Remember, O Lord,
this city where we dwell
and every other city and country,
and all the faithful who dwell in them.
Remember, O Lord,
all who travel by land or water,
all who labor under sickness or slavery.
Remember them, and give them health and safety.
Remember, O Lord, all in your Holy Church
who bring forth good fruit,
are rich in good works and remember the poor.
Grant your mercy and loving-kindness to us all,
and grant that we may praise and glorify your great and glorious name
with one mouth and one heart;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

St. John Chrysostom (fourth century)

What a very busy, action packed and successful Term 3 we have had at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs. We have continued to have quality learning and teaching occurring every day in the classrooms. We have participated in many co-curricular activities, including SACCSS sporting events and competitions, excursions and incursions, faith and student development and student days, whole school assemblies and liturgies, music concerts, the recent ‘Live Fully Act Justly’ feast day and a particular highlight was the performing of the College Musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, to sell out audiences.

I would like to thank all teaching staff, I.T, maintenance, counselling, learning diversity, library, support, administration, and finance teams who have been working hard to ensure the College runs so smoothly.

It has been a tradition at our College that on our Live Fully Act Justly Day Celebrations, we also celebrate and honour the teachers and staff who have served our school community with generosity and dedication. They are the ones who have made our school a place of learning, growth, and joy.

We thank them for their years of service, and for the difference they have made in our lives. We are proud of their achievements, and grateful for their service. In appreciation of fifteen years of service we congratulate the following staff: Clara Cremona, Renuka Dhillon and Maria Wasilewski. In appreciation of ten years of service we congratulate the following staff: Hayley Code and Bianca Conforti.

We thank all these staff for supporting our College’s mission to Live Fully and Act Justly and helping us create a positive and inclusive environment for everyone.

One of the highlights of this term was our Live Fully Act Justly day celebrations. It was a day filled with faith, joy, and community. Our students came together to celebrate their spirituality through a beautiful Mass, celebrated by Fr Gerard Keith. This was followed by a whole school assembly where our College Captain candidates for 2025 demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities as they delivered their speeches, outlining their visions for our school’s future. It was heart-warming to witness our students’ dedication to making our college a better place for all.

The carnival rides and stalls added a fun and festive atmosphere to the day. Students enjoyed various activities and indulged in delicious treats. To culminate this memorable day, our students showcased their extraordinary talents in a lively student talent quest. It was a true celebration of the diverse talents that make our school community so special. The overwhelming applause each act received was a testament to the supportive and vibrant spirit of our school community.

I would like to thank all the students who participated in the Mass so respectfully and reverently. Thank you also to all of the staff and students involved in the Mass. It was certainly a wonderful way to gather as a school community and celebrate the Eucharist.

It is in the Eucharist that we find ourselves called, invited and challenged and the Eucharist makes visible the Christ we seek to know. These four words Live Fully Act Justly are relatively simple, yet paradoxically they are also very complex, deep and spiritual. Last Friday, we gathered as a Catholic community to celebrate the Eucharist, break bread, laugh and smile together during the Fair and also share our wonderful gifts and talents in the afternoon Talent Quest.

I would like to thank our Deputy Principal Wellbeing Katie Murray Fawcett, together with the Live Fully Act Justly Day committee, for overseeing the organisation of the day. I would also like to thank our administration, finance and maintenance teams for their work, Mr Paul Sammut and his Catholic Identity and Mission team for organising the Mass and Mr Danny Goodoy and Allison Caruana and the performing arts team for overseeing the very successful Talent Quest.

Finally, may this holiday provide you with the opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you all back in Term 4 for more exciting adventures and opportunities for growth.

On Friday, 30 August, we gathered to celebrate Father’s Day with a special Mass and breakfast, honouring our fathers, grandfathers, and significant men in the lives of our students.

Fr. Richard presided over the Eucharist, offering our gratitude to God for the gift of fatherhood. In his homily, Fr. Richard reflected on the vital role that fathers and father figures play in the lives of our students, emphasising their profound influence in shaping children and their responsibilities within the family. A special blessing given to all the fathers present, asking God to strengthen them in their vocation as Christian fathers.

After Mass, our guests enjoyed a delightful breakfast with the students, which also featured the drawing of a raffle. It was a wonderful morning to recognise the great contributions our Father’s make to our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended and helped make this celebration memorable.

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs celebrated our Live Fully Act Justly Day last Friday September 13^th. It was an amazing day where our College community came together to celebrate Mass, listen to our prospective College Captains for 2025, celebrate staff service awards and enjoy our annual carnival and talent quest.

We were blessed that the weather was once again in our favour as our students were able to enjoy rides, delicious treats and various activities. Students took part in things like the photobooth, jewellery making, the cha cha and dodgem cars, basketball and tennis table tournaments, gaming and face painting. To see the smiles on the students faces as they left at the end of the day was a true blessing.

