Welcome

Welcome back for Semester 2. I trust that everyone enjoyed the break, is well rested and ready for what will hopefully be an interesting and productive term.

We’ve had a very positive start to the term with students and staff settling into the learning program and cocurricular activities seamlessly.  

Year 9 students are enjoying their Premier League seasons; preparations for the school production in Week 5 are in full swing, and students in Years 8, 9 and 10 are starting to plan for 2026 as course planning gets underway.

SACCSS Interschool Chess.

We currently have a huge interest in Chess at the College with a strong competition running on Tuesday at lunchtime.

Congratulations to our Interschool Chess Team who performed very well at the recent SACCSS Interschool Championships. We note particularly the intermediate team who won their division, holding off St Monica’s College by 0.5 points (21 to 20.5 points). This is an outstanding feat and we are very proud of all involved.

In particular we congratulate Ben Dau who took home the Intermediate silver medal and Charlie Ho who achieved a supplementary bronze. Thank you to Ms Andrea Jurcec and Mr Fernando for accompanying the team, and to Mr Tobin and Leroy (7 Avoca) for organising the lunchtime competition.

Welcome

This term we warmly welcome Mr Kaho Chow to our staff. Mr Chow teaches Humanities and Media Studies, and is replacing Ms Pintarich who is on leave. We wish Mr Chow a fruitful and professionally enriching time at our school.

Parent webinar on AI and online safety

Catholic Network Australia (CAN) and Cyber Safety Project are hosting a free ‘AI and the Digital Generation’ webinar for parents and carers on Monday 11 August 2025 from 7.30 – 8.00pm.

This webinar will cover essential insights into a range of topics, including the following:

• generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI companion apps;
• deepfakes and online misinformation;
• AI safety in the home; and
• Legal and ethical consideration of AI use.

The webinar will help parents and carers:

• understand the online tools and technologies their children are using;
• build confidence in discussing AI, deepfakes and digital truth with their children; and
• learn practical strategies to encourage safe and ethical online behaviour.

Registration and further information are available by clicking the following: https://www.cna.catholic.edu.au/events-1/ai-the-digital-generation-parent-webinar

Updating family phone and email contacts

At times families change their phone or email contacts and forget to let the school know. In case of emergency, it is very important that these details are always up to date. If your contact details have changed, please notify the school, either by ringing the College or sending the information via email at enquiries@crcstalbans.com.au

Year 10 Families

In the next three weeks, Year 10 students will be selecting their courses for Year 11. We encourage all families to ensure that they attend the following activities which support the course planning process:

Wednesday 06 August:  Twilight Open Evening CRC Sydenham

Mon 11 / Tues 12 August:  Course Finalisation Day (During Student Led Conferences)

Year 10 families have received information from CRC Sydenham regarding the Twilight Open Evening. It is important that a parent / guardian attends with students.

Staff Professional Learning Day: Wednesday 13 August 2025

At the College we are always looking to improve our teaching practice to ensure that all students flourish and are able to do their personal best.

Wednesday 13 August will be a student free day. On this day, teachers will be working with staff from Teach Well to learn about a series of high impact instructional practices. These practices are grounded in the Science of Learning, and central to the MACS Vision for Instruction.

A small number of teachers have already completed the Teach Well professional learning, and are implementing the practices in their classes. All say that whilst the professional learning was challenging, it has had a real impact on their practice and student learning outcomes.

To ensure that the instructional practices become whole school practice, it is important that all teachers have the opportunity to complete the professional learning.  

NAPLAN Results

2025 NAPLAN results will be posted to Years 7 and 9 families in the next week.

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2025:       

Fridays:   15 August,     29 August,    12 September                              

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