25th August 2025

Term 3 - Week 6

• Monday 25th August 2025
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
  • Gospel Reflection & Assembly led by 2IC @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
  • Agriculture Club @ Recess
• Tuesday 26th August 2025
  
  • Eisteddfod Choir Group @ BMEC
  • Mini Vinnies @ Recess 
    
• Wednesday 27th August 2025
  • Eisteddfod Verse Speaking Choir K-6
  • Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
  • Voiceology @ 1.30pm
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
    
• Thursday 28th August 2025
  • Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am
  • Stage Mass for Year 3 & 4 @ 9.10am
  • Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am 
    
• Friday 29th August 2025
  
  • Year 3 Reflection Day @ MacKillop College

Term 3 - Week 7

• Monday 1st September 2025
  
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
  • Gospel Reflection & Assembly led by 3MO @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
    
• Tuesday 2nd September2025
  
  • Mini Vinnies @ Recess
    
• Wednesday 3rd September 2025
  
  • Guitar Group @ 11.00-11.40am 
  • Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
  • Voiceology Group @ 1.30pm
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
    
  • P&F Meeting / Uniform Committee @ 5.30pm
• Thursday 4th September 2025
  
  • Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am 
    
  • Stage Mass Kindergarten , Year 1 & 2
  • Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am
    
• Friday 5th September 2025
  • Fathers Day Stall

Important Dates

From the Principal

Celebrating What Makes Us Different

Last week our Year 4 students attended Viv!   ‘A children’s theatre show about an adventurous, tough and sassy girl who lives with disabilities and her little sister Lil’.

Although I was unable to attend the performance with Year 4, I was lucky enough to experience this performance with my family on Friday evening. This performance was a beautiful celebration of our innate uniqueness and a great reminder of our call to uphold and celebrate the giftedness of all people.

In our school, we are blessed with a rich diversity of students. We are also blessed with diverse systems, structures and supports that cater for the uniqueness of our student population. Cathedral is like most other Primary schools with its make up of student population but what is special about Cathedral is the environment that is nurtured every day  in the classrooms, on the playground and through conversations of our parents in our students’ homes. This is one of acceptance, kindness and genuine welcome.

Our parents play such an important role in shaping this culture. Their positive attitudes, encouragement and openness flow into the way our students approach friendships, celebrate differences, and look for ways to support one another. It is a joy to see children instinctively helping classmates, celebrating their achievements, and standing alongside those who may need extra support.

The story of ‘Viv!’  reminds us that every child, no matter their abilities or challenges, has a story worth telling, gifts worth sharing and a place in our community. At Cathedral, we take pride in being a school where these stories can unfold with dignity, joy and love. 

We thank all in our Cathedral community (parents, staff and students) for fostering  a community where difference is not just accepted, but celebrated as part of the vibrant fabric of our school.

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. 

Staffing

3MO
Mrs Courtney Muldoon will be taking leave from Cathedral with her final day for the year to be this Wednesday 27th August. We thank Courtney for her time at Cathedral and for the many gifts  that she has brought to our school. We look forward to welcoming her back in the future. 

Mr Hugh Templeton will be teaching with Mrs O'Neill for the remainder of the year in 3MO and the children will have time to meet and get to know Hugh early next week.

PDHPE
This term we have welcomed Mr Tye Siakisoni as our PDHPE teacher. Tye brings with him a love of rugby league, a strong faith and as reported by the students, a quiet, calm and kind approach to behaviour management. 

Tye is an early career teacher. We are so proud to welcome new teachers to the profession and thank Mrs Whitmore for working with Tye as a mentor. Thank you Mr Siakisoni for joining us …it is like you have been with us for years!

Child Safety - Roblox

Roblox Wars Podcast Episode with Dr Justin Coulston 

We encourage any family who knows that their child plays Roblox or has been asked by their child to allow them to play Roblox to listen to this Podcast episode.

Awards

Religious Education & Catholic Life

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
As a school community we celebrated with class activities, class prayer and Mass at the Cathedral Church, honouring this important Feast Day and Holy Day of Obligation, which commemorates Mary’s Assumption into God’s presence, body and soul.  