Life Fully Act Justly Day was also an important reminder of our special connection with our brother and sisters in Uganda. The College have always been incredibly grateful for the donations and support of our College families. Such donations have allowed us to contribute to buildings, a breakfast program and further resources for the students learning at St. Francis of Kizinga. This year the College raised $15, 905.00 which was well over the amount that was raised in 2023. A huge thank you to our staff for their contribution in supporting the day as well as our students and their families for their donations.

On Friday 13 September our college community gathered for the Celebration of the Eucharist for our annual feast - Live Fully Act Justly Day. It was particularly fitting that this celebration coincided with the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, a revered bishop and doctor of the Church. Known for his eloquence in preaching and his deep care for the poor, St. John Chrysostom left a legacy of justice and compassion that continues to inspire us today.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Gerard Keith (Parish Priest Resurrection Kings Park) reminding us of our mission to live out the Gospel in our daily lives. In his homily, Fr. Gerard reflected on the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27, “All the runners at the stadium are trying to win, but only one of them gets the prize. You must run in the same way, meaning to win.” These words call us to live with purpose and perseverance, striving not for earthly rewards, but for the rewards of heaven.

Fr. Gerard emphasised how, like athletes in training, we too must be disciplined and intentional in our spiritual lives. We are called to run our race with determination, to fight with the clarity and focus that our faith provides. This imagery from St. Paul served as an inspiring reminder that living out our college motto Live Fully Act Justly requires effort, commitment, and a heart cantered on Christ. Fr Gerard stated that as a community, we have taken concrete steps to embody this call by raising both awareness and funds for the Uganda Project. This initiative reflects our commitment to living out the Gospel by supporting those in need and working for justice. We ask God to continue granting us His grace, so that we may grow in knowledge and love of Him so that in living fully through His example, we are inspired to act justly in all that we do.

Our 2024 production of Little Shop of Horrors here Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs has been a remarkable showcase of student talent, creativity, and dedication. Our students have truly embraced the heart and soul of the production, bringing their own flair and passion to the show.

The cast, embodying characters like meek Seymour and the iconic Audrey II, poured themselves into their roles with enthusiasm and talent. Whether it was perfecting tricky musical numbers or nailing comedic timing, each performer demonstrated incredible growth and commitment throughout the production process. Their hard work and dedication has shone through in every scene, allowing their unique talents to come to life under the bright lights of Skid Row.

Participation extended beyond just the cast and crew, with students involved in all areas of the production. The crew and band, often working tirelessly behind the scenes, played an equally crucial role in making this production a success. It has been inspiring to witness their dedication to both the artistic and operational aspects of theatre.

This experience has allowed students to grow not just as performers and creators, but as individuals. The friendships formed, the skills honed, and the memories made will surely remain with them long after the final curtain call. Their passion for theatre, combined with their determination and effort, has resulted in a production that will be fondly remembered by all who were involved.

In many ways, this musical journey has been much like the character Seymour’s pursuit of his dream: full of challenges, growth, and moments of triumph. The students’ hard work and passion have truly made Little Shop of Horrors a standout success, and we cannot wait to see what our rising stars accomplish next.

The Giant Egg Drop Challenge was an engaging and educational activity that involved designing a capsule to prevent a raw egg from cracking when it was dropped from the staff room staircase. This challenge was an egg-xtraordinary way to explore significant scientific principles and engineering concepts. It was a good way to learn about forces, engineering, and creativity. It was also a good way to enjoy science, use teamwork, and more!

In this fun challenge, we needed to create a device that could absorb and distribute the impact of the gravitational pull and air resistance force as the egg was falling and landing. By using basic, everyday materials such as newspaper, straws, a bag, and masking tape, we were able to cushion the egg and reduce the shock of the impact. Designing the shape of our device was key; structures with crumple zones or padded areas helped spread out the force more effectively. Additionally, incorporating elements like a parachute slowed down the egg’s descent, further minimizing the impact force.

Through this challenge, we learned about key physics concepts such as force, energy, and how materials absorbed shock. It also provided a practical application of engineering principles, allowing us to experiment with different designs and materials to see what worked best. The Giant Egg Drop Challenge encouraged problem-solving and creativity, as we needed to think critically about how to protect the egg using limited resources.

Working on this project also helped us develop teamwork and communication skills while working in a group. Overall, the Egg Drop Challenge was not just about keeping the egg intact, but also about applying scientific and engineering knowledge in a fun and practical way.

Samantha C and Poppy G - 7 Wonga 

Art Tech Week was an exciting, vibrant celebration of creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning! The corridors buzzed with energy, decorated with stunning artworks, tech creations, and a sense of accomplishment. Each day began with thoughtful prayers to Patron Saints of art and technology, setting an inspiring tone for the day’s events, and their intercessions were felt throughout the week’s success.

One of the highlights was the much-anticipated One Pan Cooking Competitions. The aroma of sizzling ingredients filled the air as Year 7 and 8 students battled it out on Monday, followed by Year 9 and 10 on Tuesday. Armed with a wok, wooden spoon, and a colourful selection of ingredients, each student crafted unique culinary masterpieces. The creativity was boundless, and the master chef winners were awarded recipe books and a block of chocolate for their success.

