Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary was a woman of great faith. In all she did, she promoted the dignity of others and worked tirelessly to help them. She provided comfort, compassion, education and love in our Australian context. Her steadfast commitment to her faith and the service of others is a true inspiration to us all.

School Assembly

At last week’s school assembly we recognised a number of students for academic excellence in Term 1, and others for outstanding service to the community. Congratulations to each of them. They are people who give 100% in all they do and should be very proud of what they have achieved in Semester 1. Thank you to all the families who joined us for the assembly and for morning tea.

The assembly was organised and led by our School Captains. It was a chance to reflect on Semester 1 and to look forward to all that Semester 2 will bring. As Rhanel and Arabella reminded us, the first half of the year seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye, and there are only some 90 days left. To paraphrase Arabella, 90 days of opportunities, 90 days to achieve our 2019 school goals, 90 days to build a foundation for next year, 90 days to be the best version of ourselves we can be. For Year 10 students, the last 90 days at CRC St Albans. I’d say, 90 days that we need to use well. Thank you to Rhanel and Arabella for their encouragement and for giving us focus for the semester ahead.

The assembly was also an opportunity to launch the five posters that summarise our positive school wide behaviour expectations. Each poster articulates our agreed expectations in different areas of the school: classrooms, lockers and corridors, the canteen and yard and the oval. The posters, in various sizes, will be displayed, either as a set or individually, in different parts of the school.

Congratulations to Jessica Tran who won the poster design competition. Her terrific designs have captured the spirit and essence of the expectations remarkably well.

Visitors from Nanhu Experimental International Middle School (NIEMS)

Recently, we hosted 26 students and 4 staff from our sister school, Nanhu Experimental International Middle School (NIEMS) in Jiaxing, China. For much of the visit, students participated in classes with our students. They were particularly interested in the Year 8 Discovery program, and the Arts and Technology rotation units, as these subjects are not typically part of the curriculum in China. For our Chinese language students it was an opportunity to practise their Chinese language skills.

Despite the differences in language and culture, students were able to form bonds very quickly and I’m sure that with the assistance of technology they will be able to maintain these new friendships into the future.

I would like to thank our gracious student hosts who did an amazing job in making our guests feel at home so quickly. Thank you also to Mr Zarosinski and the Languages Learning area who developed a great program for our visitors.

Plans are underway for a school trip to China in 2020. We hope to visit NIEMS as part of this. Again, thank you to all involved.

Step Back in Time

We are looking forward to our school production next week. After months of rehearsals, everything is almost ready for opening night.

English can be a strange and colourful language. Typically, well-wishers will say "break a leg" to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform. "break a leg" is an idiom used to wish a performer "good luck" in an ironic way. No one is really sure where the phrase comes from.

As we approach the opening night, I wish all cast and crew the very best. It has been a terrific experience so far and I am really looking forward to seeing our production of ‘Step Back in Time’. In theatre idiom ‘break a leg’ or good luck to all.

Student Parent Teacher interviews

It was great to catch up with families at the interviews last week. I hope that you found the feedback helpful and that students now have a clear picture of what they need to do to ensure a productive and fruitful second semester.

I know that finding the time to attend these interviews isn’t always easy, however, your support and presence is very much appreciated.

A small number of families were unable to attend. Pastoral care teachers or Year Level Leaders will make contact in the next week or so.

On behalf of families, I’d like to thank staff for their time and preparation for these interviews.

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
• Shared Stories: Author in Residence program
• Sovereign Hill excursion with NIEMS
• Year 10 Titration Stakes
• Sydenham Futures Expo
• Student / Parent / Teacher interviews
• Australian Maths competition.
• Year 9 Premier League
• Outdoor Ed Tree Planting.
• Languages Week
• Mission Gnocchi (Year 8 incursion)
• Year 7 Chinese and Italian excursions
• Student Leaders’ Conference
• Year 7 classification incursion (Science)
• School Assembly

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.