In the name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit.

Let us rejoice in Jesus the teacher.

His words have opened up worlds of discovery

and learning for all who will listen.

Let us rejoice in the Spirit

who helps us grow in faith

as we search for truth our whole life long.

Let us rejoice in God the Father and Creator

whose love for us was so great he sent

his only Son that we may have a new life.

We pray for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

is with us always.

Amen.

This Sunday we celebrate Trinity Sunday. The Trinity is not something that we can fully figure out. As Michael McGirr reminds us, ‘it took the Church centuries to find a satisfactory form of words to describe a reality which is beyond words. It is better not to think of the Trinity as an exercise in logic. It is better to think of the Trinity as the way we experience God. God is a community of love’. A community of love that draws us in; a community that is welcoming and inclusive; a community where love is given and received, shared and accepted.

Our school motto invites us to love others as Jesus loved us. It is about relationships and invites us into deep relationship with God and others; family, school, parish, local and broader community. God is continually inviting us into this dynamic relationship of love. His invitation is unconditional. It is for everyone.

As we gather for our College Feast Day tomorrow, we celebrate the essence of the Trinity: community, hospitality, unity and unconditional love given and received. In the coming week, as we make the sign of the cross, we might pray these words more thoughtfully and deliberately, remembering that our God is a community of love.

Arrangements for Feast Day

One sleep to go! The planning is done, preparations are finished and it looks as if the weather will be kind to us. I hope that everyone has a great day. School will begin at the normal time of 8.40am and conclude at 3.10pm.

Monday 27 May 2024

Families are reminded that this is a Staff Professional Practice Day. Students are not required at school. We have just passed the mid-point of the term 2, so this is a good chance for students to catch up, and for Years 9 and 10 students to revise for exams which are only a little over three weeks away.

On Monday, staff will be involved in a range of activities to prepare for the School Review which is scheduled for Term 3. Catholic schools undertake an external review every four years. The review has two components, firstly to ensure that we are meeting the VRQA requirements for registration, and secondly, to identify how we might continue to improve over the next four-year cycle.  Families will have the opportunity to be part of the process next term.

Mothers’ Day Breakfast

It was great that so many mums, grandmothers, carers and students were able to join us for our Mother’s Day breakfast last week. From very humble beginnings with about 15 mothers, it is now a very important and enjoyable event on our school calendar. I would like to thank Ms Laura Cioccia (Family Engagement Leader), our wonderful student leaders and all who helped in the background to ensure that our guests felt spoilt, special and appreciated.

A very special thank you to Geetha Ramachandran who was interviewed by her son, Kirthik (8 Clark). Geetha’s story is one of courage, resilience and determination. In October last year, she was one of 22 women who walked from Melbourne to Canberra (640 kilometres) to highlight the plight of refugees and asylum seekers who are on temporary, expired or bridging visas. Geetha and her family fled the violence of the civil war in Sri Lanka and sought refuge in Australia. 10 years later, their future is still uncertain and they live in limbo.

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: 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 10 Pieces to Peace Reflection Class

In preparation for the trip to Jewish museum and the Islamic museum, students were asked to make sense and build empathy for those involved in the war in Gaza, identify common ground in faith, and finally, pray for peace. Students explored a case study of sharing our school yard space, and considered the challenge of sharing with others. The Year 10 students in their subject 1 God and 3 Religions are learning about the Islamic, Jewish and Christian religions, and finding common ground in belief in one loving God.

The prayer was written by three students, Amos, Manuel and Jeremy from 10 Mannix to support the many innocent victims caught up in the conflict.

Lord our God, King of all kings, creator of heaven and earth, may you spare and have empathy for the innocent children who were killed in this conflict and did not get a chance to have a life. May you have mercy on them, in Jesus name we pray.

Amen

Celebrating great women of Faith on Mothers’ Day

In Term 2 Religion, Year 9 students are learning about Mary and the key role she played in selflessly being there for Jesus in good and bad times. In our classrooms we have a display of 12 women of Faith. As part of our assessment we are reflecting on the Great Women of Faith in our lives, our Mums, Aunties, Grandmothers. Each Year 9 student will  interview a woman of faith and the results were displayed at the Mothers’ Day Breakfast. Our faith is often passed onto us and is a valuable gift that we take with us through our lives.

The following prayer was read at the reflection:

Dear Lord,

We thank you for  our Mothers and all people who bestow our faith upon us.

We thank them for their  love,  commitment, care and kindness.

We thank them for their wisdom, for helping us grow and flourish.

We thank them for their strength,  sacrifices and for being there in times of need. 

And we thank them for their encouragement, and celebrating our achievements.

Lord, help Mothers know how much they are loved and appreciated. 

We ask that you bless all Mothers, including those who are no longer with us today.

Amen.

Another woman of great faith was Mrs Geeta Ramachdran who spoke at our CRC Mother's Day breakfast. Over the course of a lifetime Mothers do a lot for their children. Mrs Ramachandran had to flee her homeland of Sri Lanka, due to the genocide that was occuring there. Like many refugee families Mrs Ramachandran sought a safe country to raise her children. When she arrived at Christmas Island she was placed on a Bridging Visa, this meant her family was not given permanent residence and many of the rights of everyday Australians , such as a free education or permission to travel were not given to them. Many other refugees who arrived on Christmas Island were given the same visas. Mrs Ramachandran has lobbied the federal government to change this discriminative visa category. She and 20 other women walked to Canberrra to change this law. For those of you who don’t know, that is 634 kilometers and according to Google maps should take 146 hours. This year our school theme is Walk with me, and given the extraordinary walk Mrs Ramachandran has made to secure the future of her children, she was an appropriate choice for CRC St Albans Mother's Day breakfast.

