Please note the following dates in your diary:
2025 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.

Term 4

Week 6 Mon 10th - Prep nurse visit Tues 11th Nov - Prep 2026 transition session 1 Wed 12th Nov - Prep 2026 transition session 1 Thur 13th Nov - Prep nurse visit Fri 14th Nov - Year 4 Incursion

Week 7 Mon 17th Nov - Prep nurse visit Mon 17th Nov - Junior aths yr 2/3 - school oval Tues 18th Nov - Junior aths yr P/1 - school oval Wed 19th Nov - Yr 5 leadership day Wed 19th Nov - Deakin optometry session with preps Thur 20th Nov - Deakin optometry session with preps Fri 21st Nov - Deakin optometry session with preps

Week 8 Mon 24th Nov - School Closure day Tues 25th Nov - Prep 2026 transition session 2 Wed 26th Nov - P&F meeting onsite 7pm Wed 26th Nov - Year 5 Serendip Excursion Gr1 Thur 27th Nov - Year 6 Surfing excursion

Week 9 Monday 1st Dec - Year 5 Serendip Excursion Gr2 Tues 2nd Dec - Year 6 Disco 6pm - 7:30pm

Week 10 Tues 9th Dec - Step up day (Prep -Yr 6 2026) Tues 9th Dec - Yr 6 secondary school transition day - no Yr 6 onsite Tues 9th Dec - Parent Teacher Chats (3.40pm-6.30pm) - note date change Wed 10th Dec - Parent Teacher Chats (3.40pm-6.30pm) - note date change Fri 12th Dec - End of year mass whole school Fri 12th Dec - Reports sent home via PAM

Week 11 Mon 15th Dec - End of year assembly 11:45am Mon 15th Dec - Year 6 Graduation (PM) Tues 16th Dec - Last day of the school year - Yr 6 exc. to Adventure Park - 3:30pm dismissal on the basketball court

2026 Wednesday 28th January - Year 1-6 Students Begin Wednesday 28th January - Prep testing Thursday 29th January - Prep testing Friday 30th January - Preps begin Wednesday 4th Feb - No school for Preps Wednesday 11th Feb - No school for Preps Monday 16th Feb - Clairvaux Cross Country Yr 4-6 Wednesday 18th Feb - No school for Preps Wednesday 25th Feb - No school for Preps Monday 2nd March - Preps begin full weeks at school Monday 2nd March - Clairvaux Senior Athletics Yr 4-6 Monday 9th March - Public Holiday Tuesday 10th March - School Closure Day Tuesday 10th March - Division Swimmming - selected students Monday 16th March - Year 6 camp (2 nights) Tuesday 17th March - Year 6 camp Wednesday 18th March - Year 6 camp Thursday 19th March - Yr 6 students no school Tuesday 24th March - Colour Run (evening) Friday 27th March - Yr 6 Summer Lightning Prem Thursday 2nd April - Last day of term 1 2:30 dismissal Monday 20th April - First Day of Term 2 Friday 24th April - City to Surf Cross Country - selected students Monday May 4th - Swimming begins for Yr 3 and 4 (all week) Monday May 11th - Swimming begins for Yr 1 and 2 Tuesday 19th May - Division cross country - selected students Friday 29th May - Yr 6 Winter Lightning Prem Monday 8th June - Public Holiday Tuesday 9th June - Year 5 Camp (one night) Wednesday 10th June - Year 5 camp Thursday 11th June - Yr 5 students no school Friday 26th June - Last Day of term 2

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Prayer reflection
Next week we commence the second Sunday of Lent.  Last Wednesday the children received the ashes on their foreheads as a reminder of our faith in Jesus and his way of life. Our Year 6 students attended the Parish Mass and all other children gathered in their unit groups to join together in prayer mindful of the need for us all to have a change of heart in Lent. 

For us as adults what is the deep change of heart you feel you are called to?

Loving God, help us to recognise your presence and voice in our daily lives as we journey together  during the Lenten season.  In this time of sharing, may we see each other with eyes of compassion and listen to one another with ears of curiosity and understanding. Amen

Enrolment Now Open – Apply Soon!
Enrolment applications commenced on March 3rd. If you have younger children, please enrol them as soon as possible.

