Filter Content
Paths to discover
Possibilities to choose
People to encounter
Peace to possess
Promises to fulfil
Perplexities to ponder
Power to strengthen
Pointers to guide
Pardon to accept
Praises to sing
And your presence to proclaim.
(David Adam, Modern Prayers in the Celtic Traditon)
Welcome
Welcome back for Semester 2. I trust that everyone enjoyed the break, is well rested and ready for what promises to be a great term. A new semester means a new timetable, new electives and rotation units, new goals and a new start. I wish all students and staff a really good second semester.
In Term 3, our thoughts turn to the future and choosing pathways for Years 9 to 12 and beyond school. Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 are all planning their courses and elective choices for next year. The Learning Area Leaders, Year Level Teams and CRC Sydenham have planned a range of activities to support students and families in this process. I encourage students and families to take up all opportunities offered, to attend information sessions, to read handbooks, to ask questions, to find out about subjects and to look into the requirements of future pathways.
Premier League
The Year 7 Premier League competition drew to a close over the last few weeks with the grand finals in each sport. We are thrilled that the Basketball (boys) and Volleyball (girls) teams made it to the grand final with fine performances in the semi-finals. The basketballers lost a close final to CRC North Keilor and the volleyball team went down to Kolbe, again, in a game that could have gone either way.
Both teams showed great team spirit and were great sports, before, during and after the game. Being gracious and generous in defeat is the mark of true champions and our teams showed these qualities in abundance. We are indeed very proud of each of them.
It has been a very enjoyable and successful Premier League season, with all teams doing well. Again, thank you for Mr Boudahar (Sports Leader), Mr Damien Marshall and all the coaches and staff for their support of the program.
We wish Year 9 students well as their Premier League season commenced on Wednesday.
Congratulations
Our students are involved in many different sporting, cultural, creative and community activities beyond school. One such person is Corey Dang (8 Hollows). Corey has been selected to represent Victoria at the National under 15’s ice hockey championships. He and his team mates will compete for the 2022 DeFris trophy in Newcastle from the 27 to 31 July. We wish them a very successful tournament.
In the letter announcing his selection, Corey was acknowledged for his strategic game sense, commitment to his sport and sportsmanship. We are delighted for him. It is a well-deserved acknowledgement of his passion and dedication to this sport.
Staff Faith and Spirituality Day
Monday 25 July is a Staff Faith and Spirituality Day. In the morning, staff will be working with Dr. Margaret Carswell to explore prayer and spirituality, and in the afternoon will join colleagues from the other Catholic Regional Colleges for the Intercampus mass.
Students are not required at school on this day.
Year 10 Families
In the next few weeks, Year 10 students will be finalising their courses for Year 11. This brings to a conclusion the planning and preparation already done in the pastoral care program.
Two key activities are:
Wednesday 27 July: Sydenham Open Evening and Careers Expo
Tuesday 09 August: Course Planning Day at CRC St Albans.
Updated Policies
With the introduction of the new Child Safe Standards on 01 July 2022, a number of College Child Safety policies have been updated. These can be found on the College website: Information -> Policies.
The MACS Board has also approved a new Suspensions, Negotiated Transfer and Expulsion framework. Policies related to this are now available on the College website.
Newsletter
The newsletter is published fortnightly and available online on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).
Newsletter Days for Term 3 2022:
Fridays: 05 August, 19 August, 02 September, 16 September
The theme for this year is healing. Healing can occur through storytelling, through community and also through realisation of our intrinsic interconnectedness as individuals. Catholic Regional College celebrated Refugee Week through sharing stories. It is through sharing stories that we promote harmony and togetherness. Refugee Week is a reminder that, regardless of our differences, we all share a common humanity. This Year we had three speakers from Sudan, Iraq and Vietnam who shared their refugee stories.
Firstly we had Ms Nguyen who shared her father’s refugee experience as a refugee from Vietnam. Secondly, we had Thon who is the parent of two students at CRC St Albans, Ajok and Kor Deng. Thon shared his unique story about becoming a refugee from an early age and leaving his homeland of Sudan without either of his parents and the challenge of building a new life in Australia.
Finally we had a fellow student Santa who will shared her refugee story from leaving Iraq to becoming a student at Catholic Regional College St Albans.
We are incredibly grateful for the wisdom and generosity of each speaker.
