A Prayer to the Creator

Lord, Father of the human family,

you created all human beings equal in dignity:

pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit

and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter,

dialogue, justice and peace.

Move us to create healthier societies

and a more dignified world,

a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.

May our hearts be open

to all peoples and nations of the earth.

May we recognise the goodness and beauty

that you have sown in each of us,

and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects and shared dreams.

Amen.

(Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 287)

Photo by Aachal on Unsplash

Welcome

Welcome to the 2022 school year. I trust that you’ve had an enjoyable break, and are looking forward with anticipation to all that this year will bring.

We’ve had an excellent start. There’s been lots of excitement as students catch up after the break, meet new teachers and once again settle into the patterns of school and study. It is great to see that everyone is positive and ready to do their best this year.

There was a lovely surprise waiting for students and staff when they returned to school. Our stage mural was completed over the holidays. This artwork is the result of much planning during 2021. A group of students and staff worked with artist, Sasha Heath, to design a mural that captures and celebrates the cultural diversity of the school community. The mural consists of 40 images of flora and fauna, each representing a different cultural group in the school. An olive branch and the word ‘welcome’ in different languages are woven through the mural, echoing our school song ‘All are Welcome’.  Thank you to everyone involved.

School Focus 2022

Our theme for 2022 is hearts open to the world. This comes from Pope Francis’ 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti. The encyclical asks us to open our hearts, and to appreciate and love each person, regardless of where in the world a person was born or lives. At the core of the encyclical is a story we all know well, the story of the ‘Good Samaritan’. Pope Francis invites us to revisit our response to the question of ‘Who is my neighbor’ and calls us to see all of humankind as our brothers and sisters.

Lunar New Year

This year, the return to school coincided with Lunar New Year, a very special day for many in our community. We wish all families who celebrate Lunar (Chinese) New Year every happiness and much prosperity for 2022.

Thank you to families

A very big thank you to families for all you’ve done in the background to ensure a smooth start to the school year. It’s always a busy time as you sort through booklists, buy and label uniforms and once again establish the routines of the school term, especially after the more relaxed life of the holidays. All this takes planning, energy and patience.

Thank you also for your support in implementing our COVID safe measures, including the twice weekly Rapid Antigen Testing.

Your role in supporting the learning of students cannot be underestimated. It is very hard to do your best in your studies without good nutrition, effective routines, adequate sleep and the right materials for class. Thank you.

New families

On behalf of the school community I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to the students and families who’ve joined us this year, particularly our Year 7 students.

The start of secondary school is an important milestone; something that students look forward to with great anticipation and excitement. I hope that your start has been a smooth one, that you are beginning to feel ‘at home’ and that your time with us is all that you hoped for, and more.

As well as the new students at Year 7 we also have students joining us at Years 8, 9 and 10. These students and their families come from diverse places: interstate, other areas of Melbourne and local schools. You are indeed very welcome.  

New Staff

I am delighted to welcome Andrew Bain-King (English, Visual Arts and Year 7 Level Leader), Ibrahim Huseyin (Humanities and English teacher), Jennifer Comerford (School Counsellor), Teresa Vu (Library Assistant), Michelle Das (Speech Pathologist), Edie Bush (Learning Support) and Julianne Pham (Learning Support) to the staff.

Jenny Spataro (Humanities and English) and Elaine Smith (Learning Support) and Atem George (Dinka Multicultural Aide) all return to the College from various forms of leave.

Each brings a wealth of experience, many gifts, fresh ideas and a strong commitment to our students. I wish them every blessing for their time with us.

Opening Assembly

On Tuesday morning we marked the beginning of the school year with our opening assembly. Due to COVID restrictions, the assembly was virtual. I thank Ms Cini, our School Captains; My, Caelen, Ana and Alex, Ms Dykes and Mr Marshall for organising and leading the assembly.

At the conclusion of the assembly, My and Caelen encouraged everyone in the school community to: 

• Share their gifts and strengths.
• Be themselves and the best version of themselves.
• Get involved.
• Build relationships with each other.
• Live the school values to be compassionate individuals, friends, peers and neighbours.

My and Caelen wished everyone an outstanding year, a year they achieve what they dream, see the best in themselves, are proud of what they accomplish and where everyone feels connected as one.

MacKillop Pins

At the opening assembly we recognised a number of students for academic excellence in 2021.

