Term 4 - Edition 5

19 Nov 2024

Newsletter Contents Previous Editions

Weekly Reflection

Last Sunday, we marked the World Day of the Poor, an opportunity to reflect on Pope Francis’ call to “stretch out your hand to the poor” (Sirach 7:32).

As a Franciscan community, we are reminded of St Francis of Assisi’s deep commitment to living in solidarity with those in need. This day encourages us to consider how we can bring the light of Christ to others by sharing not only our resources but also our time, compassion, and hope.

At St Francis Catholic College, our students have embraced this mission through their participation in various outreach initiatives. From supporting initiatives like St Vincent De Paul and Caritas they have demonstrated that even small actions can make a profound impact. As we celebrate this day, let us continue to nurture a spirit of generosity and justice, reaching out to those who need it most.

Sacramental Program

Last week, we were also privileged to witness the Sacramental Mass, a significant milestone in the faith journey of our students.

We joined Fr Alex at St Anthony’s parish as he bestowed the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon our students, marking their deeper commitment to their faith and the community.

The Mass was a beautiful and spirit-filled celebration, with our students leading prayers and readings with reverence and joy.

Click here to read more.

The theme of the World Day of the Poor resonates deeply with the Confirmation promises our students made.

They are called to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world, bringing love, peace, and hope to all, especially the most vulnerable. The gifts of the Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge and piety equip them to live out this mission.

As we move forward, let us be inspired by these young people and their commitment to living their faith in action. May the World Day of the Poor and the Confirmation Mass remind us all of the power of faith to transform hearts and communities.

Rachel Prince

Director of Faith and Mission

From the Principal

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) has published its new Code of Conduct for staff.

This new code will replace the St Francis Catholic College Staff Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct (the Code) embodies the collective commitment of all staff who work for MACS to fostering a positive and supportive environment that prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone, inspired by our Catholic faith.

The Code establishes clear expectations for behaviour and guides our actions, including each person’s responsibility to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church, ensuring responsible and ethical conduct while also modelling these optimal actions for students and all members of the MACS community.

The Code operates in conjunction with individual employment contracts and all MACS policies and procedures.

Together, these create a comprehensive structure that guides our actions and fosters a positive Catholic work environment. By accepting employment with MACS, all staff acknowledge and accept that in the performance of their duties and responsibilities we act consistently with the statement of mission, and we will comply with directions on matters relating to the doctrines and teachings of the Church.

The Code applies to all people who carry out work in any capacity for MACS, and applies to MACS board directors, board committee members, employees, volunteers, consultants, contractors and School Advisory Council members (‘staff’).

This includes, but is not limited to, the following circumstances:

while we are supervising students
when we are communicating or interacting with students, staff, the school community or the public, including communications via social media or other technologies
when we are attending activities away from the workplace, or out of ordinary hours, and which are supported, sufficiently connected or approved by MACS, including professional learning, training courses, social functions, pilgrimages and other events
when we are representing MACS or attending an event on behalf of MACS.

Source: Code of Conduct for MACS Staff, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus Students

Dates to remember
Thursday 28 November	End-of-year whole campus Mass - academic uniform required
Friday 29 November	Final Day of Term 4. Year 7-11 Awards Ceremony - academic uniform required. Dismissal at 1.15pm
Friday 13 December	College reception closes for 2024
Thursday 16 January 2025	College reception opens

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus Students

Dates to remember
Wednesday 27 November	End-of-year whole campus Mass at St Anthony's Church - academic uniform required
Friday 29 November	Final day of Term 4. Campus Awards Ceremony. Dismissal at 1.15pm.
Friday 13 December	College reception closes for 2024
Thursday 16 January 2025	College reception opens

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing Melton Campus

Year 9 yLead Program

The team at yLead collaborated with our Year 9 students during a two-day program last week to enhance their leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

The first day was dedicated to developing the skills of our Peer Support Leaders, while the second day focused on preparing the Year 9 cohort for leadership in Year 10 2025.

