Approach the New Year with Prayer ready to begin anew

Through prayer, we can bring our hopes, dreams, and fears about beginning anew to the Lord. And as we entrust it all to Him and listen to His response, we realise God’s plan of sheer goodness for us (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1). Whether we are excited or anxious, we are not alone as we step over the threshold of the new year. The Lord hopes we will invite Him along.

Prayer for Families

God, Our Father, loving and merciful, bring together and keep all families in perfect unity of love and mutual support.

Instil in each member the spirit of understanding and affection for each other.

Keep quarrels and bitterness far from them, and for their occasional failures instil forgiveness and peace.

May the mutual love and affection of parents set a good example.

Instil in children self-respect that they may respect others and grow in mature independence.

May the mutual affection and respect of families be a sign of Christian life here and hereafter, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.
- My Catholic Life

It is with pride and excitement that I write this first Newsletter of the year to you as the Acting Principal of Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs. I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead a school with such respectful students, an extremely dedicated staff, and a supportive school community. I feel very blessed to have been a part of this school for the past six years and am excited and eager to work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child’s success.

Along with the teachers and staff, I will work hard to continue the culture of success established by Mr Jamie Madigan (Principal at Thomas Carr College Semester One) by building strong relationships with parents, students, and community partners. Mr Jamie Madigan will be back as Principal in Semester Two. In the meantime, the College continues to focus on education for formation, education for life, education for character.

All of us at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs are eager and excited to begin what promises to be a fantastic school year! Answering our call as educators in a Catholic School to be part of the evangelising mission of the Church – to form our students to grow in virtue and to come to know and love Jesus Christ.

We will continue to create a sense of school belonging for all students and deliver engaging lessons through a use of a variety of classroom tools and activities.​ We aim to provide academic experiences for our students that are rigorous, relevant, and help them build relationships while making real-world connections.  

Welcome

A heartfelt welcome back to all our staff, students, and families. We particularly welcome those who are joining the College community for the first time. We have a total of 266 Year 7 students beginning their journey with us this year as well as 15 students joining us in Years 8, 9, and 10. Congratulations to the Year 7 students who have settled in extremely well. Everyone has worked hard to ensure that our new students have been welcomed and supported during this time of transition. I also extend a warm welcome to those families that are also joining our community for the first time. I hope that your time within the Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs community is both enriching and rewarding.

Opening Mass

On Friday 3 February we had the honour of having our CRC Federation canonical administrator and Parish Priest of Sacred Heart and Emmaus, Reverend Fr Maurie Cooney celebrate our Opening College Mass.

I would like to thank Father Maurie for being the celebrant of the Mass and for his inspiring homily. Many expressed their appreciation of Fr Maurie's homily about how we can answer Christ's commandment to spread the Good News of Jesus in our day to day lives. Included in Mr Paul Sammut’s (Head of Faith and Mission) newsletter article is an extract from Fr Maurie's homily. I would also like to thank all the students who participated in the Mass so respectfully and reverently. Thank you also to our Head of Faith and Mission Mr Paul Sammut and the College Ministry team and to all the staff and students involved in the Mass.

New Staff

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome the following staff to Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs

• Judith Bon:  Italian Language & Humanities Teacher​
• Gabriela Bond: English & Humanities Teacher​
• Sue Brar: Science Teacher​
• Mark MacGregor: Mathematics Teacher​
• Janet Pepper: Mathematics Teacher​
• Jonah Peeters: Religious Education & Humanities Teacher​
• Kiah Saric: Religious Education, Drama & Humanities Teacher​
• Jenny Strati: Food Technology Teacher​
• Karmini Mauree-Jayasuriya: LAL (Mathematics & Numeracy)
• Serena Dal Castello: Learning Support Officer​
• Samuel Dunne: Learning Support Officer​​
• Amelia Piazesse: Learning Support Officer​
• Alannah Valentini: Learning Support Officer​
• Jasmine Warren: Psychologist​
• Emma Luhm:  EA to Deputy Principals

We also warmly welcome back

• Helen Beynon​
• Kristen Calandra​
• Daniela Galea – 1 March 2023​
• Yanina Martins ​
• Emmeka Reithofer​
• Jess Schembri – 24 March 2023

Each new staff member brings a diverse range of knowledge, gifts, and talents that they will share with us. We wish them all the best as they begin their own teaching journey at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs.

