From the Principal - Ms Tracey Kift Vol 7

Deputy Principal Senior Campus - Ms Erin Bonavia Vol 7

Term 3 has certainly been jam packed with countless opportunities for students to demonstrate their personal best in all areas of College life.

Congratulations to the many students who have represented the College at a variety of events:

  • Josephite Exchange sport competition against Mt Carmel College South Australia.
  • Kolbe Catholic College walk against domestic violence
  • Heart Camp at La Trobe university
  • Battle of the Bands
  • Year 10 La Trobe excursions
  • Various subject specific excursions

Whilst is there is only just over 3 weeks of Term to go there are many exciting events still to come with the Father’s Day Breakfast, Year 10 Ball, Year 10 reflection days, Year 11 English orals, Year 9 Lote Banquet and various sport competitions just to name a few.

We wish our year 12 students all the very best as they complete their final assessments and course work.

College uniform
We will be finishing the Term with a positive uniform recognition scheme called “Dressed for success” that acknowledges the efforts of many students who are wearing their winter uniform correctly. There will be spot prizes and entry into an end of Term prize draw for students wearing correct winter uniform along with year level and homeroom prizes. Thank you to families for your support of College uniform requirements throughout the year. Please do not hesitate to contact Year Level Coordinators should you experience any difficulties.

Deputy Principal Junior Campus - Liviana Daniele Vol 7

As we come to the middle of Term 3 there has been many opportunities and events that students have had the privilege to be a part of. The celebration of our feast day mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral was a sacred experience for our junior students. For most students it was the first time they had visited St Patrick’s Cathedral. It was humbling to see our students soak in the architecture and beauty of the Cathedral and conduct themselves so reverently during our feast day Mass.

From the Classroom

Our students have been busy participating in their learning programs. Som highlights direct from our classrooms this month include:

“In science we conducted an experiment on filtration using mud and water.” Karmen S 7D

“In maths I have really enjoyed the topic of Algebra as my teacher showed us ways to solve equations.” J’Z C 7D

“I really enjoyed learning the piano in my music lessons this month. I got to use both hands on the keyboard.” Rein C 7D

“In RE I really enjoyed learning about Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop and her adventurous journey.” Jayden H 7D

Wanyara Year 7 Incursion
Our year 7 students participated in an incursion where they were able to take part in traditional indigenous cultural activities including games and art work. Students enjoyed producing their own paintings creating their own stories using indigenous symbolism. Students also played traditional indigenous style games that encourage team building skills and positive communication. The incursion was overseen and organised by our year 7 level leaders Ms Cassar and Mr Masouras.

Year 8 La Trobe Visit
Our Year 8s had the opportunity to be immersed in a day of university life at La Trobe University Bundoora Campus. Students were taken on a tour of the campus where they participated in diverse activities relating to science, investigating possible career future pathways and a day in the life of a university student. Year 8 students shared their experience and commented that visiting the university acted as an inspiration to in the future want to attend university where they can continue to study in an area of interest to them. A popular comment also was about the tasty and delicious food from the Agora, the meeting place at La Trobe University.

Victoria Police Presentation
Our junior students are also participating in a workshop run by Victoria Police throughout the remainder of term three. Students were presented information on being safe online. It included topics such as how to be safe while using social media and what to do if you find yourself in a compromising situation while using social media. Students also had the opportunity to discuss

what is the difference between legal online behaviour and illegal online behaviour. Students commented that it was relevant to them and provided them with important information on how to be safe while online. I would like to thank our Director of Students Mrs Seel for organising the workshops for our junior students.

For more information on keeping your child safe online please visit the eSafety Commissioner website.

As we come to the middle of term 3 there has been many opportunities and events that students have had the privilege to be a part of. The celebration of our feast day mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral was a sacred experience for our junior students. For most students it was the first time they had visited St Patrick’s Cathedral. It was humbling to see our students soak in the architecture and beauty of the Cathedral and conduct themselves so reverently during our feast day Mass.

From the Classroom
Our students have been busy participating in their learning programs. Som highlights direct from our classrooms this month include:

“In science we conducted an experiment on filtration using mud and water.” Karmen S 7D

“In maths I have really enjoyed the topic of Algebra as my teacher showed us ways to solve equations.” J’Z C 7D

“I really enjoyed learning the piano in my music lessons this month. I got to use both hands on the keyboard.” Rein C 7D

“In RE I really enjoyed learning about Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop and her adventurous journey.” Jayden H 7D

Wanyara Year 7 Incursion
Our Year 7 students participated in an incursion where they were able to take part in traditional indigenous cultural activities including games and art work. Students enjoyed producing their own paintings creating their own stories using indigenous symbolism. Students also played traditional indigenous style games that encourage team building skills and positive communication. The incursion was overseen and organised by our year 7 level leaders Ms Cassar and Mr Masouras.


