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School Reception Monday-Thursday 8am-4.30pm, Friday 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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This week before Easter, in the Christian tradition, is known as Holy Week.
Just like our own lives, the events of Holy Week were those of extreme highs and lows. Jesus was exalted as a hero, a saviour of the people at the beginning of the week. Five days later he was dead, and all seemed lost.
But the miracle of his resurrection three days later brought hope to his followers and to our world.
This week is an opportunity to explore what it means to experience the Risen Christ. The Easter season encourages us to look deep within and ask ourselves how can we make our world a better place?
This Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word “command.” On this day Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commanded them to love one another during their last supper together celebrating Passover.
On the evening before Jesus was put to death, he chose to spend the evening with his closest friends – even knowing one would betray him, and one would deny him, and all would run away from him.
Not only did he choose to spend Passover with them, but he also washed their feet. It is hard for us to grasp that Jesus knew what was ahead yet still celebrated that special meal with his friends and washed the feet of his betrayer.
This is followed by Good Friday. Why “good”? The name Good Friday is apt because the suffering and death of Jesus marked the culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins. There is no salvation without the crucifixion.
In the gospel, the resurrection story is told so clearly that you can picture all of it happening. Jesus conquered death and the grave! Can you imagine what the women at the tomb must have felt on Easter morning? Can you imagine how the disciples must have felt when they saw Jesus face-to-face after they saw him die on the cross?
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said." (Mt 28:1-6)
”The resurrection is the miracle of all miracles. With the resurrection, we are amazed by Jesus dying and coming back to life just as he said he would. But the real miracle is God’s amazing love. He loved us enough that he chose to suffer and die for our sins.
Easter changes us from the inside out. Our lives should be different because of Easter.
St Gemma Galgani was an Italian saint who devoted her life to prayer and contemplation. She is the Patron Saint of Students. For the past three years, the College has invited Year 12 students who excelled in their studies to return as tutors in our Galgani Aspire Program (GAP).
These students have experienced exams and the pressures of the final year of school and can relate to the trials and tribulations of the current Year 12 cohort.
Students and staff can book our Galgani Aspire tutors to assist with revision, study plans or advice on any aspect of the VCE year.
I would like to encourage our students to take advantage of this valuable resource throughout this year. Below are our 2023 tutors:
Heidi Pardinas – Studying a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University. Heidi will assist with History, Literature and Psychology.
James Bertsias – Studying Engineering at RMIT University. James will assist with Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, General Maths and Physics.
Lauren Morgan – Studying a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University. Lauren will assist with History, General Maths, Chemistry, Religion and Society and Chemistry.
Lucy Taylor – Studying a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University. Lucy will assist with Physical Education, Health and Human Development and English.
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 6 April | Final day of Term 1 - students dismissed at 3.15pm |
| Monday 24 April | Term 2 begins |
| Tuesday 25 April | ANZAC Day public holiday |
| Wednesday 26 April | Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4pm - 8.30pm |
| Tuesday 2 May | Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 4pm - 7.30pm |
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 6 April | Final day of Term 1 - students dismissed at 2.45pm |
| Monday 24 April | Term 2 begins |
| Tuesday 25 April | ANZAC Day public holiday |
| Wednesday 26 April | Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 3.10pm - 7.40pm |
| Tuesday 2 May | Parent Student Teacher Interviews, 3.10pm - 6.40pm |
Developing a sense of belonging at school underpins student success in many ways – we want all our students to feel supported and contribute positively during their time at the College.
The friendships your child form in their classes and year level usually happen quite naturally, but it is the connections with older and younger students outside their cohort that extend their confidence and build camaraderie and community.
Our new House System encourages students to form friendships beyond their year level. While we recognise this will take time, some small but significant achievements have occurred during our first term.
When students arrived in February, they had a new school name, a different start time, new locker areas, phone pouches, the option of a trans-seasonal uniform, eight different houses instead of four, and something else called a Mentor Group (formerly a homeroom).
For those who had been at the College for several years, the start of the day suddenly looked quite different and involved getting to know students they may never have seen before.
I’m pleased to say that overall, our students have adapted to the changes, and now at the end of the first quarter of 2023, most can identify their house, its colour, their House Leader, Mentor and peers within their Mentor Group.
Various activities have brought houses together – in Week 2 we invited students and families to house welcome evenings over two nights. It was a pleasure to meet with parents and guardians and build on the positive partnerships essential to student wellbeing.
Along with house assemblies and feast day masses, our House Leaders and their teams have begun working on ways to develop house spirit among students and build an understanding of the values and traits they want their house to be known for.
It’s also great to see healthy competition among houses developing. Students got involved in events and initiatives such as the Swimming and Multisport Carnival, the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal and Diversity Week. As we end Term 1, Dominic and Anthony have already created a strong lead!
