May the love that breathes life into all of humanity
Be born in us this Christmas season.

May the love that brings forth all of creation,
Be born in us this Christmas season.

May the love that overcomes hatred and brings healing,
Be born in us this Christmas season.

May the love that forgives and renews,
Be born in us this Christmas season.

May the love that brings the fruits of justice,
Be born in us this Christmas season.

May the love that brings the blessing of peace,
Be born in us this Christmas season.

May the peace now be the gift we share with all
our brothers and sisters.

(Richard Becher, in Shine On, Star of Bethlehem, 2004)

Thank You

As we come to the end of the year, I would like to thank you for your support and hard work throughout 2021. As we look back over the year, we can be well pleased with how we have responded to the challenges that have come our way. As a community, we have shown resilience, courage, tenacity, care and kindness. Our school community is blessed. This year we have had the privilege of working with a terrific group of students, staff and families. Thank you.

In the mad rush, that sometimes marks this time of the year, I hope that all families find moments of stillness to reflect on why we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is a beginning not an end in itself. Christmas calls us to be people who bring hope, peace and light to our world.

May you enjoy the joy, love and hope of Christ this Christmas and may the New Year bring happiness, good health and many graced moments.

I wish everyone in the school community a safe, restful and enjoyable break.

Farewell

With the end of the school year we farewell a number of staff and thank them for all they have contributed to the school. Their dedication to our profession; their care and support of students, staff and families, and the gifts they have shared with us are all very much appreciated.

Mr Mark Donahoo, our Daily Organiser, is retiring after 43 years in teaching and 25 years of loyal service at CRC St Albans. In his career, Mark has been a classroom teacher in primary and PE, English, Religious Education and Humanities in secondary schools. He has been a Learning Area Leader in English and Physical Education and for many years was Sports Coordinator. We will miss his remarkable organisational skills, his energy and enthusiasm, his quirky sense of humour, his passion and commitment to teaching and the kindness and care he showed us all.

Mrs Lili Lupa, our library assistant is also retiring. Lili has been at the College for an amazing 35 years of dedicated service. Her own children were students at the College and she has now seen many children of former students come through. Throughout this time, Lili has been a gracious, generous and caring staff member. Her collegiality, wisdom and knowledge of all things associated with the library will be missed.

We congratulate both Mark and Lili on their careers, thank them for the service to the College, and wish them well in their retirement.

We also farewell our College Counsellor, Ms Rosa Baron Medina, Ms Adele Simoncini who takes up a position at Parade College and Mrs Mona-Lisa Schellebeck who has been on maternity leave and will take up a position closer to home. I thank each of them for all that they have brought to our community.

Well Done

I would like to congratulate and thank all students for the way that they finished the school year.  Year 10 students and staff had a terrific final day with a picnic at Hanging Rock. It was a great chance to have some fun and to reminisce about the year.

Similarly, Years 7 – 9 students enjoyed activities on Thursday and finished with assemblies and pastoral care activities on Friday. Many thanks to all families for your support in ensuring that students finished so well.

Semester 2 Reports

These are now available to students and families through the Parent Access Module (PAM).

SRC 2021

On behalf of the school community I would also like to congratulate the following students on their election to the SRC for 2022:

Year 8:  Angelina Brillouet, Alex Tran and Konstantyn Wejak        

Year 9:  Sandra Al Nissan, Monica Le, Mariam Moraka and Jimmy Tran        

Year 10: Greg Estepa, Isabella Nguyen, Silia Tanielu and Hoang Quan Tran    

We trust that each of you will contribute much to our community next year and will learn a great deal from the experience.

Thank you to all the students across the school who nominated for leadership roles. We are very lucky to have so many people interested in putting themselves forward. It seems that the SRC will have many willing helpers throughout the year. 

House Captains 2022

Congratulations to the following students on being selected as House Captains for 2022:

Corbett: Phillip Nguyen and Amber Nguyen

Guelen: Sammy Zogheib and Sophia Nguyen 

O’Reilly: Theressa Nguyen and Vincent Truong

Reis: Lucy Vo and Adaw Mayen

Social Justice Leaders and Captains 2022

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to be Social Justice Captains and Leaders for 2022:

Year 8: Anshi Sunkara and Ajok Mayom

Year 9: Audrey Gerada and Wilsin Ghpreta

Year 10: Amadeus Wejak and Danielle Villamor

Start of the 2022 School Year

Tuesday 01 February:   

Years 7 students only (9am – 2.15pm)

New students at Years 8, 9 and 10 (11am - midday)

Wednesday 02 February:  

All students return  (8.40am – 3.10pm)

The first day for the whole school on Wednesday 02 February 2022 will be Day 03 of the school timetable. Students should be able to access their timetable on SIMON from Friday 28 January 2022.

TERM DATES 2022

Please Note:

Year 10 students finish at the College on Thursday 01 December but have an Orientation program at CRC Sydenham from Monday 05 December to the Friday 09 December.

Mid-year exams (Years 9 and 10):       14 – 20 June 2022

End of year exams (Years 9 and 10):   25 – 30 November 2022

Families planning to travel in the middle of the year or at the end of 2022 are asked to note that exams and the Orientation program at Sydenham are compulsory. Exams must be taken within the exam timetable.

Please do not book travel before:

• 21 June in the middle of the year (Years 9 and 10)
• 09 December for Year 11 2023 students (Year 10 2022)
• 30 November for Year 9 students.

KEY DATES TERM 1 2022

A full calendar will be sent home to families in the first week of 2022. However, key dates for Term 1 2022 are:

Christmas Pastoral Care Liturgy

On the final day of school each pastoral care group  reflected on the Christmas story and how the Christmas Star (Star of Bethlehem) is a constant reminder of God’s unconditional love. Students looked back over the year and reflected on all the good things that happened and the fact that, even though we were in a pandemic - together we did it!!!

