16th December 2024

Term 4-Week 10

• Monday 16th December 2024
  
  • Gratitude and Farewell Assembly & Advent Liturgy @9am (cup of tea in the hall from 8:30am)
  • Yr 6 Pantomine @2pm- All Welcome 
  • Year 6 Farewell Dinner (Yr 6 students, their parents and staff)
• Tuesday 17th December 2024
  • Last day of school for Students
  • Student assessment reports released on COMPASS
  • Yr 6 Activity Day Excursion 
• Wednesday 18th December 2024
  
  • Pupil Free Day- Staff Development

Term 1-Week 1 School Year 2025

• Monday 3rd February 2025
  
  • Pupil Free Day- Staff Development
• Tuesday 4th February 2025
  • Students return to school Year 1 - Year 6
  • Kindergarten Best Start Assessments 
    
• Wednesday 5th February 2025
  
  • Kindergarten Best Start Assessments 
    
• Thursday 6th February 2025
  • Kindergarten start school 
• Friday 7th February 2025
  • Swimming Carnival (Year 3-Year 6) 
    

Important Dates

More important dates listed here 

For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars
for easy access on your phone or device 

From the Principal

Thank you to our Cathedral community for their work in preparing and joining with us for our Family Night last Thursday. A particular thanks to Mrs Mellenbergh and Mrs Tait in the office, Mr Boylan, Mrs Baird and Miss Inwood for their preparations leading up to the day (and Mrs O’Neill upon her return of course), along with our wonderful staff for preparing those beautiful performances. 

Lastly to our families who took the time to join us and our gorgeous students for making the night such a special celebration and our year with them such a wonderful reason to celebrate.

We thank all of our Cathedral students, families and staff for a wonderful year. We wish our Year 6 students all of the very best for their journey to high school and hope that they always feel welcome back at Cathedral. This morning we acknowledged our staff who have completed contracts and those retiring:  Mr Guilfoyle, Mrs Condon and Mrs McKean. We thank them for the many years of service to Catholic Education. We are a better school because of their presence and although they are retiring we look forward to welcoming them back in the future as they continue to offer their wisdom and guidance.

We look forward to welcoming back our students for 2025 on Tuesday 4th February (Years 1-6) and our Kindergarten students on Thursday 6th February, 2025.

Over the Christmas break, we pray that we will all recognise the love of Jesus present in our lives and reach out to all those who may not feel the loving presence of Christ, as we do. 

Wishing you all a very happy and holy Christmas

Camille Tavares   | Principal

Staffing 2025

On Friday, our students had the opportunity to meet their 2025 classroom teachers. It was wonderful to see this special addition to our transition process which acknowledges the importance of allowing all of our children time to adapt to changes.

Below are the teachers assigned for 2025 to each class, but as always, staffing  sometimes needs to be adjusted. Please note that the Year 6 class with Mr Boylan has a slight adjustment with Mrs Lata now joining the Year 6 team again. We congratulate Mrs Whitmore who has accepted a permanent position as our EALD teacher for 2025 hence the change. While we hope that there will be no more changes, we can never anticipate all staff movements. We have also included the welcoming back of staff due to return from parental leave for 2025.

Kindergarten

KA - Genevieve Avinash 

KM - Aimee Morris 

Year One

1W - Kathryn Wilkinson 

1M - Danielle Mitchell  

Year Two

2IC - Esther Inwood (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and Kerry  Cashen (Wed) 

2MG - Dee McGregor with Alice Gallagher (from Term 2) 

Year Three

3TJ - Cassie Toole (Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri) and Jerdin Jenkins (Mon) 

3MO - Courtney Muldoon (Mon, Tue, Wed) and Catherine O’Neill (Thu, Fri) 

Year Four

4W - Carolyn Wood 

4RS -  Danielle Rice (Mon, Tue, Wed) and Melissa Stait (Thu, Fri) (Abbie Bowman from Term 3)

Year Five

5C - Anna Clayton 

5A - Antoinette Angelucci 

Year Six

6B - Julia Baird 

6LB - Ashley Boylan (Mon, Tues, Wed)  and Sonika Lata (Thu, Fri)

End of Year Celebrations

Each year we gather to celebrate and give thanks for the year that was. Below is a brief outline of our end of year events.

School Representative Uniform Items

We ask that all school representative items be returned to school this week. Items such as football, soccer, netball, band uniforms and any other items that may have been loaned out throughout the year. These can be returned to the front office so that they can be used by students in 2025. 

