Opening Mass and Induction of Student Leaders 

Yesterday we gathered for our opening mass and to induct our 2024 school leaders. On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank Fr. Robin Lomangkok CSsR (Holy Eucharist) for celebrating our opening mass.  Thank you also to the students and staff who planned, prepared and led the very prayerful and thoughtful liturgy. Our opening prayer is taken from the Gathering Rite used at mass.

Thank you and congratulations to all the students who have accepted formal leadership roles for 2024. They will serve our community in a number of roles, as School Captains, House Captains, SRC and Social Justice Captains.

Lunar New Year

Over the past week we have enjoyed a number of activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon. The week has had something for everyone: calligraphy, badminton, chop stick games, origami and bamboo dancing. Red envelopes sharing good luck and inspiring quotes and Asian inspired foods in the canteen completed the week. A very big thank you to all the students and staff who organized and were part of events, particularly Mr Mizzi and the student leaders. It was a very enjoyable week.

Afterschool Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are a wonderful opportunity for students to make new friends, pursue areas of interest, try new things and to learn new skills. Often it is these experiences that we remember long after school is finished.

We remind families that students can only attend if parents / carers / guardians have given signed permission. Attendance is taken at all activities, and families will be notified by SMS if their child is absent from the club for which they are enrolled.

Closure of  Theodore Street: Tuesday 27 February 2024

On Tuesday 27/2/24 Powercor will be doing extensive work on the power poles and lines outside the College on Theodore Street. The road will be closed from the early morning, therefore, families will not be able to do pick up or drop off in this area on Tuesday. We ask that families make alternate arrangements.

Year 8 Family Night

Last night we had the first of our Family Nights. Thank you to all the Year 8 families who were able to join us. The formal part of the evening involved Mr Younan and the Year 8 Student Leaders giving us a snapshot of the year. The Year 8 Camp and opportunities for involvement beyond the classroom were highlights of the presentation. This part of the evening was followed by time in class groups giving families a chance to meet each other and Pastoral Care teachers.

Thank you to Mr Younan, the Year 8 Student Leaders and the Pastoral Care teachers and associates for planning and attending the evening.

Inter-house Swimming

The Inter-house Swimming carnival will be held on Thursday 07 March 2024 at the outdoor pool at Sunshine Leisure Centre. There will be a range of events for both swimmers and non-swimmers. Everyone is looking forward to this event, the first major interhouse carnival of the year.

Families will receive detailed information through the Parent Access Module (PAM) and need to give permission through PAM.

Updating Medical Information on PAM

With the start of a new school year, it is important that all families check that the medical information we have on PAM is up to date. This is our first point of reference, both onsite and offsite in caring for your child.

Notification of Absences

We ask that parents or guardians contact the school before 10.00am if a student is absent on any day. This can be done by phone on 9366 2544 or email Atalalina Ulugia Sa’ena at aulugia@crcstalbans.com.au. As Atalina is responsible for tracking absences we ask that parent/carer/guardian notification by email be directed only to her, not to other staff.

If the phone call or email notifying absence is received it will be taken as the official explanation of the student’s absence and no further note is required. If no contact is made with the school, a note explaining the absence will be required on the student’s return to school.

To ensure the safety of students, the College has a policy of contacting parents when a student is away from school without notification. Atalina rings parents after 10.00am. It is a great help if parents/guardians ring before we make contact.

Term Dates 2024

Term 1:               Thursday 01 February – Thursday 28 March  

Term 2:               Monday 15 April – Friday 28 June

Term 3:               Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September

Term 4:               Monday 07 October – Thursday 05 December

Please Note:    

Year 10 students finish at the College on Thursday 28 November but have an Orientation program at CRC Sydenham from Monday 04 December to the Friday 06 December.

Mid-year exams (Years 9 and 10):             17 – 21 June 2024

End of year exams (Years 9 and 10):         21 – 27 November 2024

Families planning to travel in the middle of the year or at the end of 2024 are asked to note that exams and the Orientation program at Sydenham are compulsory. Exams must be taken within the exam timetable.

Please do not book travel before:

• 21 June in the middle of the year (Years 9 and 10)
• 06 December for Year 11 2024 students (Year 10 2023)
• 28 November for Year 9 students.

Walk with me through Lent

The Social Justice Team has developed a Lenten Calendar, so as a school community, can share in the three pillars of Lent, prayer, almsgiving and fasting.

On Mondays each homeroom will reflect on  different aspects of the Emmaus story and respond to reflection questions.

On Tuesdays each homeroom will listen to a story from a Global community in need that Caritas supports.  This week's story was about a young woman, Ronita, who lives in the  Philippines, is supporting a young family and studying whilst living in extreme poverty.  

On Thursdays the Social Justice Team will visit each homeroom to collect donations for Caritas.

The Team has already raised $180 thanks to the Pancake Tuesday fundraiser

Fridays are for fasting and our canteen is not serving any meat.

In addition to our weekly schedule there are other events including celebrations like International Women's Day and Harmony Day.

The Year 8 Family Night was a fantastic opportunity for us as teachers to meet the families and parents of the amazing students we see everyday. On behalf of the Year 8 teachers we would like to extend our thanks to each family for taking the time out of your night to be with us and hear about your child’s schooling - especially on such a hot evening! It continues to be our goal to develop your child’s personal and social skills, learning aspirations, and wellbeing, and we value these opportunities where we are able to share these experiences with you. As with any occasion, many hands really do make light work. Our Student Leaders did a fantastic job at coordinating the night, as did each Year 8 student who participated and escorted their families through the school. We hope that it was both an enjoyable and informative night for you and look forward to continuing to work side by side throughout the year.

Mr James Younan, Year 8 Leader