8th September 2025
- Term 3 - Week 8
- Term 3 - Week 9
- Important Dates
- From the Principal
- Awards
- Teaching and Learning
- Religious Education & Catholic Life
- Year 3 Reflection Day
- Sports News
- Class in Focus 2MG
- Class In Focus 3TJ
- Class In Focus 5C
- Grade In Focus Year 6
- Library
- Wellbeing
- SPB4L
- Parents and Friends
- Cathedral School Fete
- Canteen & Breakfast Club
- School Calendar Handy Hints
- Update your Details
- Community Notices
Term 3 - Week 8
- Monday 8th September 2025
- Father's Day Breakfast from 7.30am - All families welcome
- Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
- Father's Day Liturgy led by Year 1 @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
- Agriculture Club @ Recess
- Tuesday 9th September 2025
- Mini Vinnies @ Recess
- Mini Vinnies @ Recess
- Wednesday 10th September 2025
- Guitar Group @ 11.00- 11.40am
- Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
- Voiceology @ 1.30pm
- Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
- Thursday 11th September 2025
- Senior Band @ 7.50 - 8.50am
- Year 6 Mass @ 10.00am
- Seminarians & Parish School Year 6's Soccer Day @ Cathedral School
- Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am
- Friday 12th September2025
- Polding Athletics
- Christmas Art Liturgy, Awards Ceremony & Exhibition @ Cathedral School
Term 3 - Week 9
- Monday 15th September 2025
- Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8.35am
- Gospel Reflection & Assembly led by 3TJ @ 9.10am (Friends and Family Welcome)
- Tuesday 16th September2025
- Mini Vinnies @ Recess
- Mini Vinnies @ Recess
- Wednesday 17th September 2025
- Guitar Group @ 11.00-11.40am
- Year 2 Ukulele Group @ 1.10pm
- Voiceology Group @ 1.30pm
- Didgeridoo Group @ 1.40pm
- Thursday 18th September 2025
- Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am
- Instrument Testing Day
- Junior Band @ 11.00-11.40am
- Senior Band @ 7.50-8.50am
- Friday 19th September 2025
- Our lady of Mercy Mass 12pm @ Cathedral Church
- McAuley Day Activities - Gold Coin Donation
- P&F School Disco K-2 (5.30-6.15pm)
- P&F School Disco 3-6 (6.30-7.30pm)
Important Dates
| Term 3 2025 | Date |
| Year 6 Mass | Thursday 11th September |
| Seminarians & Parish School Year 6's Soccer Day | Thursday 11th September |
| Polding Athletics | Friday 12th September |
| Instrument Testing Day | Thursday 18th September |
Our lady of Mercy Mass | Friday 19th September |
| McAuley Day | Friday 19th September |
| P&F Disco | Friday 19th September |
| Last Day of Term 3 | Thursday 25th September |
From the Principal
We thank our amazing P&F, volunteers and staff for another beautiful Fathers’ Day celebration. Cathedral is blessed with so many wonderful fathers, grandfathers and fatherly figures. This special event reminds us of the special role of these people in the lives of our children.
Our Newsletter will be published fortnightly in 2025 and we encourage you to access the Google Cathedral Community Calendar so that you can stay current with school dates and celebrations.
Mrs Camille Tavares | Principal
Awards
Teaching and Learning
Celebrating Student Achievement
Congratulations to all of our students who have participated in the Bathurst Eisteddfod over the past month. We particularly commend our classes who performed in Verse Speaking, the last of the school-based sections at the Eisteddfod. Participation in poetry recitation offers students the chance to explore rhythm, language, and expression, while the teamwork involved in preparing and presenting together fosters collaboration, confidence, and mutual support. Performing for an audience also builds important life skills such as resilience, poise, and the ability to communicate with impact. We commend every student for their commitment and courage in sharing their voices on stage.
