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School Reception: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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Last week, Bernard House staff and students celebrated the Feast Day of St Bernard of Clairvaux, a French monk and influential Church leader.
Born in Burgundy, France, in the year 1090, Bernard was the third of seven children. His parents took special care with his education because, before he was born, a holy man had foretold that this child would have a great destiny.
It seems the holy man’s prediction was accurate as St Bernard of Clairvaux was regarded as a towering figure in the 12th-century Church and a major force in European religious and political life.
He helped found over 65 monasteries, served as an advisor to kings and Popes, and was deeply involved in defending and shaping Catholic doctrine during a time of theological uncertainty.
He wrote extensively on love, humility, and the soul’s relationship with God. These spiritual writings, along with his personal example of monastic life, continue to influence Christian mysticism and monasticism to this day.
Reflecting on the life of St Bernard of Clairvaux calls us to think about what it means to live a life with purpose. He didn’t chase power or fame, yet he became one of the most influential voices of his time simply by staying true to his faith and values.
Bernard used his gifts not for himself, but to build something lasting.
His life is a reminder that we’re all capable of doing something meaningful, especially when we lead with love and humility.
Click here to read more from our Bernard House students about their Mass last week.
This week, I would like to share with you an excerpt from an article by Professor Elizabeth Labone from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, which reports on the benefits of a Catholic education.
Innovative new research using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data that found people who attended Catholic schools are likely to see lifelong benefits in employment status, general health and life satisfaction.
The research found that on average, there are both personal and community benefits of Catholic schooling.
People who attended Catholic schools are, on average, more likely to be employed and to earn higher wages than government school attendees.
The average wage difference ranges between four per cent to 11 per cent. In addition, Catholic school attendees are more likely to work in an industry or sector that directly benefits the public and were more likely to donate to charity.
The report also found that Catholic school attendance had a positive average impact on personal health and life satisfaction scores.
The research was undertaken by a team in the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by VCEA.
These findings are statistically significant and include adjustments to the data to isolate the impact of attendance at a Catholic school from other individual and family characteristics and influences.
This research is evidence of what you and your team will have always known intuitively, that educating the whole person supports the development of well-rounded individuals who will succeed and be happy and confident in the world during and after their schooling, whatever path they choose through life.
We have shared this important research with members of the Victorian and Australian governments and opposition, as further evidence of the many benefits Catholic schools bring to Victoria and the nation. The report is also available on our website. Professor Elizabeth Tabone, CEO, Victorian Catholic Education Authority
As Professor Labone outlines, the development of the whole person is something St Francis Catholic College has always placed great emphasis on, and we are proud of the positive contributions we make to a student’s life.
Families in our growing local community are also acutely aware of the benefits of a Catholic education – this week, we will meet more than 500 Year 5 students who have applied for a place at our campuses in Year 7 2027. We are excited to hear why they have chosen SFCC and the talents they can bring to our community.
I thank all our current and future families for entrusting their child’s education to us. It is a responsibility we take very seriously and a decision that will bring great opportunities and benefits for our students both during their time at the College and beyond.
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 4 September | Father's Day Reflection and Breakfast, 8am |
| Wednesday 10 September | Students dismissed at 2.30pm |
| Thursday 11 September | St Francis Feast Day |
| Monday 15 September | Parent Student Teacher Interviews online, 4.30pm-7pm |
| Wednesday 17 September | Parent Student Teacher Interviews online, 4.30pm-7pm |
| Friday 19 September | Final day Term 2 - students dismissed at 2.30pm |
| Monday 6 October | Term 4 begins |
| Dates to remember | |
| Friday 5 September | Father's Day Reflection and Breakfast, 8am |
| Wednesday 10 September | Students dismissed at 2.30pm |
| Thursday 11 September | St Francis Feast Day |
| Monday 15 September | Parent Student Teacher Interviews online - 4.30pm-7pm |
| Wednesday 17 September | Parent Student Teacher Interviews online - 4.30pm-7pm |
| Friday 19 September | Final day of Term 3 - students dismissed at 2.30pm |
| Monday 6 October | Term 4 begins |
Please note that students at both campuses will be dismissed at 2.30pm on Wednesday 10 September, to enable staff to prepare for SFCC Feast Day celebrations on Thursday 11 September.
Families are encouraged to use the drop-off and pick-up zone at Cobblebank Campus to help ease congestion along Bridge Road before and after school.
There has been an increase in traffic and parked vehicles along Bridge Road, Cobblebank, due to the construction of the new Melton Hospital.
Students can be safely dropped off inside the College grounds in the designated zone - vehicle access opens at 8.10am and closes at 8.40am, then reopens from 3pm to 3.25pm.
Please follow staff directions when dropping off and collecting students and move through the zone at a walking pace. See map below.
Drop-off and pick-up zone guidelines
When travelling on roads around our campus, please remember:
Remind your child to use crossings, avoid jaywalking, and look both ways before stepping onto the road. We also ask that you avoid doing U-turns on Bridge Road.
Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our school community safe.
Parent Student Teacher Interviews will be held online for students and families at both campuses on the following dates:
Bookings for interviews can be now be made through the parent portal PAM.
Instructions on how to login to PAM and make your booking are available below. You will also find information about access to the interview booking link.
SFCC Feast Day is just over a week away!
Students can pre-order their food tickets at a stall outside the library during Mentor Group and Short Break every day up to and including Friday 5 September.
All tickets are $1 each and can be purchased via cash or EFTPOS.
Please refer to the list below for how many tickets students will need for each food item on the day.
| Food Item | Tickets needed |
| Cinnamon doughnuts | 1 doughnut = 1 ticket |
| Fairy floss | 1 fairy floss stick = 1 ticket |
| Chip/crips packets | 1 packet = 1 ticket |
| Mini biscuits packs (Oreos & Tiny Teddies) | 1 pack = 1 ticket |
| Soft drinks | 1 can = 1 ticket |
| Pancakes | 1 pancake = 1 ticket |
| Zooper Doopers | 1 Zooper Dooper = 1 ticket |
| Frog in the pond (jelly & Freddo) | 1 serve = 2 tickets |
| Lolly bags | 1 bag = 2 tickets |
| Hot chocolate | 1 cup = 2 tickets |
| Smoothies (Smoothie Bike activity) | 1 cup = 3 tickets |
| Pizza (2 slices) Flavours: BBQ chicken, Margherita, Vegetarian and Hawaiian. | 2 slices = 5 tickets |
Students should be mindful of how many tickets they buy, as they are non-refundable.
They will receive their pre-ordered tickets during morning Mentor Group on Feast Day.
Students will receive a free sausage on bread from our campus sausage sizzle on the day.
Cobblebank Campus students can also buy coupons for food stalls run by staff on Feast Day.
Coupons can be purchased during the first half of Big Break tomorrow, Wednesday 3 September and on Friday 5 September. They will also be available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (8, 9, 10 September).
Coupons
Pink = $1, Blue = $2, Green = $5
Food prices
Popcorn = $1 per bag
Fairy floss = $1 per stick
Baked goods = $1 per item
Pizza = $2 per slice
Hot chips = $2 per cup
Soft drink can = $2 per can (after the first free can)
Students will receive their pre-ordered coupons during morning Mentor Group on Feast Day.
All students will receive a free can of drink and a beef or chicken sausage or veggie patty in bread from our campus sausage sizzle on the day.
On the day, there will also be external companies selling ice cream and crepes (Crepes for Change). Students will need cash on the day to buy items from these food vans.
All fathers and fatherly figures in our College community are welcome to join us for our annual prayer service and breakfast at both campuses to celebrate Father's Day.
Dads, uncles, brothers, and friends are invited to this special event. All the details are available below.
Please RSVP here if you and your child would like to attend.
As AI tools like ChatGPT become part of our students' daily lives, many families are asking: How should our children use these tools? When is AI helpful for learning, and when might it hinder their growth?
As a Catholic school community, we're committed to helping students navigate this technology thoughtfully and responsibly.
AI should:
AI should not:
Red flags: when to intervene
Watch for these concerning patterns.
Practical home strategies
Take the "struggle first" approach.
If using AI:
Family discussion starters:
Our school's commitment
We are implementing:
The College ICT department is also currently investigating a parental filtration system that parents may use to monitor their child at home.
Working together
Your involvement in your child's learning remains irreplaceable. AI should enhance, not replace, the conversations and guidance you provide at home. We want students to become wise users of technology, not dependent on it.
We strongly encourage families to access the following website for more on What Parents Need to Know About Kids and AI ditchthattextbook.com/parents-ai
Together, we can help our students develop the wisdom and skills they need to thrive in an AI-enabled world while maintaining the critical thinking and human connection that remain at the heart of education.
Our Year 10 Visual Communication Design students have been learning how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their creative projects.
In Semester 2, students used AI to help finalise their children’s chair designs. The process began with research into chairs, children's toys, and structural materials. From there, students developed initial concepts through sketches and hand-drawn ideas before refining their design using AI.
This task offered an opportunity to explore how AI can work along side the design process, while emphasising the importance of students maintaining creative control. When used thoughtfully, AI can be a powerful tool—helping students bring their creations to life.
A key lesson was that AI should support, not replace, the design process. Students used their own drawings as a foundation, applying literacy skills to describe and guide the AI toward a final product that closely reflected their original vision.
True creativity comes from original thinking, problem-solving, and personal expression—qualities AI cannot replicate on its own. By using AI as a tool rather than a shortcut, students ensured their designs remained authentically theirs.
The Bernard House Mass was a truly inspiring celebration of faith, community, and student leadership.
The atmosphere in the chapel was reverent and uplifting, as students gathered to participate in the liturgy.
