Catholic Regional College St Albans eNewsletter

Through the example of Mary MacKillop,

may we learn to recognise God's will for us

and trust in God's providence.

May her life of service

awaken in us a deep respect for the poor

and a passion for justice.

May we share in her courage,

see with her vision, love with her heart

and live with her simplicity.

Amen

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary was a woman of great faith. In all she did, she promoted the dignity of others and worked tirelessly to help them. She provided comfort, compassion, education and love in our Australian context. Her steadfast commitment to her faith and the service of others is a true inspiration to us all.

School Assembly

At last week’s school assembly we recognised a number of students for academic excellence in Term 1, and others for outstanding service to the community. Congratulations to each of them. They are people who give 100% in all they do and should be very proud of what they have achieved in Semester 1. Thank you to all the families who joined us for the assembly and for morning tea.

The assembly was organised and led by our School Captains. It was a chance to reflect on Semester 1 and to look forward to all that Semester 2 will bring. As Rhanel and Arabella reminded us, the first half of the year seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye, and there are only some 90 days left. To paraphrase Arabella, 90 days of opportunities, 90 days to achieve our 2019 school goals, 90 days to build a foundation for next year, 90 days to be the best version of ourselves we can be. For Year 10 students, the last 90 days at CRC St Albans. I’d say, 90 days that we need to use well. Thank you to Rhanel and Arabella for their encouragement and for giving us focus for the semester ahead.

The assembly was also an opportunity to launch the five posters that summarise our positive school wide behaviour expectations. Each poster articulates our agreed expectations in different areas of the school: classrooms, lockers and corridors, the canteen and yard and the oval. The posters, in various sizes, will be displayed, either as a set or individually, in different parts of the school.

Congratulations to Jessica Tran who won the poster design competition. Her terrific designs have captured the spirit and essence of the expectations remarkably well.

Visitors from Nanhu Experimental International Middle School (NIEMS)

Recently, we hosted 26 students and 4 staff from our sister school, Nanhu Experimental International Middle School (NIEMS) in Jiaxing, China. For much of the visit, students participated in classes with our students. They were particularly interested in the Year 8 Discovery program, and the Arts and Technology rotation units, as these subjects are not typically part of the curriculum in China. For our Chinese language students it was an opportunity to practise their Chinese language skills.

Despite the differences in language and culture, students were able to form bonds very quickly and I’m sure that with the assistance of technology they will be able to maintain these new friendships into the future.

I would like to thank our gracious student hosts who did an amazing job in making our guests feel at home so quickly. Thank you also to Mr Zarosinski and the Languages Learning area who developed a great program for our visitors.

Plans are underway for a school trip to China in 2020. We hope to visit NIEMS as part of this. Again, thank you to all involved.

Step Back in Time

We are looking forward to our school production next week. After months of rehearsals, everything is almost ready for opening night.

English can be a strange and colourful language. Typically, well-wishers will say "break a leg" to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform. "break a leg" is an idiom used to wish a performer "good luck" in an ironic way. No one is really sure where the phrase comes from.

As we approach the opening night, I wish all cast and crew the very best. It has been a terrific experience so far and I am really looking forward to seeing our production of ‘Step Back in Time’. In theatre idiom ‘break a leg’ or good luck to all.

Student Parent Teacher interviews

It was great to catch up with families at the interviews last week. I hope that you found the feedback helpful and that students now have a clear picture of what they need to do to ensure a productive and fruitful second semester.

I know that finding the time to attend these interviews isn’t always easy, however, your support and presence is very much appreciated.

A small number of families were unable to attend. Pastoral care teachers or Year Level Leaders will make contact in the next week or so.

On behalf of families, I’d like to thank staff for their time and preparation for these interviews.

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:

Rehearsals for the school production
Shared Stories: Author in Residence program
Sovereign Hill excursion with NIEMS
Year 10 Titration Stakes
Sydenham Futures Expo
Student / Parent / Teacher interviews
Australian Maths competition.
Year 9 Premier League
Outdoor Ed Tree Planting.
Languages Week
Mission Gnocchi (Year 8 incursion)
Year 7 Chinese and Italian excursions
Student Leaders’ Conference
Year 7 classification incursion (Science)
School Assembly

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.

Sign up and help me represent you at the VicSRC!!

Hello everyone!

