11th August 2025

Term 3 - Week 4

• Monday 11th August 2025
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
  • Gospel Reflection & Assembly led by 6LB @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
  • Kindergarten Excursion to Bathurst Library @ 10.30am
  • 3 Way Parents Teacher Conferences
• Tuesday 12th August 2025
  
  • Mini Vinnies @ Recess 
  • 3 Way Parents Teacher Conferences
• Wednesday 13th August 2025
  
  • Guitar Group @ 11.00-11.40am 
  • Senior & Junior Final Band Rehearsal for Bathurst Eisteddfod
  • Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
  • Voiceology @ 1.30pm
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
  • 3 Way Parents Teacher Conferences
• Thursday 14th August 2025
  • Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am
  • Bathurst Eisteddfod Senior & Junior Band
  • Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am 
    
• Friday 15th August 2025
  
  • Bathurst Eisteddfod Year 1 Percussion
  • Bathurst Eisteddfod Guitar Group & Ukulele Group

Term 3 - Week 5

• Monday 18th August 2025
  
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
  • Gospel Reflection & Assembly led by 6B @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
  • Year 1 Excursion to Bathurst Library @ 10.30am
• Tuesday 19th August 2025
  
  • Mini Vinnies @ Recess
    
• Wednesday 20th August 2025
  
  • Guitar Group @ 11.00-11.40am 
  • Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
  • Voiceology Group @ 1.30pm
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
    
• Thursday 21st August 2025
  
  • Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am 
    
  • Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am
    
  • Year 4 VIV Excursion @ BMEC
• Friday 22nd August 2025
  • Diocesan Athletics Carnival, Dubbo
  • Book Week Activities / Dress Up Day

Important Dates

From the Principal

MacKillop Day
What a wonderful day we shared last week for MacKillop Day, led by our amazing House Captains! It was such a joy to see students, staff, parents, grandparents, parishioners and friends coming together to honour one of our beloved patrons, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. 

As a Principal, I was delighted to see amongst the sea of red, hands quickly shoot into the air as Fr Nam asked about the life of Mary. These days are wonderful opportunities to celebrate through learning.  Mary had an extraordinary story filled with  hope and courage. She experienced many trials and is a wonderful example of faith and perseverance. I encourage you to take a look at the short clips available on the Josephite website about St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. 

Days like this remind us what a blessing it is to be part of a school community where faith, learning and friendship are at the heart of everything we do. At the conclusion of our Mass we took the time to thank our Sisters of Josephite with a special thank you to Sr Maria Sullivan. Sr Maria is often spotted in the canteen making toasties on a Monday morning and having chats with our Cathedral families. Sr Maria loves to listen to the stories of our families and is always available for a cuppa and chat. 

SchoolTV
We all know that parenting can be both a joy and a challenge. Sometimes, knowing where to turn for reliable advice can make all the difference. That’s why we are so pleased to offer SchoolTV, a trusted online resource for our Cathedral families.
SchoolTV is packed with short videos, expert tips, and practical strategies to support you in raising happy, healthy, and resilient children. Topics range from friendships and online safety to mental health and wellbeing – all designed with families in mind. Over the term, our Wellbeing Teacher, Merryn Sadler will send information direct to you via Compass. We thank our P&F for supporting this initiative and we hope that you will find it helpful. 

You can explore SchoolTV anytime through our school website:

Our Newsletter will be published fortnightly in 2025 and we encourage you to access the Google Cathedral Community Calendar so that you can stay current with school dates and celebrations. 

Mrs Camille Tavares   | Principal

Uniform Committee

At our recent P&F meeting, our school uniform was discussed. After feedback in our Annual Improvement Survey and directly to our P&F, we feel that it is now time to review our sport shirt and add an option for our girls to wear shorts over the summer. 

We invite any parents interested in working with a committee to discuss and if appropriate, formulate options to modify our school sport shirt and a shorts option for our girls to wear in the summer months. 

Our first meeting will be from 5:30-6:00pm in the school Library on Wednesday 3rd September before the commencement of our P&F meeting.  All parents are welcome. 

