29 MAY 2025 From the Principal

As we move toward the latter half of Term 2, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the positive momentum building across Kolbe Catholic College. From new teaching approaches to the exciting expansion of our facilities, there is a great deal to celebrate.

Science of Learning – Lifting Practice Through Professional Growth

Throughout this year, our teaching staff have continued to deepen their understanding of the Science of Learning - a research-informed approach that underpins how students learn most effectively. This work builds on the solid foundation laid in recent years, including our staff’s involvement in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Principal & Teacher Reference Group in 2023, which helped shape the development of the MACS Vision for Instruction.

The Science of Learning continues to guide how we design and deliver lessons, helping teachers ensure that content is not only engaging but also memorable and appropriately paced. Key areas of focus include:

• Cognitive Load – Understanding how much new information students can take in at once and how to reduce unnecessary complexity in lesson design.
• Memory and Retrieval – Using strategies to help students retain knowledge over time and retrieve it when needed.
• Explicit Instruction – Making learning clear, structured, and purposeful, especially when introducing new content.

This year has seen a significant increase in teacher training and professional development, with ongoing workshops and learning sessions that support teachers to apply these principles in everyday practice. As a result, students will continue to benefit from clear, well-structured teaching that aligns with the latest research on how the brain learns best.

We are proud of the professionalism and commitment our staff show in refining their practice and we are excited about the impact this will have on student engagement and success.

St Catherine of Bologna Campus – A New Chapter Begins

Our second campus in Mickleham - St Catherine of Bologna Campus - is progressing well, with the first intake of Year 7 students set to begin in 2026. Planning and construction are well underway, and we are excited about the opportunities this expansion will offer to families in the northern growth corridor.

The development of the campus will occur in stages over the coming years, with facilities and learning spaces expanding as we grow to eventually cater for students from Year 7 to Year 12 by 2031.

This marks a significant milestone in Kolbe’s journey, and we look forward to welcoming our foundation Year 7 students to St Catherine Campus next year.

Enrolments

As people have heard about the great things the students and staff are doing at Kolbe, there has been significant growth and increasing demand for enrolments.

For Year 7 in 2026, we now have significant waitlists across both the St Clare (Greenvale) and St Catherine (Mickleham) campuses.

Looking ahead to Year 7 in 2027, we will be enrolling 216 students at the St Clare Campus and 156 students at the St Catherine Campus. If any students have a younger sibling wishing to enrol for Year 7 2027, please contact our Enrolments Manager, as applications close on 15 August 2025. Applications received after this date will be placed on a waitlist, and we are nervous current families may not gain a position if they miss the deadline.

Child Protection – Always a Priority

At Kolbe Catholic College, the protection of students from abuse or harm is not just a legal obligation — it is central to who we are. Our commitment includes:

• Ensuring all staff are either Registered Teachers or hold valid Working with Children Checks
• Providing ongoing child protection training for all staff, with additional training for College Leadership and Senior Staff
• Adhering to mandatory reporting protocols in line with Federal and State legislation and CEM policy
• Educating students on personal safety across multiple forums throughout the school year

We remain vigilant in maintaining the highest standards to ensure Kolbe is a safe and supportive environment for every student.

Year 10 Aspire – Real-World Learning in Action

Our Year 10 Aspire students continue to impress with their commitment to real-world learning and personal growth. During a recent sustainability tour at the MCG, staff were quick to commend our students for their outstanding preparation, engagement, and thoughtful questions - a level of readiness rarely seen on school tours.

A special mention goes to Eleora Oraha (10A), whose persistence and determination led her to secure a work placement at a veterinary clinic - an extraordinary achievement for a student of her age. Eleora’s inspiring reflection on this experience is included later in the newsletter.

Well done to all Aspire students and staff for the way you continue to represent Kolbe with pride and purpose.

Thank You

As always, thank you to all members of our community for your continued support and engagement throughout the term so far. There has already been so much to celebrate, and we look forward to carrying this momentum into the second half of Term 2.

Nick Scully
Principal