Weekly Reflection

Advent, the Church season of waiting and preparing for Jesus’ birth, commenced on Sunday and continues through to 24 December.

During Advent, we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but we also check in to see if we are doing all the things that will keep us ready to receive Jesus when he comes again.

Talk to your family about how you are doing in attending to your spiritual life as a family. Perhaps commit yourself to pray daily as a family, or reading Scripture, and renew your efforts to stay faithful to God’s commandments.

Advent in spiritual terms not only means a celebration of the earthly birth of Jesus roughly 2000 years ago, but also acts as preparation and anticipation for the second coming of Christ.

Shaun Coates

Director of Catholic Identity

From the Principal

Last week was full of awards and celebrations.

On Tuesday evening I attended the Western Edge Cluster VET Awards night at Tabcorp Park.

The Western Edge Cluster is a group of local Catholic, Christian and Government schools that work together to provide vocational opportunities to students. The wide range of courses is incredible, with students able to study horticulture, engineering, hair and beauty, building construction, allied health and much more.

Seeing our VET students receive awards in their chosen fields was wonderful.

Special congratulations to Nakita Hanna, who received the Certificate of Excellence for Year 2 VET. For a full list of all the winners, click here.

On Thursday, I attended the Sports Association of Catholic Co-educational Secondary Schools (SACCSS) Awards.

This year SACCSS offered our students many sporting opportunities including golf, badminton, rugby, netball, swimming and athletics, to name a few.

Once again, it was fantastic to see our students honoured for their talents and sportsmanship. Congratulations to Lucy Taylor and Daniel Monitto who received the John Landy Award. Read about all the award recipients here.

I was incredibly proud of how students represented the College on both occasions. They wore their uniform with pride and accepted awards with grace and humility. Yet another example of the fine young students who are part of our CRC community.

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead

Dates to remember
Thursday 1 DecemberTerm 4 concludes for Year 10 and 11 students
Friday 2 December

Junior Awards Ceremony

Term 4 concludes for Year 7-9 students at 1.15pm
Year 7 2023 Orientation DayMelton West Campus students 8.45am - 12pm
Cobblebank Campus students 12.30pm - 3pm
Friday 16 December 

College office closes - 4pm

Thursday 19 January 2023College office opens
Wednesday 1 February Term 1 begins for Year 7, 11 and 12 students
Thursday 2 FebruaryTerm 1 begins for Year 8-10 students


Changes to Start and Finish Times in 2023

The College has reviewed its day structure for 2023 at the Melton West Campus and new Cobblebank Campus.

In 2023, the start time for both sites will be 9am and the finish time will be 3.15pm.

The change will occur from the first day the students return to school in 2023.

The finish time brings us in line with St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School, which is adjacent to the Melton West Campus.

There will be limited impact on pick-up and drop-off time, and there will be no need to adjust bus timetables. Supervision before and after school remains unchanged.

Michael Wilcock

Deputy Principal, Operations, Staffing and Strategic Intent

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Seeing many of our new students attending part or all of the Jump Start program is wonderful. We welcome them and look forward to having the students with us next year.

The VCE VM and VCAL Intermediate students have participated in various activities to obtain micro-credentials and prepare for work placements in 2023. Our VCE students have begun their 2023 courses, consolidating some of the learning from 2022. Our junior students have met new teachers, enjoyed the challenges of new subjects and electives, and worked on skills required for 2023. 

Year 10 and 11 2022 students finish the Thursday 1 December. Holiday homework encourages further consolidation of the skills and knowledge needed to get off to a good start next year. We ask parents and guardians to support us by ensuring their child completes any work set before they return in 2023.

The Year 7 to 9 2022 Junior Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday. A letter has gone out to invite families and guardians of award winners to the ceremony. We will record the event to allow parents and guardians who cannot attend to view the ceremony. After the award presentation assembly, students will participate in range of year-level activities and the traditional BBQ lunch to end the 2022 year.

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

Joanne Holmes

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Western Edge Cluster Awards

The Annual Western Edge Cluster VET Awards ceremony was held last Tuesday 22 November at Tabcorp Park. The College was well represented, and our students took home awards in almost every VET course available!