I thank students for their willingness to get involved and adapt to all the changes 2023 has brought. I also look forward to seeing house spirit and energy develop next term as students and staff learn more about each other and the distinct personal qualities each of their house namesakes is known for.
I wish you all a blessed and safe Easter break, and I hope students return refreshed and ready to take up new opportunities in Term 2.
It has been a pleasure to watch the Year 7 Cobblebank students settle into secondary school and see them make the most of the opportunities available during their first term.
There has been a power of learning in our first ten weeks and a chance for teachers and students to get to know each other both in the classroom and through many extracurricular activities.
Students are enthusiastic in their classes and have many opportunities to show their creativity. During their Art classes, they were introduced to clay modelling and in Design and Technology, they learned about the design process and are working on a garden design for their new campus at Cobblebank.
We have an array of musical talent among the cohort, with students eagerly signing up for instrumental music lessons in drums, keyboard and guitar and joining the Cobblebank Ensemble. It’s lovely to hear the students practising and we look forward to future performances.
Every two years, the College stages a production and our students couldn’t wait to audition for a part in the 2023 show. They attend weekly after-school rehearsals, which has been a great way to connect with the wider St Francis Catholic College community.
Sport has been a favourite subject for many students and the soccer clinic in Weeks 9 and 10 was a hit. Students eagerly await Term 2 when the Sports Association of Catholic Co-educational Secondary Schools (SACCSS) Premier League competition against other Catholic secondary schools begins. Teams have started training so watch this space for all the results.
Our time at the Melton Campus has undoubtedly had its advantages, and we have been able to provide Cobblebank students with a glimpse of life in a busy and well-established Year 7-12 campus.
Our students joined in the annual Swimming Carnival at Melton Waves. They were part of the fantastic Harmony Day whole school assembly where they enthusiastically wore cultural dress or the colour orange and even volunteered to perform for the College community (and received a rousing reception).
We also ran a host of Diversity Week activities during lunchtimes, including henna art, cooking classes, a sporting competition and music and bead making, all of which were well attended by students.
To end the term, we asked students to give us their highlights. Below is a snapshot of what they had to say.
Kanwar 7F: Harmony Day was really fun as we got to experience many cultures and traditions. Lots of students dressed up in their traditional clothes which was very engaging.
Taranveer 7A: When Kulman and I danced for the Harmony Day assembly it was great fun and we really connected to our culture.
Ashleen 7A: During Diversity Week there were activities at break times. One of my favourites was henna art, it was a great experience and I loved the designs.
Gurnoor 7F: The swimming carnival was amazing and it was nice seeing everyone try. It was a wonderful experience.
Liam 7F: Though I didn’t participate in any events, the Swimming Carnival was a great time to catch up. Everyone was so supportive of their teams.
Tahlia 7F: The swimming carnival was fun. At the start of the day I wasn’t too keen on doing lots of swimming but once I started, I participated in all the events I could. I swam in some Year 9 events and placed second.
Note: Tahlia was awarded an MVP medal by our Lawrence House Captains for her efforts at the Swimming Carnival.
Akanksha 7F: The production is such fun. I have met new students and it’s a safe, great thing to be involved in.
Nimar 7E: I really enjoy being part of the ensemble. So far, we have been singing songs and doing activities together.
Isaac 7F: I enjoyed all aspects of the Premier League try outs as I really enjoy soccer.
Noah 7E: Volleyball is a fun experience, not the easiest as it can be a bit painful hitting the ball at the start. Would highly recommend it if you have the opportunity, as it’s really good. I have learned how to receive and set the ball which I have enjoyed.
Mackenzie 7D: Shrove Tuesday was fun especially when the pancakes were warm. They were really delicious and it was nice that the teachers made the effort to make the pancakes.
Brody 7E: The pancakes were sweet and warm and we got to put on maple syrup or any toppings we liked.
Nathan 7E: The soccer clinic was fun and has helped me improve at soccer.
Kulman 7A: The St Patrick’s Day mass (in Melbourne) was a beautiful experience. The church was lovely. I was honoured to go and so grateful. I hope I’ll get to go again next year.
There has been an incredible amount of learning across all our year levels in Term 1 with students developing knowledge in sustainability, language literacy and skills in working memory, creativity and problem-solving.
In Year 7 Italian classes, students have been mastering repetition of language, grammar and fluency with stem words/sentences at the start of every lesson such as “Hi, I’m feeling…”. This teaches students to apply the language to everyday life makes lessons fun. Our Italian teachers are drawing on an approach by Dr Gianfranco Conti outlined in his book The Language Teacher Tool Kit.
In the Arts, teachers have taken Year 7 music students out of the classroom to the athletics track where the white lines become a giant staff (the lines on which music is written). Students jump on the white lines which helps them develop their working memory of music.
