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School Reception: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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Yesterday was the Feast Day of St Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of those who suffer through modern day human trafficking and slavery.
In 1869, a little girl was born in Sudan in Africa. As a child she was kidnapped into slavery. This experience was so frightening that she could not even remember her name. So, her kidnappers named her Bakhita. The name Bakhita means “fortunate”.
An Italian official, Callisto Legnani, purchased Bakhita. For the first time since she had been kidnapped, she was treated with care, rather than being beaten. When the time came for the Italian consul to return to Italy, he brought Bakhita with him. Once there, Legnani left Bakhita with Augusto Michieli and his wife. When the Michieli’s daughter, Mimmina, was born, Bakhita became her caretaker and friend.
When the Michielis went to Suakin to run their large hotel, they left both Mimmina and Bakhita with the Canossian Sisters at a convent in Venice.
It was there that Bakhita came to know about God. When the Michielis returned, Bakhita asked to remain at the convent with the Sisters. She became a Catholic and was given the name Josephine.
On 8 December 1896, Josephine Bakhita became a Sister at the convent and committed her life to God forever. For the next 50 years, she served the Schio convent community by cooking, sewing, and attending to the door. When she was on duty at the door, her friendly, sweet voice was pleasing to children, comforting to the poor, and encouraging to others.
As she grew older, Mother Bakhita suffered greatly in sickness. She died on 8 February 1947 at the Canossian convent in Schio surrounded by the other Sisters. She was named a saint of the Church on 1 October 2000, by Pope John Paul II.
God of Justice,
Our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel, when we hear of men and women, boys and girls deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of exploitation and enslavement and all kinds of abuse because of human greed and the desire for profit at this time in our world.
Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception and force. We pray that the buying and selling of people will come to an end. We make our prayer through Jesus our Liberator from all evil.
Amen
The new governance model for Catholic schools in Victoria commenced on 1 January 2021. This new model means that all those employed at Catholic Regional College Melton now work for Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). The reality is that much of the daily work of the school is business as usual.
One significant change, however, is the requirement to establish a School Advisory Council, as described below:
“Serving on the School Advisory Council of a Catholic school is a form of Church lay ministry. It is a response to the call to support the local Catholic Parish and School communities in a particular way. It is also a means for members of our community to share their skills and talents for the common good. A well-functioning Council provides a rich source of wisdom and insight as well as a means of strengthening community links and potential for partnerships.” School Advisory Council Terms of Reference (Draft, 2020)
As the year progresses, more information regarding the School Advisory Council’s roles, composition, and responsibilities will be published via our Newsletter. I encourage all parents to consider applying for this important role in the College.
The continued population growth in the western suburbs has placed consistent pressure on enrolments at Catholic Regional College Melton. To cater for the increasing number of families seeking a Catholic education for their children, land for a new educational facility has been purchased at 108 Alfred Road, Cobblebank.
Throughout 2020, a strategic planning group consisting of parish priests, principals from both CRC Melton and Caroline Springs and consultants from Catholic Education Melbourne worked in collaboration with architects Baldasso and Cortese on the masterplan for this new educational setting.
Towards the end of 2020, in consultation with our Canonical administrators, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) decided to establish this new facility as a second campus of Catholic Regional College Melton.
The new campus will welcome approximately 150 Year 7 students in 2023 and grow to accommodate 1500 Year 7 to 12 students by 2028. Stage 1 of construction will enable the College to cater for 600 students with further stages planned as intake progresses.
Enrolment information for the new campus will soon be available to parents and guardians.
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 11 February | 2020 Awards Ceremony (Year 7-12) |
| Year 7 Information Evening | |
| Wednesday 17 February | College Opening Mass |
| Year 12 Information Evening | |
| Monday 22 February | Year 8 Camp |
| Monday 1 March | College Swimming and Multisport Carnival |
View the full College Calendar
The College has certainly come to life throughout the first week of term.
It has been wonderful to see the students positively embrace the learning in their classes and experience each of their different subjects. Last week Year 9 students and families attended an information evening on the Gadal Program. The students are excited to be part of the program and eager to experience the many different and unique opportunities it will bring throughout 2021.
Yesterday, Year 7, 8 and 9 students took part in a Resilience Project incursion. Martin Heppell spoke to students about Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) and how to use each area in their everyday life.
Martin’s message will be further explored in Health classes, as students work on their journal and activities to develop their strengths in each of the different areas.
Our Year 11 students took time yesterday to consider their goals and mindset as they move into their senior years at the College. Aspire Day highlighted the need for students to focus on what they want to achieve and how they can reach their full potential.
