Families and Friends,

As we bid farewell to Term 3, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the continued efforts of our dedicated teachers and support staff. This term has been a testament to their commitment to our mission of nurturing young minds and fostering a community of faith, knowledge, and compassion.

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 plus years of service we congratulate the following staff: Sonia Angeli, Deborah Gee, Antonio De Fazio, and Silvana Pavlovic. In appreciation of ten years of service we congratulate the following staff: Bridget Crowe, Marissa Gorman, Dr Brendan Jackson, Maria Krizmancic, Abby Wellsteed, and Rannoch Wilkinson.

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 Richard Rosse. This was followed by a whole school assembly where our College Captain candidates for 2024 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.

As we break for the holiday, on behalf of our College Principal, Mr Jamie Madigan, I extend my warmest wishes to our entire school community, including our dedicated families. 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.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to CRCCS. Together, we can continue to support our students to live fully and act justly, making our College community the best it can be.

Wishing you all a blessed and restful holiday season.

Lucy Swan
Acting Principal

Heavenly Father, as we come to the end of this term, we are filled with gratitude for the gift of life and the abundant blessings You have bestowed upon us. In the beauty of this spring season, we are reminded of Your infinite love and the promise of new beginnings. Just as Your Word in John 10:10 reminds us to live fully, we pray that You grant us the wisdom and courage to embrace each day with joy and purpose. Help us to savour every moment, to appreciate the beauty of Your creation, and to live our lives in a way that reflects Your grace and love.

Lord, as we reflect on the teachings of Micah 6:8, we are reminded of our call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. We ask for your guidance and strength to be agents of justice and compassion in our world. May we be a source of hope for those in need, and may our actions be a reflection of Your love for all your children. As we move forward into a new term, we entrust our future into your loving hands, knowing that with Your grace, we can truly Live Fully and Act Justly.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

St. Mary Mackillop Pilgrimage 2023: A Journey of Spiritual Enlightenment

Three staff members from our beloved school embarked on a profoundly enlightening pilgrimage to honour the legacy of St. Mary MacKillop, a woman whose life was a testament to unwavering kindness, spirituality, and compassion. As we delved into her extraordinary story, the essence of her remarkable character came alive before our eyes.

One of the most striking facets of St. Mary MacKillop's life was her unending kindness. Her upbringing in a family of an intelligent, independent father and a God-fearing, kind-hearted mother laid the foundation for her remarkable journey. Her deep spirituality and abiding trust in her "good God" became evident as we retraced her footsteps.

St. Mary MacKillop's commitment to social justice and boundless compassion knew no bounds. Her love for her family and friends shone through her actions. Her belief in respecting and upholding the dignity of every individual was the guiding star in her life. She was a beacon of independence and strength, choosing to live among the community rather than within the confines of a convent.

During our pilgrimage, Sister Rita shared a charming anecdote that shed light on St. Mary MacKillop's sense of humour. It revolved around a young boy caught stealing a loaf of bread, who was sent to report to St Mary. Instead of reprimanding the boy, she asked if hunger had driven him to this act. When he admitted to it, she instructed him to return to the sister who had punished him and tell her that Mary had ordered another loaf to be given to him. This story revealed not only her sense of compassion but also her ability to see beyond the surface.

Another intriguing facet of St. Mary MacKillop's personality was her love for a game called the "providence bag." It's clear that she embraced moments of joy and playfulness even amidst her selfless work.

As we immersed ourselves in her life, we learned that St. Mary MacKillop's mother had imparted a powerful prayer to her and her siblings, a prayer that embodied her unyielding faith in Divine Providence. It serves as a reminder for all of us, even in the face of difficulties, to trust in God's care and providence.

Divine Providence can provide,
Divine Providence did provide,
Divine Providence will provide.
O merciful and all-provident God, hear our prayers and grant our petitions.

In the end, the St. Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage of 2023 was a profound journey that illuminated the life of a woman whose kindness, spirituality, and compassion continue to inspire us today. We carry forward the lessons learned on this pilgrimage, fostering these virtues within our school community, and honouring the legacy of St. Mary MacKillop in our hearts.

