Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen. 

(Pope Francis based on an anonymous Latin prayer)

Lent calls us to a change of heart. Our opening prayer highlights some simple actions that might foster more compassionate and generous hearts, and thus a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Currently, our local and global communities are facing a number of challenges – focussing on kindness, gratitude, patience, compassion, stillness and prayerfulness would certainly help us to better care for each other and, despite the challenges, to grow.

We keep all who have been affected by the floods in Queensland and NSW in our thoughts and prayers, and we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for world leaders to do what is right to achieve peace in this country.

Long Weekend

A reminder to families that there are no classes on Monday as it is the Labour Day weekend. I wish families a good mini break. The long weekend is an opportunity for students and staff to re-charge for the final four weeks of Term 1.

Catholic Education Week

Sunday marks the start of Catholic Education Week. This week provides a chance to reflect on and to celebrate the fine work being done across our schools. Our fortnightly newsletter gives families a window into the many great things happening in our own school. None of this can be achieved without the great commitment of staff, the support of families and the enthusiasm, interest and involvement of our students. We are blessed in all areas. Thank you.

School Advisory Council (Catholic Regional College St Albans)

Just a reminder that expressions of interest for the Catholic Regional College St Albans School Advisory Council close on Tuesday 15 March at 4.00pm. I encourage parents and carers to apply. This is a terrific way to serve our school community. A few lines about yourself, your connection to the College, involvement in parish life and reasons for your interest in being part of the School Advisory Council.  Please email the expression of interest to principal@crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au by 4.00pm on Tuesday 15 March 2022.

COVID Safe Practices

  a) Masks

Whilst masks are no longer mandatory, we encourage students to continue wearing them.

  b) Rapid Antigen Tests

We expect the next delivery of Rapid Antigen Tests to arrive early next week. Families will receive a text message on the day that they are distributed to students.

We encourage students to complete a Rapid Antigen Test twice a week on school days, one early in the week (Monday or Tuesday) and the other a few days later. This surveillance testing assists in early detection of COVID positive cases in the school community.

  c) Staying home if you are unwell

Thank you to families for your support in ensuring that students stay home if they are unwell.

Inter-house Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to Corbett House on taking out the overall trophy at last week’s inter-house swimming carnival. Corbett also won the Boys’ aggregate trophy whilst O’Reilly took out the Girls’ aggregate.

Our swimmers were blessed with perfect swimming weather, not too hot and not too cold. Congratulations to all the students who represented their House and who did their absolute best for their team. There were some very good team and individual performances. Thank you to all the enthusiastic supporters who cheered for the swimmers all day.

Thank you to Mr Boudaher, Mr Damien Marshall, the House Captains and all who assisted them in organising a fine swimming carnival, an interesting land based program and a very enjoyable day.

On Tuesday 29 March the College swim team will head off to the SACCSS Swimming Carnival at MSAC. We wish all competitors well and hope that each of them is able to achieve a personal best on the day.

Excursion Permission (Parent Access Module)

We remind all families that permission for excursions must be given through the Parent Access Module (PAM). Unfortunately, despite many reminder notifications, a number of students missed the swimming carnival as they did not have permission to attend.

Parents / Carers who need their password can ring reception (9366 2544) or email enquiries@crcstalbans.com.au for the password.

Information on how to use PAM can be found on the College website under the ‘Information’ tab. The information is provided in English, Arabic, Vietnamese and Dinka.

We are also happy to assist families with downloading the app and/or showing you how to use PAM, in person, if you contact the office.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 1 2022:         

Fridays:             25 March          08 April

Key Dates Term 1 2022

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

This year as a school we will travel the Lenten journey together as we aspire to change our hearts during this time of Lent. Each day students will have a particular focus from the Good Samaritan Story to reflect on their relationship with God and to take time to `Open Our Hearts to the World'.

Good Samaritan Challenge Monday

Is an opportunity for each student to reflect on how they challenge themselves to be more during Lent. Each Monday we will reflect on part of the Good Samaritan story. At the end of each reflection we will have a challenge question, this question could be discussed in class or written down as a reflection in the school diaries.

