In the stillness of this morning.

In the day that is newly dawning.

O Lord, your kingdom come.

In your Church, in our singing.

In our prayers we are bringing.

O Lord, your kingdom come.

In a world that cries for peace.

To the earth that wars may cease.

O Lord, your kingdom come.

Into our hearts and our wills.

To our lives which the Spirit fills.

O Lord, your kingdom come.

To all who have lost hope today.

To all who are too ill to pray.

O Lord, your kingdom come.

David Adam Island of Light

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of the Church’s year with the new year beginning with Advent next Sunday. Following is a short reflection by Michael McGirr about how God’s notion of being a King and vision for the Kingdom of God are very different to what we might experience in our world today.

The Feast of Christ the King is an opportunity to touch once more the core experience of our faith. There was a sign on the cross of Jesus which said ‘the king of the Jews’. When you see a crucifix these days, it is often represented by the initials INRI (which represents the Latin ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’). Pilate, who had the sign put up, was being ironic. Nobody looked less like a king than Jesus on the cross. But we believe that this is how God chooses to show leadership in our world. It is a reminder that a Christian sees the world differently. Sometimes what we expect, is turned upside down.

(Michael McGirr Finding God’s Traces)

Catherine McAuley Pins

Last week, at our final school assembly a number of students were recognised with the McAuley Pin. In the College library there is a plaque recognising the contribution made by the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St Joseph in establishing primary and secondary education in St Albans. It is fitting that our school pins, the McAuley Pin (service and community engagement) and the MacKillop Pin (academic excellence) are named after the founders of the two orders.

The quote on the plaque from Catherine McAuley 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 awards 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 2023.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Catherine McAuley pin. You are indeed people who make a difference and your willingness to give of yourselves, lead, challenge, put in and to be part of things is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Recipients of this year’s pins are listed at the end of the newsletter.

Long Tan Leadership Award

Each year the Australian Defence Force (ADF) 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. Congratulations to Janelle Lawang who is this year’s recipient of the Long Tan Leadership Award.

Future Innovators Award

In recent years the ADF has introduced a second award to recognise students who achieve excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The award celebrates innovation, critical thinking and problem solving. Congratulations to Antonio Renda who is this year’s recipient of the Future Innovators award.

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 Teresa Marsom. As well as achieving outstanding academic results, Teresa has been involved in many different aspects of school life throughout the year. Congratulations Teresa.

Loaves and Fishes Food Bank

A highlight of our final assembly was the presentation of a cheque for $3,300 to the ‘Loaves and Fishes Food Bank’ at Holy Eucharist. Led by Charlie, an amazing group of Food Bank volunteers collects, parcels and distributes 300+ food packages each week. Where possible, produce from our school garden is added or sold to raise funds to purchase food staples like rice.

Our fundraising efforts were led by our Student Leaders. Congratulations to all involved on an outstanding effort.

Year 7 Giving Tree Appeal

Continuing the theme of thinking of others – the Year 7 classes are collecting Christmas gifts to be distributed by St Vincent de Paul. All gifts are welcome. I encourage you to support this very worthwhile work and thank the Year 7 team for leading this initiative.

School Captains 2024

On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank our 2023 School Captains: Audrey Gerada and Roger Louis, and the Vice Captains: Janelle Lawang and Evan Barisic for their great work as leaders in our school. Throughout the year they’ve contributed in a very real and practical way to making our school a great place 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 2024 are Mia Ye and Aurelius Catayong. Our Captains will be assisted in their role by Jennifer Tran and Corey Dang 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.

End of Year Arrangements for Years 7 - 9

Monday 27 November - Thursday 30 November are normal school days and students are expected to attend in full uniform, with the required books and be prepared to finalise their work. Year 9 students will complete their exams during this time.

On Monday 04 December Years 7 and 8 students will enjoy an Activities Day. For Years 7 students it is the last chance to gain points towards the 2023 Williams Cup. Year 9 students will enjoy their final Trinity Day which includes a Race around Melbourne experience.

Details for each activity have been forwarded to families. We ask that families complete permission forms on PAM.