This week, Bianca and I visited the preschool centre to share information about our school. We have already received a strong number of applications. Planning for the 2026 school year will begin once we have a confirmed number of Prep students enrolled.

If you have friends or know families interested in Catholic education, please share the news about Clairvaux. All applications are considered.

School Tours & Information Session
Date: March 26
⏰ Times: 9:30 AM & 12:00 PM
Registration: Required via the QR code on school advertising boards or on our school website.
Children are welcome to attend.

Enrolments will be closing soon, so don’t miss this opportunity!

School Closure
On Tuesday this week, all teaching staff participated in the final day of Flourishing Learners West at Emmanuel College, Point Cook. This was our final session for our school ( Day 4).  The focus was on Writing Instruction - a deep dive and structured Literacy recap. This event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with educators from 26 other Catholic schools across the western part of the Diocese and engage in discussions with key speakers from the Knowledge Society, contributing to our ongoing growth as a school.

Flourishing Learners West focuses on developing a network of high-performing schools by guiding the implementation of the science of learning. It aims to support teachers in adopting consistent, evidence-based practices in classroom management, literacy, and mathematics.

The work of the Flourishing Learners West program and all those participating schools aligns closely with the goals of Flourishing Learners outlined in the MACS 2030 Strategy and is reflected in the MACS Vision for Instruction. 

Clairvaux: A Model of Excellence in Catholic Education
Clairvaux is considered a high-quality Catholic primary school, continually evolving from being a great school to an exceptional one. Our commitment to an explicit instructional approach has led to positive educational outcomes, gaining attention from other schools eager to learn from our success.

As a testament to our progress, we are receiving visitations from other schools interested in our approach to education. Tomorrow, we will host three guests from the Parramatta Diocese, representing both Catholic primary and secondary schools. They are eager to witness first-hand the engaging learning environments in all our classrooms.

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School Update: Master Plan & Infrastructure Investigations

Dear Parents and Friends,

At last night’s Parent and Friends meeting, several questions arose regarding the progress of our Master Plan and whether a clear timeline for its completion could be provided. Many of you, who have contributed generously through our fundraising efforts—most notably visible at last year’s spirited Carnivale -- are eager to see the vision for our school come to fruition. I want to take this opportunity to share some background information and update you on our current progress.

The Current Stage of the Master Plan
We are still in the early phases of developing the Master Plan. While your enthusiasm and the funds raised over recent years are immensely appreciated, it is crucial that we remain patient. At this juncture, we are focused on gathering detailed information to fully understand the challenges our school faces. Once we have completed our assessments, a clear and informed vision for the future can be established.

Addressing Recent Flooding Events
Since 2022, our school has experienced an increase in flooding events, leading to damage across various onsite buildings. To effectively assess and respond to this ongoing issue, we are initiating an extensive investigation of the existing stormwater infrastructure. This involves:

• Underground Services Identification: Determining the location, layout, and condition of pipes and pits.
• Land/Feature Survey Works: Reviewing the current site levels and surrounding features.
• CCTV Inspections: Conducting detailed inspections of the existing infrastructure and pipework.

This initial investigation will serve as the foundation for a subsequent detailed review. Working closely with civil engineers, we aim to develop a comprehensive strategy that addresses these challenges effectively and ensures that our facilities remain safe and functional.

Looking Ahead
The appropriate application of the funds raised is imperative. It ensures that every effort we put forth directly benefits our school community, particularly our children, who are the true beneficiaries of our collective endeavors. I sincerely appreciate the dedication and energy you have shown, and I am confident that with continued patience and collaboration, we will achieve a clear and actionable plan.

Thank you for your ongoing support.
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Geelong Catholic Schools Pilgrimage
On Wednesday 8 students from Year 5 will join with all Catholic Primary schools in Geelong to celebrate the Year of Jubilee and the call from Pope Francis to be Pilgrims of Hope

Walking in Faith, United in Hope
As Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024, declaring 2025 the Jubilee Year of Hope, our Geelong Catholic school communities prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey together. In his papal bull "Spes Non Confudit" (Hope Does Not Disappoint), Pope Francis reminds us that hope dwells in every heart as we anticipate the good things to come.

