Easter Prayer

May the glory
and the promise
of this joyous time of year
bring peace
and happiness to you
and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ,
Our Risen Saviour,
always be there by your side
to bless you
most abundantly 
and be your loving guide.

Amen

Welcome to Term 2

Welcome back for Term 2. Hopefully all families had a good break and are continuing to enjoy the joy and hope of this Easter season.

The opportunity to participate in the Easter ceremonies (albeit in smaller numbers), the chance to celebrate with family and friends, and to get out and about, meant that it was a very different Easter to the one we spent in isolation last year. Our thoughts are with people across the world who are experiencing second, third and fourth waves of COVID.

A quick look at the calendar indicates that we have a big term ahead of us so I hope that everyone is well rested, full of energy and raring to go.

ANZAC Day

On Sunday we mark Anzac Day, the day that Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli during the First World War. The theme of Anzac Day is ‘Lest we forget’. On this day we remember not only those who gave their lives in this war but also all who have sacrificed their lives in the conflicts that have followed and continue today. We should not remember only the heroism of our service personnel but also the horror of war itself. War can bring out the worst in people – on both sides. This is what violence does. As too many people in our own school community know, the damage to individuals and communities, on all sides of the conflict, lasts for generations.

Anzac Day falls within the Easter season and shares with Easter a hope for a world that lives in peace. One of the recurring themes in the Resurrection stories is peace. As Jesus catches up with his disciples he often greets them with ‘Shalom! Peace be with you’. ’ However, the peace Jesus wishes his friends is not a passive thing or just an absence of conflict and irritation, it is the peace that comes from creating God’s world; a world that focuses on our shared humanity, a world that is just and inclusive; a world where there is a place for everyone; a world where we live in right relationship with each other and our earth.

Both Easter and the Anzac tradition call us to be people who do everything we can to make sure God’s world happens.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

New Staff

With the start of a new term we welcome Ms Jasmine Crisci (Humanities / English) back to our staff. Ms Crisci is well known to many students as she worked at the College in Semester 2, 2020. With Mr David Boudaher (who was with us for a Term 1 replacement position), she is replacing Mr Russo and Mr Connors who are both on leave in Term 2.

We also welcome Mr Damien Marshall who will work as Sports Assistant and in Learning Support, and Mr Kevin Ba who is the new Business Manager for the CRC Federation. He replaces Mr Michael Testa who has taken up a position as Business Manager at CRC Melton.

Michael was with the Federation as Business Manager for eight years. We thank him for his tireless, dedicated and skilled service to the school community through this time and wish him well in his new role. Kevin comes to us with extensive experience in banking, higher education and business. We look forward to working with Kevin.

Each new staff member brings a wealth of experience, many gifts, fresh ideas and a strong commitment to learning and our students. I wish them every blessing as the join our school community.

COVID Safe Update

At the end of last term, the Victorian Government relaxed its COVIDSafe settings.

Changes to the COVIDSafe settings include allowing more visitors in the home, changes to mask wearing in some settings and updates to density limits in some settings. There are limited changes for schools.

Visitors continue to be welcome at our school, however face masks must be carried by individuals 12 years and over at all times and worn when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.

Individuals aged 12 years and over must continue to wear a face mask when on public transport, school buses and when in taxis or ride share vehicles – unless they have a lawful exemption.

Thank you for your understanding and support throughout this term as we continue to implement COVIDSafe practices at our school.

We look forward to welcoming our students and families back to more school events in Term 2.

School Photos

School Photos will be taken on Monday 26 April. These were postponed in Term 1. Students are asked to ensure that they are in the full formal winter uniform for the photos.

SACCSS Interschool Swimming

Congratulations to all the students who represented our school at the SACCSS Interschool Swimming in the last week of Term 1. We are very proud of this small but dedicated team who not only achieved some fine results but also showed wonderful team spirit and sportsmanship.

Thank you to Ms Andrea Jurcec who ran training for the team, and to Mr Boudaher, Mr Marshall and Mr Donahoo for accompanying the team on the day.