The Mary MacKillop pin is awarded to the top 10-12 students at each year level. Results from Semester 1 and 2 are considered in selecting these students.

I’d like to congratulate all students who received a MacKillop Pin. You are indeed a talented group!

Recipients of the Mary MacKillop Pin for 2021 were:

2021 Learning Bursaries

As well as the MacKillop Pin we also awarded a learning bursary for the DUX (student with the most outstanding academic results for each year level). The recipients of these awards for 2021 were:

Year 7:                  Konstantyn Wejak

Year 8:                  Janelle Lawang

Year 9:                  My Nguyen

Year 10:                Vincent Nguyen

Congratulations to these students. Each had a terrific year and achieved results of which they should be very proud. We hope that each student uses the prize in some way towards their education.

Kwong Lee Dow Scholar 2021

Congratulations to Vincent Nguyen on being accepted into the Kwong Lee Dow Scholars program at Melbourne University. Vincent has achieved excellent results throughout the year and is a worthy recipient.

Williams Cup

Congratulations to Guelen House on winning the 2021 Williams Cup. This is a repeat of 2020 and the House Captains are already planning for the ‘threepeat’. An outstanding effort! Guelen established an early lead and built on this throughout the year. The big improvers for the year were Corbett House who improved from fourth to second in 12 months. Well done to everyone for your participation and house spirit.

Final Points:   Guelen (179)     Corbett (153)     Reis (133)     O’Reilly (128)

Guelen House Leaders Sophia and Sammy

Year Level Leaders 2022:

Year 7:  Mr Andrew Bain-King  abain@crcstalbans.com.au

Year 8:   Ms Stella Alexopoulos salexopoulos@crcstalbans.com.au

Year 9:   Ms Christie Roberts croberts@crcstalbans.com.au

Year 10: Mr Brad Taylor btaylor@crcstalbans.com.au

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 1 2022:             

Fridays: 11 February      25 February       11 March          25 March          08 April                       

Supervision

Parents and students are advised that the College grounds are supervised on a daily basis from 8.20am to 3.30pm.

Outside these hours there are sometimes special activities, practices or events. For these parents are notified through the weekly newsletter or a special letter.

Parents need to know that students who arrive prior to 8.20am who leave after 3.30pm are not supervised.

The library is open until 4.30pm on Monday – Thursday and 4.00pm on Friday. Students are able to complete homework or read quietly in this space if they need to wait for parents.

School start / finish times

Students need to be at school by 8.40am and classes finish at 3.10pm each afternoon. However, students may be detained by teachers until 3.25pm without formal notification to parents. This allows teachers to follow up work, provide additional assistance or to address minor behavior issues before they become major.

Notification of Absences

We ask that parents or guardians contact the school before 10.00am if a student is absent on any day. This can be done by phone on 9366 2544 or email Lisa Grech at lgrech@crcstalbans.com.au. As Lisa is responsible for tracking absences we ask that parent notification by email be directed only to her, not to other staff.

If the phone call or email notifying absence is received it will be taken as the official explanation of the student’s absence and no further note is required. If no contact is made with the school, a note explaining the absence will be required on the student’s return to school.

To ensure the safety of students the College has a policy of contacting parents when a student is away from school without notification. Lisa rings parents after 10.00am. It is a great help if parents/guardians ring before we make contact.

Term Dates 2022

Term 1:                 Tuesday 01 February – Friday 08 April  

Term 2:                 Tuesday 26 April – Friday 24 June

Term 3:                 Monday 11 July – Friday 16 September

Term 4:                 Monday 03 October – Tuesday 06 December

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

All dates and activities are tentative and a final decision will be might in light of COVID risk assessments.

CRC St Albans Student Leaders Reflect on our school theme at the MacKillop Assembly

Our school theme for this year is `Hearts Open to the World ’. The inspiration for this theme comes from Pope Francis’ Encyclical Fratelli Tutti.  At its core, the encyclical reminds us that opening our hearts allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives. The story of the Good Samaritan personifies what it means to love people beyond our local neighbourhood and encourages to love people who are in need. The student leaders shared the Good Samaritan parable at the Mackillop Assembly and they concluded their reflection with this prayer that challenges us to live as the Good Samaritan lived. 

Lord Jesus,

You teach us in your parable that there are two kinds of people:

Those who bend down to help and those who look the other way.

Which kind of people will we be?

We say, "Yes, Lord, I will love my neighbor?

Those in poverty.... are they my neighbor?

