Last weekend we celebrated Palm Sunday, the last Sunday of the Lenten season. On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem, while understanding that amidst the celebrations of this entrance, Jesus knew what was to happen later that week.

Palm Sunday marks the commencement of Holy Week, a week when we remember Christ’s suffering and death. Hopefully, this remembrance helps us to focus on being the best people we can be in our daily lives. Christ’s suffering was to help us to be closer to God, He modelled a life for us to emulate, particularly in the acceptance and help He gave to the outcasts and underprivileged of His time.

This week we celebrate Holy week. I encourage you to attend the ceremonies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as Easter Sunday, with your families. The Resurrection of Christ is at the heart of our beliefs as Catholics. Christ was born and died for us, giving the gift of our hope and belief in everlasting life. I hope that all families have a wonderful Easter holiday break and really value the opportunity to appreciate each other and show the love which can sometimes remain hidden in our hearts in the busyness of daily life.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli Patrick Oration

The Patrick Oration was delivered by Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, the ninth Archbishop of Melbourne, on 17 March 2021 at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne.

I have included some key paragraphs form his oration below.

Excerpts taken from Archbishop Peter A Comensoli’s Patrick Oration:

As we now move tentatively out of exile – still in a state of ebb and flow, still uncertain of the future – we should not miss that COVID has shifted and sifted us. Where now is the ground on which we need to plant the gospel? How do we step out towards it? How might we become the leaven needed for a more humane way of living in this new world still emerging? Perhaps we can learn from our faith ancestors, in finding our identity by way of our households.

For people of faith, the family home is where God’s household gathers. It is the Church in domestic form, in which all her members are called to exercise a domestic priestly life. Each is anointed to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ:

• to offer words of healing and reconciliation, and gestures of blessing,
• to teach the faith and grow disciples,
• to feed the body and the soul.

The households of God’s people are indeed a leaven, indeed a ‘mother,’ from which comes the bread of life.

Yet, as different as we might be in social, cultural and ecclesial histories, we do share the same gospel calling, and can ask the same questions of discipleship:

• Have we responded to God’s word and are we walking in God’s presence?
• Have we shared the company of our brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer and fellowship?
• Have we advanced in a life of love and service of others?

Why these three questions, you might ask? Well, for those of you who have been involved in RCIA and went to the Rite of Election should recognise them. They are the questions asked of the sponsors to the catechumens who will soon receive the Easter Sacraments. These are, in other words, the questions that define a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Please click on the link below for the full Patrick Oration by Most Rev Peter A Comensoli

https://melbournecatholic.org/...

CRC Caroline Springs 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, last year due to COVID-19 restrictions we were unable to meet regularly and hold our usual social 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, to learn more about our wonderful College as well as participate and share in general discussion often relating to significant issues about school events.

Below are the dates for the Parents and Friends association meetings, to be held in the College Library:

Wednesday 5 May 7:00pm

Wednesday 28 July 7:00pm

Wednesday 20 October 7:00pm

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

New Aquinas Building

The College, as part of its vision and mission, aims to provide excellence in learning. This will be supported by ongoing development and upgrading of College buildings, grounds and facilities.

Some exciting news is that work will soon be completed on the new Aquinas Building. This building will be a great inclusion for our community and students will reap the rewards of this state-of-the-art facility. This building will host eight homerooms, as well as two large collaborative learning spaces and numerous staff offices. The building and other new facilities recently opened at the College provide a rich and stimulating learning environment for all our students to flourish and reach their full potential.

I would like to thank all the staff, students and families who entered their suggestions for the naming of the new building. After an extensive process, I am proud to announce that the new building will be named the St Thomas Aquinas Building.

St Thomas Aquinas is a saint and doctor of the Catholic Church. He has contributed greatly to the philosophy and theology of both secular and the church and developed a reputation of highly academic scholarly writings. St Thomas Aquinas is a model for both laity and clergy. As a priest in the Dominican order, he was known for his Christ-like example in word and deed to his fellow Dominicans.

St Thomas Aquinas exemplified great commitment to his faith and to the church and exemplified a positive attitude and devotion to education through his work and contributions to philosophy, theology, prayer and music. S. Thomas Aquinas is the patron of all universities, colleges, and schools and he stated that we can know truth through faith and reason which is the foundation of the philosophy of Catholic education in Catholic schools.

The St Thomas Aquinas building will be ready for use for the start of Term 2.