Tuesday Art Installation Project -`Hearts Open to the World'

On Tuesday we are developing an art installation of our Hearts Open to the World Challenge. Each homeroom will contribute to during Pastoral Care time. All the fabric will be collected each week, and week by week, our art installation will be built.

Wednesday Prayer

Traditionally Christians pray for themselves and others during this time of Lent. On Wednesday CRC St Albans will join in prayer for the people and communities we encounter through the Caritas stories about the poorest of the poor.

Thursday Almsgiving - Dodgeball Fundraiser

Almsgiving is a sign of our care for others and an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given us. Each Thursday we will have the Social Justice team and house leaders running a dodgeball competition for a particular year level to raise money for Caritas. It's a gold coin to play and the Year level that raises the most money will challenge staff to a dodgeball comp in the final week of Lent.

Friday Fasting

Fasting is one of the most ancient practices linked to Lent. Fasting can be linked to our concern for those who are forced to fast by their poverty, those who suffer from the injustices of our economic and political structures, and those who are in need for any reason. Abstaining from meat traditionally also linked us to the poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals. On Fridays as a school community, we will not be selling meat in the canteen but you may choose other ways to 'fast' such as social media. 

Academic Testing Day

Saturday 30 April 2022

8.30am - 12.30pm

Compulsory for all students.

Further information will be sent via mail to all enrolled families.

On the 3rd of March, we held our annual swimming carnival and we all had a joyous day watching the competition or taking part in events. Even though we weren’t able to enjoy the day as a whole school we still managed to embrace our House spirit. I hope you all had fun relaxing and bonding with your friends with the various land events such as volleyball, jenga, chess and tug-of-war. We’re open to suggestions on what we can improve on for the next carnival, so please let us know.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and won their events. Please look out for more activities and events happening during lunchtime over the coming months.

Being the Corbett House Captain I’m super proud to announce that Corbett blasted their way to first place with 404 points! Another congratulations to the following students who received medals by knocking out the rest of the competition from their year levels!

From the House Captain team, we all hope you had a blast as we did, and make sure to always show your house spirit! 

Phillip Nguyen - Corbett House Captain

Catholic Regional College St Albans
CRC St Albans Swimming Carnival 2022 3/03/22

Divisional Scores

Character Strength of the Week

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

Welcome to Mindful March

The year 7 Visual Art students have been busy designing a gargoyle creature which they will be making out of terracotta clay. They learnt about the 'pinch pot' technique which will be used to create the body of their creature. We can't wait to see the final product.

At the start of each year, I encourage friends, family and clients to write a letter to themselves.  It is by far, the greatest gift you will give to yourself.  You simply write a letter which includes your hopes and dreams for the year ahead.  Once complete, 

seal it and write the date a year from now and put it in a safe place.  It’s amazing how quickly life can go by, and how much can happen throughout the year.  Often, we focus on the negatives, what is not happening.  This is an opportunity to capture a moment in a time and see how much you have actually achieved. I have been told from those who have completed a letter to themselves, just how heart warming it is and I have also experienced the joy it brings me, when I get to open it.

Another thing I love to do, is set myself a word for the year.  Rather than resolutions, which are generally set and then forgotten about.  One word, which you can remind yourself to continue to connect with, can be helpful.  This year my word is blessed.  We are only a few months into the year and already I am counting my blessings.  I keep a list, to remind myself, how truly blessed I am.  This word that sets your theme for the year ahead, can be a reminder to see things in a different perspective when challenges arise. 

Counselling Update

I have moved office!  It has been fun, exciting and little stressful in setting up my new space.  You can find me opposite the front office in the Wellbeing Centre. Staff are welcome to pop in and say hello too. For student referrals, please email me and I will set up an appointment time. 

- Jen, School Counsellor

School Fees have been mailed out this week, so all families should receive their school fees by the end of this week or early next week at the latest.

$100 Early Fee Discount per family applies if fees are paid in full on or before 24th June 2022.  Please note if paying by netbanking only reduce the fee total by $100.

For families who are eligible for CSEF, we have not yet credited your account as monies have not been received from the Government.

Contact Ms. Anne Ross if you have any queries or concerns.

PH.93650221

MOB: 0427 036 925