This week's Principal's Message from Mr David Johnston

 
Welcome back to Term 4. For many reasons, this term is rich and full. Shortly, we will farewell our Year 12s as they finalise lessons and prepare for examinations. Transition programs are well underway with upcoming events such as New Parent Evening, 2026 Year 7 Orientation Days and a week whereby the Year 9s transition into Senior PC groups. Despite these preparations for the future, we mustn't lose focus on the present.

Our Year 12s all have the most significantly weighted assessment of their courses to finalise or complete – the external assessment or examination. Similarly, our Year 11s are completing their own Stage 2 Religion courses, which will contribute to their SACE and ATAR. Years 7 to 10 have a term's worth of work that lays the foundation for next year in subject matter and concepts. We must remember that, by backwards mapping our curriculum from 12 to 7, each term and unit of coursework is vital in preparing students for the Senior Years.

On another note, we have welcomed many new students to the CBC community this week. I thank the staff for overseeing their orientation and the many of our boys who have ensured they feel welcome. Only the other day, I was giving a tour to a young man and his family, hoping to join CBC next year, and the family could not believe how welcoming the boys are, coming up to say hello, shake a hand and share their experiences. It certainly makes these tours easy for me.

Hat Reminder

With Term 4 earmarking the summer, just a reminder that students are expected to wear their hats at recess and lunch. Whether in Reception or Year 12, the timeless alliterative expression remains…No Hat, No Play!

Looking towards the next couple of weeks, please note the significant events:

• Week 2, Term 4
  • Thursday
    • Year 12 Farewell Assembly – this is a formal event, meaning NO Physical Education uniforms
• Week 3, Term 4
  • Thursday
    • New Parent Eventing for 2026 Year 7s
    • 2025 Tottenham Tour Group Depart

Dr Lee Del Col
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior Campus

 
Welcome to Term 4 at CBC Junior Campus

Welcome back to what promises to be an exciting and meaningful Term 4! I hope the school holidays provided an opportunity for rest, connection, and renewal for all our families, and that our students have returned refreshed, energised, and ready for the final part of their 2025 learning journey.

This term is always a special one – a time to celebrate growth, reflect on achievements, and create lasting memories together. Our classrooms are already buzzing with enthusiasm as students dive back into their learning, and teachers continue to nurture curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a love of discovery that will carry them into the next stage of their education.

Across the coming weeks, we will continue to focus on teaching and learning excellence, with teachers preparing end-of-year reports and assessments, and our Inclusive Education team conducting key diagnostic assessments to support planning for 2026. These insights ensure that every student’s learning needs are understood and that support and extension programs are carefully tailored for the year ahead.

Term 4 is also rich with opportunities for community connection and celebration. We look forward to welcoming families to our Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day on Friday, 24 October – a highlight of the year where we honour the important role these special people play in the lives of our students.

Later this term, our Reception transition program will commence, welcoming the newest members of our community who will begin their schooling journey with us in 2026. The program will conclude with our traditional Hat and Bag Ceremony, a milestone event that marks the beginning of their exciting adventure as part of the CBC family.

In addition, we will hold three transition visits for all students in Years 1–6 to help them get to know their new teacher and classmates for 2026. These important sessions will take place on Monday 3, 10, and 17 November and are designed to ensure students feel confident, comfortable, and excited about the year ahead.

As we approach the end of the school year, we are also preparing for our temporary relocation to the Senior Campus from the end of Week 6 while the race event takes place. During this time, students in Reception to Year 4 will participate in swimming lessons, and Year 5 and 6 students will take part in an aquatics program at Glenelg (weather and conditions permitting).

We will share more detailed information about this relocation in the coming weeks, including logistics, routines, and key details to support a smooth transition. In the meantime, please be mindful that traffic conditions around the city may change during this period, and it may take a little longer to drop your son off in the mornings as road closures and diversions come into effect.

Term 4 is a wonderful time to celebrate how far we’ve come as a community - the growth of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the support of our families. Thank you for continuing to partner with us in your child’s education. Together, we look forward to making this term a joyful, purposeful, and memorable conclusion to the year.

As a reminder, please add the following events to your calendar:

• 24 October – Grandfriends Day
• 1 December – Junior Campus Christmas Concert
• 3 December – Year 6 Graduation (only for Year 6 families)
• 4 December – last day of the term early finish 12.45pm

Mrs Alison Ronoastro
Head of Junior Campus

 
It does not feel like that long ago I was writing the first newsletter article of the year welcoming and introducing you all to the pastoral care and well-being space. Fast-forward three terms and we are now in the final planning stages to farewell our 2025 Year 12s!

Part of this process is ensuring that they are equipped for ‘Schoolies’ and celebrating (and rightly so!) their efforts, culminating in 12 years’ worth of schooling. Therefore, Year 12s attended a safe partying workshop run by Encounter Youth.

The sessions focused on several key topics:

• Alcohol Awareness: Understanding how alcohol affects the body, the importance of moderation, and making informed decisions.
• Staying Safe in Crowds: Tips on staying together with friends, having an emergency plan, and knowing who to contact in case of trouble.
• Looking After Your Mates: Practical strategies for watching out for each other, including recognising when someone needs help and how to intervene safely.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing: How to manage stress, look after mental health, and seek support if things become overwhelming.

