A Prayer for Our Earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si

Following the release of his encyclical Laudato Si in 2015, Pope Francis designated September 1st as the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. He hopes this day will be a time for individuals and communities to “reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to ask his help for the protection of creation.” Families may wish to reflect on our opening prayer as a way of marking this day.

Spotlight on Science, Reading and Languages

We’re currently enjoying a season of special weeks across the school. Last week we explored the mysteries and wonders of our world through Science week, and this week we’ve celebrated the joy of reading and the delights of delving into a new language through Book and Languages Weeks. Thank you to all the staff and students who’ve been involved in planning, organising and participating in activities.

These weeks are lots of fun, encourage learning beyond the classroom and help to highlight the importance of the different disciplines. However, saying that, there’s also an interesting thread that links Science, Languages and Reading. All push us beyond ourselves, into new and interesting worlds. They take us out of the world we know, help us to walk in others’ shoes, to see with new ‘eyes’, and to broaden our vision of life.

Our newsletter is changing!

Families and students may notice that this week’s newsletter looks a little different. This is because we’re now using Schoolzine to produce the newsletter. The key advantage of this is that families who access it electronically can now read the newsletter in different languages. In a few weeks it will also be available on an app.

Congratulations: Year 9 students

Well done to all Year 9 students who represented the College in Premier League this term. All teams competed well with a number missing finals by only the smallest margin. Coaches and staff who attended have all commented on the fine school and team spirit shown by all Year 9 students, their sportsmanship and exemplary conduct. Congratulations to everyone involved. You should be proud of all you’ve achieved.

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2018:           

Fridays:                 7 September   21 September         

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

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 9 Premier League
• GoGirls IT excursion
• Year 7 National Gallery visits
• Yrs 11 and 12 course planning day
• Year 10 Social
• Years 9 and 10 2019 elective selection process
• ACMI Film Making Day (Yr 9 Media Studies)
• 10 Mannix community service
• Yr 8 Discovery rotations.
• Yr 8 Lawn Bowls excursion
• Outdoor Ed Ski Trip
• Bookweek Breakfast.

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.