Term 4 Week 2 Monday 13th October 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Key Dates:

Term 4 2025

Monday October 13th - Friday October 17th-  Meals on Wheels

Monday October 13th- Reconciliation for Year 4 Sacramental students

Friday October 17th- SRC Pyjama Day

Friday October 17th- St Colman's Trivia Night from 7pm

Wednesday October 22nd- SAC Meeting in the staffroom at 6:30pm

Monday October 27th- CDDSA Cricket for Year 5/6 students

Friday October 31st- Pupil Free Day 

Monday November 3rd- Pupil Free Day

Thursday November 6th: Grandparent's Day

Friday November 7th: Grade 5/6 Fun Day

Saturday November 8th/ Sunday November 9th: Mortlake Rose Show

Friday November 14th: Kinder Transition to School Day 1

Wednesday November 19th: Junior excursion to Werribee Zoo

Thursday November 20th: Concert for Melanie's Music Students

Friday November 21st: Kinder Transition to School Day 2

Sunday November 23rd: Mortlake hosts the Great Victorian Bike Ride

Monday November 24th: St Colman's Feast Day

Wednesday November 26th: St Colman's School Advisory Council AGM

Thursday November 27th: 2026 Foundation student interviews

Friday November 28th: Kinder Transition to School Day 3

Monday December 1st: St Colman's Wellbeing Day

Friday December 4th: Kinder Transition to School Day 4

                                            Little Colman's Christmas Playgroup

Tuesday December 9th: Statewide Transition (Move Up) Day

Friday December 12th: Grade 6 Celebration Day

                                               Mortlake Community Christmas Carols

Tuesday 16th December: End of Year Mass, Awards and Graduation @ 5:30pm

Thursday 18th December: Students finish at 2:15

Friday 19th December: Final day for staff

School Closure Days for 2025
31 October – Student-free day- Structured Literacy
3 November – Student-free day- First Aid Training and Assessments
19 December – Student-free day; last day of term four

Tonight, at St Thomas' Church in Terang, four of our Year 4 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This is a very special moment in their faith journey. Reconciliation is sometimes called “Confession” and is a sacrament that gives us the opportunity to say sorry to God for the mistakes we make, to reflect on how we can do better, and to hear the words of God’s forgiveness. For our students, it is a chance to grow closer to God, learn about His love and mercy, and to understand that we can always make a fresh start.

We congratulate Milana, Zeke, Izzy and Scarlett and thank their families for supporting and guiding them in preparing for this important step. Please keep them in your prayers as they celebrate this joyful occasion.

Staffing News

Today our Junior Room teacher, Shandell Moloney, commences two weeks of well-deserved Long Service Leave. While Shandell is on Leave Mr Michael McKenzie will be working in her classroom.

Last week, we commenced our recruiting process for a Middle Room teacher for 2026. If you can think of anyone who would be a great fit for our school community, please pass on the following ad or direct them to our website.

Meals on Wheels

We are still looking for a volunteer for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of this week. All parents are welcome to help out as long as you have a current Working With Children check.

You’ve probably noticed from our recent requests that we are finding it increasingly difficult to gather enough volunteers to help with our commitment to complete one Meals on Wheels run each term. St Colman’s is proud of its involvement in the community, and we see this as a valuable experience for our Senior Students, as it reflects the Christian Social Teaching principle of service to others.

It would be a real shame if we had to stop providing this service for the Mortlake community. If you’ve been hesitant to volunteer because you’re unsure of what’s involved, please contact the office — we’d be happy to organise a “ride along” with another parent this week so you can see how it all works.

Upcoming School Closure Days

St Colman's have two Pupil Free Days coming up.  No children will attend school on Friday October 31st and Monday November 3rd.  Staff will be taking part in professional learning in Literacy and Compliance/OHS. Please note children will attend school on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday November 4th. 

Grade 5/6 Melbourne City Camp

As mentioned above, our Year 5/6 students thoroughly enjoyed their camp to Melbourne last week. In the three days we experienced; Federation Square, the MCG, Southbank and ice-creams, Queen Vic market, Walking tour of CBD (including a spot of shopping), State Library, Bad Guys 2 and popcorn at Crown Cinemas, Parliament House and a visit to St Patrick's Cathedral. Phew! Combine that with over 30kms of walking and no wonder we were exhausted by the time we all returned home safely. It is always wonderful to share this experience with our friends from St Thomas' Terang.

Grade 5/6 Camp

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Celebrating our Students

Congratulations to Year 6 student Steff Van Den Heuvel who is off to Spain!

