Deep peace, pure gold of the sun to you.

Deep peace, pure white of the moon to you.

Deep peace, pure blue of the sky to you.

Deep peace, pure green of the grass to you.

Deep peace, pure brown of the earth to you.

Deep peace, pure light of the dew to you.

Deep peace of the running wave to you.

Deep peace of the whispering trees to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of the shining stars to you.

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

Irish Prayer

Tomorrow 21^st September is designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1999, this year marks the 25^th anniversary of this day. The International Day of Peace was established to lay out the values needed to establish a culture of peace. These include: respect for life, human rights and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence, dialogue and co-operation; commitment to the peaceful settlement of conflict, and adherence to values such as justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation and diversity.

It is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and strengthen the ideals of peace, both within and among nations and peoples but also within our own community, and in our personal relationships. With conflict between nations rising and increased anger and aggression across the community – in our hospitals, on our roads, on our sporting fields and homes, it is timely to mark this day.

‘We invite you to take a few moments of quiet to read the peace blessing at the beginning of our newsletter and to reflect on how you might live more peacefully in your day-to-day life; in your home, your community, at work and at school.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)

Thank You

As this is the final newsletter for Term 3, I’d like to thank students, families and staff for your support, hard work and care over the past 10 weeks.

There have been many highlights: the recent Immersion Day, the Year 9 camp, the Year 10 Social, Work Experience, course selection for 2025, interschool sport and much more.

Congratulations to Year 9 students on a terrific Premier League season. Five teams made the semi-finals, with both Volleyball teams going on to the grand final and the Girls Volleyball Team taking out the pennant. As much as we are thrilled with the success students have experienced, we are equally thrilled with the great sportsmanship and school spirit shown by all students who represented the school.

Without a doubt it has been a full term, so it’s no surprise that we’re all ready for a break! I hope that everyone enjoys this time with family and friends, and the opportunity to enjoy life at a less hectic pace.

Start of Term 4

Students will return to school on Tuesday 08 October 2024. On the Monday staff will be involved in a Professional Practice Day. Staff will be involved in a range of planning and professional learning activities.

Term 4 Timetable

There are no changes to the timetable for Term 4. Tuesday 08 October 2024 will be Day 2.

MACS Vision for Instruction

Following is a message from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) regarding the Vision for Instruction.

In February 2024, MACS changed the way reading, writing and mathematics are taught in its 300 primary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Vision for Instruction promotes explicit instruction, a way of teaching in which complex skills are introduced to students in small steps, supported by clear explanations and demonstrations of what students are expected to learn. Students then practise what they have learned and receive feedback from their teacher until the skill is mastered. MACS is leading explicit instruction and evidence-based practice education in Victoria to achieve teaching and learning excellence. To find out what becoming a flourishing learner means for your child, and how you can help, read Parents Guide to Vision for Instruction and ask your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Please follow this link for further information:

Enrolment for 2025

Enrolment at the College continues automatically from year to year. However, if a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2025, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email echalmers@crcstalbans.com.au or ring Eileen Chalmers on 9366 2544 with this information.

Your assistance with this is much appreciated as we have a waiting list at most levels and would like to let these families know sooner, rather than later.

Preparing for Term 4

School holidays are certainly a time for rest and recreation, however, the time between Terms 3 and 4 is more like a semi-colon than a full stop. It is a pause in the semester, a chance to catch your breath before the important final term. Some students will have projects or homework to complete over the break. It’s a good idea to get this done earlier, rather than later.

With exams only 7 or 8 weeks away, the holidays are a good time to begin revision of Term 3 work and / or to catch up on any missed work. Those who struggle with organisation might use this time to put some order into folders. Filing old notes and worksheets might be a good start. Ensuring that you have all the stationery you need for Term 4 would help.

If students do little else it would be helpful to find some time to read each day.

Term 4 Uniform

Families are reminded that Weeks 1 – 4 are a transition period for uniform. Students can wear either full summer or full winter uniform but not a mix and match of both.

Following the Cup Weekend, from Wednesday 06 November all students will need to be in full summer uniform.

The holidays may be a good time to check that students have all that is required.

MACSSIS School Improvement Surveys

Thank you to all students, staff and families for your input. This data will be released in late October and will provide important information for our planning for 2025.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and available online on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2024:             

Fridays: 18 October,   01 November,   15 November,    29 November,     15 December

On the 10th of September our Year 10 students  participated in a special Justice Day designed to deepen their understanding of social justice and build a closer connection with those in need within our community. This meaningful day featured powerful stories from the Big Issue, an organisation that supports the homeless, followed by a unique Justice Reflection Walk led by the Salvation Army in the heart of the city.

The day concluded with a small group reflection and a year-level liturgy at the Treacy Centre in Parkville, where students will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and the importance of justice in our society.

This day was a profound opportunity for our students to engage with their community and reflect on the role they can play in creating a more just and compassionate world.

The following is a prayer read by the students at the conclusion of the Justice Day.

Lord, help us to always be aware of the commandment to love You and to love my neighbour as myself.

Help us to be attentive neighbours, aware of those who have not enough.

Help us to be merciful neighbours, able to feel compassion and empathy. 

Help us to be active neighbours, willing to act to do what is right.

And above all, help us to remember Jesus’ simple message: Go and do likewise.

