May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
bring fire to the earth
so that the presence of God
may be seen
in a new light,
in new places,
in new ways.

Sr. Joan Chittester

This Sunday marks the end of the Easter season. Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and with it, the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ here on earth.

The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus’ disciples huddled together in a room, too frightened to speak, too frightened to go into the world and with little idea about what to do next. However, when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they are transformed, imbued with the gifts of courage, love and peace. They are able to go into the world and with confidence speak about Jesus; the way he loved others and the way he wants us to love. It was a message all could understand, no matter their background.

The same Spirit is with us today, guiding and protecting us as we go about building our communities (home, school, parish, local and global), and opening our hearts to ourselves, each other and those beyond our immediate neighbourhood. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of unity. It is the work of the Spirit to make one community of peace in a world that is rich in its diversity but where too often people live in conflict and divided from one another. Just as the disciples went out into the streets and began to speak of Jesus, we are called to welcome others, to be Jesus’ presence in our world, to listen to each other, and to speak with courage about Jesus’ call to love.

When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2: 1 – 4

Feast Day

Last week, students and staff enjoyed an awesome Feast Day. The day began with mass and some lively activities in pastoral care. In the afternoon, we enjoyed the Feast Day carnival. Everyone was in fine spirits and it was great to spend time together, just having fun!

Thank you to Fr Gerard Keith from Resurrection Parish for celebrating mass with us, and to the students and staff who prepared our liturgy: the choir, the liturgy team, readers, servers and those who led the gathering rite.

Thank you also to the staff and students who organized the pastoral care activities, helped with setting up the carnival and assisted in cleaning up at the end of the day.

Feast Day is the work of many hands. Thank you to the parents who helped out with the BBQ: Azhar Al-Shorji and Hadeel Polus. Thank you to former student Luke Corson, his partner Stephanie and Chris Strachan's daughter Hannah.

Thank you to the Student Leaders on an outstanding job in organizing this year’s Feast Day carnival.

Year 10 Performance Evening

Congratulations to all involved in the Year 10 Performance Evening on Thursday. Students worked in bands, ensembles and as soloists to present a varied program that was very well received. The night was a chance for some very talented vocalists, actors, musicians and music production students to display their work.

Students also performed excerpts from the Little Shop of Horrors, the 2021 musical that was cancelled due to COVID. It was great to get a glimpse of all the work that had gone into the set and the production, and for students who had worked so hard to perform some of the scenes.

Thank you to all the families, staff and friends who came to support students on the night and to all involved in the night, particularly Ms Emma Baldacchinco and Mr Clarence Marshall.

Reconciliation Week

The energetic Social Justice leaders have been very busy over the last few weeks, firstly with Laudato Si week, followed by Feast Day and this week, Reconciliation Week.

Below is a reflection by Amadeus Wejak (Year 10 Social Justice Captain) which gives a very good explanation of Reconciliation Week.

Reconciliation week starts each year on the 27th of May until the 3rd of June, marking the days when Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples were acknowledged as citizens of Australia, and legally given the title as the Traditional Custodians of the land.

The traditional owners of where we live are the Wurundjeri people from the Kulin Nation. They lived in areas around bodies of water such as the Yarra river and the Maribyrnong River for tens of thousands of years before us.

The name Wurundjeri comes from the words 'Wurun,' meaning Manna Gum, a species of tree and 'Djeri,' which is a grub found near them. The Wurundjeri people speak the Woi Wurrung dialect. A greeting word for hello or welcome in Woi Wurrung is Wominjeka.

Let us pray

Lead us on Great Spirit
As we gather at this special place
Located on land where ancestors of long ago
Gathered for work, play and praise.
Enable us to walk together in trust from the hurt of the past
Into the full day which has dawned in Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Social Justice Captain Amadeus Yr 10

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 1 2022:           

Fridays:               17 June

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

Year 8 Reflection Day

As part of the Year 8 Religious Education Program, students  attended a Reflection Day on 19th of May. The students reflected on their journey through life so far and explored the theme of forgiveness. An important part of the day was the celebration of Mass which was led by Resurrection Parish Priest Father Gerard Keith. I would like to thank all the teaching staff who led small groups and shared the journey with the students. 

