Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Chisholm Catholic College,

Term 3 is perennially packed with events and quite naturally, many highlights are created for our community, one only needs to read this edition of the Carolean to find out more!

As prominent as anything during Term 3 is the annual Catholic Arts “Spirit of the Arts Festival” incorporating the Angelico Arts Exhibition and the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. As I have shared in an earlier Carolean, Chisholm’s participation in CPAF extends to over 230 students involved in over 20 ensemble performances and 100 solo and duet entries, throughout the festival that lasts for nine weeks.

Our students have been the very worthy recipients of a significant number of individual, duet and ensemble merit, outstanding and excellence awards throughout the festival. Individual recipients will receive these recognitions over the coming days and weeks.

It would be remiss of me not to mention however, that our very own Chisholm Catholic College Jazz Band 1, were duly awarded the perpetual shield as recipients of the Christian Brothers’ Award in the Big Band/Jazz Combo section for secondary schools. This award recognises the top band in that category across the festival, acknowledging the incredible talent, dedication and passionate enthusiasm of our students, our music staff and Mr Dave Deacon, our Jazz Band tutor and conductor extraordinaire. Congratulations to all, the first award in the festival in the last 10 years for our College programme.

If this hasn’t been enough for the dedicated music students and staff, we concluded this wonderfully creative season with our annual Music Night, hosted at the College last night. It was a pure extravaganza of creativity and expression of the God-given talents of our students and as previously stated – dedication, commitment and passion by staff and students alike. Last night, we also acknowledged the music award winners for 2026 and introduced our College Music Captains for 2027.

Congratulations to all involved last night and throughout the year. We thank our staff led by the wonderful Director of Music, Mr Gareth Goerke, Mr Mathew Leak, Mrs Amelia Cole, Mrs Natalie Pace and the expert team of directors and tutors, our parents and families, and of course, our students. 

We are so incredibly grateful and proud of all you have accomplished as our Chisholm Catholic College music community.

As I have heard it said so perfectly: “When students make music together, they learn far more than notes and rhythms. They learn to listen, collaborate and contribute to something greater than themselves.”

God bless.

Mr Simon Harvey
Principal