Investiture Ceremony 2023

On Wednesday 22 March we held our Investiture Ceremony for 2023 – an important day when we celebrated our College and those who have come before us and built the foundation on which we stand. The event presented a day of promise and potential when we invested our new student leaders into their leadership positions for 2023 and warmly welcomed back our past student leaders.

We welcomed back the following Alumni who were also student leaders:

• 2018 CRC Caroline Springs College Captain, who was also the 2020 CRC Sydenham College Captain and has also been appointed to the inaugural Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs School Advisory Council - Alicia Azzopardi
• 2021 College Captain - Alexandra Wood
• 2021 Deputy Captains – Thomas Cheal, Joshua Di Lullo and Maria Ranasinghe
• 2022 College Captain – Ivanka Portelli
• 2022 Deputy Captains – Christina Stanford, Meena Babawy, Angel Yesudas

As a College community we are extremely proud of their contribution to our College and also the fact that many of them have also excelled in senior leadership positions at CRC Sydenham and the wider community. They are indeed great role models for not only our student leaders but for all staff, students and families here at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs.

The baton is now passed to our new college captains for 2023 and we pass on our congratulations and best wishes to:

2023 College Captain – Zalaika F
Deputy College Captains – Alyssa D, Nyankat D, and Charli N.

In the brief time that I have known these students they have already displayed great tenacity and firmness of mind. I look forward to seeing all the great things they will accomplish this year and beyond.

In her speech our College Captain 2023, Zalaika F, spoke about the potential we have as individuals and the great potential we have as a community “we have so much potential to bring out in this school and I know as this College evolves and strengthens as a community, the more we will develop as a school” a powerful message for us all.

I would also like to congratulate the families whose children participated in this process. Your guidance and teaching shines through in your children. You can be very proud of them. May I also express my gratitude to our past students, special guests and families who made time in their day to attend our Investiture Ceremony.

There are several staff who should also be acknowledged and thanked for helping to organise this special event. The Maintenance staff for their set-up, the school ICT team, our Administration team especially Ms Emma Luhm and Ms Paula D’Amore. To Ms Jordyn Bugeja our House and Student Leadership Coordinator and to Ms Charlize Rodier our new Performing Arts and Events trainee.

I would also like to thank Ms Katie Murray-Fawett our Deputy Principal Wellbeing and Mr Paul Sammut Head of Faith and Mission for overseeing the smooth running of our Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Investiture ceremonies.

Congratulations to our elected student leaders for 2023, in the words of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop “go with courage and strength”.

Italian Exchange Program

This week we also welcomed 24 students and 2 teachers from our sister school Liceo Scientifico Livio Cambi in Falconara Italy. This week they will be spending with us is packed with great activities and events. I trust that this experience will be a memorable one for both host and exchange student. These programs would not run without the support from our amazing families. They have been giving of their time and expressed great generosity of spirit. Thank you wholeheartedly for your support of this program.

Thank you to Ms Linda Bracco our Cultural Immersion Leader, who oversees this program providing experiences for our students which will long be remembered.

Thank you.

Lucy Swan
Acting Principal

Lenten Prayer

Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man And giving His life on the Cross. Help us to bear witness to You By following His example of suffering and make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

The Season of Lent

In our daily lives we are often preoccupied with working towards achieving personal goals such as, working hard to build financial stability or going to the gym to keep fit or to build muscle. Although there is nothing wrong with these goals, we often neglect our ‘spiritual needs,’ our soul.

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to take time to grow closer to Christ as we approach Easter.

Our church tradition emphasizes the importance of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as a time for spiritual renewal and a deeper commitment to the Gospel.

Lent is a time to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God, and to turn away from sin and embrace a life of virtue. The goal of Lent is not just to give something up, but to use the time to grow closer to God and to be transformed by His grace.

"Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation." - Catherine Doherty, Servant of God

Below is a list of resources which can help us draw closer to God this Lenten Season.

Lent 2023: A Resource Guide For Catholics - Catholic-Link

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

On Wednesday 22 February our College gathered together to participate in an Ash Wednesday Liturgy, led by Deacon Chris Creo. The ritual marked the beginning of Lent, the ancient ritual with the sign of ashes, as a sign of repentance. Deacon Chris in his homily, drew on the scientific theory that we are all made of ‘star dust’ just like the stars and our own star, the sun. The difference is that these ‘stars’ in our solar system are finite whereas our Creator God has created us for everlasting life with Him in heaven. Deacon Chris stated that this is the purpose of Lent, to remember that things of this world are not forever and we must make the effort using the three tripods of Lent – Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving to draw closer to our creator so that one day we may be united with Him.

