Student Free Day

Friday 12 September is a student free day as staff will be participating in Professional Development (Marist Spirituality Day).

Please note, the College office will be closed.

VCE Examination Period 2025

Important Dates for Families

As we approach the examination period, we would like to remind families of the key dates and requirements for our VCE and VM students. All detailed information has been previously communicated to families and can be accessed via the Correspondence section of our website: https://www.notredame.vic.edu.au/ndc-community/correspondence

Practice Examinations: Monday 29 September – Friday 3 October 2025

Practice examinations provide valuable preparation for our students. School uniform is encouraged during this period to help students prepare for the formal examination environment.

If students are unable to attend practice examinations due to pre-arranged family holidays, please notify the school by emailing LTL-Assistants@NOTREDAME.vic.edu.au

End of Classes

VM and VCE Unscored Students: Classes conclude at 3:15pm on Wednesday 8 October 2025.

VCE Scored Students: Will resume classes from Monday 13 October to Friday 24 October 2025 for focused examination preparation.

Uniform Requirements

Full school uniform is required during the examination preparation period (13-24 October) and during all official examinations. After 24 October, uniform is not required except when attending examinations.

Teacher Support

From Monday 27 October onwards, teachers will be available during their usual timetabled classes until their respective subject examination dates. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with their teachers for additional help and revision support.

Official VCAA Examinations

Tuesday 28 October – Wednesday 19 November 2025

Full school uniform is required for all examination sessions during this period.

We wish all our students the very best as they prepare for and undertake their examinations. Please encourage your child to utilise all available support and make the most of their preparation time.

For any questions regarding the examination period, please contact the Learning and Teaching Office by email LTL-Assistants@NOTREDAME.vic.edu.au

Upcoming Year 7 and Year 10 School Immunisations

Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY on Monday 13 October 2025

Year 7 HPV & Boostrix on Monday 10 November 2025

For further information please CLICK HERE or please contact Katie School Nurse on 58 228 400

National Child Protection Week

This year’s Child Protection Week theme is 'Every conversation matters: shifting conversation to action'.

At Notre Dame College, we are committed to creating safe, supportive spaces for children and young people. This Child Protection Week, we’re reminded that every conversation has the power to protect, encourage and heal.

The documentary Seen - The Film is a moving reminder of how being truly present with our children – even for just a few minutes – can change their sense of safety and belonging. We encourage all parents and carers to watch Seen - The Film and reflect on how the simple act of listening can shape a child’s future.

Together, let’s turn our conversations into lasting action.

Frayne Public Speaking Festival

On Friday, 29 August, two of our Year 11 students, Cidra Chkhaydem and Izzy Bhatti, participated in the Frayne Public Speaking Festival which was held at Sacred Heart College, Kyneton.

The Frayne Public Speaking Festival is an event that was created to bring Victorian Mercy Secondary Schools together in a friendly spirit of competition, to recognise and celebrate students' efforts and skills in the art of Public Speaking.

In order to participate, Izzy and Cidra were required to prepare, edit and practice an eight minute speech each from a selected list of topics.

First for Notre Dame, Cidra presented on 'The power and importance of listening'. Using powerful anecdotes and case studies from her own experiences, as well as from world events, Cidra delivered a powerfully emotive speech and was praised by one of the judges for the strength, confidence and emotion in her delivery (This judge may have been moved to tears at one point).

Izzy Bhatti presented on 'How failure teaches us more than success ever could'. Izzy spoke clearly, outlining how failure has personally taught her to reflect and improve and overcome challenges, as well as how some of world's greatest achievers - Walt Disney and Michael Jordan - both needed to overcome and learn from failures - to rise to the top. Izzy's logical and reasoned approach was noticed and acknowledged.

While our students did not advance to the final round, one of the judge's expressed surprise that our competitors were still in Year 11. She also encouraged Izzy and Cidra to come back and compete again next year.

Cidra and Izzy are to be commended for the amount of time, effort, preparation and dedication they put into this event. We hope to see both of them (and hopefully a debating team too!) participate next year!

Well done ladies!

R U OK? Day

Today we came together as a school community to recognise R U OK? Day, a national initiative that reminds us to check in with one another and start meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

To mark the occasion, our canteen staff kindly baked delicious cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. This simple gesture brought staff together, creating the perfect opportunity to pause, connect, and ask the important question: “Are you OK?”.

R U OK? Day highlights the power of small conversations to make a big difference. By looking out for each other, listening with empathy, and offering support, we can all help create a stronger, more caring community.

Notre Dame students ready to shine in Frozen Jr.

Notre Dame students are set to shine in Echuca-Moama Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Frozen Jr.

Siblings Megan, Levi and Romeo Presland, who are in the ensemble, join a cast of 36 young performers, aged 8 to 18, from across Echuca-Moama and surrounds who will bring the magic of Arendelle to life.

Rehearsals are under way and our talented students have been working very hard!

Frozen Jr, based on the smash-hit Disney film, will be performed at The Paramount, Echuca, from 10–12 October 2025.

Tickets are available now at www.echucaparamount.com/movie/emtc-presents-frozen-jnr.

Well done Megan, Levi and Romeo!