Father,

We rejoice in the gift of love

we have received from the heart of Jesus, your Son.

Open our hearts to share his life

and continue to bless us with his love.

Teach us to see Christ in the lives we touch

and to love as he did

through our love-filled service to others,

particularly those in need.

Amen.

Today marks the Feast of the Sacred Heart and also the 70^th anniversary of Sacred Heart Primary school. Many of our students, (as well as some parents and staff) are past students of the school and know what an amazing school community it is.

In the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, the school was situated on both sides of Winfred Street, home to well over a thousand students. In 1978, Sacred Heart parish and school moved to the north side of the site so that the classrooms and land on the south could be used for a secondary College, a long-held dream of the local community. All this for a peppercorn rent of $1 per year. There are no words to fully express our deep appreciation for the support and generosity of spirit that the parish and school have shown us over the past 47 years, and continue to do so today. Jesus calls us to love our neighbour. No one could wish for better or more giving neighbours. We wish them a very happy 70^th anniversary.

Feast Day

Two weeks ago, we enjoyed a terrific Feast Day. The day began with mass, followed by pastoral care activities that were lots of fun and then the much-anticipated Feast Day carnival. Everyone was in fine spirits and it as a perfect day in all ways.

Thank you to Fr. Gerard from Resurrection who led the celebration of mass and to the students and staff who prepared our liturgy: the choir, the liturgy team, readers and those who led the gathering rite and prayers.

Thank you also to the staff and students who organized the pastoral care activities, helped with setting up the carnival and assisted in cleaning up at the end of the day.

The Feast Day carnival was once again a winner. Thank you to Mr. Eder Ramos, Mr Kevin Quinn, Odelia and the Student Leaders on an outstanding job in organizing the carnival.

Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition

Congratulations to the Years 9 and 10 students who yesterday represented the College at the Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition. In this competition each student was required to learn and recite an Italian poem from a prescribed list. Poems ranged from excerpts from Dante’s Comedy to the works of contemporary Italian poets. Students recite their piece in front of a judge, without cue cards or prompts. All students should be very proud of their performance and the outstanding results they achieved. Thank you to Mr Zarosinski and Ms Iaria for preparing the students and accompanying them on the day.

Uniform Shop

Our uniform provider, Academy Uniforms, has moved from Derrimut to Niddrie. Families are asked to note the new details at the end of the newsletter.

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:  21 June                            

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

Holy Eucharist Food Bank Drive

The Holy Eucharist Food Bank commenced in February 1996. The Foodbank has over 700 people registered for food assistance and provide assistance for between 240 to 300 people every Friday. As well as this, we deliver to people who are home-bound and are unable to collect from the Food Bank itself. Food Bank is open every Friday from 10:30 am until 2pm.

This term the Social Justice Team aims to raise 1000 cans of either beans or tuna. Currently we have 250 cans. Each Friday a member of the Social Justice Team will be visiting homerooms to collect cans. Please remember to add a can for the Food Bank when you next complete your shopping list.

Reconciliation Week Professional Development

In the 2023 – 2024 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Australia’s Bishops spoke of the Church’s involvement in the injustices experienced by the First Peoples. In this statement they urged Catholics in Australia to keep learning about the history of the Stolen Generations, but also to learn how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still being removed from their families at high rates. `To make amends for the wrongs in which we have played a part, we need to be active in accompanying First Nations Peoples in their struggle for justice’.

A Professional Development session was held in Reconciliation Week as an opportunity for staff to learn more about the origins of Reconciliation Week and the purpose it serves in the national identity. Staff had an opportunity to ask questions to the speaker Leila Gurrawiwi. The session was also an opportunity for staff to learn how they can further develop first nations perspectives in curriculum.

On Thursday 6 June, 30 students across Years 9 and 10 had the opportunity to attend the Dante Alighieri Poetry Recital competition held at the University of Melbourne. Although nerves were high, the students performed wonderfully in front of the judges and really demonstrated their character strengths of bravery, perseverance and a love of learning.

It was a great day with the students impressing both themselves and their judges. After the competition we wandered over to Lygon Street and the students had the opportunity to experience some of Italy’s influence on the food culture in Australia. Students indulged themselves with treats from Brunetti’s and shared in a pizza lunch at Piazza Italia as a reward for stepping out of their comfort zone. 

The competition runs every year and is open to any student who is learning Italian at Years 9, 10, 11 or 12. Students select one Italian poem from a list provided by the Dante Alighieri Society. They are required to memorise the poem in its entirety and present it before a judge.  They are assessed on five key criteria: pronunciation, volume and pace, pitch and stress, memorisation and expression.

For more information about the competition, as well as how to enter, speak to Mr Zarosinski or Miss Iaria.

We look forward to finding out the competition results. In bocca al lupo! (that’s good luck in Italian).

Term 2 saw the introduction of the sewing machines! Students were instructed with making tote bags. The goal: strength and storage. Students learned different decorative techniques along the way to enhance the look of their garments. Watch this space for the final products. 

If you are interested in taking textiles as an elective for Year 9, please speak with Miss Hart.

Every day after lunch students in Years 7 and 8, have 10 minutes dedicated to read for enjoyment. Now into its second year of implementation at the school, the Just Read program focusses on establishing positive reading habits and creating a calming classroom environment after lunch. The Just Read program aims to improve students’ reading skills through:

• Repeated exposure to reading for fun
• Exposure to a variety of words in different contexts
• Building imagination and creativity
• Improving vocabulary
• Developing independent reading skills and improve reading comprehension
• Increasing critical thinking skills

Walking through the Year 7 and 8 classrooms after lunch presents a scene of calm and students and teachers alike engrossed in their latest novel.

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

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.
• Gain Points for your House.

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.

CRC St Albans Push-Up Challenge Update

Dates: 3 June - 7 June

We're thrilled to share an update on our school’s participation in the Push-Up Challenge! Over the past week, our students have been actively engaging in this event to promote physical fitness and mental health awareness. Here’s a breakdown of our progress so far:

We are proud of the effort and determination shown by all our students and staff. Let’s keep pushing towards our goal!

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 Well-being 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

As a Member of Parliament, Natalie Suleyman is determined to ensure that all local residents, regardless of age, have the opportunity to engage and have a say on community issues and our government.

That’s why she is continuing her St Albans Youth Advisory Council to provide young people in our community with the opportunity to reflect the opinions of their peers, develop vitally important leadership and critical thinking skills and learn about government and policy making processes.

The Youth Advisory Council members have the opportunity to meet with MP’s, community and business leaders about issues they have nominated as being of interest. Take a leadership role in developing their own community-based initiatives focused on key issues to young people.

Students are not required to apply based on academic performance but rather their ability to use this opportunity to learn and represent the interests of their peers. There is no cost attached for participating on the Youth Advisory Council.

Please find the attached form to fill out and return via email to charlotte.nunns@parliament.vic.gov.au . Applications close on Monday the 21st of June, with the first meeting of the 2024 Youth Advisory Council to be held on Thursday 25th July, 4pm at my office shop M004A Keilor Downs shopping centre, 80 Taylors road Keilor Downs VIC 3038.