Term 2 Student Free Day-Monday 19 April

Please note that Monday 19 April will be a staff Professional Learning Day (student free day). Students will return to the College on Tuesday 20 April. Please place this student free day date into your calendar.

Staffing News

I would like to take the opportunity to wish our College groundskeeper and gardener Charlie Giordimaina all the best has he concludes with us at the end of Term 1. We thank Charlie for his contribution to our College and wish him all the best for the future. We also wish Thao Nguyen all the best as she begins her three weeks of Long Service Leave and we thank Tanya Volarevic (Year 10 VCAL teacher) whose contract concludes at the end of Term 1.

It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs community this term. There have been some wonderful achievements reached this term and much to celebrate. I ask that students take the time to reflect and enjoy these achievements, whilst also setting specific and realistic goals for Term 2. I also ask all students to challenge themselves to participate in the vast array of co-curricular activities available and to embrace and contribute to the numerous faith and social justice opportunities available at the College. May all members of the college community truly live and breathe our ‘Live Fully Act Justly’ motto.

As we conclude Term 1, we give thanks for the many enriching experiences of life and learning at our College and we pray for a safe and restful time for students, staff and families over the holiday period. May the spirit of hope that Easter brings, inspire renewed energy, new goals and a strengthened resolve to live the Christian life in the footsteps of Jesus.

O God, who have called us to participate
in this most sacred Supper,
in which your Only Begotten Son,
when about to hand himself over to death,
entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,
the banquet of his love,
grant, we pray,
that we may draw from so great a mystery,
the fullness of charity and of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Easter Triduum

We begin the Easter Triduum with Holy Thursday. The Paschal Triduum is at the core of our Catholic faith, as we celebrate the Paschal Mystery: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Triduum is a beautiful way for the faithful to enter the rich traditions and mysteries of the Church.

Holy Thursday

Tonight, we will enter into the Feast of the Lord’s Supper where the Holy Mass is filled with beautiful ritual. Two moments particularly beautiful - the washing of the feet and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The washing of the feet of the Twelve demonstrates, the greatest love: laying one’s life for one’s friends (Jn 15:13). At the end of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is processed and adored through the night by the faithful revealing the loving response to our Lord’s kneeling before the Apostles feet.

Good Friday

Tomorrow, we begin the Good Friday liturgy at 3:00pm. The liturgy begins with the prostration of the priest on the floor. It is a veneration of the bare altar and the crucified Lord at the hour of his Passion. The Passion according to St John is read highlighting the Lord’s choice to give himself up to death with the full freedom of Love.

After the reading of the Passion, the liturgy turns its attention to honouring and revering the cross. The priest and the faithful come up and kiss the cross. “We adore your Cross, O Lord, we praise and glorify Your holy Resurrection, because of the wood of a tree, joy has come to the whole world.” (Roman Missal)

The Easter Vigil

In the night, the Church gathers to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Many symbols are used to express the passage from darkness to light, from death to new life in the Resurrection of our Lord: the fire, the candle, the water, the music and the bells. The light of the candle is a symbol of Christ, the Light of the world, who has risen and illuminates the whole world.

May you enter the Sacred Triduum with the fullness of hope of the Resurrection. May you and your families have a blessed Easter Season.

Welcome to Holy Week: The great week of our faith

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli recorded this brief video message welcoming everyone to Holy Week - the greatest time in our faith where we celebrate the Paschal mystery, the Lord's passing from death to eternal life. 'And I want to really strongly encourage once again coming back to our churches, they're open again ... come and give worship to our God who gives us His life.'

Friday 8:00am Mass

Friday 8:00am Mass will continue to be celebrated on every other Friday in Term 2. All families, staff and students are welcomed to attend. It is a wonderful way to start the day with Christ, listening to His Word and receiving Him in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Parish Holy Week & Easter Timetable

St Catherine of Siena, Caroline Springs

https://www.stcatherinecarolinesprings.org.au/online-mass-booking.php

Sacred Heart/Emmaus Parish, St Albans & Sydenham

PALM SUNDAY

SACRED HEART:

Saturday 27 March 5:00pm

Sunday 28 March 7:30am, 9:00am (Polish), 10:30am

EMMAUS:

Saturday 27 March 6:30pm

Sunday 28 March 9:00am

HOLY THURSDAY

SACRED HEART:

Thursday 1 April 7:00pm

EMMAUS:

Thursday 1 April 7:00pm

GOOD FRIDAY

Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart grounds, 11:00am

SACRED HEART:

Friday 2 April 3:00pm

EMMAUS:

Friday 2 April 3:00pm

EASTER VIGIL

SACRED HEART:

Saturday 3 April 7:00pm

EMMAUS:

Saturday 3 April 7:00pm

EASTER SUNDAY

SACRED HEART:

Sunday 4 April 7:30am, 9:00am (Polish), 10:30am

EMMAUS:

Sunday 4 April 9:00am

Bookings are essential:

For Sacred Heart, go online to: https://www.trybooking.com/BMKXC

For Emmaus, go online to https://www.trybooking.com/BMLBL

Resurrection Parish, Kings Park

Register your attendance, bookings are essential for the Masses.

To use the online booking system, please use the following links:

https://www.resurrectionkingspark.org/ or https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/resurrectioncatholic-church-kings-park-tickets-128065763145

We are required to maintain attendance records for contact tracing and to avoid turning parishioners away at the church door when full capacity is reached.

Dear Parents/Carers,

As part of Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs’ focus on academic rigor and improving student outcomes, the College is continually exploring means of improving our Learning and Teaching program. In 2022, the College’s current timetable structure will change from six 50-minute periods per day, to five 60-minute periods per day. The College anticipates that this timetable change will result in increased levels of student engagement and focus, improve student outcomes, minimise interruptions to curriculum delivery and provide an opportunity for increased frequency of contact between students and teachers in each subject each cycle. Furthermore, the College will have the flexibility to adjust the delivery of the Year 10 Elective Program, across the ten-day cycle, rather than needing to maintain the current model of having three periods in a row of the subject each Wednesday.

As part of this change, there are a several changes to the structure of the day which will occur. Firstly, Homeroom will commence at 8:42am and conclude at 9:00am, providing Homeroom Teachers with additional time each day to cater for the pastoral needs of their students. Secondly, the timing of the day will change with students completing the majority of their learning prior to lunch each day, as outlined below.

In addition to the timetable change the College is implementing new Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) subjects at Year 7 and Year 8, and a Digital Technology subject at Year 8 to coincide with the changing skill demands required by industry. Subsequently, students in Year 8 will now have greater choice in the subjects they choose to study, as outlined below:

Compulsory Subjects (3 Total):

• Materials Technology

• A Language: Italian or Japanese (year-long)

• An Arts Subject (Drama, Music, Visual Art, VCD)

Optional Subjects (4 Total):

• A second Language: Italian or Japanese (year-long)

• A second, third and/or fourth Arts Subject (Drama, Music, Visual Art, VCD)

• A second and/or third Technology Subject (Food Technology or Digital Technology)

• STEM

Some example subject selection options for Year 8 students in 2022 is provided in the table below:

Our 2022 Year 8 students will have these subject choices explained to them in more detail as part of the College’s subject selection process in Term 3.

The tables below summaries the subjects completed at each year level and the number of periods per fortnight students will spend in each subject in the College’s new 60-minute period structure.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

* A Semester-based Subject

Further information about the implementation of the timetable change for 2022 will be communicated to parents/carers throughout the year. If you have any questions around this change, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the College’s Leadership or Learning & Teaching Teams.

We are excited about the opportunities that this timetable change will bring for our students in 2022 and thank you for your ongoing support.

Interim Reports Term 1 2021

Interim reports will be made available to parents/carers after 4:30pm on Thursday 1 April via SEQTA Engage. The report will provide a summary of progress made during the first 9 weeks of Term 1.

The work habits each student has been graded upon are described in greater detail for you below:

Demonstrates academic improvement

Please note, for the Pastoral Care report, the work habit "Demonstrates academic improvement" should be interpreted as "Demonstrates personal growth".

Applies effort

• Attempts all tasks
• Maintains attention in class
• Participates in class
• Cooperates and collaborates in class
  

Manages personal learning

• Brings correct materials to class
• Organisation
• Satisfactory completion of set homework, in a timely manner
• Seeks teacher support as required
  

Demonstrates appropriate behaviour

• Punctuality
• Works respectfully with peers and teachers
  

If you have any questions regarding your child’s report, please contact their subject teacher to discuss further.

A key goal within the College’s School Improvement Plan is to ‘Build a performance and development culture’. During Term 1, students have contributed to a student voice data source named Pivot Student Surveys.