Encounter Youth Presentation to Year 12 Students

We also will celebrate the incredible efforts of our Year 12 students when the entire school community will come together to honour their hard work, dedication, and achievements at the Year 12 Graduation and Awards Assembly on Thursday 23  October 2025.

The Year 12s are reminded of a series of requirements to complete some logistical components of their final time at CBC as follows:

• Monday 20/10 - lesson 2 – Year 12s to go the Walsh Lecture theatre to complete Year 12 leaver survey 

• Tuesday 21/10 -  lesson 5 
• Attend at the Walsh Lecture theatre to complete Old Collegians information survey (20 mins)
• Then complete Year 12s leavers form and empty lockers. ALL LOCKERS MUST BE EMPTIED BY C.O.B. Wednesday 23/10 and locks removed and given to Head of House for re-use.

• Wednesday 22/10 - Lesson 5 
• Recess ‘El Classico soccer match’ – all year 12s on the Sportsfield for one last time….
• Ice cream dessert lunch in Western yard
• Graduation and Awards Assembly Practice - Meet in the Western Yard at 2.10pm at your House banner with you Head of House - to run through the logistics of the Graduation and awards assembly.
• Thursday 23/10 - final day at school
• Meet in the Western Yard at 8.30am
• Year level photo – 8.40am
• 8.45am - attendance will be noted and for prompt movement to the Chapel for the final Liturgy and then movement to the Gym for Awards assembly (lesson 1) and morning tea (lesson 2 and part recess) - signing of T-shirts, ringing of bell etc. Note: Early dismissal at 11.30am!

As we bid farewell to this year’s cohort, we encourage everyone to enjoy their celebrations responsibly and to always prioritise safety and to look out for yourselves and each other.

Wishing all Year 12s the best of luck in their exams and future endeavours!

Thai Exchange students visit

Once again, CBC was lucky enough to host students completing language exchange and immersion programs. For three days this week, we were lucky enough to have two students from Bangkok join classes in Year 7 and Year 10. A great time was had by all and international friendships formed. I would like to thank Nate Yuan (Year 7) and Geon Ryu (Year 10) for so capably looking after Palm and Sim this week.

Geon and Nate with visiting Thai Exchange Students

Completion of Year 12 Graduation Ceremony for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

It was with great pride and pleasure that Year 12 student James Mitchell and his family attended Catholic Education SA’s Year 12 Graduation celebration to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have completed their schooling in Catholic Education.

James at the CESA Year 12 Graduation

James was presented with his certificate and beautiful artwork by Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education at a wonderful ceremony at The Pavilion in Prospect. Well done, James!

Ms Debra Withers
Director of Students

 
Term 4 is a short but busy one, filled with important and symbolic moments, events, and celebrations. Soon we will farewell our Year 12s, many of whom have been with us for many years. While Term 4 marks the end of our academic year, it also leads us into a new beginning for the Church as we approach Advent – a time of waiting and recognising the mystery of God’s presence in our lives.

People of many faiths within our community have recently marked special celebrations, including Mawlid al-Nabi, the Muslim celebration of the Prophet Mohammad’s birth; Diwali, the Hindu festival of light; and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Jewish new year and days of forgiveness.

If you find a quiet moment this week, you might like to pause and reflect in prayer:

What are you thankful for today?
What are you hopeful for this term?
Who or what would you like to pray for today?

Loving God,
In life’s ups and downs, give us patience, kindness, and courage in all we do.

Amen.

This week we also celebrate St Teresa of Avila Day (October 15). While we often get caught up in healthy House competition and points, it’s good to pause and remember what our Houses truly represent. St Teresa of Avila, the namesake of Avila House, was a 16th-century Spanish Carmelite nun who, despite ill health, inspired renewal within her community through prayer and service. A gifted writer (and the patron saint of writers), her book The Interior Castle remains one of the great works of Christian spirituality. Her practical faith and courage inspired Blessed Edmund Rice in his own mission.

Edmund Rice was inspired by St Teresa of Avila

In that same spirit, we wrapped up the last term with our Immersion Park Walk, supporting communities from past and future Philippines Immersions. It was a meaningful way to live out our values of faith and compassion – walking together in solidarity and hope.

Here’s to a fantastic Term 4 and all that is to come. A reminder that our Community Masses continue each Wednesday morning at 8am in the Senior Campus Chapel, and additionally on the first Friday of each month in the Junior Campus Chapel – all students, families, and staff are warmly invited to join.

Mr Anthony Callisto
Director of Identity and Mission

 
Term 4 offers those students and staff involved in Arts Activities time to breathe, reflect on successes and areas for growth, and start planning for next year.

Music

Our Junior Campus music teams continue as normal right until Week 8, when they will perform as part of the CBC Community Christmas event, to be held in the Eastern Yard on Monday 1 December.

Our Senior College Core Ensembles (Concert Band, Guitar Ensemble and Vocal Project) recommenced this week – the choir learnt an entirely new song within a rehearsal, including scatting!

At the end of last term, our musicians were invited to audition for the 2026 Extension Ensembles. Congratulations to all who had a go and have been placed in these teams, who begin rehearsals next week.

We look forward to being joined by some new music friends early next year.

As always, questions can be sent through to me at any time.

Ms Alexandra Khafagi
Director of Performing Arts