Victims of war across the world...are they my neighbors?

To love one who faces racism... is he my neighbor?

Those disabled or elderly... are they my neighbors?

You remind us: Yes, all of us are neighbors.

Show us how to love, Lord.

May we emerge from our comfortable isolation.

May we build a world of compassion and dignity.

Lord Jesus, who was neighbor to all,

Help us to persevere in love.

Help us to restore dignity to the suffering.

Help us to build a society based not on exclusion, but on community.

Amen

Good news for Year 9 STEM. Last year CRC St Albans applied for an aviation grant
through the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS). We are pleased to
announce that we have been successful in our bid. The grant has provided the
school with a centrifugal thrust generator, balsa plane kits and Professional
Development for a number of our staff. The grant will provide our Year 9 STEM
students this year the opportunity to study aerodynamics, engineering and maths in
a totally new and exciting way.

The equipment in action can be found at the following LINK

Mark Johnston - Technology Leader

It is with a heavy heart that I inform the CRC St Albans school community that our production of “Little Shop of Horrors” has had to be cancelled. Over 8 months of rehearsal went into creating the amazing show and many staff and students were able to be part of this wonderful piece of theatre. It was very hard to inform the cast and crew that we couldn’t perform the show but I know that we all grew as people, learners and theatre makers throughout the process. I’m so blessed to work in a school with such talented, supportive, resilient and passionate young people. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to developing the next school musical for 2023.

Mr Marshall – Arts Leader

Here are a few reflections on the process from some of the students and staff that were involved in the show:

Ana Markic

I was cast as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and the entire experience was a blast! Although we aren't able to perform the show, it was still a valuable learning experience and I received a great deal of acting and singing advice that helped me to grow in what I love doing most. The cast had an amazing energy and a true sense of community, in which I felt as though I could flourish and improve in my role. I am grateful to have been a part of it all and would like to thank all staff and students involved :)

Evan Barisic

I believe that something we as cast members should take away from the musical, is that we were a part of an amazing experience and environment. It was meant to challenge the way we interact with each other as students and grow in confidence, rather than something that plainly remains incomplete. 

I am so unbelievably grateful that I was able to be a part of the project this year, and to see everyone work on their roles and be accompanied by other members was really what made it feel complete, from my perspective. In that, we can use what we've learned to broaden and extend our resilience and relationships as learners.

Danielle Villamor

Working with the teachers and cast was such a heart-warming experience and I developed many new relationships along the way. Although we never got to go live, our efforts were definitely not in vain.

Sammy Zogheib (Student Assistant Director)

It’s really upsetting how we couldn’t perform the show but I believe everyone would agree that we all got a lot out of it. I believe this show has helped me grow as a person and an actor. I’ve always struggled talking to new people, but being in an environment where I was working with so many like-minded people, I learnt to be more open to others and accepting of myself. Watching this show grow will forever change my view of acting and the theatre experience. It was an amazing experience and I loved every minute of it. 

Emma Baldacchino (Drama Teacher/Assistant Director)

Working on Little Shop in 2021 was a fabulous experience. Having been in the show myself when I was in high school made it extra exciting for me to be on the other side of it and have the chance to direct it. 

I’m so proud of our cast!!! The amount of maturity, gratitude, resilience, dedication, passion and talent these students demonstrated through 2021 was really admirable - especially as we continued to rehearse remotely!

In Drama we always say, ‘the process of making Drama is more important than the final product’. That is 100% true of our show. So, while we didn’t get to perform the final product, I think the process of making it is where the true magic happened. 

Pauline Corson (Costume Designer and Wardrobe)

Being part of our second school musical was an exciting and rewarding adventure. I enjoy designing, making and seeing characters come to life through their costume and wardrobe. I would like to thank all the students who put in so much effort in to rehearsals. It would have been an amazing production thanks to your talent and dedication.

Thank you to StarWeekly, who featured our Welcome Mural on the front cover of this week's newspaper.

Click on the link below to read the digital version:

School Fees are currently being generated and will be emailed and posted at the end of the month. They 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 (31 January 2022) or term two (26 April 2022).

Any family who holds a current concession card is asked to make sure that the College has received a copy. Please bring it into the front office as soon as possible.

Photo day is on Wednesday 16th February. Students must be in their full Summer uniform. If they have PE on that day, they must come to school in their full Summer uniform and change into their sports uniform for that class. 

