Today is the Feast of All Saints. Up until yesterday, the signs of Halloween were everywhere in our supermarkets and shopping centres. However, Halloween actually has little to do with monsters, pumpkins or spider webs. It is a shortening of the words, All Hallows-Evening, the night before All Saints Day (or All Hallows Day).

The feasts of All Saints (1 November) and All Souls (2 November) are important feasts in the life of the Church. The days remind us that the Church is a community – a communion – of all the faithful, both in this world and beyond. All Saints and All Souls invites us to remember those who have walked before us; all the holy men and women, acclaimed and anonymous, who have truly lived the gospel, in their time and place, and are now at peace in heaven.

Saints are an interesting bunch. Some of their stories are gory and grisly, especially those of the early martyrs. Others are known for their patience and persistence, for quiet heroism and for ordinary lives lived well. There are saints who have founded great religious orders whilst others simply cooked for their community all their lives. There are saints who went to war and those who died for peace. There are saints who challenged the Church and others who have been thinkers and theologians. There are saints who were hermits and others who, like St Teresa of Kolkata are known across the world for their good works. Some are named but many are unknown. They could be people we have known.

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.

(With acknowledgment to Anne Rennie)

CRC takes wicking beds to the world.

A group of very talented, enthusiastic and imaginative Year 7 students represented the College at the Melbourne Water ‘Kids teaching Kids’ conference and at the CEM STEM showcase. The team researched, designed and made a wicking bed prototype. A wicking bed has been described as a ‘self-watering pot on steroids’. It’s an ingenious system for the effective watering of raised garden beds and efficient use of water.

I was very lucky to see our students in action at the STEM showcase which involved participants setting up a stall and ‘selling’ their products to a range of visitors and other exhibitors. It was an impressive presentation. The students were confident, articulate and showed great understanding of their product and the sustainability issues it was designed to address.

We were delighted when their work was acknowledged with the Archbishop’s award for Social Justice.

The students are now leading the design and making of wicking beds in Year 7 STEM classes.

Thank you to Hayden O’Doherty for his time and hard work in mentoring the group and congratulations to Genevieve Durand Deslongrais, Tien Nguyen, Victoria Olatunbosun, Reuben Rock, Alessio Singarella, Martina Tran and Tri Truong who represented our school so well.

Young Researchers in Action

Some of our student leaders have been involved in the City of Brimbank Young Researchers project. With leaders from a number of schools in the local area, they had the opportunity to work with Molly Jones from Brimbank Youth Services and Dr.Monica Thielking from Swinburne University, to design and implement a research project. The research reports were presented to the Mayor of Brimbank, Margaret Giudice, a number of councillors and school representatives last week.

The presentations from all schools were of a very high quality and confirmed the importance of involving young people by providing them with the opportunity to present their views and opinions to Council, and to influence decisions which affect them. Brimbank hopes to establish a Youth Council in the not too distant future.

Our team researched the understanding of harmony within our community and developed a number of recommendations on how this might be enhanced. It was an impressive piece of work that developed some very good recommendations. The team will now present their project and findings to staff.

Thank you to Emma van Wees for all she has done to support this initiative at our school. Congratulations to Dennis Truong, Jasmine-Jade Bui, Rhanel Hao, Hayley Nguyen, Danika Alwyn and Awer Makuach.

40^th Anniversary Celebration

Last Sunday we welcomed back former students and staff to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the College. Laughter, reminiscing over memorabilia and many, many stories (some embellished) were the order of the day. The old brown uniform, Gavaghan’s yard, the original toilet block, the day Shirl’s Neighbourhood came to the school and the best places to play downball were all topics that were trending well on the afternoon. Many spoke of the positive impact that the College has had on their lives, and that returning felt like coming home.

On behalf of the whole community, I would like to thank Ms Laura Cioccia for all her work in leading the organisation of the 40^th anniversary celebrations. Her deep sense of hospitality and the ability to create a space for people to mingle at ease is a gift, and has contributed much to our celebrations throughout the year. Thank you to Sr. Sylvia Williams and Mr. Brian O’Loughlin (former Principals), Fr John O’Reilly, and Michael Gerada, Carol Borg and Margaret O’Neill (former students) for sharing their memories in the Q and A panel.

Lastly, thank you to Ms Angie Robinson for her tireless work in gathering and exhibiting the memorabilia collected over the years, to the choir and student leaders who were gracious and welcoming hosts, and to all the staff and students who helped set up for the day. All your work was very much appreciated.

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. From skipping ropes to staff vs students volleyball, from 3 on 3 Basketball to sports trivia it has been a great week. Thank you to Mr. Dale Marshall and the Sport, PE and Health staff for their enthusiasm, energy and hard work.

Year 12 Graduation CRC Sydenham

On Friday 19 October, 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’ve 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’ve worked with them and supported them to this point.

The students are now fully focussed on preparing for their final exams which began with English yesterday. I ask that you keep them and their teachers in your thoughts and prayers at this very important time.

Images 2018

Families are reminded that Images exhibition opens from 6.30pm tonight (Thursday 1 November). Please come and view students’ work in the Arts and Technology.

Cup Weekend

Families are reminded that there are no classes on Monday 5 or Tuesday 6 November.

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.

Ready, Set, Go…..

Inter house Athletics - Tomorrow - Friday 2 November

Permissions slips are back, training is complete, all the equipment is ready for loading on to buses and we are ready for tomorrow’s Inter-house Athletics carnival. Best wishes to everyone who is competing for their House.

Hopefully it will be fine but should it be raining it will be a normal school day, Day 10 of the timetable.

Families are very welcome to join us for part, or all of the day. The Keilor Athletics track is located near the Keilor Basketball Stadium.

Keilor Athletics Track

Stadium Drive

Keilor Park  3042

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 8 Premier League
• Sport, Health and PE week
• Guelen Week
• Melbourne Water Kids teaching Kids conference
• Catholic Education Melbourne STEM Showcase
• Music Production workshops
• Brimbank Young Researchers project

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.

Term 4 Uniform

From next Wednesday, 7 November, all students will need to be in full summer uniform.