Year 8 La Trobe Visit
Our Year 8s had the opportunity to be immersed in a day of university life at La Trobe University Bundoora Campus. Students were taken on a tour of the campus where they participated in diverse activities relating to science, investigating possible career future pathways and a day in the life of a university student. Year 8 students shared their experience and commented that visiting the university acted as an inspiration to in the future want to attend university where they can continue to study in an area of interest to them. A popular comment also was about the tasty and delicious food from the Agora, the meeting place at La Trobe University.

Victoria Police Presentation
Our Junior students are also participating in a workshop run by Victoria Police throughout the remainder of term three. Students were presented information on being safe online. It included topics such as how to be safe while using social media and what to do if you find yourself in a compromising situation while using social media. Students also had the opportunity to discuss what is the difference between legal online behaviour and illegal online behaviour. Students commented that it was relevant to them and provided them with important information on how to be safe while online. I would like to thank our Director of Students Mrs Seel for organising the workshops for our junior students.

For more information on keeping your child safe online please visit the eSafety Commissioner website.

Book Week
It was great to see so many junior staff and students participate in Book Week celebrations. Our Head of English Ms Courtney Magdalani and the English team organised a book week parade on Tuesday during lunchtime. The extreme weather did not stop our junior students from dressing up as their favourite book characters. There was excitement, fun and creativity as staff and students enjoyed being in costume for the day.

We are also look forward to welcoming and listening to author James Phelan a bestselling and award-winning author of twenty-nine novels and one work of non-fiction. Our students will have the opportunity to listen to and ask questions to a practicing experienced author furthering their understanding of writing techniques and the power of writing.

As we come to the end of August staff and students continue to work towards completing end of term topics and assessments before enjoying a well deserved term break.

Book Week
It was great to see so many junior staff and students participate in Book Week celebrations. Our Head of English Ms Courtney Magdalani and the English team organised a book week parade on Tuesday during lunchtime. The extreme weather did not stop our junior students from dressing up as their favourite book characters. There was excitement, fun and creativity as staff and students enjoyed being in costume for the day.

We are also look forward to welcoming and listening to author James Phelan a bestselling and award-winning author of twenty-nine novels and one work of non-fiction. Our students will have the opportunity to listen to and ask questions to a practicing experienced author furthering their understanding of writing techniques and the power of writing.

As we come to the end of August staff and students continue to work towards completing end of term topics and assessments before enjoying a well deserved term break.

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission - Vince Iannuzzi Vol 7

The last month has been extremely eventful within the Penola community, especially since we celebrated Feast Day in early August. The College celebrated its 30th anniversary as a school in a very memorable way this year. Rather than celebrating at Broadmeadows, as is tradition, we celebrated the Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne. The main celebrant was His Grace, Archbishop Peter Comensoli, who was assisted by Fr Mahir Murad, from Our Lady Guardian of the Plants Chaldean Community. For many of the 1500 students, this was their first time at the Cathedral. A beautiful liturgy was held, music was sung by the choir, a combination of staff and students and College principal, Ms Tracey Kift was the cantor. It was appropriate to celebrate our Australian Saint and her legacy through the lens of the Josephite school. Penola takes its name from the first stable house set up in Penola South Australia, where Mary and Fr Julian Tenison Woods set up the very first Josephite school. Penola Broadmeadows takes its name from the Josephites given the College is on the very grounds that the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart set up a Foundling Home back in 1901 under the direction of Archbishop Carr and Mother Mary MacKillop. Our day at the cathedral was an unforgettable experience, filled with praise and worship and followed up by festivities at Luna Park. The efforts taken by many people to allow this to happen are numerous and one that will remain embedded in the history of Penola Catholic College in the years to come. 251 words

Year 11 Christian Services Program
Our Year 11 students have been volunteering at a variety of agencies this term, enriching the lives of people within the community. The agencies that we are connected to have been extremely joyful for the contribution of the students. Some of the places include, RDA riding for the disabled, Broadmeadows Special School, Jacana School of Autism, St Vinnie’s Broadmeadows and Campbellfield, the Hope Café in Fawkner. The students have been amazing ambassadors of the College and a great representation of their families.

Rosary Visits Junior Campus
This term Marc Salazar and I have visited a number if classes at the junior campus to provide some history and teach the students how to pray the Rosary. The Wednesday lunchtime sessions have been constantly supported by key Religious Education teachers, in particular Miss Yako and Mrs Kos. The Rosary sessions at the senior campus continue to be attended by small numbers of students and staff as well as Fr Samuel Pearson. We continue to promote this very old prayer to Jesus’ mother Mary, as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop prayed and that is very much a part of the Catholic tradition.

Conclusion
We look forward to the new season of Spring as we prepare for the Season of Creation.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us

St Joseph, pray for us

And may we always remember, to pray for one another.

Mr Vince Iannuzzi
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Father's Day Breakfast

Sustainability

Over the past 3 Terms, Penola has embarked on a Sustainability journey. Riley and Max, our Captains of Sustainability have worked tirelessly to institute change and educate both staff and students along the way. Below is a recap of all that was achieved in 2025.

