Dear Parents/Carers

This afternoon the Victorian Premier announced a state-wide Stage 4 Lockdown for Victoria from 11:59pm tonight, for the next five days.

This will have a significant impact on families.

The CRCCS Leadership Team met this afternoon to develop contingency plans for our College in response to the announcement.

The following decisions have been made:

• On Monday morning, students will check in with their homeroom teacher, via MS teams at 8:45am.
• Homeroom teachers will take a roll and give students an update about classes
• After homeroom on Monday, students will be directed to get ready for remote learning, which will begin on Tuesday
• Timetabled classes will not be running on Monday and students may use this time to complete any tasks from this week
• Tuesday and Wednesday homeroom and classes will be conducted remotely, which may include a combination of Microsoft Teams and SEQTA coursework (this information will be communicated by the subject teacher)
• Students can access the Remote Learning Guidelines & Microsoft Teams instructions through the Student Portal on SEQTA
• Parents can download the Remote Learning Guidelines & Microsoft Teams instructions here.

It is recommended that students use this weekend and Monday to begin preparing themselves for a move to remote learning.

As this stage we are unable to predict what may happen in the short or long term, but we know that things can change very quickly.

Therefore staff, families and students must be ready for whatever decision is made.

Essential workers and onsite learners

If parents/carers meet the criteria of an essential worker, then they must complete the On-site Supervision form, in the link below, by 5:00pm Sunday 14 February.

Application form for Onsite Supervision

Thank you for your support as we navigate through another period of change.

Please contact the College on Monday if you have any concerns for your child.

Kind regards

Mr Jamie Madigan
Principal

It is with great pride and excitement that I write this first newsletter article for 2021. I am indeed both honored and privileged to again serve and lead such a wonderful Catholic school community.

The ‘Healing of the Leper’ scripture reading from this Sunday’s Mass reflects the theme of answering God’s call to serve Him and be the best we are called to be by not just observing certain ‘Laws’, but ultimately by our ‘Actions’ towards ourselves and others. After all, Jesus healed the sick on the Sabbath, touched lepers and mixed with the poor and downtrodden. Jesus taught us that the greatest commandment was putting the love of God and the love of neighbour together and teaching that one cannot be accomplished without the other.

Welcome

A very warm 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 238 Year 7 students beginning their journey with us this year, as well as 15 new 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 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.

The 2021 school year at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs has begun with the usual burst of energy and enthusiasm. I am excited to be working in a school where the holistic development of each student is of the highest priority.

It is important that all students begin the year well in every context. It is important that the College uniform is worn well at all times; 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 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.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Below are the links to the ‘2021 Term 1 Student Health & Safety Guidelines’, which contains some very important information regarding the students safe return to school for Term 1 2021. The guidelines are very similar to those implemented during the previous return to school in Term 4 2020. Please take the time to read through the ‘2021 Term 1 Student Health & Safety Guidelines’ with your child and contact the College if you have any questions.

Click here to view the 2021 Term 1 Student Health & Safety Guidelines

 Masks Update

"Masks will be mandatory in public indoor spaces. If you have visitors in your home, it is strongly recommended that masks are worn during the visit. Masks must be worn in indoor public spaces apart from when eating or drinking. If you are planning to leave your home – take a mask".

- DHHS

As per the DHHS guidelines, staff and students are now required to wear masks whilst indoors. However, please note that as per the CECV School Operations Guide, school staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching or caring, but those who wish to do so, can. Parents and external visitors will also be required to wear masks whilst on-site. Therefore, I ask all parents and carers to ensure that their child always has a face mask with them at school, as per Government guidelines. Students without a face mask will not be able to attend classes, unless they have a medical exemption.