Connecting and belonging
Having recently joined such a welcoming school community, I already have a sense of connectedness and belonging to CRC Melton.
Being connected is important for the student cohort too. Wearing the College uniform fosters a sense of belonging so I would ask parents and guardians to please ensure their child is familiar with the policy and aware of what is allowed.
”The College Uniform Policy is attached below and can be found on the College website and in the student planner.
Lunchtime activities
Extracurricular activities have begun at lunchtime and after school in a variety of different subject areas. All students are encouraged to join in – these groups and activities are designed to be fun and engaging and can help students develop their skills and make new friends.
Our students have settled into their classes for 2021. All subject, elective or pathway changes (Year 9 to 12) and the relevant paperwork must be submitted by the end of this week. This allows students to settle into their classes, catch up with any outstanding work and complete the required 50 hours per semester of contact time VCAA recommends for all VCE studies.
Today our Year 11 students undertook an Aspire Program, reflecting on what they hope to achieve and aspire towards in their remaining time at the College.
Parents and guardians may be asked about their aspirations at this age. Communication and discussion around our aspirations is a way of inspiring our children as they grapple with the bigger picture of their career journeys.
Last Thursday an information evening on the Year 9 Gadal and Rite Journey programs was held for students and families. On Friday, the Year 9 Rite Journey teachers participated in a professional learning day, during which they had access to the program facilitators. We thank the Year 9 families for their support, which allowed this important professional learning to occur.
Year 7 and 8 students will undertake Study Skills and Time Management sessions with Elevate in Term 1. Elevate also offer free webinars for parents and guardians on how to help their child study successfully (see article in this edition of the newsletter).
On Thursday the Catholic Regional College Melton 2020 Year 7-12 Academic Awards Ceremony will be held during Period 1 and 2. Families of award recipients have been invited to attend and we look forward to celebrating our students’ outstanding achievements.
All students are required to wear their full summer uniform for the assembly. I look forward to meeting with the families and our award recipients.
The reintroduction of mandatory face masks in indoor settings means that our staff and students must wear a face mask indoors, including during class. Teachers may remove their mask if they are delivering a lesson.
Face masks do not need to be worn outside.
The College has a COVID-safe plan that requires students to socially distance while on school grounds where practical.
Hand hygiene remains essential. All students and staff should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. Hand sanitiser is available in all classrooms.
Good infection control practices and procedures should be part of our everyday life.
We will continue to keep you updated as new information comes to hand.
Parents and guardians are reminded that PAM will be used for all communication with families from this year, including permission requests for excursions and camps.
As part of our transition from Operoo to PAM, we require all parents to enter medical information for their child into PAM.
Keeping your child’s medical details up to date is important. The College needs all relevant information to ensure the best possible care for your child in case of an emergency.
Students cannot attend excursions or camps if their medical details are not completed in PAM.
If you have not already done so, please log in to your account, select your child’s profile then choose Medical Profile from the menu below their name. You can also click on the bell icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen and select the drop-down box that appears.
As well as entering all medical details, it is important to log in to PAM and check that the email address linked to your account is correct.
As advised via email from 2021, this will be the email to which all College correspondence is sent. If the email address is incorrect, please update your details.
Your current and correct email address is required to ensure you receive all information and notifications related to your child.
If you need assistance or require more information, please contact the College on 8099 6000.
You can use PAM to access a range of information about your child, including timetables, attendance, results and reports.
From 2021, PAM will provide a single platform in which we store information about your child and from which you can monitor their progress.
It is also where you will complete their medical details and receive permission requests and emails from the College.
You can access PAM from the College website’s homepage – in the top righthand corner, click on PORTALS to find the Parent Portal tab.
You can also follow this link - PAM - Parent Portal
Our Year 7 class of 2021 had a wet welcome to CRC Melton on Friday 29 January but have seamlessly adjusted to life at secondary school.
It has been a big first week with a lot of information to take in, and we would like to congratulate the Year 7 students on how they have transitioned so far.
We would also like to introduce our Year 7 homeroom team for 2021:
7 Anthony - Michelle Moeser, Daniel Askew and Rachel Casey
7 Bernard - Michelle Montalti and Shehani Smith
7 Catherine - Sister Mary Sarah, Bao Nguyen and Lisa Hughes
7 Dominic - Simone Bennett and Sister Mary Helen
7 Francis - Amy Bandiera, Loretta Kalms and Kathy Sayers
7 Mackillop - Maria Krajina and Gabriella Meathrel
7 O’Reilly - Emma van Wees and Georgina Aboud
7 Reed - Natalie Bourke and Johanna Micallef
7 Josephine - Jennifer Segrave, Sam Tammaro and Sue Kro
Parents and guardians are welcome to keep in touch with their child’s homeroom teachers if they have any concerns or questions.