Over the last two weeks, Year 7 students have been creating delicious vegetable fritters during their food productions. They are learning about vegetables and ways to include them in their diets. Fritters are a great way to hide the veggies in a crunchy and delicious patty.

Year 10 students have been making some fantastically delicious nutrition packed recipes. They are learning about macro and micro nutrients and incorporating a variety of ingredients to make meals that are beneficial for a healthy body.

Thank you to our wonderful community who joined us for the

Mother's Day breakfast

SACCS Cross Country

Yr 10 Visual Communication Students preparing skateboards

for their design work.

SACCSS Badminton

On Monday last week, selected students from Years 9 and 10 represented our College at the SACCSS Badminton Competition, which was held at Eagle Stadium in Werribee. Our students did exceptionally well considering it was an open competition and were competing against students older than them. Well done to all the students representing our school, but in particular to Year 10 students Corey Dang and Aurelius Catayong, who both made it to the Grand Final. It was a nail-biter, finishing in a draw and then unfortunately losing by 2 points in extra time. 

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 contributing positively to their community and flourishing 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

Join CRC St Albans in The Push-Up Challenge!

We are thrilled to announce that CRC St Albans is participating in The Push-Up Challenge from 5^th to 28^th June, 2024, and we want YOU to join us!

What’s the Challenge?

• • Complete 3,249 push-ups (or the half target of 1,625) in 24 days to raise awareness and funds for mental health in Australia.
  • Alternative exercises like sit-ups or squats are also encouraged.

Why Participate?

• • Raise awareness and funds for essential mental health services and initiatives in Australia.
  • Participation is free, and there’s a handy app to track your progress. The app provides daily push-up targets and mental health facts to keep you motivated.

How Can You Help?

• • Join our team and take on the challenge.
  • Support us by making a tax-deductible donation if you're not participating.

Get Involved:

• • Join our team or donate by clicking on this link: CRC St Albans Push-Up Challenge.
  • Encourage your family and friends to get involved too!

Together, we can make a big difference. Thank you for your support, and remember to take care of yourself and each other.

Maximise Your Wellbeing and Study Success: Tips for Students and Families

As we approach the end of the school term and prepare for exams, it’s essential to focus on both wellbeing and effective study strategies. Here are some evidence-based tips to help students and families navigate this busy period:

Wellbeing Strategies

• • Prioritise Sleep: Research shows that adequate sleep improves memory, concentration, and academic performance (Carskadon & Dement, 2011). Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
  • Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise can boost mood, energy levels, and cognitive function (Ratey & Loehr, 2011). Encourage activities like walking, jogging, or team sports.
  • Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, reduce stress and improve focus (Zeidan et al., 2010). Apps like Headspace or Calm can be helpful.
  • Maintain a Balanced Diet: Proper nutrition supports brain function and energy levels (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008). Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.
  • Stay Connected: Social support from family and friends is crucial for mental health (Cohen, 2004). Make time for social activities and communicate openly about stress and concerns.

Study Strategies

Create a Study Schedule: Break study sessions into manageable chunks and allocate specific times for each subject. Research suggests that spaced repetition enhances long-term retention (Cepeda et al., 2006).

Use Active Learning Techniques: Engage with the material through summarizing, questioning, and teaching others. Active learning methods have been shown to improve understanding and retention (Freeman et al., 2014).

Set Specific Goals: Define clear, achievable goals for each study session. Goal-setting is linked to increased motivation and academic success (Locke & Latham, 2002).

Practice Retrieval: Regularly test yourself on the material. Retrieval practice strengthens memory and improves learning outcomes (Roediger & Butler, 2011).

Create a Positive Study Environment: Find a quiet, well-lit space free from distractions. A conducive study environment enhances concentration and productivity (Cognitive Ergonomics, 2011).

Integrating these wellbeing and study strategies into daily routines, students can better manage their workload and perform effectively during exams. Encourage your family to support these practices, creating a positive and productive home environment.

Good luck to all students as they prepare for their exams!

Best wishes, The Wellbeing Team

References

Carskadon, M. A., & Dement, W. C. (2011). Normal Human Sleep: An Overview. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.

Ratey, J. J., & Loehr, J. E. (2011). The Positive Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition During Adulthood: A Review of Underlying Mechanisms, Evidence and Recommendations.

Zeidan, F., Johnson, S. K., Diamond, B. J., David, Z., & Goolkasian, P. (2010). Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training. Consciousness and Cognition.

Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: The effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

Cohen, S. (2004). Social Relationships and Health. American Psychologist.

Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin.

Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist.

Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

Cognitive Ergonomics (2011). The Influence of Work Environments on Cognitive Performance.

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

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 in  immediate danger call 000.

Do you have a child in Grade 5?  Please enroll for Year 7 2026 before 16 August 2024 so that we can ensure our current families have a place for their children.

Click on link or visit the office to collect an enrolment form.