Thank you to all who were involved in ministering and setting up our Ash Wednesday Liturgy.

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.

Sunday Gospel Reflection

First Sunday of Lent Year A

Mt 4:1-11

Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert.

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.

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.

At a young age it can be hard to find and maintain friendships that benefit and support both parties. As Year Level Leaders this year, we’ve seen friendship groups change, sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong reasons. The easiest way to identify a negative friendship is to look out for “red flags.”

This week, we thought we’d list some common red flags to support you in finding a friend that looks out for you and not just themselves.

Negative behaviour: A friend who constantly puts you down, insults or belittles you, or is otherwise negative and abusive is not a good friend.

Dishonesty: A friend who lies to you or manipulates you is not trustworthy.

Jealousy: A friend who becomes jealous or resentful when you spend time with others, or is excessively possessive, is not acting in your best interests.

Unreliability: A friend who regularly cancels plans or doesn't follow through on promises is not dependable.

Self-centeredness: A friend who only thinks about their own needs and desires, and doesn't show interest in or concern for you, is not a true friend.

Dangerous or illegal activities: A friend who encourages you to engage in dangerous or illegal activities is not someone who cares about your future.

It's important to trust your instincts and to be cautious around people who exhibit these red flags. It's also important to have friends who support and uplift you, and to surround yourself with positive, healthy relationships.

If you are a student, reflect on the relationships you have using this as a guide. If you are a parent, set aside some time this week to chat with your son or daughter about the relationships they have and whether or not their friends exhibit any of these red flags.

Stay tuned for some tips on finding friends who exhibit “green flags” in the next newsletter. 

The Year 9 cohort have had a fantastic start to 2023. We, Mr Daniel Pisani and Mr Heath Aitken, have been impressed by the growth in character and maturity shown over the summer holidays. In Year 9, there are many exciting events that take place. Events such as; city experience, VET taster day, excursions to the Shrine of Remembrance, 1000 Steps and many more. Our students are fortunate to have an outstanding team of Homeroom teachers, who have already generously given their time and effort to facilitate a smooth transition for your child. Our Year 9 teaching team aims to build rapport with each student, whilst also enforcing our College expectations in behaviour and uniform. We are excited to work with each of you, to reinforce positive attitudes and pathways at school for your child to achieve future success. Our strict adherence to College policies, align with expectations that are present in most workforces, thus preparing our students for a variety of experiences, one being the opportunity to gain part-time work this year. We have found that there are many students who struggle with resilience due to Covid-19 isolation and have purposely challenged our students to build this skill to prepare for the future.

We hope each student will dare to seize every opportunity provided at CRCCS and strive to be the best version of themselves by Living Fully and Acting Justly.

We thank you for your support from home,

Mr Daniel Pisani and Mr Heath Aitken

I originally came from a small primary school in Hillside called Cana. While I was there, I was a part of the school’s ‘Mary MacKillop Group’, which did things like cleaning and setting up school Masses, along with going to the local nursing home.

This represented the school’s love for religion and compassion and formed my original love and satisfaction for giving back to the community.

When I was first a Year 7 at this school, my faith was average, I liked religion as subject, but I didn’t really have a deeper connection to it. At CRCCS, I’ve been part of the Student Leadership and Social Justice Team since I was able to apply and from then I’ve come to the position that I have today, which is your Faith and Social Justice Captain.

I’ve grown a substantial amount mentally and spiritually since I was first part of this group, but one thing remains constant, the reason why I have wanted to be a part of this group my entire time at this school; and that is my love to make people smile, feel special and feel wanted. That is what every single person wants, to feel like they belong. And this is what this group is, it’s a place where likeminded people come together because they have a genuine want to make the world a better place. Even if that little thing that you do makes one person happy, you have done your job of being a part of this team and you make Ms Mattar, myself and everyone else on this team so proud of you.

In saying that, Social Justice isn’t just about giving freebies to the random kids at lunchtime that will come up to you asking for money, it’s about being just and fair in the actions that you make. You don’t join this team to wear the badge, you join this team to make a difference in someone's life. Yes, to be in this team, you need to have a sense of humanity and compassion and by all means, those things are extremely valuable to have, but you also need to be able to say no. Empathy is important, but you will not achieve justice by just being the kindest person but also the strongest person. My vision for this team is to bring into light the social dilemmas that we have right here in the community, faith is such a beautiful thing that doesn’t just consist of pure religion, but also the idea that no matter race, religion or goal, everybody is deserving of grace and love. I can’t wait to hear the ideas that our group can come up with this year and am so excited to see the one single face that we can make smile this year.

