wear black t-bar style footwear. No runner-style black shoes to be worn with the academic uniform.
- Shoes (sport): supportive sports footwear - no high-top shoes.
Uniform Supplier: Noone
Noone Bendigo is the proud uniform supplier for CMCB and is open six days per week for the convenience of families.
- 21 Queen Street, Bendigo 3550
- Phone: 03 7018 4199
- Email: bendigo@noone.com.au
TRADING HOURS
- Monday – Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Saturday: 9am to 12 noon
- Sunday and public holidays: closed
(Extended trading hours in January and over the Easter holidays.)
Travel
Travel by car
Parents, carers and staff must adhere to road rules and regulations when dropping off and collecting students.
Motorists must not perform U-turns over unbroken or continuous dividing lines.
At Coolock, drop students in either the Visitor Carpark (enter Gate 3, then turn left) or the Trade Training Centre Carpark (enter Gate 5). Students should not be dropped off in the Staff Carpark.
At St Mary’s, motorists must observe 2-minutes pick-up/drop off areas, not stop in ‘No Stopping’ zones and approach the pedestrian crossing prepared to stop.
Bikes and scooters
Suitable places are provided at both campuses for the safe storage of bikes. Students must stow their helmet in their lockers and provide their own locking device to secure the bike.
Students at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo are not permitted to ride e-scooters to or from school, or at any time while wearing the CMCB uniform.
Bus travel
Catherine McAuley College Bendigo is well-served by the urban and country bus networks. Students have access to four bus networks:
- Urban Bus Travel (suburbs of Bendigo)
- Country Bus Travel
- CMCB Charter Bus Service
- Castlemaine Bus Travel
General Information
All enquiries regarding bus travel are directed to the Bus Coordinator Miss Erin Varker on 5445 9100 or email evarker@cmcb.vic.edu.au. Other useful contacts are:
- Christians Buses – 5447 2222
- Regional Country Bus Coordinator – Country Bus Network – 4433 4317
- VLine – 5440 2739
Conveyance Allowance
Travellers who reside more than 4.8kms from the College may be eligible for Conveyance Allowance. This allowance is only available to those travellers who have purchased a bus pass.
To claim the allowance please see form below. This form is to be completed, along with the receipt for the bus pass, and returned to the Finance Office, St Mary’s, Barkly Street, Bendigo.
Conveyance Allowance Application Form 3 - Public Transport Travel
Conveyance Allowance Application Form 1 - Private Car Travel Only
School Fees 2025
Catherine McAuley College Bendigo provides a comprehensive curriculum, experienced and dedicated staff and contemporary resources and facilities to meet the educational needs of students. To support the provision of outstanding educational service to the community, the College, governed by Mercy Education Ltd, sets an appropriate fee level. Justice to all requires that fee levels be equitable, while in the tradition of Mercy compassion is shown to those in need.
Families with one student: Annual Family Fees 2025 - $7,260
- Per Week: $165.00
- Per Fortnight: $330.00
- Per Month: $726.00
- Per Term: $1,815.00
Families with two or more students: Annual Family Fees 2025 - $14,520
- Per Week: $330.00
- Per Fortnight: $660.00
- Per Month: $1,452.00
- Per Term: $3,630.00
Each year, the College fees are prepared under budget guidelines as provided by Mercy Education Limited together with guidance and direction from the College Advisory Council. This is then reviewed and approved by Mercy Education Limited.
The preparation of the 2025 budget includes significant non-discretionary challenges that are out of the College’s control. The Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 continues to have a significant impact on teachers’ wages. Further changes from January 2025 resulted in the appointment additional teaching and learning support staff.
There have been other financial challenges including considerable ICT Costs, Levies, Contract CPI indexation, the Superannuation Contribution Charge and WorkCover Premium rate increases.
Despite these imposts, the College has managed to keep fee increases to a minimum whilst still maintaining a fee that incorporates tuition, ICT (laptop) levy, camps, excursions, reflection days and retreats. A realignment of the College Camps program has also been included in the 2025 budget. This includes strategies to improve the camp program across all year levels following family and student feedback.
In the download box below is the Family Fee Information Sheet including the Direct Debit Payment Schedule. Fees are collected between January and November, with all fees to be paid in full by 30 November 2025.
Please note:
- Whilst the cost of fees includes camps, excursions, reflection days and retreats, refunds do not apply for non-attendance at any of these activities.
- We do not offer automatic fee concessions for Centrelink Healthcare Card holders, the fee assistance process must be undertaken to determine if eligible for fee assistance.
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
To ensure our students remain as leaders in technology the College provides a laptop to all students. The cost to provide laptops and technology infrastructure is included in the Family Fees.
In addition to the laptop, students are provided with a carry bag, a comprehensive collection of educational software, extended warranty, comprehensive insurance cover, full service and maintenance conducted by College technicians.
Please note: Pro-rata refunds do not apply in the case where students leave the College during the year. Year 9 and Year 12 students will have the option of purchasing their laptop at the end of the year. Students who are not choosing to purchase their laptop are required to return their device to the College. Any damages will be invoiced on the fee account.
Billing Arrangements
Fee statements will be sent to families in January 2025.
Payment Arrangements
Families who wish to pay fees for 2025 as a lump sum, an Early Fee Payment discount is offered at $290 per student (maximum two students) when fees are paid in full by 28 February 2025. Please contact the Finance Office if you are considering upfront payment.
Instalment payments of fee accounts are to be paid by direct debit which will be charged over a 10-month period (please view the 2025 Direct Debit Fee Payment Schedule for payment dates). The default payment option is fortnightly. Families have the option to select weekly, fortnightly, monthly or term.
Please note: Direct Debit returns/rejections will incur a charge of $3 to cover fees charged by our financial institution. This charge will be added to the fee account.
Direct debit options are as follows:
- 44 Weekly payments commencing 31/01/2025
- 22 Fortnightly payments commencing 31/01/2025
- 22 Fortnightly payments commencing 07/02/2025
- 10 Monthly payments commencing 15/02/2025
- 4 Term payments commencing on 31/01/2025
Refer below for 2025 Direct Debit Fee Payment Schedule
If any of these dates fall on a Public Holiday, or on a weekend, the direct debit will be processed on the preceding business day.
All current direct debit amounts will be automatically updated to reflect the 2025 payment amounts. Any new families in 2025, or those current families wishing to change their payment frequency, should complete the Request For Direct Debit Tuition Fees/Charges form below. Please download, complete and return via email to fees@cmc.vic.edu.au by 17 January 2025.
Please note that subject-specific fees as noted on the booklist are additional.
Students who nominate to use the Strathfieldsaye Charter Bus will incur a separate contribution levy, additional to the Family Fee.
If students exit the College prior to the end of the school year, all fees payable to the date of exit, including any arrears, are to be paid in accordance with payment plans agreed with the Finance Office.
For more information, you can access our Enrolment Policy, School Fee Policy and School Fee Collection Policy below.
Fee Difficulties
If you experience difficulties paying fees in 2025, the College is open to discussing your individual circumstances. Assistance is available in the form of a concession on Family Fees where genuine need exists. Confidentiality is assured.
Enquiries – Finance Office: (03) 5445 9191
- Finance Manager: Nicki Waters financemanager@cmc.vic.edu.au
- Accounts Receivable Officer: Jayne Levi fees@cmc.vic.edu.au
(Information current at 1/12/2024)
