From the Principal

Last Friday evening, staff and their partners from both our Melton and Cobblebank campuses came together for a wonderful evening of food, laughter and celebration.

The evening gave us a chance to pause and celebrate the people who make St Francis Catholic College the community it is. It also had three important purposes:

to build relationships across our two campuses and between teaching and non-teaching staff;  to thank our partners for the support and encouragement they provide as our staff give so much to the College; and to recognise staff who have reached significant service milestones.

We were delighted to acknowledge staff celebrating 5, 10 and 15 years of service to St Francis Catholic College. These milestones represent years of commitment, dedication and care for our students, families and wider College community.

5 years: Dale Barneswood, Cheryl Bullen, Tristan Caruana, Fiona Cook, Diane McKenna, Jess Read, Olivia Rabottini, Alan Snare, Joanne Tissera

10 years: Emily Galofaro, Stephen Orr, Jordan Reithofer

15 years: Samantha Kruze, Carissa Lock, Amy Rowley, James Villinger, Amanda Wall

It was particularly pleasing to see colleagues from Melton and Cobblebank coming together, strengthening the relationships that are so important as our College continues to grow.

As Principal, I am incredibly grateful for our staff's commitment and the support of their partners. Education is a vocation that extends well beyond the school day, and the encouragement of family and loved ones plays an important role in enabling our staff to give their very best to our students.

Congratulations to all staff recognised for their years of service, and thank you to everyone who joined us for such a special evening. It was a wonderful reminder that, across two campuses, we are one St Francis community.

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus

Father's Day Prayer Service and Breakfast

All fathers and fatherly figures in our College community are welcome to join us for our annual prayer service and breakfast at both campuses to celebrate Father's Day.

Dads, uncles, brothers, and friends are invited to this special event. All the details are available below.

Please RSVP here if you and your child would like to attend.

Winter Appeal – Double Points for Food this Friday!

SFCC’s Winter Appeal is in its final weeks, and we are calling on our community to help us reach our donation goals!

To encourage everyone to get involved, the Faith and Mission Action Team is running a special Double Points Food Friday Challenge this Friday 21 August. 

Students can bring in non-perishable food items to donate to the Winter Appeal and earn double house points for their contribution. They should leave their donation with their house leader to be collected and counted.

It is a simple way students can make a difference and help their house climb the leaderboard!

Every donation, big or small, will help support members of our local community who are experiencing hardship this winter. So, if you can help us out, check the pantry and get behind our Double Points Food Friday!

Support the Vinnies Winter Sleepout

This Friday, about 60 students from our Cobblebank and Melton campuses will take part in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout. 

This powerful overnight experience gives students the opportunity to develop empathy, deepen their understanding of homelessness, and reflect on the challenges faced by those experiencing housing insecurity. 

It is a meaningful way for our students to put their faith into action while supporting the important work of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

We are incredibly proud of our students for stepping outside their comfort zones to raise awareness and advocate for those in need.

If you would like to support our students and help make a difference in the lives of vulnerable members of our community, we invite you to donate via the link below. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help Vinnies continue to provide vital support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Donate here: St Francis Catholic College's Sleepout

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our students as they take part in this meaningful initiative.

Bullying No Way Week

This week, we recognise Bullying No Way Week and reinforce our shared commitment to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive school community.

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power that causes harm. It can happen in person or online and may involve verbal, physical or social behaviour. 

Below are some simple conversation starters you can use at home - even if they have never experienced it, being aware of what bullying is empowers students to recognise or report it and support friends who may need help.

Understanding Bullying

Bullying generally involves repeated behaviour, an imbalance of power and harm. Remind your child that all unkind or unsafe behaviour still deserves an appropriate response, even when it does not meet the definition of bullying.

Ask your child to identify the difference between:

• A one-off unkind action
• A disagreement or conflict
• Bullying

Click here to watch some short videos to help you and your child understand what bullying is.

The Impact of Our Words

Words can stay with someone long after they have been spoken.

Talk about:

• How can words affect a person’s sense of belonging?
• What language helps people feel safe, respected and included?
• What could we say when we realise our words have caused harm?

Being an Upstander

Explain the difference between a bystander and an upstander. An upstander takes a safe and appropriate action when they notice someone being mistreated.

Discuss some safe upstander actions. These may include:

• Checking in with the person
• Not joining in or sharing harmful content
• Calmly challenging the behaviour when it is safe
• Encouraging others to stop
• Reporting the concern to a trusted adult

Online Respect

Ask your child to think about this scenario: Someone shares an embarrassing photograph or hurtful comment about another student in a group chat.

Talk about

• What harm could this cause?
• What should someone do if they receive the post?
• Why can liking, forwarding or commenting make the situation worse?
• Which trusted adult could help?

The main message to reinforce is: don’t respond, don’t forward, save the evidence, block or report where appropriate, and tell a trusted adult.

It's important to remind your child that seeking help is not “dobbing.” Reporting bullying helps adults provide support, address harmful behaviour and keep our community safe. Students can speak with their mentor teacher, house leader or any member of staff.

Thank you for supporting these important conversations and helping us build a culture of respect, inclusion and belonging.

