Please note the following dates in your diary:
2026 dates are set as best as possible at this point in time.
Please be mindful they may be subject to change and continue to check.

Week 4 Tuesday 4th August -Day 1 School Improvement Day-Review Wednesday 5th August- Day 2 School Improvement Day-Review Friday 7th August- Yr 6 multicultural Melb. excursion  Friday 7th August- Yr 1 grandparents day mass 9.15am

Week 5  Tuesday 11th August- Prep Ambulance Visit Thursday 13th August - Yr 5 debating Friday 14th August - PSGs

Week 6  Monday 17th August- Prep specialist day (please note swap for this week only) Monday 17th August - Yr 5 Market incursion Wednesday 19th August - Confirmation Preparation Day Year 6 Friday 21st August- St Bernards Day Mass (9:15am) and Mannya Lapathon

Week 7 Monday 24th August - Teeth on Wheels first visit Monday 24th August- Year 3 democracy Incursion Friday 28th August- Teeth on Wheels second visit Friday 28th August- PSGs Sunday 30th August - Confirmation Mass 1pm and 3:30pm

Week 8 Monday 31st August- Teeth on Wheels third visit Tuesday 1st September- Year 1 Sovereign hill excursion  Tuesday 1st September- Division Athletics Tuesday 1st September- Yr 4 excursion Wednesday 2nd September- Yr 2 wool museum and bollard walk Thursday 3rd September- Father’s Day Stall  Friday 4th September- Father’s Day open Morning

Week 9 Tuesday 8th September- Year 4 bodyworks evening at school Thursday 10th September- RUOK Day Thursday 10th September- Prep family mass

Week 10 Tuesday 15th September- Minty’s Birthday Friday 18th September- Book Week Parade and final day of term - we will incorporate a brief assembly into the book parade - 2:30pm dismissal

2026 Term 4 Week 1 Monday 5th October - First Day of Term 4 Thursday 8th October - Yr 4 incursion Friday 9th  October- Icypole day Saturday 10th October - Parents social night

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 Friday 30th October- Icypole day Friday 30th October- World Teachers day

Week 5 Monday 2nd November- Student Free Day Tuesday 3rd November- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday Saturday 7th November -  Bunnings BBQ

Week 6 Wednesday 11th November- Yr 5 Leadership incursion Saturday 14th November - CARNIVALE

Week 7 Friday 20th November- Icypole day

Week 8 Monday 23rd November- Closure day Friday 27th  November- Junior Athletcs Day Year 2/3 Saturday 28th November- Election Day BBQ

Week 9 Monday 30th November- Junior Athletics Day Year Prep/1 Tuesday December 1st - Yr 6 Disco Wednesday 2nd December- Carols Evening Thursday 4th December -  Special treat day

Week 10 Tuesday 8th December - Step up day Tuesday 8th December- Parent teacher meetings Wednesday 9th December - Parent teacher meetings Friday 11th December - End of year mass

Week 11 Monday 14th December - Final Assembly Monday 14th December - Yr Graduation  Tuesday 15th December - Last day of school for 2026 (Adventure park for year 6)

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Catholic Education week is next week. (actually every week is Catholic Education week)

In Catholic education, and at our Clairvaux school we believe every child is a unique masterpiece. 

At the heart of our school is a powerful belief, our Catholic education is about forming people who are fully alive, aware of God’s presence, and committed to the common good.

It means we don’t just teach your child daily,  we teach them why they  matter. We strive to wake up their sense of wonder, help them find strength in their faith, and inspire them to use their talents to lift others up. We aren't just preparing them for the next grade level, we are partnering with you to prepare them for a life of purpose.

Happy Catholic education week

Brendan

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------           An Invitation to Connect: Shaping the Future of our Prep Transition

Dear New Families,

We were truly disappointed that the weather prevented us from gathering for our Prep Picnic yesterday. However, every challenge presents an opportunity. While we missed our casual picnic, I am eager to invite you to a special New Family Feedback Meeting as we begin our educational partnership together.

