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Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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Next week (8 August), the Church celebrates the Feast of St Dominic of Osma. Dominic is another new house name to be introduced at the College next year.
St Dominic was born in Caleruega, Spain in 1170. His parents were members of the Spanish nobility and related to the ruling family.
His father was Felix Guzman, and was the royal warden of the village. His mother, Blessed Joan of Aza, was a holy woman in her own right.
Dominic was an exemplary student concentrating on theology and the arts. But when in 1191 a famine left many people desolate and homeless across Spain, Dominic sold everything he had, including his furniture and clothes and bought food for the poor.
When he sold his manuscripts, required for study, he replied, "Would you have me study from these dead skins when people are dying of hunger?"
In 1194, Dominic joined a Benedictine order in Osma. He became the superior, of the chapter in 1201.
Pope Innocent III sent Dominic to southern France to convert heretical Albigensians to the true faith. He established both a monastery and a convent at Prouille in 1206. The monastery remains to this day as the Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery.
According to legend, St Dominic received the Rosary during a period of prayer at the abbey in Prouille. This allegedly took place in 1214 during an apparition of the Virgin Mary.
This legend is a matter of some dispute, but while similar devotions existed before this time, there is no record of the Marian rosary in this form before. Also, the Marian Rosary became popular following this event, suggesting the legend may be true.
In July 1215, Dominic was granted permission to form his religious order dedicated to promoting morality and the expulsion of heresy. The group followed a Rule of Life, which included a strict discipline routine, including prayer and penance.
They also established a system of education and often travelled to the countryside to preach.
In July 1221, Dominic became ill with a fever. He asked to be laid on the ground, still refusing a bed. He died weeks later in the presence of his brother Dominicans. Dominic was just 51.
Pope Gregory IX canonised St Dominic on 13 July 1234, and his feast day is 8 August.
St Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic, and the innocent who are falsely accused of crimes.
Dominic and St Francis were of the era and when they met Dominic stated, "You are my companion and must walk with me. For if we hold together no earthly power can withstand us".
O God, you have enlightened your Church by the eminent virtues and preaching of St Dominic, your confessor.
Mercifully grant that by his prayers we may daily improve in all that is spiritually good.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph most kind, bless us now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Who was St Francis?
In 2023, CRC Melton will become St Francis Catholic College. So who was St Francis and what was he known for?
St Francis was born in Assisi around 1181. His father was a well-established self-made man who owned a cloth business and expected Francis to join him in this family enterprise.
Francis as a young man was said to have an exuberant love of life and was well liked by the town’s young men.
In 1202, Francis joined the war against Perugia and was captured and held prisoner for 12 months, when he became ill.
After a series of visions, Francis underwent a conversion and decided to live a life dedicated to evangelical poverty. He devoted himself to prayer and solitude so that he could better discern the will of Christ.
Francis went on to establish the Franciscan Order and the Order of St Clare and in 1979 he was proclaimed the Patron Saint of Ecology.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “probably no one in history has set out as seriously as did Francis to imitate the life of Christ and to carry out so literally Christ’s work in Christ’s own way”.
“This is the key to the character and spirit of St Francis and helps explain his veneration for the Eucharist (the body and blood of Christ) and respect for the priests who handled the elements of the communion sacrament.”
“To neglect this point is to present an unbalanced portrait of the saint as a lover of nature, a social worker, an itinerant preacher, and a celebrant of poverty.”
As we delve deeper into the spirituality of St Francis over the coming year, students and staff will come to see some key themes. Among these is Francis’ view of the Gospels. One of his well-known quotes is: “Preach the Gospels often – when necessary use words”.
This notion of faith in action and a lived experience of the Gospels will be a strong theme across our College in 2023.
The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) Statement of Commitment to Child Safety has been updated in line with the new Child Safety Standards that came into effect on 1 July this year and the supporting Ministerial Order No. 1359.
You can read the new CECV statement here: CECV Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
Child safety is a regular agenda item in many forums across the College. Our Parents and Friends meeting on Wednesday 31 August will provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to have input on our Engaging Families in Child Safety Policy. This policy looks for ways that all families are informed about child safety matters at the College. The policy is available below and on the Policies page of our website.
| Dates to remember | |
| Wednesday 10 August | College Tour - 9am |
| Year 12 VTAC Parent Information Evening | |
| Friday 19 August | Enrolment applications for Year 7 2024 due |
| Wednesday 24 August | College Tour - 2pm |
| Connected Parenting Workshop - 6.30pm | |
| Friday 26 August | Staff Service Day/Student study at home day |
| Thursday 1 September | Father's Day Liturgy and Breakfast - 8am |
Enrolments for Year 7 2024 at our Melton West and Cobblebank campuses are due on Friday 19 August. You can click here to apply online now.
