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School Reception: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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On 18 October, the Church celebrated the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist, a faithful companion of St Paul and the inspired author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
Known as the “beloved physician,” Luke offers us a portrait of Jesus marked by compassion, mercy, and inclusion.
Luke’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ special care for the poor, the outcast, sinners, and those on the margins.
Stories like the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the encounter with Zacchaeus reveal a God who seeks, heals, and restores.
Luke shows us a Savior who enters into people’s lives with tenderness, not judgment.
As a physician, Luke reminds us of the healing power of God’s love—not only of the body but of the heart and soul. His witness calls us to be instruments of that same mercy and healing in our own time.
Like Luke, we are invited to walk with others and to live out the Gospel values with gentleness and inclusion as we share the hope we have received.
May St Luke inspire us to look at the world with the compassionate eyes of Christ and to become living witnesses of the Good News as we pray:
Lord God,
Fill our hearts with Your mercy,
and help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Open our eyes with compassion,
so that we may see others as You see them—
beloved, worthy, and never forgotten.
Help us to build communities of inclusion,
where no one is left behind or unseen, and
where every person finds a home in Your love.
Amen
On 10 December 2025, Australia will enter new digital territory as social media age restrictions come into force, in line with the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024.
The restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks they are exposed to while using social media. The risks come from design features within social media that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.
Although widely referred to as a “social media ban,” the eSafety Commissioner and sector experts now advocate for the term social media delay.
From 10 December, under-16s will no longer be able to login to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Under-16s will still be able to see publicly available social media content that doesn’t require logging into an account.
There are exclusions for several platforms, including educational tools such as learning management systems. For example, Google Classroom and YouTube Kids will not be age-restricted, and YouTube videos that can be seen without logging in.
The law does not intend to eradicate online learning, but to provide young people with critical respite from risks associated with logged-in social media, including harmful content, manipulative algorithms, and addictive design features which undermine wellbeing and learning.
Social media age restrictions | eSafety Commissioner
Last week, eSafety launched new pages on the social media age restrictions hub, designed to support parents and carers, educators and young people, as Australia prepares for the restrictions to come into effect.
In 2022, the College introduced phone pouches that restrict student access to mobile phones during school hours.
This has resulted in a significant culture shift, with less inappropriate filming without permission and more social interaction in the yard.
It is hoped that this new delay in access to inappropriate or manipulative content via social media will benefit our young people and promote mental health and wellbeing.
Staff will continue to use various platforms to embed carefully curated content into lesson plans so that teaching and learning will not be impacted.
Congratulations to our Year 12 students who graduated from the College last Thursday evening.
This significant milestone was celebrated with Mass, led by Father Alex Clemente, followed by our graduation ceremony. We wish our students all the very best in whatever pathway they have chosen.
Click here to read more about our students’ final day.
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 23 October | SFCC Art Exhibition - Performing Arts Centre from 6pm |
| Tuesday 28 October | VCAA Year 12 Exams begin |
| Friday 31 October | Year 7 English Timed Assessment Task - Period 1 |
Year 8 Mathematics Timed Assessment Task - Period 3 | |
| Monday 3 November | Student Study at Home Day |
| Tuesday 4 November | Melbourne Cup Public Holiday |
| Wednesday 5 November | Year 9 Exams - English and Mathematics |
| Thursday 6 November - Thursday 13 November | Year 10 and 11 Exams |
| Friday 14 November | Student Study at Home Day |
| Monday 17 November | Jump Start begins |
| Thursday 27 November | End of Year Campus Mass |
| Friday 28 November | Melton Campus Year 7-11 Awards Ceremony |
Final day of Term 4 - students dismissed at 1.15pm | |
| Tuesday 2 December | Year 7 2026 Orientation Day |
| Dates to remember | |
| Thursday 23 October | SFCC Art Exhibition - Performing Arts Centre from 6pm |
| Friday 31 October | Year 7 English Timed Assessment Task - Period 1 |
Year 8 Mathematics Timed Assessment Task - Period 3 | |
| Monday 3 November | Student Study at Home Day |
| Tuesday 4 November | Melbourne Cup Public Holiday |
| Wednesday 5 November | Year 9 Exams - English and Mathematics |
| Friday 14 November | Student Study at Home Day |
| Monday 17 November | Jump Start begins |
| Thursday 27 November | Cobblebank Campus Year 7-9 Awards Ceremony |
| Friday 28 November | End of Year Campus Mass - Sheehan Stadium, Melton Campus |
Final day of Term 4 - students dismissed at 1.15pm | |
| Tuesday 2 December | Year 7 2026 Orientation Day |
VCAA exams will begin on Tuesday 28 October for our scored Unit 3/4 VCE students and will conclude on Wednesday 19 November.
