On Wednesday, we observed Remembrance Day across the College.
On Wednesday, we observed Remembrance Day across the College.
Remembrance Day began in honour of those who lost their lives in both World Wars. It now serves as a solemn occasion to commemorate the sacrifices of Australian service members in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.
It is a time to reflect and silently remember all those who have served and died in war.
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
End-of-year Arrangements
Our Class of 2026 are now in the final days of exams and will be preparing to graduate at the Sacred Heart Cathedral this time next week. Meanwhile, the Year 10 and Year 11 students are now fully engaged with their exams. The coming weeks will see students prepare for 2027 with Headstart, transition activities and end-of-year celebrations.
We encourage parents and carers to check notices on PAM and read the newsletter to ensure they have all the information they need for end-of-year arrangements.
The Unit 2 Art Making and Exhibiting exhibition was launched at St Mary's on Wednesday 11 November.
Art Making and Exhibiting Unit 2 students have spent the semester exploring artists, art exhibitions and experimenting with a variety of materials to create their own stories and then work to express them in their own chosen art form.
After excursions to Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bulleen, and Cascade Galleries, Maldon, students returned to the art studio to explore the techniques related to the artists they saw in exhibition.
These experiments were the springboard for their own art pieces, which combined this artistic influence and their own personal inspiration. The task was to create an artwork that presented their own voice and related to the stories they wanted to tell others in a style inspired by the artists they studied.
In Term 4, students worked to refine their ideas and their artistic mastery to compose and present final works for their Unit 2 Exhibit. As part of this process, students prepared a critique and presented it to their peers for feedback. This helped them to resolve any issues related to their art technique or use of images that related to their ideas.
The exhibition was launched in the St Mary’s Arts Building on Wednesday 11 November during lunchtime and featured art forms in printmaking, painting with oils and acrylic paint, collage and drawing on non-traditional materials.
The exhibition, which opened in the St Mary’s Arts Building on 11 November, presents the culmination of Unit 2 Art Making and Exhibiting students' exploration of artistic practice, personal storytelling, and creative expression.
Student artists were delighted with the turnout of invited student guests and CMCB Staff.
In his first official role, one of our 2027 Arts Captains, Jamie Dearricott, declared the exhibition open. The works will be on show until the commencement of Headstart.
During Term 4, we are supporting the work of Bendigo Foodshare
As we prepare for Christmas, our College community is once again supporting Bendigo Foodshare through our Term 4 Fundraising and Christmas Appeal. Donations of non-perishable food items can make a real difference to local individuals and families experiencing hardship during the holiday season.
We invite all students and families to contribute by donating an item listed on the poster. Place donations in your Mercy Homegroup collection point or deliver to the General Office by Friday 4 December. Together, through small acts of generosity, we can help bring hope, dignity and support to those in our local community this Christmas.
When donating, ensure that your product is within the use-by date.
Crazy Socks and Crazy Hair Day raised $314.05
A huge thank you to all students and staff who supported our Soctober Fundraiser for Catholic Mission. Through our Crazy Socks and Crazy Hair Day, our school community raised an impressive $314.05.
This year, all funds raised through Soctober will support Catholic Mission’s project in Malawi, helping children in Kampira Village access a safe and welcoming place to learn. The funds will contribute towards essential school facilities, including classrooms, bathroom facilities and a staff room, providing students with greater opportunities to learn, grow and build a brighter future.
It was wonderful to see so many colourful socks, creative hairstyles and participation across the school. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make a difference. Together, we are living out our Mercy values by supporting communities around the world and helping ensure every child has access to education and hope for the future.
Congratulations to all students who recently participated in the Mathematics Competition.
Congratulations to all students who recently participated in the Mathematics Competition. It was wonderful to see students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 challenge themselves with a range of problem-solving and reasoning questions.
A special congratulations goes to our highest-achieving students:
Distinction Awards
Credit Awards
Students achieving a Credit award also demonstrated strong mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills. Well done to:
In total, students earned 5 Distinctions, 14 Credits, 20 Proficiency Awards and 4 Participation Awards, an excellent achievement across all year levels.
We are incredibly proud of every student who represented the College. Mathematics competitions provide an opportunity for students to extend their thinking, tackle unfamiliar challenges and develop perseverance when solving complex problems. Thank you to all participants for embracing the challenge and demonstrating a positive approach to learning.
Congratulations to everyone involved on these outstanding results.
A day visiting the Tan, the Victorian Institute of Sport and Richmond Football Club.
Our SDP students were blessed with glorious sunshine for our excursion to Melbourne on Tuesday 27 October. After a very early start our students arrived at Flinders Street station and walked down to Alexandra Gardens to take on the famous Tan track in a handicapped race. All netballers and footballers were given a starting time based on our fitness testing results and it was fantastic to see the level of excitement in the group as they looked to take on Heartbreak Hill and the 3.8-kilometre loop of the gardens. Judd Bremner was the winner of the event for the boys while we had a 3-way tie for the girls with Lyla Edwards, Elsie Gretgrix and Chloe McSwain the winners for the girls.
From here, the group split, with the netballers heading to the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) for a talk and tour of the elite athlete training facility at Albert Park. This gave valuable insights into how our best athletes train and recover, to be at the top of their game. The VIS team also spoke to the netballers about job opportunities in the sport industry they could consider in the future.
The footballers spent the morning with an experience run by the Richmond Football Club, which included a talk about Careers in Sport. They covered possible jobs and opportunities for young people who are passionate about sport in professional sporting teams and organisations. Then students were put through a gym session by Strength and Conditioning team members at the Richmond FC Institute which was a fantastic experience of how top-level athletes train in the gym.
We look forward to many more opportunities like this for our SDP students in 2027 and beyond.
Sport, service and leadership in action!
To conclude our volunteer work as part of our Sports Development Program (SDP) curriculum, our Year 7 AFL class chose to focus on giving back to our own school community. They organised their very own longest kick competition at Coolock Campus, on Finn Oval.
In what was a glorious afternoon of sunshine, our Year 7 students facilitated the entire event, including bringing in donations for prizes and money to raise funds for Bendigo Foodshare. Our students demonstrated the leadership skills they have been working hard at all year, such as humility, the Mercy values of service and hospitality, together with teamwork, to make sure our CMCB community had a fun and enjoyable afternoon of healthy competition. The winners for the girls’ event were Elsie Gretgrix with 37.10 m, and second place went to Etta Place with 34.30m. In the boys, Billy Elms sent one barrel into orbit with a score of 55.00m, whilst second place went to Nash Campbell with 50.10m.
Well done to our SDP students who showed outstanding collaboration and service to the school community, all while raising much-needed funds for Bendigo Foodshare.
Thank you to all students and staff who came along to support the SDP students with this initiative.
Students at Coolock now have a place to display their creations.
The Art Department at Coolock has recently acquired a glass display cabinet, which is now prominently displayed on the ground floor of the Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Building. After its installation, the cabinet was quickly filled with artwork created by students throughout the year.
The cabinet allows arts students to exhibit their hard work and share their achievements with friends. The displayed artwork may also inspire other students, and the exhibits will be rotated regularly throughout the year.
Throughout October, the Coolock Library ran an OCtober competition. Students were asked to design an original character and write about their lore.
The winners of our Coolock OCtober are:
Thank you to all entrants; your characters were inspirational.
All entries will be on display in Coolock Library until Thursday 12th November.
The College will be closed on Friday 27 November.
We remind families that the College will be closed on Friday 27 November 2026.
There are so many things we can be proud of as a Year 7 cohort as we move into mid-term. We are very much looking forward to supporting your child as they begin the transition into Year 8, 2027.
As the Year 7 Leadership Team, we understand that now is a time of change, and for some students, this will feel uncomfortable. Please remember that the leap from Year 6 into Year 7 was huge, and they can draw on these learnings as they navigate new classes, teachers and social groups in 2027.