What a journey it's been! Our school production of High School Musical was an absolute hit - from the very first note to the final bow, every moment was a work of art.

None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our incredible cast, crew, and the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Heartfelt thank you to our amazing staff, cast and crew who worked tirelessly to bring this incredible show to life, and for creating sets, dazzling costumes, and flawless lighting and sound. Your attention to detail brought the story to life in ways we could only hope for.

To our wonderful audience, thank you for your cheers, laughter, and applause. Your energy fuelled our performances and made each show unforgettable.

As the curtain falls on this chapter, let's keep dreaming, creating, and inspiring until next time!

Stay tuned for an exciting announcement in Term 4 regarding our 2024 College Musical.

On Friday 8 September, we were blessed to have Fr Emma Kiwinicha from the Parish of Mannya, Uganda, visit our College. Fr Emma came with the intention of expressing his gratitude on behalf of his community for the generosity our college community has shown in assisting with building classrooms and supporting the feeding program for the young.

Fr Emma shared his story and the daily hardships his community faces, with our Year 7 students and with various other classes from Year 8-10 throughout the day. He explained that many children need to walk 2 kilometres a day to get water, and the water is not clean. Fr Emma also stated that many of the students only experience one meal a day of porridge, but there would be no meal if it was not for the support of the feeding program our college has provided.

He shared photos with us of the progress of the two new classrooms that CRC Caroline Springs has been able to build with the money raised and how the students of Mannya have greatly benefited from having good facilities to support their education. Fr Emma said that future projects would include a water pump to ensure that his community would have access to fresh clean water and near wear families lived.

Fr Emma left us with some words of encouragement, reminding us to continue to be kind to others, be grateful for the things we have, and to continue to act in charity and love toward others. His visit has shown us how our generosity has made a difference to the life of others.

World Youth Day, held every three to four years, is a global gathering where millions of young people from around the world are invited to deepen their faith and experience the universality of the Catholic Church. This year, Olivia M (10BA), Maya S (10LI) and I were fortunate to partake in World Youth Day in Portugal.

A theme that resonated profoundly with us was Pope Francis’ message of embracing others with open arms.

“The only time that we are allowed to look down upon others: when we are offering to help them up” (Pope Francis – Saturday 5 August 2023).

Pope Francis’ words remind us to open our arms to those around us and to reach out to those in need. In doing so, we not only contribute to the amelioration of our own lives but also contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and harmonious world where we can all experience the ‘fullness of life’ (John 10:10), the very essence of our College motto.

Maya states, “My highlight was getting to see Pope Francis closer than I could have ever imagined. Pope Francis touched on how we are all unique in our pathway to God and that really stuck with me. Just because your relationship with God right now may not look picture perfect, it does not mean you are undeserving of His love. The main event was the Sleep Out Vigil, where we walked 13km to an open field in preparation for the Mass with Pope Francis. They were not kidding when they told us it was not a holiday, but a pilgrimage. While the 38-degree walk did make me question why I was there, I would do it all again. The friendships that I have formed and the new outlook I have on my faith has gladly been brought back here to Australia.”

Olivia also reflects, “The community atmosphere that was felt every single day was inspirational and something that I hope to bring back to our school. The kind and friendly atmosphere made it easy to open myself up to new connections and opportunities and I was able to form bonds that will last a lifetime. Being able to hear Pope Francis speak about belonging and being there for each other was the highlight of the trip for me. He spoke about the way we can learn to be better people and how we can form strong connections and bonds through our faith. This experience moved me deeply and is something that I know is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.”

I had an incredible opportunity to meet and listen to inspirational leaders within the Catholic Church, including Fr Stephen Wang (Rector of the Vulnerable English College in Rome), Sr Nathalie Becquart (Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops) and Archbishop Rino Fisichella (Pro-Prefect for the Section of New Evangelization) before a once in a lifetime meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City. Pope Francis summarised the search for truth and strengthen the spiritual development of each person by two things; he said, “Do you pray and how do you pray”? We are reminded about the importance of listening in the middle of the noise, listening to God’s invitation, listening to others’ needs to develop our spiritual being and search for meaning and truth.