For more information and resources visit the Bullying No Way website.

Melton VCE VM Pop-up Cafe

Last Friday, a group of our VCE VM students hosted staff at our first pop-up lunch cafe. 

The menu was ambitious, and the students were challenged to present their two-course lunch in a very limited time. 

The barbecue and pizza oven worked overtime, while our dessert makers and vegetable and salad creators produced some wonderful vegetarian dishes for guests.

Congratulations to the students who participated in this event. They have set the bar high for future pop-ups!

Languages Week: A Bigger World Through Language

Learning a language is about more than vocabulary and grammar. Which is why Languages Week at SFCC celebrates people, their stories, culture, traditions and ways of communicating.

Across both campuses, students experienced Italian and Auslan through music, movement, food, sport, games and conversation. 

From Tarantella dancing and soccer clinics to Italian gestures, Auslan signs and special canteen offerings, the week provided plenty of opportunities to try something different. Our students' enthusiasm and participation made these experiences memorable and brought Languages Week to life.

A huge thank you to our Language teachers and Language Assistants, our special visiting guests, and the many staff working behind the scenes who made the week possible. Most importantly, thank you to our students for your curiosity and willingness to get involved.

Student reflections

I really liked the Italian Tarantella workshop because it was fun and different from what we normally do. The dance was a little tricky at first, but once I got the hang of it, it was really fun. I enjoyed doing it with my classmates and learning something new about Italian culture. Lyla, Year 7

This week, our school proudly celebrated Languages Week. This special week is full of activities where the college comes together to celebrate different cultures. This week we explored two wonderful languages, Italian and Auslan. It was great to see everyone participating and taking the time to help others understand each other through simple signs and phrases. It was fun but also meaningful, and it encouraged us to celebrate inclusion and diversity across our school community. Alyssa, Year 10

Year 10 Brownie Bakers

Year 10 Hospitality students recently put their creativity and presentation skills to the test in their Brownie Challenge Assessment Task.

Students were challenged to demonstrate the decorating, garnishing and presentation techniques they have developed throughout the unit by creating and presenting their own unique brownie design. 

To make the challenge even more exciting, staff members were invited to judge the finished creations based on creativity, presentation and overall visual appeal.

The students showed great enthusiasm and attention to detail, engaged in plenty of friendly competition, and gained valuable experience presenting food to a real audience. A great way to showcase the skills they have developed in Hospitality!

Students Prepare to Perform at 4Cs Showcase

The excitement is building as 10 of our cultural dance groups prepare for the 4Cs Showcase in September!

Our students have been working incredibly hard, rehearsing at every opportunity and putting so much heart, energy and pride into their performances. From different cultures, backgrounds and traditions, each group brings something unique and special to the stage.

It has been wonderful to see their commitment, teamwork and passion as they come together to celebrate culture through dance. We couldn’t be prouder of the dedication they have shown.

Wishing all 10 groups the very best of luck for the 4Cs Showcase! Keep rehearsing, keep supporting each other and, most importantly, enjoy every moment on that stage.

Tickets to the performance at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren on Monday 14 September are now available. Click here to book.

Melton Sports Academy Students Visit Junction Oval

Our Year 10 Melton Elite Sports Academy students recently visited Cricket Victoria's Junction Oval headquarters, where they gained firsthand insight into the pathways available within the sporting industry.

Students put their skills to the test in the indoor training facility, then toured the site to learn about the history behind the Junction Oval's infrastructure. Students saw the gym, boardrooms, broadcast rooms and the Cricket Victoria head office, from which all local cricket organisations in the state operate.

After the tour, former Australian test bowler Michael Beer presented information about the Melbourne Cricket Education Academy (MCEA), where students can study a dual Diploma of Business and Diploma of Leadership and Management, delivered in association with RMIT.

Current MCEA students spoke about their experience and what student life at MCEA was like.

Our students left with a better understanding of the many career options available beyond playing the game.

Sports Update

Melton Year 9 Premier League - Round 5

Cobblebank Year 9 Premier League - Round 5

Celebrating Friendship at Cobblebank Campus

Our Cobblebank Student Leadership Cabinet ran a lunchtime activity to celebrate National Friendship Day last week! 

Friends came along to take Polaroid pictures and scrapbook some of their favourite memories together. It was a wonderful initiative.

2027 Europe Trip Information and Applications

A reminder that deposits and applications for the 2027 Europe Trip are due by Friday 28 August.

More information is below, including deposit details for families who would like to apply.

Please don't hesitate to email me at piannazzo@sfcc.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.

Shop 4 Schools Promotion

The College has joined Woodgrove Shopping Centre’s Shop 4 Schools promotion. We’re now in with a chance to win a share of $20,000* but we need your help!

From Wednesday 19 August until Sunday 18 October, every dollar you spend at participating retailers can be allocated as points for our school.

Simply scan the QR code below to upload your receipts from purchases made at Woodgrove.

Plus, when you register for Shop 4 Schools, you’ll automatically go in the draw to win a $50 Woodgrove Gift Card. One is given away each week!

For more information and full terms and conditions visit woodgroveshoppingcentre.com.au/woodgrove/shop-4-schools/

*Terms & conditions apply.

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