In my recent reading of Transition to School: Policy, Practice and Research by Sue Dockett and Bob Perry, a particular insight stood out: Success isn't measured by what a child knows on day one, but by how connected and confident the child and their family feel.

To ensure we are fostering that connection, I would love to hear about your "Day One" and beyond. Your feedback will directly assist us in refining the 2027 transition for future Clairvaux families.

We’ll be discussing:

• The Transition: How has the introduction to school life been for you and your child?
• Initial Engagement: What have your first interactions with the school felt like?
• Future Structure: How can we better shape these vital early days?

Event Details:

• When: Thursday 19th March
• Time:9am
• Where: Foley Centre

Coffee and refreshments will be provided. It is a wonderful chance to gather together, share your stories, and help us grow as a community.

Brendan

Dialogue is born when I am capable of recognizing others as a gift of God and accept they have something to tell me.

Pope Francis 2016

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High-Flying Success: Jed Equals State Record!

We have some thrilling news from the track and field world! This past weekend, one of our own reached new heights—literally.

After a stellar performance at the Regional championships back in February, Jed Wilkinson headed to the Little Athletics Victoria State Championships in Knox to compete against the best in the state. Competing in the U10 Boys High Jump on Sunday, Jed didn't just win the gold medal; he made history by equalling the Victorian State record.

A Peak Performance

What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Jed managed to match his own personal best on the biggest stage possible. Talk about performing under pressure!

• Event: U10 Boys High Jump
• Achievement: State Champion & State Record Equalizer
• Location: Knox (LAVic State Championships)

Jed’s mum and dad are understandably beaming with pride, and the entire community is right there with them. It’s not every day you see a state record matched, and we can’t wait to see how high Jed flies from here.

   

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Strengthening Our Community for 2027 - from last weeks newsletter

For the past two Wednesdays, our Prep teachers, Prue, Siobhan, Vicky, and Caitlin and I have visited a number of local kindergartens. I know that we have only just settled in with our 2026 Prep children, but we are already looking ahead to welcome new families and siblings to Clairvaux in 2027.

As a current family, you play an enormous role in advocating for your child’s school. Never underestimate the power you have in promoting the education your child is receiving. While billboards, news ads, and social media all help spread the message, your word is the most powerful factor of all.  

School Tours are available at the following times: 

Tuesday 24th March (12 midday) and Wednesday 22 April (9:30am).

To help us continue building our vibrant community, I invite you to:

• Share your story: Talk to friends, neighbours, and colleagues about the growth and learning you see in your child.
• Encourage a visit: If you know a family considering schools for 2027, encourage them to book a tour to see our classrooms in action.  These tours will be led by our Year 6 students. 
• Watch for Key Dates: Remind friends that enrolment windows for siblings (1 April) and new families (1 May) are approaching quickly.  

Our best ambassadors are the families who experience the Clairvaux difference every day. We thank you for your ongoing support and for being such a vital part of our school’s future.

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Project Compassion 

Our Clairvaux school community has once again shown the true spirit of compassion and generosity, raising an outstanding :

$3,679.45 

for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion through our Easter Egg Raffle and classroom Project Compassion boxes.

A heartfelt thank you to all families, students and staff for your generous donations..  

Your support is already helping to transform lives by providing people experiencing poverty with the tools, opportunities and resources they need to create brighter and more sustainable futures for themselves and their families.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to our teachers for kindly donating the Easter eggs for the raffle, and to Alyssa (Yr 5 teacher) and the Year 5 Social Justice CSC members for enthusiastically promoting this Lenten initiative and helping make it such a success.

Congratulations to all of our raffle winners, who were announced at our End of Term Assembly.  Thank you again to everyone who contributed so generously to this meaningful cause.

Look what our fundraising could contribute to….

$2000   Can help to establish two domestic water collection points in rural   Tanzania, which can provide a safe drinking water supply for 800 people.

$4000  Can rehabilitate the main pipeline for a piped water supply system,  which can give life to a dilapidated water system and supply safe drinking water to 4,000 people in Tanzania.


