Lent in the school community

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period. Lent is a time to renew and restore our relationship with Christ. In what ways can this be enabled and supported in the school community?

Each Gospel concerns an encounter with Christ that challenged people to open themselves to God, to faith, to truth, to life. Catholic schools provide opportunities for such encounters throughout the year, but Lent demands a special effort. These opportunities might include:

• providing regular prayer and meditation sessions (daily or weekly, for individuals and groups)
• reflecting on the Lenten readings
• using images of the face of Christ for prayer and meditation
• ensuring every classroom, gathering space and public space contains an image or symbol that is not only a reminder of Catholic identity but an invitation to be open to Christ’s presence
• encouraging participation in Project Compassion, not just in donating or raising money but in opening our eyes to the suffering around us and making a compassionate response.

Lent is a chance to encounter Jesus, to remember again his invitation to chat, to come and see who He really is. It is a rich season for schools to look into the face of Jesus, not merely in our churches and classrooms with crucifixes and other images. Every encounter we have with a student, colleague or staff member can lead to a more profound realisation about our lives in Christ.

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs School Advisory Council

It is with great pleasure that I formally announce and introduce the inaugural Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs School Advisory Council (SAC). The first meeting of the SAC was held on Thursday 17 February.

The Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs School Advisory Council for 2022 is made up of 10 council members who value and share the educational mission and ethos of the Catholic Church, comprising:

• Jamie Madigan- Principal (ex officio)
• Fr. Richard Rosse- Parish priest St Catherine of Siena Caroline Springs (ex officio and custodian of mission)
• Jason Kok- Chair (parent representative)
• Deb Gee- Finance Manager
• Elise Novak- Staff Representative
• Christine Thewma- Parent representative
• Daniel Xuereb- Parent representative
• Maher Alkateb- Parent representative
• Alicia Azzopardi- Alumni/Parish representative
• Ivanka Portelli- Student representative

Serving on the School Advisory Council of a Catholic school is a form of Church lay ministry. It is a response to the call to support the local Catholic parish and school communities in a particular way. It is also a means for members of our community to share their skills and talents for the common good. A well-functioning council provides rich sources of wisdom and insight, as well as a means of strengthening community links and potential for partnerships.

The board of MACS has responsibility for the strategic direction and oversight of the operation and management of MACS schools, including Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs. Clear lines of authority, reporting and delegation from the MACS board through the Executive Director delegate the day-to-day operational management of Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs to its principal.

The School Advisory Council is not a governing body but is part of the broader governance framework of MACS. Its role, as determined by the MACS board through this Terms of Reference, supports the overall governance of the MACS system as it ‘is to give consideration to, and advice on, important school matters in order to support the principal and the strategic interest of the school’ (Working Together in Mission p. 20).

The School Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where parent voice and community perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the principal and custodian of mission for the good of school and parish where students’ wellbeing and outcomes are paramount.

The following are some examples of the many ways the School Advisory Council may support the school and the principal:

• articulating and enacting the school’s vision and mission
• promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and culture
• promoting faith formation and development
• supporting school policies as required
• giving advice to the principal on issues such as school improvement plans and enrolment trends
• engaging in discussion with the principal about the annual school budget and other financial matters
• giving advice to the principal about the school master plan
• providing capital resource planning and maintenance support to the principal.

Once again, I thank the members of the Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs School Advisory Council and eagerly look forward to working closely with them to further develop the strategic interest of the College.

Change to mask-wearing guidance

The Victorian Government announced earlier this week that masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings, with masks only required in school settings for students in Year 3 or above at primary school, and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools. Masks are no longer mandatory either indoors or outdoors in secondary schools. However, students are welcome to continue wearing their face masks at their discretion.

Parents & Friends Association

This year we are looking to further develop our Parents & Friends Association, as we see this as a very important support group for our College. Unfortunately, the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions we were unable to meet regularly and hold our usual social and fundraising events. Meetings are open to and attended by interested parents/carers, friends of the College, teachers and administrative staff as well as the Principal, or one of the Deputy Principals.

Everyone is welcome to come and meet other parents/carers, to learn more about our wonderful College as well as participate and share in general discussion often relating to significant issues about school events. We are currently awaiting an update to the CECV School Operations Guide to provide further information regarding the health and safety guidelines for these meetings. Further information will be made available as it becomes available.

We would like for interested parents to please email the College at principal@crccs.vic.edu.au