The student surveys are intended to provide teachers with constructive and actionable research-based feedback on the next steps that can be taken as a direct result of student responses. This models to students that we all have areas of strength and areas to improve upon.

Additionally, the surveys provide an opportunity to further enhance teaching practice, directly linking to standards within the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Student survey responses are anonymous and class results are confidential and only accessible to the class teacher. Aggregated data for the College, learning areas and year levels also becomes de-identified for further analysis and actionable guidance.

2021 School Fees

School fees payment arrangements for 2021 are still available. Please download a direct debit form from the link below. Hard copies are also available from the College office.

Direct Debit Form

To receive the $100 discount, full payment of school fees must be received by the last day of term (1 April).

If you have any concerns with school fees, please contact the Finance Department to discuss.

School Fee Statements

Please note that school fee statements are now being sent out by email. If you require a hard copy, please contact the Finance Department.

CSEF

CSEF applications remain open for 2021.

Please complete the application form below and return the completed signed form along with a copy of your current health care card to the College office as soon as possible.

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/health/CSEF-Application-Form-2020.pdf

Congratulations to the cast of our 2021 College Musical: Annie

We are pleased to announce the students who worked so hard on their auditions to secure a place in our annual College Musical.

Leads:

Annie: Jessica Wardle

Warbucks: Austin Stellini

Miss Hanigan: Elizabeth Cefai

Rooster: Noah Gartside

Grace: Jenna Valentini

Molly - Rita Youssef

Kate - Katherine Skelaj

Tessie - Eniola Tiamyu

Pepper - Olivia Heath

July - Georgia Micalef

Duffy - Kayla Shaw

Minor Leads:

Lilly St James: Olivia Grima

Bert Healy: Joaquin Santos

Drake: Kenzie Tamani

Ms Greer: Zelda De Souza

Ms Pugh: Natalie Micalef

Cecil: Elizabeth De Dios

Roosevelt: Thomas Cheal

Boylan Sister Connie: Ava Nesci

Boylan Sister Bonnie: Silvia Karmiste

Boylan Sister Ronnie: Sienna Lane

Dance Troupe

Sienna Lane, Wyzobelle Morales, Monique Cefai, Sarah Rigg, Sienna-Skye Prokepek, Mia Anderson, Montanna Carriera, Silvia Karmiste, Beia Mendoza, Jayla Coates

Ensemble

Rahma Alkateb, Leona Cini, Alyssa Cassar, Olivia Hannett, Mason Spiteri,

Christina Stanford, Chelsea Waters, Chas Court, Kristina Ivic, Yohan Aranha

Andrea Celestino, Jermaine Ramierez, Claire Lauder,Tina Phung,

Alexandra Wood, Olivia Molina-Altaino, Madeleine Castellanos

Ivanka Portelli, Augusta Morris, Zalaika Farrugia, Chas Court, Ella Hall

Emma Nguyen, Kristina Ivic, Scarlett Stinson, Sienna Glasson, Mya Mangion

Olivia Mollina-Altamirano, Ava Nesci, Kyra Groveas, Madeline Castellanos, Emily Fatone

Keep a look out for updates on our College social media and upcoming newsletters. We can’t wait to start bringing this show to life!

The Year 7 Cohort were lucky enough to attend camp this year at YMCA Camp Manyung. We could not have asked for better weather to make this experience so enjoyable! Camp is by far a highlight of Year 7 calendar and an opportunity for each of our students to make lifelong memories. As Year Level Leaders, Ms Jamie-Lee Lafferrairie and I couldn’t be prouder of the way our students conducted themselves on camp and gave everything their best shot. The camp was an excellent chance for students to step outside of their comfort zones, challenge themselves physically and mentally, as well as make new friends across the year level. We had students diving into the deep blue sea, working together to build a raft, swinging from the Giant Swing, speeding down the flying fox, cooking up a storm in the Kitchen Garden, dancing the night away at the disco and so much more.

We would like to thank the many staff members who also attended the Year 7 camp, as these events do not happen without your hard work and dedication. The staff did an incredible job to ensure each of our students were supported and had every opportunity to embrace what the camp had to offer. This included a cheeky Floss at the disco and many staff facing the Giant Swing.

Elysia Bernard 7BU

“One of the best moments at camp was the giant swing, because you got to go up so high and see the wonderful view of the ocean. Another memory was the camp disco. Me and my friends danced around in a circle all night. It was so much fun! One other one was going to the beach, the water was really nice, and you get to do so many activities there like snorkelling, open water learning and kayaking.”