Interested in a College tour? Due to popular demand, we have added a tour on Wednesday 24 August at 2pm. Click here to register now.
Last Wednesday, we interviewed Year 10 students and families about pathway and subject selection for 2023.
These interviews provided an important avenue for students to consider the type of learner they are, their strong subjects, what they enjoy and their career aspirations beyond CRC Melton.
We know that these discussions with families are invaluable for the decision-making process. And with the new changes to our senior Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), students have access to the academic (ATAR) stream or the Vocational Major stream.
The Victorian Pathway Certificate (VPC) sits outside VCE but is a viable pathway for a select group of students. Our Learning Diversity Team, Vocational Learning Coordinator, Pathways Coordinator and Year 10 Coordinators are working with students identified as suitable for this pathway.
Our current generation of students will have an average of six career changes in their lifetime, with many careers yet to be identified. Skills like teamwork, collaboration, initiative and innovation are sought after by employers.
With job markets rapidly changing due to technological advances and the knock-on effects of the pandemic, it is important to look at trends and in-demand jobs when considering careers.
The Pathways team regularly post information about careers, including apprenticeships and traineeships students can access. Attending open days for TAFE, universities and other educational institutions is useful to help with career decisions. Many of these are in August.
As students settle into the new semester electives, Unit 2 or Unit 4 subjects, it is essential to complete all set tasks, seek help from teachers as needed and try your best as you tackle new ideas and concepts.
The Home Study Policy is available on our website for families who wish to explore this further.
I hope all students enjoy this semester and embrace the challenges and exciting learning experiences that lie ahead.
Unveil what they inhale – resources to help you discuss the risks of vaping
Talking to children and teenagers about the risks of vaping can be difficult.
Vaping is becoming more and more popular with Australia’s youth, but this trending activity poses a serious concern to young people's health. There is a misconception that vapes contain harmless water vapour and are a 'safer alternative’ to traditional cigarettes.
But did you know that vaping can be a gateway to nicotine addiction and future cigarette smoking? Research has unveiled that many vape liquids contain nicotine, even when they are labelled as ‘nicotine free’.
They also contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals that haven’t been tested as inhalants. The long-term health impacts of vaping are also still unknown, but what has been uncovered about traditional cigarettes in recent decades has experts concerned vapes could lead to the next generation of lung disease and lung cancer.
As Australia’s leading lung health charity, Lung Foundation Australia has developed a suite of free, downloadable resources for parents and guardians to empower them to have informed conversations with their children.
Click here for more information and to access the free resources.
I also encourage you to read the information below provided by our local Proactive Policing Unit.
Proactive Policing Unit - Vaping advice for parents and guardians
The College is finalising its new uniform, which will be introduced at both our Melton West campus and new Cobblebank Campus in 2023.
Why is the uniform changing?
From next year, our name will change to St Francis Catholic College and we will no longer be connected, by name or governance, to the Federation of Catholic Regional College schools.
This move prompted a review of our current uniform and the need to reflect our new identity as a stand-alone, multi-campus Catholic secondary school.
Who decided what the new uniform would look like?
Students and families were surveyed earlier this year about what they liked and didn’t like about our existing uniform.
Feedback showed that fit and fabric should be among the top considerations when designing our new College uniform. Several student forums were also held to gather views on colours, styles and wearability.
Our uniform supplier, Academy Uniforms, helped create the new uniform, providing sample fabrics and garments. Comments were sought from students, our Parents and Friends Association and staff and the final designs are now being prepared.
When can I see the new uniform design?
Our new uniform will be finalised and shown to the College community in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out on our weekly newsletter for all the details.
Will all students have to buy the new uniform?
All 2023 Year 7 students must purchase the new College uniform. New students to the College in other year levels in 2023 will also be required to wear the new uniform.
Current students can continue to wear the existing uniform for up to two years. The new uniform will be compulsory for all students from the start of 2025.
Students will not be permitted to mix and match the old and new uniform items.
When can I buy the new uniform and how much will it cost?
Our new uniform will be available from Academy Uniforms later this year. More details and a price list will be sent to families after the uniform has been finalised.
If you have any questions regarding the new uniform you can email me at kmatthews@sfcc.vic.edu.au
The College will host a Resilience Project Connected Parenting Workshop for parents and guardians on Wednesday 24 August in the Performing Arts Centre from 6.30pm.
Presenter Lael Stone will outline a valuable set of tools for parents and guardians aiming to raise children through positive connections and communication.
In this 90-minute workshop, Lael will provide you with advice on:
To celebrate all the fathers and fatherly figures in our community, the College will host a Father's Day liturgy and breakfast in the Performing Arts Centre foyer on Thursday 1 September.