Father Nestor's Visit
On Monday afternoon a priest from Uganda, Father Nestor came to speak to the Student Leaders and staff about the challenges faced by local schools in his community. This conversation will continue with Catholic Regional College St Albans Social Justice Team exploring ways we can contribute to the work to improve educational access for many children in Uganda. This presentation was timely as our school unpacks our theme `Hearts Open to the World’.
Key Dates Term 3 2022
| Monday 18 July: |
SACCSS Interschool Chess Tournament |
| Thursday 21 July: |
Parent / Student / Teacher interviews 1.30 – 8.00pm Classes as normal in the morning, finishing at 12 midday |
| Monday 25 July: | Staff Faith and Spirituality Day / Intercampus Mass (No classes) |
| Wednesday 27 July: |
CRC Sydenham Twilight Open Evening (Years 9 and 10 Families) |
| Friday 29 July: | School Assembly |
| Monday 01 August | School Advisory Council (evening) |
| Tuesday 9 August: |
Year 11 course selection (Year 10 students) Year 10 Social |
| Wed 10 August: | Professional Practice Day (Students not required at school) |
| Monday 29 August: | SACCSS Interschool Athletics Carnival |
| Tuesday 6 Sept: | Immersion Day (whole school) |
| 12/9 – 16/9 (WK 10): | Year 10 Work Experience / Blended Learning Week |
| 14/9 – 16/9 (WK 10): | Year 9 Camp |
SACCSS Chess Tournament
On the 18th of July, the Chess Team of CRC St Albans went to Thomas Carr College to compete against multiple schools for the SAACSS Chess Tournament. The event consisted of 6 full and intense rounds where students competed against other students from different colleges. The event had different leagues, Junior, Intermediate and Senior and winning a chess match resulted in a tougher and more equal opponent to verse. In conclusion, the day was very enjoyable and mentally challenging. CRC St Albans ended up coming 4th overall in the Intermediate league with one of our students, Marcus Nguyen, placing 3rd in the intermediate division.
- Tommy Pham, Yr 10
WELLBEING FOR LEARNING
Our Rights and Responsibilities at CRC St Albans
It is important that all members of our school community have the right to learn, teach and work in a safe and orderly environment.
Therefore, we ask all members of our school community to please familiarise themselves with our 'Rights and Responsibilities' document attached (posters also up in each room).
What we collectively hope to achieve:
-
- an understanding of the importance of the staff member and teacher as authority figures in the classroom and around the school.
- to re-establish boundaries around learning and behaviour.
- to use the language of our Rights and Responsibilities to maintain (or establish) order in classrooms.
- for each student to clearly understand their role in ensuring a safe and orderly environment and are 'Ready to Learn'.
We will unpack our rights and responsibilities further within classes over the next few weeks.
Character Strength of the Week
Curiosity - Virtue of Wisdom
Definition: Is to explore and discover, to take an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake. A strong desire to know or learn something.
Explanation: I seek out situations where I gain new experiences without getting in my own or other people's way.
Synonyms: Questioning, mental acquisitiveness, inquiring mind.
Quote: "The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size" (Albert Einstein).
"Critical thinking and curiosity are the key to creativity" (Amala Akkineni).
Further Information: Curiosity is often described as novelty-seeking and being open to experience, and it's associated with the natural desire to build knowledge. It is fulfilling to journey toward an answer, to engage in a new experience, or to learn a new fact.
How to ignite curiosity:
- How do you cultivate curiosity in yourself?
- How do you cultivate curiosity in others?
- How do you raise your curiosity level?
Jump Back Up July
Please see the Jump Back Up July calendar which is full of actions to help us be more resilient. Please share it and give others a boost too.
Remember; we can't change what happens, but we can choose our response. Happiness isn't about everything going well; it's about responding constructively, even in difficult times.
Parent Corner
As part of our Pastoral Care program our students’ complete activities from The Resilience Project resources in their school diaries. We also encourage our families to use this resource where you will learn about empathy by showing kindness and compassion towards others:
Wellbeing for Learning Around the School
Year 7
The Consistent and Predictable Routines initiative continues from last term. The focus of this program is to instil regular habits for the start and end of class; thus ensuring that the cohort is settled, prepared and ready to learn. We are hoping that this will reinforce habits that might have been forgotten during online learning over the last two years.