World Youth Day invites us to be the light that continues to shine within us. It is an opportunity to encounter the presence of the Holy Spirit as youth gather to serve the risen Christ. The theme of World Youth Day 2023, Mary arose and went with haste, reminds us of our responsibility to focus on the presence of the risen Christ in our lives and to encounter Him in all that we do. This can be achieved by our college motto, Live Fully Act Justly, as we build relationships with one another and to act on Christ’s words, “Love one another as I have loved you”.

On Tuesday 10 October, the College is hosting a hybrid Student Parent Teacher Interview (SPTI) event, scheduled from 9:00am to 8:00pm. There will be no scheduled classes for students on this day.

Like Term 2 SPTIs, parents/carers will be able to select to have their interview either face-to-face or remotely, via Microsoft Teams. Each interview will be 10-minutes in duration, with a 5-minute break between each interview.

The interviews are designed to provide students, parents/carers and teachers an opportunity to discuss progress throughout Term 3 and as a time for setting learning goals for Term 4.

Bookings will open for parents/carers via the Parent Teacher Online (PTO) platform from 9:00am Tuesday, 19 September and close at 9:00am on Friday 6 October.

When booking via PTO, parents/carers will enter their interview mode preference in the ‘Phone number/contact details’ field, as shown by the image below.

• ‘Face to face’ should be entered to indicate the parent/carer and student will be attending the College onsite for a face-to-face interview.
• ‘Teams’ should be entered to indicate the parent/carer and student will be attending their interview remotely via Teams.

If joining remotely, the process remains the same as previous SPTIs.

Instructions on how to access PTO and make bookings, together with how to join a scheduled Teams interview will sent to your College registered email address inbox on Friday, 15 September.

Students are expected to be present for the duration of all booked interviews with their parent/carer either at the College or from a suitable place at home. Students are also expected to be dressed appropriately for the interview.

Parents are asked to adhere to the booked times and abide by the Parent/Carer Guardian Code of Conduct during SPTIs. Interpreters will be made available for parents as required.

You may download a copy of the Student Parent Teacher Interviews Policy and Parent/Carer/Guardian Code of Conduct by clicking on the links.

The following staff will not be available for Student Parent Teacher Interviews:

Kelly Nguyen
Linda Bracco
Debbie Cooper
Chris McGillen
Nilesh Chand
Tiffany Azzopardi

If you have any questions, or need any assistance, please contact College Reception.

The Social Justice team had the privilege and honour of spending time with Father Emma during his visit to our college on 8 September. This was a valuable opportunity for our students to hear firsthand about the various ways our college community has positively impacted the lives of young people in Uganda.

Members of the team also shared their insights about the experience:

Fr Emma gave me an insight on all the hard work he does for many people. Showing us that what we do matters and that it does impact lives each day - Sophia C

When the Social Justice team was visited by Fr Emma, I felt inspired, and I felt closer knowing just how much the money we donated helps the children at our sister school - Alannah S

Fr Emma's visit to our school was a reminder that every contribution matters - no matter how big or small. These donations have had a significant impact on many of the School kids in Uganda, giving them hopes and dreams that were once thought to be impossible to achieve. Fr Emma’s talk reminded of how acts of generosity can go a long way in helping others. The donated funds have not only provided educational opportunities but have also instilled a sense of hope and possibility within the hearts of young learners. Through our continued support, we can empower more communities and pave the way for a brighter future for all. Children now have the knowledge and skills needed for a better future thanks to improved education by the money we give us CRC students. They no longer faced overwhelming challenges instead they embraced fresh hope and opportunities. Thank you again to you guys - Mihini R

The experience with Fr Emma, was very engaging, and interactive. He made it aware to us how lucky we are to be living in Australia, and how we have much more than what his country has. He was very thankful towards us, and expressed how important it is for us to be aware of their living circumstance. Overall, the experience was awesome, and we all loved meeting him - Grace D