SACCSS Cross Country and Year 7 Premier League

Best wishes to all the students who will participate in the SACCSS Interschool Cross-Country on Tuesday 04 May, and to Year 7 students who start Premier League on Wednesday. We hope that each of you achieves your personal best, participates in the spirit of sportsmanship, and enjoys the experience of representing the College.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 2 2021:             

Fridays:                 07 May,     21 May,     04 June,     18 June

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

Year 7 Reflection Day

On the 26th March the Year 7 students attended the Year 7 Reflection Day. The focus of the day was to create an opportunity for Year 7 students to reflect on what it means to be people of peace. Throughout the day, students were challenged to see the connections between peace in our school community and peace within themselves. Students commenced the day reflecting on the following piece of Scripture:

Gospel – John 14:25-27

"All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The feedback from teachers was that the year 7 students participated fully and openly during the day. The following are comments are taken from the student evaluation of the day

“It was good to be in peace with God”

“It was a good time to clear my mind and reflect on things”.

“The day was just awesome to be at”

“I really liked making the clay symbols and the food they gave” 

At the conclusion of the day each homeroom developed a mission statement of peace for their homeroom.

In 7 Snowy we will be instruments of peace by spreading happiness.

In 7 Wimmera we will be instruments of peace by being mindful of our surroundings and showing respect to others.

In 7 Kiewa we will be instruments of peace by treating others the way we want to be treated.

In 7 Yarra we will be instruments of peace by living our school values of `loving one another as I have loved you’.

I would like to thank the Year 7 Religion teachers and the Pastoral Care teachers and students for contributing to the success of the day.

Social Justice Team Update

The final fundraising activity organised by the social justice team was a highly successful chocolate drop. The Caritas campaign concluded at the end of the term with the Social Justice team raising $633.45.

Health Club

Our CRC St Albans Health Club program is back for 2021. We have had students from Year 9 and 10 taking part in fitness sessions under the expert guidance of Matt Cini and Sharon Smith both Personal Trainers based at CRC Fit.

Students have spent the first few sessions working on establishing a base fitness and will continue to participate in the program every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm.

If students or families have any questions about the CRC St Albans Health Club Program, please do not hesitate to speak to Mr. Dale Marshall.

SHAPE Word of the Week – Term 2 Weeks 1 and 2

OPTIMAL

Definition: The best, most favourable, or most desirable.

For example; The Student would often participate in after-school sports and practice meditation to achieve Optimal Health.

Synonyms: excellent, ideal, exceptional.

Sports Update from the House Captains

Hey all, my name is Chloe Lefebure and I am one of the Guelen House Captains. As Term 2 commences the House Captains and Leadership team have organised multiple sporting events that students can participate in.

The year 7’s have Premier League starting week 2 of this term. We wish them the best of luck!

SACCSS Cross Country is on Tuesday 4th of May! Good luck to all that are participating. 

Girl’s AFL Day is happening on Thursday 6th of May! We are looking for a team of girls that would like to take part. Please email Mr Dale Marshall if you are interested, dmarshall@crcstalbans.com.au

Intermediate Girls and Boys Futsal Competition will be starting on Monday the 24th of May.

Junior Girls and Boys Futsal Competition will be starting on Wednesday the 23rd of June.

To conclude, the House Captains will be organising House Competitions on Tuesdays for year 9’s and 10’s and Thursdays for year 7’s and 8’s. If you have a sport that you would like the house captains to organise, then feel free to let us know via email or come and see one of us. Currently, volleyball has been going on during lunchtimes for students to participate in to earn house points and have some fun! So make sure to keep an eye out for the next house competition happening soon.

On the 26/3 of March on a Friday, the year 10 students went to the city to The Shrine of Remembrance. We hopped on a bus and drove to the city which took about 30 minutes. When we got to the shrine, everyone received a piece of paper that we had to fill out. From the first look at the shrine, everyone thought it looked really cool and something most people have never seen before. A tour guide took us around the outside of the shrine where we saw the eternal flame and a memorial tower. The guide told us really interesting information which also helps us with the topic we are doing in Humanities. We then went inside the shrine which displayed artifacts such as books of people's names who went to war, propaganda posters, statues, and lots more. During the tour inside the Shrine, we again learned some new things that none of us really knew before. After that, we were taken to the balcony of the shrine where we saw all the gardens and also the beautiful view of the city. To sum up, it was a fun day and it was also amazing to see things that we have never seen before. 

- Angela Tu, Yr 10 

This year our school will be doing NAPLAN Online. The NAPLAN Online assessment window starts on Tuesday 11^th May and finishes on Friday 21^st May. All students in Year 7 and Year 9 will complete 4 tests during this period.

