It is with great pleasure that we extend a warm welcome to students and families joining us in 2027. This second Transition Update builds on the information shared in July, helping to ensure a smooth transition and a warm welcome for all students.

As we plan for the 2027 academic year, we thank you for choosing Catherine McAuley College Bendigo and appreciate the trust you have placed in us to prepare your child emotionally, socially, spiritually and academically for their future during the next six years.

As part of our commitment to supporting your child’s transition, the planning continues throughout Term 4. This involves developing learner profiles based on the details obtained as part of the enrolment process, acquiring learning data, as well as contact with our feeder schools.

I encourage you to visit our website and visit the Transition page for an overview of the Transition journey. We urge you not to be overwhelmed by the detail as you work through this Transition Update. You can easily return to this resource, so that you can refer to the important information whenever you need it. The partnership between families and the College must be strong, and communication and information should constantly flow between us.

The Year 7 Year Level Coordinators and teaching team, together with Coolock Campus staff, look forward to meeting and working with new students and families in 2027. In the meantime, we hope the final weeks of Grade 6 will be smooth, allowing students the opportunity to confidently close the chapter on primary school and look forward to moving into an exciting new world in 2027.

Booklist Items Available From Campion Education

Booklist items can be purchased from Campion Education (access code CY7V).

• The Campion booklist portal is now open.
• Online ordering and home delivery only.
• Orders placed by Sunday 13 December 2026 with Campion will be posted to the selected address, free of charge.
• Every effort will be made to deliver to your nominated address by 22 January 2027. Due to supply chain challenges, your delivery may arrive outside the original estimated delivery timeframe.
• Order online now at Campion Education or click below to download a PDF copy of the 2027 Booklist.

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

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 offers new student uniform fitting appointments at the Bendigo store. 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 attending the Coolock Campus can access three bus networks:

Country Bus Travel (School Bus System): Students who reside in areas serviced by the School Bus Program, including some areas of Strathfieldsaye, are eligible for country bus travel. Travel on the country bus network is free to eligible travellers.

Term 1, 2027 Applications are now open and travel allocations for 2027 will be sent from mid-November onwards. Travel applications can be made at the Student Travel System.

Urban Bus Travel (suburbs of Bendigo): All Victorian students under the age of 18 travel free on buses with a Youth myki. View the CMCB School Town Special map of routes to Coolock here.

Castlemaine Bus Travel: Castlemaine and district travellers are able to access the Castlemaine direct service. Please complete the Castlemaine Bus Service Application Form.

Click below for full information about bus travel options to and from Catherine McAuley College Bendigo in 2027.

THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2026 from 9.30 to 11.30am

Catherine McAuley College Bendigo’s Learning Diversity Team is dedicated to supporting students with additional needs so that they may experience success and achieve their personal best.

The Extra Transition Session is for students with additional needs who require extra orientation.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to join us for morning tea and a chat while your child attends the session.

RSVP: Click below for full details and reply using the link to below by Tuesday 27 October 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: 9.30am – 2.30pm
• Drop off from 8.30am, pick up from 2.30pm
• All Year 7 2027 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.

Opening the Doors Foundation

KEEPING KOORIE KIDS IN AN EDUCATION OF THEIR CHOICE

The Opening the Doors Foundation has supported Aboriginal children in education for 24 years. Grants are available to children of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

• Applications for the 2027 grant round will open on 26 October 2026
• Applications Close on 25 March 2027
• All vouchers expire on 31 May 2027

Funding covers educational items up to the limit set by Trustees, including books, uniforms, camp fees and IT devices (one pair of shoes per applicant).

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.

Follow CMCB on Social Media

Like and follow us to enjoy regular updates on the activities and achievements of students at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo.