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School Reception: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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Today is the Feast of Mary of the Cross. Mary MacKillop and St Dominic share 8 August as their feast day. Both are patrons of one of our eight houses.
Mary was born in Victoria to Scottish immigrants. She was the eldest of eight children and spent her early years working to support her family. At 24, she dedicated her life to God and took on the name Mary of the Cross.
Along with Fr Julian Tenison-Woods, Mary opened a school in a disused stable in Penola, South Australia. Her vision was to provide education for underprivileged children. Many other women came to join her there, and Mary and Julian founded Australia’s first religious order: the Sisters of St Joseph.
Mary and the Sisters were committed to serving the poor – to going to where the need was and living amongst those in need. This took Mary all over Australia to many rural areas.
Mary faced fierce opposition throughout her life, which at one point culminated in her being excommunicated. In the face of trial, Mary was a model of forgiveness, insisting that no ill be spoken of those who wronged her while remaining resolute in her convictions.
Mary was remarkable as a strong female leader in 19th-century Australia. Education in this country is what it is today, thanks to her dedication and determination.
1914: Construction of a memorial chapel in North Sydney.
1918: Newly elected superior general, Mother Laurence O'Brien, raises the question of whether Mary MacKillop could be a candidate for beatification.
1926: The canonisation process begins; it was postponed in 1931 over claims she was an alcoholic and re-opened in 1951.
1995: Pope John Paul II beatifies Mary MacKillop at a ceremony in Sydney on 19 January.
2010: Canonised on 17 October in Rome.
Ever generous God, You inspired St Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely, or needy.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust, and openness.
Ever-generous God, hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting our Year 7 Cobblebank Campus students during their camp at Marysville.
Students and staff were blessed to have such wonderful weather while away. When I visited, they were loving the canoeing, rock climbing and pizza-making activities.
Of particular interest to our students was the talk by Cassie Leatham, a multidisciplinary Indigenous artist of the Taungurung and Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Aunty Cass explained to students how pepper berries are used to keep the body warm and how bottle brush is used to both comb the hair and infuse drinking water.
Thank you to our staff who took time away to supervise our students. These extracurricular activities are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the strengths and talents of our students outside of the traditional classroom setting.
You can see more photos from the camp here.
I am excited to announce that our College has commissioned a Lumination Learning Lab and will become among the first schools in Victoria to offer this next-generation technology experience for students.
A Lumination Lab uses immersive learning to enable teachers to take their classes on virtual excursions around the world, helps students visualise and interact
with abstract concepts and links classroom theory to real-world application.
It empowers students to experience different perspectives, provides training in various work and life skills, and equips learners to become 3D thinkers and content creators.
Last week, I visited a Lumination Lab in Abbotsford that has been set up to demonstrate the benefits of virtual and augmented reality. Our lab is expected to be completed in Term 4.
While it is difficult to predict the jobs of the future in our rapidly changing world, it is clear that students will need to be confident users of the latest technologies. Virtual reality tools allow students to create and design and explore places and times that come alive in 3D rather than in a text.
While visiting the lab, I stood atop a mountain in Rio De Janeiro and flew down from the Christ the Redeemer statue to the beach below. I zoomed in on a street in Montgomery, Alabama and then tried my hand at painting with a virtual pallet of snow, embers and smoke.
The experience was thrilling and I’m sure our students will be incredibly engaged by this innovative addition to our learning and teaching toolbox.
Click here to watch a short video about the Lumination Lab.
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 10 August | College Production - 7pm, Performing Arts Centre, Melton Campus |
| Friday 11 August | College Production - 7pm Performing Arts Centre, Melton Campus |
| Saturday 12 August | College Production - 1pm Performing Arts Centre, Melton Campus |
| Friday 18 August | Year 7 2025 enrolment applications due. Apply now |
| College tour - 9.15am, Melton Campus. Register now | |
| Friday 25 August | Student Study at Home Day - Staff Professional Practice Day |
| Wednesday 30 August | Parents and Friends Meeting |
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 10 August | College Production - 7pm, Performing Arts Centre, Melton Campus |
| Friday 11 August | College Production - 7pm Performing Arts Centre, Melton Campus |
| Saturday 12 August | College Production - 1pm Performing Arts Centre, Melton Campus |
| Friday 18 August | Year 7 2025 enrolment applications due. Apply now |
| Friday 25 August | Student Study at Home Day - Staff Professional Practice Day |
| Wednesday 30 August | Parents and Friends Meeting |
Our College production Rags to Riches will premiere in the Performing Arts Centre on Thursday!
