Remembrance Day Litany

We pray…

For all who serve the cause of peace.
For all who have lost loved ones due to war.
For all who continue to suffer due to war.
For all who long for Your peace.
For all who dedicate their lives to Your peace.
For all who bring comfort to veterans and their families.
For all of us -- called to be messengers of Your peace.

Amen

Remembrance Day recalls the end of World War 1 at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It was supposed to be the end of all wars. Yet human beings are slow to learn.

On Remembrance Day we remember not only those who gave their lives in World War 1 but also all who have sacrificed their lives in the conflicts that have followed and continue today. We remember not only the heroism of our service personnel but also the futility of war itself. War can bring out the worst in people – on both sides. This is what violence does. The damage to individuals and communities, on all sides of the conflict, lasts for generations.

As we remember those who gave their lives for others, we also remember all who suffer as a result of war and conflict. We ask God’s blessing on all people on earth, particularly the leaders of nations. May our actions bring about a more peaceful world.

The Ode

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

Keeping everyone safe

As is the case in all organisations, the College is doing all it can to limit the spread of COVID, should there be exposure to a positive case onsite.

Air quality is monitored throughout the school to ensure that all indoor spaces are well ventilated.  With windows and doors open in all buildings you definitely feel the breeze as you move though the school. Usually drafts are not great but they are re-assuring in ventilating spaces.

Compliance with mask wearing and staying in year level bubbles is also good.  Thank you to families for your continuing support in ensuring students do not come to school if they are unwell.

We ask that you continue monitoring for the following symptoms that people with COVID-19 may experience:

• Fever
• Coughing, sore throat or shortness of breath.
• Runny nose.
• Acute blocked nose or congestion.
• Headache.
• Muscle and joint soreness.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhoea.
• Vomiting.
• Loss of sense of smell / altered sense of taste.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue.

Our First Aid staff are vigilant for any of these symptoms and will call families if students present with them at sick bay. For everyone’s safety, we will err on the side of caution and ask for students to go home and take a COVID test.

Graduation and Final Day for Year 10

It is hard to believe that in two weeks Year 10 students will begin their transition to CRC Sydenham. On Wednesday 24 November, they celebrate the culmination of their time at the College with a picnic at Hanging Rock. This will be followed by their Graduation on Thursday 25 November.

Sadly, due to COVID restrictions, the Graduation will be outside and once again limited to students and staff only. The ceremony will be livestreamed so that families can be part of it from home.

Mr Ramos will forward details for both events to Year 10 students and families in the next few days.

Report Preparation Day: Friday 26 November

Whilst assessment and finalisation of reports continue into the last week of Term 4, Friday 26 November is set aside for staff to mark exams and to begin the preparation of reports. Students will not be required at school.

Enrolment for 2022

Enrolment at the College continues automatically from year to year. However, if a student in Years 7, 8 or 9 is not returning in 2022, we ask that families notify us as soon as possible. Please email echalmers@crcstalbans.com.au or ring Eileen Chalmers on 9366 2544 with this information.

Your assistance with this is much appreciated as we have a waiting list at some levels and would like to let these families know sooner, rather than later.

Fee Relief

The financial impact of lockdown varies from family to family. Some continue to work and are unaffected; however, other parents / carers have been stood down or had their work hours reduced.

We are keen to support families as much as we can. Fee relief is available to all affected families. Please contact our Bursar, Anne Ross so that adjustments can be made. Her contact details are as follows:

PH:   0427 036 925               Email:  aross@crcstalbans.com.au

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2021:           

Fridays:    12 November,     26 November,     09 December

The newsletter is available on the College website at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

Key Dates for Term 4 2021

Letters to Build our  Christian Communities

The Year 8’s are exploring how early Christian Communities were established. As many of the Christian Communities were spread out through the Roman Empire, Paul's way of communicating with these communities was through letters. Paul tried to support these communities who were facing many challenges by  providing a written message of support and hope. Likewise, the student body of Catholic Regional College St Albans faces its own challenges in their own Christian community context. Our College Principal, the Year 8 Level Leader, a teacher, and a Community Engagement Leader were all asked to write to the Year 8’s, just as Paul had written to his communities over 2000 years ago. In their letters, they discuss the issues of the day and offer words of support.

Here are some excerpts from these letters to the Year 8’s.

Ms Utri - Principal 

I have been thinking about you a fair bit recently, particularly about how different your secondary education  has been to what we imagined it would be. The start of secondary school is an exciting time as we look forward to our world expanding; to meeting new people, making new friends, trying new things and having greater  independence. 

None of us could have imagined the COVID pandemic and what it would do to our world. It has turned all our  expectations upside down, forced us to live with uncertainty and left us wondering, if and when, life will be  normal again. It is my hope that a more normal time is not too far away. 

Ms Stella Alexopoulos - Year 8 Level Leader

Be brave and engage with all parts of your life, appreciating what you have and meeting difficulties with courage. Be fearless and live in the moment because every moment is precious, a gift. The hardships of this past year, the resilience you have shown, and the wisdom you have acquired, let that guide how you deal with adversity into the future. I have great faith in how you will lead the future and how each of you can make a positive difference in our world.