Verse Speaking Results
Kindergarten - First Place
Year 2 - Highly Commended
Year 3 - Highly Commended
Year 4 - Third Place
Year 5 - Third Place
Year 6 - Highly Commended
Professional Learning at Cathedral School
Over the past month, teachers at Cathedral School have been deeply engaged in a range of professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen teaching practice and enhance student learning. Working alongside experienced mentors, our staff continue to build their knowledge and skills across several key areas:
Local History
Teachers were privileged to learn about the history of Bathurst, with a special focus on Machattie Park and its surrounds. Led by Jan Page, a local history expert and former Cathedral School grandparent, this experience took us on a journey through the early years of the colony, offering insights into significant people, buildings, and events that have shaped our community. We look forward to continuing to work with Jan throughout the year as we explore further connections between local history and our curriculum.
Reading and Oral Fluency
Our mentor, Dr Sarah McDonagh, has been working with teachers across K–6 to strengthen reading instruction at every stage of learning. A key focus has been on the importance of building from strong foundational phonics knowledge and skills in the early years, through to more explicit instruction in vocabulary development and the teaching of fluency. This has involved observation of classroom instruction with targeted feedback to both teachers and students to ensure growth. In addition, staff have been refining their use of high-impact teaching strategies, with regular opportunities for reflection and professional discussion to review progress and continually improve practice.
Writing and Instructional Rounds
Teachers have also been working on building collective efficacy and consistency in the teaching of Writing. This includes the development of student-friendly learning intentions and success criteria, supported by a clear theory of action to help all students achieve success. Staff took part in Instructional Rounds—a process adapted from medical rounds where professionals observe, gather data, and collaboratively plan next steps. This allowed teachers to see students in action, identify learning needs, and target strategies for growth. With the support of Tess Barnes from SCHMIC Consultancy, our teachers have been refining expertise in differentiating learning and setting every student up for success.
These professional learning opportunities highlight our school’s commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that every child benefits from high-quality, evidence-based teaching.
Religious Education & Catholic Life
Stage Masses
Thank you to all the families who joined us for our recent Stage Masses in the Cathedral Church.
It was wonderful to see some families coming together to support the faith journey of our students. For Stage 1, the Gospel readings invited reflection on compassion and service—important messages for this age group as they grow in their understanding of living their faith. The Stage 2 Mass took place in the lead-up to the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), a beautiful reminder of Mary’s example of faith and love, especially meaningful for our youngest learners. Thank you for sharing these special moments with us!
Christmas Art Storytelling Competition
It is a great honour for our school to host the Diocesan Launch and Christmas Storytelling Exhibition in our School Hall this Friday (12th September). This special event will bring together representatives from across the diocese, celebrated by Bishop Michael, diocesan leaders, and families from other schools, to celebrate the creativity and faith of our students.
Our school will be proudly represented by our student leaders, members of the Aboriginal Education Consultancy Group, the Liturgy & Worship Committee, and senior members of our Choir, who will support the liturgy.
We are also thrilled to announce our finalists in the Diocesan Christmas Storytelling Competition: Kazimera, Ana, Lana, Harryson, Minami, Leah, Harrison, Jack, Lara, Lily, and Gurleen. Their work, inspired by Advent and the meaning of Christmas, will be exhibited in this diocesan event, showcasing the depth of talent and faith across our community. We look forward to welcoming everyone to this significant occasion, which highlights the creativity, spirituality, and unity of our diocese.
Seminarians Soccer Match
We are excited to announce that Cathedral School will host the inaugural Burke Cup on Thursday, 11th September 2025, a special event dedicated to community, faith and fun.
This day will bring together Year 6 students from our parish schools, seminarians and special guests, including Mr. David Burke, representatives from St Stanislaus’ College, and members of the Burke family, to celebrate the contributions of the Burke family to our parish, school and seminarians to our diocese. The highlight of the day will be the Burke Cup Soccer Matches, where Year 6 students from participating parish schools will compete against the seminarians for the Cup.
The event will commence with Mass in the Cathedral, including the Blessing of the Cup and Competitors, followed by an engaging day of activities such as seminarian testimonies, soccer matches and a shared lunch.
This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome seminarians, celebrate our faith, and foster community spirit. We look forward to creating a new tradition that highlights the importance of collaboration, leadership, and joy within our diocese.
Thank you to Fr. Nam, our seminarians, and the Burke family for helping make this exciting new tradition possible. We can’t wait to share this day with our community!