     

                    

Sacramental News

Eucharist & Confirmation Presentation Masses 

This year both the Year 4 Eucharist candidates and the Year 6 Confirmation candidates will be  presented to the St Bernard’s Parish community over one weekend (3 masses) :

• Sat 2nd May 5pm
• Sun 3rd May 9am
• Sun 3rd May 10.30am                                                                       

Eucharist and Confirmation candidates will be presented to the parish community as they begin preparing for these Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church.  This special presentation gives the St. Bernard’s parish community an opportunity to recognise each candidate and offer prayerful support throughout their preparation.  It is also a reminder that families and our wider school and parish communities play a vital role in guiding and encouraging our young people on their faith journey.  No bookings are required.  Please refer to the note emailed today to Year 4 and Year 6 families for further details

Sacrament of Eucharist 

The Year 4 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time during Term 2.  Information regarding dates and registration for the Sacrament has been emailed to all Year 4 families.

Important dates:

Presentation masses:  for all Eucharist & Confirmation Candidates
Sat 2nd May 5pm, Sun 3rd May 9am or 10.30 am

Family Faith Formation evening: 
Wednesday 27th May 6.30 pm

Eucharist Preparation day: Tues 2nd June

Sacrament dates:  Sat 13th June 5pm, Sun 14th June 9am or 10.30 am

If your child is in Year 5 or 6 and needs to ‘catch up’ on receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist, to include them in the program please email me at jroutley@ccsbelmont.com.au

Sacrament of Confirmation:  Term 3 - Sunday 30th August,  1pm and 3.30pm

Year Level Masses

Our Year level masses are a special opportunity for students, families, staff and parishioners to come together in faith as one community.  Through prayer, song, listening to God’s word and active participation in all parts of the Mass, students are given the chance to grow in understanding of our Catholic tradition.  All Year Level Masses are celebrated by our parish priest, Fr. Tho, in St. Bernard’s church. We would love you to join us this term:

• Year 3 Mother’s day Mass - Thursday 7th May 9.30am
• Year 5 National Reconciliation Day Mass- Wednesday 27th May 9.30am
• Year 2 Care for Creation Mass - Thursday 11 June 9.30am

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School Attendance Monitoring & Communication of Semester 1 Attendance

At Clairvaux, we understand that there are many valid reasons why children may be absent. Whether it is due to family holidays, prolonged sickness, or specific Individual Learning Plans, we recognise that life and health sometimes take priority over school hours.

At your child’s parent-teacher meeting, you will also be able to check on your child’s attendance percentage. This number is based on class time minutes and may differ slightly from the number reported in your child’s report card, which is based on full and half days absent.

Families who have a child with an attendance percentage of less than 90% for the semester (indicating approximately 2 weeks or more of absences), in line with MACS policy and direction, will be emailed directly to alert you.

To support our students' academic and social development, we are committed to transparent communication regarding attendance.

You can monitor your child’s overall attendance via PAM. Please note that our records include a culmination of:

• Full and half-day absences.

• Late arrivals: Our school day begins at 8:50 am. This is when children enter the classroom and begin their day.

• Early pick-ups: Leaving before the final bell.

Guided by MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools), we inform families of their child's attendance via school reports, PAM and updates when attendance percentages fall below certain percentages.

• A Communication of Awareness: This is a duty of care and a courtesy to help families see the cumulative impact of "missed minutes."

• No Formal Explanation Required: These notifications are not intended to question the reasons behind an absence. We understand that attendance may be lower due to planned holidays, medical recovery, or ongoing arrangements. You do not need to explain time away that has already been communicated.

• Acknowledging Prior Communication: If you have already spoken to your child’s teacher, please do not feel this automated update is sent without consideration of your previous messages.

Even small amounts of time away, arriving late, leaving early, or missing just one day a fortnight, can add up over time and affect learning progress. Our goal is to work together to promote consistent attendance, which plays a key role in each child's academic and social development.