It was wonderful to see our students engage during the Mass, not only through prayer and song but also through thoughtful reflection on the readings and messages shared.
What stood out most was the impeccable behaviour of the students. From arriving on time and showing respect for the sacred space to actively participating in all aspects of the Mass, the students exemplified the values of St Bernard of Clairvaux.
Their attentiveness and respectful conduct created a meaningful and prayerful environment for all present, allowing the spirit of the celebration to shine through.
The Mass was a testament to the positive culture and strong sense of community within Bernard House. It was a privilege to witness our students demonstrate leadership, respect, and faith in such a genuine and inspiring way.
During NAIDOC Week, students at both campuses embraced the spirit of celebration through a variety of creative and meaningful craft activities.
At Cobblebank, students enjoyed making vibrant wristbands, crafting colourful snake serpents, and expressing themselves through NAIDOC-themed colouring sheets.
Meanwhile, at Melton, students explored their artistic talents by painting wooden Australian shapes, colouring Indigenous landscapes, and creating their own snake serpent designs.
These hands-on activities encouraged creativity and reflection, while deepening students’ understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
It was a wonderful way to bring the values of NAIDOC Week to life and foster respect and awareness throughout our College community.
Congratulations to all St Francis students from both the Melton and Cobblebank Campuses who competed in the Division 2 SACCSS Athletics Championships on Monday.
There were many outstanding performances and podium finishes across the two campuses and a wonderful day was had by all.
Congratulations to the four Age Champions:
The Melton Intermediate team also won the overall aggregate becoming the 2025 SACCSS Intermediate Athletic Champions.
Full results and photos will be in next week’s newsletter.
Thank you to our student helpers Year 10 students Tanae, Gabby and Talia and Year 12 student Emma who ran marshalling sheets to the meet manager room, walked students to their events and helped wherever it was needed.
| Team | Result | SFCC Ladder position |
| Senior Boys Basketball | SFCC 77 d Antonine College | 3 |
| Senior Girls Basketball | Thomas Carr College 51 d SFCC 47 | 4 |
| Team | Result | SFCC Ladder position |
| AFL Division 2 | SFCC MEL 134 d SFCC COB 2 | 2 |
| Netball Division 2 | SFCC MEL 16 d SFCC COB 4 | 2 |
| Boys Volleyball Division 1 | Emmanuel College 3 d SFCC 0 | 7 |
| Girls Volleyball Division 1 | Emmanuel College 2 d SFCC 1 | 3 |
| Boys Basketball Division 2 | SFCC COB 62 d SFCC MEL 45 | 2 |
| Girls Basketball Division 2 | SFCC MEL 94 d SFCC COB 16 | 2 |
| Boys Football Division 2 | SFCC COB 4 d SFCC MEL 0 | 7 |
| Team | Result | SFCC Ladder position |
| AFL Division 2 | SFCC MEL 134 d SFCC COB 2 | 6 |
| Netball Division 2 | SFCC MEL 16 d SFCC COB 4 | 6 |
| Boys Volleyball Division 2 | SFCC 2 d 1 Salesian College | 1 |
| Girls Volleyball Division 2 | SFCC 3 d Salesian College 0 | 1 |
| Boys Basketball Division 2 | SFCC COB 62 d SFCC MEL 45 | 3 |
| Girls Basketball Division 2 | SFCC MEL 94 d SFCC COB 16 | 6 |
| Boys Football Division 2 | SFCC COB 4 d SFCC MEL 0 | 4 |
| Girls Football Division 2 | Bye | 5 |
Year 8 Melton Campus students have been busy in the textiles room practising their newly acquired machine and hand sewing skills.
Their task? To make a project bag from environmentally friendly, unbleached calico fabric and decorate it with upcycled items or donated fabric.
Early in the unit, students learned about plastic pollution and the Australian Government's attempt to minimise single-use plastic.
Using this knowledge, they have been sewing reusable project bags that will eliminate the need for the large plastic zip-lock bags in which they store their practical work.
By our estimations, this means 250 fewer plastic bags needed by our Year 8 cohort, which is great news for the environment!
Some furry friends visited Cobblebank Campus yesterday, and their carers were very appreciative of the pouches so carefully sewn and donated by our Year 8 Fibre students to keep the little creatures warm.
Students worked hard to gain their sewing licences and develop the skills on the sewing machines while making joey pouches to donate during yesterday’s much-anticipated incursion.
As part of their assessment, students researched various threatened and endangered species in Australia. Along with yesterday’s donation of pouches, an additional 40 will be sent to the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs to further extend our impact across Australia.
During the incursion, students met marsupials such as woylies and sugar gliders, who will directly benefit from the pouches made. All of these animals had already snuggled into pouches made by students last semester.
Students also got up close to other threatened and endangered species they had researched, including black cockatoos, Mary River turtles, a variety of snakes, and even a saltwater crocodile.
This hands-on experience highlighted the meaningful impact their sewing efforts can have on wildlife care and conservation.
Teacher
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