My name is Sonany and I've been nominated to be a part of the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC). The VicSRC Executive is made up of 15 students who are completing secondary education in Victoria. These Executive members are elected every year, and their job is to govern the VicSRC and act on the advocacy priorities identified by Victorian students at the annual VicSRC Congress.

To be able to vote, you must be registered as a member by 11.59pm on Sunday 11th August 2019. Voting begins on 12 August 2019 and you will receive an email with instructions on how to vote. The link below is where you need to register!

http://www.vicsrc.org.au/student-opportunities/student-members-faq/student-membership-signup

Thanks, Sonany

LOST PROPERTY

We have a number of items of lost property in the office. When items are labelled we return them to their owner, however, this is difficult when the items have no name. I encourage all families to check that uniform and belongings are labelled and to check at the office if you’ve lost items of uniform.

FEES

Term 3 fees are now due and should be paid before Friday 20^th September 2019. If you have any queries or concerns regarding School Fees, please contact Ms. Ross on 93662544.

A reminder to those families who are using Internet Banking for payment of school fees, that it is important that you enter the I.D. number and child’s family name which is located on the bottom right hand corner of your statement as shown below...

School Fees can be paid directly into our School Bank Account: Catholic Regional College St Albans BSB: 083-347 Account No.: 6909 17667 along with your Account Code No. as Reference / Description.

Families are reminded that they have ongoing access to attendance information, daily notices, due dates for work and assessment through the Parent portal, PAM.

This is a good way of keeping in touch with what is happening in the school. It would be great if families checked this from time to time.

If you have misplaced your password please contact the office and we will resend it.

CEMSIS Survey Information

All families were given a letter regarding these surveys which will be conducted in late Term 3. The letters were mailed home to families who did not attend Parent/Teacher/Student interviews. If you did not receive your letter, please contact the school office and we will forward a copy.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and distributed on Day 10. Students will have a chance to read it before taking it home to families that evening.

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2019:

Fridays: 23 August 6 September 20 September

The newsletter can also be accessed via the school app or on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

Wednesday 14 August 2019

Berry Street Education Model

Wednesday 14 August will be a student free day as staff will once again work with facilitators from Berry Street to learn about the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). This will be the third of a four day program offered over 2018 and 2019. BSEM focuses on positive education and wellbeing practices that support students’ academic and personal growth.

Initiatives such as the Positive School Wide Behaviours, the Gratitude, Mindfulness and Empathy (GEM) program, the CRC lesson structure, a school-wide focus on resilience, and the introduction of the Resilient Youth surveys all stem from our work with Berry Street in 2018. We look forward to learning more on the next two days.

Yr 9 Family Night, CAREERS and CAMP

TUESDAY 20th AUGUST 7PM

Students and families are invited to attend our family information night on Tuesday 20th August at 7pm. Mr Taylor and Mr Orsini will be covering the following topics:

Careers Pathways (VCE, VCAL, VET)
Subject Choices for your child
Work Experience
Year 9 Camp
Letter to your child on Camp

Please contact Mr Brad Taylor or Mr Chris Orsini for more information via the school office on 93662544 or email:

Mr Taylor: btaylor@crcstalbans.com.au

Mr Orsini: corsini@crcstalbans.com.au

We congratulate the following students who were last week recognised for academic excellence (the MacKillop Award) and for outstanding service to the community (the McAuley Award).

Academic Excellence Award:

Samantha Smith, Vivian Dang, Tommy Pham, Fadi Makdessijarjis, Hai An Vo, Katie Vu, Sonany Istaifo, Hannah Nguyen, My Nguyen, Emily Kio, Matthew Le, Julie Pham, Jordan Mo, Vivi Nguyen, Julia Cabaldon, Kimberly Vo, Veronica Le, Sacreana Ulugia-Sa'ena, Gyan Valenton and Olivia Barisic.

Outstanding Service to the Community Award:

Michelle Nguyen, Eleanore Durand Deslongrais, Megan Flores, Adongluge Fadiet, Caelen Khoo, Arabella Celine Julian, Calven Lipec, Elisha Gomes, Gregory Estepa, Tri Truong, Augustine Morris Jnr, Rhanel Hao, Vincent Nguyen, Rejoyce Modi, Mary Ann Shemiss, Dennis Truong, Nhi Nguyen and Delvana Dorbor.