On Friday 17 February, the Year 7 students participated in the Year 7 House Building Day event. This event occurred across two periods and allowed the entire Year 7 cohort to immerse themselves into the House history and culture of our College. The Year 7’s spent time in their designed House (Jackson, O’Reilly, Franklin, and Norman) to forge bonds with their classmates and House Captains, whilst learning about who their House is named after and the core values that are celebrated in each House. Students were encouraged to use their creativity to design their own House Banner that represented their core values and house spirit.

The highlight of the day was the House Competitions, where each House took part in three team building activities and games for House points. Students participated in Tunnel Ball, Tug-O-War, and a Mat Race. Students worked together in their Houses to support their fellow teammates, while cheering on the other Houses. At the end of the day, the winning team was awarded with House Points and the CRCCS House Cup. A big congratulations to Franklin House for taking out the win!

1^st Place: Franklin House

2^nd Place: O’Reilly House

3^rd Place: Norman House

4^th Place: Jackson House

First Week of Lent: (Week beginning Monday 27 February)

We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Laxmi, a 16-year-old girl living in Jajarkot, a remote district in Nepal where almost half of the population live below the poverty line.  Tragedy struck when Laxmi was 10 years old and her father passed away. Her father worked hard to pay for his children's education and, after losing him, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty.

With the support of our partner Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child's club at her school where she was encouraged to resume her education. Through the child’s club, Laxmi developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school. 

Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child's club, serving as an advisor and mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.   

Watch a short film about Laxmi’s story here

Tuesday 21 February saw the Social Justice Team of 2023 gather for the first time. It truly was a remarkable day, that allowed the sharing of ideas and vision for the year ahead. When we reflect on the Caritas motto for 2023 – ‘for future generations’, we remember the wise words of Pope John Paul II who once said, “Become who you are”, a simple yet powerful statement. The team had the opportunity to reflect on who they are and the differences they could make as individuals or in collaboration with one another. How would they work in shaping the future?

Session two involved guest speakers, who added another layer to the day. Both representatives spoke with contagious passion, as they linked their work to the pillars that carry our college. The team were attentive and thirsty to learn more about the work that Assist Ability Australia and Catholic Care undertake.

The last session had students working tirelessly as they planned the year ahead, with all the potential ideas and events they could run in 2023.

Some student reflection of the day:

Alannah

Today was a really good experience as we got to listen to guest speakers educating us about refuges and disability rights. I love how we got to help plan future events for our school. Today was amazing and I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait for future social justice meetings.

Chanel

Today was a really good experience to get to know the team, come up with future and discuss why we are a part of the Social Justice Team of 2023. We got to hear from guest’s speakers about Refugees and Disability Awareness. We also get to acknowledge the fact that we follow the moto of the school: Live Fully, Act Justly. Overall, today was fun and I enjoyed the pizza for lunch! I hope we can do our best to set an example to the school and change the school for the better of the community.  

Charlotte

I really liked getting to listen to the various speakers today and spend the day with the team. I enjoyed selling the pancakes at lunch and getting to brainstorm new ideas for later in the year. I really liked getting to know everyone and had a really nice day.

Grace

During Social Justice Day we started the day by getting to know everybody. Then each year level had a warm welcome to the social Justice Community. shortly after that, we were given the faith and Mission leader address. Then we had our first guest speaker of the day (Kalma and Rozanne) from catholic Care, and then Lola with her mission helping disabled people. Straight after that we dug into working and brainstorming new ideas for this upcoming year.

Mihini

Thank you so much to Mrs Mattar and Mr Sammut for this social Justice Leadership Day. It was an interesting day and we got to listen to amazing guest speakers CatholicCare and Lola from Assist Ability. We also got to plan what we want to do for our school and upcoming important dates.

Olivia

Social justice day was a great way to get to know all the people that are included in this social justice community in our school we started the day by introducing our self to each other and the teachers. During the day we had some amazing guest speakers who taught us about the importance about dignity to others and taught us their mission to help and safety for disabled people, these lovely people were from a group called Catholic Care and there was another guest speaker from Assist Ability. At the end of the day, we started to brainstorm many ideas for upcoming events during the year.

As we begin 2023, Year 7 Art students have been introduced to the elements of art. Our first exploration was LINE and how this element can be used in a variety of ways. In the images here students have created pattern work onto a bird image. Three classes have contributed to the wall mural to brighten the art room.

