Weekly Reflection

Last Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent which marked the beginning of the liturgical year.

Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas. It runs for four weeks and ends on 25 December. The colour of Advent is purple and the theme of this season is preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ and also to recall the promise of Christ to come again. We also reflect on life beyond death.

So how do we prepare for Christ’s birth? To answer this question, we could look at the great figure of John the Baptist. John was Jesus’ cousin. He was the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus.

John was the son of Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth. We first read of him in Luke 1:44, an unborn infant leaping for joy at Mary’s approach. John prepared the way for Jesus by telling people about the coming of the Messiah. In the opening of Mark’s Gospel John baptises Jesus in the river Jordan.

^“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased'.”

We pray

Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan you sent a messenger to prepare people's hearts for the coming of your Son.

Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins, so that I may clearly see the way to walk, the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Shaun Coates

Director of Catholic Identity

From the Principal

While this week marks the last week of on-site learning for our Year 7 to 9 students, it also marks the first week of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas and begins a new church year.

During Advent, Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate the arrival of the Lord into the world through the birth of his Son Jesus Christ. Advent is a time to celebrate light amid the darkness. It is also a time to look forward to when Jesus will come a second time.

This week’s readings also remind us that it is a time to recall that Christ will one day return.

In this first week of Advent, let’s make sure our preparations for Christmas are about our saviour and not as much about gifts.

Afronesia Festival

Last Saturday I had the privilege of attending the Afronesia Festival. This festival was spearheaded by Le Mana Pasifika and the Centre for Multicultural Youth and several community support groups in collaboration with Pacific Connections Inc.

The festival was a community-friendly youth-led Pasifika and African celebration that featured delicious foods, performances and sports activities. The event was supported by Melton Police who participated in a 3 on 3 basketball competition and were a continual presence throughout the day, modelling positive relationships with our communities. The festival also gave young people a chance to make positive connections with law enforcement.

As an outward-facing school, I am happy that CRC Melton was able to support this event using our grounds and sporting facilities. We look forward to further developing our connections with local community groups.

16 Days of Activism

The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign, supported locally by Respect Victoria, that aims to motivate the community to take action against violence towards women.

Respect Victoria is an independent Statutory Authority dedicated to the primary prevention of all forms of family violence and violence against women. Its Respect Women: ‘Call It Out’ campaign encourages individuals, communities, and organisations to ‘call it out’ and intervene when safe to do so when they witness sexism and gender inequality – drivers that can lead to family violence and violence against women.

The campaign began on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) and concludes on International Human Rights Day (10 December). A number of free free events, workshops, and activities are planned across the 16 days.

In Australia, on average, one woman is murdered by a current or former partner each week, and one in two women has experienced sexual harassment. Violence against women and their children costs Australia $22 billion each year, however, the way women are treated is arguably more important than the dollar cost to the economy.

It is everyone’s responsibility to be an active part of addressing gender inequality in Australia.

For all Melton Council 16 Days of Activism events visit melton.vic.gov.au/16DOA or follow the Healthy City of Melton Facebook page.

For more information and resources on the national 16 Days of Activism campaign, visit Respect Victoria www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/16-days-activism-2021.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence, please phone 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead

Dates to remember
Friday 3 December	Final day for Year 7-9 2021 students - 1.15pm dismissal
Tuesday 7 December	Year 7 2022 Orientation Day
Wednesday 15 December	2022 booklist orders due online
Friday 17 December	College office closes
Tuesday 1 February 2022	Term 1 begins for all students

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Year 11 and 12 2022 students have begun holidays having completed their senior Jump Start. They finished the year with a whole-school mass and BBQ lunch last Friday.

At the end of the mass, we acknowledged the achievements of two 2021 VCAL students who completed their Senior VCAL program by the end of Year 11. This is usually not completed until the end of Year 12.

Nelson Grixti and Chabengano Mbuto received their Senior Early VCAL Achievement award in recognition of this excellent outcome. Both students have entered employment as they move towards their career interests in the real estate and automotive industries.

Students who missed their final days of Jump Start will find set holiday homework through either the class Team’s page, Simon or via email. This allows students to be on track for a successful start next year. Best wishes to our Year 11 and 12 2022 students as they commence holidays.

It has been wonderful to see many new students attending part or all of the Jump Start program.

Junior Awards Ceremony

On Friday 3 December, the College will hold its Junior Awards Ceremony. Letters have been sent to students and families notifying the award winners of the ceremony. Due to COVID restrictions, parents and guardians are unable to attend but will have access to the recording.

After the award presentation assembly, students will participate in a range of year-level activities and the traditional BBQ lunch to end the 2021 year.

Wishing all families a happy and sacred Christmas and a safe and relaxing holiday break.

Joanne Holmes

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

As the term draws to a close, I find it amazing how quickly my first year at the College has gone. Each term was productive and enabled me to become familiar with staff and students both face-to-face and online.

Although the year has been punctuated with lockdowns and restrictions, the spirit of CRC Melton has remained strong. Our community’s strength, determination, and resilience were further developed through our faith and the Core Wellbeing Values of Endeavour, Community, and Empathy.

St Catherine of Siena wrote, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire”. As we look ahead to 2022, we want every student to pursue their own goals and achieve their aspirations by being who God meant them to be.

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed Christmas, with time to recharge and relax with family and friends. I look forward to the new year with excitement and anticipation for the many wonderful adventures ahead.

Uniform

Please use the time during the holidays to ensure your child’s summer uniform is prepared for 2022. A full uniform list is available on our website. Click here to view.

Cheryl Bullen

Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing - Melton Campus

Western Edge Cluster Awards Night

Several CRC Melton students have been nominated for a 2021 Western Edge Cluster Awards, announced tomorrow, Wednesday 1 December at 7pm via an online event.

You can watch the pre-recorded video announcement of the awards via the Western Edge Cluster Facebook page or on their website.

Facebook: facebook.com/events/s/2021-wec-awards

WEC website: www.wec.vic.edu.au

New Trophy Cabinet in Sheehan Stadium

This term we welcomed Sheehan Stadium’s newest addition - a trophy cabinet!

I would like to thank the CRC Parents and Friends Association for generously providing funding for this beautiful cabinet.

We look forward to filling it up to acknowledge and showcase our students’ achievements.

Mikaela Hurst

Health and PE Domain Leader

Canteen News

In 2022, our lunch order service will be managed by Flexischools. To find out more information about Flexischools visit www.flexischools.com.au

More details about how to set up your account with Flexischools will be provided in the new year. Any money left on your child’s Ultimate Schools account will be refunded to you. Ultimate Schools will be in contact with you directly to organise this refund.

The canteen will not open this Friday 3 December due to the early dismissal of students.

We wish you all a safe, happy and relaxing end of year break. Thank you for your support this year and we look forward to working with you again in 2022.