Teaching and Learning

As we approach the end of the year, I would like to take a moment to extend our warmest wishes to all our students, families, and staff members. It has been a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable moments, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your child’s educational journey.

I would like to express my gratitude to our dedicated teachers and support staff who have worked tirelessly to create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for our students. 

To our amazing students, we are incredibly proud of your achievements and the progress you have made throughout the year. 

I would also like to extend a special thank you to our supportive families. Your partnership and involvement in your child's education have been invaluable. We appreciate your continued trust and collaboration.

May the coming year bring new opportunities and endless possibilities for growth and learning. We are excited to continue our journey together and to witness the remarkable achievements that lie ahead.

Catherine O'Neill   | Assistant Principal

Religious Education & Catholic Life

What, then, must we do? (Luke 3:10-18) 

THANK YOU 

As we come to the end of another year, I’d like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support of the Religious Education and Catholic Life within our school community.

From joining us at Masses and school assemblies to walking alongside your children as they prepare to receive sacraments, your presence and encouragement make a world of difference. Your generous contributions to the various charities we’ve supported throughout the year truly reflect the spirit of compassion and service that lies at the heart of our faith.

Your partnership in nurturing the spiritual and educational growth of our students is a gift we treasure. Thank you for sharing your time, your generosity, and your faith with us—it helps create a vibrant and loving community where our children can flourish.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

As we prepare to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, we want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to each of you. Christmas is a time to pause, reflect, and rejoice in the birth of Jesus, whose message of love, peace, and hope continues to guide and inspire us.

To all our families who celebrate Christmas, may this season be filled with the blessings of joy, togetherness, and the peace of Christ. And to our families of different faith traditions, we deeply value and respect the richness you bring to our school community. Your presence enhances our shared journey and reminds us of the beauty of unity in diversity.

Thank you for the many ways you support our school throughout the year. Whether it’s through your participation in faith-filled events, your encouragement of your children’s learning, or your generosity in giving to those in need, you truly reflect the values that make our community so special.

May this holiday season bring rest, joy, and renewal to your families, and may the year ahead be filled with blessings.

Up Coming School Events:

Please make sure that you are also aware of all the events listed on the School Calendar. 

IN OUR PARISH
We are proud to be an important part of the Cathedral Parish of Ss Michael & John.   For information about our parish please click here. This includes Mass Times, Ministries, Sacraments and current edition and archived stories from the Catholic Observer and Parish Bulletin.

Parish Christmas Mass Times

Please find below the times regarding the planned Masses to celebrate Christmas in our Parish. 

Julia Baird  | Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Awards

Library

There is no more borrowing for this year. Please return all Library books to the Library. 

I would like to thank the 2024 Information Services Committee (Harrison, Drew,  Lachlan, Seth, Jackie, Alfie, Emmerie, Macey, Charlotte, Logan, Christian) for their help in the Library this year. This group of super keen students have risen to any challenge put before them and helped the Library run efficiently - good luck in your reading adventures at high school next year!

I would also like to thank Mrs Alana Watson for her willingness to support our reading initiative work in the Canteen.

I wish all the families of Cathedral School a happy and holy Christmas with lots of holiday reading time.

Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

SPB4L-School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning

‘We show respect and kindness in our thoughts, words and actions’

As we approach the end of the school year, our focus for the final two weeks is "We show respect and kindness in our thoughts, words, and actions." This is a wonderful opportunity for us to foster positive behaviours, create a harmonious environment, and end the year on a high note.

Respect and kindness are not just about how we treat one another—they reflect the heart of our Catholic values and align beautifully with the spirit of Advent. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded to share love, hope, peace, and joy with those around us through our actions and attitudes.

We encourage all members of our school community—students, staff, and families—to live out this focus in meaningful ways during these final weeks. Whether it’s lending a helping hand, speaking gently, or simply showing gratitude, let’s work together to make this time a celebration of kindness and respect.

Thank you for your ongoing support in nurturing these values within our school community.

Julia Baird   | On behalf of the SPB4L Committee

Wellbeing

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

Sports

Swimming Carnival 2025

Parents please be aware that nominations for the Cathedral School Swimming carnival to be held on Friday 7th February 2025, will be available via email this week. We ask that you complete the linked Google nomination form for the grade your child will be in, in 2025 ASAP. All students in Year 3-Year 6 2025 (including non swimmers), are to complete the form. Year 2 2025 nominations are for confident swimmers only. This is to help with the task of entering all nominations into our swimming program. Should you have any issues please contact Miss Toole at cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au   Thank you for your help with this task.