Year 8 Textile students have been exploring upcycling and creating sustainable tote bags using tie-dying and Cricut techniques, and basic sewing skills.
In Senior Drama classes, students have been creating scripts and directing their own lighting, set design and costumes, all of which develop their creative and problem-solving skills.
This term has also been busy in vocational learning. Our Intermediate VCAL students visited the RSPCA where they explored issues they had covered in class and spent time with animals in need. Our blanket drive for the Lost Dogs Home was also a success.
Victorian Pathways Certificate students completed a First Aid Course this term and heard guest speakers discuss workers’ rights and First Nation Peoples’ experiences. They made candles and cards, had a monopoly tournament and worked in the garden. Work placement has been a success with our students spending time in various industries putting into practice skills learned in their VET courses.
Overall, it has been another term during which students have engaged and had rich experiences within their subjects.
Last week a group of Year 7 Cobblebank students took part in the STEM Design Sprint: Space Design: Humans on the Moon at Scienceworks.
Students watched a Planetarium show and heard from a researcher about the conditions in space and ways to overcome the challenges associated with humans living in space.
They also saw active design and prototyping technology and took part in an activity to brainstorm and create their own prototype.
Below is a reflection by Alvin of 7C from the day:
"The moment we entered Scienceworks we were speechless - each detail was bright and open, and the structures themselves were massive.
The staff greeted us and led us underground to a fully functional pumping station. They had tables prepared for us, each with an image of the solar system.
They proceeded to take us to the planetarium, which is essentially a massive theatre screen on the roof that has been curved to provide us with the full experience. They showed us a short film about the difficulties of finding another planet like ours.
After that, we ate lunch and went to the science centre, where we did various activities. We created a way for people to inhabit other planets and had to consider what they would consume and do on the moon. It was really fascinating and fun experience."
Year 11 and 12 Food Studies students were lucky enough to watch a cooking demonstration by chef Donna Abbas last week.
Donna has a wealth of knowledge of traditional Lebanese cooking and captivated students with her warm personality and true connection to her culture. She shared her family recipe for knafeh with us, a sweet that is used to celebrate time with her children and grandchildren.
Knafeh is a popular traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with spun pastry, soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup and typically layered with cheese or with other ingredients such as clotted cream, pistachio or nuts, depending on the region.
The students left the session saying they felt a connection to Donna, as if they were a part of her family.
Year 10 student Alice Summers continues to represent the College at equestrian events, most recently at the Petstock Interschool Show Jumping Championships at Boneo Park.
Alice and her horse, Kirby Park Tamarisk, took part in the widely-contested competition, and finished mid-field among 50 entrants in the Level 4 Progressive Championship.
The pair will represent the College during the upcoming school holidays in Combined Training (dressage and show jumping) and straight show jumping at the 2023 Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.
Our Year 10 Boys’ Volleyball team met Thomas Carr College in the SACCSS semi-final match last week. The team was captained by Marcus Carmona who encouraged great teamwork through communication on the court. Paul Dau and Jonathan DaCunha were excellent blocking at the net. It was a credit to the boys to have no wins in 2022 and reach the semi-finals this year.
| Year 10 Premier League | Results |
Netball |
Semi-final: MacKillop College 35 d SFCC 20 |
Boys’ Volleyball |
Semi-Final: Thomas Carr College d SFCC |
| Senior SACCSS Competition | Results |
| Senior Boys Volleyball | Emmanuel College 2 d SFCC 0 |
| Senior Girls Volleyball | SFCC drew with Emmanuel College |
The ON TRACK school holiday music experience will be held at Staughton College in Melton during the upcoming school holidays.
The four-day program from Tuesday 11 April to Friday 14 April is free and brings together artists who mentor, teach and share tricks of the trade with students.
It gives students the chance to engage with music industry specialists, learn new skills and make new friends through specialised songwriting workshops.
Across the four days, participants will:
Additionally:
To register for the program, complete and return the form below or click here to sign-up online.
ON TRACK Student Registration Form
Community Road Safety Forum
Are you a young, new, or inexperienced driver? Are you a parent or supervising driver? Melton Council's online Community Road Safety Education Session on Thursday 27 April aims to give you all the information you need to drive safely on our roads.
Guest speakers from Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and the community, drawing from life experiences, will talk about the rules of the road, as well as how to prevent road trauma and protect yourself, your passengers, and the public. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get access to resources to help you stay safe on the road.
Every person who attends will go in the draw to win a share in $500 worth of prizes, including defensive driving and AutoBarn vouchers!
This webinar is free to attend and you can click here to register now. You will receive the Zoom link via email 24 hours prior to the event.
The event will start at 6pm and finish at 7.30pm.
Please note that this forum will include discussions about the impact of road trauma and may be confronting.
Keep up to date with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.
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