We congratulate the following students on their tremendous commitment and effort to their VET studies in 2022.

Automotive

Most Improved Award for Year 1 - James Zannikos

Building and Construction

Endeavour Award - Jack Higgins

Endeavour Award - Jake Richards

Most Improved Award for Year 1 - Lohgan Iredale

Community Services

Most Improved Award for Year 1 - Charlyze Prosser

Endeavour Award for Year 2 - Mya Debono

Electrotechnology

Endeavour Award for Year 1 - Liam Ciappara

Outstanding Award for Year 1 - Joseph Kensington

Engineering Studies

Endeavour Award for Year 1 - Taylah Ryan

Endeavour award for Year 2 - Canute Lobo

Most Improved Award for Year 2 - Ethan Davis

Outstanding Award for Year 2 - Luke Pace-Rinaldo

Health Services Assistance

Endeavour award for Year 2 goes to Abuk Chol

Outstanding award for Year 2 goes to Nakita Hanna

Salon Assistant

Most Improved Award for Year 2 - Ryleigh Simpson

Principal’s Award

Mya Debono

Certificate of Excellence – Year 2 VET

Nakita Hanna

Bianca Mifsud

VET Coordinator

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

It has certainly been a unique year and 2022 will remain one during which we triumphed by being face-to-face for the whole school year. This alone is an achievement, considering our community was still coping with illness and having to remain at home to isolate, before returning to work or school.

Despite the challenges, it was worth it. Our young people had stability; they could socialise with their peers and be educated in a classroom rather than online.

As we complete the final week of this term, I am sure everyone is looking forward to a well-deserved break. Students should be very proud of their hard work and reflect on their many achievements.

There have been many preparations for 2023 when we implement our new house structure. I am pleased to launch our new house logos this week. Our House Leaders worked with their student leaders and our Director of Community Relations Amy Rowley, to create a logo representing their saint and house.

As we begin the new year, there will be an opportunity to formally meet with your child’s House Leader and House Mentor at a welcome evening. Due to the continuity of the House Leader and House Mentor, you will become familiar with the key staff working with your child throughout their education at the College.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and blessed Christmas and a joyful new year.

Cheryl Bullen

Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing - Melton Campus

SACCSS Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised for their outstanding sporting achievements at the 2022 SACCSS Awards Presentation last Thursday.

John Landy Sportsperson Awards

Daniel Monitto

Throughout his years at CRC Melton, Daniel has demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, leadership and role modelling at various SACCSS Events. This year alone, Daniel has been involved in Senior Futsal, Soccer, Mixed Netball and Athletics just to name a few. Daniel displays the qualities that create great sportspeople such as integrity, leadership and dedication to the team.

Lucy Taylor

Lucy has demonstrated a commitment to our netball team throughout her years at CRC Melton and was captain in 2022. Lucy has also been a committed member of our Cross Country and Athletics teams over the years and participated in various other events during her time at the College. Lucy is a fantastic role model, inspiring our younger students to participate in sport.

Senior Football Boys Champion, Player of the Series Division 2 – Jake Richards

Senior Volleyball Boys Champion, Player of the Series Division 1 – Jai Rowley

Australian Rules Football Girls, Intermediate Player of the Series Division 2 – Mikaela Lorenzo

SACCSS Record Breaker, Athletics 4:33.93 (previous 4:44.25) – Damian Steyn

Moorabool Shire Youth Award Winner

Year 11 student Ophelia Fernando was recently honoured with Moorabool Shire Council’s Positive Influencer Youth Award.

The award recognises Ophelia’s community service and involvement with Moorabool Shire Youth Council. Since 2020, she has worked with other local youth on programs that provide new opportunities for young people in the community.

Highlights have been hosting an online COVID-19 Writing Competition and Mental Health Youth Forum in 2020, representing the council in the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Moorabool Leadership Project and obtaining a grant to fund the Moorabool’s Got Talent Competition.

Year 11 Coordinator Meryem McLeod, who nominated Ophelia for the award, said the College was proud of her achievements within the school and her local community.

