From the Acting Principal

It is with great pleasure that I announce our 2024 College Captains are Elesha Gruis and Gabriel Bautista.

Elesha and Gabriel recorded compelling candidate speeches outlining their vision and aspirations for the College as leaders in 2024.

Elesha brings a wealth of experience from her involvement in various leadership programs; she is a committed student and has been an active and dedicated Faith and Mission Captain in 2023.

Gabriel is currently the Deputy House Captain for Bakhita House. A dedicated student, Gabriel has a great ability to connect with his peers and has been an excellent role model for those in his House.

Both our captains were also Peer Support Leaders in Year 10, and we wish them a successful and rewarding year ahead.

Keep an eye out on the first newsletter of Term 4 to hear more from our 2024 College Captains.

St Francis Feast Day

Our St Francis Catholic College Feast Day was an excellent opportunity for us to join together to celebrate our faith, build House spirit and showcase the many talents of our students.

It was wonderful to see students at both campuses not only enjoying the many activities on offer but also helping to organise and run them throughout the afternoon.

We congratulate and thank our Student Leadership Coordinator Nirasha Pandi and Dominic House leader Lauren Whitford for their tireless work organising the activities and the afternoon performances at our Melton Campus. Thank you also to Andrew Sciberras for organising our Feast Day Mass.

You can read more about the day here.

Goodbye B Block

During the school holidays, the demolition of B Block at the Melton Campus will begin to make way for the construction of our new Junior Hub, expected to be completed late next year.

B Block (pictured below circa 1980) was among the original buildings at the College when it opened in 1980 and holds many memories for a number of our staff and students.

Attendance matters

During this year we have focussed on developing strategies that build connection and develop resilience in our students. A big part of this is our new House system and mentor groups, which are designed to foster a strong sense of belonging.

When students feel connected to their peers and teachers, it is reflected in their attendance. We want to ensure our students are attending school every day to maximise their learning potential and raise their academic achievement.

“Every day counts and there is no ‘safe’ threshold for absences” – Hancock et al., 2013

Research indicates there is a strong correlation between a student's absence from school and a decline in academic outcomes. All absences count and the impact of time away from the classroom will affect the learning outcomes for that student.

There are many complex contributing factors that can lead to school refusal, such as anxiety, worry, changes to the learning environment, learning difficulties, exam concerns, friendship issues, or changes in the home environment.

If you notice a change in your child’s attendance, please contact the College so we can assist you and implement support strategies.

As we approach the final term of 2023, please remember that your child’s participation in and contribution towards their education are equally as important today as they were at the beginning of the year.

For more information, please click on the link below.

School Attendance Advice and Resources - Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus Students

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus Students

Class of 2013 Reunion

Join us for drinks and canapes to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CRC Melton's Year 12 Class of 2013 on Friday 6 October from 6pm in the Performing Arts Centre foyer at our Melton Campus.

Reminisce, reconnect with friends and staff and find out more about what has happened at the College in the past decade.

To attend the Class of 2013 reunion, please RSVP by emailing me at arowley@sfcc.vic.edu.au

Win a $100 Academy Uniform Shop Voucher

There one more week to complete a Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools annual survey and be in the draw to win one of two $100 Academy Uniforms vouchers.

Email our Director of Community Relations Amy Rowley at arowley@sfcc.vic.edu.au and you will be sent a link and login details to complete the survey.

At the end of the survey, take a screenshot of the final page as confirmation of completion, email it back to Amy, and you will go into the draw to win.

The survey takes 10 minutes to complete.

From the Acting Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Just a reminder that students undertaking Unit 3 and 4 subjects will sit practice exams during the school holidays from Wednesday 27 September to Friday 29 September and on Monday 2 October and Tuesday 3 October.

Students should meet in the Padua building before their exam and will be escorted to the Trade Training Centre where the exams will be held.

Parent Student Teacher Interviews

Parent Student Teacher Interviews (PSTIs) will be held this evening and on Thursday 14 September. This is a great opportunity for you to check the progress of your child and receive suggestions for areas of improvement as we move into Term 4.

