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School Reception: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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This week, students of Bakhita House celebrated the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita.
St Josephine’s story is one of courage and resilience and nothing short of inspirational.
In February 1877 at the age of nine, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Flogging and maltreatment were part of her daily life, and she experienced the moral and physical humiliations associated with slavery.
After being sold to an Italian Vice Consul in 1883, reportedly a much nicer master, she begged him to take her to Italy with him. It was here she was given as a gift to an Italian family who eventually placed her in the custody of the Canossian Sisters in Venice.
It was while she was in the custody of the sisters that she came to learn about God. Under their tutelage, Josephine had many questions answered and was deeply moved by this experience. From this, she discerned a call to follow Christ.
Supported by the sisters, her slavery case went to court, and it was found that slavery had been outlawed in Sudan before she was born which meant she could not lawfully be made a slave.
Even though she was now free, she remained with the Canossian Sisters until her death in 1947.
Josephine has been widely quoted saying, “If I were to meet the slave traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and religious today”.
To demonstrate that level of gratitude, after such a traumatic experience, is truly inspiring.
This week, take some time to think about how St Josephine Bakhita’s story of forgiveness and resilience can inspire us to respond to challenges and injustices in our own lives.
Last Thursday, we held our 2024 Year 12 Academic Award Ceremony at our Melton Campus following our opening Mass.
Our students, staff, award recipients and their guests celebrated achievements in Units 3 and 4 VCE, VCE VM and VET.
We had the opportunity to acknowledge our 2024 College Dux, Kaitlyn Borg. Kaitlyn achieved outstanding academic results with an ATAR of 98.55. She was also the subject dux in Biology, English Language, Specialist Mathematics and Chemistry and in 2023 Psychology. An amazing achievement.
Kaitlyn made her official Dux speech, thanking her peers, staff and family for the support received. She has accepted an offer to study Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne and we wish her the very best.
Leadership awards were also presented during the ceremony. Student Ryan Dreaver received the Long Tan Future Innovators Award and one of our parents, Julie Gruis, was presented with the Hawke Award. Julie has been a member of the Parents and Friends Association for the past six years, serving on the leadership executive and volunteering at many events.
It was wonderful to talk to the award recipients and their families over morning tea and to hear their plans for 2025.
We are proud of these achievements and of all our Year 12 students who worked to the best of their ability in 2024 in all pathways. It is exciting to hear of their plans as they move beyond St Francis Catholic College.
Click here to view the full list of award recipients.
It has been a very busy start to the year with the combined Welcome Evening and Year Level Information Sessions.
The information presented is now available on our website for families who were unable to attend. Click here to view the year-level presentations.
The sessions provided an overview of wellbeing and learning and teaching initiatives in 2025, College policies and procedures and the important events in the year ahead.
Education is a three-way partnership between families, students and the College. Working together we can achieve great outcomes for your child.
| Dates to remember | |
| Tuesday 25 February | Parents and Friends meeting |
| Thursday 27 February | Campus Swimming Carnival -Years 7, 8 and 12 (and students in other year levels participating in SACCSS swimming) |
| Wednesday 5 March | Ash Wednesday |
| Monday 10 March | Labour Day public holiday |
| Wednesday 12 March | NAPLAN begins (Year 7 and Year 9 students) |
| Monday 24 March | Harmony Week begins |
| Tuesday 25 March | SACCSS Swimming Championships |
| Thursday 3 April - Friday 4 April | Year 12 Retreat |
| Friday 4 April | Last day of Term 1 |
Families are welcome and encouraged to become involved in the College community through the Parents and Friends Association.
The Association provides an opportunity to meet other families, hear about what is going on at the College and have a say in new initiatives. Each meeting includes a short presentation from a College staff member.
Our first meeting for 2025 will be held on Tuesday 25 February from 7pm at the Cobblebank Campus.
All formal positions will be open and appointed on the night.
To express interest in joining the meeting, please email arowley@sfcc.vic.edu.au.
The beginning of 2025 has been a very busy one, setting the stage for an exciting and memorable year.
As Year 12s embark on their most crucial year of schooling and Year 7s make some of their first high school memories, the school has been buzzing with anticipation.
In our first three weeks, we have held many significant events such as the Opening Mass, Senior Awards Ceremony and the Welcome Evening and Year-Level Information Sessions - all amidst the summer heat.
The Opening Mass was a very reverent ceremony that involved the whole of Melton Campus and some of our Cobblebank Campus students. The Mass was followed by the Senior Awards Ceremony which enabled students, staff and teachers to celebrate and congratulate the 2024 Year 12 students for their hard work and determination.
It was a delight to hear about their achievements and they stand as role models for the younger year levels.
Our Welcome Evening for families was a success, with more than 700 people attending. It allowed teachers to meet parents and gave families an insight into the year ahead.
Overall, the year has kicked off at a fast pace, but we’ve made a fantastic start.
We congratulate all recipients of our 2024 Year 12 Academic Awards, presented to students last Thursday during a ceremony in Sheehan Stadium.
