Term 3, Week 10

What's On This Week

What's On - Term 4, Week 1

Principal's Message

The Importance of Student Leaders

One of the great joys of school life is watching our students step into leadership roles and grow through the responsibility of serving others. Student leadership is not just about wearing a badge; it is about living out our school values, setting an example for peers and contributing to a positive, welcoming school culture.

Today we saw this in action as our Year 6 leaders organised and led our annual Mini Fete. What a wonderful day it was! Kinder to Year 5 students had such a fantastic time enjoying the stalls, games and activities, all thanks to the hard work, creativity and generosity of our Year 6 students. The Mini Fete is a true example of leadership in service with our oldest students giving their time and energy to bring joy to others.

I would like to sincerely thank the teachers Mrs Peck, Mrs Hanley and Mrs Bryant who guided and supported the planning and organisation of the event. Your encouragement ensured our Year 6 leaders were prepared, confident and ready to serve in this special way.

We are very proud of our Year 6 students and the way they embraced this opportunity. Today’s Mini Fete was more than just fun. It was a living lesson in service, teamwork and leadership.

A Time for Rest and Renewal

As we come to the end of a busy and joy-filled term, I encourage all our families to take these school holidays as a time for rest and renewal. Holidays provide an important chance for students to slow down, spend time with family and friends, and recharge their energy for the term ahead. I hope these days are filled with laughter, relaxation and special moments together. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 14th October, refreshed and ready for another great term of learning and growing.

Yours in Education
Angela Muller

From the Assistant Principal

We are finally at the end of Term 3. A big thank you to all of our families for your continued support of us and your children while they are in our care. I hope that everyone has a restful break and enjoys spending time together and enjoying the Sun. 

Next term our students will return in their Full School Summer Uniform from Tuesday 14th October. We have a big term ahead as we look to finish 2025 with a bang! 

Please see the calendar in this newsletter for important dates regarding next term such as our Final School Mass, Swimming Week and our Christmas evening in Week 9. 

Matthew Gibson 
Assistant Principal

REC News: Mrs Catherine Connor

Sunday, 28th September 2025: Twenty Sixth Sunday Ordinary Time - Year C

Luke 16:19-31  During your life good things come your way just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted while you are in agony.

Gospel Reflection

In the gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus tells a story about another rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. There can be no mistaking the message in today's gospel. The rich man fails to share his good fortune with the starving man on his doorstep. Who is the starving person on my doorstep? Is it someone craving food, or shelter, or a word of encouragement, or some companionship? Is that person in my own house, or living next door, or in my parish, or the next suburb, or even in another country? Although we cannot personally solve the overwhelming poverty and misery in the world, the gospel story of the rich man and Lazarus shows us where to start – at our doorstep.

Gospel Challenge

There is so much poverty and need in the world that we can become discouraged. A good place to start is by taking care of the needs of those nearest us – a lonely neighbour, an out-of-work family, sharing our things with schoolmates or neighbours who don't have as much as we do, being sensitive to those who are disadvantaged, timid, or ‘outsiders’.

Grandparents Liturgy

It was such an exciting day having our grandparents join us on Friday, September 12th, for Grandparent day. Thank you to Kindergarten for the beautiful liturgy and everyone who joined us for morning tea and our open classrooms.

Christmas Art Exhibition

Congratulations to our Christmas art students, Claudia, Rebecca, Mina, Amelia, Ollie, Anees, Harper, and Jensen. Thank you, Mrs Nadine Richards for all the wonderful work you have done supporting these students. These students have been acknowledged by the Catholic Education Office. 

Parish Mass

On Sunday evening, 14th September the school choir, Voices of Hope, led the congregation at the Parish Mass, in the music and singing with Mrs Lynch and Mr Gibson.

To keep connected to the Cathedral Parish please follow the link to the Cathedral Parish Bulletin.

Sacraments of Penance & Eucharist 2025

Congratulations to Louis, Isla, Evelyn, Tommy, Tayla, Willow and Zoe who made their First Communion and Matthew and Mia  who made their Sacrament of Penance.

Please inform the school office, class teacher or myself when your child is making a Sacrament and we can supply you with the robes for Communion and Confirmation and a sash and pin for Penance. We would also love to receive photos so we can publish them in the newsletter.

Students in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 6 are prepared and ready to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation.

Now your child/children have completed the Preparation Program for their Sacrament the parents/carers can contact Cathy Brien at the Parish Office on 6331 3066 or cathy.brien@cdob.org.au for coordination of dates and times to make the Sacraments..