As always, we have excellent wrap-around support networks for every student and family. You have a Mercy Homegroup Leader, Year Level Coordinators and Wellbeing team here for you, as well as your class teachers and learning support staff, if you need assistance at any time.
Parents and carers will soon receive PAM communication regarding Mercy in Action - a special day of 'giving back and learning new ways to assist others'.
Catherine’s McAuley's words encourage students to see service as a lifelong attitude, not just a one-day event. The day becomes a starting point for living mercy in everyday life.
On this day, students will participate in an activity that benefits their local community and enhances their understanding of volunteering. Some activities offered will take place on-site at the Coolock Campus under the supervision of College staff, while some activities will take place off-site. In this case, students will travel by bus to and from external venues, and parents/carers will be required to provide consent via PAM prior to the day. Please ensure all information is read carefully, particularly what is required of your child to participate in this activity.
Some of the activities that will be undertaken on the day:
There will be no regular classes running on this day, and students are asked to wear their College sports uniform and hat. All students are requested to bring lunch, snacks and a drink bottle. Students remaining on-site will have access to the canteen facilities.
Students will be notified of their workshops before the day.
Congratulations to the following students who participated in this competition. We love the courage demonstrated by these students who tested their skills, and we encourage more students to challenge themselves!
Maths Competition Distinctions
It’s always great to see who is reading what in the Library Reading Room! As part of our English curriculum, the students enjoy one period each fortnight to read, return and borrow library books. It’s such an important part of their learning, and the research is very clear that print texts (and sustained print texts) improve literacy skills.
We wish you all the best and hope that the weather blesses us with warm and sunny days.
Mrs Kim Greenwell, Mr Sebastian Greene, Mrs Sarah Cody and Ms Alyssa Lemon, Year 7 Leadership Team
Welcome to the midpoint of Term 4. Students should discuss upcoming work and deadlines with their parents and carers to organised for the final weeks of the term.
Parents are encouraged to check PAM to support submission deadlines.
Leadership Interviews
Mr Evans and Mrs Lethlean have recently conducted interviews with Year 8 students interested in taking positions of leadership as Year 9s in 2027. Students are to be congratulated on their poise, professionalism and preparedness throughout the interview process. The quality of applications was outstanding, and successful candidates will be announced in the coming weeks.
Maths Competition
Congratulations to the students who participated in the recent Maths Competition. All received participation awards, and some received credit and distinction acknowledgements. Well done Year 8s. (Please note, not all students were present to collect their certificates).
| Oscar Barber | Oliver Boxell | Lily Capicchiano |
| Alex Connolly | William Everton | Ava Giblin |
| Tane Grant | Ellie Hawkes | Mabel Hogan |
| Darby Lamb | Archie McCullough | Xavier Merrett |
| Ebony Muston | Thomas O'Mara | Lucy Patching |
| Cale Polson | Isabelle Robertson | Harper Ryan |
| Xavier Rykers | Philipa Sibly | Isamora Silitonga |
| Raphael Singe | Violet Walsh | Jayde Young |
Food Share Food Drive
Our Term 4 fundraiser is a food drive for Bendigo Foodshare. Year 8 students are asked to bring canned vegetables or fruit, soups and canned meals. Please ensure these are non-perishable items.
All donations are going to struggling families in the Bendigo community and beyond. Please hand donations to the General Office or to your MHG teacher.
Shrek Production
Applications are now open for Backstage Roles. Application and interview information is available on SIMON notices.
See Ms Cilauro, Mrs Sexton or Ms Ross for further details
Subject changes information
The following information has been shared with students during assembly. Parents are encouraged to support their child in requesting changes during Week 8.
Mrs Hayley Lethlean, Mr Josh Hann and Mrs Marine Snyman, Year 8 Leadership Team
Elevate Education's Term 3 Parent Webinar Series
This term Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. You're invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they're learning at school. Register via the link below.