Claudia Ruzanji - Literacy
Ayoum Mayan - Numeracy
Giselle De Bono - Work-Related Skills
Charlyze Prosser - Personal Development
Liam Ciappara
Year 11 students who have excelled in their academic studies are also eligible to receive these awards.
Students who attained the highest study score in their subject. The study score must be above 35 for acknowledgement.
Gabriel Bautista - VET Sport and Recreation
Belle Bonifacio - Accounting, English and Health and Human Development
Kaitlyn Borg - Biology, English Language, Specialist Mathematics and Chemistry
Ryan Dreaver - General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Physics
Alanis Furtado - Religion and Society
Mikayla Horne - History: Revolutions and Literature
Shayne Manalili - Art Making and Exhibiting
Lauren Martin - Physical Education
Mina Matti - Business Management, Psychology and Legal Studies
Abigail Morgan - Foundation Mathematics and Visual Communication and Design
Emma Presnell - Outdoor and Environmental Studies
The following students achieved a score of 40 or higher out of 50 in a Unit 3 & 4 subject, scaled or unscaled. This score places them in the top 10% of the State.
Belle Bonifacio - Health and Human Development and General Mathematics
Kaitlyn Borg - Biology, Chemistry, English Language, Specialist Mathematics and Mathematical Methods
Kevin De Guzman - Psychology
Ryan Dreaver - General Mathematics and Mathematical Methods
Nellie Le Huray - Psychology
Leila Leave - Health and Human Development and Business Management
Lauren Martin - Physical Education
Mina Matti - Business Management, Legal Studies and Psychology
Abigail Morgan - Foundation Mathematics
Emma Presnell - Health and Human Development and Outdoor and Environmental Studies
These awards are presented to those students who achieved the 10 highest ATARS above 85 at the College, placing them in the top 15% of students across the state.
Mikayla Horne, who achieved an ATAR of 86.05. Mikayla will be studying Archaeology at La Trobe University this year.
Dannilla Jeevakenthiran, who achieved an ATAR of 86.15. Dannilla will be studying Business at RMIT University.
Diamond Phan, who achieved an ATAR of 86.80. Diamond will study Pharmacy (Honours) and a Masters of Pharmacy at Monash University.
Jessica Ferris, who achieved an ATAR of 88.50. Jessica will study Science and Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne.
Leila Leave, who achieved an ATAR of 89.35. Leila will study Criminology and Psychological Sciences at Deakin University.
Lauren Martin, who achieved an ATAR of 90.85. Lauren will study Radiography and Medical Imaging (Honours) at Monash University.
Belle Bonifacio, who achieved an ATAR of 93.35. Belle will study Nursing at Australian Catholic University.
Ryan Dreaver, who achieved an ATAR of 94.30. Ryan will study Engineering (Honours) at RMIT University.
Mina Matti, who achieved an ATAR of 95.35. Mina will study Law (Honours) and Commerce, La Trobe University.
Kaitlyn Borg, who achieved an ATAR of 98.55. Kaitlyn will study Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne.
This award recognises a Year 12 student interested in science and mathematics who demonstrated strong abilities in these areas in 2024. The recipient must display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others and having an interest in areas such as STEM for future innovation.
The ADF Long Tan Future Innovators Award recipient for 2024 is Ryan Dreaver.
The Hawke Award is named after the Hawke electoral seat, which itself pays homage to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Eligible recipients are from the regions around Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and Ballan.
This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the school community. Whether it's a dedicated student, a hardworking staff member, or a selfless volunteer, the Hawke Award aims to honour those whose efforts have had a significant positive impact.
The Hawke Award recipient for 2024 is Mrs Julie Gruis.
Below is the speech given by our 2024 College Dux Kaitlyn Borg during last week’s awards ceremony.
Good morning staff, students, parents and guardians,
I am grateful and honoured to have this opportunity to speak to you today.
Congratulations to all my peers who have made it through Year 12 and to those here today receiving an award. Your diligence and dedication to your studies have paid off.
At the start of 2024 I made a promise to myself – I wanted to receive my ATAR score at the end of the year and look back on Year 12 with no regrets.
And that’s what kept me motivated – knowing that I shouldn’t give up and instead try my best no matter how hard Year 12 got because, at the end of the year, I didn’t want to regret times when I wasn’t consistent in my studies.
So I want to send this message to all current and future Year 12 students. Set a goal for yourself in whatever discipline – academics, sport, music or anything you enjoy and want to excel in – and when times get tough, know that if you push through now, you will be rewarded and reach your goal in the end.
It takes hard work and consistency even in times where you may lack that motivation towards your end goal that may seem too overwhelming to ever achieve. But trust me, if you keep going now, you will see the results and you will be grateful for continuing on in those difficult times.
I’d like to thank all my Year 12 teachers for their hard work and dedication in helping me and all my peers during class time and making themselves available through Teams when we needed the extra help.
You have made every class interesting and enjoyable, encouraging me to try my best during Year 12. I am grateful to have had great teachers in Year 12 and throughout my years at school.
Thank you to my friends who believed in me and always supported me. You have all done so well and I’m so grateful we spent Year 12 together. I’m going to miss seeing you every day during class and lunchtimes but I know that you are all working towards new goals for your future. I will cherish the memories we’ve made throughout high school.
