Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of All Saints. The Church has set aside this day to honour all those holy individuals who are not formally canonised.

“The saints were people who worshipped God. They put their trust in neither idols nor themselves, but in God alone. Saints are not like Superman or Wonder Woman but ordinary individuals who became holy by living a life modelled on Jesus and the Gospels. They show us that we do not need to go far to find the path of holiness. It runs right through the circumstances of our daily lives. We find it every time we make a decision based on the teachings of Jesus”.

(Sr. Melanie Svoboda, With Grateful Hearts, published in Prayers and Reflections by Anne Rennie)

On All Saints Day we pray for all saints and thank God for the lives they have lived and the example they provide for us. On All Souls Day and throughout November, we remember our loved ones who have died.

Young Researchers in Action

Students from the Years 8 and 10 SRC and the Social Justice Team have been involved in the Young Researchers project during this year. In this initiative, students have the opportunity to work with Dr. Monica Thielking, a researcher from Swinburne University to learn about research methodology, and to design and implement a research project.

Our students worked in two teams with the SRC researching online bullying and the Social Justice team looking into perceptions of safety in the school. Both projects have resulted in some very good recommendations that we will look at implementing in 2020.

Last week students presented their research reports to the Mayor of Brimbank, Councillor Lucinda Congreve, a number of councillors and school representatives. The presentations were outstanding and confirmed the importance of the voice and agency of young people. The City of Brimbank, particularly through the youth services team is doing some excellent work in this area.

Thank you to Emma van Wees and Hayden O’Doherty for supporting our young researchers in their school based work. Congratulations to all the students involved.

World Teachers’ Day

Last Friday was World Teachers’ Day across Australian schools. It is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge our teachers and to thank them for all that they do.

At CRC we’re fortunate to have dedicated, talented and enthusiastic teachers who work hard to ensure that students have every opportunity to achieve their full potential. Their skill, openness to further learning, ideas, generosity of spirit, care for students and commitment to the St Albans community are inspiring. On your behalf, I thank each of them for all they give to our community.

Thank you to the student leaders who organised a lovely morning tea and cards for staff as a token of their appreciation for all they do.

Image 2019

There has been much activity in the hall over the last few days as staff and students set up for Image. A sneak preview suggests it is once again going to be a wonderful celebration of students’ work in the arts and technology.  The exhibition opens from 6.30pm tonight. Please come and view the amazing work.

SHAPE Week

Last week we enjoyed Health and PE week at the College. The week focussed on getting us moving more and raised awareness of the importance of living an active and healthy life. Skipping, badminton, mindfulness colouring, box fit, 3 on 3 basketball, staff vs students volleyball and banana smoothies are just some of the activities that were part of a great week.  Thank you to Mr. Dale Marshall and the Sport, PE and Health staff for their enthusiasm, energy and hard work.

House Week

This week is House Week at the College. Our House Captains has organised a number of activities to build house spirit in the lead up to the Athletics carnival on Friday. The Amazing Race (Year 7), a Spelling Bee (Year 8), and old fashioned races like the egg and spoon, three legged races and the tunnel ball challenge (Year 9) will all be part of what is shaping up to be a fun week and an opportunity for students to collect House points.

Choral Performance Evening

Last week we enjoyed the 2019 Choral Performance evening. The choir performed a selection from their now extensive repertoire for family and friends. It was lovely to see the passion for music, particularly singing, that this group shares. Throughout the year these very talented students from Years 7 – 10 attend rehearsals at lunchtime and afterschool to develop their craft. They obviously enjoy each other’s company, the snacks and performing together. Thank you to Mr Marshall for all his work with the choir. Congratulations to Caelen, Olivia and Cindy on their fine hosting skills, to Arabella, Olivia and Lesina who performed solo numbers and to all involved. It was a great night.

Year 12 Graduation CRC Sydenham

Last Friday the Year 12 students finished classes and in the evening celebrated the conclusion of their secondary education with mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. As a school community, we can be very proud of these young people and all they have achieved throughout their time at CRC. Their first day in Year 7 seems only yesterday. Thank you to all the staff, both here and at Sydenham, who have worked with them and supported them to this point.

I ask that you keep the Year 12 students and their teachers in your thoughts and prayers as they commence their exams.

Mid Term

The Cup Weekend marks the mid-point of Term 4. Once we come back on Wednesday Years 9 and 10 students have only two weeks until their first exam and all year levels will have a range of learning and assessment tasks due.

At this time of the year it is important that students remain focused on their studies and that they do all the small things consistently well. Things like being on time, doing all your homework, putting aside extra time for revision, asking questions, catching up with teachers for extra help,  being in uniform and looking at every aspect of your work to see where you might need help and what you might need to do better.

We hope that students don’t take their foot off the pedal at this crucial stage of the year. It is really time to go just that bit harder, to put in the extra effort to ensure that they do their best.

Cup Weekend

Families are reminded that there are no classes on Monday 4 November or Tuesday 5 November as this is the Cup Weekend Break.

The break provides students with the opportunity to prepare for the final weeks of Term 4. It is a good time to catch up on work and to do some exam revision.

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:

• Brimbank Young Researchers
• 10 McAuley Community Service
• SHAPE Week
• Morning tea for Intensive English families
• Australian Catholic Youth Festival Family Information Night
• Years 9 and 10 Faith Q and A
• Image 2019
• Kids teaching Kids conference
• Year 8 Premier League
• Trinity UN Summit
• Parliament Visit (Year 10 students)

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.