We were privileged to have a combined liturgical ensemble from MacKillop College and Cathedral School, led by Mr. Paul Hughes (CEDB), whose contributions enriched the celebration. It was also wonderful to welcome students and staff from Years 3–6 of St. Philomena's, whose participation added to the sense of community and connection between our parish and schools.

Gratitude extends to the many families, parish members, and school communities who came together to mark this meaningful occasion. Your presence and involvement were greatly appreciated, making the celebration both reverent and memorable.

Stage 3 Mass
Thank you to Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) for their wonderful involvement in last week’s Stage Mass, celebrated with Fr. Nam. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of St. Pius X, a saint whose life and teachings hold deep relevance for us all. Known as the ‘Pope of the Eucharist,’ St. Pius X reminds us of the central role of the Eucharist in our faith, encouraging us to draw closer to Christ through this sacred gift.

His legacy also inspires us to embrace leadership through service, a value that resonates strongly with our Stage 3 students as they continue to grow as role models within our school community. Thank you, Stage 3, for your reverence and active participation in this special celebration, which reflected both your faith and leadership.

You’re Invited!
Families are warmly invited to our upcoming Masses, including the Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) on Thursday 28th August and Stage 1 (Years K, 1 & 2) on Thursday 4th September - both commencing at 9:10am in the Cathedral Church.

Christmas Art Storytelling Competition
The next phase of the annual Diocesan Christmas Storytelling Competition continues, with our school finalists announced at the Week 5 Assembly. Congratulations to these talented students (Kazmira, Ana, Lana, Harryson, Minami, Leah, Harrison, Jack, Lara, Lily & Gurleen) whose work will proudly represent our school in the diocesan exhibition later this term.

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, students have worked on submissions that thoughtfully combine Scripture, faith, and creativity. They began by selecting a Scripture passage and connecting it to their artwork, drawing on personal experiences, culture, and faith to create deeper meaning. Through this process, they reflected on how the passage inspired their faith and encouraged meaningful interpretation. Additionally, they explored the artistic influences, media, and intentions behind their work, bringing their creative vision to life in a way that complemented their spiritual reflections. 

With over 140 entries submitted annually from 29 schools, this competition highlights the creativity, faith, and dedication of students across the diocese. After reviewing around 20 submissions this week, we are proud to announce our finalists.

A heartfelt thank you to our staff and teachers for guiding students through this inspiring journey. We look forward to sharing more updates as the exhibition approaches!

Monday Liturgy & Assembly:
Please join us each week between 9:00 - 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 KM

 KM students have had a fantastic start to Term 3! 

In English, we’ve been diving into character traits, thinking about how characters act, feel, and speak in stories. Our students have been doing a wonderful job writing their own sentences responding to a variety of texts. 

We have been busy exploring patterns in Maths, learning how to spot the “pattern core” and describe patterns by their colours, shapes, and sizes. We have also enjoyed making different types of patterns with a variety of materials.

One of the highlights of our term was our excursion for Book Week to the Bathurst Library, where students enjoyed storytime, explored the shelves, and creating our own heroes for our stories!

Mrs Aimee Lane | Kindergarten Teacher

Class In Focus 4RS

4RS have been working hard and having fun in their learning this term!

In English, students have been using the Gap2Got It approach to strengthen their narrative writing skills. We are so proud of the creativity and effort they have shown in bringing their stories to life.

In Mathematics, we have been learning how to represent fractions and building confidence in measuring and reading time. Students are showing great persistence and growth in these important skills.

In Science, we have been exploring which materials are best suited for different purposes. This learning is leading up to our exciting design project, where we will be creating our very own birds’ nests.

In History, students have been learning all about the living conditions in 18th century Britain. We’ve also spent time mapping the First Fleet’s journey to Australia. They have enjoyed discovering fascinating facts and making connections to Australia’s past.

In Religion, we have been deepening our understanding of the life of Mary, reflecting on her faith and the lessons we can learn from her.

Alongside classroom learning, students have also been busy preparing for the upcoming Eisteddfod.  It has been wonderful to see the growth, enthusiasm, and happiness of all students shining through in every area of their learning.

Mrs Danielle Rice & Mrs Abbie Bowman | 4RS Teachers

Library

Book Week Activity Day

What a great day we had on Friday!

