A family is a place

to cry and laugh

and vent frustration

to ask for help

and tease and yell,

to be touched and

hugged and smiled at.

A family is people

who care when you are sad,

who love you no matter what,

who share your triumphs,

who don’t expect you to be perfect,

just growing up with honesty in your own decisions.

A family is a circle

where we learn to make good decisions,

where we learn to think before we do,

where we learn with integrity and table manners

and respect for other people;

where we are special,

where we listen and are listened to,

where we learn the rules of life

to prepare ourselves for the world.

The world is a place where anything can happen:

If we grow up in a loving family we are ready for the world.

Wednesday marks the International Day of Families and across Catholic schools and parishes in Melbourne it is also Family Week. Family Week is an opportunity to reflect on the vital role that our families, in all their shapes and sizes, play in our lives and communities. It is a time to celebrate families in all their diversity and richness.

Each family is unique but whatever its structure, it’s where people find love, support and experience a deep sense of belonging. Families are crucial to our wellbeing. When families are compassionate, healthy, safe and nurturing places, our overall wellbeing improves, as does that of the broader community. Families help us to ride through difficult times and it’s within our family that we first learn about the presence of God in our lives.

Our opening reflection is a prayer for families. We pray for all families in our school community.

Lastly, we wish all the mums in our school community a very happy Mother’s Day for Sunday. We remember also the mums who are no longer with us. May all mums know that their unconditional love, support and all that they do for us are very much appreciated, even though we don’t always put our thanks into words.

On Monday morning we have our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast. It is a chance for a slower and more leisurely start to the week – hopefully, you have the time to join us. We look forward to sharing this special time with the mums, grandmothers and carers in our community.

Screen Free Day: Friday 10 May 2024

This week I am writing the newsletter early as Friday is a Screen Free Day. Apart from the staff working in administration roles, students and staff will not use screens (mobile phones, laptops, ipads) during the day. It will be a very interesting day as we navigate doing things differently.

The initiative to have one Screen Free Day per term was developed by our Child Safety Committee. It is an awareness raising activity to draw our attention to the all-consuming and addictive nature of screens, and the impact that this has on our relationships and wellbeing. The Child Safety Committee is inviting us to disconnect from screens to connect with each other.

Screen-based technologies, like phones and computers are wonderful. They have radically changed many aspects of our lives for the better, including education. No-one really wants to go back to the world of pencils, paper, spirit duplicators and the bakelite telephones of the 1950’s school. However, indiscriminate use can negatively impact our learning (work life) and wellbeing. We have all had the experience of checking one last thing on our phone at night, only to realise later, it is way past bedtime.

Concerns around the intrusion of technology into our lives have become so significant that the Commonwealth Government is introducing new employment laws around the right to disconnect.

Pope Francis regularly speaks about the need to disconnect from screens. Recently he spoke to young people at the Venice Biennial, reminding them to engage with others, rather than their phones.

“You might say, ‘but all around me, everyone is on their own with their cell phone, glued to social media and video games,’” said Pope Francis. “Yet, you must fearlessly go against the current: take life into your hands, get involved; turn off the TV and open the Gospel; get off your cell phone and encounter people!”

Our 2023 Resilient Youth Survey data provides some food for thought. Students are asked whether or not they access their devices between midnight and 6am.

Percentage of students using a device between midnight and 6am in 2023 (self-reported)

Note: The figure in brackets is the Australia wide percentage.

Thank you to the Child Safety Committee for driving this excellent wellbeing initiative.

SACCSS Interschool Sport

Term 2 is a busy time for interschool sport. Year 7 students started Premier League yesterday, our Badminton players will be competing on Monday, and last week we had the Interschool Cross Country.

Congratulations to all the students who represented the College at the SACCSS Cross Country. They displayed fine sportsmanship, achieved some very good personal best performances and were a credit to themselves, their families and the College. Thank you to the staff who organised the training sessions and supported the team on the day. 

We need to make special mention of two outstanding performances. Congratulations to Edward Oliha (9 Curtin) on taking second place in his age group and Joseph Di Bella (8 Clark) who placed third. Each should be very proud of what they have achieved.

School Advisory Council (SAC)

The SAC met on Monday evening. Key discussion items included:

• input on the Canteen policy which is currently being reviewed;
• feedback on the concept plans for the yard landscaping project;
• mental health and wellbeing issues, and
• a report from the Federation School Advisory Council meeting in Term 1.

I thank all members of the SAC for their time, input and support of the College.

There is room for 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.

Year 7 and 10 Immunizations: Last Chance

Year 10 students will receive the Meningococcal vaccine on Wednesday 16 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  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

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:  23 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

Prayer Reflection Term 2 Assembly

Our School Theme for this year is Walk with Me. The theme comes from the Gospel story of the walk to Emmaus. The story begins with a journey of disciples who are unsure what the future will bring, and it's only through coming together in conversation, that they see the direction set for them.Throughout Lent we walked with Jesus in the Emmaus story. We heard how the two disciples didn’t recognise Jesus, even when he spoke to them, and that it wasn’t until they sat to eat - to break the bread - that they suddenly realised it was him.  The following scripture continues our story.

