| LEARNING & TEACHING |
Semester 1 Reports are now available.
Read More
On Tuesday 14 July, we will welcome students back for the commencement of Term 3, refreshed and ready to learn.
On Tuesday 14 July, we will welcome students back for the commencement of Term 3, refreshed and ready to learn. This will follow a Staff Professional Learning Day on Monday 13 July, during which staff will focus on important topics such as the Professional Learning Strategy for Education Support Staff, Mental Health First Aid, and data and curriculum learning for teachers. We expect the day to be very beneficial for all staff.
As always, the term ahead is jam-packed with activities, both academic and College life. We encourage families to make the most of the opportunities offered, including camps, recitals, meetings with teachers and sporting events. We wish students participating in the Australian Sheep and Wool Show all the best for this coming weekend, as they will get to put theory into practice at this showcase event.
Coming up at the end of this month is the Installation Mass of Bishop René Ramirez, RCJ. Originally from Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Bishop René has been in Australia since 2015, and in the Diocese of Sandhurst since 2023. He has been the Supervising Priest in Rushworth since early 2024 and was appointed the New Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne and the Titular Bishop of Mauriana in November 2024 by the Holy Father Pope Francis. He was consecrated to the Order of Bishops on February 1, 2025, at St Patrick Cathedral, Melbourne, Australia. We look forward to welcoming Most Reverend René Ramirez RCJ as the Ninth Bishop of Sandhurst.
| LEARNING & TEACHING |
Semester 1 Reports are now available.
Reports for students in Years 7 to 12, 2026 (Semester 1) are now available on PAM.
Important information regarding our complete Subject Selection process.
The process for 2027 Subject Selection has begun.
Subject Selection choices are due to be submitted by Friday 7 August.
Compulsory Pathway Counselling meetings for students currently in Years 9 and 10 are scheduled in Term 3.
Pathway Counselling meeting bookings can be made with any teacher who has availability at a time that suits. We encourage you to book your meeting time promptly to ensure availability.
These meetings are a vital part of planning and supporting your child’s senior school journey.
Parent Access Module (PAM) bookings are now open for these meetings.
Year 10 into Year 11 2027 students
Compulsory Pathway Counselling meetings are scheduled for Tuesday 21 July (Camp 2 students) and Thursday 23 July (Camp 1 students).
Year 10 bookings are available for the days students will not be in attendance on Camp.
Book a meeting:
Year 9 into Year 10 2027 students
Compulsory Pathway Counselling meetings are scheduled for Friday 7 August. Bookings will open for these meetings on Tuesday 14 July. This will be a pupil-free day for all Year 9 students.
Book a meeting:
All meetings will be held at St Mary’s Campus in St Mary’s Hall. Please enter via the gate into the St Mary’s Courtyard, located on the corner of Barkly Street and Barkly Terrace West (refer map below).
There will be changes to the Urban Bus Network from Term 3, 2026
The College has been advised by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) that changes are being made to School Town Special buses from the start of Term 3. This will apply to several buses on the Urban Bus Network. The changes are designed to improve services by increasing capacity and efficiency to meet growing demand.
More information, including updated timetables and maps, is included in the attached letter.
The Country Bus, CMCB Charter Bus and Castlemaine Bus Networks will not be affected by these changes and will continue to run as normal.
Download the letter for information on how to register
Immunisations sessions at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo for Year 7 and Year 10 are on:
Year 7 and Year 10 families need to register their child for their immunisations
Please download the relevant information below.
| SPORT |
Milanke Haasbroek and Lyla Edwards (Cross Country) and Zarah Reynolds (Swimming) have qualified for national championships.
Victorian All Schools Cross Country Championships
Congratulations to Milanke Haasbroek and Lyla Edwards, who represented CMCB exceptionally well at the Victorian All Schools Cross Country Championships recently.
Milanke finished 4th and Lyla 7th. Both girls have now qualified for the Australian Cross Country Championships in August.
School Sport Australia Swimming Championships
Congratulations to Zarah Reynolds, who has been selected in the School Sport Victoria Swim Team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships in Melbourne from the 25th to the 30th July.
Zarah has been selected to compete in multiple events, on the back of her brilliant results at the SSV State Titles.
Term 3 Key Dates now available.
Important dates for your calendar, including Pupil Free Days, camps and major College events. Click on the link below and download the poster for the current term.
Information is correct at the time of publication, but families are advised to log in to the Parent Access Module (PAM) for the latest College Calendar updates.
On Sunday 28 June, the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct (MJSP) played host to the State League Netball match between the Bendigo Strikers and City West Falcons. The Strikers went down 53 to 69 against the reigning premiers, with the tall shooter for the Falcons, Jane Cook (pictured), making an incredible 60 of 61 shots on goal.
The Strikers return to the MJSP on Sunday 12 July for their final home game against Casey Demons. This is a great opportunity to watch state-level netball at the Coolock Campus.