Fantastic costumes, yummy food and the best thing - lots of books! Well done to the Information Services Committee (Lillian, Madison, Evie, Amarli, Manami, Nadine, Macy, Cooper, Lucas, Ethan, Jaxon and Kunal) who entertained us during the Assembly/Parade in the morning. It was fantastic to see so many parents and relatives in the school helping us to celebrate Book Week.

Our preloved book sale raised $489 for St Vincent De Paul. Great effort Cathedral!

Thank you to all the people who helped ensure this day ran smoothly:

•  Mrs Watson (and her Canteen helpers - Ms O’Shannessy, Mrs Corby, Mrs Cornish, Mrs Murphy, Mrs Holles)
• The Cathedral P&F and Big W who provided the competition prizes
• Mrs Gallagher, Abigail Gallagher, Mrs Clayton and Mr Siakisoni who helped set up the book sale
•  Mrs Couper and Jeremiah Sadler who ran the book sale 
• Cathedral School school staff, students and parents

Excursions, excursions, excursions!

I have greatly enjoyed taking Kindergarten and Year 1 to the Bathurst City Library over the last few weeks. The children listened to fun stories read by the Librarians and learnt about the different types of books and where to find them. Afterward, they enjoyed various group activities - reading, drawing and a lively scavenger hunt to find special items around the Library. A big thank you to the wonderful staff at the Bathurst Library.

I also accompanied Year 4 to see a local production at BMEC.  The show, Viv!,  highlighted and celebrated people living with disabilities. We enjoyed the interactive parts of the show and were impressed with the puppetry, music and performances. 

We are so lucky at Cathedral School to be within walking distance of great facilities like BMEC and the City Library!

Mrs Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

Wellbeing

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

SPB4L

SPB4L Update: We Name Our Feelings and Use Them to Make Good Choices

Over the past three weeks, our students have been learning the importance of recognising their feelings and using this awareness to guide their choices. Through stories, class discussions, and practical activities, the children have begun to understand that naming emotions is the first step in managing them. When students can identify whether they are in the Blue, Green, Yellow, or Red Zone, they are better equipped to make thoughtful decisions that support their learning and relationships.

We have revisited the Zones of Regulation as a shared language across our school. This framework has helped our students to talk about their feelings more openly and find positive strategies to return to the Green Zone (where they are calm, focused, and ready to learn). It has been wonderful to see the children grow in their confidence and resilience as they practise these skills.

As we move into our final week of this focus, we encourage families to continue these conversations at home. Asking simple questions like “What Zone are you in?” or “What could help you feel calm right now?” can strengthen the connections between home and school and support children in making good choices.

For parents who would like to explore this further, here is a helpful short video about the Zones of Regulation: Watch here or you can download and read here. You may also like to display this simple Zones of Regulation poster at home as a visual reminder. 

Together, we are helping our children to grow in emotional awareness, compassion, and responsibility, values that reflect both our Catholic tradition and our shared commitment to nurturing the whole child.

Mrs Julia Baird | SPB4L Committee

Parents and Friends

Next P&F Meeting: Wednesday 3th September 5:30pm - School Library
Everyone is invited to attend our monthly P&F meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of each school month at 5:30pm in the Library. For those who cannot attend in person, we have a zoom link, if you would like to join from home!

 https://bthcatholic.zoom.us/j62675200979?pwd=duYyV3M2MvdoTVVjclRKZE5jdnlMdzo9

ID:62675200979@zmau.us  Password: 106688 

Uniform Committee Wednesday 3rd September 5:30-6pm

We invite parents that would like to be interested in working with a committee to discuss appropriate, formulate options to modify our sport shirt and a short option for our girls to wear in the summer months. All parents are welcome

Father’s Day Stall Friday 5th September

Father’s Day Gift Stall orders are available under “shop” section on Flexischool.

Father’s Day Breakfast Monday 8th September 

Please come and enjoy Father’s Day breakfast with your children from 7:30am.

If you can spare some time to volunteer on Friday 5th or Monday 8th please send an email to cathedralpandf@gmail.com  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Date for the Diary:
Disco: 19th September 
School Photos: 16th October 
Family Photos: 17th October
P&F Meeting: 5th November
Cathedral Fete: 14th November
Family Night: 11th December 

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

Cathedral School Fete

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