This week saw all students from Year 7- 12 return to school. In our opening assembly, I spoke about the value of education. I impressed on students the importance of making the most of every opportunity that our College presents and the need for consistent hard work to achieve their goals.

I met one such student who is making the most of opportunities this week – Achai Yel, from our Year 11 cohort attended a Melbourne Victory Soccer Clinic during the January holidays. As a result, Achai is now engaged with the club to set up for games and warm up with the younger children down at AAMI Park.

I also had the pleasure of signing off on an application for a young man, Jackson Wright, to attend the School Sports Victorian Triathalon competition in Hervey Bay. We wish Jackson all the best and hope that he goes on to further titles.

These two are a small sample of the many community partnerships that CRC Melton has nurtured over the years. I hope to continue to build on these relationships and develop the College into an “outward-facing school”.

“The term ‘outward-facing school’ invites school communities to ‘lookout’ beyond the school gate and recognise their larger role in the community. Through engagement in authentic partnerships with families and the community, the outward-facing school can explore learning in all its possibilities and contribute to the entire community’s capacity to learn (Goodfellow, 2008; Leithwood, Harris & Strauss, 2010).”

Every day matters

I have already received many emails from parents requesting leave for students during the school term. Family emergencies, funerals and special circumstances may require leave, but I would urge parents and guardians not to arrange holidays as far as possible during the school term.

Absence from school results in quantifiable lost learning time and opportunities. Non-attendance disrupts carefully sequenced lessons planned by our staff. Mr Blackley outlined the College Policy on absences in last weeks newsletter. Please take the time to read it carefully.

Year 9 RITE Journey

It was wonderful to meet the families of Year 9 students on Thursday night at our Year 9 Rite Journey evening.

There is considerable evidence that the Year 9 year is one in which young adolescents feel the most disengaged. Much has changed in our world since we were children. There was no social media and telephones were in the middle of the lounge where all could hear the conversation. Families sat together each night for dinner and discussed their day, politics and the events of the world.

We cannot halt progress but as parents we often feel ill-prepared to navigate the vastly different world in which our sons and daughters are growing. The RITE Journey is a program designed to help young people move from childhood to adulthood. It develops resilience and critical examination of the messages portrayed in the media. It builds respect and empathy for others and provides students with a significant other to journey with them through this in-between year.

I thank Lauren Hill, Jason Rowley and Meryem McLeod, together with the Rite Journey teachers who will run the program in 2020.

As the new inaugural Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching at the College, I would like to thank the community - staff, students and parents - who have made me very welcome. I am excited about working with the various learning teams and continuing to build on the foundations of learning and teaching that are taking place in CRC Melton.

As a committed and passionate learner, I value the support provided by our parents, guardians and community as we educate our students in faith, developing their knowledge, skills and personal attributes.

Today was a celebration of this success with the 2019 VCE/VET/VCAL Community and Leadership Awards.

The College’s mission statement includes the following: We encourage personal excellence, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility which is displayed in our respect and concern for the wellbeing of all.

This was evident with the range of awards presented by our Principal, Mrs Marlene Jorgensen. We will continue to celebrate the learning and teaching that occurs in all classes this year with articles, photos and recognition of students’ achievements.

The Year 7-10 REED program will continue in 2020 with our students commencing their reading last week. All students and teachers will be reading for fifteen minutes at the beginning of Period 2 from Monday to Wednesday and Friday. Many studies highlight the benefits to writing, comprehension, grammar and creativity from reading regularly and from a wide range of genres. Further information on the program is available from our Literacy Coordinator, Ms Victoria Moore vmoore@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Student Wellbeing

Several resources are available to schools and parents to support students to be resilient, responsible and respectful adults. Two valuable sites are listed below.

www.esafety.gov.au

This resource promotes online safety including tackling image-based abuse and a complaints service for young people who experience serious cyberbullying. If students are subject to online bullying, they need to report it to you, a trusted adult or to their teachers so we can provide support and guidance. You may have read newspaper reports recently of a site called Momo. It is an alleged form of cyberbullying that spreads through social media and mobile phones. Phone users are enticed to contact a user named "Momo", after which they receive graphic threats and are instructed to perform a series of dangerous tasks.

www.studentwellbeinghub.edu.au

This resource supports students, parents and teachers to create a learning environment that promotes student wellbeing and the development of respectful relationships.

Uniform

Some students are wearing black runners as school shoes with their school uniform. This is not permitted. All students must wear black leather school shoes.

Term 1 classes are now in full swing with much activity in and out the classroom.

Our annual Swimming Carnival will be held at Melton Waves next Thursday 20 February. Please read information sent home via CareMonkey as arrangements are different this year. The carnival is compulsory for all Year 7, Year 8 and Year 12 students. Students in Years 9-11 have either chosen to compete in the swim carnival or be involved in a MutliSports program at school and Eagle Stadium in Werribee. Bus travellers will be dropped off and picked up from school at normal times. They will then be taken to either Melton Waves or Werribee. Local students will make their own way to either Melton Waves or school. Students may be dismissed at earlier times. Next week’s newsletter will contain more details about the day.

Information Evenings

The Year 7 Information Evening will be held this Thursday 13 February in Sheehan Stadium from 7pm. Families may arrive from 6.30pm if they wish to meet with Homeroom teachers. Please enter via gate 2.

The Year 12 Information Evening is on Wednesday 19 February at 7pm. This will be followed by separate sessions for our VCAL and VCE Students. Please enter via gate 6.

Year 9 – 12 Subject Changes

Year 11 and 12 students should have completed any necessary subject changes. No further more changes will be permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances. Year 9 and 10 students will be able to enquire about changes to their electives this week only.

Buses

Priority goes to students who need to use the bus services both mornings and afternoons. Year 7s and 12s board first, followed by other year levels. Please note that if students do not act in an appropriate manner while waiting, boarding or on the buses they will be suspended from the bus and families will need to arrange other ways of getting to and from school. This is a common practice on school bus operations.

Opening School Mass

The Opening School Mass will be celebrated in the Sheehan Stadium on Wednesday 19 February at 12pm. Parents are warmly invited. Please email scoates@sfcc.vic.edu.au if you would like to attend so adequate seating can be provided.

Victorian Energy Compare Information Sessions

Melton City Council is running a series of information sessions to help residents learn how to reduce their energy consumption to save money, better understand their electricity bills, use the

Victorian Energy Compare Website and learn about the $50 Power Saving Bonus.

You can find more information by following this link.

(Attachment in emails)

Catrice Lumley

Community Activation and Learning Officer, Melton City Council

New playgroup for young parents

In partnership with Mackillop Family Services, headspace Melton is running a playgroup for young parents aged 18 to 25 every Friday of Term 1 from 9.30am to 11.30am at Melton Health and Community Services Hub. For more information contact Candice Coles on 0419 304 934 or email Candice.coles@mackillop.org.au

You can find out more information by following this link.