CRCCS Parents & Friends Association

We appreciate the importance of the relationship between families and the school and how vital this is to the success of our students; I encourage you to become involved in every way possible.  Our CRCCS Parents & Friends Association might be something you may be interested in joining.

This year we are looking to further develop our Parents & Friends Association as we see this as a particularly important support group for our College. Meetings are open to and attended by interested parents/carers, friends of the College, teachers, and administrative staff as well as the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing.

Everyone is welcome to come and meet other members, to learn more about our wonderful College as well as participate and share in general discussion often relating to significant issues about school events.

The meetings will be held once a term and all are most welcome to attend. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday 15 March at 7:00pm in the Siena building boardroom. More information to follow. We would like interested parents to please e-mail the College at principal@crccs.catholic.edu.au.

Supervision

Parents and students are advised that the College grounds are supervised each day from 8:25am to 3:00pm. Outside these hours there are sometimes special activities, training, or other events. For these activities parents will be notified. Parents need to be aware that students who arrive on the grounds prior to 8:25am or leave after 3:00pm are not formally supervised. The library however will be open and supervised from Monday - Thursday between 8:00am – 4:15pm and Friday 8:25am – 3:45pm.

It has been so pleasing to see how our students have settled into the new school year, especially our new Year 7 students who have joined us here at the College. We are blessed to have a number of new students joining us at Years 8-10 also, bringing our College community to over 1000 students. It has also been refreshing to start the new year at school with less restrictions and having our students commence classes and school life normally. Our focus is putting the events of 2020 and 2021 behind us and moving forward as we work in getting the full potential out of all our students.

As your Deputy Principal of Wellbeing, it is part of my role to set high expectations around attendance, uniform, lateness, commitment to College events and behaviour. We endeavour to set the bar very high when it comes to these matters and appreciate the partnerships we have with families in supporting us. Some of these expectations include:

• Taking pride in wearing the correct uniform each day
• Ensuring students are at school by no later than 8:45am
• Adhering to our start and end of the day procedures in our classrooms
• Encouraging student involvement in our co-curricular program
• Making changes to our Recall system
• Including student attendance at College events on our semester reports
• Introducing a Community Liaison Officer to our Wellbeing Team
• Ensuring safe and respectful behaviour outside school when in College uniform

Again, I would like to congratulate our students on how they have conducted themselves in returning to school and the way in which they have remembered to take pride in being active and respectful members of Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs.

We are fortunate as a College to have dedicated staff who aim to provide our students with a range of opportunities that extend their learning beyond the classroom environment. Whether these opportunities be based in faith, social, academic or sporting contexts, each opportunity is purposefully planned and coordinated to ensure our students gain the most from any offsite experience.

A significant and necessary part to any offsite excursion is the informed consent of their parent/carer. The platform that we use to obtain all parent/carer consent is called Operoo. At the start of the year, it is timely for parents/carers to ensure that they have shared their child’s Operoo profile with the College – and that the medical details for their child are up to date.

All information relating to any excursions will come directly to your nominated Operoo account. It is important that you carefully consider the information within the Operoo, and provide your consent for your child’s participation prior to the advertised “close off” date to enable your child to participate. All relevant details – including the nature of the excursion, uniform requirements and time commitments are noted in the Operoo for your reference.

Unfortunately, we are unable to approve a child’s participation in an excursion once the close off date on the Operoo has passed. The College will always provide sufficient notice with each Operoo to ensure you have enough time to respond to any request for consent, however detailed planning must be undertaken following the close off date, and hence it is not possible to revisit the consent process after the close off date.