Lily McFarlane 7BU

“In my opinion, I think this was one of the best school camps I've ever been to! My favourite activity I did was the tree top climb. It was where there are lots of obstacles hanging from trees and small zip lines that you go across while on a harness. The reason why it was my favourite is because I’ve never done it before. At first, I was a bit scared, but it ended up being great. The other activity I really loved was marine discovery. It is where you walk along Sunny Side Beach and find rocks, seaweed and other things to talk about. I even started my own sea glass collection which is glass that has smooth edges from rubbing on lots of things in the sea over a period of time. There are lots of different colours from different bottles, if you see some at the beach be sure to take it home because 1. it's beautiful and 2 it's better for the environment. I would definitely go back to this camp again, 10/10 because it can really help push you to your limits!”

On Tuesday 23 March, Year 10 History students participated in an incursion that focused on The Holocaust. The incursion was broken up into three parts, each with activities that the students worked together to complete. First, the students were introduced to the Holocaust through a video that explored the lead up to the Holocaust and survivor testimonies. After that, students did a ‘Virtual Jewish Holocaust Centre Museum Amazing Race’, where they were given a list of artefacts to find and some prompts to answer. The first three groups to submit their answers won a canteen voucher. Big congratulations to the following winners: Maria Ranasinghe and Abigail De Rozario; First Place, Peter Nikolakopoulos, Robin Go and Carlos Antonio; Second Place, Hudson Catuaan, Kenzi Tamani and Simon Santiago; Third Place.

During the middle of the day, students participated in an activity called, ‘Who is to blame for the Holocaust?’. Within this activity, they enquired through primary and secondary sources the culpability of individuals and groups in the Holocaust. The day was ended by a screening of Jewish film ‘Run Boy, Run’ in the Performing Arts Centre. The film follows the story of a young Polish Jew who evades capture through connection to personal faith and trust in others. Overall, the students engaged actively throughout the activities and were able to produce great work that demonstrated their reasoning, as well as cause and effect skills. Well done Historians!

“The Geography Field Trip attended by the Year 10 Geography class was an insightful and enjoyable experience, that showcased the environmental change and management of our coastlines. Our class stopped along many locations across Victoria’s coastline, including Painkalac Creek, Aireys Inlet, Point Roadknight and Barwon Heads. We observed various prominent features, processes and the changes that have occurred in these regions. We could infer that processes such as erosion, longshore drift and deposition had numerous effects on the environment that we know today. Additionally, the class discussed how humans influence the coast, as well as management strategies that have been put in place to avoid further damage caused by some of these processes. We were able to develop a better understanding of many of the topics we had explored in class with Ms Lalor through a practical, hands-on experience. The excursion was both positive and beneficial for all students and was filled with many great memories to remember!”

Gabby Pace 10MW

After a very limited year in 2020, students and staff were keen to get offsite and participating in sporting competition again with the annual CRCCS House Swimming Carnival. With St Albans out of action this year for redevelopment, we visited a new venue at Werribee Outdoor Pool.

We were greeted with a very cool morning, and not a great forecast for the day, but the students embraced the opportunity to brave the weather and get in the pool to earn points for their House. In the main pool, events were held in 25 and 50 metre Freestyle and 50 metre Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. For the non-swimmers, Water Polo was once again very popular, as were the Volleyball and land novelty events.

Overall, student behaviour and competitive spirit was fantastic and contributed to another successful day on the CRCCS sporting calendar. Congratulations to Norman House on winning the swimming shield for the second year in a row.

Students will now be considered for the SACCSS swimming competition coming up at the end of Term 1. Selected students will be contacted shortly.

It was on the feast day of the Annunciation (25 March), that the Social Justice team decided to spread good vibes throughout the school community. The day involved setting a positive and mindful tone to remind every student about having a positive mindset. Upon arrival at the College, students were greeted with bubbles and an opportunity to pick a good vibe card out of a jar. As I watched them read their card, a calming smile appeared on most faces before they tucked it into their pockets. One student even expressed how relevant and reassuring the card was, with respect to what she was currently experiencing - this was overwhelming.

During lunch, the students had the opportunity to colour in, paint eggs and listen to the Ukulele club sing and play. Others were happy to run around with their bunny ears on. All in all, the good vibes had a rippling effect.

It is important that we always stop, reflect, and remember - faith over fear, and that God is our strength, and knowing this, we soldier on and keep smiling!