22nd September 2025

Term 3 - Week 10

• Monday 22nd September 2025
  
  • Year 5 Lake Burrendong Camp
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
    
  • Assembly led by 4W @ 9.10am
  • Agriculture Club @ Recess
• Tuesday 23rd September 2025
  
  • Year 5 Lake Burrendong Camp
  • Mini Vinnies @ Recess 
    
• Wednesday 24th September 2025
  • Year 5 Lake Burrendong Camp until 2.45pm
  • Cultural Sessions with Jordan Boney
  • Guitar Group @ 11.00- 11.40am
  • Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
  • Voiceology @ 1.30pm
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
    
• Thursday 25th September 2025
  • Senior Band @ 7.50 - 8.50am
  • Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am 
    
  • Students Last Day of Term 3
• Friday 26th September2025
  
  • Pupil Free Day - Staff Development Day
    

Term 4 - Week 1

• Monday 13th October 2025
  
  • Students First Day of Term 4 - Full Summer School Uniform (Including School Hat)
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
  • Gospel Reflection & Assembly @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
    
  • Kindergarten Parent Information Evening 6.00 - 7.30pm
• Tuesday 14th October 2025
  
  • Mini Vinnies @ Recess
    
• Wednesday 15th October 2025
  
  • Guitar Group @ 11.00-11.40am 
  • Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
  • Voiceology Group @ 1.30pm
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
    
• Thursday 16th October 2025
  
  • School Photos Individual
  • Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am
    
  • Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am
    
• Friday 17th October 2025
  • School Photos Family

Important Dates

From the Principal

It has been such a joy to witness the learning that has taken place in our classrooms and through the many excursions and special celebrations this term.

Cathedral has a remarkable student body who demonstrate resilience and grit every day. We are blessed with a parent community who support and strengthen the connections that give our students a sense of belonging. We are equally blessed with a staff who work tirelessly to create rich, engaging learning environments that spark curiosity and a love of learning.

Cathedral is a special place and every person within its walls is of great worth.

Last Friday, I sent out a plea. While I often describe our school as an Oasis, full of goodness and growth, we also see much potential being lost.

* Students arriving tired.
* Students arriving agitated.
* Students arriving angry.
* Students arriving anxious.

Of course, children have always faced challenges, life is never perfectly smooth. The difference is that now more children are presenting this way and they are doing so more often. Many of our students are trying so hard, working against great odds.

Children will be children. They will be tired, challenging or difficult at times, even in the best conditions. But what we know, because we see it daily, is that they miss out if we are not strong enough to provide the structure they need to flourish. Saying “no” is hard, especially to someone we love. But if we truly love our children, sometimes “no” is the most important word we can say.

I can assure you that if  your child’s home environment regularly includes one or more of the activities below—after school, before bed, before school, on weekends or during holidays, then your child is already facing, or will soon face, difficulties such as: low mood, poor sleep, conflict with friends, lack of engagement in schoolwork, reduced empathy, struggles with social interactions, an increased risk of contact with online predators.

1. Using online chats or social media apps
2. Watching YouTube, TikTok, or scrolling through online media
3. Playing online games on a device
4. Playing violent video games
5. Playing Roblox
6. Using headsets or chatting online while gaming
7. Using devices in the bedroom
8. Falling asleep while watching content
9. Playing games before bed or before school
10. Going to sleep later than 8:00 pm

Over the past four years, we have built programs that strengthen resilience and support student wellbeing at Cathedral. We cannot do this alone. And neither can you.

Please:

• Remove messaging apps from your child’s devices.
• Stop allowing unrestricted online chats after school.
• Limit scrolling and exposure to unfiltered content.
• Say no to violent and addictive online games.
• Protect your child from the dangers of grooming on platforms like Roblox.
  

Our children need real-world connections. They need reality. This requires more energy and more time than leaving them lost in the online world … I can guarantee you that it is worth the investment.

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

Awards

Religious Education & Catholic Life

Feast of Our Lady of Mercy 
On Friday, our school celebrated Our Lady of Mercy Day—a special occasion devoted to honouring Mary’s compassion and the living Mercy charism at Cathedral School. This year’s House Captains, Maya and Samson, displayed exemplary leadership in coordinating our day and supporting teams in the lead-up. The rotational activities invited students to reflect on kindness, service, and justice through engaging, practical experiences.

We were privileged to welcome Sisters of Mercy as our honoured guests. Sr Ann-Maree’s support of our music ministry alongside senior choir and Voiceology students and the Liturgy & Worship Committee, helped create a reverent Mass presided over by Fr Nam. As a gesture of appreciation, Mercy Roses were presented to the Sisters, acknowledging their enduring contribution, as well as those past Sisters of Mercy whose legacy remains strong.