The DHHS link below has additional information, which is updated regularly:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

New Staff

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

• Dr Christopher McGillen: Head of Music Performance/Music Teacher
• Sandra Mobbs: LTL Digital Learning/Digital Technology and Business and Economics Teacher
• Sarah Cunningham: English Teacher (Semester 1)
• Jack Dawson: PE Teacher (Semester 1)
• Gabriela Bond: English/Humanities Teacher (5 weeks LSL Replacement)
• Sarah Ziino: Learning Support Officer
• Sophia Russell: Marketing and Communications Coordinator
• Chloe Fellows: Reception/Administration Officer

Returning Staff

• Victoria Lalor: Humanities LAL and Humanities Teacher
• Deacon Chris Creo: Religion/Humanities Teacher and Faith and Mission Team
• Melissa Vickery: Science Teacher

Opening Mass

On Friday 5 February, we had the honour of having Father Richard Rosse parish priest at St Catherine of Siena parish to celebrate our Opening College Mass.

I would like to thank Fr Richard for being the celebrant of the Mass and for inspiring the school community with his stirring homily. I would also like to thank Deacon Chris Creo who also celebrated the Mass with us.

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 Mission and Faith team and to all the staff and students involved in the Mass. It was certainly a wonderful way to gather as a school community and celebrate the Eucharist. The Eucharist is at the heart of the CRC Federation of schools. It is in the Eucharist that we find ourselves, called, invited, and challenged and the Eucharist makes visible the Christ we seek to know.

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 College events.

Our meetings will be held a minimum of once a term and all parents are most welcome to attend. Details regarding the first meeting for 2021, will be available in the next edition of the newsletter. We would like for interested parents to please email the College at principal@crccs.catholic.edu.au

Supervision

Parents and students are advised that the College grounds are supervised each day from 8:20am to 3:40pm. 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 College grounds prior to 8:20am or leave after 3:40pm are not actively supervised. The Library however will be open and supervised from Monday - Thursday from 8:00am to 4:15pm, and Friday 8:00am to 3:45pm.

Building Update

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 is almost complete on the new Year 9 Learning Centre. This centre 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 nine 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. The Year 9 Learning Centre should be completed soon and an announcement regarding the naming of this building will be made in the coming weeks.

I thank you in advance for your ongoing support and understanding as we begin a new and exciting school year. I assure you that all staff at CRC Caroline Springs are doing our utmost to support your child and we will continue to provide the best possible outcomes for all in 2021. 

Prayer to St Joseph

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. 

Amen.

College Opening Mass

On Friday 5 February, the College celebrated our College Opening Mass. Fr Richard Rosse, Parish Priest of St Catherine of Siena, Caroline Springs presided the Mass and was assisted by Deacon Chris Creo and Nicolas Calandra (second year Seminarian, Corpus Christi College). The Liturgy was from the Votive Mass of St Joseph the Worker in commemoration of the proclamation by Pope Francis that this liturgical year be dedicated to St Joseph (Patris Corde- With a Father’s Heart). St Joseph is a model of virtue in everyday life. He was righteous - committed to doing what is good; a protector - going to great lengths to protect Jesus and Mary; faithful – complying to the will of God; and humble – caring for the two holiest people that ever lived, Jesus and Mary. The intercession of St Joseph, our spiritual father was invoked during the mass with the hope of entrusting ourselves entirely into his paternal care and so that we may acquire his virtues so that we may become more holy.

As part of the Mass, we also had the blessing and commissioning of our new Deputy Principal of Staff and Operations, Dr Andrew McAlindon. It was a wonderful sign and witness to the College community of the commitment of our staff to the call of a Catholic school in the evangelising mission of the Church and the complete formation of our students.

I would also like to express my gratitude to all students and staff who participated in the Holy Mass so respectfully and reverently, and to the many parents that joined via live stream. Thank you also to our Mission and Faith team and to all the staff and students involved in various ministries of the Mass.

Friday 8:00am Mass – St Catherine of Siena Parish Church

Students, parents, and their families are invited to attend the 8:00am morning Mass.