Students in Years 7 – 9 finish school on Tuesday 05 December. They are required to be at school by 8.40am (normal time) and will be dismissed at 12.15pm.

Report Preparation Day: Friday 01 December 2023

Years 7 – 9 are not required at school on this day as staff will be marking exams and preparing reports.

Year 8 Premier League

Congratulations to the Year 8 Girls Volleyball team who defeated Thomas Carr College yesterday to win the tournament. The girls showed great sportsmanship, commitment and school spirit throughout the tournament. We are very proud of each of them.

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.

McAuley Pin Recipients

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2023:      

Fridays:  20 December

Key Dates Term 4 2023                        

Year 9 Reflect on their learning about God

This term in Religion we have been learning about the Council of Nicea and how we came as a Catholic community to believe in a trinitarian God. Students learnt about the debate that occurred at the time of the divinity of Jesus. Students explored different artistic representations of the trinity and how this concept of God is lived today.  In addition the students explored how Catholic express their belief in God through action.

Student reflections on the unit:

During this unit, I learned more about God. We talked about different ideas and looked at how people see God over time. It made me think about what I used to believe. The discussions challenged my old views and made me reconsider what I thought about God. This unit also helped me learn new things and be more open-minded about different perspectives on God.

-Lorance, 9 Hughes

Overall I have learned quite a lot during this assessment and embedding knowledge that I already knew gave me a general view of how I see and present my own faith. I believe that it is important to live out the beliefs of God instead of just going to church every sunday and sinning the minute after leaving. I also believe that our beliefs and the way we present ourselves come from past traditions and cultures which is linked to the Christian faith. God doesn't force or condemn you to live out these principles, because he has already set them in your heart to do good deeds and to have empathy.

- Clarissa, 9 Hughes

In this unit, I learned more about God in Christianity. At first, I had a simple view, but as we talked about things like the Trinity and God's plan, my ideas changed. It was a bit challenging, but it made me see God in a more complex way. I had to think about how God's love fits with tough stuff happening. Overall, this unit made me understand Christian beliefs better and think more about the mysteries of faith.

- Mezzina 9 Hughes

Thanks to the CRC St Albans Animators Club

This year the first ever CRC St Albans Animators Club was created. The club meets every Friday lunchtime and our major project has been animating a CRC St Albans student story from Refugee Week. 

This has involved developing several animated backgrounds and characters. The group has faced many challenges finding the correct technology to achieve our goal. Innovation, collaboration are the key drivers for this amazing group of students. On behalf of the Social Justice Team I would like to pass on a huge thank you for their work this year.

On Friday 4 August, 11 of our students participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition and were awarded the following certificates:

• 2 Credit
• 6 Proficiency
• 3 Participation

Congratulations to all those who participated. 

Certificate of Credit

Esabella Brillouet (Year 7) & Spencer Ma (Year 8)

Certificate of Proficiency

Diana Huynh, Wendy Nguyen, Rachel Nguyen & Amy Nguyen (Year 7)

Huynh Nguyen (Year 8) & Aurelius Catayong (Year 9)

Certificate of Participation

Lynda Kucan, Kirthik Ramachandra & Hannah Troung (Year 7)

Sandra and Mallak showing their year 10 Food Tech class how to make Byriani.

New Ways November

Please see the exciting New Ways November calendar, filled with fantastic ideas for this month. I wholeheartedly urge you to make the most of the daily happiness actions on the calendar and share them with other students, family, and friends. Let’s explore new ways to find happiness together!

Growing Connections

We were thrilled to announce and commend the remarkable efforts of our dedicated Child Safety Committee and support team in organising our "Growing Connections Celebration Day," which was held on Tuesday, 14th November. This event was not only a testament to the hard work of our committee but also a reflection of our collective commitment to fostering a compassionate and connected school community.

In support of the 'Bullying. No Way!' campaign, CRC St Albans staff and students joined hands to build a school environment that prioritised empathy, kindness, and unity. The theme was based on underscoring the importance of reducing bullying, supporting mental health, and creating a caring space where everyone felt known and loved.

