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Gathering - Jason Ridgeway
Let us pray to God:
For the people
who mean a lot to us,
who give us their love
and forgiveness.
For the people
who encourage us
in critical moments
and help us grow as people.
For the people
we hurt,
ignore or belittle,
for whom we don't have a good word.
For the people
we lose sight of,
all those who take different paths
and move away from us, and also for those who were separated from us
by death.
God, bless all these people.
Surround them and us with people
in whom your love becomes tangible.
Make us a blessing to one another.
Amen.
Last week was a time of farewells and new beginnings. On Friday night I had the privilege of joining the CRC Sydenham community for the Year 12 Graduation mass. Held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, it was a wonderful celebration of 13 years of education.
As a school community we can be very proud of these young people, and all they’ve achieved, not only at CRC but from those very first days when they started in Foundation. I am sure that it seems only yesterday that they arrived at school for the first time, wide eyed and nervous but keen to explore all that their new world offered.
Thank you to all the staff, both here and at Sydenham, who’ve worked with them and supported them to this point.
The Year 12 students are now fully focussed on their final exams which began with English on Tuesday. I ask that you keep them and their teachers in your thoughts and prayers at this very important time.
Saturday was a change of pace as we welcomed Year 7 2026 students to the College to participate in the academic testing program. They were an impressive group of young people; courteous, friendly and keen to do well. We look forward to working with them next year.
Images 2025 Arts and Technology Exhibition
Preparations are well under way for the annual Images exhibition which will be held next week. We look forward to families and friends joining us for the opening on Thursday night.
Inter-house Swimming Carnival
Families are reminded that the annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be held at Oak Park Swimming Centre on Friday 31 October 2025.
Please note:
ALL students are required to attend. Families are asked to ensure that they have completed permission forms on PAM, and that students only remain at home if they are unwell.
Students will have period 1 classes and leave for the pool after a short recess.
Cup Weekend
Families are reminded that there are no classes on Monday 03 November or Tuesday 04 November due to the Cup weekend.
Mid Term
Cup Weekend marks the mid-point of Term 4. Once we return on Wednesday, Years 9 and 10 students have only a short time until their exams and all year levels will have a range of learning and assessment tasks due.
At this time of the year, it is important that students remain focused on their studies and that they do all the small things consistently well. This includes being on time, doing all your homework, putting aside extra time for revision, asking questions, catching up with teachers for extra help, being in uniform and looking at every aspect of your work to see where you might need help and what you might need to do better.
Sun Smart
The College Sun Smart policy is available on the website.
As we are now well into spring, forecasts of UV levels are predicted to reach three or higher during the period from now to the end of April. UV radiation is a major cause of skin cancer, and UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with the risk of skin cancer later in life. We encourage families to speak with their child about ensuring they are Sun Smart during this time, including:
- wearing appropriate clothing
- wearing a broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat while outside
- applying SPF30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen approximately 20 minutes prior to going outside and re-applying every two hours while outside, or immediately after physical activity and swimming
- remaining in the shade during times when you are not involved in a specific outdoor activity, or if you are unable to follow the above recommendations
We also encourage all adults, including parents/carers, to adopt a SunSmart approach for themselves, not only to protect themselves from the dangers of UV radiation, but to also act as role models for our students.
For more information on sun protection, please go to the SunSmart website: https://www.sunsmart.com.au/
Enrolment for 2026
Enrolment at the College continues automatically from year to year. However, if a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2026, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email jneves@crcstalbans.com.au or ring Jackie Neves on 9366 2544 with this information.
Your assistance with this is much appreciated as we have an extensive waiting list at most levels and would like to let these families know sooner, rather than later.
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 05 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.
Newsletter
The newsletter is published fortnightly and available online on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).