Mom Daw of 10MK

I did work experience at DJ Murphy Plumbing in South Melbourne. The day started early at 6am and I didn’t get home until 6pm. I got experience working with people and different tools. On one day we did about 10 jobs and we worked really hard. I worked with nice people who made me feel welcome and gave me a hoody with DJ Murphy Plumbing on it. The boys took me out for lunch on my last day.

I would like to become a plumber and thank this company for letting me do work experience with them.

In our assembly we continued to unpack our theme for this year ` Lets build a house where love can dwell’. The following is an excerpt from the prayer reflection.

Let us build a house where love can dwell

What is your Foundation?

God, Family, School

Lord we thank you for all who provide a strong foundation. May they continue to give us strength.

Let us build a house where love can dwell

What type of house do you want to be?

Are the plans ready to go?

Are you still drawing wondering drafting?

Are you still figuring it out?

Lord we thankyou for all who encourage us to reach our potential. May we inspire others to be the best they can be.

Let us build a house where love can dwell

When people look at you what will they see?

Lord we thankyou for all who challenge us to reflect on what we show to the world. May we put our best selves forward.

Recently the above monument was erected in the Year 7 Garden area as a reminder of the creativity of the students and what it takes to be people of peace.

CRC ST Albans was proud to host a recent week-long visit from our sister school, Nanhu Experimental International Middle School (NIEMS) in Jiaxing, China. Students were treated to a day out at Soverign Hill Ballarat to celebrate the visit.

READER'S CUP . . .

Students currently in the top 10 place on the Readers’ Cup Ladder:

Gregory Estepa, Marsel Eshaq, Narmin Atallah, Ghandi Matti, Madyan Tamoz, Malak Ayshoa, Marama Baqtar, Frans Hadad, Sadeem Alkateb and Mary Ann Shemiss

New Book . . .

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling

by Wai Chim

Anna Chiu has her hands pretty full looking after her brother and sister and helping out at her dad’s restaurant, all while her mum stays in bed. Dad’s new delivery boy, Rory, is a welcome distraction and even though she knows that things aren’t right at home, she’s starting to feel like she could just be a normal teen.

But when Mum finally gets out of bed, things go from bad to worse. And as Mum’s condition worsens, Anna and her family question everything they understand about themselves and each other.

A nourishing tale about the crevices of culture, mental wellness and family, and the surprising power of a good dumpling.

BOOK WEEK IS COMING

19-23 AUGUST

CHECK WITH THE LIBRARY FOR DETAILS

Remember to put your name down to participate

in the various activities

What's On When . . .

MILO MORNINGS EVERY TUESDAY FROM 8.00AM

MINI BREAKFAST EVERY THURSDAY FROM 8.00AM

QUIET READING EVERY DAY

FRIDAY GAMES

Year 8 Discovery - Community Rotational rounds

This week, Year 8 students continued in their Discovery classes. Here we see the Tae Kwon Do class enjoying some physical exercise while developing their skills of concentration.

As part of the Year 8 Particip8 program the year 8’s are involved in the Fishes and Loaves Food Bank program. Every week three year 8 students go to Holy Eucharist Parish and help people pack about 200 crates for families who can’t afford to buy food. The Fishes and Loaves Foodbank is very important because people and families who can't afford to buy their own food get given a chance to still have essential resources which are necessary. Another reason Food bank is important is because students get given a chance to see what it's like in the real world and it is also a chance for a school to be involved in community service. I think it is something that the school should remain involved with because it helps families who don't have food essentials and gives our students the opportunity to help those families in need. Chantelle Thompson and Madison Televska Yr 8

As a member of year 8, I have volunteered at the Fishes and Loaves Foodbank. The first time I arrived there, I was really nervous but Charlie who runs the venue told us to pack items into each crate. Some of the items included dairy products, chips, bread, candy and other amazing products. Having the opportunity to help pack food for almost 200 families is really inspiring. While I was distributing the food into boxes, my hands got cold but it didn’t matter because getting to work with some of my favourite friends made it enjoyable. A benefit of this activity was that I got to know some of the families. Michelle Nguyen Yr 8

For more information on Positive School Wide Behaviour Expectations, please go to:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/management/improvement/Pages/swpbs.aspx

Congratulations to our Chess Competition Participants.

On Thursday 25^th July, our fifteen students attended the chess tournament at Recwest, Baybrook. Our school was ranked in the fourth place.

We are very proud of all the students who represented our school on the day. We believe that the students have fantastic learning opportunities in chess.

Thank You to all who participated and supported this event.