Welcome to Coolock Campus

We are delighted that your family has chosen Catherine McAuley College Bendigo for your child’s secondary education journey. Starting Year 7 is an exciting milestone, and we are committed to making the transition to secondary school a positive, supportive, and enriching experience for every student.

This first Transition Update contains important information to help you and your child prepare for Year 7 in 2027 and begin to feel connected to our College community. We look forward to meeting you and your child during our upcoming Transition Interviews in August and September. Further details about these interviews and other transition activities can be found below.

At Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, we take great care in getting to know each student so that we can support their learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging from the very beginning. To assist with a smooth and successful transition to Year 7, we gather information in four key ways:

• Enrolment application forms
• Transition interviews
• Progressive Achievement Testing (PAT)
• Information shared by current Year 6 teachers and NCCD Coordinators

During Term 3, our Year 7 Coordinators and Learning Diversity Leader will visit our Catholic feeder primary schools to meet with Year 6 teachers and learn more about each student’s strengths, interests, and support needs. For students coming from government schools or other educational settings, we will connect directly with their schools to ensure we have the information needed to support a successful start at Coolock Campus.

We also encourage you to review the information below regarding the Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), which will take place in September. These assessments, together with information gathered through transition interviews and school consultations, help us develop a comprehensive learning and wellbeing profile for each student.

The more we know about our incoming Year 7 students, the better prepared we are to create learning experiences, pastoral care structures, and opportunities that enable every young person to thrive and serve. Our goal is that each student feels known, valued, and supported from their first day at CMCB.

Throughout the remainder of this year and into early 2027, a range of transition events will provide opportunities for students and families to become familiar with our college and learn more about the support available to help students flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

We wish your child every success as they continue their Year 6 journey and look forward to warmly welcoming your family to the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo community.

Monday 10 August - Friday 4 September 2026

For all Year 7, 2027 students with their parents/carers

As part of our commitment to supporting a successful transition to Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, all students commencing Year 7 in 2027, together with their families, will participate in a Transition Meeting.

These meetings provide an important opportunity to build meaningful connections and gain a deeper understanding of each student as they begin their journey with us. By learning about students’ strengths, interests, experiences, and individual needs, we can better support their wellbeing, learning, and sense of belonging from the outset.

Developing a holistic understanding of every student enables us to create positive pathways for success and ensure that each young person is known, valued, and supported as they transition into secondary school.

The transition meetings will be progressively rolled out throughout August and October. Information will be released to families as required.
They will begin on Tuesday 11 August. The remaining meetings will be conducted in early Term 4.

The booking link will be emailed to families in the near future.

PAT testing at Coolock Campus, Junortoun

The Progressive Achievement Tests for students from Government Schools will be held from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September at our Coolock Campus, 1 St Vincent's Road, Junortoun.

In the next Transition Update, you will receive your booklist information for Year 7, 2027. In the meantime, all students are asked to make their Language selection by Monday 14 September 2026, using the form below.

Core Subjects

In Years 7 and 8, all students undertake the following core subjects:

• English
• Health and Physical Education
• Humanities
• Languages* (French OR Indonesian)
• Mathematics
• Religion
• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)

*Language Selection

To support class placements and timetabling, please complete the 2027 Language Selection Form by Monday 17 August.

All Year 7 students are asked to select either French OR Indonesian as their Language choice. (If your child has no strong preference, they are welcome to indicate this on the form.)

In 2027, students will study their preferred language for one semester, then build on this language learning in Year 8.

Rotational Core - Arts, Technology Subjects

Over the two years, all Year 7 and Year 8 students will complete four semesters of Arts subjects and four semesters of Technology subjects:

• Art Design
• Agrifutures
• Product Design (Resistant Materials)
• Music
• Drama
• Product Design (Textiles)
• Food Technology
• Digital Technologies

Year 7 Classes in Action

Thank you to all who applied for the Sports Development Program in 2027 in either the Basketball, Football or Netball streams.

This exciting year-long initiative is designed to build students' skills, boost their confidence, and help them make a real impact in both their sport and the community.

Please note that the Sports Development Program classes will replace one of the Year 7 Rotational Core subjects.

Year 7 SDP Trial Dates and Times

• 3.50pm registration
• 4.00pm sharp start
• 5.15pm finish

BASKETBALL TRIALS

• Week 5: Tuesday 11 August 2026
• Week 6: Wednesday 19 August 2026; Thursday 20 August 2026

Coach: Stephen Black

We are thrilled to announce Stephen Black as the inaugural Head Coach of our Basketball Program, launching in 2027. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport and former NBL player, Stephen brings extensive elite basketball experience. Since retiring, he has held coaching leadership roles with the South West Metro Pirates, Willetton Tigers and Bendigo Braves (NBL1). His passion for athlete development and proven leadership make him the ideal person to establish and grow basketball at CMCB.

FOOTBALL TRIALS

• Week 3: Tuesday 28 July 2026
• Week 4: Monday 3 August 2026; Wednesday 5 August 2026

Coach: Lee Coghlan

Lee Coghlan has over ten years’ experience coaching the Senior Football Team at CMCB. A former high-level footballer, Lee brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into both local and representative football. As a member of the College community for twelve years, he is passionate about mentoring students through high-performance sport and deeply connected to the local talent system. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the football stream of this program.

NETBALL TRIALS

• Week 3: Monday 27 July 2026; Wednesday 29 July 2026
• Week 4: Tuesday 4 August 2026

Coach: Julie Fennell

Julie Fennell has a strong background in high-level local netball, both as a player and coach. Her experience across various age groups and sports, including multiple CMCB representative teams, equips her to deliver dynamic and engaging sessions. Julie is enthusiastic about using sport as a vehicle to enhance student learning and connection and is passionate about inspiring students through this program.

Please enter via Gate 1, take a hard left turn and follow the driveway down to the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct (MJSP) and park in the car park. Parents/carers are reminded that the trials are closed sessions and are requested to leave after checking in their child.

The Parent Access Module (PAM) is a digital platform used by CMCB to enhance communication between parents/carers and the College. It provides you with real-time access to important information about your child’s education and wellbeing.

YOUR PAM ACCOUNT

In Term 4 we will create your Parent Access Module (PAM) account. PAM will become your go-to place for school-related student information. Initially, we will ask you to complete your child's Medical Profile for 2026.

The uniform establishes a sense of belonging within the school community and is a mark of identity for Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) to the wider community. All Years 7 – 12 students are expected to wear the full CMCB uniform.

Fittings for New Students

As the official school uniform supplier, Noone will be offering new student uniform fitting appointments at the Bendigo store from October 2026. We encourage you to take advantage of this personalised fitting service.

Click below for more information about the College uniform and dress code expectations.

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

Catherine McAuley College Bendigo students access four bus networks:

• Urban Bus Travel (suburbs of Bendigo)
• Country Bus Travel
• Castlemaine Bus Travel
• CMCB Charter Service

Click below for general information about bus travel. Further details will be provided in Term 4, 2026.

Tuesday 8 December 2026

We look forward to welcoming Year 7, 2027 students to Orientation Day at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, to spend the day as a Year 7 student.

• Location: Coolock Campus, 1 St Vincent's Road, Junortoun.
• Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm
• Drop off from 8.30am, pick up from 3.00pm
• All Year 7 2026 families will need to drop off and collect their child at the Coolock Campus, 1 St Vincent's Road, Junortoun. Enter via Gate 3.
• Students are asked to wear their primary school sport uniforms.

Further information will be provided closer to the time.

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