It is good practice to regularly login to Operoo (i.e., once per week), to ensure that there are no outstanding consent forms for your child. If you have any questions with relation to Operoo, then please contact the College reception as soon as possible, who will then be able to assist you with your query.

The Holy Family Prayer

(February – Month of The Holy Family)

JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you.

Amen.

Opening College Mass

On Friday 3 February our College celebrated the beginning of the school year with our Opening College Mass. The Mass was an opportunity to give thanks and praise to God for the many blessings He will bestow on us during the year. Fr Maurie Cooney, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart/Emmaus Parish St Albans celebrated the Mass. We heard from St Paul in the first reading with the encouragement of the need to be hopeful and persevere through the trials and tribulations that come our way especially because we have God in our hearts (Rom 5:1-5). In the Gospel, Jesus commanded his disciples to ‘Go out and proclaim the Good News to all of creation.’ Fr Maurie reminded us that we all have been given a share in this task – to be heralds of the good news. In his homily he gave us some practical ways in which we can do this:

“When you think prayerfully of others … you show the mind of Christ;

when you see the hurt of others … you show the eyes of Christ;

when you listen to others … you show the ears of Christ;

when you speak kindly to others … you possess the mouth of Christ;

when you help others to carry their burdens … you possess the hands of Christ;

when you show love to others … you show the heart of Christ;

when you reach out to others with compassion … you possess the hands of Christ;

when you persevere in being Jesus’ witness with love and justice for all people … you show the healing presence of Christ;

… and you are spreading the Good News that God is real and really part of our lives.”

May we witness to those around us the joy of the Gospel.

Year 7 Welcome Thanksgiving Mass

On Wednesday 1 February we welcomed our Year 7 students and their families into our community in the celebration of the Eucharist. Fr Richard Rosse Parish Priest of St Catherine of Siena, Caroline Springs celebrated the Holy Mass and blessed the students and their families for the upcoming year ahead. Appropriately, the Mass was of the memorial of St John Bosco – the patron saint of young people. He dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children and developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment. For Don Bosco “It was not enough that the boys be loved, they have to know that they are loved.” Fr Richard reminded us of our vocation to help nurture our students in the faith so that they may grow to know and love Jesus. It was wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist with so many of our families and their children as a new community of faith. We thank our Year 7 families for their commitment to supporting the faith life of our new students.

Friday 8am Mass

Dear Parents/Carers, families and students,

You are invited to attend 8am Mass every Friday of the term (beginning 10 February) at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church. This mass is open to all, and we strongly encourage our students and families to attend. Mass concludes at 8:25am, ensuring that there is more than ample time to get ready for Homeroom. It is important for our students to establish and nurture a relationship with the Lord and what better way to do this than in the Holy Mass. Students are able to volunteer to read at the mass and can sign up via SEQTA notices. We look forward to your presence.

2023 School Fees

2023 School fee notice and fee payment agreements have now started. If you require a copy please contact the finance department or visit the College website. https://www.crccs.vic.edu.au/enrolment-1/college-tuition-fee

Payment of 2023 school fees is to be completed by November 2023. If you have any concerns about this payment timeline, please contact the Finance Department at the College.

If any personal details such as home address, phone or email details have changed, please notify the College of these updates by contacting Reception.

CSEF 2023 (Current Health Care Card Holders)

CSEF applications are now open for 2023. Please complete the application form on our website and return the completed signed form along with a copy of the parent/carer current health care card valid until the end of term one 2023 to the College office as soon as possible. CSEF Application Form 2023

Year 7 Camp

Payment for Year 7 Camp was due on Friday 10 March. Please contact the Finance Department at the College to make payment or discuss.

A warm welcome to new families of the Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs community. We utilise a Learning Management System called SEQTA - the parent portal of SEQTA is called ‘SEQTA Engage’. 

