Wednesday marks the beginning Lent, a season where we are called to a change of heart. Often in Lent we choose simple actions that help us to become more prayerful, to live more simply, and to share what we have with those who are in need. It is a period for taking stock and making room in our lives to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. I wish all in the College community a very fruitful Lenten season.

School Advisory Council (Catholic Regional College St Albans)

In 2021, the Federation of Catholic Regional Colleges established an overarching School Advisory Council for the CRC Colleges. In addition to this, each College will also establish a local School Advisory Council.

School Advisory Councils (SAC) act within the Terms of Reference set out by the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Board.

School_Advisory_Council_Terms_of_Reference_secondary_schools.pdf.

While the School Advisory Council does not have governance responsibility or decision-making authority, it supports principal, priests and leadership team and provides an important connection to the parish.

The membership of the CRC St Albans School Advisory Council will be as follows:

1. the principal (ex officio)
2. a priest nominated to represent the association of canonical administrators (ex officio) (custodian of mission)
3. two - three parents of children attending the school
4. one parishioner
5. another person who in the opinion of the principal has the relevant knowledge, skills, expertise or interest and commitment to the mission of the school to serve a particular need on the council
6. staff member
7. student representative(s)
8. alumni representative

Fr. Gerard Keith (Resurrection Parish) will join the School Advisory Council as custodian of mission and representative of the canonical administrators of the College.

Expressions of interest are now open for the parent and parishioner positions on the School Advisory Council.

While no particular expertise is required, the College seeks people with diverse skill sets and backgrounds, and a strong interest in Catholic education, to be part of this exciting opportunity for parent and community voice to shape the ongoing development of our school.

If you are a member of the parishes associated with the College or have children in the school and wish to be part of the inaugural School Advisory Council, we welcome your expression of interest.

Expressions of interest need only be brief. A few lines about yourself, your connection to the College, involvement in parish life and reasons for your interest in being part of the School Advisory Council.  Please email the expression of interest to principal@crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au by 4.00pm on Tuesday 15 March 2022.

Homework Support

All Year 7 and 8 families have received a letter about the arrangements for Homework Support. Please ensure that you return your reply slip by Friday 11 March.

Masks and Rapid Antigen Tests

Thank you to all families, students and staff for your ongoing support in implementing COVID safety measures. Recent changes / adjustments that apply to schools are:

     1. Masks

It is no longer mandatory that students wear masks at school, however, they are still recommended and students should feel very comfortable to continue wearing them.

     2. Rapid Antigen Tests

Twice weekly Rapid Antigen tests will continue to the end of Term 1. Thank you to all families who have made surveillance testing part of the family routine. We will send home the next rounds of tests early this week.

Year 8 Family Information Night

It was terrific that so many families were able to join us for the Year 8 Information Night last week. Thank you to Ms Alexopoulos, the Year 8 students and the pastoral care teachers for an informative session. From the questions in the Chat, students are very excited about the upcoming camp.

Inter-house Swimming Carnival

Arrangements have been finalised for the 2022 Inter-house swimming carnival that will be held at the Sunshine Pool on Thursday 03 March, 2022. We wish all houses well as this is the first event for the 2022 Williams Cup.

Families are asked to ensure that they have read the excursion letter and completed the permission form on PAM.

Students will be travelling to and from the pool by bus. School will start and finish at the normal times. 

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 1 2022:              

Fridays:                 11 March                     25 March          08 April

School ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’

As is the case with most schools, the streets around the College and Sacred Heart primary school are congested at these times. Our first concern is always everyone’s safety and we ask families to take care when collecting or dropping off students.

Please ensure that your child uses the school crossings and that you do not double park or park in no standing places. Council officers regularly blitz the area around the school. At times, parents parked on the west side of Theodore Street call students to cross the road, rather than using the crossing. This is unsafe.

We would advise families to drop off and pick up on Arthur Street rather than Theodore Street as it is less congested.