The recent webinar looked at stress. Parents are often quick to spot signs of stress in their child but are not always sure what can be done to help reduce worry around exams and assessments. The upcoming webinar will provide parents and carers with an action plan to help their child manage stress levels and prioritise their wellbeing in the run-up to exams. Over 2000 parents joined our last webinar on this topic and told us how useful they found the session:
‘The webinar was extremely well presented and structured with an engaging host. All our questions were answered, and we learnt a lot in one session. Thank you!’
‘Excellent content - didn’t just talk about the topic in broad terms but gave a bit more detail and practical tips’
Register for Elevate Education Term 4 Webinars
Register for Elevate Education Term 4 Webinars and learn some great practical strategies to help support your child this year.
ABOUT Elevate Study Skills Program
Within the classroom, CMCB has implemented the Elevate Education study skills program, grounded in seventeen years of global research into student performance. Elevate has identified the habits that distinguish top-performing students, and its seminars and resources are designed to help students of all abilities adopt these habits. This leads to more effective learning outcomes and improves overall academic performance. Students progress through all of the program across Years 11 and 12.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Milanke Haasbroek
Congratulations to Milanke Haasbroek, Year 7, who recently competed in the Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run World Championships held in Funchal, Portugal, from 26 October to 1 November.
Milanke competed for Australia in the U15 age group and had a fantastic week of racing against some very strong international competition, coming away with very impressive results!
Modern Pentathlon Australia announced in September that Milanke would represent Australia at the 2026 UIPM (International Modern Pentathlon Union) Biathle & Triathle World Championships.
In less than one year, this hardworking and talented student has already made her mark on the sporting scene at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, representing the College in all swimming, cross-country, and athletics events. In July, Milanke qualified for the Australian Cross Country Championship.
At the recent Loddon Mallee Division Track and Field Regional Championships, Milanke produced a remarkable performance in the 12-13 Years Girls 1500m event. She not only claimed first place but also broke the long-standing Loddon Mallee Regional record, running an impressive time of 4:57.33. The previous record of 5:48.06 had stood since 2017, making this achievement even more significant.
Celebrating sports achievement from Years 7 - 12
Marian Theatre, St Mary’s Campus
Mr Brian Turner, Principal cordially invites you to join us in celebrating the sporting achievements of our student athletes from Year 7 to Year 12 in 2026.
RSVP: Monday 16 November 2026
E: mpearce@cmcb.vic.edu.au or P: 03 5445 9100
Featuring the annual Tim Ledwidge Memorial Medal Vote Count for our Senior Football and Netball teams.
Awards presented on the night:
All welcome!
Intermediate Girls took on Melbourne Girls College in the State Quarter Final.
SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - State Quarter Final
The Intermediate Girls Cricket team were excited to take part in another day of cricket, hosting Melbourne Girls College (MGC) in the SSV State Quarter Finals on Wednesday 4 November. With their regular captain Sienna Barnett unavailable due to injury, Macey White stepped up and led the team brilliantly.
After winning the toss, the girls elected to bowl first. Macey White opened the attack with ferocious pace, tormenting the batters and leaving Evie Gretgrix the opportunity to strike in the second over, where she claimed a wicket thanks to a great catch by Lilly Teuma. Evie continued her strong form throughout the innings, finishing with three wickets, while Lilly Teuma also took two wickets off her own bowling. In the field, catches were also taken by Macey White and Paige Kistiansen, while Etta Place and keeper Macey Pinner combined for a well-executed run out. MGC kept the pressure on with the bat throughout and managed to post a very competitive total of 6/100 from their 20 overs.
Macey White and Zara Mould then opened the batting and got the team off to a positive start with several boundaries. Unfortunately, the girls were unable to maintain the momentum, with Macey bowled for 15 and Zara forced to retire on 17* with a knee injury. The middle order worked hard to try and increase the run rate and chase down the target, but MGC's bowlers proved difficult to score against, restricting the quick singles, as well as taking a further four wickets. The girls did however, manage to bat out their 20 overs, but unfortunately fell short of the required target, finishing at 5/67.
