Rostrum participants Loya, Melak, Sierra, Janelle and Vicky.

The Rostrum Public Speaking competition is a national competition which allows students all around Australia to challenge their public speaking skills. On the 15^th of May, 5 of our ‘Speak Your Mind’ elective students took up the challenge and proved to be serious competitors! Sierra Lynch, Loya Nedjo, Janelle Lawang, Melak Al-Najjar and Vicky Huynh brushed their nerves aside and captivated their audience as they all spoke both eloquently and confidently. Their six minute speeches were successfully researched and presented with passion, in front of a packed audience. All students should be proud of their efforts and a special congratulations to Janelle Lawang who, after gruelling heats, was awarded state runner up! Well done Janelle.

- Ms Mariella Pannunzio

Positive School-Wide Behaviour in the yard

Please see our Positive Schoolwide Behaviours in the Yard and Canteen attached.

We ask that each class and student revisit and discuss each statement as a kind reminder of how we behave in the yard and canteen at CRC St Albans.

This will ensure we are creating a safe and orderly environment for all to enjoy.

Character Strength of the Week

Spirituality - Virtue of Transcendence

Definition: Having coherent beliefs about our place and purpose in the universe and about the meaning of life.

Explanation: Searches for meaning, feels a sense of purpose, senses a relationship with the sacred.

Synonyms: Divine, refined, devotional, holy.

Quote: "Awakening is not changing who you are, but discarding who you are not." - Deepak Chopra

"The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God's love for us does not." - C.S. Lewis

How to ignite your spirituality:

• What positive role does spirituality or a sense of meaning play in your life?
• How does your spirituality affect your relationships with others?
• What role has spirituality played during challenging times in your life?

Meaningful May

Our new Meaningful May calendar (please see attachment) which is full of actions to help you feel part of something bigger, so please share it and help spread the word.

This month please be kind to yourself and remember you do not need to have everything figured out to find meaning in life. There are lots of actions that help us live with purpose, even in difficult or uncertain times.

Parent Corner - Effective Communication with your Teen

Parents and young people tell us that the most important thing they want to know is how to keep their relationship strong through effective communication.

Psychologist Clare Rowe gives us some tips on creating quality and effective conversations that can help your teenager to open up about their feelings. Please see the ReachOut Parents: Effective Communication video for further information.

Wellbeing for Learning Around the School

Year 7:

The Year 7 Pastoral Team has just started the School Spirit Awards, which celebrate the acts that display pride for being part of the school community. This includes attendance, uniform, homework, the Premier League and pride in their class environment. Additionally, Pastoral Care Teachers are introducing our students to the concept of GEM and we are placing a particular focus on empathy and emotional literacy.

Year 9:

With how busy the return to school has been, it is my pleasure in saying that students have returned to school willing to learn and following the routines that they haven't been able to implement due to COVID over the past two years. The Year 9s have entered this year in full force, with the students partaking in the PC program, Trinity and various events. Some of the highlights of Term 1 included:

• Empowerment Days: Where the students were split up and led creative discussions about gender stereotypes.
• City Experience: Students enjoyed a day out in the City exploring what Melbourne has to offer.
• Project Rockit: Focusing on Bullying and how to stop it.
• Art of Defence: A self-defence session about how to physically defend yourself.

This Term brings its own experiences, with students learning about careers (as they are formulating their own resume and participating in a mock interview) and Exams from June 14th-20th. Students are encouraged to begin studying and revising on what they have learnt in each of their subjects. Students will be exposed to various methods of studying and taught the importance of sleep and healthy eating habits to support their studying within Pastoral Care.

Lastly, the Year 9s participate in Community Homeroom every Thursday, where individual students are nominated by teachers for their achievements based on their Character Strengths. Recently, the S.T.A.R Award has also been launched, with students competing in their homerooms to win points based on their demonstration of 'Strength, Trust, Authenticity and Resilience'.  Through this award, students are given the opportunity to be rewarded for the positive behaviours they show each day such as supporting others, contributing to class discussions and upholding the values that CRC students are known for. Overall, the students have many things to look forward to, but it is a chance to celebrate everything they have achieved in such a short time so far.