During the program, our Peer Support Leaders concentrated on fostering positive group dynamics through a series of team-based activities designed to encourage students to reflect on their personal strengths and build confidence in their leadership abilities.

This initiative also challenges our emerging leaders to consider the impact they can have on others and how they can help their peers develop essential life skills.

The yLead program emphasises the importance of setting goals and identifying strategies to achieve them, while also empowering students to take responsibility for their choices and taking time to consider the outcomes.

We look forward to seeing our students showcase their skills throughout 2025.

Cheryl Bullen

Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing - Melton Campus

Disabled parking and hatched bays

A reminder to families that parking is not permitted in the hatched bay between the two disabled parking bays at the front of our Melton Campus on Bulmans Road.

The hatched bay allows disabled drivers easier access to footpaths and allows items such as wheelchairs to be unloaded.

Please refer to the photo to view the hatched bay.

Students Complete 2024 Sacramental Program

What a blessing it is to help people journey towards God!

Last week, 18 students from Melton and Cobblebank campuses received their Initiation Sacraments at a beautiful Mass at St Anthony’s Church led by our Parish Priest Fr Alex Clemente.

It was a pleasure and honour for the Assistant to the Director of Faith and Mission at our Cobblebank Campus, John Kavanagh and I, to prepare the largest group of students to take part in the Sacramental Program during the third year it has been offered at the College.

We congratulate the following students and welcome them as the newest full members of our Catholic family:

Melton Campus

Ava, Aibert, Victoria, Sheen, Kelsey and Shelby (Year 7), William (Year 8), Yeani, Bao (Year 9) and Orlando (Year 11).

Cobblebank Campus

Adele, Tanisha, Konnor, Skye (Year 7), Liam, Connor, Rhianna, Elias (Year 8).

A special mention to Cobblebank student Tanisha who was the only one to receive the Sacrament of Baptism last Thursday.

I was very impressed with this year’s group of students, particularly their dedication and willingness to participate in what the program has to offer.

There were some who attended every session, completed every section of the workbook, and willingly and joyfully partook in all the Virtue Tasks (special activities done at home). This was amazing and inspiring.

One of the wonderful highlights was when one of the students said that they had not been going to Church on Sundays, however because of their recent faith journey, they had approached their parents who had agreed to support their desire to go, and will now start taking them to Sunday Mass.

This is what it is all about, our unity to Christ in the Church He established. My heart was filled with joy hearing these words and, in a very real way in relation to the humility of faith, the student became the teacher.

Below are reflections from two of the students who made the sacred journey of completing their Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church. I thank them for being willing and courageous enough to share their stories.

Aibert, Year 7, Melton Campus

When I first started my spiritual journey to be closer to God, I was a little nervous. None of my friends were in the program and I was outside of my comfort zone.

At first, I doubted I would finish, but as I attended the weekly lessons the Word of God interested me and inspired me to continue.

Regularly doing my ‘God work’ as Mr Sciberras would call it (which was our work at home), I started becoming excited to know more about the Catholic faith. I found the experience to be very rewarding, I gained lots of knowledge and it was an amazing spiritual journey.

I was anxious while receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion, but I was very excited to be fully part of the Catholic family, the Church, and to receive the Holy Spirit into my soul.

Shelby, Year 7, Melton Campus

I come from a Catholic family and was baptised at the age of seven. Upon commencing high school and immersing myself in the Catholic faith even more through Religion classes, I decided I wanted to complete my Sacraments of Initiation. I joined the program at school with other students ranging from Year 7 to Year 11. Every Thursday we met with our teacher, Mr Sciberras, to discuss the content we had focused on during the past week.

We were given a workbook to fill in which comprised of 12 chapters. The workbook was supported by videos which helped us create more of an understanding on the topic. Each chapter focused on a new area of the seven Sacraments, God and who He is, and the Catholic Church.

Along with the workbook and videos, we were set ‘Virtue Tasks’ to complete at home. They focused on a special activity to do at home or for our parents. For example, cooking dinner for your family, asking your parents about their first job, cleaning the house and discussing our Confirmation Saint and Sponsor.