Monday Liturgy & Assembly:
Please join us each week between 9:00 and 9:30 am as we pray together and acknowledge the achievements in our school community. Classes, Grades and Committees each take responsibility for leading these celebrations and it is a wonderful way to find out all of the special things happening inside and outside of our learning spaces. Families are invited to enjoy a cuppa from 8:30am in the hall before the commencement of the assembly.
Sacramental Program
A reminder that parents in Years 2-6 can now approach the Parish Office for the relevant sacrament as all class preparation requirements have been completed. Year 2 - First Penance, Year 3, 4 and 5 First Holy Communion.
Year 5 have commenced their school based preparations for Confirmation, with registrations available for 2026.
As always please feel welcome to contact your child’s teacher, or myself if you require any further information. Please email cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au with a photo of your child at their Sacramental Celebration of First Holy Communion & Confirmation if you would like it featured in the newsletter.
We are unable to publish photographs where students’ names are visible or publish any images from First Penance.
Coming Up
Please always reference the School Community Calendar for the latest event details and changes:
IN OUR PARISH
We are proud to be an important part of the Cathedral Parish of Ss Michael & John. For information about our parish please click here. This includes Mass Times, Ministries, Sacraments and current edition and archived stories from the Catholic Observer and Parish Bulletin.
Mr Ashley Boylan | Religious Education Coordinator
Year 3 Reflection Day
Year 3 students recently attended a meaningful First Eucharist Reflection Day, where they spent time deepening their understanding of the sacrament and preparing spiritually for this important step in their faith journey. The day was filled with prayer, reflection, and engaging activities that helped students connect with the significance of the Eucharist in their lives. We extend our sincere thanks to the staff and students from MacKillop College and St Stanislaus' College for generously giving their time to plan and lead the day. Their guidance, enthusiasm, and support made the experience truly special for our students.
Sports News
Polding Athletics
We wish Georgina from 6LB the best of luck as she competes in the Polding Athletics Carnival. Georgina will travel to Glendale to compete in the Senior Girls Discus event as a part of the Bathurst Diocesan Team. Congratulations Georgina on this wonderful achievement and good luck!
Sporting Schools Tennis
Year 3 students at our school are excited to be taking part in a four-week tennis program led by Rod Schumacher from Eglinton Tennis, thanks to funding received through the Australian Government’s Sporting Schools grant. This fantastic opportunity allows students to develop their skills and confidence in tennis while staying active and having fun. The first session, held last week, was a big hit with the students, who enjoyed learning new techniques and participating in engaging games and activities. We’re looking forward to the remaining sessions and watching our students continue to grow and enjoy the sport.
Class in Focus 2MG
2MG have been busy and enthusiastic learners this term! In Mathematics, we have been working on a range of addition and subtraction strategies to help us solve problems with increasing confidence. Students are learning to explain their thinking and try different methods to find the best solution.
In Science, we have been creating unique creatures to live in our habitat dioramas. The students loved designing their animals and thinking about how their special features would help them survive in their environment.
The change of season has also given us the chance to enjoy PE outside. It has been wonderful to see everyone being active, working together, and having fun in the fresh air.
In English, we are continuing to improve our writing using the Gap to Got It scaffold. Students are working hard to build on their ideas, strengthen their sentences, and become more confident writers.
A highlight of the term so far has been celebrating Book Week! The children loved dressing up as their favourite characters and sharing in the joy of reading. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the importance of books and imagination.
2MG should feel very proud of their efforts and achievements so far this term.
Class In Focus 3TJ
Bookweek
3TJ students had a fantastic time dressing up as their favourite book characters for Bookweek. The costumes were creative, colourful, and brought beloved stories to life. Laughter and excitement filled the day as students shared their characters and celebrated a love of reading together.
History
In History, we have been diving into the fascinating period of the Age of Discovery, exploring the journeys of famous explorers and the impact their voyages had on the world. We learned about the different items that were traded during this time, including precious spices, silks, and other goods that connected countries across continents. To bring history to life, we even became explorers ourselves—using our sense of smell to try and identify a variety of spices, just like those traded centuries ago. It was a fun and hands-on way to connect with the past and understand the excitement and challenges of exploration during this remarkable era.
