It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke 15:32)

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent, and the Gospel reading taken from Luke is the story of the Prodigal Son, which is one of my favourite parables. I love how Jesus provides the example of the Father’s immense generosity, compassion and mercy to teach us about who God really is.

The main message of The Prodigal Son is that it doesn’t matter how far we stray, or how much we squander the gifts God provides, he is always pleased when we turn back to him. His unconditional love is waiting for us to return home where he greets us with open arms. Every lost child (a sinner, meaning all of us) who is found (turns to God) is cause for the greatest celebration.

One interesting aspect of the Parable of the Prodigal Son is that we either seem to relate to the “good” child or the prodigal child. Our perspective can change over time, so it’s helpful to understand the parable from both perspectives.

If you relate to the Prodigal Son, look inside yourself and try and find God dwelling there. See the worth He sees in you. Ask him for forgiveness and welcome him into your soul. He forgives you!

If you relate more to the ‘good’ child, look no further than within your own heart. Are you happy with how God is treating you on a daily basis – by providing food and shelter, a job, a family? His unconditional love, comfort, and grace? I believe the answer would be YES for most people. God has given you all you need – and more. You are blessed.

Whether you relate to the prodigal child or the good child, the parable of the Prodigal Son is about living your life between you and God and not worrying about keeping score with anyone else. Be thankful God's there for you when you follow Him and will always be there to welcome you back if you fail him.

In this parable Jesus is highlighting the fact that sinners who were feared lost but come back to the fold are to be specially honoured because it is so hard to come back to the righteous path having left it and winning such people back to the heavenly side is something to be celebrated.

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, the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions we were unable to meet regularly and hold our usual social and fundraising 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/carers, to learn more about our wonderful College as well as participate and share in general discussion often relating to significant issues about school events. We are currently awaiting an update to the CECV School Operations Guide to provide further information regarding the health and safety guidelines for these meetings. Further information will be made available as it becomes available.

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

Uganda Project

We continue to build on the very positive relationships that has been established between Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs and St Luke’s Parish, as well as our sister school St Francis Primary School in Kizinga Uganda.

By reaching out in friendship and solidarity with the community of St Francis, Kizinga we have given hope to hundreds of children and their families who otherwise could not access education. The support of our students has enabled the construction and furnishing of a brick classroom, a food program, the refurbishment of the church with a concrete floor and soon the installation of water tanks.

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.

Father Emma Kiwanuka, Parish Priest at St Luke’s Mannya recently delivered to St Francis Kizinga Primary School the produce for their food program, that we as a College community provide through our fundraising initiatives.

The St Francis community recently sent the following photos and passed on their immense thanks to our CRCCS community:

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli Patrick Oration

The Patrick Oration was delivered by Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, the ninth Archbishop of Melbourne, on 17 March 2022 at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne.

I have included some key paragraphs from his oration below.

We might be keen for things to ‘get back to normal’ after the pandemic, but in our more thoughtful moments I’m sure we realise this cannot be the way ahead. We are at a liminal place – a threshold of transition. If we believe that it is by faith that we can seek healing, find our purpose, and live out our destiny, then we need to find the context of a life of faith in the domestic and among the generations. We need to embrace the transformative grace offered us at this threshold moment. But how?

Jesus did not – at any stage during his mission – build an institution or establish a social cause. He witnessed to the communion of his own ‘family’ (Father, Son, Spirit), and he spent his time among people in their households and neighbourhood communities. He barely spoke of the big events of his time; his teachings and stories were couched in family and community contexts; his healings were in homes or among small communities; he ate and drank a lot at friends’ places. Even as Jesus “set his face towards Jerusalem,” (Lk 9.51) he remained focused on the personal and the familial. And from the cross he formed the Church as a family: ‘Here is your son; here is your mother.’ (Jn 19.26-27)

Our ancestors in faith, the family of the early Church, took up the proclamation of Christ in this vein. There are many stories of the apostles going to households and neighbourhood communities to invite families into a common life in Christ. There is virtually no evidence throughout the New Testament of the Church engaging in the politics of the day or seeking to plant the works of the Church in public structures. The focus was personal and familial and communal.

Even the public proclamation of the kerygma, which Paul engaged in, was focused on the personal and familial, an invitation to live by faith, in hope, and through love among people. The early Church was a Church that assembled and passed on the faith in family homes. (1Cor 16.19) Might not this also be our calling at this time and place?

Pope St John Paul II said as much in a homily on a hot Perth afternoon in November 1986.

The home is the Church in miniature. The Church is the sacrament of God’s love. She is a communion of faith and life. She is a mother and teacher. She is at the service of the whole human family as it goes forward towards its ultimate destiny… The future of the world and of the Church, therefore, passes through the family.” (Homily, Perth, 30 November 1986)

This was a bold declaration, for it sought to locate the flourishing of humanity squarely in the domestic and the personal, and not in economic or political or cultural settings, nor in education or labour or enterprise. “The future of the world and of the Church,” he said, “passes by way of the family.”

