In Awe and Wonder 

We praise you, O God, for creating humankind in your image,

and giving all human beings a common genetic makeup

regardless of race, gender or ethnicity.

We are awed by the knowledge

that there are billions of cells in our bodies and

each one of them stores the secret of life in its DNA.

We are amazed by scientists' use of technology

to learn about cells, tissues and organs

and how any changes in the gene can affect our daily lives.

We pray for all scientists: engineers, students, teachers, physicians, technicians -

who work diligently to unfold your holy mysteries

and ask your blessing on each one of them.

May these technological developments be used for the good of all

and to alleviate suffering from the world.

We thank you, O God,

for the wisdom and knowledge you bestow upon scientists

who work at revealing the secrets of creation.

We stand in awe and wonder at the history of the universe and of life on this planet.

This knowledge strengthens our faith in your creative power.

We are grateful for this wonderful creation

and for being a part of your blessing.

Praise be to you, O God

AMEN

This has been Science week at the College. Students and staff have enjoyed homeroom quizzes and lunchtime activities such as titrations, paper plane competitions, making tornado bottles and much, much more.

The theme for Science week 2022 Glass: more than meets the eye provides an excellent opportunity to understand something that is all around us in a new light. Glass has many useful properties which mean that it can be used in various applications from kitchenware to telescopes. Glass is both practical and beautiful. It can be blown and crafted into wonderfully artistic pieces. Interestingly glass is also infinitely recyclable.

Our opening prayer is a reminder that Science reveals the mysteries of creation, helps us to understand ourselves, others and our world and also hints at all we are yet to unravel. It taps our wonder and awe, and reminds us of a world beyond ourselves.

Thank you to the Science staff for organising the week and to all who participated in activities.

Congratulations: Year 10 Students

The last five weeks have been a significant time for Year 10 students. They’ve researched pathways for Years 11 and 12 and post school, selected courses for Years 11 and 12, and thoroughly enjoyed a great night at the Year 10 Social.  Each of these events is very much a rite of passage; a marker on their journey towards adulthood. They have impressed us all with their preparation, maturity and openness to advice.

This year’s social was the first in three years. It was great to see students and staff just having fun and enjoying each other’s company. The Social Committee did a superb job in organising the night. Thank you.

A very big thank you to Mr Brad Taylor (Year 10 Level Leader), Mr Chris Orsini (Careers) and the Year 10 teachers who have supported students during this time.

Lastly, thank you also to all families who have been with their children every step of the way; the additional meetings at school and at Sydenham; ploughing through the course selection information and taxiing students around for the social. This year’s pick up from the social was so smooth all staff were well on their way home by 11.00pm. Thank you. We couldn’t do it without you and your support is very much appreciated.

With pathways for 2023 nearly finalized, it is important that everyone now focuses on the present, particularly their Year 10 studies. Too often thinking about the future can be unsettling. Students can lose focus and forget the routines that have served them well to this point. In many ways the only thing that you can do about the future is to do your absolute best in the present. With more than 1/3 of the year to go, there is still much work to be done!

MACSSIS School Improvement Surveys

Each year the school invites feedback from students, staff and parents through the MACSSIS surveys. These surveys are completed in all Melbourne Archdiocese schools (MACS) schools. The data helps schools to identify what is going well, to measure the impact of new initiatives and to identify areas for further growth.

It is an online survey. Late next week 100 randomly selected families will receive the survey by email. The survey period opens in Week 8 on the 29August and concludes at the end of term on the 16 September.

We encourage parents / carers to keep an eye on their email to see if they receive the survey, and to complete it if you are amongst those who are selected.

Your assistance with this is very much appreciated.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2022:   

Fridays:               02 September,    16 September

Year 9 Indiginous Spirituality Session

This term in Religious Education the Year 9 students are studying God in Australia.

This unit explores the belief systems of our First Nation people before white settlement. Last Friday, the Year 9 students heard a presentation by Leila Gurruwiwi an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer, from MACS. Leila, discussed the role that dreaming and totems play in Indigenous Spirituality and how each of these vary according to the land you are residing on. The Year 9 students will conclude this study into Indigenous Spirituality by experiencing a Welcome to Country ceremony in the Grampians by local elder Paul Kelly. We would like to thank Leila Gurruwiwi for making the time to visit each Year 9 class and running professional development training with staff. 

Year 12 Religious Education Student Learning Leader

Year 12 student Adongluge Fadiet returned to Catholic Regional College St Albans this week to share her recent experience at Sydenham CRC. Adongluge credits the many opportunities she had at CRC St Albans to her success in her leadership roles in Year 12, and would encourage others students to participate in conversations about learning and justice.

Our Rights and Responsibilities remind us that all members of our school community have the right to feel comfortable, included and safe.

This week we remind all members of our school community that it is each of our personal responsibilities to 'respect themselves and others'.

Click on the link to unpack What does a Respectful Relationship look like?

Self-Regulation - Virtue of Temperance

Definition: Is the ability to understand and manage your behaviour and your reactions to feelings and things happening around you.

Explanation: I manage my feelings and actions and am disciplined and self-controlled.

Synonyms: Self-activating, self-monitoring, libertarian.

Quote: "The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts." Charles Darwin

"You can't control the fact people will annoy you, but what you can control is your reaction." Anonymous

Further Information: Self-Regulation is a complex character strength. It has to do with controlling your appetites and emotions and regulating what you do.

Self-regulation helps keep a sense of balance, order, and progress in life. Self-Regulation can be viewed as a resource that can be depleted and fatigued. A useful metaphor can be that self-regulation acts like a muscle, which can be exhausted through over-exertion or strengthened through regular practice.

How to ignite your self-regulation:

• How does self-regulation play a role in your greatest success in your life?
• What areas of your life are best regulated?
• How do you control your unwanted impulses?
• What techniques or strategies do you use?

Please see the Altruistic August calendar which is full of actions to spread more happiness. Please share it with your loved ones too.

Remember, kindness brings light and hope in difficult times. So, let's be extra kind to others this month - and remember to extend that same kindness to yourself too.

Practise feeling happier anytime, anywhere with TRP@HOME! This online hub is filled with inspiration and fun activities for kids, teens, adults and parents to build resilience and improve wellbeing.

Please see TRP Parent/Carer Support; which has practical ideas for families to embed gratitude into their daily routines.