Our Sacred Path
Our pilgrimage will unfold through significant landmarks that tell the story of our faith:

The Chapel of Remembrance
Beginning at the historic Catholic Chapel in Geelong Cemetery, we'll gather among the final resting places of the priests, bishops, and nuns who shaped our community's foundation. Their legacy of faith and service continues to inspire us today.

First Light of Faith
We'll walk past the site where Fr. James Dixon celebrated Australia's first Catholic Mass, a profound moment that marked the beginning of our Catholic journey in this land.

Seeds of Education
Our path leads us to the site of Geelong's first Industrial School, where education and faith first intertwined in our region, and to the historic St. Mary's School, our oldest Catholic educational institution.

Culmination in Glory
Our journey reaches its pinnacle at the magnificent St. Mary's Basilica, where we'll celebrate Mass together as Pilgrims of Hope, united in faith and purpose.

Breaking Bread Together
The day will commence and conclude with a gathering from the Geelong Cemetery to the grand Geelong Town Hall, where we'll share a meal and hear inspiring stories from Julia Roach from Geelong Mums, connecting our historical pilgrimage to our present-day call to service.

Why We Journey
This pilgrimage is more than a walk through history—it's a living expression of our shared identity as people of hope. As Pope Francis reminds us, "Everyone knows what it is to hope." In coming together, we strengthen our bonds as a community and renew our commitment to being bearers of hope in our world.

The walk will be a strong statement of the strength of Catholic education in our Geelong area.  Julie and Amy will be accompanying the CSC student in Year 5.

Year 6 Camp to Anglesea
Next week our 98 Year 6 students will be attending Camp Wilkin in Anglesea. We wish them well in their time away at camp.  Thanks to the Year 6 team for planning what will be a great time to build relationships, connect with nature, build their confidence and independence, team building and resilience.  Brendan

The Lifelong Benefits of Catholic Education: Insights from the HILDA Survey
Special Message: I am including a recent research study from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) highlighting the benefits of Catholic education.

The HILDA Report: Key Findings

Innovative research using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey has found that individuals who attended Catholic schools experience significant lifelong advantages in employment status, general health, and life satisfaction.

Personal and Community Benefits

The study reveals that, on average, Catholic school attendees:

• Are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than those who attended government schools.
• Wage differences range between 4% to 11%.
• Are more likely to work in industries or sectors that benefit the public.
• Show a higher likelihood of donating to charity.
• Report better personal health and life satisfaction.

These findings were statistically significant and adjusted to ensure the impact was isolated from other individual and family characteristics.

What is HILDA?

The HILDA Survey is a comprehensive, long-term study that tracks a large, representative sample of Australians. It collects data across multiple life aspects, including:

• Economic wellbeing
• Personal health and wellbeing
• Labour market dynamics
• Family life
• Community participation

By following participants throughout their lifetime, HILDA enables researchers to analyse how past choices—such as school sector attendance—influence long-term life outcomes.

As the Melbourne Institute explains:

“It shows researchers many things; for example, how economics affects our lives, or how choices made in the past lead to particular life outcomes.”

This study provides compelling evidence of the positive impact of Catholic education on both individuals and society as a whole.

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Our Prep Enrolments for 2026 are now open. If you have a new child coming to Clairvaux next year please jump on this link to complete the online application form. Enrolments close on 2 May so please ensure you get your application in promptly as preference is given to siblings of current students and so we need your applications in early to gauge how many places can be offered to new families.

If you have any friends or family who are interested in enrolling for Prep 2026 we encourage you to spread the word. You as our families are the best ambassadors for our school.

We also have Prep Tours for new families happening on Wednesday 26 March at 9.30 and 12.00pm which can be booked through our website. Bookings for these tours are essential for those who want to attend.

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A couple of weeks ago, the Year 5 students participated in an AFL footy clinic at school, which perfectly tied into their current unit of work on Health. During the clinic, the students learned about teamwork, physical fitness, and how to stay active, all while developing their AFL skills. This hands-on experience helped reinforce the importance of being healthy and active people, connecting their classroom learning with real-world activities. The clinic was not only fun but also a valuable opportunity for the students to understand the benefits of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some children's reflections from the session:

Lilah Messinger 5TD

It was great having Zach come to Clairvaux to show us some footy skills.  It helped us to get outside in the fresh air and exercise for our bodies which is what we’ve been learning about in CCed. 

