Welcome
Dear families,
This booklet has been produced by Bendigo Catholic Schools to give you Foundation enrolment information for students to be enrolled in Bendigo and district Catholic primary schools for 2026.
There are 11 Catholic Primary Schools in the Bendigo region which include the areas of Inglewood, Heathcote and Elmore, as well as eight schools in the central Bendigo area.
When you Choose Catholic Education, you choose a community that welcomes all families, regardless of their faith background. With inclusive school fees and no hidden costs, a quality education is within reach.
Weunderstand that many families have varying circumstances and in response to the rising cost of living expenses we are committed to supporting those who need additional assistance.
Each of our 11 primary schools offer a curriculum that fosters curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning With the introduction of ‘Magnify Sandhurst’, our schools are committed to providing students with the best possible learning outcomes, delivering explicit and direct instruction where every student can flourish, inspired by the mantra, “Every Student, Every Teacher, Every School, Every Day!”.
Each school has provided details about their open days, information sessions and transition programs. I encourage you to contact the principals of individual schools for further details or to arrange a tour of the school. We look forward to welcoming you to the many exciting events and activities that are being offered in our schools.
Choose Teamwork & Achievement
School Information Night
Tuesday 6th May at 7:00pm in the multi-purpose room
School Open Week
Monday 5th May - Friday 9th May 2025
Student led tours 9:15am - 11:00am or by appointment outside these times
Principal Learning Tour By appointment
Foundation Transition & Orientation Program
Time: 9:15am - 11:00am
Tuesday 11th November 2025 Group Transition
Tuesday 25th November 2025 Group Transition
Tuesday 9th December 2025 Orientation Day
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Kilian’s School Bendigo
P: (03) 5443 4071
Principal: Kimberley McSweeney
A: 2 Havelock St Bendigo 3550
W: wwwskbendigocatholiceduau
E: office@skbendigo.catholic.edu.au
School Open Week
Monday 5th - 9th May
Principal Learning Walks
Wednesday 7th May at 9:30am or by appointment
Foundation (Prep) Transition Program Dates
Tuesday 28th October 9:30am - 10:30am
Tuesday 11th November 9:30am - 10:30am
Tuesday 25th November 9:30am - 11:00am
Orientation Day
Tuesday 9th December 12:45am - 1:50pm
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Peter’s School Bendigo North
P: (03) 5443 9319
Principal: Jeremy Darmody
A: Fenton Street, Bendigo North 3550
W: wwwspbendigocatholiceduau
E: admin@spbendigo.catholic.edu.au
Choose Curiosity & Awe
Foundation Transition Program
An extensive transition program will be available between August and December 2025
Orientation Day
Tuesday 9th December
Principal Learning Tours
Learning Tours are conducted in small groups, including a short meeting with our Leadership Team and tours of the learning areas and facilities.
Wednesday 30th April 9.15am & 4.00pm
Thursday 1st May 9.15am & 12.00pm
Monday 5th May 9 15am & 12 00pm
Wednesday 7th May 9.15am & 4.00pm
Please phone or email the office to book. Other times available by appointment
2026 Prospective Parent Q & A Session
Friday 9th May 9 15am
Please phone or email the office to book.
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Liborius’ School Eaglehawk
P: (03) 5446 9172
Principal: Alannah Darmody
School Information Morning
Thursday 15th May 9:00am - 11:00am
Principal Learning Tour
Tuesday 6th May 9:00am
Thursday 8th May 9:00am
For other times, please call the office to organise a walk around the school
Orientation Day
Tuesday 9th Dec 11:45am - 1:45pm
Foundation Orientation Program - Little Chevies
Friday 24th October 9:00am - 11:00am
Friday 31st October 9:00am - 11.00am
Friday 7th November 11:00am - 12.30pm Mission (Fete) Day - optional - must attend with a parent
Friday 14th November 9:00am - 11:00am
Tuesday 9th December 11:45am to 1:45pm
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Elmore
P: (03) 5432 6254
Principal: Lisa Hitchcock
A: 32 Jeffrey St Elmore 3558
W: wwwolshelmorecatholiceduau
E: admin@olshelmore.catholic.edu.au
Choose Adventure & Joy
Principal Learning Walks By appointment. Please call the office at any time to organise a Learning Walk of the school
School Information Morning
Tuesday 6th May 9:00am - 10:00am
School Open Week
Monday 5th - Friday 9th May
Orientation Day
Tuesday 9th December 8:45am - 10:45am
Foundation Orientation Program - Flying Start
Friday 17th October 9:00am - 10:00am
Friday 31st October 9:00am - 10:45am
Friday 14th November 8:45am - 10:45am
Friday 28th November 8:45am - 11:30am
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
Holy Rosary School Heathcote
P: (03) 5433 2057
Principal: Jennifer Roberts
A: 18 Pohlman St, Heathcote 3523
W: wwwhrheathcotecatholiceduau
E: admin@hrheathcote.catholic.edu.au
School Information Days
Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st May
Principal led tours Via appointment
Orientation Day
Tuesday 9 December 9:00am - 11:30am th
Foundation Orientation Program
Wednesday 12 November 9:00am - 11:30am th
Wednesday 26 November 9:00am - 11:30am th
Wednesday 3 December 9:00am - 11:30am rd
Enrolments
Currently accepting new enrolments
St Mary’s School Inglewood
P: (03) 5438 3075
Principal: Stephen O’Shannessy
A: 87 Southey Street, Inglewood, Vic 3517
W: wwwsminglewoodcatholiceduau
E: principal@sminglewood.catholic.edu.au
Choose Courage & Compassion
School Information Night
Monday 5th May 6:00pm
School Open Week
5th – 9th May
School Tours
Monday 5th – Friday 9th May
Daily 9:30am & 11:45am or at other times by appointment
Foundation Transition Dates
Enrolment packs
Available from the school office and via our website.
