Weekly Reflection

Pentecost Sunday was celebrated this past weekend. It marks the very beginning of our Church.

Although Jesus had ascended into heaven, the disciples didn’t have to wait long before the Holy Spirit stepped onto the scene on Pentecost Sunday. Fifty days after Resurrection Sunday, the next era of God’s kingdom arrived.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a]as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4

The passage goes on to say that the apostles had a chance to speak to the people, and thousands believed and gave their lives to Christ that day.

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, You are God. I praise you because you are holy, and I thank you for dwelling in my heart. Thank you for working in my life. You guided me into salvation, renewed my dead spirit, and you opened my eyes to the Truth. Thank you.

Help me to see you more clearly – to recognize your movement in my life. Make me more sensitive to you so I can follow you more closely. Still, I know that I am selfish and rebellious. I need you to help me be obedient when I recognize your leading. I need you.

I ask you for your help and comfort today. You know my pain and anxieties very well. Thank you for praying over me. Help me to rest in your comfort today.

Help me to walk in you, the Spirit of God. Grow good fruit in my life. You are the one who produces these in me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I cannot live out these things on my own; I need you.

Amen

(Source: Emily Hall)

Shaun Coates

Director of Catholic Identity

From the Principal

This week the College and our Catholic feeder primary schools raised money to support Exford Primary School as they move forward after the horrific bus tragedy.

Together, we donated $9000, and it has been wonderful to collaborate to support the needs of families in our wider community.

Providing a culturally safe environment

New national Child Safe Standards came into effect last year. These 11 standards strengthen all organisations' requirements to ensure all students' safety and wellbeing.

Child Safe Standard 1 – Culturally safe environments

Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

At St Francis Catholic College, we have for several years had a specific Project Officer - Indigenous students to ensure that the needs of our Indigenous students and their families are considered when decisions are made at the College.

Daniela Harrington has worked with our families and students to provide an inclusive and safe environment for those who identify as Indigenous. It is a testament to the success of our programs that in 2023 we will have more students and staff than ever before who have or will be inducted as FIRE carriers.

The number has grown significantly since we became a FIRE Carrier school in 2019 and demonstrates an awareness and commitment in our College community to continuing our journey of reconciliation.

Our Melton Campus Fire Carrier Ceremony at yesterday's assembly was a beautiful recognition of our commitment to providing a welcoming and safe environment for our First Nations students.

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus Students

Dates to remember
Friday 2 June	Student Study at Home Day - Staff Faith Formation Day
Wednesday 7 June	Year 7 Timed Assessment Task
Monday 12 June	Kings Birthday public holiday
Wednesday 14 June	Parents and Friends Meeting
Friday 23 June	Final day of Term 2 - students dismissed at 2pm

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus Students

Dates to remember
Friday 2 June	Student Study at Home Day - Staff Faith Formation Day
Tuesday 6 June	Year 10 and 11 Exams begin
Wednesday 7 June	Year 7 and 8 Timed Assessment Tasks
Monday 12 June	Kings Birthday public holiday
Wednesday 14 June	Parents and Friends Meeting
Friday 23 June	Final day of Term 2 - students dismissed at 2.30pm

From the Deputy Principal – Head of Cobblebank Campus

As our Cobblebank Campus nears completion, we had exciting news this week that all going to plan, students and staff will begin classes at the new site from the start of Term 3.

Our 138 students and 23 staff have spent the first two terms of 2023 at the Melton Campus, and there have been many highlights. They have eagerly taken up the opportunity to be part of the St Francis Catholic College community, participating in whole school assemblies, sporting events and many extra-curricular activities.

While the finishing touches happen at Cobblebank over the coming weeks, I encourage you to visit our website to see how our new campus is shaping up. Click here to see all the photos.

We look forward to enjoying the second half of the year in our new classrooms and learning spaces. In the coming weeks, families will receive more information about accessing the site and what to expect when classes begin.

Kerrie-Ann Matthews

Deputy Principal - Head of Cobblebank Campus

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Friday is a student-free study-at-home day and provides a perfect opportunity for Year 10 and 11 students to study for their upcoming exams and for Year 7 and 8 students to prepare for their Timed Assessment Task next week.

As students explore their interests and consolidate their career ideas, some may realise they are studying a subject that no longer aligns with this plan. In Years 10 and 11, students can make a subject/elective change for Semester 2 provided:

it is not a pre-requisite subject for a career the student has decided on
the class is not full
it works within the timetable restraints
Pathways/Careers Coordinators or House Leaders supports the change
the new subject does not require knowledge from Unit 1.

Students must complete the subject change paperwork and obtain all relevant signatures, including a parent or guardian. Students will need all equipment (e.g. texts, stationery, Edrolo) for the new subject at the beginning of Semester 2.

Strict deadlines apply and will be adhered to. Semester 2 subject changes close on Friday 16 June. No further changes can be made after this date. Students will be notified of successful changes and this will appear on their SIMON Semester 2 timetable.

Timed Assessment Tasks

On Wednesday 7 June, Melton and Cobblebank Year 7 students will complete a Timed Assessment Task (TAT) in Mathematics during Period 1. Year 8 Melton Campus students will complete their English TAT during Period 3.

This provides an opportunity to experience a formal assessment setting, including specific requirements about what to bring. Teachers will let students know what they need and how to prepare for the assessment.

We wish students all the best as prepare for upcoming assessment tasks and exams.

