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. Hopefully it has been a good break; one where you have found the time and space for rest, and to be with family and friends. I wish students and families a fruitful and fulfilling Term 2.

Yesterday we celebrated Anzac Day which marks the day that Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli during the First World War. Sixty thousand Australians lost their lives in the Great War of 1914 – 1918, and some one hundred and fifty thousand were injured. Many who did return were forever damaged by the experience and were left wondering what the fighting was for.

The theme of Anzac Day is ‘Lest we forget’. At dawn on ANZAC Day, people across Australia and New Zealand gather to remember not only those who gave their lives in the first and second world wars but also all who have sacrificed their lives in the conflicts that have followed and continue today. We honour those currently serving or on peacekeeping duties overseas. Whilst we remember the heroism of our service personnel, we also reflect on the horror of war itself. War brings out the worst in people – on both sides. This is what violence does. Sadly, as many in our school community know first-hand, the damage to individuals and communities, on all sides, lasts for generations.

Anzac Day always falls in the Easter season. It shares with Easter a hope for a world that lives in peace. One of the recurring themes in the Resurrection stories is peace. As Jesus catches up with his disciples, he often greets them with ‘Shalom! Peace be with you’. However, the peace Jesus wishes his friends is not a passive thing or just an absence of conflict and irritation, it is the peace that comes from creating God’s world; a world that focuses on our shared humanity, a world where there is a place for everyone; a world where we live in right relationships with each other and our earth.

On this ANZAC Day, we pray for peace in our hearts, in our families and communities, in our countries and in our global family.

Updated MACS and School Policies

A number of Child Safety and the Care, Safety and Welfare of Students policies and procedures have been updated and are now available on the College website. 

Whilst it would be good for families to have a look at a range of these policies, I draw your attention to the Attendance policy for MACS schools and Monitoring School Attendance Procedures

Families will see that there is clear advice to schools around what is an approved absence. A number of students received an unapproved absence letter in Term 1, particularly for missing the Swimming Carnival and the last day of Term 1. We ask all families to monitor student attendance and to ensure that students stay at home only if they are unwell. 

School Advisory Council

In Term 1, we welcomed Nina Pombuena (Past Student / Year 10 2015) and Mary Anne Laysico (Parent) to the School Advisory Council. They join Melinda Wejak (Parent / Chair), Geisel Garcia-Aceiton (Parent), Laura Cioccia (Family Engagement Leader) and Fr. Gerard Keith (Resurrection) as members of SAC.

Ideally, we would have one more parent/guardian representative on the School Advisory Council. The School Advisory Council Terms of Reference are available on the College website SAC Terms of Reference

Expressions of interest can be forwarded to principal@crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au.

Using the School Diary

Between study, out of school commitments and involvement in co-curricular activities, students have many things to juggle. To assist with preparation and planning, it is important that they use their diary effectively. Diaries assist with planning, organisation, goal setting, focus and reflection. The College diary is also an invaluable source of information about wellbeing and learning strategies based on the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). We encourage families to support students in using their diary by checking it regularly.

Yard Landscaping Project

In Term 4 last year, students and staff generated ideas for the additional yard space we have around the Design and Technology Centre. These ideas were taken to PTA Landscaping who have developed a concept plan for the space. Outdoor learning spaces, active and passive recreation spaces, an outdoor eating area near the canteen, outdoor PE spaces, a walking labyrinth and a multipurpose court are all included in the plans. This project will very much change the experience of students during breaks.

In Week 3 and 4, students, staff and members of the School Advisory Council will all have the opportunity give feedback on these plans.

This is an exciting project - we are hoping that work will begin at some stage in the second half of the year and conclude in early 2025.

Year 7 and 10 Immunizations

Year 10 students will receive the Meningococcal vaccine on Wednesday 15 May.

Year 7 families who missed giving consent for their child to receive HPV and Diptheria-tetanus-whooping cough booster vaccine can still do so. The students who missed last week’s immunizations will be done with the Year 10’s.