Zac Smith 5JK

I liked that we played games that were fun.  We were getting git and were learning more skills for footy at the same time.  We got to kick goals and we had competitions.  Everyone liked it.

Frankie Harrignton 5VR

When Zach came to do our clinic I was really happy because I love footy.  Zach made it very fun for everyone, even people who didn’t know much about how to play.  There were a lot of things for us to do and we were getting exercise but it felt just like a big fun game.

Zephyr O’Shannessy 5LO

Zach came to our school for a footy clinic.  I liked how he got us to play games outside and encouraged us to be active and fit.  My favourite was the goal competition to see who could get the most accurate kick. 

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Last Wednesday, our Year 1 students gathered with reverence and respect to commemorate Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent.

Just as the year has seasons—Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring—the Church also follows a liturgical calendar, with each season reflecting different aspects of Jesus’ life. Lent is a special time of preparation leading up to Easter, inviting us to pray, fast, and give. Our students are deepening their understanding of this season and its significance in our faith journey.

Bianca Giampaolo
P-1 Middle Learning Leader

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Sacrament of First Eucharist

Congratulations to our Year 4 students!

Over the last two weeks of June, our Year 4 students received the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time at St. Bernard’s Parish - a joyful and scared milestone in their faith journey.

We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.  May receiving the Eucharist deepen your relationship with God and continue to guide you in love, faith and community.

A heartfelt thank you to Fr Tho for leading our celebrations. We are grateful for his spiritual guidance and continued support,  making these occasion even more meaningful for our student and their families.

A special thank you also goes to our Year 4 teachers and parents for their dedication in preparing the children throughout the term for this important day.  

Please enjoy the photos of each group (at the end of this report) as they celebrated the special moment together.
       

Sacrament of Confirmation

The Year 6 students of Clairvaux and St. Bernard’s Parish will be commencing their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 3.  Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Initiation to be received in the Catholic Church - the others being Baptism and Eucharist.  Confirmation is administered by the Bishop by the symbolic traditions of ‘laying-on of hands’ and anointing with chrism (oil).  Selecting a saint name and sponsor are also significant decisions to be made by the candidates. The Sacrament of Confirmation gives strength in faith and helps us to live our lives as ‘Spirit-filled people’

A note was sent out yesterday to all Year 6 families regarding Confirmation.

                            Please check your emails!

IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION DATES:

• Family Faith Evening - Wednesday 13th Aug   6.30 pm  
• Presentation masses - Sat 16 Aug 6pm, Sun 17 Aug 9am, 10.30 am

Sat 23  Aug 6pm, Sun 24 Aug 9am, 10.30 am

• Preparation Day - Wednesday 10th September
• Confirmation Masses - Sun 14th Sept 1pm & 3.30 pm    

Tues 16th Sept 6.30 pm

More information to follow next term regarding stoles, saint names and sponsors.

Please direct any questions regarding the sacrament to jroutley@ccsbelmont.com.au or your child’s classroom teacher.

Year Level Masses

Year 6 / Prep buddy mass - celebrating Creation

Last week, our Year 6 students and their Prep buddies came together to celebrate a beautiful mass centred around the theme of Creation, which has been a focus in Religious Education for our Prep students this term.

The Mass was a touching reflection of the special bond between the older and younger students.  Our Year 6 students demonstrated wonderful leadership as they gently guided their Prep buddies through the celebration, showing care, maturity and encouragement.

We were also delighted by the fantastic turnout of parents whose presence highlighted the strong sense of community that enriches every part of school life here at Clairvaux.

Year Level Masses - TERM 3

• YEAR 4 Feast day of Mary McKillop   Tuesday 5th  August   12 noon
• YEAR 1  Grandparents Mass Tuesday 12th August  12 noon
• ST. BERNARD’S DAY Monday 25th August  9.15 am

Whole School Mass and Lapathon

Refugee Week

A sincere thankyou to the Clairvaux community for your generous support during Refugee Week.

Through your donations to the Assylum Seeker Food Bank @ The Welcome Place,  you have made a real difference to the lives of local refugee families.  Your kindness and compassion reflect important ‘touchstones’ of our school - where faith, community and service come together to support those in need.

Thankyou also to Marg Mahoney, the Social Justice CSC group and the Year 6 students for organising and promoting this worthy cause.  

