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God of our Wandering Ancestors,
Long have we known
That your heart is with the refugee:
That you were born into time
In a family of refugees
Fleeing violence in their homeland,
Who then gathered up their hungry child
And fled into alien country.
Their cry, your cry, resounds through the ages:
“Will you let me in?”
Give us hearts that break open
When our brothers and sisters turn to us with that same cry.
Then surely all these things will follow:
Ears will no longer turn deaf to their voices.
Eyes will see a moment for grace instead of a threat.
Tongues will not be silenced but will instead advocate.
And hands will reach out—
working for peace in their homeland, working for justice in the lands where they seek safe haven.
Lord, protect all refugees in their travels.
May they find a friend in me
And so make me worthy
Of the refuge I have found in you.
Amen.
In his message for World Migration Day in 2000, Pope John Paul 11, asked us, ‘How can the baptised claim to welcome Christ if they close the door to the foreigner who comes knocking?’.
In a world marked by increasing displacement of people due to war, conflict and persecution, this question is all the more real in 2024. Last week we marked Refugee Week across Australia. It is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, courage and resilience of all who’ve been forced to leave the world they know to build a new life in a ‘foreign’ land. It is also a chance to pause and reflect on how well we, as individuals, as local and parish communities and as a nation, answer their cry – will you let me in? Do we open the door, reach out and work for justice? Do we see Christ in the strangers we meet?
As part of our Refugee Week celebrations, the Animation Team released a short animation that tells the refugee story of one of our families. A link can be found in the Faith Matters section of the newsletter.
Thank You
As we draw to the end of what has been a very good term, I’d like to thank everyone: students, staff and families for all your hard work and support over the last 11 weeks. This last part of the term has been particularly busy for everyone. Just in the last two weeks we’ve had exams, final assessment tasks, reports and the Year 10 Music and Drama Night. Tomorrow, Year 9 students participate in Trinity and on Thursday we look forward to the Immersion Day where each level heads out for different activities. This includes the Year 10 Tertiary visits, Year 9 City Experience, Year 8 Reflection Day and the Year 7 Galleries and Museums visits. Without a doubt, this break is well deserved.
I wish all students, families and staff an enjoyable and relaxing break.
Year 7 Premier League
This term Year 7 students have been participating in Premier League. Congratulations to all teams on the terrific school spirit and fine sportsmanship they’ve shown. Each team can boast that they did their absolute best and that they continually improved throughout the season.
Congratulations to the Girls Volleyball team who made the semi-finals, and the Boys Volleyball Team who won their semi-final and play St Francis College in the Grand Final on Wednesday.
Thank you for Mr Boudahar (Sports Leader), Mr Fernando (Sports Assistant) and all the coaches and staff for their support of the teams.
Years 9 and 10 Exams
We’d like to congratulate all students in Years 9 and 10 on their excellent approach to the recent exams. They followed instructions, were well prepared and managed themselves in a mature and responsible manner throughout the week.
Thank you to families for all your support during exam week, by being there for your son / daughter, in ensuring that they have the time and space for study but also in dealing with the changed arrangements for the school day.
With each experience of exams, you can see students developing better approaches to their studies. Hopefully, everyone is beginning to see that the best preparation for exams begins in the first lesson of the semester, not the night before the exam!
Year 10 Music Night
In Week 9 we enjoyed a change of pace at the Year 10 Music and Drama Night. Students showcased their work to an audience of family, staff and an external adjudicator. It was a diverse and entertaining program, much enjoyed by all who attended. Congratulations to all students who performed on the night. We admire your skills and the quiet confidence with which you performed.
I thank all the Year 10 Music and Drama students, and Ms Baldacchino and Mr Marshall, for a very good night, and all the families and staff who came along to support them.
End of Term 2
Term 2 concludes for students on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the normal school finishing time. All students will be participating in an Immersion Day program on this day. Students are not required on Friday 28 June, 2024 as staff will be finalising assessment and preparing Semester 1 reports.
Start of Term 3
Term 3 will commence on Monday 15 July, 2024. Please note this will be Day 1 of the Semester 2 timetable.
There will be a new timetable for Semester 2. This will be available on the SIMON Learning Management System from Friday 12 July 2024.
Friday 26 July 2024: Staff Formation Day
On this day, all staff from the Federation of Catholic Regional College (CRC North Keilor, Sydenham, Caroline Springs and St Albans) will gather at CRC Sydenham for a Staff Formation Day. The day will be led by Dr. Ernesto Valiente, Associate Professor Systematic Theology at Boston College. This will be followed by the Federation mass in the afternoon.