Thank you to staff, students, and families for their involvement and for the gold coin donations received for the charitable works of the Sisters of Mercy. Our Mercy spirit and charism was on full display—a testament to the values we share as a school community.  

Faith, Fellowship & Burke Cup Day 
Cathedral School hosted the inaugural Burke Cup on Thursday, 11th September 2025, uniting Year 6 parish students, seminarians, and special guests, including Mr. David Burke and student representatives from Stannies. 

The day began with Mass in the Cathedral, featuring the Blessing of the Cup and Competitors, before moving into seminarian testimonies, soccer matches, and a shared lunch. The culmination was the Burke Cup Soccer Matches, where Year 6 students challenged the seminarians in a spirited contest. 

The whole day was a reminder of  the Burke family’s legacy, highlighted the role of the seminarians, and fostered faith, community, and joy, establishing a new diocesan tradition. Thank you to all who contributed to its success.

Christmas Art Storytelling Exhibition -Liturgy & Launch
We had the honour of hosting the Diocesan Launch and Christmas Storytelling Exhibition in our School Hall on Friday, 12th September. Celebrated by Bishop Michael with diocesan leaders, students and families, the event highlighted the creativity and faith of our diocese and school community. 

Our student leaders, representatives from our Aboriginal Education Consultancy Group, the Liturgy & Worship Committee, and Senior Choir & Voiceology members supported the liturgy, while our finalists’ storytelling work was proudly exhibited alongside artworks from across the diocese. 

We also thank the families of all our representatives — artists and those involved in setup, liturgical roles, singing, the Acknowledgement of Country, hospitality, pack up and welcoming visitors — their generosity and support contributed to the day being a positive experience for all.

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

Music Enrichment Program 2026

Having a Real Blast!

Last week, our Year 2 students had an amazing time at the Instrumental Testing Day! They explored a variety of instruments offered as part of Cathedral’s Musical Enrichment Program for 2026 — and had an absolute blast doing it!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to:

Todd & Brendon from the Mitchell Conservatorium
Tameka, Nate, Riley & Todd from the Bathurst Academy of Music

Your time, expertise, and enthusiasm is appreciated — thank you for supporting the growth of music at Cathedral School.

We also extend a huge thank you to our Band Captains Lillian & Harrison and Year 5 and 6 Music Mentor students for sharing your passion and demonstrating your instruments to inspire the next generation of musicians.

It was truly wonderful to see the children engaged, excited, and having so much fun! 

Mr Chris Dove | Band Director

Sports News

Interschool Equestrian Nationals

We wish Harrison from 6B the best of luck as he travels to Sydney this week to compete in the Interschool Equestrian Nationals. Harrison has also been selected to represent Australia as a part of the Australian Pony Club Team, congratulations Harrison on this amazing achievement! Harrison was one out of five competitors selected from over 200 applicants! Well done Harrison!

Polding Athletics

A big congratulations to Georgie from 6LB who competed at the Polding Athletics Championships in Newcastle in Week 8. Georgie competed in the Senior Girls Discus event, placing 13th out of 18 competitors. Well done Georgie on making it this far in the athletics pathway!

Miss Cassie Toole | Sports Coordinator

Library

There will be no borrowing over the holidays. Please return all books to the Library this week.

Some ideas for holiday reading are: Bathurst City Library, Sora (online reading app) or visiting Op shops for some book bargains!

Mrs Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

Wellbeing

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies club members will be selling some books left over from the Book Fair on Tuesday at recess in Week  10. Please bring a gold coin donation if you would like to purchase a book! We also look forward to selling handmade craft items at the Fete in term four. 

SPB4L

“We focus and give our best effort with every learning task” 

By focusing on effort, persistence, and pride in learning, we are helping our students develop the lifelong skills they need to succeed - not just at school, but in all areas of life. Thank you for continuing to partner with us in encouraging your child to give their best, celebrate progress, and embrace the challenges that help them grow.

NEW FOCUS: “We are SunSmart at Cathedral School”

As we prepare for Term 4, our SPB4L focus will be on the importance of being sun safe and protecting ourselves in the warmer months. In Australia, the sun’s rays are particularly harsh, and UV levels are often extreme. By building strong sun safety habits now, we help keep our students healthy and safe, both at school and beyond.

At Cathedral, our expectation is “No Hat, No Play in Open Areas.” This means students must wear their school hat whenever they are outside during break times, sport, and other outdoor activities. If a student forgets their hat, they will be asked to stay in shaded areas during play. At Cathedral School, this means playing under the COLA. We encourage families to support sun safety by reminding children to apply sunscreen before school and to keep their hat packed in their bag each day.

If your child needs a new hat, or maybe a second hat, they can be purchsed from the school office for $15.

Mrs Julia Baird | SPB4L Committee

Parents and Friends

Next P&F Meeting: Wednesday 5th November 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 

Date for the Diary:
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 - 14 November 2025

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