Archived Newsletters

Welcome to Term 3, and in particular, a very warm welcome to our new families that have joined the Notre Dame College community at the start of Semester Two. We hope that all students and staff had a chance to recharge their batteries over the term break.

There were two of our College teams that did not get a break over the holidays - the ICT and Facilities teams worked tirelessly to have our new building ready for our junior Learning Diversity area to move into their new spaces on Monday, and for our Wellbeing team and junior McGann and MacKillop classes to move in over the coming weeks. From the front of the building, it may not look quite finished, with works still progressing around the St Colman’s bell tower and the new canteen area. There is still much landscaping to do, but internally, the first floor, Wellbeing and Learning Diversity areas are now mostly complete, although we have had some delays on new furnishings.

Last Saturday, Brendan Lindsay – Deputy Principal of Catholic Identity and myself were fortunate to attend a farewell mass in Bendigo for Bishop Shane McKinlay. Bishop Shane will shortly begin his duties in his new role as Archbishop of Brisbane. He will be greatly missed from the Sandhurst Diocese as he was always very present and supportive of the schools.

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The term break gave me some time to catch up on some reading and I came across a very affirming article on the ban of mobile phones from the classroom and the positive impact it has on student learning and wellbeing.

You will find the article below.

This further affirms our electronic device policy that students are to keep their mobile phones in their lockers from the first to the last bell during the school day.

READ ARTICLE HERE

Although it seems we have just begun 2025, we are well into planning for 2026. Next week, we begin the subject selection process for 2026 and the process for choosing our 2026 student leaders.

Students in Years 9 to 11 will have subject information sessions during the school day, along with information evenings for parents.

These are wonderful opportunities to learn about different pathways and subjects that we offer at Notre Dame College. Our Year 11 students have also been invited to find out more about being a student leader with an information session next Wednesday after school with Mr Shane Sali, Mayor of Greater Shepparton, coming along to share his leadership journey with the students.

Have a wonderful week,

Emma Reynoldson

Acting Principal