Teaching and Learning

Conversations that Count – Three-Way Conferences Begin Monday
Three-Way Conferences will commence on Monday for all classes, except 4W. These meetings are an important opportunity to reflect on each student’s learning journey, with a particular focus on Writing. Teachers and students are looking forward to sharing progress using visual displays, learning scaffolds, and modelled Writing samples, which will help guide meaningful conversations about strengths and next steps. These conferences also provide valuable time to revisit the learning goals set during Term 1 and identify clear pathways for growth, ensuring that every child continues to make strong progress. We look forward to welcoming families into these important discussions and strengthening the partnership between home and school.

Strengthening School Connections – Welcoming Work Experience Students
This week, we are delighted to welcome six students from MacKillop College as part of their Work Experience program. Five of these students are former Cathedral School students, and it is wonderful to see them returning in a new role to contribute to our school community.
The Work Experience program benefits everyone involved: for the MacKillop students, it provides first-hand insight into the world of work, builds confidence, and develops practical skills; for our school, it offers additional support for teachers and students as well as providing the opportunity to strengthen connections with our local Catholic High schools. Partnerships like this help create a smooth educational pathway from primary to secondary school, supporting our students as they transition through each stage of their learning.

Showcasing Our Strengths – International Maths Consultant Visits
We are excited to welcome Vince Wright, an international consultant specialising in Primary Mathematics, to our school on Monday. As part of his visit, Vince will be observing some Mathematics lessons and meeting with the school Leadership Team to develop a deeper understanding of how Mathematics is taught at Cathedral School. Mr Wright is visiting a number of schools across the Bathurst Diocese as part of a diocesan project aimed at identifying both the strengths of current teaching practices and areas for future growth. We are proud to be part of this important initiative and to share the work happening in our classrooms.

Celebrating Talent – Bathurst Eisteddfod Music Program
The Bathurst Eisteddfod begins this week for our students, starting with the Music Program. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their musical talents, demonstrating skills such as musical expression, ensemble performance, and confident stage presence. We wish all our performers the very best and look forward to celebrating their achievements. Detailed information about Eisteddfod groups, dates and times is available below.

As we move through another busy and rewarding week, I want to thank our parents and carers for the continued support you give to both your children and our school. It is through this shared commitment that our students are able to thrive. 

Catherine O’Neill   | Assistant Principal

Awards

Religious Education & Catholic Life

Thank you
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Baird for her work as Acting Religious Education Coordinator and her coordination of the SPB4L Committee. Her leadership and dedication have been greatly appreciated.

Celebrating the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop
Last Friday, 8th August, our school community came together to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, a woman of profound faith, courage, and compassion. As the patron of MacKillop House, her legacy continues to inspire us to live lives of service, kindness, and unity.

The day began with student representatives from our Liturgy & Worship Committee and senior members of our School Choir & Voiceology ensembles supporting the MacKillop College Mass in the spirit of service and community. A beautiful school Mass followed, with amazing support for the Music Ministry provided by Mr Hughes (CEDB) , alongside student representatives from MacKillop College guided by Dr Amber Calleja. The scripture, hymns and enthusiasm created a reverent and uplifting atmosphere, reminding us of Saint Mary MacKillop’s enduring influence and the values she upheld.

After the Mass, the celebrations continued with a variety of fun and engaging House activities. Students and staff enthusiastically participated in these events, which reflected Saint Mary’s spirit of service, unity, and compassion while strengthening bonds within our community.

A highlight of the day was seeing the school awash in red, as students and staff wore red attire to represent MacKillop House and honour Saint Mary’s legacy. In addition, a gold coin donation was made to support Mary MacKillop Today, an organisation that keeps Saint Mary’s mission alive.

Mary MacKillop Today believes in the dignity of every person and the transformative power of education and learning. Inspired by Saint Mary’s legacy, they work alongside local communities to create real, lasting change—particularly for those who are most marginalised. Their programs aim to ensure that every person, no matter where they live, has an opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

We are incredibly proud of how our school embraced this special day, from the reverence shown during the Mass to the energy and enthusiasm displayed during the activities. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop such a meaningful celebration.