The experience with Fr Emma was one I will never forget. I realised how lucky I was to live in Australia and how I should never take anything for granted. He explained to us how he felt so grateful to be sitting at the same table as us as well. Fr Emma was so very kind and caring, and I loved being able to meet him and take a photo with him as well! - Chloe H

Meeting Fr Emma was an amazing experience along with hearing stories about how our Uganda project came about, with the help of our amazing college community. He shared his experience about coming to Australia and realising that the people who live here are in fact lucky to live in this country along with making us realise that we need to be grateful for all the thing we have in this life because you never know what tomorrow holds. A message that I personal message that I took away from this experience was "Be grateful in life as you don't know what tomorrow holds" - Nyankat D

The College Cafeteria was transformed into a Parisian-style jazz venue for the inaugural Spring Cabaret held on Thursday 31 August. A dedicated team of Year 10 Students (Yohann A, (10BU), Olivia M (10BA), Ava N (10MK), Mikaylah P (10KO) and Carla T (10KO)) spend many hours setting up equipment, tables, and lighting.

The program was filled with music from many eras of jazz and featured talented soloists and the following College Ensembles: The College Choir, Stage Band and School of Rock Bands. The audience brought along food and drinks to enjoy while watching the student performances. This event will return in 2024, bigger and better!

On Thursday 10 August the Year 9 cohort participated in their Faith Formation Day facilitated by Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries. Below is an excerpt from Rita Y, about her experience of the day:

Year 9 Faith Formation Day was truly a fantastic experience. It provided us, as students, with the opportunity to expand our knowledge of our Catholic Faith in a unique way, enabling us to grow closer to God. I feel that these days have personally helped me understand my faith better and build a closer relationship with Him. They have taught me how to approach my faith and have inspired me to live each day to the fullest while keeping God at the centre of my life. This creative method of teaching about our religion has engaged me more and imparted valuable life lessons. I believe the same is true for the rest of the Year 9 cohort.

I distinctly remember the day when Chris Doyle came for our Term 3 Faith Formation Day. Not only did he encourage us to reflect on the type of people we want to become, but he did so in a fun and appealing manner, allowing everyone to focus and absorb his teachings. He created a comfortable and 'chilled' environment, bringing our cohort closer while also opening our eyes to how basing our choices on the three virtues of faith, hope, and love can positively impact our lives. Faith Formation Day is designed to bring us closer, not only to God and our faith but also to each other as a year level. My experience with Year 9 Faith Formation Day strongly reinforces this. It has always been a fun and valuable day, and I can't wait for the next one to come.

Rita Y – 9 Wonga

Fr Rob Galea has been a long-time friend of Catholic Regional College, Caroline Springs. His testimony and witness to the transforming love of Jesus is such a powerful message that our Year 8 staff and students were blessed to hear.

Year 8 student Grace D, shares her experience of the day:

The 2023 Year 8 Faith and Formation Day involved hearing from a special guest, Fr. Rob Galea, engaging in group activities, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Throughout the day, we also listened to many songs, including some that Fr. Rob had written himself.

We began the day with the first seventy minutes dedicated to learning about Fr. Rob Galea's life story and the challenges he faced growing up. He also spoke about his home country, Malta, and described what his city was like. He shared his regrets about things he wished he could have changed in his upbringing and how he felt different from everyone else. Fr. Rob talked about the things he believed he needed to do to be 'cool' and well-liked.

After a quick break, we reflected with our class on what we had just learned from Fr. Rob. We completed a worksheet that compared his story to those of other saints. Then, we gathered in the Performing Arts Centre again to learn more about the rest of Fr. Rob's life, with a focus on his family, especially his relationship with them when he was younger and now, emphasising how close he is with them.

The last part of our day was spent in adoration. During this time, we sang, prayed, and sat in silence, adoring Jesus's body and acknowledging the blessings that God has bestowed upon us for a happy life.