• The School Office: Please notify the office or via PAM by 9:00 am if your child will be absent or arriving late.

• Teachers: While teachers appreciate being informed of planned absences and will endeavour to touch base during extended periods of sickness, official notification must still be provided to the office.
  
  Our Year Level Semester 1 attendance percentages are as follows:

  Year Level		School Attendance Percentage
  Prep		94.18%
  Year 1		90.67%
  Year 2		92.34%
  Year 3		91.79%
  Year 4		91.55%
  Year 5		91.90%
  Year 6		90.72%
  		91.88%

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Welcome to Clairvaux Catholic School. We are delighted to introduce you to our school and warmly welcome you to the Clairvaux community.

Our enrolment process is now underway, and we are pleased to offer school tours on:

• 1 April at 12:00pm

• 22 April at 9:30am

We would love for you to join us at one of these tours, and you are most welcome to bring your child along.

To make a booking, please click here or visit our website and click on the link under the Enrolments tab.

Application for Enrolment forms are also now available on the website or you can click here. We kindly ask that all applications for the 2027 school year are submitted by 1 May 2026.

We look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks.

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In Social and Emotional Learning this term, the Prep children have been learning about our Clairvaux Touchstones. This term's focus is on Friendship and Belonging. We visited the totem poles in the sensory garden, made friendship bracelets for our classmates and have been practicing our skills during our morning green play.

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Cced

This term has been very exciting! We worked together as a team to create one special “Everyday Hero” food product. We also made a fun campaign to encourage our community to stay healthy and active.

We invented our own recipe and made a healthy snack that was low-cost and good for the environment. Everyone had an important job to help our team succeed. Some of us were Project Managers, Lead Designers, Health & Safety officers and Sustainability Specialists. Each person helped the team make decisions and do their best work.

Making our product was so much fun, and the best part was getting to taste it at the end! We were very proud of what we created together.
      

Religious Education  - Caritas and  Project Compassion

The Year 5s and CSC are in charge of promoting Project Compassion. This project helps people around the world who don’t have enough food, clean water, or a safe place to live.

We are working together to raise money and spread awareness about how even small actions can make a big difference. We created these posters to share our message.

Please donate and support our cause!

                

 

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A parents guide to Naplan

From March 11 -23 Australian school students will be sitting the annual Naplan tests.

As parents, it’s natural to wonder how your child is doing at school. One way we check this is through NAPLAN. Here’s a simple guide to what NAPLAN is, why we do it, and how it helps your child learn.  It is mandated that all Australian schools engage in Naplan.  It is one of the many assessment tools that we use to gauge student progress

What is NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is a test that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 take every year. It looks at two main areas:

• Reading and writing: understanding texts, writing, spelling, and grammar
• Math: working with numbers and solving problems

Because students across Australia do the test at the same time, it helps us see how everyone is going.

NAPLAN helps us understand how your child is doing with reading, writing, and math. It shows:

• How they are growing in their skills
• How they compare to other kids their age
• What areas they might need extra help with

NAPLAN helps teachers and schools know what’s going well and where to focus more support. It also helps you see how your child is doing and where they might need a little extra practice.

Remember, NAPLAN is just one part of how we see your child’s progress. Teachers use it along with other tests and daily work to make sure every child gets what they need to learn and grow.

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School SAFETY

A message from Donna Cornwill Team Leader - School Crossings

School Crossing Supervisors around Geelong  have reported an increase in students riding their bikes across the road rather than dismounting before entering the crossing. This behaviour poses significant safety risks—not only to the students on bikes, but also to other pedestrians and the supervisors managing the crossing.

Riding through a crossing can lead to:

• Reduced visibility and reaction time for both the student and approaching vehicles.
• Loss of control, especially in wet weather or crowded crossing areas.
• Increased risk of collisions with other students who are walking.
• Confusion for drivers, who expect pedestrians—not cyclists—within the crossing space.

To maintain a safe and consistent environment across all school crossings, it is essential that all students dismount and walk their bikes across the road every time.