All new parents/carers to the College should have received two emails on Thursday, 2 February. The first email explained the features of SEQTA Engage, and the second included login instructions. A copy of the first letter, highlighting the features of SEQTA Engage, can be found here: SEQTA Engage letter 2023

Additionally, as a beneficial refresher to all families, a demonstration video modelling the features of SEQTA Engage can be accessed below:

https://vimeo.com/794648814

Should you have any problems with accessing SEQTA Engage please do not hesitate to contact the College by phoning 9217 8000 or emailing enquiries@crccs.vic.edu.au.

At the beginning of the school year, I wanted to take the time to remind parents/carers of the College’s Assessment Re-sit and Homework Policies, in addition to the student support sessions provided each week.

The College’s Homework Policy is designed to ensure students completing homework are doing so to support the learning that takes place within the classroom. The homework policy considers the need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, recreation and community and cultural pursuits.

To support our new Year 7 students with their transition to secondary school they will not receive any homework in the first four weeks of Term 1.

A summary of the recommended homework times is below:

• Year 7 Students may receive up to 5 hours balanced over the course of the week.
• Year 8 students may receive up to 6 hours balanced over the course of the week.
• Year 9 students may receive up to 8 hours balanced over the course of the week.
• Year 10 students may receive up to 10 hours balanced over the course of the week.
• VCE students may receive up to one hour of homework after each lesson.

The College also provides various after school student support sessions, including Homework Support, Maths Support and English Support.

• Maths Support sessions run twice per week after school. This year after school these sessions will take place in Room MM2 every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:05pm until 4:00pm
• English Support sessions will run once per week after school. These sessions will take place in Room MM1 every Wednesday from 3:05pm until 4:00pm
• Homework Support session take place in A6 from 3:05pm-4:00pm Monday to Thursday.

Assessment re-sit occurs from 3:05-4:15pm each Tuesday and Thursday in the College Cafeteria, and is designed to provide an opportunity for students who are absent for an Assessment Task to complete this task, without missing additional class time. Parents/carers will be notified through SEQTA the Friday prior to a Tuesday Assessment Re-sit Session, or the Tuesday prior to a Thursday Assessment Re-sit Session if their child is required to attend.

Students are required to attend for the full 70-minutes of the Assessment Re-sit Session, regardless of the length of their Assessment Task. If a student is absent for an Assessment Re-sit, this absence needs to be validated for the Assessment Task to be rescheduled.

The following are considered valid reasons for absence at an Assessment Re-sit Session:

• illness (medical certificate required within 48 hours with an accompanying parent/carer note to reception)
• compassionate grounds i.e., a funeral (parent/carer to provide note to reception)
• isolation due to infectious diseases protocols (parent/carer note to reception is required).

The following are considered as examples of invalid reasons for missing an Assessment Re-sit:

• illness (without a medical certificate)
• personal travel/ family commitments
• part-time job commitments.

Students who do not attend an Assessment Re-sit Session, or do not have a valid reason for missing the Assessment Re-sit, will have a score of 0% awarded for the Assessment Task, which impacts the students Overall Result for the Subject.

Copies of the Homework Policy and Assessment Re-sit Policy can be found below for your perusal and are also available on the SEQTA Learn and SEQTA Engage Homepage.

Homework Policy

Assessment Re-sit Policy

HOURS OF OPENING

The library is open:

• From 8.00 until 4.15 Monday - Thursday
• From 8.25 until 3.45 on Fridays

Please note that there is an expectation that students will be productively occupied when using the library before or after school.

LOANS

Students may borrow up to 3 books at any time for a loan period of 3 weeks. Books may be renewed if so desired.

OVERDUE BOOKS

Students are asked to be considerate of others and return items as soon as they are finished with them. If students have overdue books, they should be returned or renewed before any new items are borrowed. Students will receive regular reminders when their books are overdue via a direct message on Seqta. At the end of each semester, parents will be notified of outstanding books.

