Laudato Si (Praise be to you)

Loving God, open our minds and touch our hearts that we might attend to your gift of creation… Now more than ever may we feel that we are all interconnected and interdependent; enable us to listen and respond to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. May the present sufferings be the birth pangs of a more fraternal and sustainable world.

 We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

 Amen.

This week marks Laudato Si’ week and the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical (letter) to the world on ecology and climate. In this letter, he reminds us of the interconnectedness of interdependence of creation, and calls on all people of good will to take care of our common home and the most vulnerable and fragile in our community. Pope Francis reminds us that care of creation (all of creation) is an essential part of our faith and that protecting our common home is an urgent matter, one that can no longer be delayed.

On Monday a group of students and staff met to establish a Catholic Earth Care committee within the school. Their first initiative is awareness raising of the encyclical and its key ideas. We look forward to seeing where their work will lead us in hearing the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth. Pope Francis, Laudato Si', n92

Mother’s Day Breakfast

It was great that so many mums, grandmothers, carers and students were able to join us for last week’s Mother’s Day breakfast. From very humble beginnings with about 15 mothers, it has moved to the hall and become a very important event on our school calendar. I’d like to thank Ms Laura Cioccia (Family Engagement Leader), our wonderful school leaders and everyone who helped in the background to ensure that our guests felt spoilt, special and appreciated.

Library Refresh

Last Monday a group of students and staff met with Kevin Hennah (Library Consultant) to plan for a refresh of the library. The group looked at the organisation and design of the collection, layout, furnishing and signage, and have come up with an exciting proposal that we look forward to implementing in Term 3.

Thank you to the following students who gave up part of their student free day to be part of this project: Monica Le (Yr 8 Orifici ), Emma Lean (7 Yarra), Sara Ajang (7 Yarra), Edison Mo (Yr 8 Clark) and Wilsin Ghpreta (Yr 8 Edison).

Arrangements for Feast Day

Next Friday 28 May, we will celebrate our College Feast Day. School will begin at the normal time of 8.40am and conclude at 3.05pm. It’s expected that all students attend unless they’re sick. Days such as Feast Day are important in building community and school spirit.

It will be the first Feast Day for Year 7 and Year 8 students. The day will begin with a College mass, followed by activities in pastoral care groups and then the Feast Day carnival. It is always a terrific day and we are really looking forward to it.

Students can come in casual clothes on Feast Day and there is no charge for this. All carnival activities are free, however, there is a small cost for food. The canteen is open throughout the carnival and there’ll be a sausage sizzle and fairy floss. Students are encouraged to bring their lunch.

Fingers crossed that we’re blessed with a fine day! An alternative program will run should we have rain.

NAPLAN Tests

Congratulations to all Years 7 and 9 students on the maturity they’ve shown during the NAPLAN testing period. Whilst there are many benefits in taking the NAPLAN tests online, one drawback is that the testing period is over two weeks.

Students and their families should receive the NAPLAN report in late Term 3 or early Term 4.

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.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 2 2021:             

Fridays:  04 June,     18 June

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

Social Justice Team Update

The Social Justice Team met this week to start the process of Catholic Regional College St Albans becoming a Certified Catholic EarthCare School. The team began the meeting unpacking the term Integral Ecology. For many of us who are not familiar with this term it explores the relationship between the human being and the natural world, and recognizes the human as integral to nature rather than nature as subject to human domination.

One of the first jobs to achieve Catholic Earthcare Certification is to set up an EarthCare committee, which will have representatives from students, staff, school leaders and parents. If you are interested in participating in this committee please email hodoherty@crcstalbans.com.au

Year 7 Peace Reflection

In Pastoral Care this week the Year 7s returned to the question of `What does it mean to be people of peace’. They joined together in a year level prayer around their newly installed prayer symbols and peace commitments. The Year 7 students also received their Peace badge which is to be worn on their blazers for the remaining years at Catholic Regional College St Albans.

SHAPE Word of the Week - WELLBEING

Wellbeing is not just the absence of disease or illness. It’s a complex combination of a person's physical, mental, emotional and social health factors. Wellbeing is strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction. In short, wellbeing could be described as how you feel about yourself and your life.

Factors that influence wellbeing:

Every aspect of your life influences your state of wellbeing. Researchers investigating happiness have found the following factors enhance a person's wellbeing:

• Happy intimate relationship with a partner.
• Network of close friends.
• Enjoyable and fulfilling career.
• Enough money.
• Regular exercise.
• Nutritional diet.
• Enough sleep.
• Spiritual or religious beliefs.
• Fun hobbies and leisure pursuits.
• Healthy self-esteem.
• Optimistic outlook.
• Realistic and achievable goals.
• Sense of purpose and meaning.
• A sense of belonging.
• The ability to adapt to change.
• Living in a fair and democratic society.