Community Sport Site

Our Diocesan sports coordinator Mr Steve Maguire has created a Community Sport Site (has reports from events) for parents, families & teachers which can be accessed to assist with Diocesan Sports pathways. You may like to bookmark this site for reference:

https://sites.google.com/bth.catholic.edu.au/cedbsportcommunity/home

Louise Condon   | Sports Coordinator

Counsellor

It’s that time of year again- another school year comes to a close!

Holidays can take students away from friends and their usual support network…

The end of school can mark relief for young people and families, and the summer break will hopefully provide some rest and relaxation, however, for some it may come as a challenge or lead to an increase in worry.

Changes to routine can cause some young people to feel stressed, isolated and alone. Parent support is very important at this time. Below is some information to help you support young people to stay in a healthy headspace in school holidays. There is also some information that may help you to identify when your young person might need some extra support and where to go for help.

Make time for Family Time

Most of us are busier than ever, with work, school, social activities and a growing to-do list. Sometimes this can mean important activities such as quality family time can be neglected and pushed to the back of the agenda. However, the benefits of spending time as a family are hard to ignore, which is why it’s crucial to make the time as often as you can. Not only can it have a positive effect on your child’s mental health but make a real difference in their general wellbeing and academic performance. Family time also provides the opportunity for children to learn how to deal with all kinds of life situations, and where they learn innumerable lessons. It is encouraged that family time is prioritised and scheduled into our busy lives!

Encourage your children to stay connected

Social relationships are important to your young person’s general wellbeing. It is okay if they take time out for themselves at times, but encourage them to keep in contact with friends over the holidays. Friends can provide both play and support, and spending time with friends is also important for keeping and building on existing friendships. If your young person is not feeling up to going out, even a phone call, email, text message or Facebook message can help them to feel connected to friends and family.

Encourage your children to stay involved

Encourage involvement with volunteer work, hobbies, clubs or committees, or sports – these can help young people feel connected to their wider community. Participate with them when you can. Involve them in decisions and give them responsibility at home (e.g. deciding what to eat for dinner and helping to prepare it). Help them to identify and set realistic goals. Setting and achieving realistic goals can be incredibly motivating and can help build self-confidence.

Encourage physical activity

Physical activity is important for everyone’s health and wellbeing. If your young person is feeling down or finding things are difficult, physical activity may be the last thing they feel like doing. But even small activities, like walking around the block, can help relieve stress and frustration, provide a good distraction from worrying thoughts, improve concentration and improve mood. If your young person is struggling to get active, find a physical activity that you both enjoy and can do together (e.g. swimming, playing sports with friends or cycling) and make a plan to do it regularly.

Encourage a regular routine

Getting a good night’s sleep helps young people to feel energised, focused and motivated. Adolescence is a time when a number of changes to the “body clock” impact on sleeping patterns and young people are more likely to have problems with sleep. Developing a sleeping routine can help. Encourage your young person to wake up around the same time each day, get out of bed when they wake up, and go to bed around the same time each night. Avoiding caffeine after lunchtime, having a quiet, dark and uncluttered bedroom and shutting down electronic devices before bed can also help them to get a good night’s sleep.

Encourage healthy eating habits

Eating well doesn’t only reduce the risk of physical health problems, like heart disease and diabetes, but it can also help with sleeping patterns, energy levels, mood, and general health and wellbeing. A good balanced diet with less junk food/ lots of sugars and more vegies, fruit, whole grains and plenty of water will ensure your young person has all of the vitamins and minerals to help their body and brain function well.

Encourage play!

Devoting time to just having fun can help to recharge your young person’s battery, revitalise their social networks and reduce stress and anxiety.

 Tips to help you support your young person 

• Recognise their distress or concerning behaviour
• Ask them about it (e.g. “I’ve noticed you seem to be sad”)
• Acknowledge their feelings (e.g. “That seems like a really hard place to be in/ I can understand why you are upset about that”)
• Get appropriate support and encourage healthy coping strategies (e.g. “Do you need some help in handling this”)
• Check-in a short time afterwards to see how they are going

 Support Service Options 

• Kids Helpline is a 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 – kidshelpline.com.au 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue offers telephone or online support with a trained mental health professional ny time of the day or night – 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline is a 24-hour telephone counselling service – lifeline.org.au 13 11 14
• Headspace centres provide support, information and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 – headspace.org.au
• Headspace provides online counselling and telephone support to young people aged 12 to 25 – eheadspace.org.au 1800 650 890
• Parentline 1300 301 300
• ReachOut.com for information about well-being.

