Creative and loving God,

We come before You with a humble heart,

recognising that we need your divine wisdom and insight.

We ask that You grant us the ability to think outside the box,

to see what is beyond the familiar,

and to embrace

new and creative ways of approaching the challenges before us.

We ask that you fill us with your Holy Spirit,

that we may be inspired and empowered to innovate and create

in a way that brings glory to Your Name.

Help us to break free from old patterns of thinking

and to be open to new ideas and opportunities you place before us.

Amen.

With Student Led Conferences, 2024 course planning, elective selections and the Year 10 Social last week; the school production this week and a number of other activities happening alongside these, it has been a busy time at the College. Thank you to families for your support of all these activities.

Spotlight on Science and Languages

We’re currently enjoying a season of special weeks across the school. Last week we celebrated the delights of learning languages and this week we explored the mysteries and wonders of Science. Thank you to all the staff and students who’ve been involved in planning, organising and participating in activities.

These weeks are lots of fun, encourage learning beyond the classroom and help to highlight the importance of different disciplines. However, saying that, there’s also an interesting thread that links Science and Languages. Both push us beyond ourselves, into new and interesting worlds. They take us out of the world we know, help us to walk in others’ shoes, to see with new ‘eyes’, invite us to be curious and to broaden our vision of life.

Congratulations: Year 10 Students

The last five weeks have been a significant time for Year 10 students. They have 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. The next milestone will be work experience in the last week of term.

A very big thank you to Mr Anthony Barresi (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 10.30pm. Thank you. We couldn’t do it without you and your support is very much appreciated.

With pathways for 2024 finalized, it is important that students now focus on the present, particularly their Year 10 studies. Too often thinking about the future can be unsettling. We can lose focus and forget the routines that have served us 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!

School Improvement Surveys

Each year the school invites feedback from students, staff and parents through the MACSSIS School Improvement surveys. These surveys are completed in Catholic primary and secondary schools across Melbourne. The data helps schools to identify what is going well, to measure the impact of new initiatives and to identify areas for further growth.

The surveys are completed online and are available in a number of languages. The MACSSIS survey period runs from Monday 28 August to Friday 15 September. Parents / Carers will receive their survey link via email.

We encourage all families to contribute. For the data to be valid, we need as many families as possible to provide feedback. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Further information about the MACSSIS surveys is available by clicking these links:

Nightmare on Theodore Street

After months of rehearsals and preparation, ‘Nightmare on Theodore Street’ premiered to a full house and much acclaim last night. Take a school camp – deep in the bush, a full moon, an ill-conceived practical joke, a series of disappearing students, some scary wood dwellers, a sprinkling of romance and some mishaps and missteps, and you have a story that captures the audience from start to finish. The production has everything: high energy and action, an amazing band, superb singing, great dancing, and outstanding performances by the main cast and the ensemble.

A production like this is the work of many hands. Thank you to all the wonderful students who took part, both on stage and behind the scenes. There are just not enough superlatives to express how gifted and generous you are. The many hours of after school and weekend rehearsals were well worth the final experience. You are all such incredibly talented young people. We are in awe of what you’ve achieved.

Thank you to all the staff involved but particularly Mr Clarence Marshall (Writer / Producer / Music Director), Ms Emma Baldacchino (Director), Ms Jennifer Comerford (Choreographer) and Ms Pauline Corson (Costumes and Props) for all your work. There would be have countless unseen hours of planning, preparation and worry in bringing the production together. We hope that you are all well pleased with what you’ve achieved. It was terrific.

Newsletter

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

Newsletter Days for Term 3 2023:           

Fridays:               01 September,   15 September

Jesus and Me - Sharing the world we live in.

Year 7 Students are learning about  the historical, geographical, political, and religious aspects of the time that Jesus lived in 1st Century Palestine. In this unit they will meet a Roman Leader and a Jewish Rabbi and will partake in a Jewish Ceder meal. To build authenticity we had our Language leader Daniele Zarosinski who spoke in Latin and invited the students to join the Roman Army. Our Science Maths teacher Alon Gilad, played the part of a Jewish Rabbi and spoke in Hebrew to the students. He explained what a great student Jesus was and how he asked many questions in the synagogue. At the end of the lesson they participated in a traditional ceder meal, where they lit a menorah and ate the unleavened bread.

As we lit the Menorah the students read the traditional Jewish Prayer, just as Jesus would have with his family.

May the light of the candles we kindle together today bring radiance to all who still live in darkness.