Friday during Term 1, 8:00am to 8:25am

St Catherine of Siena Parish, Caroline Springs

The Eucharist allows us the opportunity to receive so many graces from God. Strength, forgiveness, and hope are some of the graces we receive. However, the most important is growing in a deeper love for Christ from receiving Him in the Eucharist. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time in silence and prayer, and move our focus away from ourselves, but rather, on things we may need to work on to allow Christ to reign in our hearts.

A warm welcome to new families to the CRCCS community. We utilise a Learning Management System through a software package called SEQTA; the parent portal area of SEQTA is called ‘SEQTA Engage’.

All new parents/carers to the College should have received an email earlier in the week, detailing instructions on how to log in. The same letter can be found below.

Please click here to view the SEQTA Engage Parent Information Letter

A general reminder that the pages and content that can be accessed within SEQTA Engage are listed below.

• Welcome – an introductory page
• Assessments – your child’s assessments in each subject plus upcoming assessments will also be highlighted
• Courses – course outlines will be available for your child’s subjects
• Dashboard – view your child’s homework, timetable, pastoral care details and unresolved absences here
• Direqt Messages – similar to an email account, and in partnership with the Newsletter, this is one of the College’s main communication tools. Access inbox, sent items, starred and trash folders here
• Notices – view various announcements at specific year levels from staff
• Portals – access the parent, library and faith and mission portals
• Reports – access your child’s interim and semester reports
• Settings – change your password and colour interface here
• Timetable – view your child’s timetable

A PowerPoint presentation is available via the SEQTA Engage parent portal with a visual explanation of the above pages, together with information pertaining to Operoo, the College’s student database for excursion permissions and medical information. The title of the presentation is ‘An Introduction to SEQTA and Operoo Powerpoint’, found in the Quick Links column.

Furthermore, you can access key dates via the College Calendar at https://www.crccs.vic.edu.au/our-college/events . Alternatively, navigate to the College website, click the person icon in the top righthand corner and select the ‘College Calendar’ tile.

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

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli’s letter to school communities

To mark the beginning of the school year, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has written to school communities in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to offer his prayerful best wishes for the year ahead.

Please see the link below to view the letter

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli’s letter

Catholic Regional College Sydenham 2022 (Year 11) enrolments are due soon for current Year 10 families.

Enrolment application form and $215.00 application fee are due by Monday 15 February, 2021.

Please fill out the Application for Enrolment Form with payment, which is available on the College website - crcs.vic.edu.au

If you have any queries, please contact Ms Gina Zumbo - enrolments@crcs.vic.edu.au

The Health and Physical Education team extends a warm welcome back to all students and families within our College, and a very special welcome to newcomers. We are very excited to be commencing a new year, getting to know our students, and working together as we implement our Health and Physical Education program.

As you will be aware, students are required to wear their Physical Education uniform on the days they have Physical Education classes, Premier League, or when participating in sports training. Your support is greatly appreciated with the correct wearing of the PE uniform and runners on these days, so please familiarize yourself with when these days occur for your child. To clarify any questions relating to the correct footwear, please refer to the details below for your reference. A water bottle is also recommended, along with the wearing of the College hat. Sunscreen is available at school. However, students are encouraged to apply sunscreen every morning before school, as part of their normal routine and commitment to being SunSmart.

We hope the teaching and learning experiences we begin here at the College relating to Health and Physical Education are continued at home and look forward to your support in this area. With many of our lifestyle diseases preventable through positive lifestyle behaviours, we encourage you all to make healthy choices, beginning with:

1. Eating balanced, nutritious meals
2. Exercising regularly
3. Being SunSmart

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PREMIER LEAGUE & SPORTS CARNIVAL FOOTWEAR!!

It is vital when taking part in physical activity that safe and supportive footwear is worn.

