This week we have been unpacking what support looks like, feels like and sounds like. Support is our yellow value.

Students and staff have reflected on the story of the Emperor Penguins in the Antarctica. In the depths of winter when temperatures plunge to -50 degrees the penguins huddle in vast circular groups. Their collective warmth keeps those on the inside of the circle warm. The whole circle of penguins shuffles in an anti-clockwise direction so that over time those inside move out and the outsiders move in. The penguins both support and are supported. They live in the shelter of each other which is a lovely way of describing support.

For many of us our first and most important circle of support is our family, no matter its size or shape. Today’s reflection is about the importance of family; as a support network, as a place of nurture and learning.

At school our pastoral care groups are our family. They are a circle of support for students and staff, a place where students feel at home and are supported in all they do.

Speaking of families, we are currently enjoying Family nights across the school. The night(s) take a different form at each year level and are a great opportunity for families and staff to meet each other.  I know that family life is very busy but really encourage you to join us for these nights.

Ash Wednesday

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on the 6 March. I know that many families will be attending Ash Wednesday mass in their own parish, however, you are also very welcome to join us in celebrating mass at 8.30am at Sacred Heart on this day.

We have also included mass times for parishes in the Faith Matters section of the newsletter.

It is sometimes thought that the name of Lent comes from the Latin expression for slowing down, ‘festina lente’, meaning to ‘hasten slowly’. Actually, hastening slowly is not a bad way to describe what Christians try to do during Lent. The season of Lent is a time where we try to live more simply; focusing less on ourselves and more on others, sharing what we have and making more time for God in our lives.

Inter-house Swimming

Families have received a letter outlining arrangements for the Inter-house Swimming carnival on Thursday 7 March. All permission forms should now be back.

The carnival is held at the St Albans Leisure Centre so if families have the time, you’re very welcome to join us for the carnival; to cheer on your child and to barrack for their House.

Opening Mass

On behalf of students and staff I would like to thank Fr. George Feliciouz (Sacred Heart - Emmaus) for celebrating our opening school mass.  Thank you also to the students and staff who planned, prepared and led the very prayerful and thoughtful liturgy.

Induction of School Leaders

During mass we inducted our 2019 school leaders: the School Captains, SRC and House Captains. Congratulations to all the students who have graciously accepted a formal leadership role this year.

Whilst we’re only four weeks into the school year these young people have already been very busy. They have:

• presented a number of proposals to the Leadership Team;
• led the development of school-wide positive behaviour expectations;
• hosted the Year 12 2016 morning tea;
• welcomed families to the MacKillop assembly;
• helped out with Family Nights;
• organised the Year 8 lunchtime volleyball competition

Thank you to all involved. Your leadership, energy and sense of service are terrific.

The full list School Leaders for 2019 are included later in the newsletter.

After School Activities

Co-curricular activities are an important opportunity for students to pursue interests, to develop friendships beyond their class and to be involved in the life of the school. All this builds engagement and connection.

Families often ask about what we offer. Following is a list of just some of the after school activities. There are also a range of activities offered at lunchtime. These currently include social justice activities, a ‘cubers’ competition and the community garden. I would encourage all students to get involved as much as they can.

Monday – Thursday:       Study Support (Library)

Mon / Tues / Thurs:        Community Garden

Monday:                        Volleyball Club / House Captains and SRC

Wednesday:                   Maths Help

Thursday:                      Choir

Otaku (Anime) Club:       Friday

In a few weeks a Boot Camp / GYM club will start on two nights for Years 9 and 10 students, as will rehearsals for our school production ‘Turn Back Time’.

New Diary

I would encourage parents and carers to have a look at our new school diary. This year we are using the Resilience Project Student Planner.

The diary contains a series of daily questions for students to explore the concepts of gratitude and empathy, and to become more mindful. The Resilience Project has identified G.E.M: Gratitude (paying attention to what we have rather than what we don’t have), Empathy (walking in others’ shoes) and Mindfulness (being centred and focussed) as key to being more resilient and happy.

Students will be using the G.E.M questions for reflection during morning homeroom.

It is interesting to note that a similar Resilience journal is used by many sports people like Dustin Martin (Football) and the Caitlin Bassett (Netball).

The reflection starters might also be interesting conversation starters for families or parents / carers may wish to try them for themselves.

School ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’

As is the case with most schools the streets around the College and Sacred Heart primary school are congested at these times. Our first concern is always everyone’s safety and we ask families to take care when you are collecting or dropping off students.

Please ensure that your child uses the school crossings and that you do not double park or park in no standing places. Council officers regularly blitz the area around the school. At times parents parked on the west side of Theodore Street call their children to just cross the road, even though a teacher is directing them to the crossing. This is unsafe.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and distributed on Day 10 (Friday Week 2). Students will have a chance to read it before placing it in their diary to be taken home to parents that evening.

Newsletter Days for Term 1 2019:             

Fridays:           15 March         28 March    

The newsletter can also be accessed on Friday morning (Day 10) on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

Notification of Absences

We ask that parents or guardians contact the school before 10.00am if a student is absent on any day. This can be done by phone on 9366 2544 or email to Jill Gerada at jgerada@crcstalbans.com.au. As Jill is responsible for tracking absences we ask that parent notification by email be directed only to her, not to other staff.

If the phone call or email notifying absence is received it will be taken as the official explanation of the student’s absence and no further note is required. If no contact is made with the school, a note explaining the absence will be required on the student’s return to school.

To ensure the safety of students the College has a policy of contacting parents when a student is away from school without notification. Jill rings parents after 10.00am. It is a great help if parents/guardians ring before we make contact.

Since our last newsletter…..

Over and above the day to day activities of the school since our last newsletter students, families and staff have participated in the following:

• Year 7 Sunnystones Days
• School Photos
• Opening Mass
• Induction of School Leaders
• Year 8 Discovery Guest Speaker: team work and collaboration
• Year 8 Family Night
• Girls’ Futsal training
• Year 8 Volleyball competition
• 7 Wimmera Family Night
• 7 Yarra Family Night
• Year 10 Science Guest Speaker: Thalassenia and Sickle Cell

I am sure that students and their families are very appreciative of all these opportunities and the time and energy that staff put into organising and offering these experiences.

Term Dates 2019

Term 1:                 Monday 4 February – Friday 5 April  

Term 2:                 Tuesday 23 April – Friday 28 June

Term 3:                 Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September

Term 4:                 Tuesday 8 October – Friday 6 December

Please Note:     

Year 10 students finish at the College on Thursday 28 November but have an Orientation program at CRC Sydenham from Monday 2 December to the Friday 6 December.

Mid-year exams (Years 9 and 10):             11 June – 18 June 2019

End of year exams (Years 9 and 10):         20 Nov – 28 November 2019

Families planning to travel in the middle of the year or at the end of 2019 are asked to note that exams and the Orientation program at Sydenham are compulsory. Exams must be taken within the exam timetable. They cannot be taken before or after the exam week.

Please do not book travel before:

• 18 June in the middle of the year (Years 9 and 10)
• 6 December for Year 11 2020 students (Year 10 2019)
• 29 November for Year 9 students.