Newsletter Days for Term 4 2025:
Fridays: 07 November, 21 November, 15 December
Key Dates Term 4 2025
| Thurs 30 October | Images 2025 Arts and Technology Exhibition |
| Friday 31 October | Inter-house Swimming Carnival |
| 03 and 04 November | Cup Weekend Break |
| 14/11 – 18/11 | Year 10 exams |
| Wed 19 November | Year 10 Celebration Day |
| Thurs 20 November | Year 10 Graduation mass |
| 24 – 28 November | Year 11 Orientation Program – CRC Sydenham |
| 24 – 27 November | Year 9 exams |
| Fri 28 November | Report Preparation Day (No classes) |
| 30/11 – 02/12 | Australian Catholic Youth Festival |
| Wed 03 December | Years 7 – 9 Immersion Day |
| Thurs 04 December | Final day for Years 7 – 9 students |
| Tues 16 December | School office closes |
Catholic Regional College – Catholic Earthcare Level 3 Certification
Catholic Earthcare certification supports schools, parishes, and communities in answering Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. Inspired by Laudato Si’, the certification process leads communities on a transformative journey of ecological awareness, action, and renewal. Through reflection, environmental auditing, and student-led initiatives, Catholic Earthcare promotes a deeper understanding of our responsibility as stewards of creation. Its purpose is to cultivate a culture of sustainability, faith in action, and long-term ecological transformation grounded in Catholic values.
At Catholic Regional College, our Social Justice Team has been actively working towards completing Stage 3 of the certification. This stage involves conducting interviews with staff and students to explore opportunities for enhancing sustainability across the school. Last year, the team proudly presented our progress to the National Catholic Earthcare Network. This year, they have focused on auditing current school practices in sustainability. The insights gathered from this audit will form the foundation of our Catholic Earthcare Plan, which will be developed as part of Stage 4 in our certification journey.
Professional Development: Exploring the Mystery of God - Dr Marg Carswell
This week, our staff took part in a professional development session that invited us to deepen our understanding of God’s presence in our lives and within our school community. We reflected on the mystery of a God who is pure spirit, who transcends time and space, who always was and always will be. Though God is beyond full human understanding, we acknowledged that God can still be known, experienced, and glimpsed in the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
As part of our reflection, we considered the ways we come to know God—not simply through what we are told, but through personal encounters. Just as one might stand on a mountain top and sense something greater, eternal, and beyond ourselves, we too can recognise moments where God is present in our daily lives.
We also explored how the authors of the Bible experienced this same transcendence. They too sensed a presence that was beyond them, yet within them, otherworldly yet active in their world. In response, they sought to put words around this mystery, shaping the stories, poetry, and teachings that help us speak about God today.
This formation experience encouraged us to continue nurturing our faith, to recognise God’s presence in our work with students, and to walk together in a community grounded in wonder, reflection, and hope.
Year 9 and 10 Exam Period – Preparing for Success
As our Year 9 and 10 students approach their end-of-year exams, we encourage them to stay focused, organised, and positive. This period brings the additional challenge of preparing for two exams on most days, highlighting the importance of effective time management, consistent study, and making the most of class time.
Exams provide more than just an academic assessment — they are an opportunity to develop independence, resilience, and confidence in preparation for the demands of VCE. We remind all students to balance their study with rest, healthy habits, and wellbeing, and to approach each day with their best effort and a calm, determined mindset.
We are proud of the hard work and commitment our students have shown throughout the year and wish them every success in their exams.
Year 10 Mannix - Ice Cream Fundraiser
Reflecting on time spent at CRC St Albans
Laptop purchase is now open - you can purchase your laptop for $
PLEASE NOTE: all damaged/missing laptops must be purchased as we will not accept damaged returns.
Once you pay for your laptop it will be wiped and reset with a new user profile that will allow you to have full control over the device as an administrator - you also have the option to pay it off between now and the end of the year if required - your parents will need to come in to set up the payment plan with the school.
For further information, please contact the front office on 9366 2544.
CRC Sydenham - Yr 11 2027
To register click on link:
https://crcs.vic.edu.au/join-our-community/college-tours-events/
Yr 10 - Police Presentation
Our Year 10 cohort recently attended a Police incursion presentation that covered a range of important and topical issues, including assault, sexual violence, affray, e-scooter safety, and cyber bullying. The session was delivered in an informative and engaging manner, helping students to better understand the legal consequences and personal impacts of these behaviours. The presenting officers provided real-life examples and practical advice, encouraging students to make responsible choices both in person and online. The pastoral care presentation was highly valuable, with students gaining important insights into personal safety, respect for others, and the importance of upholding the law in their everyday lives.