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 10. Students can access the newsletter via a link in the student bulletin on Monday morning.
Newsletter Days for Term 3 2024:
Fridays: 26 July, 09 August, 23 August, 06 Sep, 20 Sep
The newsletter can also be accessed on Friday afternoon (Day 10) on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au
|
Thursday 27 June |
Immersion Day / Final Day Term 2 |
| Friday 28 June |
Exam Correction / Report Writing Day No classes |
Key Dates Term 3 2024
| Monday 15/07/24 | Day 1 Term 3 |
| Wednesday 17/07/24 | Year 9 Premier League begins |
| Monday 22/07/24 | SACCSS Interschool Chess |
| Thursday 25/07/24 | Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences (1.30 – 7.30pm) Classes finish at 12.15pm |
| Friday 26/07/24 | Staff Formation Day (No classes) |
| Tuesday 30/07/24 | Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences (4.00 – 8.00pm) |
| Friday 02/08/24 | School Review Day 1 |
| Monday 05/08/24 | School Advisory Council |
| Wednesday 07/08/24 | School Review Day 2 |
| Thursday 08/08/24 | School Review Day 3 |
| Monday 12/08/24 | Year 10 Course Planning Day / Year 10 Social |
| Tuesday 13/08/24 | Professional Practice Day (No classes) |
| Friday 23/08/24 | Year 10 Outdoor Education Ski Trip |
| Monday 02/09/24 | SACCSS Interschool Athletics |
| Thursday 05/09/24 | Big Dream Music Festival |
| Tuesday 10/09/24 | Term 3 Immersion Day |
| Friday 13/09/24 | School Review Day 4 |
| Mon 16/9 – Fri 20/9 | Year 10 Work Experience |
| Wed 18/9 – Fri 20/9 | Year 9 Camp |
Refugee Week - Finding freedom
At the beginning of the week the animators launched their first short film, which was an animation of a CRC students refugee story.
Finding Freedom - Curriculum links
The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “Otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. With the dough the Israelites had brought from Egypt, they baked loaves of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. Exodus 12
In Year 7 Religion this term we have been examining the Exodus story. Students learnt about the challenges the Jewish community faced living in Egypt. In unpacking the message of the Exodus story they see the hope and faith of the Jewish people in their journey still relevant today. In their final assessment Year 7 students were asked to interview a person about their refugee experience and find a connection between this story and the refugee story. The following story is from one of the Year 7 students assessments.
My Dad is a refugee father who came from Myanmar. This is his story.
As a refugee I have faced a lot of new challenges and wonderful experiences. In some areas of Myanmar thousands of people have suffered through poverty, war, execution and killings, food shortages, hunger, the environment and most importantly no home or enough clothes to wear. Back when I lived in Myanmar me and my family were very poor and were in low income due to the place and environment we were in. Everything was in a bad condition and many people weren’t allowed to find a job to even earn $10 a day for their family to survive. It was so bad that people died because they couldn't afford a shelter to warm themselves and stay safe from the bad weather or creatures outside. Sometimes when my parents work they only get paid $15 - $20 in 9 or 10 hours because the military or the government was very selfish and wasn’t capable of giving their heart to other poor people. Although, arriving in Australia is the safest place that I could ever live in due to better environment, homes, food and shelter.
So before I came to Australia I first moved from Myanmar to Thailand by boat as a young adult where I had to move with friends because my family couldn’t afford for all of us, so I went by myself from my family. I have lived in Thailand for nearly 2 years. I have experienced a lot of cheap clothes and good affordable food then Burma because it was a better price for people to manage with. After living in Thailand I moved to Malaysia by car in addition to being provided with the Agent. In Malaysia I lived for 8 years by myself. As years passed by, my wife decided to move here from Myanmar to Malaysia because we were already married but weren't able to come with me. I left my wife in Myanmar because we still don't have enough money to afford the car by the Agent, but over the years she was able to enter illegally without a passport in Malaysia. In Malaysia it felt like a satisfactory moment because everything was a lot cheaper and nicer than Thailand or Myanmar. The place didn’t feel the same as back then and the environment was more hygienic and fresh. After I had my first daughter, my wife and I decided to migrate to Australia by plane and arrive in Adelaide for the first time. I was so proud and shocked that I was able to accomplish my dream for my future kids and especially my family.
