For the Spirit of Peace
that calms our mind
and stills our life,
we give you thanks.

For the Spirit of Love
that touches hearts
and reaches out,
we give you thanks.

For the Spirit of Joy
that lifts our soul
and gives us faith
we give you thanks.

For the Spirit of Power,
that gift of grace
for this your church,
we give you thanks.

This Sunday marks the end of the Easter season. Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and with it, the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ here on earth.

The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus’ disciples huddled together in a room, too frightened to speak, too frightened to go into the world and with little idea about what to do next. However, when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they are transformed, imbued with the gifts of courage, love and peace. They are able to go into the world and with confidence speak about Jesus; the way he loved others and the way he wants us to love. It was a message all could understand, no matter their background.

The same Spirit is with us today, guiding and protecting us as we go about building our communities (home, school, parish, local and global) to be homes where love can dwell. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of unity. It is the work of the Spirit to make one community of peace in a world that is rich in its diversity but where too often people live in conflict and divided from one another. Just as the disciples went out into the streets and began to speak of Jesus, we are called to welcome others, to be Jesus’ presence in our world, to listen to each other, and to speak with courage about Jesus’ call to love.

When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2: 1 – 4

Feast Day

Last week, students and staff enjoyed a terrific Feast Day. The day began with mass, followed by some lively activities in pastoral care and then the much anticipated Feast Day carnival. Everyone was in fine spirits and it was great to spend time together, just having fun!

Thank you to Fr Tuan Anh Do from Holy Eucharist for celebrating mass with us, and to the students and staff who prepared our liturgy: the choir, the liturgy team, readers, servers and those who led the gathering rite.

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.

Feast Day is the work of many hands. Thank you to the parents who helped out with the BBQ: Mirjana Strmota, Baydaa Abada, Mirna Toma, Sumood Barbar and Ivanka Jankovic. The various good stalls raised $2,034. This money will be donated to support people who have been displaced by the war in Iraq.

The Feast Day carnival gets bigger and better each year. Thank you to the Student Leaders on an outstanding job in organizing this year’s event.

Newsletter Attachment: Nationally Consistent Collection Data (NCCD)

With this newsletter families will receive information from the CECV regarding the NCCD. Schools have been collecting and forwarding this data since 2015. Both the State and Commonwealth governments will use this data to inform funding to schools.

Toyota Community Trust Grant

With seven other schools, the College has been successful in obtaining a grant from the Toyota Community Trust to help deliver 3D technology at the school.

The 3D Printing in Schools project works towards the goals of the National STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) School Education Strategy 2016 – 2026 and looks to:

• engage students in challenging STEM learning that is connected to real world experiences, and
• help teachers to develop learning programs that connect STEM knowledge with critical, creative and design thinking.

The grant is for equipment, including three 3D printers and staff professional learning. We believe it will open new opportunities for students.

Congratulations

Well done to our Intermediate Futsal Teams (girls and boys) and the Girls AFL team who have represented the College in SACCSS one day tournaments over the last few weeks. Both futsal teams did really well with the girls coming fourth and the boys third, in a very competitive field.

Our AFL girls held their own in all the games and are showing improvement each year. All teams represented the school, themselves and their families really well, demonstrating excellent team spirit, sportsmanship and resilience, and are to be congratulated on giving their absolute best throughout the day.

Thank you to Mr Ramos, Mr Marshall, Mr Orsini, and Mr Donahoo for training the teams and accompanying them on the day.

Verbal Combat Bullying and Cyber Safety program

This week Year 7 classes watched Verbal Combat, a drama performance, and participated in activities that highlighted issues around bullying and cyber safety. Year 7 families may wish to discuss this experience with students and use it to talk about online safety more broadly.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides some good tips and advice for parents and carers on helping young people have a safe and enjoyable online experience. This guide can be found at www.esafety.gov.au

Parking Restrictions

Brimbank City Council is introducing new parking restrictions on Theodore, Arthur and Biggs Streets, surrounding Sacred Heart primary schools. These changes are being made to meet parent’s parking needs at drop-off and pick-up times, and to ensure that students can move around the school safely.

We ask that parents read and take note of parking restrictions and traffic management directions at all times, particularly speed restrictions around schools and no parking areas.

2018 Annual Report

The 2018 Annual Report is now available on the College website and hard copies can be obtained from the office.

Since our last newsletter…..

Over and above the day to day activities of the school since our last newsletter students, families and staff have participated in the following:

• Year 7 Premier League
• Intermediate Futsal (Girls and Boys)
• Brimbank Young Researchers Project
• Trinity community service
• Shared Stories Author Visit
• Ball sports coaching program at St Paul’s in Kealba
• Feast Day
• Verbal Combat drama performance
• Year 7 swimming program
• Middle Eastern Cultural Night

I am sure that students and their families are very appreciative of all these opportunities and the time and energy that staff put into organising and offering these experiences.

SCHOOL FEES

Term 2 fees are due by Friday 28^th June 2019.

Please note if school fees are paid in full before 28^th June you receive a discount of $100.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding School Fees, please contact Ms. Ross on 93662544.

If you are paying all your school fees by internet banking and wanting to take advantage of the $100 discount.  Please pay the whole amount less $100.

We remind students and families that our library is open until 4.30pm on Monday – Thursday, and 4.00pm on Friday.

There are a number of learning support staff available each day to assist with homework and to provide study support. We encourage students to make use of this extra assistance.