Hi everyone at CRC St Albans it’s me, Arthur, your friendly well-being pup in training! I just wanted to drop you a tail wagging thank you and a few sniffy reminders.
Thank you so much for welcoming me into your school community and showing me into your homerooms. It’s been pawsome meeting you all!
Here’s what’s going on: I’m currently coming into school one day a week, and during that time I’m working with my carers (that’s your teachers!) to train hard so I can be the best well-being dog I can be, and get used to this big new place that will be my “workplace”. I’ll be going into smaller classes to start, so I can get comfy around lots of people little by little.
A huge “woof-thank-you” to all of you who are already following my three simple expectations:
-
Saying hello to my carers (your teachers) first before coming over to me. This is to make sure I am in a good place to say hello to!
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Not crowding around me (I like space especially when I’m still getting used to things).
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Walking past me calmly in the corridor (no sudden zooms or big surprises please!).
These things help me stay calm and happy. In the mornings I can get very nervous and way too excited (tail spinning!), so if you could give me a little extra space at that time, I’d really appreciate it.
I also need a little extra help with something: when there’s food or litter on the floor, it’s a big worry for me. There are many things I cannot eat because they make me very sick, so please — if you spot any litter or food pieces on the floor, pick them up so I don’t get a sore belly!
Thanks you guys! I’m so excited to be working more with you soon and seeing all your smiling faces. I’ll bring my tail, you bring your calm walk-pasts and friendly hellos, and together we’ll make lots of happy moments.
Paws and wiggles,
Your new well-being dog Arthur
Yr 8 Girls Kicking Goals with Melbourne Victory F.C
During term 3, 14 Year 8 students were selected to participate in an all female soccer program. This soccer program was hosted by Melbourne Victory FC. The girls spent 5 weeks playing a range of different soccer activities which improved their teamwork, communication and leadership skills.
The students should be really proud of their efforts and participation.
This is what some of the students involved had to say:
“We all had a great time in the soccer program they set up for us during pastoral care. Honestly it was Jo who made it so worthwhile. She was so wonderful not like a regular coach or instructor but someone who made it fun looking forward too. She helped us to connect with other girls in other homerooms.”
Work Experience Applications for 2026 are NOW OPEN
Each year our Year 10 students take part in Work Experience for one week. This means, they will go to a workplace related to their possible future career. They will meet with, work with and observe the people around them as they discover what it is like to be working in an industry they are interested in.
Work Experience is a LEARNING experience.
Some students find their work experience has helped them decide that the career is the right one for them, while others discover an alternative which suits them even more. Often this is helped by speaking with their employer and workmates at the time.
Each year we get at least a few students who are offered and take in part time work with their work experience employer, and you could, too!
While it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find a placement, your family and the Careers Team here at school are the best support in finding something suitable.
TO GET YOU STARTED Provided below is a list of organisations who have early applications for work experience and most of them get filled up very quickly. If you are interested in any of these ideas, please checkout the links below and ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP TO FILL IN APPLICATIONS.
REMEMBER You will need to be aware of how you will be getting to and from the workplace …. Talk to your family at home about this.
ORGANISATION ADDRESS FOR MORE INFORMATION
FUTURE DOCTORS AUSTRALIA PROGRAM
MELBOURNE PORTS or email: education@portofmelbourne.com
WESTERN HEALTH (SUNSHINE HOSPITAL)
To find a place, visit local businesses, ask your family or research online.
CyberSafety News
10th December - Don't Panic...PLAN
As you know, from 10 December 2025, new Australian laws will require social media platforms (like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and more) to take real steps to stop anyone under 16 from having or keeping an account.
This isn’t about suddenly cutting everything off. It’s about starting now to make a plan with your family, not having rules dropped on you in December.
You can talk about which apps matter most to you, how you want to save memories, and what alternative ways of connecting might work.
Family discussion:
“If we have to wind back your social media, what would be the best way to do it?”
Next week: Why it’s better to taper than to go cold turkey.
Click here to access more information from esafety:
IMAGE 2025
If a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2026, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email jneves@crcstalbans.com.au or ring Jackie Neves on 9366 2544 with this information.
Your assistance with this is much appreciated as we have an extensive wait list at most levels and would like to let these families know sooner, rather than later.