Tuesday 18th November 9:00 - 10:50am
Tuesday 25th November 9:00 - 10:50am
Tuesday 2nd December 9.00 - 10:50am
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Monica’s School Kangaroo Flat
P: (03) 5447 7832
Principal: Matt Knight
A: 91 High St Kangaroo Flat 3555
W: wwwsmkangarooflatcatholiceduau E: office@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au
School Information Night
Tuesday 13th May 7:00pm
School Tours
Principal/Student Led Tours:
Tuesday 6th May 9:15am
Wednesday 7th May 9:15am
Monday 12th May 9:15am
Thursday 15th May 5:00pm
Friday 16th May 9:15 am
Foundation Transition Program Dates
Friday 14th November 9:00am - 10:30am
Friday 28th November 9:00am - 10:30am
Tuesday 9th December 9:00am - 10:30am
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Therese’s School Kennington
P: (03) 5443 3200
Principal: Petra Teggelove
A: Albion St Kennington 3550
W: wwwstkenningtoncatholiceduau
E: admin@stkennington.catholic.edu.au
QUARRY HILL
Choose Friendship & Purpose
School Information Night
Monday 12 May 2025 - 7:00pm in the Arts Centre th
School Open Week
Monday 5 – Friday 9 May th th Student-led tours: 9.15am -11:00am, 12.30pm - 1.30pm or at other times by appointment
Principal Tour by Appointment
Foundation Orientation Program Dates
Tuesday 25 November 9:00am - 10.30am th Wednesday 26 November 9:00am - 10.30am th
Orientation Day
Tuesday 9 December – Orientation Day 9:00am10.45am th
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Joseph’s School Quarry Hill
P: (03) 5443 2108
Principal: Peter Teggelove
A: Gladstone Street, Quarry Hill 3550
W: wwwsjquarryhillcatholiceduau
E: office@sjquarryhill.catholic.edu.au
School Information Night
th
Thursday 8 May 2025 7.30pm in the Community Centre
School Open Week
th
th
Monday 5 - Friday 9 May 9.00am - 3.00pm Student led tours.
Principal Learning Tour
Monday 5 May 2025 5.00pm (Meet at the office)
th Tuesday 6 May 2025 9.30am (Meet at the office)
th
th Wednesday 7 May 2025 12.30pm (Meet at the office)
Orientation Day & Foundation Parent
Information Session
Tuesday 2 December 2025, 11.45am nd
Prep Orientation Program Dates
To be confirmed
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
St Francis of the Fields School Strathfieldsaye
P: (03) 5439 3191
Principal: Tim Moloney
A: 46 Blucher Street, Strathfieldsaye
W: wwwsfstrathfieldsayecatholiceduau
E: office@sfstrathfieldsaye.catholic.edu.au
Choose Knowledge & Creativity
Holy Rosary School White Hills
WHITE HILLS
P: (03) 5448 4280
Principal: Paul Wilkinson
School Information Night
Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 7.00pm in the Rosarium. th
School Open Week
Monday 5 Friday 9 May th – th Student led tours 9.15am - 11.00am & 12.00pm1.30pm or at other times by appointment.
Principal Learning Tour By appointment - Limits apply.
Fondation Transition and Parent Information Sessions
To be confirmed.
Orientation Day: Tuesday 9 December 2025 th
Enrolment period Tues 22 April - Fri 23 May 2025
A: 556 Napier Street, White Hills
W: wwwhrwhitehillscatholiceduau
E: office@hrwhitehills.catholic.edu.au
HERE ARE SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND WHY WE BELIEVE YOU WILL FEEL AT HOME IN ONE OF OUR WELCOMING SCHOOL SETTINGS
WHO CAN ENROL?
We welcome families from all backgrounds to join our community. Our schools provide a high-quality and affordable education for everyone, not just Catholic families
DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE CATHOLIC OR BAPTISED TO ATTEND?
No, you, your child or your family do not need to be Catholic or baptised, we welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds, however, priority will be given to baptised Catholics in the case where schools are at capacity based on an enrolment priority criteria approved by the Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL) Board.
Can I afford the fees?
Catholic schools remain an affordable option for most families and is surprisingly more affordable than some may realise. When you enrol your child in a Catholic school your fees are inclusive, with no hidden costs. Families with a Health Care Card are eligible for significant fee relief in our Catholic Primary Schools Catholic School fees include all external costs, including camps, excursions, swimming lessons, technology and more!
DO I HAVE TO GO TO MY NEAREST CATHOLIC SCHOOL?
We do not have zoning regulations for our primary schools, therefore, you are able to enrol your child at any of our Catholic primary schools. We encourage you to visit our schools during open days or tours to find the best fit
HOW DO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS CATER FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS?
Catholic schools’ welcome Indigenous students and a variety of specialist educational and pastoral care strategies are available to ensure that Indigenous students feel supported and culturally respected.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A CATHOLIC SCHOOL?
You can expect calm, safe, and predictable classrooms with a strong academic focus. Our Magnify Program enhances learning and we have a variety of programs in each of our schools to support the emotional wellbeing of students. We offer broad support services and prioritise child safety with a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.
Why Choose Catholic Education?
Catholic schools offer different pathways for students from early learning to senior education. We focus on nurturing, safe, and inclusive environments.
Our academic program, Magnify Sandhurst brings together world class partners in education to ensure that all students are able to maximise their learning potential.
With recent research showing that students who attended a Catholic school are more likely to be happier, contribute to the community and be employed, there has never been a better time to be in Catholic Education.