Social Justice Solidarity Stand Refugee Lunch

DATE: TUESDAY 27^TH JUNE

The Canteen will be serving the usual items during recess. However, to stand in solidarity with the many refugees living in camps who survive on only a small portion of food a day, at lunchtime, only foods that refugees would have access to will be served.

Students can also participate in a lunchtime reflection in the language centre.

Feast Day Mass

Thank you to all the students who planned, prepared and participated in the Feast Day Liturgy on the  30^th May. The theme for the celebration of mass was `share what we have and it will always be enough’ The mass started with a reflection on displaced people and the students brought a gold coin donation to go towards the people of Iraq.

Fr Tuan Do (Parish Priest of Holy Eucharist) led us in our liturgy and shared his thoughts and ideas on the loaves and fishes story and however with a little we share what we have, it will be enough.

Thank you also to Ms Utri, Ms Petruccelli, Mr Marshall and Ms Carswell for their input and creative ideas that helped to make our Feast Day Liturgy a very special one.

Thanks again to the students involved. Your contributions were greatly appreciated.

READERS’ CUP LEADERBOARD

Current leaders in the Readers Cup competition:

Brandon Wolfe

Marsel  Eshaq                                                                                               

Sasha  Bangit

Tommy  Pham

Claretta  Rock

Francees  Alhadaya

Athraa  Matti

Narmin  Atallah

Maddison  Mavrogenis

Yousif  Alkateb

. . . What's On When . . .

 

NEW BOOKS

 The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars

by Jaclyn Moriarty

The town of Spindrift is frequented by pirates, Shadow Mages and charlatans. It's also home to the Orphanage School, where Finlay lives with Glim, Taya and Eli. Just outside town is the painfully posh Brathelthwaite Boarding School, home to Honey Bee, Hamish and Victor, Duke of Ainsley. When the two schools compete at the Spindrift Tournament, stakes are high, tensions are higher, and some people are out to win at any cost. Before long, the orphans and the boarding school are in an all-out war.
And then Whispering Wars break out, and all must join forces to outwit the encroaching forces of darkness, rescue stolen children, and turn the tide of the war. But how can one bickering troupe outwit the insidious power of the Whisperers? And who are the two mysterious figures watching them from the shadows?

 

Holes

by  Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.

It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption.

 

Reminder: The two new graphic novel series have arrived ...

Semester One 2019 Exam Schedule

Year 9:

• Year 9 examination period is scheduled for Tuesday 11th June to Tuesday 18th June.
• During period one scheduled exams students are expected at school by 8.30 am and ready to line up in class groups and move into the hall by 8.40 am.

When students are not completing exams, they will have their normal scheduled classes.

Year 10:

• Year 10 examination period is scheduled for Thursday 13th June to Monday 17th June.
• Students studying VCE or VET subjects must attend their regular class and/or sit their Year 11 exam at Sydenham on Tuesday 11th June or Wednesday 12th June (bus provided).
• Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th June, Year 10 students have normal timetabled classes.
• Thursday 13th June and Monday 17th June during periods 1 and 2, students have the option of studying at home and coming in at recess (10:40 am) or coming to school to study at normal school time.

Friday 14th June, students will have normal timetabled classes followed by one study lesson before their 2-hour English exam in the afternoon.

There are several measures that students and parents/guardians could perform that may help ensure success in study through this challenging period.

THESE INCLUDE:

-              Having a good study work space at home which is well lit with natural light and is comfortable for them. 

-              If they are using technology to study ensure that any form of social media is not in the background.

-              The majority of learning happens inside the classroom; therefore, students are strongly encouraged to use this time as effectively as possible.

-              Students are encouraged to have an open dialogue with their teachers about their learning and approaches to studying.

-              Healthy habits that include a healthy diet, exercise and good sleep patterns are also important.

-              Asking your child each night how they are going with exam preparation and opening conversations with them.

-              Ask your child to share their study notes with you for each subject.

If you would like support with this, please contact your child's homeroom teacher or year level leader.

We trust that students will be adequately prepared and wish them well with the exams.

We remind all our families that exams are a compulsory part of our school program at Year 9 and 10. If a student is sick on the day of an examination, parents are asked to please notify the school and provide a medical certificate. Once student returns, they must reschedule the exam with Mr Dale Marshall.

Exams, Assessments and Reports

Years 9 and 10 exams begin after the long weekend on Tuesday 11 June and finish on Tuesday 18 June.

Students are not required at school on Wednesday 19 June 2019.

This day has been set aside for the correction of exams, finalisation of assessment and preparation for end of semester reports.

Garden harvest and family volunteer call out!

The Year 7 Swim Program has begun!

This week's classes have enjoyed the comfort of a heated pool, with lots of water fun, fitness and safety.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and distributed on Day 10 (Friday Week 2). Students will have a chance to read it before placing it in their diary to be taken home to parents that evening.

Newsletter Days for Term 2 2019:             

Friday:                  21 June

The newsletter can also be accessed on Friday morning (Day 10) on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

We recently celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, beginning with a beautiful Mass for the whole college. The weather held out perfectly and a wonderful day was enjoyed by all. Thankyou to all staff and families who helped make this another fantastic event for everyone. . .

Term 2 2019

Monday 10 June

Queen’s Birthday Holiday   (No Classes)

11 June – 18 June

Years 9 and 10 exams

Wednesday 19 June

Correction Day / Report Preparation   (No Classes)

Friday 28 June

Final Day Term 2