Parental / Guardian consent for the vaccinations now needs to be done electronically by following the links below.

Please note:

1. Phone number needs to be entered with no spaces.
2. The edit button needs to be clicked to get ‘YES’ consent or ‘NO’ deny.

The Year 7 link is https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au/PrivacyCollection/?id=659a6026-eafd-ee11-9f8a-000d3ae1ab1a&Year7

The Year 10 link is https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au//PrivacyCollection/?id=1a78e13d-57d0-ee11-9079-000d3ae1aeaf&Year10

Inviting all Families

In the coming fortnight, you are invited to two very important events for families. Firstly, the Cybersafety Family Education Night on Tuesday 07 May 2024. Supporting young people to be safe online and to operate as responsible digital citizens is a concern for many families. It has been the number one topic in our community conversations over recent years. Technology provides incredible opportunities, both for learning and to engage with others, however, if misused, it can negatively impact both wellbeing and learning.

 Secondly, we will have our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast on Monday 13 May 2024. This is an opportunity to celebrate our mums, grandmothers and the special mother figures in our lives whilst enjoying a delicious breakfast and a more relaxed start to the day.

Much preparation has gone into both events – I encourage families to attend and look forward to seeing you at one or both.

Student Parent Teacher interviews

Thank you to all the families who made the time to meet with teachers earlier this week. We hope that students found this opportunity for reflection and feedback, both affirming of the progress they are making and helpful in setting the direction for this term.

Thank you to our teaching staff for their preparation and time in meeting with students and their families.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and distributed to families electronically on Day 5. Students can access the newsletter via a link in the student bulletin on Monday morning.

Newsletter Days for Term 2 2024:           

Fridays: 10 May,     24 May,     07 June,     21 June                       

The newsletter can also be accessed on Friday afternoon (Day 5) on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

Year 7 Reflection Day

The Year 7 level was involved in a personal and spiritual reflection day on Tuesday 28th March. 

The purpose of the reflection day is to create an opportunity for students to explore what it means to be People of Peace. Students worked in small groups and shared thoughts of the challenges in finding peace within ourselves and in the world we live. The day concluded with a liturgy where each student was presented with a CRC St Albans Peace Badge. 

Here is some feedback from students in Year 7 Yarra about the highlights of the Reflection day.

Year 9 Modern Day Prophets Forum

As part of our Biblical Prophets Unit, Catholic Regional College ST Albans Year 9 students have been reflecting on the issues that God would want us to speak about today. Biblical prophets challenged the people of their time and called them back to a relationship with God.  Year 9 students presented their concerns about injustice today to Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman.  Drawing inspiration from biblical teachings and social justice principles, the year 9 students advocated for a more inclusive educational environment where every individual feels valued and supported in their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. Through their thoughtful analysis and passionate advocacy, the students demonstrated a commitment to creating a more just and equitable society.

Furthermore, the students addressed pressing concerns surrounding youth violence and the misuse of social media. Recognizing the profound impact of these issues on individual well-being and community cohesion, they proposed practical solutions rooted in empathy and accountability. From promoting positive online behavior to advocating for community-based interventions, the students showcased a holistic approach to addressing complex societal challenges. Their proactive engagement and commitment to collective action offer hope for a brighter future, where every individual can thrive in a supportive and inclusive community.  Mary Daoo, 9 Curtin

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to join us for our Cyber Saftey information night on Tuesday 07 May at 6:30pm. The English speaking presenter for the night is Trent Ray from the Cyber Safety Project as well as our Multicultural Education Aides, Atem (Dinka), Teresa (Vietnamese) and Manal (Arabic). 

Information includes strategies and tips to support your child with their digital wellbeing.

Please RSVP by Friday 03 May via the link below.

We would like to introduce our bus drivers Paul Armato and Hasi Abeywickerama, who started our new bus service in term 2.