Amen

Peer Support Leaders, supported by our Child Safety Committee worked
closely with our Year 7 students, delivering the important Raising a Concern Workshop. This initiative is a key part of our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.

10 Mackillop students sold dolmas, hotdogs and ice-cream sandwiches to raise funds for the Buyaga School in Uganda.

Year 7s STEM day included an exciting science show, catapult construction, de-coding activity and a virtual reality experience.

This year, our school was involved in the Dream Big Youth Festival.

THE DREAM BIG YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL is where musicians, singers, and creative artists from primary and secondary schools and local Neighbourhood Houses from the west of Melbourne and beyond, are showcase their talents. Simulcast across the world on RUOK? Day - from The Bowery Theatre, St Albans - this is a festival that inspires youth to use their creative and musical talents to build awareness of important mental health messages that promote health and wellbeing in their communities.

A selection of 18 students from years 7-10 performed an original song, written by Mr Clarence Marshall that promotes self-love. It is also a song of gratitude for all the people in our lives that make us who we truly are. The song ‘I Am’ was received well by the live audience and we thoroughly enjoyed watching other performances on the day.

Mental health is an important part of our lives and every day is a chance to ask someone, ‘R U Okay?’.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

I Am – Words and Music by Clarence Marshall 

Verse 1 

Now we’re goin’ back, right back to the start. 

We’re gonna find out, heal our troubled hearts.

Time to dig deep and recognise our pain.

Cry and cry and cry; cry through the rain.

Don’t feel ashamed.

 

‘Cause I am, who I am. I can be, be the best I can

‘Cause I am, who I am. Thanks to you,

I am who I am. 

 

Verse 2: 

I gotta reach out, communicate with love. 

Try to hold on, believin’ I’m enough. 

Time to speak loud, don’t hide my truth inside. 

Throw away the mask I’m wearing all the time.
The price is way too high

 

‘Cause I am, who I am. I can be, be the best I can

‘Cause I am, who I am. Thanks to you,

I am who I am. 

 

Bridge: 

My reflection has never been so real 

Looking back is how I truly feel

It’s everything I need

Wellbeing For Learning

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 4 Concepts and Themes

• Year 7 – Giving and Gratitude
• Year 8 – Understanding - My Future Wellbeing
• Year 9 – Zest and Sleep
• Year 10 – The Legacy Project

Reporting Cyberbullying

Here at CRC St Albans, it is our right to feel safe and included when learning and online. Therefore; students are reminded to follow these guidelines as we move into the holiday period.

Steps to reporting cyberbullying:

1. Collect evidence
2. Report harmful content
3. Prevent further contact
4. Get more help

If you are being cyberbullied it’s a good idea to tell a trusted adult, like a parent, carer or teacher.

Please see the following links for further information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/cyberbullying/report-cyberbullying#answers-to-more-common-questions

Celebrating Our Peer Support Leaders: Raising a Concern Workshop

Last week, our dedicated Peer Support Leaders, supported by our Child Safety Committee worked closely with our Year 7 students during the Pastoral Care period, delivering the important Raising a Concern Workshop. This initiative is a key part of our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.

The workshop provided Year 7 students with the tools to express themselves confidently and constructively, empowering them to have a voice and agency in their interactions with peers and staff. By learning how to raise concerns in a respectful and effective manner, students are better equipped to navigate challenges, both in and out of the classroom.

Our Peer Support Leaders, in facilitating these sessions, have played a vital role in guiding our younger students and modelling positive communication. We are incredibly proud of their leadership and the supportive relationships they are building with our Year 7s, helping to create a community where every voice is heard, and every concern can be addressed in a safe, respectful way.

This is just one of the many ways we aim to empower our students, ensuring that they feel valued and confident as active participants in our school community.

Emergency and Mental Health Support Information and contact phone numbers

If you require any assistance over the school holidays while the school is unattended, please contact:

• 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.

• Registration link: Melbourne Victory FC | Holiday Program Registration
• Location: All sessions will take place in the inner suburbs of Melbourne.
• Cost: FREE
• Registration Time: Each day, registration will be open from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. We encourage early arrival to help us start promptly.
• Transport: Please note that transport is not provided for this program.
• Further details will be sent upon completion of registration. 
• Please note once we reach capacity the registration will be closed

If your home is unhappy because a loved one drinks too much, there is help available! An Al-Anon Family Group in Sydenham offers hope and help to families who are seeking support. Confidentiality is assured. A voluntary donation is requested to help cover the rental of the room.

TWO Alateen meetings will again be offered during the September school holidays for teens (age 12/13 – 18/19) who live with a parent or sibling whose drinking causes problems / anxiety in the family.

Alateen meetings are facilitated by two experienced Al-Anon members (who have WWCC). Parents/ Guardians are invited to accompany their teens and attend the adult Al-Anon meeting in an adjacent room. Alateen members gain strength and hope listening to other teens share their stories and soon realise that they are not
alone. As in the parent group, confidentiality is assured.

When: Wed September 25th & Wed October 2nd from 1-2:30pm
Where: Sydenham Neighbourhood House, Community Hub (rear of library, opp Watergardens station), Level 1.

For further details about Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen see the website:
www.al-anon.org.au or call 1300 252 666 for further information.