Term 4 Week 4 Monday 27th October 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Key Dates:

Term 4 2025

Friday October 31st- Pupil Free Day 

Monday November 3rd- Pupil Free Day

Thursday November 6th: Grandparent's Day

Friday November 7th: Grade 5/6 Fun Day

Saturday November 8th/ Sunday November 9th: Mortlake Rose Show

Friday November 14th: Kinder Transition to School Day 1

Wednesday November 19th: Junior excursion to Werribee Zoo

Thursday November 20th: Concert for Melanie's Music Students

Friday November 21st: Kinder Transition to School Day 2

Sunday November 23rd: Mortlake hosts the Great Victorian Bike Ride

Monday November 24th: St Colman's Feast Day

Wednesday November 26th: St Colman's School Advisory Council AGM

Thursday November 27th: 2026 Foundation student interviews

Friday November 28th: Kinder Transition to School Day 3

Monday December 1st: St Colman's Wellbeing Day

Friday December 5th: Kinder Transition to School Day 4

                                            Little Colman's Christmas Playgroup

Tuesday December 9th: Statewide Transition (Move Up) Day

Friday December 12th: Grade 6 Celebration Day

                                               Mortlake Community Christmas Carols

Tuesday 16th December: End of Year Mass, Awards and Graduation @ 5:30pm

Thursday 18th December: Students finish at 2:15

Friday 19th December: Final day for staff

School Closure Days for 2025
31 October – Student-free day- Structured Literacy
3 November – Student-free day- First Aid Training and Assessments
19 December – Student-free day; last day of term four

Letter from Fr George

Dear Parishioners of Timboon, Camperdown, and Hampden Parishes, 

Over recent months, our parish communities have been prayerfully reflecting on the ways we can continue to live and share our faith more vibrantly amid the changing realities of our region. After consultation and discernment with parish leaders, pastoral councils, and the Diocesan Office, it has been proposed that our three parishes — Timboon, Camperdown, and Hampden — be brought together to form one new parish family. 

This new parish would encompass seven faith communities: Lismore, Camperdown, Cobden, Timboon, Simpson, Mortlake, and Terang. Together, these communities share a deep history of faith, service, and commitment to the mission of the Church in our district. The aim of this formation is not merely administrative, but pastoral and missionary — to strengthen our unity, share our gifts and resources, and ensure that our Catholic presence continues to flourish in each of our towns and communities. 

We believe that, united in one parish, we can support one another more effectively in worship, outreach, and pastoral care. In the coming weeks, further opportunities will be offered for conversation, prayer, and input as we journey toward this new chapter together. Your voice, hopes, and suggestions are invaluable in shaping the character and direction of this new parish. As we take this important step, we would like to invite you to take part in choosing a name for our new parish. The name should reflect our shared faith, local identity, and the spirit of unity among our communities. It may be inspired by a saint, a biblical figure, or a title of Christ or Our Lady that expresses our common mission and values. Two different names to be proposed, one based on spirituality and the second local identity and the spirit of unity among our communities. Let us continue to entrust this process to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we may move forward with faith, hope, and love — as one body in Christ.Fr George Kuruvila

SRC Icy Poles

We will commence selling Zooper Doopers to support the initiatives of our Student Representative Council on Wednesday, October 29th. They still sell for 50c each and will be available each lunchtime for the remainder of the term.

Upcoming School Closure Days

St Colman's have two Pupil Free Days in the coming days.  No children will attend school on Friday October 31st and Monday November 3rd.  Staff will be taking part in professional learning in Literacy and Compliance/OHS. Please note children will attend school on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday November 4th. 

Celebrating our Students

Congratulations to Year 6 student Imogen Barr who continues to excel in the swimming pool. Imogen recently competed in the Barwon District competition and came away for the event as Age Champion. Well done Immy! You certainly are a champ!!

We also congratulate Archie for being judged the winning entrant for St Colman's in the annual Lion's Club Peace Poster competition. You will be able to admire Archie's poster when it is put on display in the foyer at school where it will hang for the next twelve months. 

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

During the first half of the year, we have been working to enhance our implementation of the SWPBS program. 

School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a framework that helps schools create positive, safe, and supportive learning environments. It's an evidence-based approach that focuses on preventing behavioural issues by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours in all students. 

SWPBS helps schools to:

• increase respectful and positive behaviour
• strengthen social and emotional wellbeing
• reduce classroom disruptions and increase learning time
• build positive, respectful relationships between students and staff
• create safe, orderly, and supportive school environments.

A major component of this has been to develop a matrix outlining the positive behaviours that we expect to see in different areas of our school. This is on display in the foyer for everyone’s reference. Different aspects of it are displayed in different learning environments as a reminder of student expectations. It has been wonderful to have students, staff and parent representatives contribute to its development. Please take the time to discuss the matrix with your child/ren. 

