26 September 2025
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Our Year 4 and Year 5 students had a wonderful time at camp this week. A big ‘thank you’ to our wonderful staff who gave up time with their families, (not to mention a little sleep), to provide the children with these rich and memorable experiences.
After nineteen wonderful years at this extraordinary school, I am now taking long service leave before I begin my new role as Sawtell Parish Pastoral Associate. I have so many amazing memories, and I want to thank you all for the incredible joy you've brought me. I look forward to catching up with you in the near future as I begin my work in the parish.
In Term 4, the school will be under the highly capable leadership of Mrs Amber Biddle in the role of Acting Principal, Mrs Toni Fletcher, Acting Assistant Principal Mission and Mr Brendan Murphy, who continues in the position of Acting Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching.
Warm Regards,
Margaret
Margaret Ryan
Acting Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Term 3
- Friday 26th September - Last day of Term 3
Term 4
- Monday 13th October - Staff Development Day (pupil-free day)
- Tuesday 14th October - First day of Term 4 for students
- Monday 20th October - Kindergarten Parent Information Night, 6pm
- Monday 20th October - Chess Competition
- Thursday 23rd October & Thursday 13th November - Kindergarten Orientation Group 1
- Thursday 30th October & Thursday 20th November - Kindergarten Orientation Group 2
- Monday 3rd November - 5th November - Year 6 Camp
- Thursday 6th November & Thursday 27th November - Kindergarten Orientation Group 3
- Friday 14th November Year 5 Leadership Retreat
- Tuesday 18th November - SJPC Year 7 Transition Day
- Monday 24th November - Carol Light Carol-singing Competition 10am
- Thursday 27th November - SJPC Year 7 Orientation Day
- Friday 5th December - Big Banana Waterslide Night, 6pm
- Monday 8th December - Friday 12th December - K-2 Water Safety Program
- Wednesday 10th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass and Dinner
- Monday 15th December - 2026 Awards Ceremony, 8.50am
- Wednesday 17th December - MHOC Christmas Concert, 12pm
- Wednesday 17th December - Last day of Term 4 for students
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
Mrs Ryan's Farewell
Please see following flyer regarding Mrs Ryan's Farewell next term. To RSVP, please click here.
Clarence Regional Public Speaking Competition
We are so so proud of the students who participated in the Clarence Region Public Speaking Competition this Monday at St John Paul College.
Our representatives were:
- Indi Verbruggen (Year 3)
- Betty Moore (Year 4)
- Cleo Ellem (Year 5)
- Ivy Meehan (Year 6)
Every student demonstrated courage and poise in delivering their speeches and should be proud of their effort. It takes real guts to speak in front of an audience and they all spoke with clarity, confidence and passion.
Congratulations to Betty Moore, who placed second in her division!
OSHC Vacation Care
Would you like to give your children a day or two of fun in the upcoming holidays? Maybe you just fancy a break? Check out the full MHOC OSHC Vacation Care program further down in this newsletter.
Year 4 Camp Adventure
Our Year 4 students had a wonderful time at the Bonville Adventure Centre for their camp this week. It was an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, achievement and unforgettable memories. Well done, Year 4!
Year 5's Tea Gardens Camp
Our Year 5 students recently returned from their camp at Tea Gardens, and despite the weather not being very kind on the first night, they certainly didn't let a little rain dampen their spirits!
The students had an absolute ball, throwing themselves into every activity. The standout highlight for most was the giant swing! The resilience and enthusiasm the students showed, even when conditions were a little tough, was wonderful to see.
LOVING LEARNING
Chemical Science in Action: A Term of Discovery
The focus for Science & Technology this term has been the chemical sciences strand. Students have been busy investigating the properties of materials and the fascinating changes they undergo. Here’s a quick look at what each stage has been up to.
Kindergarten - Our Kindergarten students became engineers, choosing materials like sticks (popsticks), clay (play dough), and bricks (lego) to design and build a house for the Three Little Pigs. This was a wonderful introduction to the idea that different materials have different properties for specific jobs.
Stage 1 - In Stage 1, students made their own playdough to explore changing and combining materials. We also designed and tested bridges, learning that materials can be manipulated to suit our needs, whether they're natural or man-made.
Stage 2 - Stage 2 students became toy designers, focusing on the properties of materials. They produced a toy with an elastic property, applying their knowledge of what makes a material stretchy and flexible in a fun, tangible way.