As we geared up for the celebration day, there were a host of engaging activities that took place throughout the day. During recess, we invited students to participate in a thrilling Scavenger Hunt, a fun and interactive way to promote teamwork and camaraderie. At lunchtime, the stage came alive with music, providing an opportunity for our talented students to showcase their musical prowess. Additionally, there was an opportunity for everyone to show their support by wearing red ribbons symbolising our collective stand against bullying.

We extended our heartfelt gratitude to the Child Safety Committee for their tireless efforts in organising this event, as well as to all the staff and students who actively participated in making this day possible. It was through such collaborative initiatives that we strengthened the bonds within our school community and created an atmosphere where everyone felt valued and respected.

Movember Awareness and Celebration

Date: Wednesday, November 29th, 2023
Time: 8:00 am - 8:40 am
Location: Outside the Staffroom

Bring your appetite and your enthusiasm as we fire up the grills for a mouthwatering BBQ breakfast (Eggs, Bacon, Sausages). Whether you're a bacon aficionado, an egg enthusiast, or a pancake connoisseur, there's something for everyone at our Movember Breakfast Bash.

But it's not just about the delicious food – it's about coming together as a community to raise awareness for men's health issues. Movember is a movement that encourages open conversations about men's physical and mental wellbeing, and your participation makes a real impact.

How Can You Contribute?

1. Grab a Plate: Purchase a scrumptious breakfast plate and treat your taste buds to a delightful morning feast.
2. Donate: Every dollar counts! Support the cause by making a donation, and help us reach our fundraising goals.

Why Movember Matters:

Movember is more than just a mustache – it's a movement that aims to change the face of men's health. By participating in our Movember BBQ Breakfast, you're contributing to a cause that addresses issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health challenges faced by men.

Let's make this Movember memorable! Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and come hungry for a breakfast that's not only delicious but also making a difference.

Together, we can make a significant impact and encourage one another to prioritise our health. Let's embrace Movember with enthusiasm, learn, and grow together!

This Movember, you are invited to join our St Albans Team. You can sign up for our team by just clicking here.

Peer Support Leaders 2024

We're thrilled to announce the selected students for our 2024 Peer Support program at CRC St Albans. Congratulations to the following Year 9 students who will be stepping into the role of Peer Support Leaders:

• Amish Sood (9 Barton)
• Giselle Tayag (9 Barton)
• Lihnah Pham (9 Barton)
• Mia Vu (9 Barton)
• Austin Rozario (9 Curtin)
• Mari Habash (9 Curtin)
• Sara Ajang (9 Curtin)
• Tony Phung (9 Curtin)
• Anshi Sunkara (9 Curtin)
• Corey Dang (9 Deakin)
• Josiah Laoag (9 Deakin)
• Maryam Basra (9 Deakin)
• Tireza Abba (9 Deakin)
• Amanda Rafoo (9 Deakin)
• Amos Thang (9 Hughes)
• Clarissa Hurmez (9 Hughes)
• Jessica Tran (9 Hughes)
• Mesheel Denha (9 Hughes)

Our Peer Support initiative aims to foster a positive, cohesive, and friendly school community by connecting Year 7 students with trained Year 10 Student Peer Support Leaders. We believe in instilling and living out our school's values while developing the leadership skills of our Year 10 students. This opportunity allows them to pass on their wisdom and leave a lasting impact.

A big thank you to Mr. Andrew Bain-King, Hadil Ataallah, and Sam Cosmano (Year 7 SRC) for being part of our selection panel. We're eager to witness the growth of these students as they provide support and guidance to our 2024 Year 7 cohort.

Best regards,

Mr. Dale Marshall

Wellbeing for Learning Leader

Year 9 Families

If you were unable to attend the Catholic Regional College Sydenham Year 11 2025 Enrolment Information Evening, the College Registrar from Sydenham will be at the St Albans campus on Thursday 30 November at 08:45am and 2:45pm to provide you with enrolment information and answer any questions you may have.

Catholic Regional College St Albans

Thursday 30 November

8:45am - 2:45pm

Front Office

If you attended the information session at Sydenham there is no need to come to this meeting.

THINKING ABOUT DOING AN APPRENTICESHIP?