Get to know our Deputy College Captains Alyssa & Charli

What does Servant Leadership mean to you?

Alyssa:
Personally, ‘Servant Leadership’ means putting others and their ideas before myself, while simultaneously leading with my actions rather than just my words. It means to lead by example, and I try to do this by using our school motto ‘Live Fully, Act Justly’ as a guide, taking opportunities and conducting myself in a just manner.

Charli:
Servant leadership means to me that I will be a leader who will serve the community and always choose to do what’s best for the students and be an advocate for them. I believe strongly in supporting others socially and being there when another is in need. I will always strive to serve the CRCCS community in any way I can.

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

Alyssa:
After my positive experience with the team last year, it only felt natural for me to return this year. I wanted to continue making a positive difference at our college and inspire my peers to do the same. Leadership gives us students incredible opportunities to take on new challenges and push ourselves outside of our comfort zones, allowing us to grow.

Charli:
I wanted to be a part of the leadership team next year so I can continue to serve and support the CRCCS community. I also chose to be part of the team this year to grow as a person and continue my passion for leadership. I would like to support and encourage new ideas and projects within the team, spread positivity, and build a closer connection to the CRC community.

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

Alyssa:
I am one of three Deputy College Captains. In this position, I, along with our lovely College Captain and two other Deputies, serve as the student body's face and voice. One of my primary responsibilities is to monitor the raising and lowering of the flags at the beginning and end of each week. I also help with our weekly meetings on Wednesday mornings, either by saying prayer, taking attendance, or writing down the main points of what we discuss so that those who were unable to attend can catch up. I'm also working on a number of proposals to present to the College’s leadership team. Although some may take years to implement, I believe that moving slowly is better to standing still.

Charli:
My current role is one of the three deputy college captains; it is truly one of the best opportunities I have received, and I will strive to be the most supportive, kind, and encouraging deputy captain I can be. As a deputy, some of my responsibilities are to include and support the student leaders in creating a weekly bulletin that includes notices, weather, and quotes. I am also responsible for speaking in assemblies and other college events, assisting in hosting student leadership meetings, and supporting the amazing team of student leaders.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

Alyssa:
The legacy I want to leave behind is that I helped as many people as possible, whether that be with a quick word of advice or a hug. That I encouraged them to try new things and make mistakes, but always telling them that “not learning from their mistakes is the biggest mistake they can ever make”. And that I initiated things that others will be able to enjoy in the coming years. Creating a proposal to establish a Girls AFL Premier League competition within our SACCSS (Sports Association of Catholic Co-educational Secondary Schools) tournament is one example.

Charli:
I wish to leave a legacy of growth. I chose to have a legacy of growth because it is extremely important to our lives, even more so as students and teenagers. I used to be anxious about going to school, but looking back, I have grown exponentially. I have received so much support from the staff and students here at CRCCS, and I want to support and teach others how much we can grow over time and accomplish incredible things. There is so much going on in our daily lives, and I think that every experience is a learning experience to grow from. If you talked to me this time last year, you would be talking to a completely different person. Over the last year, I have grown and developed as a person, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Therefore, in my last year at CRCCS, I would like to leave a legacy of growth.

St Valentine’s Day saw Love in the air at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, with this scripture piece in mind “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because – God is Love” 1 John 4:8. The Social Justice Team were based at the front gate greeting the school community with warm smiles and treats.

Each day we should be on a mission to love more. With God in our hearts, we need to see the beauty around us, so that we can love unconditionally, even though we are immersed in a world of “I give you one and take two in return”.

Our ‘love air balloon’ was put on display, created with the names of student from our community, who were eager to embrace the College Motto – Live Fully, Act Justly. Spreading love comes at no cost, it’s a priceless gesture that naturally lifts the spirits of all involved. 

The Hogan building was a very popular area last week, with the many aromas that had visitors waltzing in and exploring the action. The Year 7’s was super excited about being the kitchen for the first time, preparing Yum Yum balls. There was a buzz in the atmosphere that could not be dismissed. They did an amazing job, applying the safety and hygiene rules covered in during the theory lessons. Year 8’s kicked off the year making French toast topped with Rosewater strawberries.

Year 9’s jumped straight into shortcrust pastry and frittata making, while the Year 10 students hit the kitchen with Nasi Goreng and apple and strawberry crumble.

It’s truly been an amazing start to the year, we look forward to creating more recipes and aromas.