And lastly, I’m forever grateful for my parents’ support not only in Year 12 but throughout my education. You have taught me to work hard and always reinforced how important school is. Thank you for putting me first and working tirelessly to allow me to attend a great school and encouraging me to try my best in everything I do. Thank you so much.
So, to everyone listening today, all the best for the years to come and to the Year 12s this year – work hard but enjoy your final year of school. There will be highs and lows, but just keep going – the year will come to an end so quickly, so make the most of it.
Thank you everyone.
Our College Parent Handbook has been updated for 2025 and is now available on our website.
It provides information to help you and your child navigate day-to-day life at our Melton and Cobblebank campuses.
Whether you are new to our community or have been with us for some time, this handbook includes procedures, policies and other guides listed alphabetically on topics commonly accessed by parents and guardians.
Enrolments for Year 7 2027 are now open, so if you have a child in Year 5 and would like them to attend St Francis Catholic College, please click here and complete an application online by Friday 15 August 2025.
You will need to attach the following documents with your application:
You will also be required to pay an application fee of $50.
All families must attend an interview at the College as part of the enrolment process. You will be notified of the interview time in due course after you lodge your application.
The College will notify all families of the result of their application by Friday 17 October 2025.
New College tour dates for Term 1 2025 are also now available. Click here to register.
Applications for Year 7 2026 at both campuses were due on 16 August 2024.
You can still apply online, however late applications may result in your child being placed on a waiting list.
All families must attend an interview at the College as part of the enrolment process. You will be notified of the interview time in due course after you lodge your application.
If your child requires Edrolo for a subject they are studying in 2025 (as indicated on their booklist), please be aware of the following:
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact your child’s House Leader or our Accounts department to discuss your options.
Below is information on how to activate and pay for Edrolo:
Melton Campus families who missed our Welcome Evening and Year-Level Information Sessions last Thursday or would like to revisit the presentations can view them below.
Year 7 & 8 2025 Information Evening Presentation
Year 9 2025 Information Evening Presentation
Year 10 2025 Information Evening Presentation
Year 11 & 12 2025 Information Evening Presentation
They are also available on the Publications and Forms page of our website.
Bus parking lanes on Bulmans Road are designed to provide a safe and efficient pick-up and drop-off area for students who use public transport to access Melton Campus.
We remind you that this dedicated bus lane should not be used by cars during the peak pick-up and drop-off times before and after school. Buses need unobstructed access to the area, and the increasing number of vehicles entering and stopping illegally has raised significant safety concerns.
If you drive your child to and from school, please use the following areas along Bulmans Road for drop-off and pick-up:
Your child’s safety is our priority, and we greatly appreciate your cooperation.
There are only a few places left for students in Years 10 and 11 who would like to join the College’s 2025 Europe Trip.
The trip will embark on an exhilarating journey that spans the realms of history, culture, and discovery! Students will traverse the enchanting streets of Assisi, the artistic wonderland of Florence, and experience the vibrant pulse of Berlin and poignant echoes of Krakow.
The approximate cost of the trip is $8000.
Families applying for the trip are expected to be up to date with their school fees.
Information about the trip and instructions on how to apply are available below.
For any enquiries, please email me at piannazzo@sfcc.vic.edu.au
Congratulations to all Melton and Cobblebank students who participated in the 2024/25 Coles WMR Track and Field Carnival over the weekend. We are extremely proud of all our athletes!
Results and placings will be included in next week's newsletter.
Melton Campus Senior Sport – Round 1
| Team | Result | SFCC Ladder position |
| Senior Netball A | St Monica’s College 23 d SFCC 14 | 3 |
| Senior Netball B (pictured below) | SFCC 19 d Penola Catholic College 15 | 1 |
| Senior Cricket | St Monica’s College 196 d SFCC 96 | 6 |
We have had a great start to school sports this year, with two of our Year 10 Melton Campus students winning a doubles title at the SACCSS Intermediate Badminton Tournament yesterday.
Sophie and Jasmeet went through the tournament undefeated, winning seven out of seven games to become the 2025 Girls Doubles C champions.
The event was a great experience for all our students.
We are delighted to be back for 2025 and are fully operational.
Some reminders:
Due to a limited selection of lunch items, we recommend pre-ordering if you have a specific item in mind.
To make ordering more convenient, we have partnered with Flexischools. Parents and students can easily order and pay for meals online by downloading the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and creating an account.
After setup, click Order Food to view the available menu items, place your order, and make the payment. Orders can be submitted at any time up until the cut-off time of 8.45am
Students can view the menu on Simon.
We are thrilled to welcome you back for the 2025 school year and are excited to be operating at full capacity.
Some reminders:
We have partnered with Flexischools to provide a more convenient way for parents and students to order and pay for their meals online.
To get started, simply download the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and follow the prompts to create an account.
Once your account is set up, select Order Food to browse the available menu options, place your order, and complete the payment. Orders can be placed at any time before 8.45am.
Students can also view the full menu on Simon.
Keep updated with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.
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