A Humble Heart

Loving God,

give me a humble heart,

that I may be grateful for all that I have,

that I may put people before belongings,

that I may appreciate the value of

each person I meet,

that I may give willingly to those in need,

that I may seek only to do your will.

Amen.

Last Sunday marked the 100^th anniversary of the Armistice, the day that marked the end of World War 1. In this war some 62,000 Australians lost their lives. Countless others returned to Australia, their lives and the lives of their families irrevocably changed. They gave their lives that we might live in peace today. On Remembrance Day we pause for a minute’s silence to remember all who lost their lives or who have placed their lives in danger to fight for peace and freedom.

This year’s Remembrance Day fell on a Sunday. Fittingly, Sunday’s gospel was the story of the widow who gave all she had to the poor. Like Remembrance Day, the story invites us to pause and to reflect on what is important in life. Is it money, power, social status, qualifications or expensive belongings? Or is it people, loving others and living a just and full life? I am sure that our service men and women would have clear answers to this question. For the widow it is simple, what is important is trust in God. She gives her last coins to others, believing that God will look after her. Let us pray for such faith and humility.

Remembrance Day

Last Thursday we gathered as a school community for a Remembrance Day ceremony. During pastoral care students listened to stories of Australians who fought and served our country during World War 1. Students were invited to record their reflections and responses to these stories on large images of poppies which are now displayed in our Garden of Remembrance.

The reflections in pastoral care were followed by a moving whole school assembly in the yard, where prayers were led by our student leaders, the choir sang ‘The Last ANZAC’ and the community joined together for a minute’s silence.

At our ANZAC day assembly we scattered poppy seeds on the soil in our Garden or Remembrance. It was lovely to come back after the Cup Weekend to see the Flanders poppies blooming. These poppies provide us with a connection to the fields of France and Belgium where so many Australians fought and died in World War One. Lest we forget.

Finishing the Year

Students across the school have a range of exams, class tests and assessment tasks which need to be completed over the next three weeks. It’s vital that everyone continues to work hard to the very end.

As always, it’s important that all students are at school each day unless sick. Sometimes students will ask parents and carers for a day off towards the end of the year, claiming that things are winding down. This is not the case. The final weeks of the year are a time to ramp up, not to wind down. Winding down is the task of holidays.

Students who think they’ve left it all too late for this year, might like to think about the following Chinese proverb:

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.

The second best time is today.”

Images 2018

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening of Image 2018. This year’s exhibition of student work from the Arts and Technology was once again a terrific celebration of our students’ work. The support from families on the night was fantastic. It was great to see everyone there in such good numbers. I’m sure that you are all very proud of the high quality work that the students have presented.

Thank you to staff from the Arts and Technology faculties and the student curators who spent many hours working on the displays. Their dedication, energy and hard work were well rewarded by the appreciation and comments of the many visitors to the exhibition.

Choral Performance Evening

Last Thursday we enjoyed the inaugural choral performance evening. The choir performed a selection from their now extensive repertoire for family and friends. It was lovely to see the passion for music, particularly singing, that this group shares. Throughout the year these very talented students from Years 7 – 10 attend rehearsals at lunchtime and afterschool to develop their craft. They obviously enjoy each other’s company, the snacks and performing together. Thank you to Mr Marshall for all his work with the choir. Congratulations to Lesina and Jonoel on their fine hosting skills, to Arabella, Trixie, Olivia and Lesina who performed solo numbers and to all involved. It was a great night.

Inter-house Athletics Carnival

Sadly, last week’s much awaited Inter-house Athletics carnival was cancelled due to poor weather. With exams beginning next week and Year 10 students finishing at the end of exams, it isn’t possible to reschedule. Therefore, the final event for Williams Cup points will be the Years 7 and 8 Ball Sports Day on 06 December.

Year 8 Premier League

I would like to congratulate Year 8 students on a very good Premier League season. Students displayed great sportsmanship, fine team spirit and strong endeavour in all sports. Thank you to all the staff who coached a team, to Ms Jurcec and Ms Simoncini for their organisation of the events and all the students who represented our school so well.

Term 4 Uniform

All students should now be wearing full summer uniform.

2019 Re-enrolment

The re-enrolment forms for 2019 are now overdue. I ask that families return these as soon as possible.

Newsletter Days for Term 4 2018:           

Thursday 29 November

19 December (mailed home)                               

The newsletter can also be accessed on Friday morning (Day 10) on the College website at

http://www.crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au

Since our last newsletter…..

Over and above the day to day activities of the school since our last newsletter students, families and staff have participated in the following:

• Year 8 Premier League
• Year 10 VCE / VET exams
• PAT Testing
• Remembrance Day assembly
• Trinity United Nations summit
• Year 7 Back to Day
• Choral Performance evening
• Year 10 Music Night

I am sure that students and their families are very appreciative of all these opportunities and the time and energy that staff put into organising and offering these experiences.

Plenary Council

By listening to young people, the Church will once again hear the Lord speaking in todays world.  As in the days of Samuel (cf. 1 Sam 3: 1-21) and Jeremiah (cf Jer 1:4-10), young people know how to discern the signs of our times. Listening to them the Church can glimpse at the world that lies ahead.

In 2020 the Australian Church will hold its fourth ever Plenary Council. In explaining the reason for this Plenary Council Archbishop Mark Coleridge said,

The church is not the presence in our society it once was. We need to take a measure of that and make decisions accordingly. The culture in which we have to proclaim the Gospel is very different to what it was even 20 or 30 years ago.