LOST/DAMAGED BOOKS

Students should speak to a library staff member if they have damaged a book or if they think it is lost. Each incident will be assessed individually, but generally, payment will be requested for books that are lost or damaged, so that replacement copies may be purchased.

LUNCHTIMES

The library is open at lunchtimes for students who would like to take part in the following activities:
• Reading books or magazines
• Homework

• Computer work
• Board games
• Photocopying or printing
• Borrowing or returning books

LIBRARY PORTAL (on student laptops)

Students have access to thousands of e-books and audio books (including English novels) through the Library Portal, using the Wheelers platform.

Students can also use online encyclopedias, newspapers and “Issues” books.

To assist students further in their literacy skills, English Support sessions are offered to all students as an after-school program. The sessions are facilitated by English teachers to develop student capability and confidence in all areas of English including vocabulary, writing structure and conventions, grammar and punctuation.

The program is offered to all students on Wednesday afternoons between 3:05pm – 4:00pm in room MM4. Students are not required to attend for the entire hour and can leave after they have received the necessary support.

Below is the timetable for Term 1 which indicates the date as well as the teacher facilitating the session. The sessions are entirely voluntary and provide a great opportunity for students to receive tailored guidance in further developing their literacy skills. Please note, the sessions are not intended to give assessment task feedback.

English Support Timetable – Term 1, 2023

Need help with homework?

Homework support is offered each afternoon from 3pm - 4pm in the Assisi building. Homework support sessions provide an opportunity for students to have extra assistance when completing their homework by working with members of the College's Learning Diversity Team.

All welcome.

The start of a new year brings about lots of change for all of us. For our students, one of the hardest changes to come to grips with is being placed in a new class, with new students and sometimes away from their close friends. Moving out of a friend's class can be a difficult experience so here are some ways they can be supported in coping with the change.

Maintain their friendships:

Just because they are no longer in the same class as their friends, it doesn't mean the friendship has to end. Encourage them to stay in touch and make plans to spend time together at recess, lunch or outside of school.

Meet new people: Moving to a new class can be an opportunity to make new friends and expand their social circle. Encourage them to reach out to new classmates and participate in class activities.

Seek support: If they are feeling sad or stressed about the move, encourage them to talk to someone they trust such as a YLL, teacher, counsellor, or parent.

Focus on the positive: Moving to a new class can be a positive experience, with the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people, and gain new perspectives. Encourage them to focus on the opportunities and benefits of the change.

Stay active: Encourage them to continue participating in extracurricular activities and hobbies, which can help maintain a sense of normalcy and provide a positive outlet for their energy and emotions.

Be understanding: Moving to a new class can be difficult for everyone, so encourage them to be understanding and patient with themselves and others as they navigate the transition.

Remember that moving to a new class is a common experience for many teenagers, and with time and effort, they can adjust and make new friends. It is a great resilience builder for young adults.

We wish our newly transitioned students all the best for the new school year.

Glory to God always!

As a Christian community that lives by Gospel values, we strongly believe that the rights of every individual are important and need celebrating. The role of the Social Justice Team member is to assist in the promotion of a community that is just and values the sanctity of human life.

These amazing members are committed to making a difference, bringing about positive change and fairness within the community. The Gospel teachings will guide the team as they bring our college motto “live fully, act justly”, to life.

Congratulations to the Social Justice Team of 2023!

Alannah S - 8 Wurundjeri
Alizah P - 9 Coranderrk
Carlos T - 8 Coranderrk
Chanel G - 8 Wurundjeri
Charlotte A - 8 Kulin
Claire P - 10 Marin Kurrang
Darcy C - 10 Murphy Wandin
Grace D - 8 Kulin
Karla H - 10 Murphy Wandin
Lily M - 9 Barak
Lolita - 10 Kororoit
Lucas P - 9 Kulin
Maja M - 9 Kulin
Maya S - 10 Lingiari
Mihini R - 9 Coranderrk
Nyankat D - 10 Lingiari
Olivia G - 8 Wonga
Samraeen H - 8 Marin Kurrang
Sedra A - 10 Bunjil
Tomasso C - 9 Kulin
Yara J - 10 Marin Kurrang