Joanne Holmes

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Simon Everywhere App

Put permission requests for excursions, emails and school reports at your fingertips when you download the Simon Everywhere app to your smartphone.

The app gives you access to PAM, the College online parent portal and allows you to:

give permission for excursions
log student absences
receive notifications from the College
sign in without having to enter your username and password each time
access your child’s reports, grades and attendance
update medical information.

Simon Everywhere can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Google Play store. Below are guides to help you.

Please email itsupport@sfcc.vic.edu.au if you require further information or assistance.

Year 7 2025 Enrolments

Do you have a child in Grade 5 and would like them to attend St Francis Catholic College when they begin secondary school?

Whether you currently have children at the College or are yet to join our community, now is the time to apply for Year 7 2025.

New tour dates for our Melton Campus have also been added if you and your child would like to see our facilities first-hand.

Click here to register and find out more.

Ensemble Camp

Our Vocal, Guitar and Percussion ensembles spent three days at Ferngully Lodge in Healesville last week on an intensive music camp.

It was a great opportunity for students from our Cobblebank and Melton campuses to collaborate, build friendships and take part in fun experiences including a trivia night, an excursion to Healesville Sanctuary and movie night.

During the camp, guitarists rehearsed a traditional song called Swallowtail Jig and worked on a guitar ensemble arrangement of Seven Nation Army.

Our drummers worked on a percussion arrangement and an accompaniment for a song performed by the Vocal Ensemble called Siyahamba.

The Vocal Ensemble learned a variety of sacred and secular songs including The Lord is My Sheperd, Lord of the Dance, Siyahamba, Fame, One Call Away and You Raise Me Up.

The camp culminated with a performance from each group where they were able to demonstrate the musical skills developed over the three days.

Vocal Ensemble members from both Cobblebank and Melton performed One Call Away and the musical hit Fame accompanied by some of our student guitarists at the Melton Campus assembly yesterday.

What our students had to say about their camp experience

I really enjoyed ensemble camp this year, it’s definitely been a highlight so far as it usually is. It felt like a really good opportunity to get closer to the ensemble as a whole and to make new connections, as well as being a great opportunity to learn music and finetune my skills. One of the highlights would have to be the trip to the zoo. It was fun and the bird show was great despite the rain. We also practiced and learned some enjoyable songs and I look forward to continuing as a member of the ensemble. Jordan, Vocal Ensemble, Melton Campus

My highlight at Ensemble Camp was attending Healesville Sanctuary, learning new songs to sing for Vocal Ensemble, meeting new people, and having a performance to show others what we learned. It was the first time that Melton and Cobblebank students sang together, practicing new harmonies, and getting to know one another. It was a great experience. Elesha, Vocal Ensemble, Melton Campus

The camp was an enjoyable experience. It was great to be able to get to know the other ensemble groups and see the performances they had been working on. Matthew, Guitar Ensemble, Melton Campus

The camp was fun. We went to the zoo, my team won trivia, we rehearsed a lot and improved a ton. It was well worth going to. Thomas, Guitar Ensemble, Melton Campus

Michelle Moeser

Director of Vocal Ensemble

Athletics Carnival House MVPs

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised by their respective houses at yesterday’s Melton Campus assembly for their efforts at our recent Athletics Carnival.

House	Junior MVP	Senior MVP
Anthony	Esau Tago	Alice Summers
Bakhita	Ryder Baselmans	Dania Malu
Bernard	Alfie Brown	Isabella Zerafa
Catherine	Mason Azzopardi	Ryan Craig
Dominic	Akech Lueth	Jayden Maher
Lawrence	Paeki Joyce	Georgina Bertsias
MacKillop	Lachlan Wall	Mia Watkins

House points ladder

Lawrence is currently at the top of the College house points ladder with Glowrey and MacKillop not far behind.


1. Lawrence	2350.5 points
2. Glowrey	2244.5 points
3. MacKillop	2211.5 points
4. Bernard	1920.5 points
5. Bakhita	1896 points
6. Anthony	1881 points
7. Dominic	1703 points
8. Catherine	1295 points

Nirasha Pandi

Student Leadership Coordinator

Sports Update

Year 7 Premier League - Melton Campus Round 5

Team	Result	SFCC ladder position
AFL	MacKillop College d SFCC 114-9	7
Boys’ Basketball	MacKillop College d SFCC 60-33	5
Girls’ Basketball	MacKillop College d SFCC 40-16	4
Netball	MacKillop College d SFCC 18-0	7
Boys’ Soccer	CRC North Keilor d SFCC 5-0	7
Girls’ soccer	CRC North Keilor d SFCC 5-0	6
Boys’ Volleyball	MacKillop College d SFCC 2-1	3
Girls’ Volleyball	MacKillop College d SFCC 2-1	7

Senior SACCSS Sports Melton Campus - Round 4 results

Team	Result	SFCC Ladder position
Senior boys AFL	Thomas Carr College d SFCC 66-62	1

Emily Cook

Sports Trainee

Connected Parenting Webinar

If you missed last week's Resilience Project Connected Parenting Webinar you can watch a recording of the event up until next Wednesday 7 June.

Click here (and use the password 23may) to watch presenter Lael Stone outline a valuable set of tools for parents and guardians aiming to raise children through positive connections and communication.

The Resilience Project team would also welcome feedback on the webinar. You can fill out the online survey here.