The Catholic Education Office Melbourne are planning to run train the trainer

Engaging with the Plenary Council

Every member of the Church is invited to engage with this process and we have until Ash Wednesday 2019 to make submissions. The Plenary Council facilitation team has created a process for any group, ideally a group of four, to listen to each other and to make a submission. To support schools to engage with this process Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM) is offering:

one workshop for students (10 December) at the CLC.

These are intended as ‘train the trainer’ workshops, so that those who attend can facilitate the process in their school with their peers, whether staff or students. Every person in every school should have an opportunity to have their say. If you are a year 9 student and interested in attending the training session please see Ms Dykes or email her jdykes@crcstalbans.com.au. It is hoped that CRC St Albans will have a Plenary Council student discussion group early in 2019.

Australian Mathematics Competition

On Thursday 9^th August, 44 of our students participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition and were awarded the following certificates:

• 1 High Distinction
• 2 Distinction
• 17 Credit
• 20 Proficiency
• 4 Participation

Congratulations to the following students and all those who participated.

Certificate of High Distinction

Year 10: Annabelle Tran

Certificate of Distinction

Year 7:  Maire McEvoy

Year 8:  Sandy Hong

Certificate of Credit

Year 7:

Vincent Nguyen, Matthew Le, Genevieve Durand Deslongrais, Hinh Ho & Leo Thinh

Year 8:

Vivi Nguyen, Teresa Bui, Michael Tran, Alessia Lo Guarro, Jordan Mo & Phillip Rafoo

Year 9:

Hannah Nguyen & Rhanel Hao

Year 10:

Daniel Duong, Jordan Luong, Xuan-Dien Vo & Viamal Naik.

Catholic Regional College St Albans

Semester Two 2018 Exam Schedule

Year 9:

• Wednesday 21st November – Year 9 students start their exams.
• Year 9 students will have one exam per day during the first 2 periods followed by normal classes in periods 3 – 6.

Year 10:

• Year 10 students will not be expected at school until lunchtime for all exams.
• Wednesday 21st November – First Exam; Year 10 Humanities.
• Monday 26th November – Those students completing the Language Exam, will be required to attend school at the beginning of recess.
• Wednesday 28th November – Year 10 Picnic and last day.
• Thursday 29th November – Year 10 Graduation Mass.
• Monday 3rd December – Year 10 to 11 Orientation Week at CRC Sydenham commences.

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.

At CRC St Albans, we remember those who have lost their lives as a result of war or those who have placed their own life in danger in order to fight for peace. 

This week, students were shown stories and interviews from war, including 'The Boy Soldier' and 'An Anzac's Story.

When they had listened/read their story, they were all invited to write a word or a phrase onto their class poster, which allows them to remember or respect those who have pledged their life of service in war or conflict - a message or word of peace.

With the finished poster in hand, and a posy of Rosemary in the other, students from each class lay their thoughts and prayers along the front of the stage in the main yard. 

The rest of the school assembled, and stood in silence as the bugler played The Last Post.

Our flags were lowered to half mast, and our prayers of hope and peace were placed in our Poppy garden. 

LEST WE FORGET .....

ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE TO BE RETURNED BY

THURSDAY 29^TH NOVEMBER.

Please check your emails for overdue notices from the Library.

REMINDER: 

SECONDHAND BOOK SALE

is coming up ...

Maths book 7, 8, 9 & 10

and some novels will be on sale.

If your child's used books are still in good condition, you may be able to sell them - Just ask at the library.

BOOK REVIEW

Limelight

by Solli Raphael

Age is no barrier to creating poetry that inspires social change and positive action. Thirteen-year-old award-winning slam poet Solli Raphael is taking on the world … one word at a time. 

The future needs you and me to create equality across all levels of humanity ~ Solli

Limelight is a unique collection of slam poetry paired with inspirational writing techniques. With over 30 original poems in different forms, the book features viral video sensation ‘Australian Air’, which has been viewed 3.5 million times via Facebook. Solli’s work tackles current social concerns for his generation, such as sustainability and social equality, all the while amplifying his uplifting message of hope.

The book includes several introductory chapters looking at traditional poetry forms and slam poetry, as well as tips on developing writing ideas and performing. Filled with his own experiences of creating poetry and speaking in public, such as Solli’s top 10 ways to manage writer’s block, this book engages kids on their level and encourages them to speak up for a better future of their own.

As a voice of his generation, and at a time when youth movements worldwide hold much importance, this extraordinary book showcases creativity and the power of social consciousness.

MINI BREAKFAST

in the library

every Friday morning

Come in and join us for a mini-breakfast and have some toast and orange juice.

8.00 am every Friday!

A reminder that all school fees should be paid in full before 7th December 2018.  School Fees can be paid directly into our School Bank Account as follows:

Catholic Regional College St Albans

BSB: 083-347

Account No: 6909 17667

Please also include your Account Code as Reference.

All Yr 10 School Fees should be finalised by 30th November 2018.

Families are encouraged to contact the office to set up arrangements for 2019 School Fees and the (CSEF) Camps Sports and Excursions Fund 2019.

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 (29 January 2019) or term two (23 April 2019).

If you have any concerns regarding School Fees,

please contact Ms Ross on 93662544.

ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS WANTED

Key Dates

Term 4 2018

Wednesday 21 November – Friday 28 November:

Year 9 and 10 exams

Wednesday 28 November:

Year 10 final day of classes / picnic

Thursday 29 November:

Year 10 Graduation mass

Friday 30 November:

Correction Day - No students required at school

Monday 3 December – Friday 7 December:

Year 11 Orientation Program – CRC Sydenham

Thursday 6 December:

Year 7 & 8 Ball Sports

Year 9 Trinity

Friday 7 December:

Final day for Years 7 – 9 students

Wed 19 December:

School office closes