Final rehearsals are underway and there are still tickets available for all three shows.
Show times are: Thursday 10 August, 7pm; Friday 11 August, 7pm; Saturday 12 August, 1pm.
To book tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/CJHYL
This year's production is split into two acts.
First up is the hard-to-resist, all-time favourite fairy tale, told with fun and flair. Our actors take over the stage playing rhyming narrators, singing villagers, friendly animals, charming royalty, energetic messengers, the haughty stepmother and stepsisters, the irresistible Fairy Godmother, and lovely Cinderella. Of course, once the charming Prince discovers the proper owner of that famous sparkling slipper, everyone lives happily ever after!
This act showcases our talented Vocal ensemble, VET music band, classroom dancers and dance ensembles.
Want to download the Simon Everywhere app to your mobile phone but need some help?
Our IT Support team has created a short video to help families find, download and begin using the app.
Simon Everywhere puts permission requests for excursions, emails and school reports at your fingertips.
The app gives you access to PAM, the College online parent portal and allows you to:
Simon Everywhere can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Google Play store. Click here to watch our video guide or see below for instructions.
Please email itsupport@sfcc.vic.edu.au if you require further information or assistance.
Today is St Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day.
Mary lived amongst the people who needed her most. She supported the weak and those living in poverty. Mary believed in the benefits gained from having access to an education. She taught with love and compassion and worked so children would not miss out. She continued in the face of adversity despite many challenges. She believed the education she provided would enrich and improve the lives of those she served.
We are so lucky to live in a country where children can attend school and have an education from prep to Year 12.
At St Francis Catholic College, each student has many opportunities to achieve their desired outcomes and make choices so they can have the future life they want.
This takes strong determination, grit, and self-belief and not succumbing to the obstacles that distract and detract from their original goal.
"Let no obstacle deter us from proceeding with courage." St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
All our students need to proceed with courage, despite feeling uncomfortable when learning new information, being out of their comfort zone when asking a question, speaking in front of the class or working in a group with unfamiliar students. The desire for success needs to come from a strong determination within.
In 1907 Mary wrote, “We are but travellers here”. As you continue your life’s journey, you are invited to pray the Pilgrim Prayer below.
God of the Pilgrim,
Mary MacKillop trusted your guidance in her journey of life and deepened her confidence in your will.
May we renew our trust in your Providence to lead us to hope as we bring our prayer before you. May we grow in the fullness of your love and the depth of your mystery.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Way, our Truth and our Life.
Amen.
Teamwork, resilience and friendship were fostered over three days last week when our Year 7 Cobblebank students travelled to Marysville last week to take part in their Indigenous culture and paddock-to-plate camp.
Students enthusiastically took part in a whole range of activities that required them to collaborate, think creatively and problem-solve on the go including canoeing, scaling a rock-climbing wall, outdoor pizza making and building bush shelters just to name a few.
Students also learned about Indigenous customs and art. The College is a FIRE Carrier School (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) and is committed to teaching students about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and how they can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Students and staff returned happy and tired on Friday with many stories to tell their families.
Below is what students had to say about their first SFCC camp.
"At camp, we did some activities including canoeing and rock climbing. My personal favourite was the bush skills session. My time away at camp was amazing, hanging out with my friends outside of the classroom was a great experience." Rhianna
"My camp experience was a memorable part of the school year. When we arrived, the first activity we did was canoeing. It was fun. My favourite part of camp was the (Indigenous customs session) with Aunty Cass. It was great and my group nearly started a fire." Erin
"I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends and the bush skills activity." Ricky
"I really enjoyed rock climbing because my peers were very supportive and encouraging. I also enjoyed canoeing because my partner made it fun and the team were nice and understanding if others were scared." Morgan
"I had fun getting to know other people. It really helped me get over my fears and achieve new things. The camp was great and I would recommend it to others." Vani
Our Melton Campus Faith and Mission Team's Homelessness Campaign is well underway so here's a reminder of what you can donate throughout August.
