Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

Welcome Back

Welcome back to term 4. I hope that everyone had a good break and returns well rested, re-charged and ready for a big final term.

The next few weeks look very busy as we prepare for Image 2023, our annual Arts exhibition and the Inter-house Athletics carnival.

We encourage all students to really focus on their studies this term. Ensure that you keep on top of things: use your diary, work in class, ask for help, complete homework, go to Study Support, start exam revision today, meet deadlines, come to class prepared….. 

Whilst we are in Term 4, there is still time for those who haven’t been doing their best to re-focus on their studies. For those who’ve been working consistently throughout the year – it is important to keep the momentum to the end.

Tragic News

Our thoughts, prayers and hearts are with our Iraqi community. Just over a week ago there was a tragic fire at a wedding venue in Baghdeda (Qaraqosh) where over 100 people died and many more were injured. Many Iraqi families in our community lost family and friends. Please pray for them.

Students led the community in prayer and invited us to wear black ribbons in solidarity with those who died or were injured, their grieving families and the broader Iraqi community. In their prayer they sought comfort in Jesus’ words…

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live”.

Design and Technology Centre

The handover for the new Design and Technology Centre is likely to take place next week. We are very excited that the new facility is approaching completion. Arts and Technology learning areas will move in progressively over Term 4, starting with Materials Technology Wood and the canteen in Weeks 4 and 5.

We hope that families will be able to have a look at the new learning spaces at the Image Exhibition which will be staged in the new space.

Year 9 Camp

It is always a great sign when students and staff come back from a camp with broad smiles on their faces. This was certainly the case on the last day of Term 3 when the Year 9 students returned from camp in the Grampians. Everyone had a great time.

On behalf of the Year 9 students I’d like to thank Ms Roberts and all the staff who planned and attended the camp. It was a terrific experience for everyone. Families will recognise that it is a huge responsibility taking away 100 or so adolescents. I thank staff for their willingness to be part of challenging activities such as this, and students who were engaged, positive, mature and responsible in their approach to the camp. I know that the benefits of learning opportunities such as this are immeasurable.

Term 4 Uniform

For the first five weeks of term, students are able to wear either the winter or summer uniform. From Wednesday 08 November all students will need to be in full summer uniform. We ask students to ensure that they are not wearing non-uniform items.

Sun Smart

The College Sun Smart policy is available on the website.

As we are now well into spring, forecasts of UV levels are predicted to reach three or higher during the period from now to the end of April. UV radiation is a major cause of skin cancer, and UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with the risk of skin cancer later in life. We encourage families to speak with their child about ensuring they are Sun Smart during this time, including:

• wearing appropriate clothing
• wearing a broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat while outside
• applying SPF30 or higher broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen approximately 20 minutes prior to going outside and re-applying every two hours while outside, or immediately after physical activity and swimming
• remaining in the shade during times when you are not involved in a specific outdoor activity, or if you are unable to follow the above recommendations

We also encourage all adults, including parents/carers, to adopt a SunSmart approach for themselves, not only to protect themselves from the dangers of UV radiation, but to also act as role models for our students.

For more information on sun protection, please go to the SunSmart website:  https://www.sunsmart.com.au/

Cup Weekend

Families are reminded that there are no classes on Monday 06 November or Tuesday 07 November due to the Cup weekend. 

Enrolment for 2024

Enrolment at the College continues automatically from year to year. However, if a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2023, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email echalmers@crcstalbans.com.au or 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 and available online on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2023:           

Fridays:               27 October,    10 November,     24 November,     20 December

Year 8 Kingdom of God Fundraiser

Year 8 Students have been asking themselves how do we bring about the Kingdom of God? Jesus brought about the Kingdom of God through his actions and care for those in need in his community. From this point the Year 8’s explored what they could do to improve the lives of others.  This year each homeroom has committed to fundraising for the Resurrection Vocational High School in Buyaga, Uganda. In their RE class each student assisted in creating a succulent plant arrangement with succulent plants from the Catholic Regional College St Albans Garden. Four arrangements were made in each class selling for $30 each. The total will send one student to  High School for a year.

If you are interested in purchasing a succulent plant arrangement please see our office staff.