For better or worse, in good times and bad, whether whole or broken, strong or vulnerable, we each come to be from a family, and we each live out the project of our lives within a family. No-one is an island; and any social theory that attempts to reconstruct human flourishing separated from its family roots is devoid of goodness.

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

https://melbournecatholic.org/news/patrick-oration-2022

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary...

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen. 

'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you' (Lk 1: 28)

'Blessed are you among women, 
and blessed is the fruit of your womb'
(Lk 1: 42).

The Feast of the Annunciation

Today, Friday 25 March we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. The word ‘annunciation’ refers to the ‘announcement’ of the Lord’s incarnation to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel, as read in the Gospel of Luke.

Even though Friday is a traditional day of fasting during Lent because the solemnity falls on this day we do not fast as the feast takes precedence reminding us of Mary’s cooperation in God’s plan.

The Blessed Mother’s “yes” at the Annunciation is known in Latin as her fiat. This Latin word is translated into English as “let it be done” and summarises Mary’s humble obedience to the Word of God (Luke 1:38).

Mary’s fiat was spoken from a heart filled with the love of God. She was not a person dominated by jealousy, hatred, selfishness, or greed. But rather emptied in order to be filled. She was able to completely surrender herself to God. By responding with “yes” Mary shows us how to live our lives in this world. Each of us can say “yes” as well and believe that nothing is impossible with God. May we grow in the love of holiness just like Mary Our Mother this Lenten season.

Friday 8am Mass – St Catherine of Siena Parish Church

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

Friday’s during term one

8:00 – 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 these 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 and on things we may need to work to allow Christ to reign in our hearts.

Sunday Gospel Reflection

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C – Luke 15:1-3. 11-32

To assist students further in their literacy skills, English Support is 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 and Thursday afternoons between 3:20pm – 4:20pm in room MM3. 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.

If you would like any further clarification, please feel free to contact me at the College at aconsiglio@crccs.vic.edu.au

English Support Timetable – Term 1, 2022

Tuesday/Thursday - 3:20pm - 4:20pm Room MM2

Year 11 2023

SAVE THE DATE

Academic Testing Day - Saturday 30 April 2022

Time: 8.30am - 12.30pm

Students to please wear full winter uniform.

Compulsory for all students.

Further information will be sent via mail to all enrolled families.

If there are any questions, please contact Adam Ray (Learning and Teaching Leader - Student Pathways) at aray@crccs.vic.edu.au

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students are held in May each year. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student learning and achievement.

From 2022, all schools in Australia will deliver the tests online. Students complete the tests utilising their computers. NAPLAN Online delivers numerous benefits including:

• a ‘tailored test’ design that adapts to correct and incorrect student responses providing a more precise understanding of student achievement;

• innovative use of technology, including a more engaging test design and a wider range of item types;

• the extension of the ‘test window’ to two weeks, allowing schools greater opportunity to schedule the tests at times that suit them best while also increasing student participation.

To support students with NAPLAN Online, we, like all schools, will facilitate a NAPLAN Online practice test window to aid students’ familiarisation with the NAPLAN Online platform and protocols. Students will sit two tests within the practice test window:

• a 42-minute Writing test

• a 45-minute Omnibus test (a combination of reading, conventions of language and numeracy questions).
  

Support can be arranged for students with disabilities if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks.

It is important to remember that the practice tests are not a formal assessment and students will not be graded for sitting the practice tests.

Please note that students will require a fully charged MacBook and headphones for the tests. Students should bring their own headphones as spares headphones are not in line with the College COVID Safe policy.

Students who are absent during the practice test/s are encouraged to familiarise themselves via the NAPLAN Online Public Demonstrations Tests accessible here: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

For more information about NAPLAN Online, please visit the NAP website at www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment

Third Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 21^st March)

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Janice, a Wagilak woman and traditional dancer who tells her family’s stories through movements handed down over generations.

Like many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Janice faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.

With your help, Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities.

Janice believes that Djilpin Arts’ work is essential to create opportunities for young people to stay on-country, to share intergenerational knowledge between elders and the younger generation - to promote healing, and to keep culture alive.

Watch a short film about Janice’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast

Dear Parents/Carers

We will be hosting our Mother’s Day Mass and High Tea on Friday 6 May. This will be a celebration of mothers, grandmothers and significant women in the lives of our students. All students are invited to honour these women by attending alongside their mothers, grandmothers or significant women to be held at St Catherine of Siena, Parish Church at 8:00-8:30am. Following on from the Mass, all guests are invited to attend a morning tea in the College Cafeteria until 9:00am.

Registration for this event is essential. Please register your attendance by Tuesday 4^th May using the link below.

Mother's Day Mass & Morning Tea Registration Link

Thursday 17 March marked the feast day of St Patrick the Patron Saint of Ireland. This day is more commonly known as St Patrick's Day. He was a 5th-century missionary and Bishop, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. The day is a widespread celebration in not just Ireland, but the rest of the world as well, with parades taking place and streets covered in green decorations. 

The Social Justice team took it as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with all things green! 

