By our thoughtful deeds,
may we be Christ to others.

By our kind words,
may we be Christ to others.

By our loving care,
may we be Christ to others.

By our patient listening,
may we be Christ to others.

By our willingness to go the extra mile,
may we be Christ to others.

Author Unknown

This week we have enjoyed Step Up for Support celebrations. This initiative was planned and led by the Child Safety Committee. It had a two-fold purpose, firstly to remind us that each of us has a role to play in ensuring our school is a safe place for all. Secondly, it links the College Value of Support (green) with 2024 school theme Walk with Me, calling us to be people who lift each other up and who are there for each other. Our opening prayer reminds us that in offering others support, we are Christ to them.

Thank you to Anshi, Timmy, Teresa and all who supported them in organising the ribbons, quizzes, prayers, footprint activity and the scavenger hunt. The message was both important and the activities were fun.

Finishing the Year

Students across the school have exams, class tests and assessment tasks which need to be completed over the next three weeks. It’s important that everyone continues to work hard to the very end of the year. 

As always, it’s important that students are at school each day unless sick. Sometimes students will ask parents and carers for a day off towards the end of the year, claiming that things are winding down. This is not the case. The final weeks of the year are a time to ramp up, not to wind down. Winding down is the task of holidays.

Students who think they’ve left it all too late for this year, might like to think about the following Chinese proverb:

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.

The second-best time is today.”

Inter-house Athletics Carnival

Since the last newsletter, students and staff enjoyed an outstanding Inter-house Athletics Carnival. There were many very good individual feats and some great team performances.

Thank you to everyone who came in fancy dress. The costumes and colour added to the fun and House spirit on the day.  

Congratulations to Guelen House who were the overall winners.

Thank you to all involved in organising the day, particularly the House Captains, Mr Boudaher, the Health and PE staff, and all staff and officials. Lastly, thank you to all who participated, displaying strong team spirit and giving their best for their House.

School Bonus / Camps Sport Excursions Fund for Families with a Health Care Card

Early next week families will receive a letter outlining 2025 Fees and Levies, and also information about the School Bonus. This is a one-off payment, in addition to the CSEF, from the State Government to cover school costs such as books, stationery, camps, sport and excursions. It is for 2025 only and only families who have a Health Care Card are eligible.

Images 2024 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening of Images 2024. This year’s exhibition was once again a terrific celebration of student work and creativity. The support from families on the night was fantastic. It was great to see everyone there in such good numbers. I’m sure that all who were able to attend are in awe of the work that the students have presented. 

Thank you to staff from the Arts and Technology and the student curators who spent many hours working on the displays. Your dedication, energy and hard work were well rewarded by the appreciative comments of the many visitors to the exhibition.

Congratulations to all the students who had their work exhibited and to all the prize winners.

Lastly, a very big thank you to the choir who performed on the night and to the Food Technology students who provided the delicious finger food. Both helped to make the night even more enjoyable.

Report Preparation Day

Families are reminded that staff will be correcting exams and preparing reports on Friday 29 November 2024. There are no classes for students on this day.

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.auor 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.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2024:         

Fridays:  29 November, 15 December

Year 7’s Exploring Prayer Styles 

Pope John Paul II said of prayer:

Through prayer, especially to Jesus at Communion, you will understand so many things about the world and its relationship to him, and you will be in a position to read accurately what are referred to as the “signs of the times”. Above all, you will have something to offer those who come to you in need.

Through prayer you will possess Christ and be able to communicate him to others. And this is the greatest contribution you can make in your lives: to communicate Christ to the world. Through prayer you will receive the power to show compassion to every human being – just as Jesus did. Through prayer you will have a part in salvation history as it unfolds in your generation.

In our Year 7 Religious Education classes, we are exploring diverse styles of prayer, from traditional practices like the Rosary to contemporary approaches such as meditation and connecting with God through nature. As the final term can be a hectic period, focusing on our relationship with God in moments of peace and quiet becomes a deeply enriching experience.

National Catholic Earthcare Meeting

This week, Kirthik Ramachandran, a member of the Catholic Regional College St Albans Earthcare Group, presented at the National Catholic Earthcare Meeting. Kirthik highlighted the extensive work our Earthcare Group has undertaken in the Community Garden and in waste management initiatives. In his presentation, he used the school garden as a powerful metaphor for the school’s vision: rooted in this place, we nurture and grow, eventually becoming sustenance for the world.

Uniform

Students are expected to be in correct uniform until the last day. This is outlined below:

Exams: School uniform (Unless PE elective that day)

Celebration Day:  PE uniform

Year 10 Graduation Mass

The Graduation Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Thursday November 28th at 7pm. Students are expected to be seated in the church by 6:45 pm. 

The uniform requirements are as follows:

• Boys are to wear the school white shirt and a tie with the shirt tucked in. Blazers need to be worn. Black Shoes.
• Girls wear the summer dress and their blazer with black shoes.