May this season, marking the deliverance of our people from Pharaoh, rouse us against anyone who keeps others in servitude

In gratitude for the freedom we enjoy, may we strive to bring about our own liberation and the liberation of all people everywhere.

Lighting these candles, we create the sacred space and we sanctify the coming together of our community.

On Thursday 10 August as part of Languages Week all Year 8 students participated in a pasta making workshop. The workshop was run by BigPocket Education and gave students a wonderful opportunity to learn about how fresh pasta is made as well as the links between family, food and culture. Students also learnt that most of the Italian foods that are widely available today in supermarkets were not as commonplace in Australia 40-50 years ago. After a brief introduction by the workshop leader Jill Tascone, students then got their hands dirty making tagliatelle (a type of flat pasta similar to fettuccine) to take home and share with their family. The workshop was a lovely complement to the unit of study on Food in Languages. 

Altruistic August

True happiness comes from caring for ourselves AND caring for others. We have lots of suggestions for little acts that make a big difference. And being kind also brings us a greater sense of fulfilment too.

Please see the Altruistic August calendar which is full of great ways to help spread happiness this month. Please share it with others too.

Remember that your smiles, warmth and friendship have an amazing ripple effect for others. So let's do whatever we can this month to build a happier and kinder community together – and remember to extend that same kindness to yourself too.

Year 7-10 Pastoral Care Program Term 3 Concepts and Theme

Catholic Regional College Pastoral Care program provides a sequenced curriculum from Years 7 to 10 using a multimodal approach designed to develop the achievement and wellbeing of the whole person (spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, socially and emotionally). 

Our Pastoral Care program centers around the social-emotional learning (SEL) model, a school-based organisational framework through which students learn to become lifelong learners who recognise, reflect and manage their emotions and empathise with others. 

Our Pastoral Care program fosters the development of positive relationships. It provides opportunities for students to grow from challenging experiences to contribute positively to their community and flourish as responsible global citizens.

Parent Corner

If you have tweens or teenagers, then we highly recommend you sign up to attend this FREE webinar with Dr Justin Coulson: https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/do-you-have-teenagers

Matildas Fever Sweeps Our School Community: Uniting Through Women's World Cup

Greetings to our vibrant school community! It's with great excitement that we bring you the latest news about the contagious enthusiasm that has enveloped us all - 'Matildas Fever'! Just like our wider Australian community, our school has been swept up in the spirit of the Women's World Cup, and it's been an incredible journey of unity, sportsmanship, and shared passion.

Led by the indomitable Mr. Mizzi and the dedicated Sport, Health, and PE (SHAPE) Team, we've been actively fostering ways to celebrate the Women's World Cup. From exciting opportunities to watch soccer matches together, to the chance to kick a penalty goal just like a Matilda soccer player, and even incorporating soccer into our classes and break times - our school has been buzzing with the joy of the beautiful game.

The contagious energy and excitement around the soccer World Cup serve as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role that sports play in bringing communities closer. Regardless of age, background, or cultural differences, the game has the remarkable ability to transcend boundaries and create connections that are truly remarkable. The Matilda Fever has shown us firsthand that the love for soccer can unite us in a powerful way, reminding us that we are all part of a larger, interconnected community.

As we immerse ourselves in this soccer frenzy, let's not forget the valuable life lessons that sports bring to the forefront. Teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and the thrill of friendly competition are just some of the qualities that our students and staff are embracing through this shared experience. Whether we're cheering for the Matildas on the field or showcasing our skills during class matches, we're nurturing a sense of camaraderie that goes beyond the pitch.

Sports and physical activity have always been a positive vehicle for promoting an active lifestyle and fostering community bonds. This Matilda Fever serves as a gentle nudge for us to recognise the immense potential that lies within sports to inspire, motivate, and bring us all together. It's a powerful reminder that amidst our busy lives, sports provide a common ground where we can connect and celebrate our shared interests.

So, let's continue to harness the energy of Matilda Fever and let it inspire us to not only celebrate the Women's World Cup, but also to foster a culture of unity, respect, and collaboration. As we kick goals on and off the field, remember that every pass, every cheer, and every moment spent together contributes to the fabric of our school community.

Here's to celebrating the Women's World Cup, to embracing the thrill of soccer, and to cherishing the bond that sports create within our school community. Let's continue to use this 'Matilda Fever' as a catalyst to stay active, build connections, and strengthen our community ties.

Keep the spirit alive and let the love of sports bring us closer together, one goal at a time!

With soccer cheers and unity,

SHAPE Team

Lunchtime experiments during Science Week.

Daffodils from our school garden were sold during the week to raise money for the Cancer Council. Thank you for all your support!