Vietnamese with Fr Nam
We were delighted by a spontaneous visit from Fr Nam, who brought lots of smiles and energy to our classroom. He even taught us a little bit of Vietnamese, which was a fun and exciting experience for everyone. The students loved learning new words and hearing about his culture firsthand!
Class In Focus 5C
5C Science-Space, Light and Shadows
Over the past few weeks, 5C have been exploring shadows and the Earth’s rotation and orbit around the sun. We went outside with toy animal figurines to trace the shadows the animals made at different times of day. We have also investigated moon phases, learning how one half of the moon is in shadow while the other half is reflecting the sun's light at different times of the month. We used Oreos to model the moon's phases. It was so much fun!— that we want to repeat the activity! Studying shadows and the moon has been both fun and engaging, and Year 5C has loved every moment.
We had a memorable and exciting Bookweek day. We enjoyed dressing up in our Bookweek costumes (which were spectacular!) and the Parade and Special lunch. Year 5 are also all very keen artists! We enjoyed the webinar by the illustrator Kelly Canby on creative drawing inspired by her book, A Leaf Called Greaf.
Grade In Focus Year 6
This term has been rich with positive learning experiences, fostering personal, academic, and social growth.
Three-Way Conferences
Our recent Three-way Conferences provided an excellent opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to collaborate. We reflected on Semester 1 progress, revisited goals set earlier in the year (especially in Writing), and established new goals for the rest of the year.
Religious Education
Our Bible Unit has been engaging, particularly learning about the historical context of the scriptures, deepening our understanding and connection to the themes. This Thursday, we are excited to take part in the Faith, Fellowship, and Burke Cup Day. This special event will bring together Year 6's from our parish and Seminarians to celebrate and strengthen our faith while also enjoying friendly competition and teamwork.
English Reading
We have continued to focus on reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. A highlight was working with Dr. Sarah McDonough to refine our reading skills. Currently, we are enjoying Seven Little Australians, a classic piece of Australian literature. The novel is expanding our vocabulary and enhancing our understanding of life in the late 1800s. It has also tied wonderfully into our History studies of society during that time. One fun takeaway: children were just as mischievous back then! Our last Book Week dress up day was enjoyed.
Writing
Writing has been a significant focus, with teacher instructional rounds showcasing our progress. Using the ‘Gap to Got It’ wall, we have been improving our texts and supporting our peers. Group conferencing has been a highlight, as we've co-constructed tools to refine and expand our writing skills. We also worked closely with Mrs. Tess Barnes, whose guidance and expertise have been invaluable.
Mathematics
We have been developing and applying a range of strategies to solve mathematical problems, recognizing that many tasks require multiple operations. Our peers, parents, and teachers have all contributed strategies to enhance our understanding.
History
Our studies in History have been fascinating, exploring democracy from multiple perspectives, the factors leading to Federation, and First Nations' experiences and impacts. We’ve also started learning about Australia’s systems, tiers, and arms of government in preparation for our Civics & Citizenship excursion to Canberra on October 30th and 31st. Look out for more details on Compass soon!
Creative Arts
This week, we’re excited to host the Diocesan Launch and Exhibition for the Christmas Art Storytelling Competition, with some of our artworks selected as school representatives. In class, we’ve also started exploring new whole-school music resources, which has been an exciting addition to our Creative Arts program. Didgeridoo Group members from our grade have been excited to share their progress with us during the term.
Science & Technology
Our engineering, predicting, and making skills are on full display as we work through the Make a Stand unit, which encourages creativity and problem-solving.
PDHPE
We’ve enjoyed meeting our new teacher, Mr. Siakisoni, and engaging in a variety of physical activities and personal development lessons. We have also enjoyed celebrating the successes of many Year 6's in the sporting arena.
Mr Boylan, Mrs Baird & Mrs Lata | Year 6 Teaching & Learning Team
Library
Exciting News from the Bathurst City Library
Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students entered a book scavenger hunt at the Bathurst City Library on our recent excursion. Ruben in 1W was chosen as the lucky winner of a prize which I was able to present to him at Assembly. Well done Ruben!
Mrs Merryn Sadler | Teacher Librarian
Wellbeing
CCSP’S TERM 3 WEBINAR WITH BEYOND - For parents and carers of primary school students.