The team were at the gates bright and early to greet the rest of the students with fresh green apples and St Patrick’s day stickers, all with lively Irish tunes playing in the background to really get into the spirit of the day. At recess and lunch, green jelly cups were sold for $1 on the Hogan green and it was great to see so many students eager to try some. Overall, the day was an excellent way to celebrate St Patrick, and have a bit of fun as a student community.  

A huge thank you to Ms Mattar for organising the day! 

By Angel Yesudas 10CO

This Year 8 Materials Technology class are currently working with wood to create individual cases.

The students are learning how to cut and assemble wood with a focus on rebate joins and the correct, safe use of wood making tools. They will personalise their work with logos they have created using the design process. We are looking forward to seeing some great colourful finished designs soon!

Students in Years 8 and 10 are near the end of completing their first assessment on ceramic design.

Year 8 Students used the technique of pinch pottery to create crazy monster characters, while year 10 Students have constructed coil pot jars with sculpted lids.

I am impressed with the creativity that the Art Students have demonstrated, as all work has been of their own design and planning.

Images show the pottery ready to be glazed and fired in the kiln.

Science at CRCCS Term 1

Year 7 Science

Year 7 students are exploring the introduction to science, in particular learning how to accurately measure/observe results. Students studied the difference between quantitative and qualitative measurements and through the practical of measuring different coloured solutions, observe and understand the meniscus curve and how can result in errors when measuring.

Year 9 Forensics Science

Year 9 Forensics Science students are learning about being able to identify surfaces that can create impressions from the contact of a suspect. The practical conducted was ‘Footwear impressions’ where students were invited to

• Display impressions in different materials of different textures
• Make a simple impression of a unique body part
• Derive ways to further analyse the impression in the Forensic Laboratory

Year 10 Biology

Students learnt the processes involved in extraction DNA from cells. They had the opportunity to understand the process for extracting DNA from a Kiwi Fruit successfully.

Year 10 Chemistry

Year 10 Chemistry students identified the trends in metal reactivity within different groups when put in water and acid. The students in the practical were invited to calculate the density of an element and recognise the trend in density in a group.

Year 11 VCE Biology

Year 11 VCE Biology students commenced their Unit 1: How do organisms regulate their functions? Their first focus was exploring how the cells function. Students gathered the understanding that organelles are needed for specific cellular functions. They were able to use agar jelly to observe the surface area to volume ratio limits cell size through the process of diffusion.

Everyday Science

Students explored the steps in Scientific Research, focusing on gathering and understanding data collected. In conducting the practicals, students were able to test the effect of an independent variable on the spurt height of soft drink with Mentos added to it. They also exported the collected data into an appropriate graph and evaluated this data.

Outdoor Education

The Year 10 Outdoor Education class has recently had our first 2 excursions for the year, comparing surf experiences in the ocean and an artificial wave at UrbnSurf in Tullamarine.

At the beginning of term, students have completed investigations on how technology has changed elements of surfboards. They researched changes in fins, materials, size and shape of the board and how changes to these elements have changed our experiences as participants in surfing. For us in particular, the development of soft foam boards has allowed us to safely learn to surf in large groups without putting each other at risk.

On February 23, the class travelled to Torquay and saw physical evidence of this development in the National Surf Museum and a chat with a local surfer who talked about much of the early development that has shaped how we participate today. The class then travelled to nearby Bancoora Beach to experience a learn to surf lesson run by the Go Ride A Wave surf school.

While conditions were challenging with the currents and inconsistent waves, students managed to catch waves and some managed to get to their feet while riding it to the shore. All students had an enjoyable experience and couldn’t wait to return to try again.

We followed this experience with a second trip two weeks later on March 9 at UrbnSurf in Tullamarine. UrbnSurf is a step up in technology with an artificial wave created in a large pool so that waves created are consistent and meets the needs of the group participating. Our group found this amazing with every student successfully catching waves and getting their feet on the board and most of them managing to then ride the wave towards the shore. Some enjoyed the experience so much they even stated that they have been inspired to get their own board and continue surfing and further develop their technique.

Thank you to Mr Matkovic for attending and assisting in coaching the students in the water and the instructors at both Go Ride a Wave and UrbnSurf in helping our students have an enjoyable time.

Mr Wilkinson

Student article – Nina Shearsby 10MK

On Wednesday 23 February the Year 10 Outdoor Education class went on an all day excursion to the Australian National Surfing Museum, as well as Bancoora beach in Torquay. We spent the day learning about the history of surfing, different surfboard designs and the thought and effort that led to how we know and enjoy surfing today. Later, at the beach we were able to try out surfing for ourselves. Instructors from the ‘Go Ride A Wave’ surf school taught us the basics of surfing before letting us try it out in the water. This experience was fun and new, as we were able to understand the concept of surfing and then put our knowledge and research to the test. We are all, as a class excited to go to UBRNSURF in a couple of weeks to compare natural beach waves, to those artificially created.

POSITION AVAILABLE AT SACRED HEART-EMMAUS PARISH OFFICE

Expressions of interest are welcome for the new position of ‘Parish Administration Coordinator’, based in the Parish Office at St Albans, 10am-3pm Monday-Friday. This role will oversee and implement all business that comes through the Parish Office.

Contact the Parish Priest at maurie.cooney@cam.org.au