We are grateful for the huge amount of work our MHWL, Narelle Marsden has done over the last six months to really invigorate and strengthen the positive behaviour support structures we have in place at St Colman's.

Cricket Equipment

A big thank you to Steve Miller from Colac and District Cricket Association, for gifting our school some nearly new cricket supplies that were left over from some recent cricket clinics. We can't wait to put them to use! 

Wellbeing News

Our school therapy dog, Teddy, has settled well into the school environment and loves spending time with the children in the classroom, playground and some small groups. The students have responded well to having him around and enjoy playing with him at recess and giving him lots of pats and attention. Teddy will attend school on Mondays for the remainder of the year, with the possibility of adding in some Tuesday visits. As previously mentioned, if you have any questions or concerns about Teddy or the Therapy Dog program, please reach out to myself via email at nmarsden@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au

On Tuesday lunchtimes, I will continue running Wellbeing Clubs. This provides students the opportunity to spend some quiet time indoors, away from the noise of the playground, and focus on some mindfulness and wellbeing activities. Students will also have a chance to mix with children from other classes, have calm and meaningful conversations, make connections and check in with myself. These sessions are completely optional. The activities for the sessions will be announced to the children via the posters around the school. So far, students have enjoyed origami, mindful colouring, puzzles and games. 

Narelle Marsden - Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader 

Teddy

SchoolTV

Substance Use & Addiction

Substance use and addiction are complex issues that can affect young people in many different ways. While some may experiment out of curiosity or peer influence, others may use substances as a way to manage stress, anxiety or emotional pain. What may begin as occasional use can sometimes become a pattern that impacts mood, motivation and wellbeing. The developing teenage brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, vaping and drugs, making early use more likely to lead to harm.

For many families, understanding substance use means looking beyond the behaviour to what might be driving it. Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescence, but for some young people, it can also be a signal that they are struggling to cope. Substances can offer temporary relief, but they can also mask underlying issues such as loneliness, low self-esteem or poor mental health. When left unrecognised or unsupported, substance use can interfere with school performance, relationships and emotional development, leading to more serious challenges later in life.

This edition of SchoolTV guides families to help young people develop resilience, self-awareness and the skills to make healthy, informed choices that protect their wellbeing into adulthood.

Michael Grose Parenting Toolbox

St Colman's is proud to offer this insightful newsletter supporting your role as parents free of charge. We have subscribed, so you do not need to sign up to read the articles. 

High-Tech Kids, High-Touch Parenting: Fostering Agency and Choice in a World of Instant Digital Rewards

One of the most common conversations in family homes nowadays revolves around two big topics: children’s feelings and their screen time.

Managing both is the new parenting tightrope!

You want your kids to be confident, resilient, and ready for the modern world, which means they need to be digitally savvy.

However, you also see that constant digital stimulation can make managing their “big feelings”—or emotional regulation— harder.

The good news is that emotional regulation is a learned skill, not an inherited trait.

That means parents play a significant role in developing their children’s emotional and digital smarts.

In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to kids develop your child’s emotional smarts, especially when screens are involved.

Click on the link below to read this insight. Enjoy!

Navigating the social media changes

St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community

Child Safety Officers

Janet Cain and Rosie O'Connor are our Child Safety Officers.

Contact them on:

Phone: 55992285 or 0490539167

Email: jcain@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au or roconnor@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au

Mortlake Rose Show 8th and 9th November

Lunch Orders

LUNCH ORDERS are only available twice a week on Monday and Friday.

Menu and 2025 price list below 

Playgroup at St Colman's

Our fortnightly Playgroup is ready to start again. We look forward to welcoming back our local pre-schoolers every second Friday. Our next session will be this Friday August 1st, 9:30am to 11am. Morning Tea provided

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND IT IS FREE!!!

The ongoing commitment to this project will require support from other members of the school community. If you are willing to help out by going on a roster to help organise Little Colman’s, please contact  the school.

Out of School Care

A reminder that during 2025 we have access to Out of School Care, supplied by TheirCare, at Mortlake College. Registration is made via the TheirCare website. https://theircare.com.au/

Search for Mortlake College P-12

AngliCare Energy Assistance

As part of Anglicare Victoria’s FREE Energy Assistance Program, they provide assistance with energy bills to support Victorians to:

• Talk to their energy retailer and get help with debt
• Access extra financial support
• Check they are receiving eligible concessions on their bill
• Find and move to an affordable energy plan
• Understand bills and fix any possible errors
• Support your child's education with free internet at home

They can provide immediate assistance for clients who are struggling to pay for their gas or electricity bills to prevent disconnection to their property!

The follower two flyers provide further details.

NCCD

Please read the attached information sheet for parents regarding NCCD.