Always treat others as you would have them treat you (Matthew 7:12)

As we begin a new school year we are reminded of the wonderful prospect for new beginnings and to be the best we are called to be. With each new beginning comes the opportunity to prosper and find success in all we do. Our theme this year as a college community is 'RESPECT' - Respect for self, others and the environment which is outlined in the diagram below:

I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34)

A very warm welcome back to all of our staff, students and families. We particularly welcome those who are joining the College community for the first time. We have a total of 278 Year 7 students beginning their journey with us this year as well as 14 students joining us in Years 8, 9, and 10. We warmly welcome you all. Congratulations to the Year 7 students who have settled in extremely well. The school community has worked hard to ensure that our new students have been welcomed and supported in their transitional period. I hope that your time with Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs community is both enriching and rewarding.

It is essential that all students continue the year well and set high expectations in all areas and in every context. It is important that the College uniform is always worn well; that students are punctual to school and class and it means getting down to the core business of working hard in class and working with every teacher to produce the best set of results possible. I also remind students to challenge themselves to participate in the vast array of co-curricular activities available to them, and to embrace and contribute to the numerous, leadership, faith and social justice opportunities available at the College.

And finally, may all members of the Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs college community in 2024 truly live, breathe and enact our wonderful College motto of ‘Live Fully Act Justly'.

Please click on the link below to view the Principal’s Video Message:

NEW STAFF 2024
It is with great pleasure that I welcome the following staff into the CRCCS school community:

• Michelle Attard: Teacher – Mathematics/Science
• Natasha Bickley: Teacher – Mathematics/Digital Technologies
• Lauren D’ Lima: Learning Support Officer
• Fay Ghazi: Food Technology Assistant
• Annette Giang: Teacher – Mathematics/Religious Education
• Maria Gillies: Teacher - Italian
• Gigi (Jihan) Hogan: Teacher – English/Humanities
• Ashley Liu: Teacher – Japanese/Visual Arts
• Lachlan MacGregor: Learning Support Officer
• Tiana Mancuso: Learning Support Officer
• Stephen Manitta: Director of Curriculum & Pedagogy
• Alexander Michaels: Year Level Leader
• Ashley Nguyen: Teacher – Mathematics
• Mirjana Nikolic: Teacher – Visual Arts
• Rory O’Connor: Learning Area Leader - Humanities
• Gulaba Pacoski: Teacher – Mathematics
• Gaby Pauchnik: Teacher – Visual Arts
• Alana Rowling: Learning Support Officer
• Lesley Ryan: Teacher – Mathematics/STEM
• Vanessa Shaw: Learning Area Leader – Religious Education & Formation
• Wendy Smith: Year Level Leader
• Jackson Smith: Teacher – Mathematics/Physical Education
• Frank Stranieri: Teacher – Visual Arts & Italian
• Julian Swan: Cultural Immersion & Exchange Co-ordinator
• Jim Talliopoulos: Teacher – Science
• Courtney Wilcock: Teacher – English

LENT
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period. Lent is a time to renew and restore our relationship with Christ. Lent is when we prepare, as a faith community, to meet the risen Christ at Easter. It is a time for us to turn away from what keeps us from living the Gospel, and to remind ourselves that we are called to live lives based on justice. 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.

Over the 40 days of Lent, may the Holy Spirit give us the strength to act justly, the courage to love tenderly and the faith to walk humbly with our God, that we might rejoice in the triumph of God’s justice in Jesus at Easter.

Jamie Madigan
Principal