Technology has changed so many parts of our lives – including the way we work. And this also includes apprenticeships.

The emergence of digital tools and automation has changed skills that are essential in the workforce; and therefore changed what we need to learn through apprenticeships in order to be ready for work. While technical knowledge and experience is still valuable, workers need to have a much broader set of skills to succeed today.

Traditionally, apprenticeships involved hands-on experience in traditional trade areas, such as building, craftsmanship, and cooking. Trade areas have grown over time to include things like engineering, plumbing, electrical, healthcare, and more. While they used to focus on mastering manual skills, there is a growing demand for understanding the digital world.

No matter what your job is, you’re probably going to need to use a variety of different technologies in your day-to-day work. This means apprentices also need to be able to use a variety of software and hardware, understand basic technical concepts, and be able to adapt to evolving technologies. A solid foundation in digital literacy is now considered a fundamental skill for any apprentice.

Advancements in technology have also paved the way for working remotely, which means anyone can learn and collaborate from almost anywhere in the world. But to access these opportunities, apprentices need to be able to use virtual collaboration tools (like Zoom), and have a variety of basic digital literacy skills.

Most notably, this shift brings flexibility and accessibility to the forefront, allowing apprentices to connect with mentors and peers regardless of their location.

While technical skills are undoubtedly important, soft skills, (Things like common sense, initiative, the ability to deal with people and having a positive and adaptable attitude) are becoming increasingly valuable too. Effective communication, adaptability, and critical thinking are skills that employers value no matter what job you’re applying for.

Apprentices are encouraged to practice these skills as they navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, collaborating with diverse teams and adapting to the ever-changing demands of the digital economy. Learning both technical and soft skills will allow you to not only thrive in your current role, but also prepare you for the future – no matter where it might take you.

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS

Google has released a new tool to help you practice answering job interview questions called Interview Warmup. It’s designed to help you become more comfortable with the interview process, allowing you to feel more confident going into your next big interview.

How does Interview Warmup work?

You have two options for your practice session: you can either do a practice interview with five randomly-selected questions, or you can take your time and browse through all the questions available.

To answer each question, just click “Answer” and start speaking. There’s also an option to type your answer if you don’t want to talk out loud. Don’t stress too much about your answer – just go with what feels natural, and remember you can go back and edit it later. Your response is then transcribed in real-time, giving you the chance to review and reflect on what you said. (If you’re using Chrome on iOS or Firefox, you can only participate by typing your answer.)

After each answer, you’ll then be presented with some insights. These observations can help you identify key terms and patterns in your responses. It’s important to remember that this isn’t a “grade” of your answer, or to tell you what’s right or wrong – they just help you see if you’ve covered important talking points that employers usually like to hear in real interviews.

CHECK OUT GOOGLE’S INTERIEW WARM UP AT THE LINK BELOW:

https://grow.google/certificates/interview-warmup/

STUDY TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Studying is hard, but there are tricks and tips that can help you study smarter and get more out of your work. Learn how to use your time more efficiently to pack more into each session, and incorporate study methods that suit your learning style.

Study is just one part of the puzzle, and to get the best return from your study investment you need to build solid techniques that suit you and your individual learning style.

Google has released a new tool to help you practice answering job interview questions called Interview Warmup. It’s designed to help you become more comfortable with the interview process, allowing you to feel more confident going into your next big interview.

How does Interview Warmup work?

After each answer, you’ll then be presented with some insights. These observations can help you identify key terms and patterns in your responses. It’s important to remember that this isn’t a “grade” of your answer, or to tell you what’s right or wrong – they just help you see if you’ve covered important talking points that employers usually like to hear in real interviews.

• Identify your optimal study strategy
• Learn how to stay motivated
• Discover tips to help you build efficient study habits
• Balance study with the rest of your life

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT THE LINK BELOW:

Studying is hard, but there are tricks and tips that can help you study smarter and get more out of your work. Learn how to use your time more efficiently to pack more into each session, and incorporate study methods that suit your learning style.

Study is just one part of the puzzle, and to get the best return from your study investment you need to build solid techniques that suit you and your individual learning style.