Ophelia said she was grateful for the award and the opportunity to work on the Youth Council.

“All the work achieved in the last three years would not have been possible without the teamwork, integrity and positivity within Moorabool Shire Youth Council,” she said.

2023 College Production

Our biennial production is coming again in 2023! The show will have two acts:

Act 1 will be the musical Cinderella…If The Shoe Fits! Students who love combining acting, singing and dancing are encouraged to audition.

Act 2 will be a showcase of music and dance performances. Students who love to dance are encouraged to audition and anyone who plays a musical instrument or sings is also encouraged to apply.

Audition requirements

All audition videos should be sent to production@sfcc.vic.edu.au . There will be an application form and contract with information about the show dates and rehearsal times for parents and students to sign.

Dancers

All students who would like to be considered for a dance item should submit a 1-3 minute video of themselves dancing. The audition video can be in any dance style. Students who dance in 2 or more styles are encouraged to send in a video showcasing their ability in multiple styles (ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop etc.). Dance video auditions are due by 1 January 2023.

There will also be a mandatory live dance audition in the first full week back at school next year. Students will learn a simple dance routine at a lunchtime and will be required to learn a short dance routine to perform in person.

Musicians

All students who would like to be considered for a musical item (solo, duet, band etc.) should submit a 1-3 minute video of themselves performing on their instrument of choice. The student may choose the song to perform.

Audition videos for musicians are due Friday 3 February 2023.

Musical theatre

Any student who would like to audition for Cinderella…If the Shoe Fits! should refer to Daily Messages on Simon for the requirements.

For each role, there will be a script excerpt and song to perform. The music, backing tracks and character lines will be in a folder to download. Some roles will be acting only. There will also be many chorus roles as either Villagers or Animals, which will require group singing.

Audition videos must include the acting section and nominated song. Please make sure you clearly indicate the role(s) you are auditioning for and if you would like to be part of the chorus if you do not get cast in your preferred role. All students will also need to participate in the live dance auditions when we return to school

There will be a call-back session for lead roles on the first Thursday back next year (2 February 2023) from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Application forms, contracts and audition videos for Cinderella are due on Wednesday 25 January 2023.

Production Team

Farewell Josephine

This Friday we say goodbye and thank you to Josephine Gatt, our school crossing supervisor who is retiring after almost 20 years of duty outside our gates.

Josephine has helped many thousands of students, staff and parents cross busy Bulmans Road safely every morning and afternoon. Before this, she worked at a crossing in St Albans for nine-and-a-half years.

Although she is looking forward to taking it

easy and not having to stand in the sun, wind and rain, Josephine said her last day would be bittersweet.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is seeing the students start and finish their schooling. Also, talking to them and the friendly staff. I know that I will miss them,” she said.

Needless to say, the feeling is mutual Josephine and we wish you all the best in retirement.

"Thank you to all the students and school staff for your support." Josephine

A Jump Start to Vocational Learning

Our focus this year in Jump Start has been to equip senior students with workplace skills.

Vincit and the Victorian Pathways Certificate students have been developing their teamwork and communication skills.

The week began with African drumming, a newspaper challenge and a visit from the Wild Action Zoo during which students and teachers handled and learned about a range of animals including snakes, lizards, possums and a crocodile.

Our VCE Vcoational Major (VM) students focused on building their skills by achieving a set of micro-credentials.

Students participated and gained certificates in White Card training and First Aid, or Food Handling and Barista. They stepped up to the challenge and had a great time while gaining qualifications to assist them in their search for work placements and for future pathways.

Narelle Layton

Applied Learning Leader

Community Notices

Step-Up2U Project

Step-Up2U Information Sheet


Foster Care Information Session


Women in Sport Breakfast


Pasifika Festival


On Track Holiday Program

On Track Registration Form


Western Bulldogs Youth Leadership Project

Useful Links

Keep up to date with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.

PAM – Parent Portal

Subject Selection Guide 2023

What's new in 2023

Parent Handbook

Enrolment

Cobblebank Campus

Facebook

Instagram

Policies

Uniform

Library

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