Term 1

  • The institution of a weekly gardening club focusing on weeding,
  • Purchasing and institution of compost bins in staffrooms and food technology rooms which will be emptied in compost bays that were designed and made by Gareth Henderson, our Sustainability coordinator
  • Gareth was also responsible for designing our new can and bottle cage. This was introduced in term 1 to the Penola community and was used at both the Junior and Senior campuses
  • Streamlined our waste management - installing large skips for paper/recycling, green/garden waste and common recycling which has significantly reduced the amount going to landfill and ensuring waste goes to the right place

Term 2

  • Our Captains along with Tiana S. promoted the recycling of cans and bottles fortnightly during their lunch break, distributing snack size kit kat’s as an incentive to donate
  • Gardening club did a lot this term! Growing vegetables, planting fruit trees and designing the landscaping of flower beds outside the Lois Kennedy building
  • Regular audits of classrooms at the beginning of each day were completed by Mr Del Waller who joined the sustainability team to educate both staff and students about resource wastage – Thank you Del!
  • CDS Vic School Champions event at Ceres in Brunswick attended by Sustainability captains and our student ambassadors from the Junior campus where students learnt about the Container deposit scheme, circular waste systems, and building confidence in advocacy and action planning
  • Reengaged with the Resource Smart School program- run through the state government and CERES- to help the school reach their sustainability goals.

Term 3

  • Posters were produced by one of our school captains, Katia A, reminding staff and students to turn off lights, heaters etc at the end of every lesson and these were laminated and placed in every classroom across the Junior and Senior campuses
  • Harvesting of the vegetables from the Vegetable patch – plans in place to donated future produce to the community underway
  • A competition is currently being held where students will have a chance to win a Coles Myer voucher if they guess the amount of cans/ bottles in the recycling cage. This will run at lunch times on September 2 and 9 along with further collection of cans and bottles. The winner will be announced at the Leadership handover assembly on Friday 12.
  • Planting native plants in garden beds in front of Lois Kennedy building is to be completed on Monday 1 September.
  • On 11 September, primary school students have been invited to the Senior campus to participate in a range of activities held by our student leaders with each holding their own activities. Riley and Max will run a colouring competition, multiple choice quiz, “Guess what is recycled” game and opportunities for students to pot their own plants to take with them.

This year has been an incredibly productive and fulfilling year and we couldn’t have done all that we did without the tireless efforts of Gareth, our Gardening club members, Del and most importantly our Captains of Sustainability Riley and Max. Thank you for contributions this year and for laying the foundation for future projects. We wish Riley and Max the very best as they embark on their year 12 exams.

Ms Leanne Attard
Sustainability portfolio advocate

Languages

Year 12 Italian Film Festival
On Thursday 20 August, the Year 12 Italian students returned to school at 4pm to participate in the annual Year 12 Italian Film Festival, organised by their teacher, Ms Graziano. The film chosen for the festival was Generazione 1000 Euro, which the students studied closely as part of their exam preparation.

Before and after the screening, students engaged in a range of previewing and post-viewing activities to deepen their understanding of the film’s themes and language.

In true Italian style, Ms Graziano, and Mrs Pace organised for the group to sharing a lively pizza dinner together.


Year 11 Excursion to CO.AS.IT Italian Immigration Museum
On Thursday 21 August, Year 11 students took part in an excursion to the Italian Immigration Museum at CO.AS.IT. in Carlton. The visit gave students the opportunity to explore authentic artefacts and personal stories that brought the Italian migrant experience to life, helping them gain a deeper understanding of their current topic, Post-War Migration.

The students also spent time on Lygon Street, where they were immersed in the vibrant Italian culture of the area. The excursion was a great success, thanks to the organisation of their Italian teacher, Ms Kavanagh and Ms Bini the Language Assistant.

Junior Production



Hop into a WILD Seussical Adventure!

Penola Catholic College and GJ School Productions present Seussical Jr.! Join Horton, the Whos, Mayzie, Gertrude, and the Cat in the Hat in a colourful, music-filled adventure full of heart, laughter, and “Seussian” fun. From the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, you’ll be cheering, toe-tapping, and smiling all the way!

Tickets go on sale 10am, Tuesday 9 September!

Shows running Thursday 23 – Saturday 25 October
Set your reminder! This spectacular, held at the Mary MacKillop Auditorium, Senior Campus, will sell out fast!

Sustainable School Shop

Second-hand Textbooks and Uniforms

We have partnered with Sustainable School Shop to provide families access to second-hand textbooks, uniforms, calculators, musical instruments, sports gear and much more!

Sustainable School Shop have preloaded items specific to our school onto their site. This makes it super easy to list your items for sale and to buy items.

See all the second-hand uniform items for sale here

See all the second-hand textbooks for sale here

So jump onto the site, register and list your items for sale, you will be:

  • Reusing items rather than adding to landfill
  • Making money on items you sell
  • Saving money on items you buy
  • Providing another family in our school with cheaper items
  • Helping to create a culture of contact amongst our school community families!

Login or Register here

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