The following is feedback from student evaluation of the day.

`The things we have to do to reflect on our lives.'

`We were allowed to burn all our regrets/bad choices.'

`I was able to actually see my life journey from when I was born and to now.'

`I enjoyed the place we were at because it was very peaceful.'

`I enjoyed the activities that we did to reflect and remove from our lives.'

`Think about our relationship with God through all the years of our life.'

‘I enjoyed the Mass.'

‘Being in small groups.'

General Information

• Year 9 Exams will take place in homerooms.
• Year 10 Exams will take place in the Hall (Pending Covid protocols).
• Exams will run for 90 minutes + 10mins reading, except the Year 9 & 10 RE Exam (60 min + 10mins reading).
• Students are expected at school by 8.30 am for Period 1 exams. They need 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.

Positive School-Wide Behaviour in the Corridors

Please see our Positive Schoolwide Behaviours in the Corridors attached.

We ask that each class and student revisit and discuss each statement as a kind reminder of how we behave in the corridors, stairwells and near lockers at CRC St Albans.

This will ensure we are creating a safe and orderly environment for all to learn and enjoy.

Corridoors.pdf

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Character Strength of the Week

Zest - Virtue of Courage

Definition: Approaching a situation, or life in general, with excitement and energy. Not approaching tasks or activities halfway or half-heartedly.

Explanation: Enthusiastic, energetic, doesn't do things half-heartedly.

Synonyms: Enthusiasm, gusto, eagerness, zeal.

Quote: "I feel vital and full of energy, I approach life feeling activated and enthusiastic."

"Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest." (Christian Dior)

How to ignite your zest:

• What conditions (people, places or activities) bring out your zest?
• What conditions put a damper on your enthusiasm or zest?
• How does zest cause positive things to happen in your life?

Joyful June

Our Joyful June calendar is full of actions to help create more positive emotions. Please share it with others and inspire them too!

When facing big challenges, we can still notice the little good things. Even in difficult times, there is still a lot to be grateful for, and we can actively cultivate positive feelings by looking for what's good.

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Parent Corner

Sometimes understanding our teens, means understanding the online tools they use. Please read this informative article which provides some great advice on this area.

TikTok: What Are the Dangers and What Should Schools Do?

Wellbeing for Learning Around the School

Year 7:

During Feast Day, the SRC leaders discussed a proposal to introduce school social clubs. They visited each homeroom and asked the students to offer worthwhile suggestions. The ideas will be collated and we will ask the cohort to vote on their favourite options next week. We are hoping that the social clubs can be another way for students to help build stronger connections in the school through shared interests.

Year 8:

Photos from Feast Day and our ‘All-Rounder Challenge’ Assessment. This assessment assesses students’ problem-solving, communication, supportive teamwork and participation in their pastoral group. The activities involve a group skipping activity, origami making, tug of war and a blind artist challenge where students draw blindfolded while verbally guided by their peers.

Year 9:

It has been a busy time for Year 9s in the last fortnight as students have been preparing for the upcoming exams (12 days and counting!), writing their resumes and cover letters to practice for job interviews and enjoyed Feast Day last Friday. The enjoyment on the students’ faces was the highlight of the day… and maybe the puppies in the Petting Zoo.

Flu season has approached us in full force with these cold and rainy days. As a result, students who are sick are missing classes to stay home and recuperate. It is vital that students seek help from teachers in the hope of catching up on work missed. Stay warm and stay safe!

All families should receive their school fee statements by the end of this week showing your balance as of 31st May 2022. If you have not received your school fee statement please contact the office.

$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.

Please contact Ms. Anne Ross on 93650221- Mobile: 0427 036 925 if you have any queries
or concerns.

Thank you to Maria Costa who has set up a community facebook page for families across all CRC campuses, to buy and sell secondhand uniforms. You can also put in a request if you’re looking for something in particular. To join the group, click on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/630691250430120/?ref=share_group_link

One aspect of Parish life is the RCIA process – the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

It is a process for those who are considering that they might become part of the Catholic Church – from another religion, from no religion, and from years of inactivity after having been baptised as Catholic.

The group usually meets fortnightly on Tuesdays, at 7:30 pm in Sacred Heart Church.  

Please contact the parish office for further information.