A very special note of gratitude is reserved for Zanthe and Hunter, our MacKillop House Captains for leading the day’s celebrations with maturity, innovation and enthusiasm.

To see a wide selection of snapshots from the day, visit our school Facebook page.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Families are warmly invited to join us on Friday 15th August at the Cathedral Church as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption. This significant Feast Day and Holy Day of Obligation commemorates the spiritual and physical departure of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, when both her soul and body were taken into the presence of God.

Our celebration will include a combined liturgical ensemble from MacKillop College and Cathedral School, led by Mr. Paul Hughes (CEDB). As part of our connections and parish community, we are also excited to welcome students and staff from Years 3–6 of St. Philomena's, who will be joining us for this special occasion.

We will gather at the Cathedral Church after 11:45 am for a 12:00 pm start. Your presence would mean so much to our students and staff, and it is always wonderful to see families and parish members coming together to share in these meaningful celebrations.

Christmas Art Storytelling Competition
Our school is proud to participate in the annual Diocesan Christmas Storytelling Competition.. This competition invites Year 5 and Year 6 students to create artwork and written reflections on Advent and the meaning of Christmas, inspired by their Religious Education and Catholic Life experiences.

Since Term 2, our students have been working on their submissions, which include both artwork and synopses reflecting on chosen Scripture passages. The process involves:

• Subject Matter: Identifying the Scripture passage and explaining the artwork.
• Personal Connection: Relating the subject matter to personal experiences, family, or culture.
• Scriptural Reflection: Exploring how the Scripture deepens faith and inspires reflection.
• Artistic Style: Sharing whether the artwork is original or influenced by others, and describing the style, media, and intention.

Many students across 29 schools participate each year, with 140–150 entries  forming part of the final exhibition. This week, we are shortlisting at the school level, with around 20 submissions under review. Next week, we’ll proudly announce the Cathedral School representatives selected for the diocesan exhibition later this term.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff and teachers for guiding students to connect with the meaning and significance of the Christmas Story in their lives. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting program.

Monday Liturgy & Assembly:
Please join us each week between 9:00 and 9:30 am as we pray together and acknowledge the achievements in our school community. Classes, Grades and Committees each take responsibility for leading these celebrations and it is a wonderful way to find out all of the special things happening inside and outside of our learning spaces. Families are invited to enjoy a cuppa from 8:30am in the hall before the commencement of the assembly.

Saracemental Program
A reminder that parents in Years 2-6 can now approach the Parish Office for the relevant sacrament as all class preparation requirements have been completed. Year 2 - First Penance, Year 3, 4 and 5 First Holy Communion. 

Year 5 have commenced their school based preparations for Confirmation, with registrations available for 2026.

As always please feel welcome to contact your child’s teacher, or myself if you require any further information.   Please email cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au with a photo of your child at their Sacramental Celebration of First Holy Communion & Confirmation if you would like it featured in the newsletter. 

We are unable to publish photographs where students’ names are visible or publish any images from First Penance.

Coming Up
Please always reference the School Community Calendar for the latest event details and changes:

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.

Mr Ashley Boylan | Religious Education Coordinator

Class In Focus KA

KA have been very busy learners this past term. Towards the end of term two, they learnt all about place value concepts through the use of Base 10 blocks. Collecting data and showing this in a graph has also been a new and enjoyable concept for Kinder.

This term KA have started new Geography and Music programs for the year and the students have loved all the lessons so far. They created beautiful Aboriginal flags using paper collage techniques and are becoming more familiar with Wiradjuri greetings and symbols. Writing and phonics have also continued to be big focus areas with some wonderful work being produced as a result. 

Last week, Kinder thoroughly enjoyed welcoming Grandparents into our classrooms to show them our beautiful learning space, artworks and work we are proud of. What a lovely, special day this was!

