Fasting in Lent

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

(Pope Francis based on an anonymous Latin prayer) Picture below from St Sharbels's Church

As we approach the third week of Lent, our opening prayer calls us to ‘fast’ from some of the things that stop us, and our relationship with God and others from flourishing. 

Currently, our global community is facing a number of challenges – focussing on kindness, gratitude, patience, compassion, stillness and prayerfulness would certainly help us to better care for each other, and despite the challenges to grow.

Final two weeks of Term 1

The final two weeks of term look to be very busy across the school. Students in all areas will have a number of assessment tasks due. We encourage families to access the Parent Access Module (PAM) to check student progress and due dates.

On Tuesday, all year levels, except Year 8, will be heading out for Immersion Day activities. These days are planned to support, enrich and consolidate classroom learning with a range of experiential and community based learning experiences.  

Year 7 students will draw together their transition experience with a Reflection Day, Year 9 have the first of the City Experience days and Year 10s will have a number of workshops. Year 8 students will have a modified program at school and are looking forward to their camp at Kinglake on the final three days of term.

Year 7 Family Nights

Thank you to all the Year 7 families who have joined us for Family Nights over the last three weeks. Your interest, support and readiness to be involved is very much appreciated.  

I’m sure that families are delighted with how well students have settled into the school and the way that they have negotiated the tricky transition from primary school. It is hard to imagine that they have only been with us for 6 weeks! Thank you to all the students who prepared the terrific presentations about their first term. Each group was different and reflected the particular gifts and talents of each class. The input was entertaining and gave a good insight into the transition experience and the life of a Year 7 student.

These nights are the result of much hard work. On behalf of families, I’d like to thank the Year 7 teachers, particularly the pastoral care teachers and Mr Justin Mead, for organising the Family Nights, and for all their work in supporting the transition of students. Thank you also to our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders, Student Leaders and the staff who prepared our meals. Your support and generosity are very much appreciated.

Coronavirus Update

The situation and advice around Coronavirus is evolving daily, and there is much information and misinformation in the public domain. At the College, our first priority is the health and safety of our school community. I want to reassure you that the school is well-prepared for the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

We are being provided the latest advice from the Australian and Victorian Chief Medical Officers by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd to ensure that our school practices are helping to keep our school community safe from the outbreak.

Any incidents that arise will be addressed in accordance with our Critical Incident and Emergency Management Plan. We will also have access to resources and support from Catholic Education Melbourne and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Parents and carers have a critical role in helping the school manage this situation:

• Exercise good judgment by keeping children home if they are feeling unwell for any reason
• Talk to children about the situation, as they may be feeling anxious or stressed. You have a key role in helping students feel prepared and safe
• Encourage children to be proactive and committed to their schoolwork, and to stay connected with the school and their teachers.

The Department of Health and Human Services has a number of resources on its website, which explain the virus, detail risk-reduction practices and behaviours, and answer frequently asked questions. These are available at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

You can also find information about Catholic education’s response at http://www.cecv.catholic.edu.au/Coronavirus-information-for-parents.

This is an evolving situation, but we will keep you updated as things change.

I ask that you continue to work closely with the school and to contact the office should you have any new concerns.

Thank you for your support as we work to keep our students and staff safe.

Best wishes

On Tuesday 24 March the College swim team will head off to the SACCSS Swimming Carnival at MSAC. The team has been training hard over the last few weeks. We wish all competitors well and hope that each of them is able to achieve a personal best on the day.

End of Term

Term 1 finishes on Friday 27 March. This will be a normal school day.

Policy Update

We have recently updated our PROTECT policy to include reportable allegations involving the Head of Entity, which can be found on page 14. The updated policy is available on the College website under Child Safety policies. https://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au/student-wellbeing/child-safety-policies/

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:

• Swimming Training
• Intensive English excursion to Werribee Park
• Year 10 National Gallery visit
• All Girls Can - Careers in Trades Day
• Year 9 and 10 Health Club
• Year 7 Lunchtime Dodgeball Championship
• Volleyball and Otaku Club
• Project Compassion Awareness Raising activities.

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.

ACYF Reunion

CRC St Albans students who participated in the Australian Catholic Youth Festival returned to school on Wednesday Night  to share a meal. The group discussed the idea of creating activities within our school community where students could have an opportunity to discuss faith and show their faith through action. Watch this space for further information for the CRC St Albans reflection group which will be meeting again in term 2.

