Healthy Cooking and Eating

in Food Technology

Over the last two weeks, Year 7 students have been creating delicious vegetable fritters during their food productions. They are learning about vegetables and ways to include them in their diets. Fritters are a great way to hide the veggies in a crunchy and delicious patty.

Year 10 students have been making some fantastically delicious nutrition packed recipes. They are learning about macro and micro nutrients and incorporating a variety of ingredients to make meals that are beneficial for a healthy body.

Thank you to our wonderful community who joined us for the

Mother's Day breakfast

SACCS Cross Country

Yr 10 Visual Communication Students preparing skateboards

for their design work.

SACCSS Badminton

On Monday last week, selected students from Years 9 and 10 represented our College at the SACCSS Badminton Competition, which was held at Eagle Stadium in Werribee. Our students did exceptionally well considering it was an open competition and were competing against students older than them. Well done to all the students representing our school, but in particular to Year 10 students Corey Dang and Aurelius Catayong, who both made it to the Grand Final. It was a nail-biter, finishing in a draw and then unfortunately losing by 2 points in extra time. 

Pastoral Care Program

Catholic Regional College Pastoral Care program provides a sequenced curriculum from Years 7 to 10 using a multimodal approach designed to develop the achievement and wellbeing of the whole person (spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, socially and emotionally).

Our Pastoral Care program centres around the social-emotional learning (SEL) model, a school-based organisational framework through which students learn to become lifelong learners who recognise, reflect and manage their emotions and empathise with others.

Our Pastoral Care program fosters the development of positive relationships. It provides opportunities for students to grow from challenging experiences to contributing positively to their community and flourishing as responsible global citizens.

Term 2 Concepts and Themes

Year 7 – Building Community: Sharing

Year 8 – Respectful Relationships and Teamwork

Year 9 – Courage – Bravery

Year 10 – Careers and Pathways

Join CRC St Albans in The Push-Up Challenge!

We are thrilled to announce that CRC St Albans is participating in The Push-Up Challenge from 5^th to 28^th June, 2024, and we want YOU to join us!

What’s the Challenge?

• • Complete 3,249 push-ups (or the half target of 1,625) in 24 days to raise awareness and funds for mental health in Australia.
  • Alternative exercises like sit-ups or squats are also encouraged.

Why Participate?

• • Raise awareness and funds for essential mental health services and initiatives in Australia.
  • Participation is free, and there’s a handy app to track your progress. The app provides daily push-up targets and mental health facts to keep you motivated.

How Can You Help?

• • Join our team and take on the challenge.
  • Support us by making a tax-deductible donation if you're not participating.

Get Involved:

• • Join our team or donate by clicking on this link: CRC St Albans Push-Up Challenge.
  • Encourage your family and friends to get involved too!

Together, we can make a big difference. Thank you for your support, and remember to take care of yourself and each other.

Maximise Your Wellbeing and Study Success: Tips for Students and Families

As we approach the end of the school term and prepare for exams, it’s essential to focus on both wellbeing and effective study strategies. Here are some evidence-based tips to help students and families navigate this busy period:

Wellbeing Strategies

• • Prioritise Sleep: Research shows that adequate sleep improves memory, concentration, and academic performance (Carskadon & Dement, 2011). Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
  • Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise can boost mood, energy levels, and cognitive function (Ratey & Loehr, 2011). Encourage activities like walking, jogging, or team sports.
  • Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, reduce stress and improve focus (Zeidan et al., 2010). Apps like Headspace or Calm can be helpful.
  • Maintain a Balanced Diet: Proper nutrition supports brain function and energy levels (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008). Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.
  • Stay Connected: Social support from family and friends is crucial for mental health (Cohen, 2004). Make time for social activities and communicate openly about stress and concerns.

Study Strategies

Create a Study Schedule: Break study sessions into manageable chunks and allocate specific times for each subject. Research suggests that spaced repetition enhances long-term retention (Cepeda et al., 2006).

Use Active Learning Techniques: Engage with the material through summarizing, questioning, and teaching others. Active learning methods have been shown to improve understanding and retention (Freeman et al., 2014).

Set Specific Goals: Define clear, achievable goals for each study session. Goal-setting is linked to increased motivation and academic success (Locke & Latham, 2002).

Practice Retrieval: Regularly test yourself on the material. Retrieval practice strengthens memory and improves learning outcomes (Roediger & Butler, 2011).

Create a Positive Study Environment: Find a quiet, well-lit space free from distractions. A conducive study environment enhances concentration and productivity (Cognitive Ergonomics, 2011).

Integrating these wellbeing and study strategies into daily routines, students can better manage their workload and perform effectively during exams. Encourage your family to support these practices, creating a positive and productive home environment.

Good luck to all students as they prepare for their exams!

Best wishes, The Wellbeing Team

References

Carskadon, M. A., & Dement, W. C. (2011). Normal Human Sleep: An Overview. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.

Ratey, J. J., & Loehr, J. E. (2011). The Positive Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition During Adulthood: A Review of Underlying Mechanisms, Evidence and Recommendations.

Zeidan, F., Johnson, S. K., Diamond, B. J., David, Z., & Goolkasian, P. (2010). Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training. Consciousness and Cognition.

Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: The effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

Cohen, S. (2004). Social Relationships and Health. American Psychologist.

Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin.

Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist.

Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

Cognitive Ergonomics (2011). The Influence of Work Environments on Cognitive Performance.

Extra-curricular Activities at CRC St Albans

Participating in extracurricular activities in secondary schools is important for students to grow both academically and personally. These activities offer students the opportunity to develop a range of skills, including leadership, teamwork, time management, and communication, which are essential for success in the future.

Extracurricular activities also provide students with a sense of belonging and the chance to pursue their passions and interests outside of the classroom. These experiences can lead to meaningful relationships, new perspectives, and opportunities for personal growth. Extracurricular activities are a central aspect of CRC St Albans education that provides students with a well-rounded experience, helping them to develop their full potential and achieve their goals.

Students who engage in extra-curricular activities will be recognised with a commendation and points will be allocated towards McAuley Award.

We have a vast range of activities for students to participate in during lunch-time or after-school. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to speak to the supervising teacher identified below or check our daily bulletin for further information.

Extra-Curricular Program 2024

Catholic Regional College - Collaborating School

This year Catholic Regional College is proudly collaborating with the Cyber Safety Project to facilitate cyber safety education with parents and guardians. By uncovering the risks of learning, connecting and playing online, parents and guardians will be empowered to support their child(ren) with important conversations to navigate the online world safely.

Our Year 7 and 8 educators are equipped with a sequenced cyber safety curriculum mapped to the Victorian framework, which underpins key values for a strong foundation for online safety and digital wellbeing.

The Cyber Safety Project is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. To further support cyber safety education at home, you can find helpful online home safety guides, conversation checklists and resources for creating a safe digital environment at home via cybersafetyproject.com.au

Additional online safety support resources: 

• Report online harms including cyber bullying, image-based abuse or illegal and harmful content - eSafety.gov.au 
• Report child exploitation material to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation - accce.gov.au
• If your child is in  immediate danger call 000.

Do you have a child in Grade 5?  Please enroll for Year 7 2026 before 16 August 2024 so that we can ensure our current families have a place for their children.

Click on link or visit the office to collect an enrolment form.