Click here for the exam timetable.
Students are required to wear their school uniform for their VCAA exams and must ensure they have their school ID with them.
All students should meet in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) foyer at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start time of their exam.
Exams will be conducted in the Trade Training Centre. All students must remain in the examination room until the end of the exam.
Students have been provided with the VCE Exams Navigator 2024, which outlines the authorised materials and equipment for each exam.
Year 11 students are expected to continue to attend their scheduled Unit 3/4 class. No student has permission to leave school early if they have their Unit 3/4 class during Period 4. Their teacher will be available to help them with exam revision during this time.
Year 11 students who are undertaking a Unit 3/4 exam are permitted to have a study day (day off) the day before their VCAA exam, unless that exam falls on a Monday. They are only expected to come to school on the day of their exam, 45 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Students are required to inform their Unit 2 teachers of their absence. Unit 3/4 exams take precedence over Unit 2 exams. If there is a clash, students should see their House Leader to arrange an alternative time/day for their Unit 2 exam.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email our Senior Years Leader, Carissa Lock, at clock@sfcc.vic.edu.au
All families will receive an email via Communications this week regarding the upcoming Timed Assessment Tasks (TATs) and Year 9-11 examinations, outlining the dates and expectations.
Last Thursday, we farewelled our Melton Campus Class of 2025.
The day began with the Year 12 breakfast, a fun annual event that saw staff and students dress up and parade through the campus. There were many laughs and stories shared as students reminisced and enjoyed one of their final events together.
Later that evening, family and friends gathered in Sheehan Stadium for the Graduation Mass and Ceremony.
When our 2025 cohort began Year 7 in 2020, they only had six weeks on campus before being sent home and into online learning as COVID-19 swept across the world.
During her speech, Principal Marlene Jorgensen acknowledged their resilience and determination.
“You have grown into young adults of whom we are immensely proud. We have watched you strive, struggle, and succeed. Each of you has left a mark on this school, and you will always be part of the St Francis family. You have brought joy, energy, and purpose to our community, and for that, we are forever grateful.
“Today is not just an end but a new beginning. Your time at St Francis has prepared you for the challenges ahead, whether that’s in higher education, the workforce, or wherever your path may lead.
“But beyond the knowledge you've gained, remember that the world is in need of kindness, understanding, and moral courage. As you go forth, I encourage you to be people of integrity, to be voices for justice, and always to seek the truth.”
We would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the students who received the following awards.
This award recognises students who have selflessly given their time and effort to help others in the College and the wider community. In so doing, they have been a role model for their peers. The 2025 recipients are Emma Presnell and Sage Gnacinski.
This award is determined by the votes of Year 12 students. It is presented to the student who exemplifies maturity and serves as a role model at the College. The 2025 recipients are Diana Taylor and Sa Pilimai.
This award honours the memory of Abby Rogers, a former student who tragically passed away. Abby was known for her personable and gentle nature, which endeared her to all. The 2025 recipient is Krystal Williams.
The Principal’s Award is presented to a student who highlights servant leadership in all that they do. The 2025 recipient has represented the College with distinction and demonstrated faith in action through service to our community. Congratulations to Jacob-John Cauchi.