The Peak Performance Program is running again for Term 3, 2026, exclusively for CMCB students.
The Peak Performance Program is running again for Term 3, 2026.
This enhanced program is designed to help Years 7, 8, and 9 students build strength, improve fitness, and develop healthy training habits in a safe and supportive environment. Our qualified therapists will guide students through proper techniques, ensuring they gain confidence and maximise their results.
Benefits of the Program: ✔ Increase strength and endurance ✔ Boost self-esteem and confidence ✔ Learn lifelong fitness skills ✔ Increase resilience to injuries to stay injury-free.
Whether your child is an aspiring athlete or simply looking to improve their fitness, this program is the perfect opportunity to get started on their health journey.
When & Where:
SESQUICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
Throughout 2026, we have been celebrating and honouring the pioneering spirit of the founding Sisters and the thousands of children and educators who have been part of the Mercy story.
There is one community event left, and we invite you to organise your friends, book your ticket and look forward to a walk down memory lane and the rekindling of old friendships as we give thanks for the past and future success of CMCB.
ALUMNI - ONLINE PLATFORM
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance and strengthen the CMCB Alumni community for the long term, all past students are invited to join our 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.
Class of 1976 50-Year Reunion (SMC & MBC)
Saturday 3 October
Shamrock Hotel Bendigo
Class of 1991 35-Year Reunion
Saturday 24 October at 7pm
Rifle Brigade Hotel, View Street, Bendigo
Class of 1996 30-Year Reunion
Saturday 17 October
Details to be confirmed
Class of 2006 20-Year Reunion
Saturday 3 October
Details to be confirmed
Class of 2016 10-Year Reunion
Details to be confirmed
What you need to known about winter uniform expectations, including blazers.
“Families and the College working together always builds stronger partnerships.
In Terms 2 and 3, all students wear the winter academic uniform, with exceptions granted on days designated for specialist or co-curricular activities where the sport uniform is approved.
Students are required to wear the correct sports uniform on their designated sports days. This includes the approved sports top and correct tracksuit pants. Students who wear an incorrect sports uniform will receive a uniform infringement.
On all other school days, students are expected to wear their full academic uniform, including their blazer.
We appreciate your support in maintaining high standards of uniform, which contributes to a sense of pride and belonging within our school community.
To ensure clarity, we’ve summarised key aspects of the uniform expectations in the Uniform Update linked below.
Please note:
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UNIFORM IN PAM
UPDATED ARRANGEMENTS AT COOLOCK FROM TERM 2
As a school community, we remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and focused learning environment for every young person in our care. In recent years, personal digital devices have become an increasingly prominent part of students’ lives – particularly for students in Years 7 to 9 - and with this has come a range of challenges for schools and families.
The Federal Government has recently implemented a social media ban for children under the age of 16, aimed at protecting young people. However, currently, many students’ daily online behaviours remain unchanged.
UPDATED ARRANGEMENTS AT COOLOCK FROM TERM 2
In response, and to better support student wellbeing, learning, and safety, Coolock will be implementing small, but important adjustments to the Student Use of Personal Digital Devices (PDD) Policy and Procedure, effective from the start of Term 2.
These changes apply only to students at Coolock and do not apply to students at St Mary’s.
The updated Policy, Procedure, FAQs, and a student poster are linked belowfor your reference.
In these year levels, we are experiencing:
These behaviours can have serious emotional, social, and legal consequences for young people.
Reducing access to personal devices during the school day supports students to:
Key adjustments for families and students
A PDD includes mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, wireless or Bluetooth headphones/earbuds, and any emerging voice or data device that connects to a commercial mobile telecommunications service.
We appreciate your support as we implement these changes. We ask parents and carers to:
Together, these measures will help create a calmer, safer, and more focused learning environment for all students.
The Home Handbook aims to assist families in understanding how we support students at every stage of their learning journey.
The 2026 College Home Handbook is now available.
This comprehensive resource has been designed to support all our families by outlining the wide range of opportunities our College provides. Inside, you will find clear information about our academic and pastoral programs, as well as easy access to key policies, procedures, and helpful links.
The Handbook aims to assist families in understanding how we support students at every stage of their learning journey, from their first day through to their senior years. It brings together the essential details you may need across all year levels, ensuring you feel informed, supported, and connected with College life.
We warmly encourage you to take the time to read through this document and download a copy as a reference throughout the year.
Mrs Suzie Kemp and Mr Len Watson, Assistant Principal Campus Directors
| SANDHURST DIOCESE |
Sandpiper e-News is the official communication platform for the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst.
Sandpiper e-News is the official communication platform for the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst. It features news from the Bishop, the Chancery, the Mission and Pastoral Life Team, parishes, schools and Catholic entities across the Diocese of Sandhurst.