How to achieve wellbeing:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with family and friends.
• Make regular time available for social contact.
• Try to find work that you find enjoyable and rewarding, rather than just working for the best pay.
• Eat wholesome, nutritious foods.
• Do regular physical activity.
• Become involved in activities that interest you.
• Join local organisations or clubs that appeal to you.
• Set yourself achievable goals and work towards them.
• Try to be optimistic and enjoy each day.

Where to get help:

• Your doctor.
• Family and friends.
• Counsellor.
• Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14.
• Kids Help Line Tel. 1800 551 800.

Reference: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/wellbeing#about-wellbeing

SACCSS Intermediate Futsal

Next Monday, 12 girls and 12 boys from year 9 and 10 will travel to MSAC and Albert Park Indoor Sports Centre to take part in the SACCSS intermediate futsal tournament. The students have been training hard since Term 1 with their coaches and we wish them luck for the tournament. If families have a child involved in this event and they have not yet done so, could you please log onto PAM and give consent for your child to attend.

Year 7 Premier League

Well done to all students on the way they have taken part in the first 3 rounds of Premier League. On Wednesday we played Kolbe and we had some great games, particularly in the boys volleyball game which went to 5 sets. Unfortunately the boys went down 3 sets to 2. We wish the Year 7s the best of luck for the final 2 rounds against CRC North Keilor and Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. 

KEEP CALM & KEEP FIT!

Did you know that every Tuesday & Thursday after school, we’ve had a secret crew of dedicated students kicking their fitness goals? Led by reputed trainers from our senior campus (CRC Sydenham) - Matty & Shazz have been coaching our students into breaking a sweat, releasing some energy, changing mindsets and getting fit by smashing through fitness goals, with their engaging PT sessions!

Look at ‘em go!

To find out more contact Mr. Damien Marshall: dmarshall1@crcstalbans.com.au

CRC St. Albans AFL FOOTBALL CLUB

That’s right- we’ve caught the AFL bug!

After much expression of interest from our students, the siren is finally about to sound. CRC St Albans will be running an AFL club! This program will be running after school on a Friday, and will focus on teaching our students the fundamentals of a game that stops the nation. In addition to the basic AFL skills, we will be using the field to focus on the life skills on comradery, team spirit, leadership, dealing with defeat, staying positive and keeping one’s eyes on the prize.

As a CRC first, this club sees no boundaries of age, class, culture or gender. We will all be training together under the leadership and supervision of sports staff who play at a local AFL level.

To find out more or register your child contact Mr. Damien Marshall: dmarshall1@crcstalbans.com.au

How to ensure you are getting the best out of yourself and looking after your health and wellbeing leading up to and during exams.

Later this term our Year 9 and 10 students will complete semester exams during weeks 8 and 9. More information about the schedule, will be sent out over the next few weeks.

However, there are several measures that students and parents/guardians could perform that may help ensure success in study before and during the examination period.

These include:

• Having a good study work space at home which is well lit with natural light and is comfortable for you.
• If a student is 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 approach to studying.
• Healthy habits that include a healthy diet, exercise and good sleep patterns are also important.
• Having conversations with family members about how you are going with exam preparation.
• Students are encouraged to share their study notes with family members.

Students are encouraged to utilise all available networks to ensure they reach their full potential and are looking after their health and wellbeing. If students or parents have any further questions about studying, please see your subject teacher or feel free to contact the school and speak with a member of our Learning and Teaching Team.

The Year 10 outdoor camp is an experience like no other, you will get to walk through the beautiful sites of the Brisbane Ranges National Park with your classmates. It is a physically challenging experience which requires a considerable amount of strength. You get to sit around the campfire with your pals eating marshmallows, and discovering new things about each other under the shining stars. If you are into hiking and nature you would love this unique camp experience and make memories that will last a lifetime.

- Sami Basra, Yr 10 Mannix

Walk in My Shoes Exhibition Launch

On Tuesday 11th May I had the privilege of attending the Walk in My Shoes Design Competition Launch with Mrs Rayos at the Atrium at Federation Square.
Steps Outreach Services and Concern Australia combined forces to create a wonderful competition for young people to explore the impact of youth homelessness and present a photograph or T-Shirt design that raised awareness of the continual growth of our homeless youth here in Melbourne.

The launch began with a formal welcome to country and then the Director of Steps Outreach Services, Anne Mitchell spoke about the work that she and many volunteers do in supporting our homeless. Then we all had a chance to look at the many designs and photographs that were entered. I felt so moved and super proud of the students in Year 9 VCD for all their entries and for the 4 students whose designs made it onto T-Shirts that are part of the online store. All money raised will go to supporting youth homelessness.

I would like to thank Mrs Rayos and Ms Cioccia for providing our students with an authentic learning experience that will have such an impact on so many people. I would also like to thank the families and students who went to see the exhibition; I know that like me, you would all be so proud of the incredible work your children created for the display. All T-Shirt designs that were printed will be on display at our annual Images Exhibition later this year.

Mr Clarence Marshall
Arts Leader