Last Sunday marked the 100^th anniversary of the Armistice, the day that marked the end of World War 1. In this war some 62,000 Australians lost their lives. Countless others returned to Australia, their lives and the lives of their families irrevocably changed. They gave their lives that we might live in peace today. On Remembrance Day we pause for a minute’s silence to remember all who lost their lives or who have placed their lives in danger to fight for peace and freedom.

This year’s Remembrance Day fell on a Sunday. Fittingly, Sunday’s gospel was the story of the widow who gave all she had to the poor. Like Remembrance Day, the story invites us to pause and to reflect on what is important in life. Is it money, power, social status, qualifications or expensive belongings? Or is it people, loving others and living a just and full life? I am sure that our service men and women would have clear answers to this question. For the widow it is simple, what is important is trust in God. She gives her last coins to others, believing that God will look after her. Let us pray for such faith and humility.

Remembrance Day

Last Thursday we gathered as a school community for a Remembrance Day ceremony. During pastoral care students listened to stories of Australians who fought and served our country during World War 1. Students were invited to record their reflections and responses to these stories on large images of poppies which are now displayed in our Garden of Remembrance.

The reflections in pastoral care were followed by a moving whole school assembly in the yard, where prayers were led by our student leaders, the choir sang ‘The Last ANZAC’ and the community joined together for a minute’s silence.

At our ANZAC day assembly we scattered poppy seeds on the soil in our Garden or Remembrance. It was lovely to come back after the Cup Weekend to see the Flanders poppies blooming. These poppies provide us with a connection to the fields of France and Belgium where so many Australians fought and died in World War One. Lest we forget.

Finishing the Year

Students across the school have a range of exams, class tests and assessment tasks which need to be completed over the next three weeks. It’s vital that everyone continues to work hard to the very end.

As always, it’s important that all students are at school each day unless sick. Sometimes students will ask parents and carers for a day off towards the end of the year, claiming that things are winding down. This is not the case. The final weeks of the year are a time to ramp up, not to wind down. Winding down is the task of holidays.

Students who think they’ve left it all too late for this year, might like to think about the following Chinese proverb:

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.

The second best time is today.”

Images 2018

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening of Image 2018. This year’s exhibition of student work from the Arts and Technology was once again a terrific celebration of our students’ work. The support from families on the night was fantastic. It was great to see everyone there in such good numbers. I’m sure that you are all very proud of the high quality work that the students have presented.

Thank you to staff from the Arts and Technology faculties and the student curators who spent many hours working on the displays. Their dedication, energy and hard work were well rewarded by the appreciation and comments of the many visitors to the exhibition.

Choral Performance Evening

Last Thursday we enjoyed the inaugural 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 Lesina and Jonoel on their fine hosting skills, to Arabella, Trixie, Olivia and Lesina who performed solo numbers and to all involved. It was a great night.

Inter-house Athletics Carnival

Sadly, last week’s much awaited Inter-house Athletics carnival was cancelled due to poor weather. With exams beginning next week and Year 10 students finishing at the end of exams, it isn’t possible to reschedule. Therefore, the final event for Williams Cup points will be the Years 7 and 8 Ball Sports Day on 06 December.

Year 8 Premier League

I would like to congratulate Year 8 students on a very good Premier League season. Students displayed great sportsmanship, fine team spirit and strong endeavour in all sports. Thank you to all the staff who coached a team, to Ms Jurcec and Ms Simoncini for their organisation of the events and all the students who represented our school so well.

Term 4 Uniform

All students should now be wearing full summer uniform.

2019 Re-enrolment

The re-enrolment forms for 2019 are now overdue. I ask that families return these as soon as possible.

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2018:           

Thursday 29 November

19 December (mailed home)                               

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 8 Premier League
• Year 10 VCE / VET exams
• PAT Testing
• Remembrance Day assembly
• Trinity United Nations summit
• Year 7 Back to Day
• Choral Performance evening
• Year 10 Music Night

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.