Today is the Feast of All Saints. More and more, during October we see the signs of Halloween everywhere; crates of pumpkins in supermarkets, houses decorated with spider webs and scary creatures making appearances in odd places. However, Halloween actually has little to do with monsters, pumpkins or spider webs. It is a shortening of the words, All Hallows-Evening, the night before All Saints Day (or All Hallows Day).

The feasts of All Saints (01 November) and All Souls (02 November) are important feasts in the life the Church. The days remind us that the Church is a community – a communion – of all the faithful, both in this world and beyond. All Saints and All Souls invites us to remember those who have walked before us; all the holy men and women, acclaimed and anonymous, who have truly lived the gospel, in their time and place, and are now at peace in heaven.

Saints are an interesting bunch. Some of their stories are gory and grisly, especially those of the early martyrs. Others are known for their patience and persistence, for quiet heroism and for ordinary lives lived well. There are saints who have founded great religious orders whilst others simply cooked for their community all their lives. There are saints who went to war and those who died for peace. There are saints who challenged the Church and others who have been thinkers and theologians. There are saints who were hermits and others who, like St Teresa of Kolkata are known across the world for their good works. Some are named but many are unknown. They could be people we have known.

On All Saints Day we pray for all saints and thank God for the lives they have lived and the example they provide for us. On All Souls Day and throughout November, we remember our loved ones who have died.

(With acknowledgment to Anne Rennie: Prayers and Reflections for Teachers)

School Advisory Council

Last week the School Advisory Council (SAC) had its final meeting for 2024. I thank all members of the SAC for their support, generosity and time. Their work is invaluable to me as Principal, and also to the ongoing development of our school. 

Agenda items included a discussion of the School Review Report; Cyber Safety; the introduction on an additional stream at Year 7 for 2025; the educational needs of boys, and the yard landscaping project. The SAC members were also introduced to our Prayer Pilgrimage and had a tour of the Design and Technology Centre.

Sadly, this was the final meeting for Melinda Wejak (Inaugural Chair and Parent Representative) and Geisel Garcia (Parent Representative and representative on the Federation SAC). With their youngest child in Year 10 and the end of their three-year term, neither is nominating for another term. I thank Melinda and Geisel for their courage three years ago, in volunteering to be part of the inaugural School Advisory Council, for their care for students, staff and families, and for the wisdom, insight and questions they brought to our discussions. 

I invite other parents / guardians to consider joining the School Advisory Council in 2025. At the moment it involves one meeting per term and a small amount of reading to prepare for the discussion. Please contact me if you are interested and I will forward more information. 

Year 12 Graduation CRC Sydenham

Last Friday, the Year 12 students celebrated the conclusion of their secondary education with mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. As a school community we can be very proud of these young people and all they’ve achieved throughout their time at CRC. Their first day in Year 7 seems only yesterday. Thank you to all the staff, both here and at Sydenham, who’ve worked with them and supported them to this point.

The students are now fully focussed on their final exams which began with English on Tuesday. I ask that you keep them and their teachers in your thoughts and prayers at this very important time. 

Cup Weekend

Families are reminded that there are no classes on Monday 04 November or Tuesday 05 November due to the Cup weekend. 

Sun Smart

The College Sun Smart policy is available on the website.

As we are now well into spring, forecasts of UV levels are predicted to reach three or higher during the period from now to the end of April. UV radiation is a major cause of skin cancer, and UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with the risk of skin cancer later in life. We encourage families to speak with their child about ensuring they are Sun Smart during this time, including:

• wearing appropriate clothing
• wearing a broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat while outside
• applying SPF30 or higher broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen approximately 20 minutes prior to going outside and re-applying every two hours while outside, or immediately after physical activity and swimming
• remaining in the shade during times when you are not involved in a specific outdoor activity, or if you are unable to follow the above recommendations

We also encourage all adults, including parents/carers, to adopt a SunSmart approach for themselves, not only to protect themselves from the dangers of UV radiation, but to also act as role models for our students. 

For more information on sun protection, please go to the SunSmart website:  https://www.sunsmart.com.au/

Missed school vaccinations 2024

The Victorian Government Department of Health has asked that we communicate the following information to families: 

• The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free vaccines provided by the National Immunisation Programeach year to students in Year 7 (HPV and Diphtheria/Tetanus/Whooping cough) and Year 10 (Meningococcal ACWY).
• If your child missed out on receiving their vaccinations at school this year, it's not too late to get vaccinated.
• Free adolescent vaccines can be accessed at your local council immunisation service, GP or pharmacist immuniser.
• To see if your child is due for any vaccines, check your child’s immunisation history statement on the Australian Immunisation Register using your MyGov account. Children aged 14 years of age and over can access their own immunisation history statement via MyGov.
• Contact the local council immunisation provider at Brimbank Council
• Better Health Channel – Secondary School Immunisation Program fact sheet - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools
• Adolescent vaccinations outside of school and catch-up immunisation – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/adolescent-vaccinations-outside-of-school-and-catch-up-immunisation

Enrolment for 2025

Enrolment at the College continues automatically from year to year. However, if a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2025, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email echalmers@crcstalbans.com.auor ring Eileen Chalmers on 9366 2544 with this information.

Your assistance with this is much appreciated as we have a waiting list at most levels and would like to let these families know sooner, rather than later.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and available online on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2024:         

Fridays: 15 November, 29 November & 15 December