Mrs Genevieve Avinash | Kindergarten Teacher

Class in Focus 1M

 Year 1 Learning Update 
Last term in Science and Technology, our young engineers were busy designing, building, and testing houses for the Three Little Pigs! We experimented with different materials and construction methods to create strong structures that could withstand the huff and puff of the Big Bad Wolf (also known as Mrs Mitchell’s hairdryer!). Through this fun challenge, we explored design thinking, problem solving and how to improve our creations through reflection and refinement.

In Mathematics, we continue to train our brains and build our confidence as mathematicians. We’ve been investigating some fun and surprising questions—like whether we’re taller standing up or lying down! We’ve also been sharpening our addition skills through exciting dice games like Clear the Board.

Grandparents Day was such a special and joyful occasion shared with our wonderful Year 1 children. We began the day with a beautiful Mass, giving thanks for the love and guidance of our grandparents. It was heartwarming to see the children proudly welcome their visitors into our classroom and share their learning space. Our students loved showing off their amazing work and clever thinking in their books — smiles all round!

We are so proud of our Year 1 learners and all the ways they wonder, explore and grow each day!

Mrs Danielle Mitchell | Year 1 Teacher

Class in Focus 2IC

2IC have made a fantastic start to Term 3, confidently settling back into classroom routines. Students have quickly remembered our SPB4L expectations and are demonstrating them, both in the classroom and in the playground. 

In Religion, we have begun exploring the Seasons of the Church, learning about the different times in the liturgical calendar such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, and engaging in thoughtful discussions about the significance of each season.

The highlight of the term so far has been celebrating Grandparents Day. The children proudly participated in the special Mass and loved welcoming their grandparents and special visitors into the classroom to share their learning. It was a joyful celebration of love, family, and community!

Ms Esther Inwood & Mrs Kerry Cashen | Year 2 Teachers

Class In Focus 4W

At the end of Term 2, Year 4 students took part in an engaging incursion called Viv. 4W learned some AUSLAN sign language and created interesting paper moths, which will be featured in the upcoming Viv performance at BMEC. It was a fun and creative introduction to Viv’s story, and we are excited for the excursion ahead!

Mr Stephen Ranger | Acting Year 4 Teacher

Class in Focus 5A

Year 5A have explored a wide range of literature and multimedia texts to enhance their vocabulary, reading
comprehension, and writing skills. As part of a data collection project, students interviewed parents and friends to gather personal stories and insights. They are now excited to use this information to craft their own life
stories, applying the writing techniques they have learned.

In Mathematics, students have strengthened their problem-solving abilities by choosing and applying suitable strategies independently. They investigated how to construct and solve number sentences involving
multiplicative relationships and practiced using the correct order of operations in their calculations.

Mrs Antoinette Angelucci | Year 5 Teacher

Class In Focus Year 6

It has been a vibrant and productive start to the term in Year 6, filled with rich learning experiences and joyful moments. Our students have continued to show leadership across the school. They are applying themselves with growing maturity while always finding moments of fun in their day.

In Religious Education, we have been learning more about the Bible. Students are exploring its structure, how it is used in the Church, and how different books and stories help guide our lives. In Mathematics, we have been working hard to build our understanding of fractions through a range of strategies and problem-solving activities.

Our English learning has focused on the story of Vincent Lingiari. Students have been discovering his important role in Australian history and developing their reading and writing skills by exploring this significant part of our nation's story.

In Science, we are having a fantastic time exploring structures. In recent weeks, students designed and built creative towers using nothing but pipe cleaners. It was a fun way to apply our knowledge of forces and materials while working as a team. In History, we have started our unit on the Federation of Australia. We are learning about the key people, events and decisions that helped shape modern Australia.

One of the highlights of recent weeks has been finishing our Christmas art. We spent a joyful day in our Year 6 classrooms hosting our own in-house art workshop. The results are colourful, creative and unique artworks. We were blessed to have Fr Nam pop by and he was impressed with our pieces. 

We are very proud of our Year 6 students. They continue to lead with kindness and positivity, putting in their best effort and showing a real love of learning each day.