Credits/Resources
Headspace- supporting your young person during the holidays

Sharnie Willis   | Counsellor

Uniform

We ask that families support the school in presenting a positive image to our community by encouraging the wearing of the correct school uniform. 

Shoes

We ask families to ensure that their children are wearing the correct shoes. 

• Joggers may be worn on your child’s sport day only. 
• On all other days, we ask that students wear covered in black leather shoes. Black joggers are not suitable on these days nor are other joggers.
• If students are wearing boots, we ask that they do not wear boots with a reinforced toe. If students wear boots with a reinforced toe, we will need to request that they sit out of games throughout the day as these pose a safety risk to other students. 

If at any time you are experiencing financial difficulty and this is a barrier to providing your child with the correct uniform we ask that you contact the office so that we can assist you.  Our school uniform expectations are clearly set out upon enrolment and so we ask that you please adhere to these.

Parents and Friends

SCHOOL BACKPACKS have arrived!

The school backpacks can be ordered on FlexiSchools for $65 – click on shop, then your child’s name, then uniform shop. The back pack will be delivered to your child’s classroom along with the lunch orders so you can select a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday for delivery, then select school back pack and finalise your order. 

BAGS CAN ALSO BE BOUGHT THROUGH THE FRONT OFFICE

We have attached the flyer about the back pack here for your reference.

If you have any enquiries about our projects or would like to get involved, please email us at cathedralpandf@gmail.com

Melissa Bray   | P & F Publicity

Music

Year 2 Instrument Testing- Please feel free to contact Mr Dove if you have any further questions regarding your child participating in the Music Enrichment program in 2025.  All information has now been sent home with your children.

Choir with Mrs Sadler Tuesday @ 8.45am

Guitar Group with BAM Wednesday @ 11am

Senior Band with Mr Dove Thursday @ 7.50am

Junior Band with Mr Dove Thursday @ 11am

Places are still available for various ensembles in 2025.  If your child is interested in participating in any of these groups please feel free to contact me chris_dove_trumpet@hotmail.com

Chris Dove   | Band Director

School Calendar Handy Hints

For those who are not familiar with Google Calendar an easy way to keep up to date with the school calendar is to check the school website. Here is the link that will take you straight to the Calendar section of the site where the calendar can be displayed by month. If you click on the event more details (if confirmed) will be available for the event. 

Most end of year events and special celebrations have already been added to the calendar and all other events appear as soon as we can confirm the details.  Website Calendar Link

For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars for easy access
on your phone or device. Google School Calendar Link

OSHC

Cathedral OSHC is looking forward to finishing a busy term with several community projects. This term, the children will be organising our annual Christmas Food Drive for The Little Pantry Bathurst. Please support their efforts with non-perishable, and/or long dated food item donations to assist families in need this Christmas season. Cathedral OSHC will be accepting donations in the OSHC room all December until 19/12/24 (and we won't turn away early birds!). Our children are also holding a design competition to decorate a giant "gingerbread" house as part of O'Connell Public's Competition. You'll be able to view their work, and hopefully hundreds of others, lining the streets of O'Connell Avenue with Christmas cheer later this year. 
If you'd like to express your interest for a 2025 enrolment, or have a sibling to enrol, please contact our Coordinator at cathedraloshc@centacarebathurst.com.au. 

Canteen

CAN YOU HELP?

The Canteen is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Canteen will be open for Lunch orders on Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th December

we will have a limited menu and you can order online via flexischools

We are in need of helpers in the Canteen on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. 
For the canteen to run smoothly 3 volunteers are essential.

Please contact Alana Watson on 0417 044 116 if you would like to be included in the canteen roster,
any time offered is welcomed.

Thank you to all our friends and family for all your ongoing support of the Cathedral Canteen.

Community Notices

Bathurst Bus Lines - School Bus Tracking App
The school bus tracking app is available for parents to download on their phone and track their child's bus in real time.  This might alleviate some of the anxiety related to putting students on the bus. Please see instructions below.

Parents requiring any bus pass or general bus travel information are welcome to contact our office and we will be able to discuss their needs accordingly.

If you have any queries please contact us on 6331 2744

Kind regards,

Carolyn
Bathurst Bus Lines