As our opening prayer and reflection reminds us, December can be overwhelmingly busy. We need to take care that the very busyness of this time does not distract us from living an Advent season that truly prepares us for Christmas; for the peace, joy and hope that this season brings. I pray that in the next few weeks, you will find time to simply sit and spend time with God who is waiting, and that you are blessed with the space to watch, wait and prepare for the birthday of Christ.

TOGETHER - we did it!

2021, 2021 has once again been a challenging year, a year where a significant part of Semester 2 was spent working remotely, and many events were planned and cancelled. We repeatedly rode the wave of expectation and disappointment. Yet throughout all this time, students, staff and families continued to show remarkable grit, resilience and support for each other. It is important to recognise these amazing qualities.

Over the past few weeks, Ms Cioccia has worked with students and staff to capture words or phrases that sum up 2021. These have been distilled into the phrase TOGETHER – we did it! All students will receive a badge with these words to celebrate this achievement. Well done to everyone.

Catherine McAuley Pins

In the College library we have a plaque from 1978 which recognises the contribution of the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St Joseph in establishing primary and secondary education in the St Albans area. The quote from Catherine McAuley on the plaque reads as follows:

It is not for us to bestow gifts like benevolent people in the world but rather to bestow ourselves (1778 – 1841)

These words of Catherine McAuley capture well the spirit of our McAuley pins and the qualities we look for in the recipients. At CRC we encourage young people to be generous with their time and gifts; to look beyond themselves to the needs of others and to work for the common good. They are called to be responsible, compassionate and active citizens who know that they can make a difference, even if it is only one small step at a time. 

Throughout the year students have many opportunities to be involved in learning beyond the classroom and to contribute to the community. This happens through service, leadership, fundraising, sport, the Arts, extension programs and clubs.  I’d like to thank all students for the way they’ve participated and been involved in 2021.

Each year we recognise students who’ve made an outstanding contribution to the school and broader community with a Catherine McAuley pin.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 Catherine McAuley pin. You are indeed people who make a difference and your willingness to lead, challenge, put in and to be part of things is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Recipients of the Catherine McAuley Pin for 2021 are……

YEAR 7

Aurelius Catayong

Michel-Ange Durand Deslongrais

Danilyn Gangur

Javier Aceiton

Angelina Brillouet

Aidan Li

Kevin Phung

Amanda Rafoo

Joanne Tran

Emma Lean - Earth Stewardship Cross (50 hours)

Steven Nguyen - Earth Stewardship Cross (50 hours)

YEAR 8

Audrey Gerada

Charlotte Gerada

Ruby Nguyen

Wilsin Ghpreta

Monica Le

Mariam Maroka

Vicky Huynh

Jimmy Tran

Jenny Pham - Earth Stewardship Cross

Roger Louis - Earth Stewardship Pin

Monicka Floresca - Earth Stewardship Pin

YEAR 9

John Bryton Santiago

Caelen Khoo

Ana Markic

Theodore Gatt

Claretta Rock

Katie Cagoroski

Hoang-Quan Tran

My Nguyen

Sammy Zogheib

Tommy Pham - Earth Stewardship Pin

Peter Lean - Earth Stewardship Pin

YEAR 10

Tri Truong

Sacreana Ulugia-Sa'ena

Christian Tapuala-Unasa

Thomas Le

Reuben Rock

Alexandra Tam

Aiden Dang

Juswin Ramachandran

Cayden Aguila

Chloe Lefebure

Melisa Nguyen

Long Tan Leadership Award

Each year the Australian Defence Force provides a scholarship to recognise a Year 10 student who demonstrates outstanding leadership and teamwork within the school and in the broader community. This student must also demonstrate strong values such as respect for others, always striving to do their best and the best characteristics of mateship.

Congratulations to Tri Truong (10 O’Connell) who is this year’s recipient of the Long Tan Leadership Award. Tri is an excellent role model, an outstanding leader and is always ready to give his time, has initiative and the ability to get things done. Well done Tri.

Ampol All Rounder Award

This award acknowledges a student at Year 7 or 8 for their all-round contribution to the school and the community. This year the award was given to Audrey Gerada (8 Orifici). Congratulations Audrey.

New House Mascots

Throughout the year, the House Captains have been working with a range of students and staff to develop new House mascots. These were launched at the recent school assembly. Thank you to everyone involved.

School Captains 2022

On behalf of the school community I would like to thank our 2021 School Captains: Sacreana Ulugia-Sa’ena and Cayden Aguila, and the Vice Captains: Alexandra Chau and Tri Truong for their great work as leaders in our school. Throughout the year they’ve contributed in a very real and practical way to keeping the community connected through remote learning and in ensuring that students ‘have a voice’ on many issues. I thank them for their time, generosity and willingness to serve our community.

It is with great pleasure that I can now announce that our School Captains for 2022 are My Nguyen and Caelen Khoo. Our Captains will be assisted in their role by Ana Markic and Alex Aceiton who will be Vice Captains. They are a talented and impressive group of young people and I look forward to working with them next year.

College Captains 2022: Caelen Khoo, My Nguyen, Ana Markic and Alex Aceiton

Farewell Year 10 2020

At our final assembly our Year 10 2021 students were farewelled by our 2022 School Captains. Thank you to My and Caelen who spoke so well about the contributions the Year 10 students have made over the past four years. They highlighted the leadership, hospitality and school spirit the Year 10 students have shown, and the way they have kept the community connected throughout this difficult year.

Sacreana and Cayden responded on behalf of the Year 10 students, thanking staff, students and families for their support and reflecting on their time at the College; the many terrific experiences they’ve had and how these have helped shape who they are today.

As I write this newsletter, preparations are under way for tonight’s Graduation. For all of us, students, families and teachers Year 10 Graduation always brings mixed emotions, sadness that it’s time to part, trepidation about the unknown future, but most importantly we all feel a deep sense of satisfaction at a job well done. Tonight will be no different. We are farewelling an outstanding group of young people. It has been a real privilege to work with them.

End of Year Arrangements for Years 7 - 9

Monday 29 November to Wednesday 01 December are normal school days and students are expected to attend in full uniform, with the required books and prepared to finalise their work.

On Thursday 02 December Years 7 - 9 students will enjoy level based offsite activities days.

Students in Years 7 – 9 finish school on Friday 03 December. They are required to be at school by 8.40am (normal time) and will be dismissed at 12.15pm.

Enrolment for 2022

Enrolment at the College continues automatically from year to year. However, if a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2022, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email echalmers@crcstalbans.com.auor ring Eileen Chalmers on 9366 2544 with this information.

Your assistance with this is much appreciated as we have a waiting list at some levels and would like to let these families know sooner, rather than later.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2021:         

Friday 09 December

The newsletter is available on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au