Stage 3 - Stage 3 explored states of matter. Their final project was to design a new canteen item, like an icy pole, that had to change states during its creation. This helped them understand how matter can change from a solid to a liquid or gas and back again.
It's been an incredible term of hands-on learning and we are so proud of all the students for their curiosity and creativity.
Brendan Murphy
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
As we come to the end of another term, we want to say thank you to all our wonderful families for your ongoing support and generosity.
This term has been filled with so many examples of how we live out our faith and put social justice into action as a school community. From the Mini Vinnies leading fundraising to help those in need, to our Junior Joeys’ Jammies for Joeys day raising money for Mary MacKillop Today, your kindness has made a real difference. We also came together for R U OK? Day, celebrated meaningful Masses and liturgies, and witnessed many students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, each marking important moments in their faith journeys.
These moments aren’t just events on a calendar, they’re reminders of what it means to be a Catholic community that leads with love, compassion and action. Thank you to every student, parent, and carer who donated, helped, participated and prayed with us. Your involvement makes a real difference and shows our children the true meaning of loving like Jesus.
Student-led School Parish Mass
What a wonderful Sunday! Our student-led Parish Mass was a fantastic celebration and a real highlight for our whole community. A huge thanks to the students for their leadership and to all the teachers and volunteers who helped them prepare. What a great morning!
Year 6 and Kinder Class Mass
On Tuesday, Year 6 and Kindergarten gathered together to celebrate Mass with Father Joy. It was a special time for both the youngest and oldest students in our school to pray and reflect as one community.
Father Joy reminded us that we are all part of God's family when we listen to His word and try our best to live it every day. No matter our age or where we come from, when we choose kindness, love, and goodness we become close to Jesus, just like family.
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
SPORT NEWS
NSW PSSA Golf Championships
Austin Foy represented Polding at the State Golf this week in Barooga, way down in the south-western Riverina area of NSW (like … way, way down on the border … and of course we didn’t have to search on maps to see where it is!). Below is his mum/caddie’s account of his week. We are really proud of you Aussie!
Aussie has had a blast competing at State. He played exceptionally well the first two days and unfortunately couldn't make it three days in a row. Despite his 3rd-day slump, Aussie came 14th overall out of 86 competitors. His team was awarded medals for runners-up in the team event and Aussie got a prize for nearest to pin. Such an awesome experience for this budding golfer.
Rebecca Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
LIBRARY WHISPERS
This term seems to have gone so quickly and we’ve had so much fun in the library with lots of craft and games and, of course, reading. I’ve encouraged children from Year 3 up to borrow books over the holiday, but have asked that if they’re going away that the books stay at home.
I’ve started selecting some of the older books in our library collection to share with the children during library time. It’s so easy to just keep choosing the new books when we have our book discussions, but it’s been wonderful to see the amount of older books getting borrowed now.
I’m also trying to display a more diverse range of books for the children to see when they come in to borrow.
Happy holidays everyone and happy reading!
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
OSHC
October Vacation Care Program
Laura McDiarmid
Librarian
HABITS OF MIND AWARDS
Term 3 Awards
CANTEEN NEWS
Volunteers
We are looking for more volunteers on Thursdays. If you are able to help, please contact the school office.
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is available to those requesting it. Please ring Jennifer at the Parish Office (66583544) or talk to Amber Biddle or Toni Fletcher at school if you have any questions. Alternatively, if you wish to register for Baptism, there is now the option of an online request form .
Parish Website , E-bulletin & Facebook Page
For all the latest news from our parish, check out the Parish website or subscribe to our new e-bulletin which can be sent directly to your inbox each week. Why not sign up today by entering your details in the sign up box on the Homepage or Contact page of the website!
And don’t forget to check out our FaceBook page
COMMUNITY NEWS
NRL School Holiday fun
We’re excited to announce that during the Term 3 School Holidays, the NRL Game Development Team will be running a fun-filled School Holiday Clinic in Coffs Harbour! 
When: Wednesday 8th October
Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Ages: 5–12 years
Cost: $59
Where: Geoff King Motors Oval, Coffs Harbour
It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn new skills, make friends, and have an awesome day playing footy! 
Register here to secure your spot
MHOC Stars
Come along and enjoy this wonderful show with some of our talented students in the cast. Congratulations to Jessica Melinz, Savannah Murphy, Emilia Nyhan and past student Ebony Davies who star in this production. To be able to see Emilia, Savannah and Jessica, please ensure you book tickets for the Shells cast, Ebony is in the Palms cast.