Usually when we hear the word ‘peace’ we think of it pretty simply, as the opposite of war. But If we go back to the actual Hebrew that Jesus would have spoken, we get a deeper meaning into what Jesus wanted for his disciples.  

 Jesus would have actually said “Shalom aleichem” (sha-lom ala chem); peace be upon you. The Hebrew word ‘shalom’ actually means something a lot more than just not experiencing war. It actually comes from the word which means wholeness or completeness.  So, when Jesus says to his disciples ‘Shalom upon you’, he wants his disciples to have more than just a hope that they will not know what it’s like to live through war, he wants them to have confidence in who they are; to know that they are fine, whole and complete, just as they are. 

Let us pray

Lord, as we walk through this season of Easter, help us create a time to sit quietly within ourselves and invite peace into our lives. 

Lord, as we walk through the season of Easter, we ask you to support countries in the world that are unable to find peace. Be with their leaders so that a peaceful resolution can be achieved.

Lord, as we walk through the season of Easter, help us to be people to live Shalom and bring peace to our school, by accepting others and offering friendship to those in our community. 

Peace I leave with you, my friends. Shalom my peace, in all you do.

National Careers Week 13th - 19th May

National Careers Week is an initiative of the Career Industry Council of Australia and aims to celebrate careers, career development, career development services, and career development practitioners.

It also promotes the economic, social and personal benefits of career development for all Australians.

To celebrate this week the school community is invited to be part of the events we will be running during this week. Any students wishing to attend these events will need to express interest by filling in the following google form:

https://forms.gle/b1bu8RtFJoBqURBw6

Events

Monday 13th May  (Lunchtime)

AIE (Academy of Interactive Design) - Guest Speaker  https://aie.edu.au/

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment offers Game Design Courses, Game Art Courses, Game Programming Courses, 3D Animation Courses and VFX for Film. Come along to this lunchtime event to find out more on what they have to offer in this technology field.

Tuesday 14th May  (Period 3)

Mindflight 7 Virtual Reality - Immersive experience https://www.mindflight7.com.au/

Harnessing the power of immersive Virtual Reality technology, Mindflight7 provides career guidance and subject specific learning experiences for Australian school students. This event is limited to 20 students.

Wednesday 15th May  (Lunchtime)     

Police Force - Guest Speaker  https://www.police.vic.gov.au/careers   

Make a difference every day in a role as a police officer, protective services officer (PSO), police custody officer (PCO), or Victorian Public Service (VPS) employee. 

ADF - Guest Speaker  https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/

Ready for a career unlike any other? Work with one of the world's leading military organisations helping communities and supporting international operations.

Thursday 16th May  (7pm - 8pm)    

Year 9 Parents as Career Partners Evening

An important evening for Year 9 students and their families to find out information about future pathways and career resources. This evening is delivered as an introduction to career pathways and sets out to empower students and families with the skills they need to navigate career information, career tools and websites to build career knowledge and prepare for Year 10 subject selection. 

Friday 17th May (Lunchtime)

Career Websites to empower students to explore pathways 

Come along to this event with your laptop. During this time you will be able to see a range of career platforms available for you to use to begin your exploration of career pathways. You will be given short tutorials to assist you in completing short surveys and navigating your way through these platforms to build your career knowledge.

All students wanting to attend these events must fill in the Google form by Friday 10th May so that we can best prepare for each of these events.

Melbourne Careers Expo - Free Ticket

Download your free ticket for the Melbourne Careers Expo being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in July.

Pastoral Care Program

Catholic Regional College Pastoral Care program provides a sequenced curriculum from Years 7 to 10 using a multimodal approach designed to develop the achievement and wellbeing of the whole person (spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, socially and emotionally).

Our Pastoral Care program centres around the social-emotional learning (SEL) model, a school-based organisational framework through which students learn to become lifelong learners who recognise, reflect and manage their emotions and empathise with others.

Our Pastoral Care program fosters the development of positive relationships. It provides opportunities for students to grow from challenging experiences to contribute positively to their community and flourish as responsible global citizens.

Term 2 Concepts and Themes

Year 7 – Building Community: Sharing

Year 8 – Respectful Relationships and Teamwork

Year 9 – Courage – Bravery

Year 10 – Careers and Pathways

Embracing Screen-Free Day: A Step Towards Digital Well-being

As we write this newsletter, our school community is eagerly preparing for our upcoming Screen Free Day. Set to take place on Friday 10^th May, this initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey towards promoting digital wellbeing and balance in our lives.

