We come to the end of Term 3, and we have again as a College community navigated our way through challenging and unique times. However, thankfully we have done so in a composed, unified and connected way. For that, I thank and congratulate the entire CRCCS community of staff, students, parents/carers and families.

Please view the Term 3 Principal's Video Message below:

I would again like to congratulate our students, who have been so resilient as they have had to undergo another extended period of remote learning. The vast majority of students have been very engaged, present and involved in their learning. A big thank you also to parents and families who have supported the students through their remote learning journey this term.

I would also like to express my thanks and gratitude to our teaching staff, who have again gone above and beyond this term to ensure students have had a positive learning experience, albeit in very challenging circumstances. They have worked long hours and have tirelessly rewritten curriculum, course outlines and assessment tasks to accommodate on-going remote learning. They have also undertaken various new and contemporary modes of pedagogical delivery, including the use of flipped learning, video conferencing and MS teams throughout this period to enhance the students' learning experiences. These key learnings will ultimately have long term benefits for the College and will enhance future learning and teaching experiences.

We also thank the College IT, Maintenance, Counselling, Learning Diversity, Library, Support, Administration and Leadership teams who have been actively working on-site throughout this term. They have done an exceptional job throughout the entire term and worked actively to prepare the College for the possible return to on-site learning.

Term 4 arrangements

As you would be aware, the State government has not yet released its 'Roadmap' for a possible return to on-site learning. When this 'Roadmap' is released, the College will communicate with families how this will impact on our students, as well as key dates and arrangements for Term 4. As a College community, we are fully committed to working to provide our students with the best possible learning opportunities during these challenging times.

Office hours during school holidays

The College office and Reception area will remain open throughout the Term 3 school holidays from 8:30am to 3:30pm each day. However, strict guidelines pertaining to parents only being on-site for pre-approved meetings in extenuating circumstances are in place, including adherence to strict health and safety guidelines.

Vaccinations

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our school community.

We receive regular guidance from the Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV) as our governing authority to ensure that our school practices are aligned with health advice from the Australian and Victorian governments, to limit the spread of coronavirus.

At the present time, the Victorian Government’s advice is that:

• COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe and voluntary. The more people who choose to get vaccinated, the greater the protection for those vaccinated and the whole community.
• The best person to talk to if you have concerns about your health and being vaccinated against COVID-19 is your doctor/general practitioner (GP).

Consistent with this advice, COVID-19 vaccinations are not currently mandated in Victorian Catholic schools. I would echo the advice’s recommendation about speaking to a doctor or general practitioner regarding any concerns. Comprehensive information on the COVID-19 vaccines is also available from the Australian Government.

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs will keep the school community up to date should the advice on vaccinations from the Australian or Victorian government change.

I thank you for your support over the last 18 months as we have worked through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Expressions of Interest to join new Federation School Advisory Council

All the Catholic parish and diocesan schools in the Melbourne Archdiocese are now under the guidance and governance of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS). In keeping with the objectives of the MACS Constitution, which states “The good work of educating the young, undertaken in the light of the Gospel, is a co-responsible task led by every member of the Catholic school community”, the School Advisory Council provides a crucial point of connection and support between the wider school community and school leaders.

The Federation of Catholic Regional Colleges are committed to maintaining the collective mission that began over 40 years ago to provide the best Catholic Secondary Education for the families in our local parishes and communities. We are seeking to establish a Federation School Advisory Council that continues to represent all four Colleges. Once the Federation School Advisory Council is established, each of the four Colleges will then, at a later date, look to establish an additional School Advisory Council at the local level.

While the School Advisory Council does not have governance responsibility or decision-making authority, it supports the Principals and School Leadership teams, and provides an important connection to the parish.

Please note that with the growth in the Melton-Bacchus Marsh corridor, MACS and CRC Melton have made the decision that CRC Melton will develop a new campus in the Cobblebank area (construction is about to begin) to create their own Federation. Therefore, effectively from this point forward, CRC Melton is no longer an active part of the CRC Federation, and is in the process of selecting a new name and uniform, amongst other things, to take effect from 2022.

A letter to parents/carers inviting expressions of interest to join the Federation School Advisory Council is available through this link.

My fellow Principals and I strongly encourage parents/carers to consider undertaking this important service. If you would like to receive an information pack to help your deliberations, about whether to apply to join the Federation SAC, please email FederationSAC@crcnk.vic.edu.au.

Staffing News

I would like to take the opportunity to wish our College Maintenance Officer John Sedgeway all the best on his retirement, as he concludes with us today. John began at the College in 2015, and we sincerely thank him for his outstanding contribution to our College and wish him all the best for the future.

We also wish Melissa Kennedy (Executive Assistant to the Principal) all the best as she begins her maternity leave.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the following staff members to the CRCCS school community:

• Dean Cassar (Property Manager)
• Raoul Trento (Maintenance Officer)

As always, when a new staff members begin they bring a diverse range of knowledge, gifts and talents to share with our school community. We wish all Dean and Raoul all the best as they start their journey at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs.

Once again, I thank you for your patience, support and understanding throughout Term 3 and the entire year, in these unique circumstances. I assure you that I, along with all staff at CRC Caroline Springs, are doing our utmost to support your child and we will continue to provide the best possible learning outcomes for all.

May God bless you and your family.