Year 12 students and Year 11 students undertaking Unit 3 and 4 subjects will have lots of revision to complete over these school holidays, with VCAA exams starting on Tuesday 24 October.

From the Acting Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing - Melton Campus

I would like to thank all parents and guardians for supporting our Yondr pouch and uniform checks last week. These will continue throughout the final week of term and will be scheduled again in Term 4.

Please use the holidays to ensure your child has the correct uniform. A full list of items is available in our Uniform Policy.

Child Safety

Child Safety is of the highest priority at the College. All staff are aware of and guided by the 11 Child Safety Standards that came into force in Victoria on 1 July 2022.

We use the standards to provide a framework that creates, maintains and improves child safety practices, ensuring our students feel safe and are safe.

R U OK? Day - Thursday 14 September

Students are encouraged to wear something yellow with their uniform this Thursday 14 September to acknowledge R U OK? Day.

This national day of awareness highlights how important it is to connect and support those around us when they feel challenged or overwhelmed.

You don’t need to be an expert to ask, ‘are you OK?’. 

Listening and giving someone your time might be just what they need to help them through. 

Below is a guide where you’ll find tips to help you ask, ‘are you OK?’ and lend support to the people in your world every day of the year.

Because when we genuinely ask, ‘are you OK?’ and are prepared to talk to them about how they’re feeling and what’s going on in their life, we can help someone who might be struggling feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis. 

A conversation could change a life.

R U OK Conversation Guide 2023

Having meaningful conversations with family, friends and colleagues can help people feel safe and connected.

St Francis Feast Day

The excitement and fun of the first St Francis Feast Day celebration at the College will long be remembered by students and staff not only for the fabulous events and entertainment but the community spirit that brought us all together.

The day began with a whole school Mass attended by Melton and Cobblebank staff and students followed by a shared morning tea in Mentor Groups.

Melton Campus

Next up were the activities and events run by Mentor Groups. Students could choose from fair games, physical challenges, group activities and quiet activities. There was much to enjoy in the Padua Food Hall where no one went hungry among the huge spread of food on offer.

The day ended with our Talent Show where an appreciative audience filled the stadium to cheer on our student performers and staff, whose act received a rousing reception!

It was a great day and we look forward to seeing the celebrations grow in the years to come!

Here are what some of our students had to say:

“Our first annual St Francis Feast Day was a great success with amazing participation from all our students. A highlight for me was the talent show at the end of the day. Every year new students apply and perform and it shows us just how many talented students we have at the College. This year the house performances were a great example of the bonds built between house leaders and their groups following the transition the College has made to a new house system.” Ashok, College Captain

“Our Feast Day was full of positivity and fun and brought the community and year levels together. After the peaceful Mass, Mentor Groups had morning tea together, which included snacks such as cupcakes, cookies, brownies and drinks. Then the day continued with a range of activities such as photobooth, memory games, bracelet making, gladiator, karaoke, mini golf and carnival games with amazing prizes! We ended the day with a spectacular talent show that included singing, dancing and jokes! Leona, Year 11

“The community atmosphere, the talent show, the teachers getting pied were great” Izzy, Year 10

“It was amazing to see the new Feast Day, especially all the students getting involved in their homeroom stalls.” Alannah, Year 9

Cobblebank Campus

There was no shortage of fun at Cobblebank Campus on Feast Day with students and staff also enthusiastically joining a host of activities on the day including karaoke and dancing, e-games such as Mario Kart, lolly bag sales, a knock-the-cans competition and bean bag toss.

One of the highlights of the day was a whole campus, house chant during which students and staff proudly belted out their house songs, much to the delight of their audience.

Year 9 Premier League Volleyball Champions

Huge congratulations to our Year 9 Girls’ Volleyball Team who won their SACCSS Premier League Division 1 grand final last week defeating St Monica’s College two sets to one.

After finishing the season in second place, the girls were eager to prove they had what it took to finish the season strong and bring home the pennant for their school.

The match started with SMC winning the toss and electing to serve first. SFCC gained an early advantage, with some excellent serving and receiving, racing away to take the first set 25-17.