Screen Free Day presents a unique opportunity for individuals to disconnect from digital devices and engage in alternative activities that foster creativity, connection, and mindfulness. By temporarily stepping away from screens, students and staff alike can reap numerous benefits, including:

• Promoting Physical Health: Screen Free Day encourages physical activity and movement, reducing the sedentary behaviour associated with prolonged screen time. Whether it's outdoor games, sports, or simply taking a walk, participants have the chance to prioritise their physical wellbeing.
• Enhancing Mental Wellbeing: Constant exposure to screens can contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. Taking a break from screens allows individuals to recharge mentally, fostering a sense of calm and relaxation.
• Encouraging Face-to-Face Interaction: Screen Free Day creates opportunities for meaningful face-to-face interactions and social connections. Whether it's engaging in conversations with peers, playing board games, or collaborating on creative projects, participants can strengthen relationships and build a sense of community.
• Fostering Creativity and Imagination: Without the distractions of screens, individuals can tap into their creativity and imagination. From arts and crafts activities to storytelling sessions, Screen Free Day encourages participants to explore new hobbies and interests.
• Promoting Digital Literacy and Balance: By experiencing life beyond screens, participants develop a greater awareness of their digital habits and the importance of balance in their use of technology. Screen Free Day serves as a reminder to prioritise offline experiences and maintain a healthy relationship with screens.

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our students, staff, and families. In line with this commitment, we plan to run a Screen Free Day once a term in our school community, providing regular opportunities for digital detox and reflection.

We invite all members of our school community to embrace Screen Free Day wholeheartedly, and we look forward to experiencing the many benefits it brings.

Extra-curricular Activities at CRC St Albans

Participating in extracurricular activities in secondary schools is important for students to grow both academically and personally. These activities offer students the opportunity to develop a range of skills, including leadership, teamwork, time management, and communication, which are essential for success in the future.

Extracurricular activities also provide students with a sense of belonging and the chance to pursue their passions and interests outside of the classroom. These experiences can lead to meaningful relationships, new perspectives, and opportunities for personal growth. Extracurricular activities are a central aspect of CRC St Albans education that provides students with a well-rounded experience, helping them to develop their full potential and achieve their goals.

Students who engage in extra-curricular activities will be recognised with a commendation and points will be allocated towards McAuley Award.

We have a vast range of activities for students to participate in during lunch-time or after-school. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to speak to the supervising teacher identified below or check our daily bulletin for further information.

Extra-Curricular Program 2024

Cyber Safety Awareness Evening: A Resounding Success!

We're thrilled to share the success of our recent Cyber Safety Awareness Evening held on Tuesday, May 7th, in collaboration with The Cyber Safety Project. This event wouldn't have been possible without their invaluable support and collaboration, and we extend our deepest appreciation to them.

The event saw an overwhelming response, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Multicultural Education Aides: Atem George, Manal Hadeed, Teresa Tran, and supported by our interpreter, Van Cer Hnem. Their tireless efforts, along with the support of our incredible families, played a significant role in making this evening a success.

The feedback received from both our Multicultural Education Aides and the attending families has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the importance of such initiatives within our community.

The Cyber Safety Project played a pivotal role in shaping the success of our event by providing comprehensive training sessions to our Multicultural Education Aides. These sessions were skilfully tailored to cater to the diverse cultural backgrounds of our families, making the content relatable and easily understood.

The culturally sensitive approach taken by The Cyber Safety Project was highly appreciated by our attendees, making the information more relevant and accessible. We're grateful for their efforts in building the confidence of our Multicultural Education Aides and empowering them to deliver presentations that deeply resonated with our community.

We're pleased to share visuals from the event, serving as cherished memories for our participants and showcasing the collaborative efforts that made this evening a resounding triumph.

A heartfelt thank you to our families who attended! Together, we look forward to continuing our journey towards fostering a safer digital landscape for our community and empowering more families to take proactive steps in safeguarding our young people.

Catholic Regional College - Collaborating School

This year Catholic Regional College is proudly collaborating with the Cyber Safety Project to facilitate cyber safety education with parents and guardians. By uncovering the risks of learning, connecting and playing online, parents and guardians will be empowered to support their child(ren) with important conversations to navigate the online world safely.

Our Year 7 and 8 educators are equipped with a sequenced cyber safety curriculum mapped to the Victorian framework, which underpins key values for a strong foundation for online safety and digital wellbeing.

The Cyber Safety Project is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. To further support cyber safety education at home, you can find helpful online home safety guides, conversation checklists and resources for creating a safe digital environment at home via cybersafetyproject.com.au

Additional online safety support resources: 

• Report online harms including cyber bullying, image-based abuse or illegal and harmful content - eSafety.gov.au 
• Report child exploitation material to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation - accce.gov.au
• If your child is immediate danger call 000.

https://forms.gle/8TF4ALWrGH9XG2uV6