CLICK here to order photos. You will need to have your personalised Order Number and Internet ID Number which was sent home with your child this week. Contact the front office if you have not received these numbers.

Newletter_Graphic_Catholic_Regional_College_ST_ALBANS_1_.pdf

SUMMER UNIFORM:

A Reminder to families to contact Eileen if you have changed your address or mobile number.

echalmers@crcstalbans.com.au 

ph. 9366 2544

Year 10 students and families.

Year 11 2023

Enrolment applications close Monday 14 February 2022

Please apply via the College Website as follows:

Year 11 2023 Enrolment Application

www.crcs.vic.edu.au

Join our Community

Apply Now

Hi everyone,

My name is Jen and I am the new School Wellbeing Counsellor at CRC St Albans.  I want to say a big thank you, to those of you whom I have met.  Already I feel welcomed, and have been able to gain insights into your kind, warm and collaborative community.  If we are yet to meet, please feel free to say hello.  I am always up for a chat.

My background as a social worker has gifted me the experience of working predominantly in the public health sector.  I am excited for the change and opportunity to bring my skills and expertise into the school space.

Prior to social work, I was a professional dancer which led me to becoming a part time yoga teacher and facilitator of creative pursuits.  My passion for personal wellbeing and the holistic wellness of others has provided me with a bag of tricks!  Out of work, you will find me fairly active with yoga, walks in nature and spending time with family and friends.  I also enjoy my down time as a lover of movies, coffee and baths!

As we acknowledge the challenges that the world has collectively embraced in the past few years, something I think we are all learning is to release expectations and go with the flow.  Perhaps even offering ourselves love and compassion as we accept what is.  This certainly is not always easy.  Yet the beauty is that we all have a story to tell, a life experience that is uniquely our own and somehow deeply connected to this human thing we call 'life'.

I am grateful and excited to be of service to your school community.  In previous work places I am better known as “Jen Zen”.  I love creating spaces that feel safe and welcoming and can inspire us all to be the best versions of ourselves.  Whether it is something big or small, I am here to support you. 

Rumi said ‘If light is in your heart, you will find your way home’. A beautiful reminder that everything starts with us.  If we can find the courage to live from our hearts, we can be that lighthouse, radiating joy, love and peace in a world that most certainly needs it now.

Jen Comerford - Student Wellbeing Counsellor

As we welcome back our school community we also use the first few weeks to get to know one another and form strong teaching and learning relationships. Students have completed ‘Learner Profiles’  where they have shared a little about themselves and their families with their teachers and teachers have done the same. Staff have worked hard to create consistent predictable routines and ensure we are creating environments where all our students and staff feel a strong sense of belonging.

Character Strengths

We believe everyone is unique and have something different to offer. Over the next week students will unpack and share their Character Strengths and celebrate their similarities and differences with one another in Pastoral Care.

What are Character Strengths?

They are the qualities that come most natural to you.

• Every individual possesses all 24-character strengths in different degrees, giving each person a unique character or strength profile.
• When you know your strengths, you can improve your life and thrive.
• Research reveals that people who use their strengths a lot are 18 times more likely to be flourishing than those who do not use their strengths.
• Character strengths are a vehicle for improving wellbeing and providing a sense of purpose and hope.

If family members would like to complete the VIA Character Strengths Profile and share and celebrate with your child, you can do so by visiting this website: https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register#youth

Character Strength of the Week

Love (Virtue of Humanity)

Valuing close relations with others, in particular, those in which sharing & caring are reciprocated; being close to people.

Focus your attention on strong, positive relationships. 5 simple reminders to help you boost your connections with those around you: https://youtu.be/659Wkb8KNpg

Back to school with strengths: https://youtu.be/FNNhDhtrAjw

Friendly February

Please see attached this month's calendar theme: Friendly February for you to reflect upon with students, family and friends.

We need each other more than ever right now!

This month let's focus on reaching out to connect with others and doing our best to be a good friend/teacher. Our acts of kindness and connection ripple out and impact so many more people than we realise - and they also boost our own happy hormones too! In stressful times people around us may be feeling the strain, so let's try to keep calm, take time to listen and show compassion.

Dale Marshall - Wellbeing for Learning Leader

The WRFL (Western Region Football League) is the community football league for football/AFL participants in the west of Melbourne.  We are running an umpire recruitment drive, aimed at increasing our teenage umpire numbers.  The next initiative is a series of Umpire Come and Try days through February and March.