Each student was provided a wooden star. The star symbolised a sense of hope and optimism. Students then wrote a short reflection which responded to the question: When you search for the star of Christmas what will you find?

All these thoughts and reflections were gathered together and are on display in our front office.

Lord, 

As we prepare for Christmas, be our guiding star, light our way, call us to your love and embrace us with the hope and peace that the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, brings. We offer this prayer through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

The second semester reports are available through the Parent Access Module at http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au/. Students 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.

A group of Year 7 and 8 students took part in the Maths Enrichment Program. This is a problem-solving activity organised by the Australian Maths Trust, aimed at encouraging mathematical thinking and problem-solving ability in mathematically interested students.

The program takes place over 12-16 weeks in Term 2 and 3. Students work through a book containing a structured course and exercises in new areas of Mathematics. After working through each chapter, there is a set problem to solve. Students are required to present written solutions to as many of these problems as they can. The problems are challenging and require time and persistence.

Our students took part in the Dirichlet stage which includes mathematics concerned with tessellations, arithmetic in other bases, time/distance/speed, patterns, recurring decimals and specific problem-solving techniques.

Congratulations to the following students.

Certificate of High Distinction

Roger Louis (Year 8)

Certificate of Distinction

Angelina Brillouet (Year 7)

Lucy Nguyen (Year 7)

Certificate of Credit

Michel-Ange Durand Deslongrais (Year 7)

Emma Lean (Year 7)

Anthony Tran (Year 7)

Konstantyn Wejak (Year 7)

Kayla Lay (Year 8)

Emily Quach (Year 8)

Alex Tran (Year 7)

Liev Lim-It (Year 7)

Jennifer Tran (Year 7)

Timmy Tran (Year 7)

Certificate of Participation

Silvero Cham (Year 7), Xavier Pham (Year 7), Joanne Tran (Year 7), Evan Barisic (Year 8), Henry Ho (Year 8), Jimmy Tran (Year 8), Diana Doan (Year 8), Talen Lai (Year 8), Jenny Nguyen (Year 8), Marcus Nguyen (Year 8), Kathleen Nguyen (Year 8), Kayden Luzar (Year 8), Rame Dawood (Year 8), Siena Singarella (Year 8) and Dylan Nguyen (Year 8)

As we all begin to reflect and slowly start to wind up at work, school and the end of the year, there is so much to be thankful for.
Quote: “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention” (Kahlil Gibran)

We are encouraging you all to carry out small acts of kindness.

• It’s been another difficult year of uncertainty for many of us.
• Kindness is contagious and helping others has been proven to make us feel better too!
• Lastly, it’s free and better for everyone, as well as our planet.

3 Action Tips:

• Spread a little cheer to someone who needs it right now.
• Use one of your natural strengths to do something kind this week. This also helps us sustain being kind.
• Be kind to you, be kind to ourselves.

Please use this alternative 'Do Good December' advent calendar below with your friends and family as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/triple-triumph-as-brothers-celebrate-year-12-graduation-together-20211206-p59f38.html

Congratulations to the four students who worked hard during lockdown to prepare for their ANZCA Singing Performance Examinations. These students, from Year 9 and 10 Music and the School Choir, worked with Mr Marshall to prepare an examination program of varied styles and vocal techniques. All students achieved very high results: 

SACRED HEART AND EMMAUS

Christmas Eve 

Sacred Heart: 5:00pm, 7:00pm, *9:00pm and 12:00am Midnight (Carols 11.45pm)

Emmaus: 6:00pm, 8:00pm, and 10:00pm

*Please note: 9:00pm Mass at Sacred Heart is for 'unknown vaccination status'

 Limited to 50 participants

Bookings required https://www.trybooking.com/BMKXC

Christmas Day 

Sacred Heart: 7:30am, 9:00am (Polish), 10:30am

Emmaus: 9:00am

No Masses on Christmas night (Saturday)

Feast of the HOLY FAMILY Sunday 26th December

Sacred Heart: 7:30am, 9:00am (Polish), 10:30am

Emmaus: 9:00am

RESURRECTION KINGS PARK PARISH

Christmas Eve 

4.00pm: Children's Mass (Fully Vaccinated)

6:00pm: Family Mass (Fully Vaccinated)

8:00pm: Mid Evening Mass (Fully Vaccinated)

12:00am Midnight Mass - Carols from 11.30pm (Fully Vaccinated)

Christmas Day 

8:00am (Unknown Vaccinated Status)

9:00am (Fully Vaccinated)

HOLY EUCHARIST PARISH

Christmas Eve 

7:00pm: Family Mass - English (Fully Vaccinated)

9:00pm: Vietnamese (Fully Vaccinated)

12:00am: Midnight Mass - English (Fully Vaccinated)

Christmas Day 

10:00am: English (Fully Vaccinated)

12:00pm: Vietnamese (Fully Vaccinated)

Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures. Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day. Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brimbank Libraries are free and open to all.

To join the library you will need proof of your name and current Victorian address.

Children who are under the age of 18 must be joined up by a parent or guardian.

Young people aged 16-17 years and with proof of identification may join the library as an independent.

You may join the library by visiting any of our 5 Libraries at Sunshine, Sydenham, St Albans, Deer Park and Keilor

Joining Online

• You may also join online and we will post a library membership card and library information to you. To join online you must be over the age of 18 and a resident within Victoria

• To complete your online membership please click on the link below

The membership card and pack may take up to 10 working days to arrive.

Click here to join online

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Michel-Ange Durand Deslongrais

The most prolific reader in 2021

 

You can pick up your prize next year