Although the girls did not get the result they were hoping for, they represented the school with great spirit and took plenty of positives from the day.
A special mention to Elle Gilchrist, Lilly Teuma, Forest Jackson-Leahy and Etta Place, who all volunteered to field for the opposition, Melbourne Girls College, who were impacted by injury during the game.
Thank you to James Lenaghan for scoring and Darby Kramer for umpiring on the day.
Mrs Natalie West (Coach)
Intermediate Girls are Loddon Mallee Regional Champs
SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - Loddon Mallee Regional Finals
The Intermediate Girls Basketball team were highly motivated and eager for success at the recent Loddon Mallee Regional Finals held at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo.
Buoyed by the presence of sidelined teammates and a surprise visit from the College Sports Coordinator, whom we believe may have planned her return from Italy with this competition in mind, the girls quickly got to work against St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill. The tough opening game was a reminder of the importance of playing as a cohesive unit and valuing each possession. The girls came away with the win and carried that momentum into strong performances against St Arnaud Secondary College and St Joseph's College Echuca.
With five games scheduled in a row in a round robin format and only 10 minutes between each match, the day was a test of the team's endurance and ability to maintain their focus and intensity throughout the competition. After recording their fourth consecutive victory against Irymple Secondary College, the girls, although fatigued, remained fully focused for their final and most challenging match against Victory Christian College Bendigo.
After jumping out to an early lead and maintaining a strong, disciplined defensive structure, the girls controlled the game throughout. Despite the physical demands of the day, they continued to work hard for one another, looked after the ball, and executed their game plan effectively. Their efforts were rewarded with a 44-33 victory, securing the Loddon Mallee Region title.
The team will now turn their attention to the School Sport Victoria State Finals on Tuesday 17 November. Congratulations to all players on an excellent day of basketball, and we wish them all the best as they prepare to represent Catherine McAuley College Bendigo at the State Finals.
Mr Colin Hogan & Mrs Julie Fennell (Coaches)
TEAM: Mr Colin Hogan (Coach), Mia Cox, Sienna Raco, Lilly Teuma, Sophie McDermott, Ellie Macumber, Mrs Julie Fennell (Coach), Rylee Marsh, Alexis Arundell, Etta Place, Elle Gilchrist, Poppy Carter
Safety message about students dropped off by car at St Mary's
We have noticed an increase in students being dropped off at the Barkly Street crossing outside St Mary's and the Milroy and Barkly Street roundabout. While this may seem convenient, it can create unsafe situations for students and other road users.
When vehicles stop at or near the crossing or roundabout to let students out, they are still in the traffic. This makes it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and can lead to traffic congestion for vehicles travelling behind, creating a risk to both students and other road users.
We kindly ask all families to avoid dropping students at the crossing or roundabout and instead use safe, designated drop-off locations. Working together, we can help keep our students and the wider community safe.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Order now!
Booklist items can be purchased from Campion Education (access code CY7V).
COOLOCK CAMPUS: YEARS 7-9 2027
Language Selection
In Year 7, students will study either French or Indonesian. A separate communication will be provided to families to advise which language your child has been placed into for Year 7.
ST MARY'S CAMPUS: YEARS 10-12 2027
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.
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 1991 - 35-year reunion held on 24 October 2026
Catholic Primary School Discount
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL DISCOUNT
A Catholic Primary Discount of $150.00 applies to families that have two or more children at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) and are paying Catholic primary school fees. This will be applied to fee accounts in Term 3.
Please complete the form linked below and have the Principal of the primary school your child/children attend authorise this application.
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
Summer uniform must be worn by all students during Term 4. Blazers are no longer required.
We remind families that all students must wear the Summer Academic uniform during Term 4. Blazers are no longer required.
Hats are to be worn outdoors. If the hat is worn or lost, a replacement hat should be purchased.
Noone Bendigo is the proud uniform supplier for CMCB and is open six days per week for the convenience of families.
TRADING HOURS
Email: bendigo@noone.com.au
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.
| 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.