 Hayden - Community Engagement Leader

Speaking of the future, I write to you now to discuss an even greater challenge than COVID. I am of course referring to the Stewardship of the Earth, the greatest challenge of our time.

Earth stewardship is much bigger than the idea of sustainability. Our school motto is ‘Love one another as I have loved you’ and as I see it, Earth stewardship is the desire and commitment to love the earth and all its inhabitants in the expansive and freely given way like Jesus loves us. Imagine cities and communities embracing and celebrating their connection to nature and faith, producing their own food, energy and adapted to the climate and biology of the places they lived.

Mr Donahoo - Teacher

Jesus taught us that we should love our neighbour, and when asked who our neighbour was, he told us the story of ‘The Good Samaritan’, which gives us the understanding that our neighbour or those who we will have a relationship with, could be anyone who is kind, helpful, caring and compassionate.

As you finish this year and move onwards into year 9, my wish for you is to have many good friends, develop relationships that will be of benefit to you and that both you and your friends show kindness, helpfulness, caring and love to each other and to those who you come in contact with. Take care and be considerate of others.

On Thursday 12^th August, during remote learning, a small group of students participated in the online version of the Australian Mathematics Competition.

Congratulations to the following students:

Certificate of Distinction

Year 8: Roger Louis

Certificate of Credit

Year 7:  Angelina Brillouet & Michel-Ange Durand Deslongrais

Year 9:  Eleanore Durand Deslongrais

The second semester reports will be available through the Parent Access Module at
http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au/ from Friday 10th December. Students will also have access to their reports through the Learning Management System.

With the period of remote learning across Terms 3 and 4, some adjustments needed to be made to content and assessments in Learning Areas. We ask that you appreciate the impact of COVID and Learning from Home as you read through the feedback provided.

We congratulate our students for all they have achieved in another challenging year and encourage them to continue their fine work in 2022.

Families that are unable to access the report online are asked to contact the office by Wednesday 15th December.

Year 10 Exam Period: Friday 19 November to Tuesday 23 November

• Wednesday 24 November: Year 10 Activities Day
• Thursday 25 November: Year 10 Graduation
• Friday 26 November: Report Preparation Day (No Classes)

General Information

• Exams will take place in timetabled homerooms (not the hall).
• Exams will run for 100 minutes (10 min Reading and 90 min Writing Time). (Except the Year 10 RE Exam (10 min Reading and 60 min Writing Time).
• For exams scheduled during period one, students are expected to be at school by 8.30 am and be ready to line up in class groups in their designated area and move into the exam space by 8.40 am.
• When students are not completing exams, they will have their normal timetabled classes.

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 the student returns, they must reschedule the exam with Mr Dale Marshall.

William’s Cup update

Below is the current standing for the 2021 William’s Cup. There are still a few activities that need to be added this term, so please take part in the different activities to gain points for your House.

SACCSS Awards Lunch

On Thursday 25th November a number of students will represent our College at the annual SACCSS Awards Lunch. The students will be attending virtually from our College. The awards will celebrate the sports events we were able to take part in this year. In the next edition of our newsletter we will announce the John Landy Award winners for 2021 from the Awards Lunch. So stay tuned for the announcement!

Monitoring air quality across the school from the palm of our hands....

As of next week the Library will be open for students at Recess and Lunchtime. 

One Year level a day.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.' Drunken Mr Jones of Manor Farm has neglected his livestock for too long. In a burst of insurgent fervour they rise up and he is deposed, with the pigs taking charge of the newly named Animal Farm. Everything runs smoothly, productivity soars, and all animals are well-fed and happy. But the further away the memory of the revolution, the more distant seem its ideals, and when Boxer the workhorse is betrayed, the horrifying extent of the pigs' corruption is revealed. Orwell's 'fairy story', a scathing satire of Soviet communism, is as potent now as it was in 1945.

1984 by George Orwell

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in what remains of a Britain ravaged by revolution. His every move is monitored by the Thought Police, who are responsible for detecting dissent against the Party and its leader, Big Brother and eliminating it. When he meets Julia, Winston thinks he might have found love, and a fellow loather of the Party. But when the pair are arrested and sent to the sinister Room 101 for re-education, their bond-and commitment to their shared cause will be tested to its limits.

The Wizard of Oz by L.H.Baum

'Come along, Toto, she said. We will go to the Emerald City and ask the Great Oz how to get back to Kansas again. ' Swept away from her home in Kansas by a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves stranded in the fantastical Land of Oz. As instructed by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy sets off on the yellow brick road to try and find her way to the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz, who can help her get home. With her companions the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy experiences an adventure full of friendship, magic and danger.

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from civilization the boys can do anything they want. Anything. They attempt to forge their own society, failing, however, in the face of terror, sin and evil. And as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far from reality as the hope of being rescued.

Evacuation Road by HM Waugh

Eva is far from home when everything goes wrong. And then it gets even worse. Her evacuation bus leaves her behind, stranded with classmates she barely knows. The chase is on. But South America is big, and the old rules are changing quickly.

This is the road trip Eva never knew she needed. This is the race for the last flight home.