The Greatest Showman

Well, what a production we enjoyed last week. It had everything from an original script written by Jessica Godwell, outstanding acting, singing and dancing. The costumes, props and lighting were first class, and those families who had seen many productions over the years commented it was one of the best performances ever.

Special thanks to Jessica Godwell, Amy Rowley, Shanelle Sertic, Alison Andrada, Ashlee Hughes, Karina Dunne, Amy Bandeira, Dan Askew, Rebecca Cassar and Lauren Whitford for putting a remarkable show together.

For those families who could not make it, I leave you with excerpts from two of the standout songs from the Greatest Showman. From my perspective as Principal, any song, speech or campaign that reinforces the power of positive thoughts and self-talk as I heard in ‘This Is Me’ and the imagery of dreaming ‘the brightest colors fill my head’ from ‘A Million Dreams’ are priceless for our teenagers to hear and be inspired by. These themes are not just for our students - those two songs are on my current playlist inspiring me on my journey!

This Is Me

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me

A Million Dreams

'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make

Year 10 and Year 11 students need to finalise their 2019 Subject Selections by the end of next week with their final selection page (from Selection Guide) and copy of their WebPreferences receipt due Friday, August 10. Please ensure these are submitted on time as late submissions may result in subject preferences being missed as VCE numbers will then be processed and initial blockings completed. Students will be given their initial allocations later in the term. VCAL students will also be notified if their application has been successful.

Year 9 students and parents/guardians are invited to join us next Wednesday, August 8 for our Year 10 2019 Information Evening. I strongly encourage all families to attend as the Year 10 Elective selections are by far the most complicated of all year levels.

2019 Term Dates

To assist families in planning for next year, below are our 2019 Term dates for students:

Term 1

Year 7 – 12 Classes begin: Monday, 4th February

Term finishes: Thursday, 4th April

Term 2

Classes begin: Tuesday, 23rd April

Year 10 Work Experience: 24th – 28th June

Classes finish: Friday, 28th June

Term 3

Classes Start: Monday, 15th July

Term finishes: Thursday, 19th September

Term 4

Classes Start: Monday, 7th October

Year 12 VCAA exams finish: Wednesday, 20th November

Year 11 & 10 students finish: Friday, 29th November

Year 7 – 9 students finish: Friday, 6th December

Over the past 11 months, Lana Sciberras and myself along with hundreds of other Victorian Catholic School students across the state have been rehearsing for the Time To Shine performances at the Melbourne State Theatre. The performance itself showcases the amazing talents of singers and dancers from Years 7 to 12 . Over the 11 months we worked with a vocal coach by the name of Greg Mills, as well as many experienced dance teachers. I personally found this opportunity to share my talent with others to be an amazing one and when the chance comes around again I will be sure to audition once more. To be able to perform in front of a crowd of 2,000 people was an extraordinary experience that I look forward to doing again soon.

Nicole Mercieca

CRC Melton sent a team to participate in the Year 12 Division of Volleyball Victoria 3 Day Schools Cup on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last weekend. Despite entering the Year 12 competition, the team comprised of girls from Years 9, 10, 11 and 12. As such, the team lacked the size and experience of the other teams.

This did not prevent the girls from competing strongly in every game. They managed to win a set against the teams who finished 2nd and 3rd, and won two games by two sets to nil.

Overall, the girls won 6 sets and lost 8, and won 263 points, losing 271 points. This highlights how close and even the competition was and how our team remained competitive throughout.

This group of girls are to be congratulated for their dedication (training after school and over the holidays) and their spirit in coming up against bigger and stronger teams but not flinching at all. Their cooperation and effort was first class.

Our thanks to the parents who helped get the girls all the way out to the State Volleyball Centre, Dandenong for the competition.