Lunch and learn! Grab a sandwich and a cup of tea and join this event to find out how to recognise and nurture your child’s unique strengths and talents, guiding them towards greater confidence, motivation and resilience.
Learn how to observe your child’s natural abilities, encourage self-expression, and create hands-on opportunities that align with their interests.
Wednesday 10 September 2025
12:30pm - 1:15pm
PRESENTED BY BEYOND
Registration Link:
http://tiny.cc/nurturingstrengths
Merryn Sadler | Wellbeing Coordinator
SPB4L
CURRENT FOCUS: “We focus and give our best effort with every learning task”
This week our SPB4L focus is on giving our best effort in every learning task. We want our students to understand that real growth happens when they stay focused, try their hardest, and push themselves beyond what feels easy.
This focus links beautifully with our recent Three-Way Conferences, where we celebrated student achievements and set future learning goals together. As we move into Semester Two, we are encouraging all students to dig deeper in their learning and to show persistence, pride, and determination in every subject area.
Families can support this at home by asking questions such as:
- “What did you do today that showed your best effort?”
- “When something was tricky, how did you keep going?”
- “What goal are you working on this week?”
Together, we can continue to help our children grow into resilient, motivated learners who are proud of their hard work and the progress it brings.
REVIEW: Zones of Regulation
Our students have been learning how to recognise their feelings and use this awareness to make good choices. By naming emotions, children can begin to manage them more effectively. Using the Zones of Regulation (Blue, Green, Yellow, Red), students are building a shared language to talk about how they feel and are practising strategies to return to the Green Zone, where they are calm, focused, and ready to learn.
We encourage families to keep these conversations going at home. Asking questions like “What Zone are you in?” or “What could help you feel calm right now?” can support children in developing confidence and resilience.
For parents wishing to explore the Zones of Regulation further, here are some useful resources:
- Watch this short video about the Zones of Regulation
- Click this link to read a parent handout
- Download this free Zones of Regulation poster
Together, we are helping our children to grow in emotional awareness, compassion, and responsibility, values that reflect both our Catholic tradition and our shared commitment to nurturing the whole child.
Mrs Julia Baird | SPB4L Committee
Parents and Friends
Date for the Diary:
Disco: 19th September
School Photos: 16th October
Family Photos: 17th October
P&F Meeting: 5th November
Cathedral Fete: 14th November
Family Night: 11th December
If you have any enquiries about our projects or would like to get involved, please email us at cathedralpandf@gmail.com
Melissa Bray | P & F Publicity
Cathedral School Fete
Canteen & Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club Roster Term 3
Canteen Roster Term 3
PLEASE CAN YOU HELP??
The Canteen is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
We are in need of helpers in the Canteen on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
For the canteen to run smoothly 3 volunteers are essential.
Please contact Alana Watson on 0417 044 116 if you would like to be included in the canteen roster,
any time offered is welcomed.
Thank you to all our friends and family for all your ongoing support of the Cathedral Canteen.
School Calendar Handy Hints
Google Calendar is an easy way to keep up to date with the school events. This can be found on our school website under the Parents and Families tab. Below is the link that will take you straight to the Calendar section of the site, where the calendar can be displayed by month. If you click on the event, more details (if confirmed) will be available for the event.
Most end of year events and special celebrations have already been added to the calendar and all other events appear as soon as we can confirm the details. Website Calendar Link
For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars for easy access
on your phone or device. Google School Calendar Link
Update your Details
Update your email, phone number, address, your child’s medical details or emergency contacts by emailing the information to cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au
Community Notices
SUMMER FUTSAL REGISTRATIONS AND TEAM NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!!
We are so exited to announce registrations for Summer Futsal are NOW OPEN! There are two steps to the process:I'M REGISTERING AS AN INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AND NEED A TEAMYou need to complete the player registration form using the link below. Make sure to select "I'm registering as an individual and need a team" under PLAYER DETAILS on the form.https://form.jotform.com/
Anthony Dunn
Director
Central Tablelands Futsal & Football
E: director@ctfutsalfootball.com.
M: 0403837070
www.ctfutsalfootball.com.au