The second set was a nail-biter, with SFCC taking an early lead of 21-12. However, like all great Hollywood sports stories a comeback was sure to be seen. St Monica’s scored the next 13 points to secure the second set 21-25.

After tightening up in the later stages of the second set, the pressure was released, and our girls found their feet. Again, establishing an early lead in the third and final set, SFCC relied on the skills they had worked on during afterschool training sessions. This helped them secure their victory, winning the third set 25-17.

The team would like to thank staff member Stephanie Bertalmio for supporting them on the day, and Nathan Belcher for assisting during training sessions throughout the term.

Adam Cooper - Girls’ Volleyball Coach

Our Year 9 Boys’ Volleyball Team were also crowned SACCSS Premier League Division 1 champions last week, defeating Caroline Chisholm College two sets to one in their grand final match.

After an undefeated season, the team stepped up to win a hard-fought first set 25 to 20. Caroline Chisholm fought back winning the second set 25 to 22.

After a difficult start to the third set, Caroline Chisholm had a six-point lead before our team stepped up and turned the game around. Calling the last time out with the scores level at 22 all SFCC held the serve and ended the set with a 25 to 22 win.

Margaret Fury – Boys’ Volleyball Coach

Health and Physical Education Week

Move, Thrive, Inspire: Promoting Wellness through Health and PE Week

Last week the College community celebrated Health and PE (HPE) Week with various activities to raise awareness about the benefits of health and physical activity.

On Monday we held a Just Dance class and workout led by our HPE staff with a great turnout from students who certainly got their heart rates up!

The Bike ‘n’ blend made a return to the Melton Campus and was a massive hit with students who worked hard to make and enjoy their own smoothies.

The week ended with a competitive netball match between our Year 12 students and staff. Our staff did well to keep up with the intensity shown by the Year 12s and managed to come home with the win after going into extra time.

Well done to all staff and students who participated in the activities and our HPE team for their dedication, time and passion throughout the week.

Keep moving!

VCE Physical Education Incursion

Our senior VCE Physical Education students experienced elite-level fitness testing as part of an incursion run by METs Education recently.

Two students volunteered to participate in the VO2 Maximum Bike Test or the Wingate Anaerobic Capacity Test.

The VO2 Maximum Bike Test measures the maximum amount of oxygen a person can take in, transport and utilise. At school, we usually use tests like the Beep Test to get an estimate of this figure, however, through METs, who work with elite athletes, students got accurate scores whilst seeing the content in real life.

The Wingate Anaerobic Capacity Test involves the participant being instructed to sprint at maximum speed for 30 seconds. Power and cadence are displayed live during the test. The data was downloaded and interpreted in front of the class, linking the drop in power to limitations of energy systems and fatigue.

This incursion allowed our students to experience elite-level laboratory tests, further enhancing their ability to interpret data and discuss and revise key topics.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Students in years 7 to 9 who took part in the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge read a total of 451 books in terms 2 and 3.

Congratulations to the following students who completed the entire challenge and read at least 15 novels: Miriam Armanious, Avneet Brar, Shriyan Peacheri, Xavier Warne, Achraj Virk, Ishaan Bhatia, Kritika Sharma, Abhijeet Brar and Abbey Honig.

These students will also receive formal recognition from the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

The reading challenge began in 2005 and encourages students to develop a love of reading.

This year's theme was Wild About Reading and aimed to take students on a journey where they could discover new people, places and adventures.

All Year 7 students at both campuses, Year 8 and Year 9 students were invited to take part.

Practising Interview Skills

Year 9 students have been learning how to search for jobs, create resumes and write cover letters as part of their RITE Journey program.

They also practised their interview skills during mock interviews in class.

Sports Update

Year 9 Premier League Grand Finals - Melton Campus 

Our two Year 9 Premier League volleyball teams won their grand final games last week while our Girls' Basketball team were runners up!

You can read the full story here.

Senior SACCSS Sports Melton Campus Round 5

Community Notices

On Track Holiday Program

Melbourne Victory Holiday Program

Foster carers needed

Soup Van volunteers wanted

Useful Links

Keep updated with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.

PAM – Parent Portal

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Parent Handbook

Cobblebank Campus

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