In the area of digital technology, students had the fantastic opportunity to design and build their very own language-learning mobile applications. These apps, complete with flashcards, words, and phrases, allowed them to practice Italian or Japanese right on their phones!

The art room exploded with colour during our tie-dye card-making sessions, with students showing off the inner artists. Day to follow saw intricate paper clay modelling. The creativity and talent on display were truly mind-blowing!

A massive thank you goes to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, in making this an incredible week!

Uganda Sausage Sizzle and Casual Clothes Day

The recent Uganda fundraising events saw our students showing immense generosity. The sausage sizzle raised an impressive total of $1,426.08, while the casual clothes day, held the following day, contributed an additional $1,049.85. A big thank you to all the students who donated so generously! The funds will go towards continuing to better the lives of the St Francis, Kizinga community in Uganda, including the food program and building works of the school.

Father’s Day Gift and Card Making

Following the success of celebrating our mothers and significant women in our lives, we extended the same love to our fathers and important men. The art room was buzzing with eager students crafting personalised cards and bookmarks, making for a heartwarming celebration.

R U OK? Day

September 12th was a day dedicated to checking in on one another as part of mental health awareness. Our school came together to support this cause, with the Social Justice team greeting the community at the front gate with positive affirmation cards and cupcakes. Additionally, a thoughtful display was created to remind students to regularly check in on their loved ones and offer support to those who may need it. Through these small gestures, we emphasised the importance of staying connected, caring for one another, and fostering a supportive community where everyone feels heard and valued.

On Tuesday, the 10th of September, four of our Year 10 students, Jack Fromme, James Jepson, Hamish MacGregor and Lucas Previti, competed in the MACS STEM MAD Competition. STEM MAD encourages students from Catholic schools to design innovative projects that address real-world challenges, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The showcase celebrates student creativity and problem-solving skills, fostering a deeper understanding of STEM concepts while promoting social and environmental responsibility. The students researched and designed a Mars Base with sustainability and efficiency at its core, using innovative materials and processes to ensure a self-sustaining environment on Mars. The base focuses on maximising space utilisation, recycling resources, and harnessing renewable energy sources to support long-term human habitation. The findings from this were then applied to sustainable practices on Earth. The students set up their table display, showcasing their amazing work and engaging with members of the community, where they explained their findings and answered questions with impressive communication skills. They were all extremely articulate, knowledgeable and professional in all their interactions throughout the day.

I am excited to announce that the STEM MAD team from CRC Caroline Springs was awarded the overall STEM MAD Secondary School Award. This is an enormous achievement and a proud moment for the CRC Caroline Springs community. Congratulations Jack, James, Hamish and Lucas!

On Wednesday, the 21st of August, the VCE Health and Human Development students went on an excursion to the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital in Sunshine. During our visit, we were given a tour of the maternity ward by the hospitals Midwifery Unit Manager. During our visit, various nurses, unit managers, social workers and midwives who work in the hospital explained their roles and what a typical day looks like for them.

We learned that new parents receive a variety of care and support services, before during and after pregnancy to achieve the best outcomes for families. Joan Kirner is a state-of-the-art facility providing a huge variety of health and wellbeing services to women and children in Melbourne’s West. The nurses showed us a birthing suite, highlighting the supplies and equipment used during childbirth. The room featured a large bath, dim lighting, and fairy lights to create a relaxing and comforting atmosphere for the mother, helping her to feel more at ease during labour.

Many of us gained insight into potential health career pathways and solidified our knowledge of the demands of parenthood as a period of transition.

Overall, it was a valuable experience and a great day.

Chloe B. and Amelia M.

2024 School Fees

A reminder to all parents/carers that school fees are to be finalised by 30 November 2024. It is not too late to start a payment plan if required.

If this is an option for you, please contact the finance department or visit the school website to download a form. https://www.crccs.vic.edu.au/enrolment-1/college-tuition-fee

Year 9 Camps- Wednesday 30 October to 1 November 2024

Tax Invoices for Camp were emailed to Parents 22 July 2024. Payments due in FULL by 4 October 2024

Immersion Tasmania 2025

Payments are due by 08 October 2024 - $1050.00 and 19 November 2024 $1050.00

If you wish to discuss any finance concerns, please reach out to us by phone 9217 8000 extension 2 or email accounts@crccs.vic.edu.au

Thank you, Finance Department.

It is important to also keep your Childs Operoo profile up to date with the most current medical information. The college also prefers that you have an emergency contact in case you are unreachable. The First Aid Officers will receive a notification when you update Operoo, but if you wish to speak to us please contact the College.

If your child has an injury afterhours, please inform the college and provide a medical certificate. This will help the College support your child upon their return; organise room changes if needed (student requiring crutches) or require extended leave due to the injury/illness

Students are reminded to not use their mobile phone while at school. If they are unwell, they are to present to Sickbay to be assessed then contact home made by the First Aid Officer.