Additionally, the Year 7 Movie Club continues to take place during lunch time on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It aims to provide structured opportunities for socialisation and it is also a great opportunity to avoid some of the winter chills. Currently, we are in the process of finishing Howl’s Moving Castle.
We are also piloting a gaming club with a select group of students and we are also investigating the possibility of the Arts Club making a return.
- Andrew Bain-King, Year 7 Leader
Year 9
It has been another ‘hit the ground running’ start to the Term for Year 9, entering into the subject selection phase of the year. Students will attend a ‘Subject Expo’ next week in the Hall in which students get to experience each subject area exhibiting what their classes have to offer for next year. Please note: there is a Twilight Information Session at CRC Sydenham on Wednesday July 27th, in which you have the opportunity to explore the campus, take part in a presentation from the Leadership team at the school and participate in a Year 9 students only presentation where all your questions can be answered about your child completing a VCE/VET subject in Year 10 next year. Please see the table below for more information.
Furthermore, there will be a Family Information Night for yourself and the students that will take place online on Tuesday August 2nd with a focus on both Subject Selection and Camp. You will be provided with a link Friday the 29th July.
There has also been an emphasis on wearing the correct school uniform. Although the weather has been exceedingly cold of late, it is really important that your child is not wearing puffa jackets and hoodies once they enter the school. Long sleeve collared shirts under a jumper and blazer with a college tie is mandatory. Please do not encourage beanies, hoodies or sports uniform (sports uniform is only permitted when students have PE).
Have a fantastic week!
- Christie Roberts, Year 9 Leader
COVID Safe Procedures
As we continue to ensure we are creating a safe and orderly environment for learning and teaching to take place, it is important that we maintain our COVID Safe Protocols.
These are simple steps we can all take this winter to reduce the transmission of any communicable disease and ensure our school is a safe and productive learning environment for all.
Face Masks:
- The Victorian Department of Health strongly recommends that face masks are worn in indoor settings. As a result, we are asking all students aged 8 and over and all staff in all schools across Victoria to wear masks when in class (except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication) from now to the end of winter.
- Masks are not required to be worn outdoors, but can be worn when physical distancing is not possible. This expectation should not constrain student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport and performances.
Hand Sanitiser:
- Please ensure that we are practising good hygiene around hand washing and sanitising. This includes as we enter and leave each class.
- Note: Only staff members are responsible for handling sanitising bottles.
Year 10 - IMPORTANT DATES
Monday 25 July - Student Free DayNo Year 10 Classes on this day. |
Wednesday 27 July - CRC Sydenham Twilight Open NightThis is a compulsory information evening for all year 10 students to attend with a parent/guardian. Prior to this night you will need to book into one of the information sessions by clicking on the link below: https://crcs.vic.edu.au/join-our-community/class-of-2024/twilight-evening/ Further information about CRC Sydenham and the 2023 course/subject offerings can be found in their handbook - https://crcs.vic.edu.au/media/1405/2022-2023-course-handbook-v3.pdf |
Tuesday 9 August - Subject Selection Interview @ CRC St AlbansOn this day students need to be accompanied by a parent and attend an interview time with their PC teacher to discuss their chosen pathway. Students should come prepared on this day with their subject selection forms completed and any other supporting forms attached. Families will need to book in their interview times via PAM. (Dress code: Casual) |
Tuesday 09 August - Year 10 Social (6:30pm - 10:30pm)This is a celebration night for all year 10 students to share a meal, have a dance and most of all have fun. (Dress code: Semi Formal) |
Wednesday 10 August - Student Free DayNo Year 10 classes on this day. VCE/VET Students will need to attend CRC Sydenham for their normal timetabled classes. |
Wednesday 17 August - Subject Selection Interview/Subject Levy Payments @ CRC SydenhamOn this day students need to be accompanied by a parent and attend an interview time with a staff member of CRC Sydenham discuss their chosen pathway and enrol into their subjects for 2023. On this day subject levy payments will need to be paid. Families will need to book an interview time by clicking on the link below: https://crcs.vic.edu.au/join-our-community/class-of-2024/course-selection-interviews/ |
12 - 16 September - Work Experience WeekStudents have the opportunity to visit a work place of their choice to observe the daily role and duties of an employee/s within a work field. For this to occur students/families will need to organise a placement and complete the work experience form. All forms need to be submitted to Mr Orsini by Monday 8th August.
|