As I write this newsletter we have just completed another extremely successful Beyond Sacred Heart Program. The program is in its 11^th iteration and is the brain child of Megan Withers and Tim Mahon. At the completion of their Year 10 studies our students complete a week of “life” activities to prepare them for life after school. This week they have changed tyres, learned to tie ropes on trailers, cook, budget, iron, fill out forms, prepare for an interview and choose appropriate clothing for an interview. Today was the culmination with the mock interviews. We are indebted to a wide range of members from the community who generously give up their time to sit on the mock interview panels. This year we offered interviews in the Health sector, Real Estate, Army, Policing, Trades, Education and even one for a barber. Hopefully there will be some photos to follow with a full report. Next week our Year 10s will embark on a fortnight of Work Experience. The students are very excited about the opportunity to get a taste of the working life. Once again we are indebted to the businesses and industries that take on the responsibility of supporting our students. We wish them every success and safe travels for the coming fortnight.

Yesterday, for the first time, our students were eligible to receive the Proud and Deadly Awards for First Nations students sponsored by the local ACEG. It was a wonderful community celebration of the achievements, improvements, commitment to community and encouragement of some of our students. After a process of nomination at a school level 17 students received awards along with students from our local DET school and from Temora as well. Thank you to Mrs Sannazarro and Mrs Maher for their enthusiasm and support of our First Nations students. Hopefully in  next weeks newsletter we may have access to some of the official photos from the ceremony. Thank you to Tilly Sannazarro and Evan Lonnen who were hosts for the day.

We are still in the throes of recruiting and appointing staff so that we can assign teachers to specific classes or areas of responsibilities for 2024. A reminder that if you had any concerns that you would considered in class placements then please arrange an appointment through the front office or send me an email nicky.trinder@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Please join with our school community for the P & F Golf Day this Sunday at the Cootamundra Country Club. Get together a team of 4 for a 10am start. Students are allowed to form teams as long as an adult plays in their team. It will be a fabulous day of laughter and fellowship. Hope to see you there. There will be a BBQ lunch and refreshments available. All monies raised go towards the resources for our Primary refurbishment.

We received the Development Application approval last week so hopefully our building project will have gone to tender and we can began refurbishment early in the new year. This means we will move our primary classes into the Convent to start the new school year. However, the convent needs a little bit of TLC in the way of cleaning and preparation for the students. We are holding a Working Bee next Friday evening from 5.30 ‘til about 7pm. Please email me if you are planning on helping out and we can consider any equipment of supplies that are required. We will be providing a Light BBQ tea and refreshments at the completion of the Working Bee.

The Primary Disco was a resounding success. Thank you to Mr Winsor for his organization and all the primary teachers for their supervision. Lots of energy, laughter, dancing, chasing, sweat and loud music. They had a ball!

Next week we have lots happening. The Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass will be held on Friday 24 November at 12pm. All parents and friends are invited. This is a special time to acknowledge the transition from primary into the exciting new challenges of Secondary. We congratulate them on completing their Primary years and look forward to all that they will achieve in the coming years. The Leadership speeches for next year’s student leadership teams will be on Wednesday.

The next four weeks will fly and we still have much to achieve. Thank you for your continued support.

There is always a reason to be kind.

God Bless.