Camp Program

I had the chance to drop in on our Year 9's as they were heavily engaged in their Camp on Monday afternoon. Activities included the Flying Fox, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, and Canoeing to name but a few.

These activities, along with the Surfing undertaken by the Year 8's last week, give the students a chance to learn skills that they won’t learn in the classroom.

According to by Melbourne Child Psychology & School Psychology Services, Port Melbourne, school Camps in the early years of secondary school have five key benefits:

1. Development of social skills

School camp is a great opportunity to develop a range of social skills. Most activities at camp involve team work, which is great to strengthen established friendships and also to develop new friendships by connecting with children they don’t regularly talk with at school.

Through bonding activities, children develop supportive relationships not only with different children, but also with their teachers. At camp, children have the opportunity to learn about acceptance, caring and understanding.

2. Development of independence skills

For many children school camp is their first time away from family and home for a few nights. Parents are not there to remind their kids to eat their vegetables, brush their teeth, or to have a shower.

Therefore, this is a great opportunity for kids to grow up by learning how take care of themselves and to do things on their own. Most kids do rise to the challenge and learn to rely on themselves when they spend time away from home.

3. Development of decision-making skills

Should I go with my friends or should I do the activity I really want to do? Should I have the third slice of pizza? Should I stay up or go to bed? Supervising teachers are not able to hover over each child all the time, so at camp, children are responsible for making more of their own choices.

4. Increased environmental awareness

During camp, children are exposed to authentic nature-based experiences. Hands-on activities in the outdoors stimulate all senses and facilitate learning. Children become more aware of the environment, develop outdoor skills and appreciation for nature.

5. Learning new skills

At school camp, children will be exposed to a range of activities that they may not have tried before. When away from their parents, children are often more adventurous and willing to try new things.

School Photos - Thursday 19th April, 2018 (*Please note earlier date)

Full school photos are scheduled for Week 1, Term 2 on Thursday 19th April. All students are to be in full Winter uniform for the photos. The holiday period will be an opportunity to organise your child’s Winter uniform.

As was the case last year, ordering of photos is completed online. Details as to how to order photos will be given to students before the end of this term.

Uniform Update

The decision was made late last year across the Federation Schools to allow girls to wear tailored CRC slacks as part of the winter uniform from 2018, as an alternative to the winter kilt. Slacks are now available from the uniform shop at a cost of $73 and are made of poly/wool. College shorts will be available in Term 4 as an option for the girls summer uniform.

The Year 9 students went on their Rite Journey Camp last week, divided into gendered groups as part of the Rite Journey Program. The girls went to Halls Gap and the boys to Rose’s Gap. In each location, the students engaged in activities that helped build trust and connections to the other students in their Rite Journey Groups, and with their Rite Journey teacher. The aim of the program is to build respectful and resilient teenagers, and help them in their transition from childhood to adulthood. A pivotal element of this is being comfortable with those around them so that they can share, learn and grow. The camp was a great way for students to work with others and develop relationships so that the program can be successful this year.

Lauren Hill

GADAL Leader

I write to invite you to participate in the ECSI survey which will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic Identity is expressed in work and practice here at Catholic Regional College, Melton

The Catholic University in Leuven, was commissioned by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) to design a process and tools, based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where the school community might like to see it in the future.

This survey is a key element in this process and I write to request your participation. The online survey gathers responses from students in 7 to 12, all staff, and a representative sample of parents.

The survey is only available through the project website; please refer to the following instructions:

Log into the following site: www.schoolidentity.net and

>enter password: Ghj654

>TO THE SURVEYS

>NEW USER

>Select the group you belong to: Select CRC Melton from the list (or use group entry code-R69GT2)

You are now logged in.

Keeping a record of your individual User code and Password will allow you to complete the survey over two or more sessions.

Your responses to this survey are guaranteed to be kept anonymous.

If you have any questions, please contact me through the school office.

Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your anticipated participation.

There will be an information evening for families who are attending the 2019 European Tour at 7:00pm on the 21st of March, in the PAC.

There will be a number of items of paperwork handed out at this meeting. Could you please bring your child’s passport with you.

If you have any questions you would like addressed, please email Paul Iannazzo (piannazzo@sfcc.vic.edu.au) and we will be happy to address them.

Paul Iannazzo & Carissa Lock

Tour Coordinators

“Rise”, a Catholic youth festival will be held on Saturday 17th March 2018 at Mount St. Joseph Girls' College, Altona. This is one of the main events celebrating the Year of Youth on an Archdiocesan level and we celebrate it on the feast of St Patrick, our Archdiocesan patron saint.

“Rise” aims to empower young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus, discover and celebrate the life of Catholic faith, and be disciples in the world as vital members of the Catholic Church. It is for young people from year 9 to the age of 30.

“Rise” will gather an impressive line-up of inspiring speakers from all around Australia to break open a wide range of topics. There will also be live music, creative spaces, interactive exhibitions, sports and entertainment and prayer experiences.

CRC Melton is aware that there are a number of students who may wish to be prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation sessions may be held partly within school time and/or immediately after school at the college.

The preparation classes will be run by our parish priests or Srs Mary Rachel & Anastasia. The candidates will have 8 sessions during 2^nd and 3^rd terms in time for Confirmation in August.

If you wish for your son or daughter to be prepared for confirmation please contact Shaun Coates.

scoates@sfcc.vic.edu.au or 8099 6045.