Dads, uncles, brothers and friends are invited to this special event and all the details are available below.
The Fathering Project was founded in 2013, by Professor Bruce Robinson in Western Australia, with the aim of supporting fathers, and father figures, to be the best parent they can be so their children can thrive.
Its mission is to educate, connect and empower fathers and father figures across Australia to prevent long-term social, emotional and cognitive difficulties and create the conditions for children to thrive.
Click here to visit the Fathering Project website.
Fathers come in many different shapes and sizes and may be biological, an uncle, brother or friend. An involved “father” promotes inner growth and strength. When fathers are affectionate and supportive, it greatly affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instils an overall sense of wellbeing and self-confidence.
As your child gets older, they often start spending more time with their friends and learn more about themselves and who they are in this world. While this is normal behaviour, it shouldn’t mean they detach from their families. As fathers, you need to take deliberate action to stay connected.
Watch this space for more from The Fathering Project in the coming weeks.
Top Tips for Fathers
1. Take part in activities your child enjoys. Engage in things they want to do and do them together whether it’s gaming, sport, creative arts or going to their favourite place to eat.
2. Make the most of the time in the car. Drive your child to and from friends’ houses or outings and spend the travel time catching up.
3. Take an interest in your child’s friends. This will give you valuable insight into how they cope emotionally and socially, and connect you to the young people most important to your child.
Congratulations to the winners of our annual writing competition, the Hildegard Literary Prize, announced last week.
This year’s topic was Imagine If , and the judges were thrilled to read many fantastic entries.
The Junior Prize went to Year 9 student Alanis Furtado and runner-up was Year 7 student Freya Fox.
In the Senior category, the winner was Year 12 student Heidi Pardinas with second place going to Year 12 student Darcy Makin.
In the new Staff category, joint winners Daniela Harrington and Eva Davoli took out first prize.
Below are the winning entries and comments from our esteemed judges.
In her uniquely titled Soggy Oreos, Alanis has crafted an excellent, well-structured short story following two teenagers in a service station on a gloomy evening. Alanis has made extensive use of her vocabulary to create immersive, believable characters and to describe the physical setting. Her ability to showcase the protagonists’ characteristics via ‘showing’ instead of ‘telling’, in particular, is to be commended. A very well-deserved winner of the junior division of the 2022 Hildegard Literary Award! – Stefan Subasic
Freya’s incisive and dark exploration into the mind of 12-year old assassin Sophie is concise and sharply focused. Freya’s writing shows a strong capacity to create texture through careful sentence structures and haunting imagery. Through her observation “Dreams are dreams. Assassins are assassins”, Freya invites her readers to consider how humans sometimes struggle to live up to expectations. An evocative and engaging read. Well done, Freya! – Kezi Todd
Heidi’s cleverly crafted poem Cinema projects her life, which she describes as “those swirling shadows of memory,” onto the imaginary movie screen of her existence, where her life can be played backwards or forwards or just held still in the moment. Heidi’s beautiful metaphor, “playing from the projector of my heart,” captures – with seeming effortlessness – both the “monotone” and the vivid dreams of her “waiting wishes.” The colour, contrast and control of Heidi’s creation makes it a truly well-deserved winner of the 2022 Hildegard Literary Award. Well done, Heidi! – Cyril Fox
In his speculative short story Hot Towels, Darcy has interpreted the Imagine if… prompt through two alternate versions of reality. In one, the narrator feels all the beauty and wonder of a world where his loved one still exists, whilst in the other, life is devoid of colour and filled with fear because that person is no longer there. Darcy’s story uses incredible visual, aural and gustatory imagery to describe his narrator’s experiences at both the heights of happiness and the depths of despair. It is a well-constructed and engaging narrative with an ending filled with pathos. Great work, Darcy! – Kezi Todd
Imagine By Me - Daniela Harrington
Imagine If - Eva Davoli
The College is planning an Indigenous Immersion experience to Cape York for 2023 Year 10 and 11 students.
The trip will run from 10 to 19 April next year.
Immersion coordinators Red Earth will present information to all current Year 9 and 10 students during extended homeroom on Thursday 11 August.
Following this, an information night for parents and guardians will be held online on Wednesday 24 August. In the coming weeks, more details and a link to join the online meeting will be provided.
Indigenous games, art activities, cooking classes and homeroom competitions were among the highlights of NAIDOC Week celebrations at the College last week.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for us all to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
On the final day of events last Friday, sunny skies drew students and staff to the soccer pitch at lunchtime for a walk-a-thon to raise funds for the Opening the Doors Foundation.
Students earned house points for each lap and we congratulate Fitzgerald students for being the top scorers! The College will donate just over $400 to Opening the Doors thanks to the 815 laps walked in under an hour!
