As we begin a new Term, I eagerly look to the Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs community to continue to foster and further develop the already strong relationships with the view to provide the best possible contemporary educational, spiritual and faith experience for our students.
Over the holiday period an enormous amount of work went into preparing facilities such as classrooms, IT facilities, sporting facilities and the College grounds for the students to utilise this semester. I thank the teaching, administrative, support and maintenance staff involved in this important work as it contributes significantly to the comprehensive educational environment for our students.
World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR)
The Catholic Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.
WDMR was celebrated on 25 September. As the title for his annual message, the Holy Father has chosen “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees”.
WDMR allows us to pray for those who are dispossessed and to consider our response to refugees. In his 2022 address, Pope Francis speaks of the value that each refugee brings to our society:
“Building the future with migrants and refugees also means recognising and valuing how much each of them can contribute to the process of construction.”
This is a relevant way for us to reflect upon how we can be more welcoming and inclusive in our own school and indeed the wider community. We are reminded in Pope Francis words that each person brings a unique set of gifts and talents that make our community rich and diverse.
Pope Francis gives us hope and optimism and makes it very clear to us that all should be included and welcomed in our community where he states:
“Yet this does not mean that we should lose heart. In the light of what we have learned in the tribulations of recent times, we are called to renew our commitment to building a future that conforms ever more fully to God’s plan of a world in which everyone can live in peace and dignity.”
“No one must be excluded. God’s plan is essentially inclusive and gives priority to those living on the existential peripheries. Among them are many migrants and refugees, displaced persons, and victims of trafficking. The Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants.”
The full text of Pope Francis – Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees is available below.
Pope Francis - World Migrants Day 2022
Parent Community Conversation and Grade 6 Testing Day
On Saturday 8 October we held our annual Parent Community Conversation and Grade 6 Testing Day. Over 500 parents/carers were welcomed to the College and took part in an information session, community conversation and college tour. Parents were invited to ask questions of the staff and student leaders regarding transition from Grade 6 into Year 7 and general questions about the College. The students underwent academic testing in the areas of literacy and numeracy. The results of these tests will help us support the individual learning needs of the students so that we can better personalise their learning requirements. At the conclusion of the activities all parents, students and staff were invited to a sausage sizzle, provided and prepared by the parents and friends association and to continue a conversation with staff and student leaders. I would like to thank all the students and parents/carers for attending and to all staff, parents and student leaders that were involved on the day.
Car Parking at Caroline Springs Veterinary Hospital
Parents, please note that I have received several complaints from the Caroline Springs Veterinary Hospital, which is adjacent to the Police Station, regarding parent parking in the VET car park after school. Please note that this is a private car park and that parents should not be parking in this space and waiting to pick up their children after school.
Staffing News
I would like to take the opportunity to wish College Psychologist Mr Jamie Barnett all the best on his appointment to College Psychologist at Assumption College Kilmore. We sincerely thank him for his outstanding contribution to the Student Wellbeing team and the College, and we wish him every success in his new role.
We also wish Mrs Victoria Lalor all the best as she begins her maternity leave and wish her well on the imminent arrival of her second child. Finally, we wish Ms Dawn Rogers all the best as she will be on long service leave for the entirety of Term 4.
We also warmly welcome to the CRC Caroline Springs community the following staff for Term 4:
- Leo McInerney (Humanities and RE Teacher)
- Ann Rodgers (Visual Communications and Art Teacher)
- Jasmine Warren (College Psychologist)