I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to complete my Sacraments of Initiation within my high school. At the Initiation Mass, where I received my Confirmation and then Holy Communion, I was given the opportunity to read the Second Reading during the Mass and I was extremely nervous, however, I felt honoured to be asked to do this. I feel much closer to God and happy and excited to have now completed all my sacraments.

Andrew Sciberras

Liturgy Coordinator, Melton Campus and Coordinator of the SFCC Sacramental Program

Student Breaks World Powerlifting Records

Year 10 Elite Sports Academy student Kelley Clifford broke an incredible five world records last week at the World Powerlifting Championships in Chicago, USA.

Competing in the 13-15 age group under 100kg division, Kelley participated in the three main compound lifts - squat, bench press, and deadlift - surpassing the previous world records by several kilograms.

His record-breaking lifts included:

Squat, 215kg

Bench Press, 131kg

Deadlift, 255kg

Deadlift (single lift), 255kg

Total Combined Weight, 601kg

Following this outstanding performance, Kelley has set his sights future challenges.

Whether targeting national championships, international competitions, or continuing to refine technique, it's clear Kelley is a rising star. His relentless commitment to progress, combined with the support from his team and coaches will ensure that his performance goes from strength to strength.

We look forward to seeing where this journey takes Kelley next. One thing’s for sure: the best is yet to come.

Stephanie Bertalmio

Teacher

Write a Book in a Day – Celebrating Success

Congratulations to SFCC Melton Team 8 for an extraordinary achievement in the 2024 Write a Book in a Day competition! The team has been awarded the coveted Best Illustrated Book for the Middle School division at both the Victorian and National levels.

This popular competition challenges teams of students to write, illustrate, and publish a book within just 12 hours, based on unique parameters provided on the day.

The event not only fosters creativity and teamwork but also supports the Kids' Cancer Project, raising funds for paediatric cancer research. Across the country, 1937 teams entered from 523 schools!

This makes it even more impressive that our very own SFCC Melton 8 were able to wow the judging panel - a group of esteemed authors, illustrators, and literary professionals - with their inventive illustrations.

Achieving recognition at the national level is a testament to the team's hard work, collaboration, and dedication.

We are very proud of the students’ achievement and the values they demonstrated throughout the competition - creativity, perseverance, and teamwork.

Congratulations once again to Team 8 - you have made SFCC Melton proud!

SFCC Melton Team 8 - Docked by Dawn

Kezi Todd

English Domain Leader

CIS Junior Italian Poetry Competition awards

At the end of last term, a group of Year 7 and 8 Italian students participated in the CIS Junior Italian Poetry Competition.

This extra-curricular activity at our College is voluntary and an excellent way to enrich the study of Italian language and culture. Students are expected to memorise their chosen poem, and no props or actions can be used.

This year some students opted to memorise a personalised poem, challenging themselves by reciting a poem with blanks that they personalised with their own life experiences.

Prizes are awarded for the first, second and third in each category and Special Mention Certificates are presented to students outstanding in their presentation.

At our College this year a Special Mention Certificate was awarded to the following students:

Kanwarpreet Kaur Sidhu (Cobblebank Campus), First Prize, Year 8 Non-Italian

Risha Baddam (Melton Campus), Second Prize, Year 7 Non-Italian

Moreover, 5 other students received a Certificate of Excellence and 8 students a Certificate of Merit.

All certificates and prizes will be presented at the House Assemblies at the end of the term.

Congratulations to the award recipients and participants.

Alessandra Vono

Language Domain Leader

SACCSS Sports Awards

Last week, SACCSS held its annual Awards Presentation to recognise and celebrate the sporting achievements of senior students from its member schools.

Traditionally, these awards honour senior students who have devoted time and effort to SACCSS sports throughout their schooling.

However this year, Cobblebank Campus students were also recognised to show appreciation for the commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by younger students.

Melton Campus

Senior premiership teams and students who achieved top placements at SACCSS events and MVP awards for outstanding performance were acknowledged at last week’s ceremony. These students demonstrated excellence through their physical skills and admirable sportsmanship.

