Welcome

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

With Year 10 students on work experience and visits from the Year 5 students in our partner primary schools for a ‘taste’ of secondary, it has been a busy but very positive start to the semester.  A new semester means new electives and rotation units. Students and staff are settling well into these new subjects.

This week we are hosting 26 students and 3 staff from Nanhu Experimental International Middle School, our sister school in China, and preparations for the school musical, Step Back in Time, are in full swing. I thank staff and students for all the work they’ve put into organising and running these activities.

Our opening prayer once again reflects our theme for 2019, May we build a House where love can dwell and captures well our hopes for Semester 2.

Reports

Last week families received information regarding Semester 1 reports. Below is a summary of key points:

• Families can access the report online through the Parent Access Module (PAM). Passwords were included in the letter sent home.

• Students read and reflected on their reports during Extended Pastoral Care last week. Each has formulated goals for Semester 2. They will share these with their families at Student Parent Teacher interviews next week.

• Printed copies of the reports will be distributed at Student Parent Teacher interviews.

• Once they have read the report, families are asked to complete the ‘Response to Semester 1 Report’ and to return this to the College.

• Student / Teacher / Parent interviews will take place next week on Thursday 1 August. Interviews can be booked through PAM.

• It is important that students attend with their families, see their pastoral care teacher first and then other teachers as required.

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. We will be asking families to check the phone and email contacts we have at Parent Teacher Student interviews next week.

Early Dismissal

Families are reminded that students will be dismissed at 12.40pm on Thursday 1 August as Student / Parent / Teacher interviews will be held from 1.30 – 5.00pm and 6.00 – 8.00pm on these days.

After School Study Support

Families are reminded that the College library is open until 4.30pm on Monday -> Thursday and 4.00pm on Fridays. Staff are available to assist students with homework.  Students who attend find the support invaluable. 

Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition

Congratulations to Olivia Barisic (9 Deakin) and Jude Sef (9 Lyons) who have both made the final of the Dante Alighieri Poetry competition. This is a great achievement. Thank you also to all the students who represented the school.

Year 10 Work Experience

Our Year 10 students are currently on work experience. Feedback from teachers who are visiting indicates that they are going really well, and are learning lots about themselves and the world of work. We look forward to the stories on their return.

Many thanks to Jill Gerada for liaising with students and organising placements, and to Mr Chris Orsini, our Careers Teacher, Mr Eder Ramos, our Year 10 Level Leader, and the Year 10 Chrysalis and Pastoral Care teachers for preparing and supporting students.

Important Dates for Year 10 Families

In the next three weeks, Year 10 students will be selecting their courses for Year 11, bringing to a conclusion much of the planning and preparation that they have already done in the Chrysalis program and in their preparation for Work Experience.

Year 10 families need to be aware of some key dates related to course planning for Years 11 and 12. Each activity is designed to support students in planning for the next two years and in their transition to CRC Sydenham.

We encourage all families to ensure that they attend the following activities which support the course planning process:

Wednesday 31 July:

Future Students Day

Sydenham Open Evening and Careers Expo

Tuesday 13 August:

Course Planning Day at CRC St Albans

Year 10 families have also received information from CRC Sydenham regarding the Future Students evening (Sydenham Open Evening and Careers Expo).

PLEASE NOTE:

* You need to book for sessions

* All families need to attend

* The official information pack containing course selection forms will be distributed at the sessions.

It is very important that Year 10 students and their families attend all activities. Please note these in your diary.

Staff Planning Day

Wednesday 14 August 2019 - Berry Street Education Model

Wednesday 14 August will be a student free day as staff will once again work with facilitators from Berry Street to learn about the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). This will be the third of a four day program offered over 2018 and 2019. BSEM focuses on positive education and wellbeing practices that support students’ academic and personal growth.

Initiatives such as the Positive School Wide Behaviours, the Gratitude, Mindfulness and Empathy (GEM) program, the CRC lesson structure, a school-wide focus on resilience, and the introduction of the Resilient Youth surveys are all stem from our work with Berry Street in 2018. We look forward to learning more on the next two days.

Punctuality

Families may have noticed a change in our practices regarding punctuality to school. This has been developed by our Pastoral Team. Parents now receive a sms or phone call if their child arrives at school after 8.45am (9.10am on Wednesday).

The importance of attendance and punctuality on academic success cannot be underestimated. The article in Families Matter sectin provides some suggestions about how families might support students in developing good habits in this area.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and distributed on Day 10. Students will have a chance to read it before taking it home to families that evening.

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2019:             

Fridays:

9 August

23 August

6 September

20 September

The newsletter can also be accessed via the school app or 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:

• Rehearsals for the school production
• Dante Alighieri Poetry recital
• Year 8 Discovery Rotations
• Year 10 Uni / TAFE visits
• Shared Stories: author visit
• Trinity Reach Day
• SACCSS Chess Tournament
• Year 9 Premier League
• Year 10 Careers Expo visit

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.