The foundation is an Aboriginal-led community organisation supporting educational opportunities for Aboriginal children. It enables Aboriginal students to participate fully and equally in education, and supports their families to make their own choices about their children’s future.
Our staff were also treated to an incredible morning tea laden with Indigenous foods such as wallaby sausage rolls, rosella jam slice, saltbush butter buns, macadamia shortbreads, warrigal green frittata and pickled karkalla, a Tasmanian pepper and beetroot bake and damper.
House |
No. of Participants |
Laps Completed |
Points |
Fitzgerald |
22 |
228 |
1140 |
Daffey |
20 |
203 |
1015 |
Reed |
21 |
193 |
965 |
Glasheen |
20 |
191 |
955 |
A welcome sign featuring Bunjil the Eagle created by former VCAL students was on display at the College during NAIDOC week.
Last week an information evening was run for families of students currently in Years 9 and 10 for the 2023 Italy Trip. We are extremely excited to be offering these opportunities to students and to connect with our sister school in Cividale.
There are some places remaining for any families who missed the session.
If you are interested in joining the trip, the presentation, application letter and payment slip are available below.
If you have any questions, please email me at piannazzo@sfcc.vic.edu.au
Last Thursday, Year 7 and 8 students celebrated Italian Day. Many activities were held throughout the day such including a colouring competition, Education Perfect competition, and a viewing of Anh Does Italy (which can be found on ClickView).
The day ended with the Pinocchio Show, performed by Make a Scene. The show was a modern version of the classic story, and students thoroughly enjoyed the new twist to this fable.
The students also competed in an Italian quiz. The homeroom winners were 7D and 8B who will enjoy a pizza lunch of their choice.
The festivities will continue this week with an Italian display in the library and a lunchtime visit from a gelati van.
Thank you to the entire school community who embraced Italian culture on the day. We are grateful for all our diverse cultures and backgrounds!
Grazie e Ciao!
Last Thursday our badminton team competed in the inaugural SACCSS Badminton Tournament.
After many weeks of lunchtime and after-school training, students were excited to compete in what was an eventful day.
A huge congratulations to the Junior Girls A team (Year 8 students Rhai and Monica), Open Girls A team (Year 10 students Britney and Shayne) and Open Girls B team (Year 10 students Ashira and Belle) who made it through to the semi-finals (all pictured below). Unluckily each doubles pairing fell short of a win despite some great play.
We are all excited for bigger and better things in 2023!
Students, parents and guardians can now book in for VTAC’s information webinars.
There are two types of presentations on offer:
Applying for courses in 2023: provides an overview of the entire application process, including researching courses, creating a VTAC account, preferences, results and offers. It also includes an overview of SEAS and scholarships.
Understanding special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships: provides detailed information about applying for SEAS and scholarships.
In addition, there will be a dedicated interstate student session on 28 July, and a webinar in conjunction with the CEAV on 10 August as listed below.
Date |
Time |
Topic |
|
1 August |
6pm |
Applying for courses in 2023 |
|
2 August |
6pm |
Understanding special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships |
|
3 August |
4pm |
Applying for courses in 2023 |
|
4 August |
4pm |
Understanding special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships |
|
8 August |
5pm |
Applying for courses in 2023 |
|
9 August |
5pm |
Understanding special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships |
|
10 August |
3.30pm |
In conjunction with the CEAV – Guide to applying for tertiary study in Victoria |
|
10 August |
6pm |
Applying for courses in 2023 |
|
11 August |
6pm |
Understanding special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships |
The Youth Advisory Group of Melton and Member for Melton Steve McGhie MP will host a worker’s rights forum for young people in the Melton electorate.
Aimed at young workers in their first part time/causal jobs, the forum will cover workplace rights and the new casual sick pay for particular industries.
More information is available below and to RSVP please email Stephen.mcghie@parliament.vic.gov.au or phone 9743 9825.
Venturers is a great opportunity for 14 to 17-year-olds to make lifelong friendships, learn valuable life skills, create amazing memories and have a great time doing it.
The Djerriwarrh Venturer Unit meets at 7pm on Wednesdays, at Bacchus Marsh Scout Hall.
For more information please contact Katelynn Condon via email krcondon112783@gmail.com or phone 0448 350 961.
Looking to learn something new? The Eynesbury Discovery Centre has a range of programs and workshops running in Term 3. You will find their newsletter and all the options below.
Eynesbury Discovery Centre Newsletter Term 3 2022 | Social Crafting | Art 4 Kids | Greeting Card Workshop | Spend Well for Teens Term 2 School Holiday Workshop | That's Not Rubbish Term 2 School Holiday Workshop
Melton Central Community Centre Term 3 2022 Programs and Activities Guide
Keep up to date with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.
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