Congratulations to the following teams and students:

Sophia Kung: Senior Girls Volleyball Division 1B Player of the Series

Jonas Cukavac: John Landy (Sportsmanship) Award

Ebony Raudino: John Landy (Sportsmanship) Award

Senior Premiership Teams for 2024

Division 2 Senior Netball

Division 2 Senior Cricket

Division 1B Senior Girls Volleyball

Cobblebank Campus

Congratulations to the following Cobblebank students who were recognised for their outstanding sporting achievements at the 2024 SACCSS Awards Presentation last Monday.

Taranveer Dhaliwal: John Landy (Sportsmanship) Award

John Kenchy: John Landy (Sportsmanship) Award

Thank you to all the staff and students involved in SACCSS events this year, and to the families who provided support and encouragement. We look forward to another successful year of competition in 2025.

Jess Hodge

Sports Trainee

Sports Update

Melton Campus

SACCSS Year 8 Premier League Competition – Round 7

Team	Result	SFCC Ladder position
Netball	Salesian College 46 d SFCC MEL 6	7
Boys Basketball	Salesian College 75 d SFCC MEL 27	8
Girls Basketball	Salesian College 63 d SFCC MEL 28	6
Boys Volleyball	SFCC MEL 2 d Salesian College 1	8
Girls Volleyball	SFCC MEL 3 d Salesian College 0	5
Girls Football	Salesian College 1 d SFCC MEL 0	8
Cricket	SFCC MEL 142 d Salesian College 107	2

As we wrap up Round 7 and our Melton Campus teams come to the end of Year 8 Premier, we'd like to extend a huge congratulations to all involved for a great season! Your dedication, hard work, and team spirit have been inspiring to watch.

A special shout-out to our cricket team for finishing second on the ladder and advancing to the semi-finals! You should be proud of your achievement, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the field this week.

Thank you to all players and coaches for attending each week and giving it your all. Well done, everyone!

Cobblebank Campus

SACCSS Year 8 Premier League Competition – Round 7

Team	Result	SFCC Ladder position
Netball	SFCC COB 31 d CRC St Albans 5	4
Boys Basketball	SFCC COB 44 d CRC St Albans 30	4
Girls Basketball	SFCC COB 45 d CRC St Albans 26	5
Boys Volleyball	SFCC COB 3 d CRC St Albans 0	2
Girls Volleyball	SFCC COB 3 d CRC St Albans 0	2
Boys Football	CRC St Albans 0 d SFCC COB 5	6

Congratulations to Year 8 Cobblebank students who have led four of our six Premier League teams to a place in the semi-finals!

Our netball, boys basketball and both volleyball teams will take to the court this week and we wish them the very best of luck!

Thank you to all players for their determination and sportsmanship during the seven-round season and to our coaches for developing our students’ skills and supporting them throughout the competition.

Jess Hodge

Sports Trainee

Community Notices

Western Bulldogs Youth Leadership Program 2025

Saver Plus

Saver Plus helps parents save $50 each month over 10 months, with savings matched up to $500 - providing $1,000 for educational expenses!

More details at www.saverplus.org.au

Tuesday Drop-in – African Youth Initiative

The Tuesday Drop-In Program is a new initiative organised by the African Youth Initiative (AYI) to support youth development in Melton.

The program will provide young people with opportunities to explore new interests, build social connections, and develop life skills outside the formal academic setting. Key features of the program include:

Workshops and mentoring: offering hands-on sessions in arts, sports, coding, and leadership.
Study support: providing a quiet space and resources for students needing academic help.
Peer engagement: fostering peer-to-peer interactions through group activities and team-building exercises.
Guest speakers: professionals from various industries to inspire and motivate students by sharing their experiences.
Make-up classes: sessions where young women can enjoy each other's company and learn advanced make-up techniques.
Free haircuts: giving young boys and men free haircuts to become well-presented for school and home.

The Drop-in Program will run every Tuesday at AYI’s office at 24/10 Graham Street, Melton. There is no cost to participate, and all students can drop in any time between 3.30pm and 6pm.