All Saints and All Souls

On the feast of All Saints (1st November), we are asked to reflect on the lives of the saints. We can often think of saints as perfect people, but their greatest witness is how they coped with the ordinary difficulties of their life, and how they courageously showed the love of God to others.

We also remember and pray for all those who have died on the feast of All Souls (2nd November). Some of these people may only be known to God. Others are people whose love, sacrifice and fidelity we have seen for ourselves and who have inspired us. They saw God in this world and are now fully alive to him in the next.

Year 12 Graduation CRC Sydenham

On Friday 14 October Year 12 students finished classes and, in the evening, celebrated the conclusion of their secondary education with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

As a school community we can be very proud of these young people and all they’ve achieved throughout their time at Catholic Regional College. Thank you to all the staff, both here and at Sydenham, who’ve worked with them and supported them to this point. The students are now fully focused on preparing for their final exams, which began on Wednesday. I ask that you keep them and their teachers in your thoughts and prayers at this very important time.

Staffing News

We wish college property manager Dean Cassar all the best in his future endeavours as property manager at St. Columba’s College as he concludes his time with us at the College.

We thank him for his contribution to the College over the past year.

Melbourne Cup Weekend

Families are reminded that there are no classes on Monday 31 October and Tuesday 1 November. The break provides students with the opportunity to prepare for the final weeks of Term 4. It is a good time to catch up on work and to do some exam revision.

Staff Curriculum Planning Day - Friday 25 November

Please note that due to a change to the timetable structure for 2023, there will be a teacher curriculum writing day on Friday 25 November. This will therefore be a student free day. More information regarding the 2023 timetable structure and the reasons for the changes will be outlined in detail in the next edition of the newsletter. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Important Dates

A reminder of the following upcoming and end of year events:

· Monday 14 November to Tuesday 23 November - Year 9 and 10 Exam Week

· Monday 28 November to Tuesday 29 November – Year 8 Exams

· Thursday 24 November at 7:00pm - Year 10 Graduation Mass, College Hall (Year 10 students and parents)

· Thursday 24 November – Year 10 final day

· Monday 5 December at 7:00pm - Year 7-10 Presentation Evening, A Celebration of Excellence, PAC (Year 7-10 award winners and parents)

· Tuesday 6 December at 9:00am - Year 7-9 End of Year Celebration Mass (parents welcome)

· Tuesday 6 December - Year 7-9 final day

Here at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, we are aware that our local area is very busy both before and after school. We need to consider the safety of all our students and staff given the number of schools and businesses in our area. Traffic can become very congested, and the safety of our community is paramount. We have had a number of concerns with students crossing against the lights as well as being distracted by their mobile phones when crossing at the intersection.

We would like to encourage parents and carers to have conversations with their child around being road safe on their way to school as well as when they are leaving. It is worth our students remembering the following road rules:

• Know your safety signals
• Be careful when crossing the road
• Always pay attention and listen to any warnings
• Never run on a busy road
• Always use footpaths
• Practice safety in moving vehicles eg. on a school bus when on an excursion
• Ride bicycles carefully
• Being safe when getting in and out of vehicles
• Never multitask when walking on roads eg. avoid being on mobiles when crossing a road or intersection
• Use the pedestrian crossing

Can we also remind families that if you have a child that rides their bike to school they must ensure they wear a helmet to and from school.

And finally, students are not to be picked up or dropped off in the staff car park. As a College, we have a designated gate where all students are expected to enter and exit each day.

Thank you for supporting the College in keeping our students safe.

O Queen of Homes: by the power of the Rosary we beseech you to embrace all the members of our family in the love of your Immaculate Heart. May you abide with us and we with you, praying to you while you pray for us. May you preside in our homes as once you did at Nazareth with Jesus and Joseph, filling them with the holiness of your presence and inspiration.

Amen

Live Rosary – LIHM Sisters

During the month of October staff and students have been taking the time to pray a decade of the rosary every Friday lunchtime at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church. Last Friday, however, we were joined by the wonderful LIHM Sisters who lead us in a ‘Live Rosary’ in front of a beautiful statue of our Blessed Mother. After each ‘Hail Mary’ students placed a rose in the vase in front of Our Lady. The students also presented sacramentals of the Brown Scapula, rosary beads and finally the crowning of Mary.

Roses have been a long tradition of the rosary. In fact, it is from the rose that the term ‘rosary’ is derived. Many times, throughout history Mary has appeared with the image of roses. So, when the complete Rosary is said a large crown of roses becomes a little wreath of flowers or a small crown of heavenly roses which we place on the heads of Jesus and Mary. The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions.

Term 4 - Weekly Friday 8am Mass

A reminder that weekly Friday 8am Mass (8:00-8:25am) will occur every Friday of Term 4 (unless otherwise advised) at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church located on the school grounds.

All students and their families are welcome to attend. It is a wonderful opportunity to begin the day in contemplation and prayer, listening to the word of God and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. I encourage all those who are able to attend.