We look forward to meeting everyone at our Year 7 Information Evening this Thursday 11 February. A reminder to arrive at 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start.
We would like to introduce our 2021 Year 8 Homeroom team. Your child’s homeroom teacher should be your first point of call should any issues arise.
8 Anthony: Edwina La Rose and Claire Closter
8 Bernard: Mikaela Hurst
8 Catherine: Margaret Fury, Nirasha Pandi and Kim Joyce
8 Dominic: Amanda Wall and Kath Jones
8 Francis: Tania Kremers and Justin Farrugia
8 Mackillop: Alexandra Belcastro and Trent Hobson
8 O’Reilly: Amy Rowley
8 Reed: Sharryn Beristas and Wes McDougall
The first big event on the Year 8 calendar is surf camp in Angelsea.
The camp will run over three days and two nights with a range of activities for students including surfing, canoeing, rock wall climbing, two ropes courses, a trivia night, a bushwalk, and a movie night.
Students in 8A, B, C, and D will leave on Monday 22 February and return on Wednesday 24 February. Students in 8F, M, O, and R will leave on Wednesday 24 February and return on Friday 26 February.
Students had an assembly last week outlining behaviour expectations and general information about the camp. Permission slips, medical forms, and a list of what to bring will be sent to parents and guardians this week via PAM.
We ask that all parents take the time to update their child’s PAM account with any relevant medical information so we can provide a safe and enjoyable camp for all.
Recognising and celebrating the achievements of Year 8 students whose actions often go unnoticed is the aim of a the Domestique awards initiative, which is unique to the Year 8 cohort.
Domestique is a cycling term - the domestique is a rider who works for the benefit of his or her team and leader, rather than trying to win the race. For example, they give up their bike for the leader when theirs is broken or carry their teammates’ water.
Each term, three students from each homeroom will receive a Domestique Award. The awards aim to highlight positive student achievements and contributions in three categories: Empathy, Community and Endeavour.
The Domestique Empathy Award will recognise students who have demonstrated respect and support to peers and teachers online and in-person.
The Domestique Community Award will recognise students who demonstrate community spirit in our school and the wider community.
The Domestique Endeavour Award will recognise students who have strived to achieve their best and/or have supported others to improve.
Subject and homeroom teachers and students will submit nominations for each of the categories. Students will then vote, and awards will be presented at the end of each term.
This year the College is offering a wider range of private instrumental music lessons. In addition to vocal, piano, guitar and drum tuition, students can learn to play the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet or trombone.
Playing a musical instrument has so many benefits. It improves your memory and mathematical ability, refines your time management and organisational skills and teaches you perseverance, to name a few.
Students who enrol in private instrumental lessons will also have an opportunity to perform at various College functions, such as school masses, liturgies, assemblies, concerts, and the wider community. The 25-minute classes are held during the school day.
For more details or to enrol in a lesson email Instrumental Music Coordinator, Daniel Askew: daskew@crcmleton.com.au
Team building at its best was displayed by VCAL literacy students who took part in a Marshmallow Challenge last week.
The aim was to build the tallest freestanding structure using only 20 sticks of spaghetti, one metre of twine, one metre of sticky tape and one large marshmallow. There were guidelines to follow and the structure could not be tied down or supported by anyone or any other material.
The students worked in groups to create the structures. They planned, discussed and used trial and error. Students then had to evaluate how well they worked in the team.
The winning team created a free-standing structure measuring 83cm.
CRC Melton parents and guardians have exclusive access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series for Term 1, 2021. Elevate works with our students, delivering workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation.
Elevate’s webinar series can help you learn how to better support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they learn at school.
The first webinar, Motivation and the role of parental praise and goals, will run live online from 6pm to 7pm tomorrow (Wednesday 10 February). Registration is essential and is free for CRC Melton parents and guardians. It includes a live question and answer session so you can ask the presenter questions directly.
You can register for one or all of the free webinars using the link below.
Elevate Parent Webinar Series Registration
Other webinars in the series include:
Wednesday 24 February
Time Management techniques to align the family expectations on homework and school-life balance.
Wednesday 10 March
Technology devices and self-regulation strategies.
Wednesday 24 March
Note taking skills to help your child deepen their revision.
Don Bosco Retreat Centre will host several Lenten Retreats in February and March.
More detailed information on each retreat is available below.
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