To be deemed as appropriate footwear for physical activity during Physical Education classes, Premier League and Sports Carnivals, shoes must meet the following requirements:

• Have a supportive sole that does not bend or twist

• Have a supportive heel that cannot be pressed in or down

• Be sturdy, arched, outdoor sports runners

• Shoes must have laces and be done up during activity

Some examples of what is deemed inappropriate and unacceptable:

• Flat-soled, runner-type, casual, street or skate shoes

• Indoor sport shoes, futsal shoes and flat-soled sport/casual footwear

Some examples of what is deemed appropriate and acceptable:

LIBRARY OPENING HOURS

The library is open from

• 8:00am until 4:15pm Monday - Thursday
• 8:00am until 3:45pm on Friday

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 three books at any time for a loan period of three 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/carers 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

It has been heartening to see so many students in the library at lunchtimes, participating in various activities, such as:

• reading books or magazines
• homework
• computer work
• board games
• photocopying or printing
• borrowing or returning books.

LIBRARY NEWS

• Fiction books have been organised according to their genre, to help make book selection easier. Popular genres include: Horror, Humour, Dystopian Fiction, Thriller, Manga and Fantasy.
• A giant Scrabble board has been very popular with students.
• The library catalogue has been upgraded and can now be accessed from home via the library portal.
• A reminder that students can borrow eBooks and audio books via the library portal.

Music is a central part of student life at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs and we are pleased to offer a diverse range of Instruments, ensembles and choirs for students to choose from. Individual and group lessons are available on a rotating basis during the normal school day delivered by specialist Instrumental Music (IM) teachers. We are excited to offer an expanded range of instruments from Semester 2 including the College’s first Concert Band Program.

Instruments available for Semester One 2021

Instruments available from Semester Two 2021

Fees and Charges

Lesson charges for 2021 are in the table below. Students receive eight 25-minute lessons per term (50-minute lessons are available on request and are encouraged for senior students). Enrolment is semester-based for new students to the program. Lesson times will appear in student’s online calendar and rotate each week. Families are invoiced directly by their IM teacher. It would be greatly appreciated if invoices could be paid within 14 days.

An information letter and application form are available from the College Reception.

Ensembles/Choirs 2021

Ensembles and choirs recommence rehearsals from Monday 8 February at the following lunchtimes, in either H6 or H7

Please direct any queries to Dr Chris McGillen, Head of Music Performance.

Welcome back to all our students and parents/carers to a new scholastic year. During these first two weeks, students have discussed with their Mathematics teacher the Student Expectation letter, which together with a copy of the Information Letter for Parents/Carers and the Cambridge textbook order form, has been directly messaged to the families by their student’s Mathematics teacher. These letters give parents information about their child’s mathematics learning at the College. Therefore, I highly encourage you to read them and direct any questions you may have to the Mathematics teacher.

A reminder that students wishing to purchase a hard copy of the ‘Essentials Mathematics for the Victorian Curriculum 2nd Edition’ textbook, are to return the order form together with the exact money ($13) in an envelope to the school reception by Friday 26 February, 2021. Please note that any late orders cannot be accepted.

I would also like to encourage parents to discuss with their child(ren) the opportunity to attend Math Support Sessions, which are again running after school. Please refer to the attached timetable for the Term 1 dates. Students can either attend part of, or stay for the duration of the session.

I wish all our students a great year!

Click here to view the Maths Support Sessions Timetable

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs is now on Instagram (@carolinespringscrc).

We would like to encourage parents, carers and families to please follow our Facebook and Instagram for the College’s latest updates, events, videos and photos.

School Fees

2020 school fees are now overdue unless you have a payment arrangement in place.

If you have any concerns with school fees, please contact the finance department by email on mkrsteski@crccs.vic.edu.au. If you are experiencing hardship financially please contact us.

2021 School Fees

School fees payment arrangements for 2021 are still available. Please download a direct debit form from the link below and return it to Reception at your earliest convenience. Hard copies are also available from the College office.

Direct Debit Form

School Fee Statements

Please note that school fee statements are now being sent out by email. For the month of January only, statements were also mailed home.

Year 7 Camp

Year 7 camp invoices will be sent home with your child this week. Payment of $390 is due in full by Friday 5 March, 2021.

CSEF

CSEF applications are now open for 2021.

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

CSEF Application Form