• Writing (42 minutes)
• Reading (65 minutes)
• Language Conventions (45 minutes)
• Numeracy (65 minutes)

NAPLAN Online is a tailored test that adapts to responses made by a student. As students progress through the tests they will be presented with questions that may be easier or more difficult.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGFseJAM3Ew

Further details regarding the schedule for our school will be published for parents in the next newsletter.

To get an idea of what the online assessment looks like, visit the public demonstration site at https://nap.edu.au/

Hi my name is Deng Akol from Yr 9 Deakin, and I would like to share my experience at the Edmund Rice camp which was at Fairhaven beach.

The view from the massive house was amazing. Where we stayed there was a large lounge room, library and a big window where you could see the water and the sky at the same time. Sometimes you could watch surfers catch waves.

When we got there, we put our luggage away, and got comfortable with our rooms. There was a loud room for games, music and movies. The quiet room was for relaxing next to the big fireplace which was a good spot to drink hot cocoa.

We arrived late, so we had dinner straight away. After that, we got ready to go on a night walk. We saw limestone that glowed under a UV light, we went to the beach and played soccer and relaxed on the sand. Some of us lay down and looked up at the stars. Braydie and Trevor organised a big fire. That night I had a really good sleep.

The next morning we woke up really early and got ready to go for a long drive to the 12 Apostles. When I first saw them I thought “Whoa, that looks like the picture on my laptop screen!” I didn’t think they were real!

We also went to Loch Ard Gorge - there were barely any people there...but that’s what I liked about it. We also went into the caves which were dark. Luckily we had torches. We also got to have a swim at the beach - the water was so clear. 

On the third morning, I went back to the beach and lay on the sand.

I felt really calm.

I didn’t want to leave this place. 

My favourite time during the camp was when I got to spend time on my own by the fire in the quiet room and look out at the view of the water.

Marshall! Marshall! Marshall!

"Holla for a Marshall" 

"Please report to the Marshalling area!"

"Report to Mr Marshall in the Arts Building"

"Please meet the Marshall Brothers in the Hall" 

These will become very familiar lines we will hear and read throughout the school day. 

We are so excited to be working together in such a special place. 

I'm sure you will all get used to which Marshall you need to see or send work to. 

See you around!!

- Mr Damien Marshall, Mr Clarence Marshall and Mr Dale Marshall 

MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST - SAVE THE DATE

SCHOOL FEES

All families would have received their school fee statements 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:

Catholic Regional College St Albans. 

BSB: 083-347

A/c. No. 6909 17667 along with your Account Code as Reference. Eg: 151021

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 (27 January 2021) or term two (19 April 2021).

If you have an eligible card please bring in your card to the office as soon as possible.

If total fees are paid before 25^th June 2021 you will be entitled to a $100 discount per family.

Please order online or complete the envelope that has been sent home.  If completing the envelope, insert exact cash and student to bring on Photo Day to give to photographer.

WELCOME TO CRC LIBRARY

2021 CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

The following books have been short-listed for this year’s competition.

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?

Read the books and correctly pick the winner to win the prize.

The winning book will be announced at noon on Friday 20^th of August 2021.  Competition close 3 pm on Thursday 19^th August.

Identical twin sisters Summer and Winter live alone on a remote island, sheltered from a destroyed world. They survive on rations stockpiled by their father and spend their days deep in their mother’s collection of classic literature—until a mysterious stranger upends their carefully constructed reality. 

Twig is all alone after his dad goes missing. But when he meets Flea, a cheerful pickpocket, the pair become fast friends. Together, Twig and Flea raise themselves on the crime-ridden streets, taking what they need and giving the rest to the even-poorer.

Lissa is home on her own after school one afternoon when a stranger turns up on the doorstep carrying a baby. Reed is on the run - surely people are looking for him? He's trying to find out who he really is and thinks Lissa's mum might have some answers.

Paris, Dylan imagines, is a place where her black skin won’t make her stand out, a place where she might feel she belongs. But when she loses her mother in a freak accident.  Dylan finds herself on a very different journey: a road trip across outback Australia in the care of her mother’s grieving boyfriend, Pat.  As they travel through remote towns further and further from the water that Dylan longs for, she and Pat form an unlikely bond.

Seventeen-year-old Anna is running into the night. Fleeing her boyfriend, her mother, and everything she has known. She is travelling into the country, to the land and the grandparents she has never met.

Peta Lyre is far from typical. The world she lives in isn't designed for the way her mind works, but when she follows her therapist's rules for 'normal' behaviour, she can almost fit in without attracting attention.