Donna Cornwill

Team Leader – School Crossings

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Clairvaux’s Colour Blast Fun Run -Tuesday 24 March from 5pm.
Important updates

This is a ticketed event, and it’s your last chance to register your child to attend. Entries must close this Friday 13 March. Register by setting up a Colour Blast Student Profile for your child: https://colourblast.com.au/student-parent-registrations/?school-id=MTU1Njg=

Entry tickets to bring to the event
An entry ticket (including sunglasses redemption voucher) will be sent home with each registered student late next week.

BBQ, icecream, and drinks
We are delighted to have supporters providing the BBQ, icecreams, and the drink sales to contribute to Clairvaux’s fundraising total. Come at 5pm for dinner!
The BBQ is kindly being organised by the Lions Club of Geelong South Barwon with all proceeds donated.
Icecreams from Mr Pro Whipp with a percentage of the profit donated.
We are selling drinks as well for fundraising (EFT preferred).

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee food safety for gluten-free or other special dietary requirements (other than vegetarian with veggie burgers). Please bring your own food for other dietary requirements.

Volunteers
We need parents to volunteer for short shifts including during the day for setup, during and after the run.
This is a parent volunteer led event for the enjoyment of students.
Volunteer here: https://signup.com/go/kOevdwF

Fundraising update
We have raised $5,500 of our $10,000 goal! The funds will contribute to the new junior playground and playspace upgrades. Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed so far and those who have shared their child’s fundraising link.

Highest fundraisers
The highest fundraising house colour wins icypoles, highest class gets hot chips, and 10 highest individual fundraisers win merch packs and get involved in some sliming!  The final results will be at as at 12noon on the day of the event and the results will be announced on the night.

Stay tuned. Another surprise prize will be announced shortly!

Right now, the highest fundraising house colour is Bernard!
The Colour Blast website shows the top 5 fundraisers and highest class.


What students wear and bring
White or black with a touch of fluro. White and Black with the powder gives different effects.
Please note that the powder is non-toxic and washes out, but it may leave a slight discolouration on pure white tops.

 You might want to pack a change of clothes or towels for the car ride home
 Water bottle
 A white or black top
 Any bottoms that they can get dirty
 Any touches of fluro that they want to add – this could be headbands, scrunchies, skirts, have a bit
of fun with it!
 Runners/sneakers
 Sunglasses UV400 provided on the night for each registered student

Schedule for Tuesday 24 March:
5.00pm   Enter via the Reynolds Road gate to the oval with each students’ entry ticket.
Sunglasses provided when handing in their ticket at the gate.
BBQ, ice-cream, and drink sales remain open throughout the whole event.
Students will be asked to stay off the course until they are invited to the marshal area.
5.30pm   Fun Run starts around the oval as parents squirt the coloured powder
6.15pm   Families can also purchase from the BBQ and ice-cream truck after the run finishes, watch the sliming and fundraising winners will be announced.
7.00pm   Event finished

Young students
Young students, particularly Preps, may find the first few laps a bit overwhelming with the whole school participating, but then they will enjoy it. Please tell these students what to expect on the night in advance of coming, and you could encourage them to hold hands with a friend for the first few laps until they get used to it. No parents are to enter the track.

It is not long now until we get to cover the students in colour!

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www.teethonwheels.com.au
Phone: (03) 9338 1191
Email: info@teethonwheels.com.au

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MacKillop Family Services foster carers ensure that some of the 9210 children in Victoria living away from their families for safety reasons are also able to share in the joy, care, and stability that every child and young person deserves.

Our need for foster carers in the Belmont and Geelong area who can provide a temporary nurturing and supportive home for vulnerable children in their local community has never been greater.

A short-term placement, a weekend of respite, or a longer caring arrangement can make an extraordinary difference to a child’s sense of belonging, safety and well-being.

Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working full or part-time, retired, married or single, in same-sex relationships, and can own or rent their home. MacKillop supports our carers with comprehensive training, ongoing advice, respite care and an around the clock helpline.

If you would like to know more, please call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677 or visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare.

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