Harmony Day Mass this Wednesday All Welcome

This week the student leaders will be hosting the Wednesday Mass and the focus of the Mass will be  Harmony.  Harmony Day is the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The message of Harmony Day is ‘everyone belongs’, the day aims to engage people to participate in their community, respect cultural and religious diversity and foster a sense of belonging for everyone.

Sacred Heart and Emmaus Parish First Youth Group Meeting

Date and Time: Friday, the 1st of May at 6:00 pm

Location: Emmaus Parish Hall, 376 Sydenham Rd, Sydenham 

All young people between the ages of 13 and 16 are welcome.

The Vision:

“To provide a fun, safe environment for our young parishioners to cultivate faith and community and to express their faith through their God-given talents in order to form authentic generation of apostles ensuring a faith-filled future.”

St Albans Catholic Regional College Sacramental Program

If your child has not received all their sacraements in primary school and would like to participate in the Catholic Regional College sacrament program please contact Ms Jacinta Dykes by email on jdykes@crcstalbans.com.au or by phone on 93662544.

Rise Youth Festival

Is a Catholic Youth Festival, the theme for this year is `Home Awaits’

Location: Emmaus College, 503 Springvale Rd, Vermont South

Time: 10-6pm

Date: March 21

Cost: $20

Featuring: Fr Rob Calea, Justine Cumbo, J.Sano

Register Now www. TRYBOOKING.COM/BHLGB

NEW BOOKS ...

READER'S CUP

The Readers Cup is a trophy awarded to the most prolific reader at CRC St Albans, and each term the top 20 readers win a special lunch. To be in with a chance to win, you need to borrow books and read regularly.

The current leaders in the Readers’ Cup are:

Marsel Eshaq

Huy Le

Long Huynh

Edison Mo

Aveai John

Rita Baqtr

Lukas Mikho

Noor Zahra.

-REMEMBER to get your Holiday reading-

Try one of the latest arrivals or perhaps a golden oldie.

If you liked Harry Potter try reading Disappearing act by James Moloney

If you liked The Diary of a wimpy kid try the Treehouse books by Andy Griffiths or I funny by James Patterson

If you like books about myths and legends battle the gods with Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

Read about a young James Bond in Silverfin by Charlie Higgins or the young spy Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz

If you liked Twilight try a Nicholas Sparks novel.

SCHOOL FEES

All families should have received their school fees by now.  If you have not received your statement please contact the office immediately.

School Fees can be paid directly into our School Bank Account:

For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either term one (28 January 2020) or term two (14 April 2020). 

A few families have not supplied their Centrelink Concession card or Health Care Card.  If you are one of them please bring in your card ASAP to the office.

 

CHANGES IN CONTACT DETAILS

Families are reminded that the school needs to be notified immediately that there are changes to phone contact details or addresses. You may contact the office by phone on: 9366 2544 or drop in during office hours.

The college 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 1 2020:

Fridays:   27 March

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

TERM 2 INTERVIEWS

Student Parent Teacher interviews will take place in the hall on

Thursday 16^th April (1.30 - 5.00 pm and 6.00 - 8.00 pm).

• The initial interview is with the Pastoral Care Teacher.
• Families are then invited to speak with 5 – 6 other subject teachers as well. (This would normally take approximately 30 minutes).

We look forward to meeting all families at the interviews.

Early finish on April 16 for Student Parent Teacher Interviews

Families are asked to note that classes will finish at 12:25pm (the end of period 3) on the 16^th April.

Student Parent Teacher Interviews

Families are asked to note that

classes will finish at 12:25pm (the end of period 3)

on the 16^th April

KEY DATES TERM 1 2020

Tuesday 17

March Immersion Day

Tuesday 24 March

SACCSS Interschool Swimming

Wednesday 25 March – Friday 27 March

Year 8 Camp

Friday 27 March

Final Day Term 1

REMINDER - YEAR 10 FAMILIES

Academic Testing at Catholic Regional College Sydenham. 
The details are as follows:

Date:

Saturday 18 April 2020

Venue:

Catholic Regional College Sydenham – Study Hall

Time:

8.30am until 12.30pm

(Please ensure that students are picked up promptly at 12.30pm)

Bring:

Black or blue pen and a scientific calculator not a CAS calculator.

A snack and drink for recess.

Uniform:

Full College uniform, as per their current College of enrolment,

must be worn on this day.

Any queries please contact Gina Zumbo at the College on

9361 0000 or via email enrolments@crcsydneham.net