The team: Alexandra Della-Rocca (10), Sarah Elander (10), Anglena Koj (12), Regina Laumata (9), Cheyanne Llanes (12), Bagena Malua (9), Phillipa Malua (11), Amberlynn Menezes (11), Kristen Pereira (10), Danielle Sultana (12)

Michael Hill

Volleyball Coach

It is with great excitement that we acknowledge our finalists for the Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Competition at the University of Melbourne and the winner for third prize, Ethan Trethowan in Year 12. Congratulations to the following students who made it as finalists on Friday 20th July:

• Annmayria Praveen John - Yr11
• Adelaide Hansen - Year 11
• Ashley Scicluna - Year 11
• Maria Arbizu Duran - Year 11
• Sofia Bagnato - Year 10
• Tania Cariolo - Year 9
• Ayla Williams - Year 9

They will be awarded their certificates and prizes at our next school assembly.

We also welcome Giuliana Lucci, an exchange student from Italy who is staying with Adelaide Hansen's family. We thank the Hansen family for hosting Giuliana. If you would like to host an Italian student next year in July please contact Mrs. Claudia Russo at the school.

Claudia Russo

LOTE Coordinator

Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy

Over the July school holidays, Amber Mifsud was selected to try out for the Ballarat/Wimmera/Hampden/Western District team to compete at the V/Line Cup Carnival, to be held in Gippsland in September holidays. The V/Line Cup Carnival is an Under 16 AFLW tournament that sees teams from all districts in Victoria compete against each other. Amber was successful in making the Ballart/Wimmera/Hampden/Western District team which is associated with the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy, which is an academy that recognises girls who have potentional to play AFLW.

Natalie Bourke

Sports Coordinator

Characteristics of the homeless population

A few interesting characteristics of the total homeless population in Australia:

• Males made up 58% of the homeless and females 42%. Males outnumbered females in every category, but particularly rough sleepers (66%) and boarding house residents (73%).
• This sex difference was mainly among the older population.
• Young people under 18, homelessness was about 50%-50% male-female.
• The highest rate of homelessness was in the 19-24yrs age group

Homeless numbers in our Local Area

(statistics from 2016 Census)

Melton – 68 people

Melton West – 46 people

Melton South – 57 people

Bacchus Marsh – 56 people

Bacchus Marsh outer region – 8 people

Rockbank – 13 people

Total – 248 people homeless on any given night in the local area. These are people that, as a result of circumstances, not choice, have nowhere to call home.

The major cause for homelessness is domestic violence.

If you want to make a difference to the lives of others, come along to the CRC Annual Winter Sleepout.

Friday August 10th 6.45pm – Saturday 7.00am

There will be guest presenters and lots of activities.

Dinner and breakfast will be provided.

Email – mrowe-watts@sfcc.vic.edu.au to indicate your intentions.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, and that the oppressed will be set free." Luke 4:18

WILL YOU BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR? WILL YOU SET THE OPPRESSED FREE?

Marg Rowe-Watts

Social Justice Coordinator

When: Friday 17th August, lunchtime

What: Shave your head or colour your hair

Cost: Temporary colour - $2.00

Where: Outside the Hall

“I have decided to do The World’s Greatest Shave to raise funds for research for Leukaemia - blood cancer. I myself, don’t have any personal stories but there are many others who have either experienced loss or suffered from blood cancers such as Leukaemia. By shaving my hair, I am showing my support for the victims of this awful illness” - Cassandra Nguyen

You can donate to Cassandra by clicking the following link: http://my.leukaemiafoundation....

For over 30 years, Wigs for Kids have been providing Wigs and support for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, burns and other medical issues. Wigs for Kids helps children suffering from hairloss look themselves and live their lives. Because we never charge families for wigs, we depend on generous people like you to donate hair for sufferers.

Wigs for Kids accept hair donations 30cms or longer. The more length you can donate, the more of an impact you will make. Mrs. Bourke is looking for someone to cut her hair to dontate to the cause. When you donate $1 dollar, you get a raffle ticket to go into the draw to be the one who cuts it. The more you donate, the more raffle tickets you get. If you are interested in taking part and donating your hair speak to Mrs Bourke or Ms Rowe-Watts or email nbourke@sfcc.vic.edu.au or mrowe-watts@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Marg Rowe-Watts

Social Justice Coordinator