From the Principal – 29 September 2022

What a brilliant way to finish off the term. Finally, some order and routine are returning when traditional events like Mercy Day can occur. We took a level of risk with the weather, but it was worth it. Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in the celebration.

The important feature was that the students had lots of fun and the seniors role-modelled what the day is all about. In all the fun, we forgot the fashion parade, so sorry to all the students and staff who missed the chance to show their outfits. It was great to see such colour and enthusiasm. The behaviour, manners and reverence shown by the students was exemplary. Catherine would have been proud.

Congratulations to all of the students who were acknowledged with a Spirit of Catherine Award and to Mrs Benita Arnott, the staff recipient of the Spirit of Catherine award. Mrs Arnott will have an opportunity to head to Dublin in 2023 and visit Baggot Street. Past staff recipients who missed the trip due to COVID will have their opportunity next year also.

Thank you to everyone for your continued resilience through a long Term 3. We averaged over 200 absences most days, yet still managed to deliver a whole term without closure or interruption. We pray the warmer weather benefits our health and our senior students have some normality in their final term.

Staffing News

Towards the end of Term 3, Mrs Trish Schofield resigned from her position after thirty-three years of service to Catholic College Bendigo and Catherine McAuley College.

Mrs Schofield has taught across a range of domains notably Physical Education, Religious Education, Humanities, Sports Leadership and English and she has been involved in many co-curricular activities such as sports coaching, camps and retreats. She has held many positions of leadership, including Year Level Coordinator, Head of House, Director of Faith and Ministry, Deputy Principal Faith and Ministry and Deputy Principal St Marys.

Mrs Schofield is travelling through the coming months with family and we wish her every success in her travels and in the future.

In Term 4, Mr Tim Edwards, Deputy Principal, is taking long-service leave and Mr Len Watson will fill that void as the Acting Deputy Principal at Coolock Campus. Mr Watson will be replaced by Mrs Cara Pawsey who will be the Acting Director of Campus at Coolock. Mrs Hannah Johnston will join Mr Lachlan Murdoch as a Year 7 Year Level Leader. We wish them all every success in their roles and hope that Mr Edwards has a restful break.

We also wish Mr Daniel McKee every success on his appointment to the Bendigo Tech School. Mr McKee has been a staff member at CCB/CMC for nineteen years. In that time, he has held numerous teaching and leadership positions. We look forward to witnessing his contribution when we visit Bendigo Tech School in the future.

We thank Mrs Lisa Darlow for her work through Term 3 in replacing Mrs Karen Lichnovsky as a Year 11 Year Level Leader. We also welcome back teachers Mr Mathew Canterford and Ms Sophie Reddin, who have been on leave.

We welcome the following new staff:

Mrs Belinda Smith has joined the administration team at Coolock and Mrs Julie Jones has accepted the position of Payroll Officer at CMC and will commence with us on Monday 10 October.

The College has advertised for two Deputy Principal positions to commence in 2023. For the interim, Ms Suzie Kemp will continue in the role of Acting Deputy Principal St Mary’s and Mr Matthew Angove as Acting Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching. We thank them both for their flexibility and contribution over the past two terms. The College is also advertising for a new Corporate Services Executive Officer to commence before the end of this year.

A new Position of Leadership role will also be introduced to support the outstanding work of Ms Ellen Francis who has been the catalyst for the success of the iGEN program to this point. iGEN is progressing well beyond the partners’ expectations and considerable infrastructure and planning needs are emerging that require a significant position to support the implementation of the curriculum, program and facility development.

St Vincent’s 65th Anniversary weekend: 15 – 16 October

The St Vincent’s alumni will commemorate 65 years since foundation with a dinner on Saturday 15 October in Bendigo and then a Mass at Coolock on Sunday 16 October in the Sister Aloysius Martyn Arts Centre, celebrated by Monsignor Frank and a Vincentian Father. A presentation will be given at the dinner, detailing the Vincentian legacy at the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct (MJSP). The ovals will retain the original names given by the Vincentians and a heritage area will feature at the entrance of the MJSP with images and memorabilia showcasing the legacy of the Vincentian Fathers and students who attended St Vincents at Junortoun. Carter & Co are preparing the heritage area.

Please read the following communication for key information about the upcoming term.

I wish everyone a successful Term 4.

Regards,

Brian Turner, Principal