End of Year Student Finish Times

The final day of school for 2025 for students is Friday, 12 December:

3:15pm for Knight St students

3:10pm for Emmaus students

Start of Year Dates for 2026

Student Free Days for 2026

*The student free day dates provided are accurate as at 27 November 2025, but may change due to unforeseen circumstances. We will keep you informed and communicate any updates as soon as possible.

Important Update: How We Collect Your Child’s Medical Information

Operoo will be closing in Australia in January. As a result, Notre Dame College will be moving to Consent2Go for managing medical information and excursion permissions.

Please note:

• From Monday, 1 December 2026, we will stop syncing any data entered in Operoo.
• Until Consent2Go is live, any updates to your child’s medical information must be communicated directly to the College office.
• In the coming weeks, you will receive messages from Consent2Go asking you to review and update your details. Please respond promptly to ensure your child’s information is accurate.

Thank you for your cooperation.

ACER SEW (Social Emotional Wellbeing) Survey

Dear Parent / Guardian,

As part of our school’s ongoing commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for your child, the ACER SEW (Social Emotional Wellbeing) survey will be conducted between Monday 1 December and Friday 5 December 2025.

The ACER SEW survey was developed by Professor Michael Bernard, in collaboration with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and explores 9 key aspects of student social and emotional wellbeing, divided across 3 key domains:

A) Feelings and Behaviours (i.e. levels of happiness, self-identity, behaviour and relationships)

B) Internal Strengths (i.e. self-awareness and self-management of social, emotional, learning and values)

C) External Strengths (i.e. the impact of positive influences at school, home and in the community)

The survey will be facilitated during class time, take approximately 30 mins and comprises 72 questions. The survey is anonymous. The purpose of collecting data from the ACER SEW survey is to:

• Identify a baseline data set to guide strategic direction for wellbeing initiatives in 2026 and beyond

• Use evidence to support the wellbeing needs of students within our school

• Measure the data for further supports and interventions

Students will be notified of the survey prior to it being conducted. During the facilitation of the survey, students will be encouraged to take their time when answering the questions and asked to answer honestly so that we can obtain accurate feedback to continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students within our school. A follow up survey will take place in 2026.

Further information about the survey can be viewed HERE or please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of House or Community if you have any questions. If you DO NOT wish your child to participate in this survey, please complete the form by clicking HERE.

Regards,

Emma Reynoldson, Acting Principal

Mark Borthwick, Deputy Principal - Wellbeing

Information regarding the Early Commencement Programme

The school-wide Early Commencement Programme (ECP) will begin on Monday, 1 December 2025. This programme aims to engage every learner with essential content for their chosen courses by helping them prepare for a successful 2026.

Please take the time to read this letter for further information.

Bus Travel for 2026

From 2026, all students under 18 can travel free on local buses and country school buses across Victoria. For local buses, you will no longer be required to complete a form, however you will need a Youth Myki Card (cost $5) to access free travel. Further information regarding the Myki Card will be available mid December via Transport Victoria website.

2026 Booklists now available!

CLICK HERE FOR 2026 BOOKLISTS

Catholic Education Sandhurst Awards

The 2025 Sandhurst Awards were held last Friday. We would like to congratulate the following
teachers and student of Notre Dame College for receiving an award.

Leadership Award - Cameron Woodcock

Teaching Excellence - Lyndel Annett

Leadership Award - Highly Commendable - Brendan Lindsay

Leadership Award - Highly Commendable - Bernadette Tedesco

Inspiration Student Leader (Secondary) - Cidra Chkhaydem

VCE Student Growth - Food Studies - Julie-Anne Shanahan

VCE Student Growth - Outdoor and Environmental Studies - Mark Borthwick

VCE Student Growth - Theatre Studies - Casey Fogarty

VCE Student Growth - Environmental Science - Sarah McKinnon

Christmas Toy Drive

It’s starting to feel like Christmas already! The birth of Jesus is a time of celebration. Our staff
and students believe that everyone deserves to feel the joy of Christmas.

Christmas is a season of joy, filled with love, family gatherings, and festive celebrations. It’s a time when
homes are filled with laughter, the warmth of shared meals, and the excitement of giving and receiving gifts.

However, for many families in our local Shepparton community and beyond, the holiday season can be a
sombre reminder of what they lack. Each year, countless families face the harsh reality of going without the simple joys many of us take for granted.

At Notre Dame College we are making a difference this Christmas!

Students are being asked to bring a gold coin donation to their pastoral group leader to help support our Toy
Drive. All proceeds will be donated to Christmas for those Alone and Family Care. So, let’s all lend a helping hand this Christmas. Because together, we can share the joy and hope of Christmas with everyone.

Year 9 Toy Drive

Recently, our Year 9 McGann and MacKillop students raised $300 to go towards purchasing toys for "Gifts of Hope". Notre Dame College is working in unison to raise funds for Family Care and Christmas for those alone with all toys purchased to be donated!!

Well done, and keep up the amazing work!

Year 9 Mercy Cup 2025

Over the past few weeks, our Year 9s have been raising funds for Shepparton Foodshare by hosting the annual Mercy Cup Games, during which they have been selling canteen food.

The grand final was hosted last Friday, and the estimated amount of money to be donated to Shepparton Foodshare is around $900.

In the coming days, Shepparton Foodshare will be presented with the funds, so keep an eye on our socials later this week!

What a fantastic effort by our Year 9 students, great work!!