We warmly invite you to attend the opening of the 2025 St Francis Catholic College Art Exhibition on Thursday 23 October from 6pm at the Melton Campus Performing Arts Centre.
The exhibition is the culmination of months of hard work, passion, and dedication by our Melton and Cobblebank students. It celebrates artistic expression and innovation while showcasing their creativity and talent.
The artwork on display will encompass a wide range of mediums, styles, and themes, offering a diverse and engaging experience that demonstrates work completed in Art and Design and Technology subjects.
Refreshments and finger food will be provided, and the official proceedings will begin at 7pm.
Artist, educator, and Art Gallery of Ballarat representative Pauline O’Shannessy will be our guest speaker on the night, and awards will be presented by our Principal, Marlene Jorgensen.
We look forward to welcoming you to our annual celebration of art and design at the College.
Pilgrimage is a journey of faith to sacred sites. The 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope offers a special time for renewal, inviting us to focus on mercy, reconciliation, and prayer.
As part of the MACS Inspired to Lead program, a pilgrimage to Ireland provided a profound opportunity to deepen our understanding of Catholic leadership. Throughout our journey, we visited many important holy sites that enriched our faith and leadership formation.
In Dublin, we explored St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, followed by visits to the Cathedrals of Cobh and Galway. A highlight was our time at Knock Basilica, the site of the apparition of Mary, St Joseph, St John the Evangelist, and Jesus, symbolised as the Lamb of God.
We also visited sacred places associated with influential Irish saints, including:
This journey also shed light on the historical struggles of the Irish people, especially Catholics, who faced severe oppression during the Penal Laws (late 1600s–1829), when Catholics were prohibited from practising their faith and excluded from civic, economic, and political life.
Despite this persecution, many Catholics established educational institutes, often in secret, to serve the poor and marginalised. These efforts were driven by a desire to provide education as a means of liberation from poverty and social injustice.
We learned about this legacy of liberating and transformative education through the lives and missions of:
In later decades, many Irish emigrated due to difficult economic, cultural, and social conditions, forming one of the largest diasporas in the world. As a result, Irish culture and Catholic values have had a lasting influence in countries around the globe.
At the heart of our pilgrimage was a renewed understanding of Christ-centred leadership - leadership grounded in values, lived through action, and committed to liberating education. It is a model that promotes critical thinking, empowerment, social justice, community, and hope-filled learning.
On Monday 13 October, a dedicated group of VPC students took part in a special Master Chef Challenge as part of their Unit 2 Assessment, Connecting with Community.
The event was more than just a cooking competition - it was a thoughtfully planned initiative aimed at promoting inclusion and connection, with students imagining new refugee peers joining in for a shared culinary experience.
During the planning process, students brainstormed food ideas, carefully considering time constraints, hygiene, dietary needs, budget, and presentation. After much discussion, two standout recipes were chosen: Cookies & Cream Cake and Chilli Chicken Fried Rice.
The challenge culminated in a celebratory feast that was also a fitting and memorable end to Year 12 classes for the year. Judging was close, but in the end, the team behind the Cookies & Cream Cake walked away with the Master Chef Certificate.
Congratulations to our winners, Year 12 student Belinda and Year 11 students Jethro and Patrick. A big shout-out to the talented runners-up for their delicious Chilli Chicken Fried Rice, Year 12 students Ethan and Nick and Year 11 student Madison.
Well done to all involved for demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and the true spirit of community!
Year 10 and 11 Melton Campus students completing a Certificate III in Digital Media and Technology visited PAX at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 10 October.
With an entire convention centre of new games and their developers, card and board games to play, new products to check out, as well as retro gaming history to learn about, it was a massive day for our students.
Students were particularly inspired to see many upcoming Australian-made video games and enjoyed the great sense of community among exhibitors and visitors alike.
Keep updated with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.
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