On Sunday 18 December members of the CRCCS Chamber and College Choir took part in the Catherine of Siena Parish Carols by Candlelight. There were a range of Community and Parish groups performing, and it was the first time CRCCS has been involved in the event. It was well-supported by Parishioners, Visitors and CRCCS parents and friends. Congratulations to CRCCS students: Jessica K (10 Lingiari), Ava N (10 Marin Kurrang), Mikaylah P (10 Koroit), Alannah S (8 Wurundjeri), Carlos T (8 Coranderrk), Rita Y (9 Wonga) and J, as well as CRCCS staff Ms Elise Laguna (Choir Director) and Ms Maria Fiteni (College Accompanist). We look forward to supporting this event again in 2023.

Wednesday 1 February was an exciting day for the new Year 7 Students! They were introduced to the huge range of instruments on offer at CRCCS. The Instruments on offer in 2023 are as follows:

• Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion and Drums, Voice, Guitar and Piano.

The Year 7 students were able to try each of the instruments with guidance from a Music Teacher and each Student was given a number of recommendations as to the instruments best suited.

Families are able to hire instruments through the School at very competitive rates, with a 10% discount on rental charges for all Year 7 Students for Term 1. Lesson costs and Hire rate are outlined below:

Learning an instrument leads into the exciting Concert Band and School of Rock Programs with regular weekly rehearsals and performances throughout the year.

Enrolment forms are due back to reception by Wednesday 15 February, please contact Chris McGillen (cmcgillen@crccs.vic.edu.au) for further information.  

Get to know our College Captain Zalaika F!

What does servant leadership mean to you? 

As a member of the 2023 Student Leadership team, the term ‘servant leadership’ defines itself as the type of leading in a way that serves always in the best interests of the people. It means to value others wellbeing’s, and to strive to influence change in the mindset of benefitting the community of this College. As leaders, our goal is always to place the wellbeing and interests of the students and teachers at CRCCS as the primary priority, and to initiate change in a beneficial manner that enables the members of this school to enter this College with a positive outlook.

Why did you want to be part of the 2023 leadership team? 

The reason I wanted to be a part of the 2023 Student Leadership team was to be a part of a united team who strives to create and influence change and growth within our ever- evolving College. Many opportunities become present when being in this team, and my aim is to be able to inspire students to take all opportunities granted to them to fulfill their time whilst at this College. As leaders, we strive to make a difference for students and teachers at the school, and this, as one of my reasons for joining, is to create a united atmosphere within the school, and to leave behind a mark that students can benefit from. On a personal note, I hope to challenge myself to build my confidence, experience new opportunities with new people, and to learn from this memorable experience.

What is your role in the leadership team and what are your responsibilities?  

As the 2023 College Captain, my role in the leadership team is to represent the student body, and to be an influential voice for these students. As a leader it is my responsibility to fulfill the duty of striving to make a difference in the best interests of the school and for the students. To represent this school for the pristine College that it is and to be a role- model that others can look up to, to hopefully inspire others to make the most of their time at this College and to strive for their own goals. It is a vital responsibility to be the voice for the students, and to initiate change and evolvement within this College for the future– and present, students at this school.

Do Something Amazing in 2023! There are so many opportunities available to students at CRCCS - The Instruments on offer in 2023 are as follows:

• Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion and Drums, Voice, Guitar and Piano.

Families are able to hire instruments through the School at very competitive rates, with a 10% discount on rental charges for all Year 7 Students for Term 1. Lesson costs and Hire rate are outlined below:

Learning an instrument leads into the exciting Concert Band, Choir and School of Rock Programs with regular weekly rehearsals and performances throughout the year:

Enrolment forms are available at Reception, please contact Chris McGillen (cmcgillen@crccs.vic.edu.au) for further information.