In this whole trip in moving to different places/countries there were some difficulties and challenges along the journey. First of all in this migration story I find it hard with the money because I came from a poor country and I came to Malaysia illegally so earning money was a very difficult situation. Secondly, we had no passport or citizenship so we barley couldn’t work and receive money. The challenges that my family faced was that when my first daughter was born it was very stressful and was in a hard position because when we didn’t have enough money for the hospital fees, we asked and borrowed other people’s money like my friends that I communicate with. One other thing that was difficult or was challenging was that when my daughter was born, my house was very far from the hospital so when I go by bus it takes about 45 mins to 1 hour approximately. This was difficult because taxis were too expensive and I went at night which was very late for me to go because I go work everyday.
There were no challenges associated with settlement in Australia because everything was better and was in good condition for my family and other relatives. Everything is fine now in Australia as it continues to expand more into a good future for my children and family.
The similarities between my dad’s immigration/refugee story to the Israelites moving from places was that there was barely any food that was being provided at first but at the end most people got what they wanted to get just like how my dad also had the same connection. Some things that are also similar from these two stories is that back in the Israelites' day they used to work as a slavery and it’s technically working by force by the pharaoh and my dad was also forced to put himself in a hard position because he couldn’t do anything else. When my dad moved to Australia he felt more freedom and a better future and this is like the Jews because they felt freedom when Moses led them out to a good land with fresh food.
Semester 1 Reports
The first semester reports will be available on Friday 20th July via the Parent Access Module.
Students will have access to their reports through the Learning Management System. During Pastoral Care, they will be given the opportunity to reflect on their report and
identify their strengths and areas for development. At the Parent/Teacher/Student
Conferences, students will share their reflection and the learning and wellbeing goals that they will focus on during Semester Two.
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
Conferences will take place with Pastoral Care teachers on the following dates:
Thursday 25th July from 1:30 – 7:30pm
Tuesday 30th July from 4:00 pm – 8:00pm
The conferences will be led by the students and are expected to run for approximately 20 minutes.
Year 7 conferences will be conducted in the students’ homerooms.
Year 8 and 9 conferences will take place in the College Hall.
Year 10 conferences will take place in the Year 10 Centre.
Families are asked to complete the online booking through the Parent Access Module by Monday 22nd July.
A How to Book Parent/Teacher Interviews guide can be found on our website
https://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au/parents/
Thursday 25th July
Students will be dismissed at the end of period 3, 12:25pm on Thursday 25th July so that the Student Led Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews can take place at 1:30pm.
Year 7s Transition Challenge!
For the rest of Term 2, the Year 7s will compete in the CPR Transition Challenge! As part of the school's Consistent and Predictable Routines, we will be focusing on the actions that help us to be on time, be prepared and be ready for learning. Mr Bain-King will be gathering data on the following:
- Students who are on time to class.
- Students who move quickly to their next class.
- People who remember all their items.
- Classes who are seated whilst waiting for their teacher.
Yr 8 Wood Technology
This year in Wood Technology, the Year 8s had a change of what project we will be completing throughout the semester we originally had to make a clock but we changed it to a phone holder, being a student this was a very exciting and captivating experience we had the privilege of being able to complete an amazing project there were multiple positives while completing this task such as problem solving innovation and curiosity the making of the phone holder requires accuracy and precision it was a captivating experience where hard work and creativity work hand in hand I wanted to create a phone holder that would incorporate different features that would be used in the daily life so I went for a bulk yet useful style we also had time to generate ideas.
- Kirthik Ramachandran
The Learning Hub
In 2024, the Learning Hub opened, a space designed for new learning opportunities. Here we see the supported reading program where Year 7 students are supported in their reading. Each child reads with either a teacher, Learning Support Officer or Peer Support volunteers from Yrs 9 and 10. A great way to start the day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Ms Giselle Grant, Learning Diversity Leader.
Crime scene investigation
in the Forensic Science class!
Students in Year 9 Forensic Science class participated in an incursion on 12th June 2024. This workshop was designed to intrigue students who enjoy their science mixed with a bit of drama. As part of the incursion, students worked in groups finding clues via:
- Fingerprinting and blood typing.
- Hair and fibre analysis.
- Fluorescence of oils, plant identification and DNA comparisons.
- Latent image detection, chromatography and shoe impression casting!