Overall, the day was fun, very inspiring, and enlightening. It encouraged us to reflect on our choices and think about the future. Each of us was able to take away at least one valuable lesson from that day, and I believe that for most people, it was the importance of keeping God at the centre of our lives to help us overcome life's challenges.

Grace D – 8 Kulin

Letters from the heart

Please take a moment to read these heart-warming letters from the hearts of the young children in Uganda, who feel the love you share. Compassion, empathy, and love for one another are the cornerstones of our teaching at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs and we are immensely proud of our community for continuing to embrace the Uganda Project.

These letters, written by young children, travelled from Uganda with Fr Emma. These are the same children who directly benefit from the programs and resources set in place for them, thanks to the generous hearts of our college community, who continue to live out our college motto – Live fully, Act Justly.

Letters from Uganda

During 7 – 11 August the College celebrated National Vocations Awareness Week - a time to discern what God is calling us to be. Students spent time with the Blessed Sacrament in Prayer, contemplated on the life of St Mary of The Cross Mackillop through cross making, heard the vocation stories of Fr Richard Rosse, LIHM Sisters and Melbourne Seminarian – Ezekiel and reflected on theme of purpose through our lunchtime Disney Pixar Movie ‘Soul.’ It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to take time to contemplate what God is calling them to be.

We have been blessed to have the Sisters of the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (LIHM) frequent our College every Wednesday during lunch at St Catherine of Siena Church. It has been wonderful to welcome our students for games, catechesis, and prayer. Year 8 student, Owen A. has been a regular attendee from the very beginning and shares his experience.

Going to the LIHM sisters is always a fun experience for the people that come and their friends. Every session with the LIHM sisters includes fun activities and games followed by some learning about the sessions topic made fun by the sisters. After this, the session ends with praying a decade of the rosary. Whether you come with friends or by yourself, no session is boring, even if you come halfway through our activity or just before we pray. People of all ages and all year levels are encouraged to come and have a good time with us.

Owen A. – 8 Barak

This term in Science we studied Chemistry – we learned about atoms, elements, compounds and chemical reactions. In this latest experiment we performed several chemical reactions and observed the signs of chemical change that were occurring. Chemistry has been a fun topic as we have had lots of opportunities to complete hands-on experiments in the laboratory.

Knev N and Dominic A attended Japanese speech contest (Year 9/10 pair division) in Hawthorn on 27 August.

This was the first time our school entered the competition and the students performed with great confidence and showed their fluent Japanese skills. There are many opportunities like this to show your language skills beyond classroom at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs.

On Friday we observed R U OK? Day, a meaningful reminder to check in on the people around us and show that we care about their well-being.

The CRCCS community was met with warm smiles and a small treat by our compassionate Social Justice team. As we gathered, we took a moment to ask a simple yet profoundly important question: "R U OK?"

In our fast-paced lives, it's all too easy to overlook the struggles that others might be facing. R U OK? Day serves as a gentle nudge to break through the busyness and actively inquire about the well-being of our friends, family, and colleagues.

A heartfelt conversation, a listening ear, or a small act of kindness can make a world of difference to someone who might be silently battling their own challenges. Let's remember that mental health matters, and it's okay to not be okay sometimes. By reaching out and genuinely asking if someone is okay, we show them that they are not alone.

So, let’s continue to let R U OK? Day be a reminder to spread compassion, support, and understanding. A simple question can create a ripple of positivity that brightens someone's day and reminds them that they are cared for. Today and every day, let's make sure we ask, R U OK?

Hello families,

As you may be aware the College has started a Breakfast Club for the students each Tuesday morning. This has been well received and supply can barely keep up with demand! The students have enjoyed toasted sandwiches, fresh fruit, muesli bars, juice boxes and Up-and-Gos.

A big thank you to the Natale and Martic families for their generous donations and to both Coles and Woolworths at CS Square for their support also.

We look forward to continuing this next term and into the future. If you would like to contribute, please feel free to leave any donations at reception attention to Tim Kemp.

Thank you.