After Steff's soccer team Warrnambool Rangers Blue U12 finished the season as League Champions, Steff attended a soccer camp in Geelong with Barça Academy Australia where he trained for 5 days to improve his football skills - learning the Barça Methodology and also their core values of humility, effort, ambition, respect and teamwork. It was a fantastic opportunity for Steff to train under top coaches from Barcelona.
The exciting news is that Steff along with one of his team mates from his SWVFA Reps U12 team were selected to go to Barcelona next year to further their training representing Barça Academy Australia and experience Barcelona! Amazing!!! Congratulations Steff! You are a supper star!

Pyjama Day

All children are invited to wear their pjs this Friday. Please send them with a Gold Coin. The SRC have nominated the Melbourne City Mission to receive all funds raised to go towards supporting people who are homeless.

Trivia Night

We would love to see as many of our school families at our Trivia Night as possible. Doors will open at 7pm and the Trivia starts at 7:30. 

It will be a lot of fun, so get your table (and baby sitters) all organised!!

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

During the first half of the year, we have been working to enhance our implementation of the SWPBS program. 

School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a framework that helps schools create positive, safe, and supportive learning environments. It's an evidence-based approach that focuses on preventing behavioural issues by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours in all students. 

SWPBS helps schools to:

• increase respectful and positive behaviour
• strengthen social and emotional wellbeing
• reduce classroom disruptions and increase learning time
• build positive, respectful relationships between students and staff
• create safe, orderly, and supportive school environments.

A major component of this has been to develop a matrix outlining the positive behaviours that we expect to see in different areas of our school. This is on display in the foyer for everyone’s reference. Different aspects of it are displayed in different learning environments as a reminder of student expectations. It has been wonderful to have students, staff and parent representatives contribute to its development. Please take the time to discuss the matrix with your child/ren. 

We are grateful for the huge amount of work our MHWL, Narelle Marsden has done over the last six months to really invigorate and strengthen the positive behaviour support structures we have in place at St Colman's.

Michael Grose Parenting Toolbox

St Colman's is proud to offer this insightful newsletter supporting your role as parents free of charge. We have subscribed, so you do not need to sign up to read the articles. 

When You Are Twelve

This week’s Parenting Toolbox is a little different. It takes a bird’s-eye view of life through the eyes of a twelve-year-old. That’s an age that is so often baffling for parents and kids.

I know you’ll find it fascinating……and surprising.

Even if your child is some years away, you should read it.

This article also takes you into the shoes of a twelve-year-old’s parents, and it can be very emotional.

Click on the link below to read this insight. Enjoy!

SchoolTV SPECIAL REPORT: R U OK? Day

World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October each year, is a global initiative that highlights the importance of mental health to overall wellbeing. It serves as a timely reminder that mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike.

This day is not only about reducing stigma, but also about strengthening awareness, encouraging open conversations and ensuring young people know where to turn to for support. By acknowledging World Mental Health Day we can help reduce stigma to build more compassionate and supportive environments.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping them find balance between school, technology and rest, encouraging open conversations about feelings, or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves, taking small steps at home can make a big difference. By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

For additional resources and further information on World Mental Health Day visit the Mental Health Foundation website.

St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community

Child Safety Officers

Janet Cain and Rosie O'Connor are our Child Safety Officers.

Contact them on:

Phone: 55992285 or 0490539167

Email: jcain@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au or roconnor@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au

Mortlake Rose Show 8th and 9th November

Lunch Orders

LUNCH ORDERS are only available twice a week on Monday and Friday.

Menu and 2025 price list below 

Playgroup at St Colman's

Our fortnightly Playgroup is ready to start again. We look forward to welcoming back our local pre-schoolers every second Friday. Our next session will be this Friday August 1st, 9:30am to 11am. Morning Tea provided

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND IT IS FREE!!!

The ongoing commitment to this project will require support from other members of the school community. If you are willing to help out by going on a roster to help organise Little Colman’s, please contact  the school.

Out of School Care

A reminder that during 2025 we have access to Out of School Care, supplied by TheirCare, at Mortlake College. Registration is made via the TheirCare website. https://theircare.com.au/

Search for Mortlake College P-12

AngliCare Energy Assistance

As part of Anglicare Victoria’s FREE Energy Assistance Program, they provide assistance with energy bills to support Victorians to:

• Talk to their energy retailer and get help with debt
• Access extra financial support
• Check they are receiving eligible concessions on their bill
• Find and move to an affordable energy plan
• Understand bills and fix any possible errors
• Support your child's education with free internet at home

They can provide immediate assistance for clients who are struggling to pay for their gas or electricity bills to prevent disconnection to their property!

The follower two flyers provide further details.

NCCD

Please read the attached information sheet for parents regarding NCCD.