And remember, each donation earns students one house point!
Seeking donations of:
All items included must be new and in sealed packaging for health and safety reasons.
Seeking donations of:
All items included in the bag must be new and in sealed packaging for health and safety reasons.
Seeking donations of good quality clothing. The rule is, if it is good enough to give to a friend then it is good enough to donate!
Seeking donations of:
Seeking donations of socks, beanies and blankets. All sizes of new children's and adult's socks are needed and must be left in their original packaging. Beanies and blankets can be new or second hand.
Our Faith and Mission has also organised a BBQ fundraiser for Melton Campus students at lunchtime on Wednesday 16 August. All proceeds will be used to purchase products to help those in need.
Families are encouraged to get behind our Homelessness Month campaign by donating the following items which will be delivered to local organisations to help those doing it tough.
And remember, each donation earns students one house point!
Seeking donations of:
All items included must be new and in sealed packaging for health and safety reasons.
Seeking donations of:
All items included in the bag must be new and in sealed packaging for health and safety reasons.
Seeking donations of good quality clothing. The rule is, if it is good enough to give to a friend then it is good enough to donate!
Seeking donations of:
Seeking donations of socks, beanies and blankets. All sizes of new children's and adult's socks are needed and must be left in their original packaging. Beanies and blankets can be new or second-hand.
Students can bring along a gold coin and enjoy a freshly made pancake on Wednesday 16 August. All funds will be donated to St Vincent de Paul.
Last term during Reconciliation Week, Dominic House completed an activity designed to show our commitment to Reconciliation. During Mentor Group sessions, our Mentors explained the significance of Reconciliation and the meaning behind the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Each student traced their hand onto a piece of coloured paper before cutting it out and adding it to a canvas. The colour of the paper represented the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags and our hands demonstrated that as a House we are committed to Reconciliation.
This collage has been hung by our maintenance team in the Osma building as a reminder that we can all be involved in supporting First Nations People's history and culture.
Team |
Result |
SFCC ladder position |
AFL |
SFCC 60 d CRC Caroline Springs 0 |
3 |
Boys’ Basketball |
Thomas Carr College 73 d SFCC 64 |
4 |
Girls’ Basketball |
Thomas Carr College 40 d SFCC 38 |
2 |
Netball |
SFCC 33 d CRC Caroline Springs 8 |
3 |
Boys’ Soccer |
SFCC 3 d CRC North Keilor 1 |
TBA |
Boys’ Volleyball |
SFCC 2 sets d Caroline Chisholm 1 set |
1 |
Girls’ Volleyball |
SFCC 3 sets d Caroline Chisholm 0 sets |
1 |
This week, Captain of our Year 9 girls’ volleyball team Hannah Dalumpines wraps up the highlights of the Round 4 game against Caroline Chisholm College.
“Last week’s match was truly memorable in terms of sportsmanship.
“In the final set, both teams came together and the exuberant chanting lifted the mood. We started off strong with continual serves from Rhai, Sienna, and me.
“There were many good plays throughout the game, but there was one funny and unfortunate play where I went in for a spike and missed, thinking my teammate Shyann would save it.
“We both looked at the ball as it dropped before our eyes and laughed! The game ended with a victory to SFCC, 3 sets to 0."
Team | Result | SFCC Ladder position |
Boys' Soccer | St Monica’s College 19 d SFCC 0 | 5 |
Families are reminded that our due date for Year 7 2025 enrolments less than two weeks away. Please remember to visit our website and fill out your application to secure a first-round interview soon after 18 August.
This process is important for current families as there is a strong demand for places across Melton and Cobblebank campuses. If you need assistance, please email enrolments@sfcc.vic.edu.au.
Students aged between 13-17 who are curious about social media and body image are invited to apply for Butterfly’s Body Kind Youth Advisory Group. It's your chance to influence decision-making and share insights and ideas to inform a brand-new education program for Australian Secondary Schools, Body Kind Online Education. Visit butterfly.org.au to find out more.
Keep updated with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.
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