Please inform the school office, class teacher or myself when your child is making a Sacrament. It is also very important to have the student who is receiving a Sacrament in the Parish Mass to be at the Church at least 20 minutes before the Mass and let the priest know you are there. 

The place for children to receive the Sacrament of Penance will be organised by Cathy O’Brien.

Both the school and the Parish office can supply you with the robes for Communion and Confirmation and medal and sash for Penance. We would also love to receive photos so we can publish them in the newsletter.

Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist Process 2025

Students in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 6 are prepared and ready to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation.

When your child/children has completed the Preparation Program for their Sacrament the parents/carers can contact Cathy Brien at the Parish Office on 6331 3066 or cathy.brien@cdob.org.au for coordination of dates and times to make the Sacraments.

Please inform the school office, class teacher or myself when your child is making a Sacrament. It is also very important to have the student who is receiving a Sacrament in the Parish Mass to be at the Church at least 20 minutes before the Mass and let the priest know you are there. 

The place for children to receive the Sacrament of Penance will be organised by Cathy O’Brien.

Both the school and the Parish office can supply you with the robes for Communion and Confirmation and medal and sash for Penance. We would also love to receive photos so we can publish them in the newsletter.

Please note: The Confirmation dates have all been filled for 2025. If your child missed being confirmed this year, they can take part in the 2026 Confirmations.

The process of booking in for the Sacraments.

1. Completed Sacraments preparation course. 
2. Obtain a Request form from Cathy Brien at the Cathedral Parish Office cathy.brien@cdob.org.au or phone 6331 3066.
3. Return the completed Request form to Cathy Brien, ensuring that all the relevant supporting documents have been attached. 
4. Cathy will then coordinate the requests with the available dates.

The Sports Arena: Mrs Alison Hanley

Polding Athletics

Five of our students travelled to Newcastle in Week 8 to compete in the Polding Athletics Carnival. These students competed against some of the best athletes in our state. All of our students competed brilliantly with many placing in the top 5 for their event at this high level. A massive congratulations to these students: Nixon, Oliver, Harper, Archie and Thea. 

Aspire Gymnastics

Next term we have received a Sporting Schools Grant for our infants students to participate in Gymnastics. Aspire Gymnastics will be running these sessions on a Thursday for the first four weeks of the term. We are very excited for our future gymnasts to shine.

Student Wellbeing: Mrs Sonia Peck

School Chess Championship – Term 2 & 3 Showdown

Over Terms 2 and 3, the school’s chessboards became battlegrounds as minds clashed, pawns marched, and kings were hunted. Lunchtimes turned into arenas of strategy, where students sacrificed sandwiches for sacrifices on the board, and every move brought them closer to checkmate glory.

Junior Division (Years 3 & 4)

In the junior section, students in Years 3 and 4 battled fiercely for ultimate chess bragging rights. Each game was a test of courage, cunning, and careful calculation. After weeks of daring openings, surprising gambits, and cool endgames, Leo Drum emerged victorious. With the confidence of a seasoned grandmaster, Leo’s final rook manoeuvre sealed the deal, crowning him our 2025 Junior Champion.

Senior Division (Years 5 & 6)

The senior competition was no less dramatic. Our Years 5 and 6 competitors brought their best strategies to the board, proving that lunchtime chess is serious business. Hudson Boss claimed the title of Senior Champion, displaying nerves of steel and a tactical brilliance that left opponents in checkmate before they knew what had happened. Hudson’s final victory was a true “queen’s gambit” moment—bold, clever, and decisive.

A Celebration of Strategy

This year’s chess competitions reminded us that chess is more than just a game—it’s a battle of wits, patience, and imagination. Every student who competed showed remarkable focus and sportsmanship, making our school proud.

Congratulations to our champions Leo (Junior) and Hudson (Senior), and to all the students who kept our boards buzzing with brilliant moves all term long. Until next year - may your bishops be bold, your knights leap true, and your kings always find safe squares!

Sonia Peck
Leader of Student Wellbeing

First Nations Education: Dhurany (News): Mrs Kylie Booth-Martinez

With School Holidays and Bathurst Schools NAIDOC week approaching, I thought the flyers below this might be of interest to our school community!

With yindyamarra and mandaang (respect and thanks in Wiradyuri),

Mrs Kylie Booth-Martinez & Mr Max Martinez
Aboriginal Education Officers

Term 4: Calendar

School Holiday Activities