Farewell

As this is my final column as Principal of CRC Melton, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the many people who have supported me and made my job over the past 11 years so rewarding.

My Deputy Principals - Joanne de Bono (2009-11), Rob Blackley and John Christie.

Leadership Team members - Kerrie-Ann Mathews, Shaun Coates, Narelle Layton, Robyn Sullivan, and Kay Sawyer.

In the Financial department - Kaye Kennedy and Michael Testa have showed great Leadership.

All Staff who have contributed in their own way over the journey, it was pleasing to see so many former staff present for my Farewell Concert on 8th November.

Jenny Machado, President of the Parents and Friends and her committee.

College Captains, past and present, especially Julien Johnson, Jack Doyle, Evana and Annika Miesen, Dylan Hassan and Tegan Lafranchi who were present on the 8th of November.

Thanks to all in the CRC Community who have sent cards, messages and gifts, they have been much appreciated!

It's been a privilege to have led CRC Melton for the past 11 years, during a time when the school expanded to Year 12, and developed programs and resources to cater for a burgeoning student enrolment. It's time to pass the baton onto Marlene Jorgenson, and I am sure that your support for the new Principal will be as fulsome as it was for me.

Staff Farewells

It’s a time of transition at CRC Melton as we say farewell to the following staff who are leaving us at the end of this school year:

Terry Quinn (1990), Alistair Bloom (1993), Kay Sawyer (2007), Rebecca Carey (2008), Amy Goldby (2009), Robyn Sullivan (2010), Silvana Nuspan (2012), Yvonne Wood (2013), Andrew Scarlett (2013), Colleen Pope (2015), Janince Freeman (2016), Phillip Beadsmoore (2017), Daniel Attard (2018) and Robert Dutt (2018). I would also like to mention our trainees Olivia Rabottini and Nadia Blanco.

While our staff will farewell colleagues in their own way next week, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of five long serving staff members:

Terry Quinn commenced at CRC in 1990. A passionate and engaging Teacher of Science and Technology. A wise Counsellor to hundreds of students over three decades. A well respected colleague to a generation of staff. Best wishes for your retirement, Terry.

Alistair Bloom who commenced at CRC in 1993. An outstanding Teacher of VCE English and Literature. A Year 12 Coordinator, IT Network Leader, Leadership team member. A loyal and committed teacher, leader and mentor to a generation of students and staff. Alistair has taken up an appointment at Sacred Heart College, Kyneton in 2020, and we wish him all the best.

Rebecca Carey commenced at CRC in 2008 as the Student Services Coordinator leading a small team offering support to students with special learning needs. The title now is Learning Diversity Coordinator, and now we have two LDCs supporting over 100 students. Rebecca is moving back to Queensland in 2020, and while she will be sorely missed, scores of students and parents who were supported by her over the past 12 years will fondly remember her advocacy, care and professionalism.

Kay Sawyer commenced at CRC in 2007 as the Director of Studies. In that key Leadership role, she led staff with great energy through the challenging process of being prepared for the introduction of Years 11 and 12. Kay has been an expert teacher of VCE English and Literature, and RE over four decades in Catholic schools in the North-West. She is now making the transition to retirement, and devoting more time with family, in particular her two grandchildren. Best wishes Kay.

Robyn Sullivan also brought a lot of teaching experience with her when she commenced at CRC in 2011. Robyn taught English with great passion and held Leadership roles at CRC St Albans and St Bernard’s College, Essendon. She was Director of Learning and a valued member of the Leadership team here at Melton from 2012-2014. Robyn is now making a transition in her life, as she spends more time with family, especially her grandchildren. Best wishes Robyn.

Christmas Reflection

The Season of Advent is a time when we can focus on the important things in our lives, our family and friends, people less fortunate than ourselves in particular those affected by financial and job security, medical and mental health issues, homelessness and separation from family. For those people for whom Christmas is a lonely or stressful time, we offer our thoughts and our prayers that they too may find some peace at this time of the year. We hope and pray that all in our community will be able to use the Christmas break to spend some valuable time with their families.

May parents, staff and students of CRC Melton school community experience the gift of peace this Christmas and may the peace of Christ endure in your hearts and minds throughout the coming year.

God Bless.

Years 7-9 End of Year Arrangements

Tuesday 3rd December will be the final day at CRC for the Year 9 students before they attend Melbourne Experience in the final three days of the school year. They will be dismissed from the city on Friday 6th December.

The final day for Years 7 & 8 students is Friday 6th December. It is a normal school day therefore students are required to attend. The students will celebrate with a Year Level Mass, Year Level Assembly to recognise student achievements, homeroom assemblies and finish with a BBQ. Lunch will be provided for the students. Please do not allow your son or daughter to stay home on Friday on the pretense they are doing nothing and it being a waste of time coming in to school. The students will be permitted to wear their PE uniform and will be dismissed at 1.30pm. For those students not able to get picked up or make their way home because of bus travelling arrangements, the school will be providing supervision until 3:20pm.

College Awards Night

Our College Awards evening takes place this Wednesday, 4th December in Sheehan Stadium. Students nominated for an award are to be in the Formal College Uniform (Full Winter Uniform) and arrive at 6:30pm.

Buses

On Friday, the 3 Bacchus Marsh Coach buses that only go to and from CRC Melton have been adjusted to a 1:30pm departure. Other services that go from Melton to Bacchus Marsh via the Bacchus Marsh Grammar or Melton Secondary College will be running to the normal school timetable on this day. Students will be accommodated at school until then, but parents may wish to make other arrangements for students to get home. Town buses (SITA) will not pick up here after school. Parents are again encouraged to make other arrangements or arrange an earlier pick-up where possible.

2020 Start Dates

Year 7 students will begin the year with an Orientation Day on Friday, 31st January, with all Years 7 to 12 classes starting on Monday, 3rd February.

Old Phone Number

Please note, the old College phone number (03) 9743 6522 has now been disconnected. Please phone (03) 8099 6000 to contact the College office.

As this is our last newsletter for 2019, I would like to wish all families a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. I thank you for your support in 2019 and look forward to a successful 2020 with you.

We are incredibly excited to present a day that brings students together through the community experience of dance, drumming and of course a DJ!

See attached flyer for registration details.