- Evidence collection and more…
Time was also spent discussing why crime scenes are isolated from the public, why certain evidence is more valuable than others and why a clear chain of evidence is needed from crime scene to the eventual court case.
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 3 Concepts and Themes
Year 7 – Looking to the Future: Growth
Year 8 – Understanding My Future Goals
Year 9 – Building Community and Perseverance in Action
Year 10 – Subject Selection and Work Experience
The Push-Up Challenge Update
We are thrilled to announce that CRC St Albans is participating in The Push-Up Challenge from 5 to 28 June, 2024, and we want YOU to join us!
We are thrilled to share an update on our school’s participation in the Push-Up Challenge! Over the past few weeks, 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:
Challenge House Points Allocation
|
House |
Movement Count |
Current Place |
|
Corbett |
2,285 |
1st |
|
O’Reilly |
1,630 |
2nd |
|
Guelen |
1,137 |
3rd |
|
Reis |
1,088 |
4th |
School Current Total: 6,140
House Team Target: 5,000
School Target: 20,000
We are proud of the effort and determination shown by all our students and staff. Let’s keep pushing towards our goal!
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.
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
|
Day |
Activity |
Location |
Staff Member in Charge |
|
Monday |
Scout Group Soccer Club Textiles Club (Year 7 and 8) |
Year 10 Building Hall/Oval Room 18 |
Scout Leaders KFO/Faries GHT |
|
Tuesday |
Health Club (Year 9 and 10) Cricket Club Coding Club Dance Club Choir (lunch-time) |
Hall/Gym Hall/Oval Room 2
Music Room |
KFO KFO Tom CML CML |
|
Wednesday
|
Volleyball Club |
Hall |
MNN/KFO |
|
Thursday |
Taekwondo (Females Only) Choir (after-school) |
Hall Music Room |
KFO/Marco CML |
|
Friday |
Badminton (Day 5) Basketball (Day 10) Run Club (before-school) |
Hall Hall Hall |
AGD AGD DML |
Emergency and Mental Health Support Information and contact phone numbers
- 000 Emergency Assistance
Emergency Police, Fire, Ambulance Ph:000
- Kids Helpline
Phone: 1800551800, https://kidshelpline.com.au/Free 24 hours/7 days a week advice and support for children and young people 5-25 years old.
- Parent Helpline
Phone: 1300 301 300 https://parentline.com.au/Free 24 hours/7 days a week advice and support for parents, guardians and carers.
- Lifeline
Phone:13 4357 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Free 24 hours/7 days a week crisis support and suicide prevention.
- Beyond Blue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Ph: 1300 22 4636 Free mental health support and assistance for depression and anxiety.
- Suicide Call Back Service
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au Ph: 1300 659 467
- Head to Help - headtohelp.org.au Ph 1800 595 212
- Your local doctor or medical centre.
School Garden Working Party
Dates:
Thursday, 4th July
Thursday, 11th July
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: School Garden
Entry: Arthur Street entrance
Details:
We invite parents to join us in enhancing our school garden!
Your help is needed for various tasks, including:
Weeding
Fencing
Trellising
Moving garden equipment
Cleaning and organizing equipment
If you have paving and edging skills, they will be particularly valuable, but all are welcome!
Note: Students will not be allowed without parental supervision.
We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you!
- Mr Len Tobin
Youth Advisory Council
I am pleased to inform you about our upcoming first Youth Advisory Council meeting, where we will gather to discuss issues that you see as important regarding our community.
Date: Thursday, 18th July
Time: 4:50 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Electorate Office
Luba Grigorovitch MP Member for Kororoit District
2/11 Commercial Rd, Caroline Springs
Youth Advisory Council members have the opportunity to:
- Meet with local councilors, ministers, and not-for-profit CEOs about issues they have nominated as being of interest.
- Take a leadership role in developing their own community-based initiatives focused on key issues for young people.
- Participate in policy consultations on major government initiatives as well as develop their own policy suggestions.
Participation in this meeting is highly valued as it provides an opportunity for your voices to be heard on issues that affect you directly. We aim to foster open dialogue and collaborate on initiatives that benefit our youth community. You can RSVP for your children, relatives, friends, or family members aged between 15 and 25 years old.
Please confirm attendance using the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/PhXCqPeEvh at your earliest convenience and share this with people you know!
If you have any questions or specific topics you would like to discuss, feel free to include them in your response.
Looking forward to seeing you there!