Yvonne Paturzo who generously volunteers her time with the organisation, spoke to our Social Justice group and Year 6s, demonstrating the essence of a true ‘Spirit-filled’ person in our community.   We received a lovely letter from her in response to our donations. 

An excerpt from the letter…

‘The Wesley Asylum Seeker Welcome Place was delighted to receive your school’s very

generous donation of hundreds of non-perishable grocery items for our Food Bank last

week. Our shelves are now very well stocked, and we wish to express our thanks to the

Clairvaux Catholic School community for your kindness and concern.’

Photos from Refugee week and celebration of our Clairvaux cultural diversity…

                           


NAIDOC week - The Next Generation :

Strength, Vision and Legacy

Next week , July 6 - 13, we acknowledge NAIDOC week 2025, a special time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2025 Theme, “The Next Generation; Strength, Vision & Legacy,” celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities and the legacy of our ancestors.  At Clairvaux, we honour the Traditional Custodians of the Land and continue to learn, listen and grow in our understanding and respect of our First Nations people.

Lia Rizzi, one of our talented Art teachers has taken inspiration from Indiginous Artists with students from Year 4 and 6 creating some amazing pieces.

Year 4 - Contemporary Indigenous artists: Bronwyn Bancroft and Jimmy Pike.

Bancroft has illustrated over 40 children's story books, including Colours of Australia, Patterns of Australia and Shapes of Australia. All three books combined create the book, Art in Country. 

Jimmy Pike's bright and colourful works focus on the repetition of line, surrounding the indigenous symbol for waterhole. Many of Pike's works feature 'Jila Japingka,' a major waterhole, around 400 kilometres south of Fitzroy Crossing, in the Great Sandy Desert, near where he was born.

Year 6 - Albert Namatjira, Australian watercolour landscapes

Namatjira was a pioneer of  Indigenous Australian art that was influenced by western art. This made him the most famous Indigenous Australian of his generation. Namatjira primarily painted the landscapes of Central Australia, specifically the MacDonnell Ranges region. His works often depicted the rugged terrain, vibrant colors, and expansive skies of the outback.

 

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Clairvaux’s Colour Blast Fun Run

Tuesday 1st April 5pm arrival for a 5.30pm run start – oval entry via Reynolds Road

This information is for families of registered students attending.

Entry tickets to bring to the event.
An entry ticket (including sunglasses redemption voucher) has been sent home with each registered student - please check their school bag and bring each student’s ticket to the event.
Volunteers
If you can spare some time to help, the Parents & Friends committee would really appreciate it. The 2 nd BBQ shift and pack up particularly need more volunteers.  

Please volunteer here: https://signup.com/go/dqBjQdF
Thank you to everyone who has put their names down already!

Highest fundraisers
We have raised nearly $8,000 of our $10,000 goal!

Event night - The 10 individual highest fundraising prizes will be awarded at the event.
The individual highest fundraising challenge closes at 4pm on Tuesday 1 April and the recipients will be notified. These fundraisers will receive their packs at the event including backpack, drink bottle, pencil case, cap, and BBQ & drink voucher. They will also be invited to slime the teachers at the end of the run!
 
After school holidays - The highest class and house colour will be announced straight after the school holidays when fundraising closes. The class will get to enjoy hot chips, and house colour will be given icy poles after the holidays. So far, all the Prep classesare leading and Bernard for the house colour.
The Colour Blast platform shows the top 5 fundraisers and highest class
here: https://colourblast.com.au/organisation/?Clairvaux
What students wear and bring
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 top.
- Any bottoms that they can get dirty.
- Runners/sneakers.
- Any touches of fluro that they want to add – this could be their headbands from previous years, scrunchies, skirts, have a bit of fun with it!
- Sunglasses UV400 provided on the night.
Food and drink purchases
Clairvaux BBQ selling sausages, veggie burgers, water and soft drinks (EFT preferred by the school). 
We also have an ice-cream van coming and they will donate a percentage of profits back
to the school.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee food safety for gluten-free or other special dietary
requirements (other than vegetarian with veggie burgers), so please bring your own food
for other dietary requirements.
Questions
If you have any further questions, please email
clairvauxfundraising@gmail.com

It’s always a fun night!

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www.trybooking.com/CZLIS

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