Mrs Julia Baird, Mr Ashley Boylan & Mrs Sonika Lata | Year 6 Teachers

Sports

Eastern Region Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to all of our students who represented our school at the Eastern Region Athletics Carnival last Thursday.  All students demonstrated great enthusiasm and sportsmanship as they competed against other local Catholic schools. 

A special congratulations to Audrey from 4RS who was awarded Junior Age Girls Champion on the day. This is a wonderful accomplishment, well done Audrey.

Students who progressed to the next carnival will receive a note over Compass in the coming days. The Diocesan Carnival will be held in Dubbo next Friday 22nd August. 

Ms Cassie Toole   | Sports Coordinator

Library

Reminders for Book Week Activity day -  Week 5 Friday 22nd of August

1. Organise a costume to be worn on Friday 22nd of August.
2. Place your order for the Canteen Book Week special lunch order on Flexischools by 20th August.
3. Hand in your competition entries by Friday 15th August.
4. Save some coins for the Preloved Book Sale (books will be priced between $1-$2).

Parents are welcome to attend our Book Week Assembly and Parade on Friday morning which will be held outside on the pavers.

Mrs Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

Wellbeing

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

SPB4L

SPB4L Focus: We Enjoy Breakfast Club!

Our School-Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning (SPB4L) focus for Week 1 was all about how we behave at Breakfast Club.
I am proud to report that there has been an improvement by students accessing Breakfast Club. A reminder for all is to be:

• Respectful by using their manners and waiting their turn
• Responsible by taking only what they need and binning their rubbish
• Safe by walking calmly and following procedures
• Kind by including others and showing gratitude to the helpers.
  

We appreciate your support in speaking with your child about making kind, safe, and respectful choices at Breakfast Club. With your help, we can ensure it remains a space of warmth, care, and community for all.

SPB4L Focus: We Name Our Feelings and Use Them to Make Good Choices 
At Cathedral School, our School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (SPB4L) current focus this fortnight is:
“We name our feelings and use them to make good choices.” This focus supports our students in understanding that emotions are a natural and important part of being human — and that learning to recognise and manage these feelings helps us make kind, safe, respectful, and responsible choices.

As part of this mini-unit, we are reintroducing the Zones of Regulation, a practical and age-appropriate framework that helps students name how they are feeling and learn simple strategies to regulate their emotions. The Zones give students a common language to express their emotional state (Blue, Green, Yellow, Red), and to choose helpful responses when emotions start to feel overwhelming.

We encourage families to use this same language at home. Phrases like “What Zone are you in?” or “What could help you move back to the Green Zone?” help children feel understood and supported as they navigate their feelings.

By helping our students name their emotions and connect them to their behaviour, we’re working together to grow emotionally resilient learners who make good choices—even when things feel tricky.

Mrs Julia Baird | SPB4L Committee

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies continue to meet each Tuesday at recess. We look forward to selling books during the Book Fair to raise money for Vinnies. Students are also continuing to make craft items to sell at our school Fete in Term 4. Thank you to all Mini Vinnies members for your continued effort and participation in this club. 

Mrs Genevieve Avinash | Mini Vinnies Coordinator

Parents and Friends

OPTIONAL SCHOOL JACKETS
The Cathedral School logo is embroidered on the chest, the jackets are lightweight, windproof and water-resistant, perfect for the cold weather.  These optional school jackets are available to try on at the school office and ready to order via Flexischools or through the school office for $75.

Please note: The optional jacket is NOT compulsory - All maroon/navy/black school jackets are also acceptable.

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

SCHOOL BACKPACKS

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 backpack and finalise your order. 

THE BACKPACK CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED AT THE FRONT OFFICE.

We have attached the flyer about the backpack 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

Canteen & Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club Roster Term 3

Canteen Roster Term 3

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP??

The Canteen is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

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.

School Calendar Handy Hints

Google Calendar is an easy way to keep up to date with the school events.  This can be found on our school website under the Parents and Families tab. Below 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

Update your Details

Update your email, phone number, address, your child’s medical details or emergency contacts by emailing the information to cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au

Community Notices