Ablaze Youth Group

Ablaze Youth Group runs every fortnight at the CRCCS Hall from 7 to 8:30pm. All those in high school Years 7-12 are more than welcome to come along. For further enquiries, please contact: stcatherineyg@gmail.com

Next session: Friday 4 November

Sunday Gospel Reflection

Thirty-First Sunday Ordinary Time Year C

Luke 19:1-10

Weekend Parish Mass Times

St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Caroline Springs

Saturday (Vigil): 6:00pm

Sunday: 9:00am, 10:30am & 12:00pm

St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Caroline Springs Website

Sacred Heart/Emmaus St Albans & Sydenham

Sacred Heart

Saturday (Vigil): 5:00pm

Sunday: 7:30pm, 9:00am (Polish), 10:30am

Emmaus Church

Saturday: 6:30pm

Sunday: 9:00am

Sacred Heart/Emmaus St Albans & Sydenham Website

Resurrection Catholic Parish, Kings Park

Saturday (Vigil) 6:00pm

Sunday: 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:30pm (Syriac – Iraqi), 3:00pm (every fourth & fifth Sunday of the month – South Sudanese)

Resurrection Catholic Parish, Kings Park Website

Maths Support is an after-school program designed to assist students in developing their numeracy skills. These sessions are facilitated by Math teachers at the College and are an excellent opportunity for students of all capabilities to receive tailored numeracy support and develop their confidence in all areas of Math.

This program is offered to all students at the College and will run from 3:20pm – 4:20pm in MM1 most Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students are not required to attend for the entire hour and, as such, can choose to leave after they have received the support they seek.

Below is the timetable for Term 4 which indicates the date as well as the teacher facilitating the session.

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

Year 8 Student Leader: Tomasso

Q1. What does servant leadership mean to you?

To me servant leadership means to serve the wants and needs of the students in our college and to listen to what they have to say about how to improve the college and take that on board.

Q2. Why did you want to be a part of the 2022 student leadership team?

I chose to be a part of the 2022 student leadership team to create a change in the college and make it a better space for all the students enrolled and to be able to make this college a better place for the future students.

Q3. What is your role in the leadership team? And what are your responsibilities?

I am a year 8 leader, and our responsibilities include: taking future students and their guardians on tours around the school, attending student leadership meetings every week, representing the year 8 cohort and working on proposals aimed to make our college a better place for students.

Q4. What is a goal you would like to achieve this year in the leadership team?

This year I would like to be able to complete at least one proposal of my own and assist others with their proposals as much as I possible can.

Q5. What is the legacy you wish to leave behind?

I wish to leave behind a legacy that will inspire future students and student leaders to be determined and hard working in what they do and that they also will work hard in ensuring that this college is a better place for its students

Q6. What are some exciting projects or proposals the leadership team are currently working on that you are passionate about? Is there something new that you would like to introduce?

Two great proposals being put forward by two of our year nine leaders is the oval facilities proposal and the basketball facilities. The oval facilities proposal being put forward by Alyssa D aims to have nets installed behind the goal posts closest to the sienna building on the footy oval to stop footballs flying into people and flying in areas they were not intended to go and to get bench shelters for premier league games. The second proposal (in which I will be assisting the development of), is the basketball facilities proposal which aims to have the basketball hoops and backboards upgraded and/or replaced and to have nets placed onto the hoops.

Year 8 Student Leader: Dominic A

Q1. What does servant leadership mean to you?

Servant leadership to me means prioritising the needs of the students and being their voice, and choosing the best outcomes so that everything is done properly and appropriately.

Q2. Why did you want to be a part of the 2022 student leadership team?

I wanted to join the leadership team this year because I wanted to help improve this school. I also chose to join the leadership team because I have a passion for leadership and wanted to grow as a person and a leader.

Q3. What is your role in the leadership team? And what are your responsibilities?

My role this year is a year 8 leader. Within this role, I am responsible for creating and working on proposals, helping to assist in college events, raising and lowering the flags, attending leadership meetings, leading college tours, and being able to work in a team.

Q4. What is a goal you would like to achieve this year in the leadership team?

A goal I would have achieved this year in the leadership team, would be to build up self-confidence. I’m still not the most risk-taking person, but if you talked to me a few years ago, you wouldn’t see the same person you would see today. I am very thankful for everything student leadership has taught me.

Q5. What is the legacy you wish to leave behind?

I want my legacy to be that I have helped people understand that everyone is equal and deserves a fair go, no matter who they are. I’m an advocate for equality and I wish to see a place where no one discriminates against each other.

Q6. What are some exciting projects or proposals the leadership team are currently that you are passionate about? Is there something new that you would like to introduce?

There are numerous proposals that are still being developed and some are almost finished such as the Year 9 Social Event. I’m really excited about a potential new proposal regarding human dignity at the college with a few other students within leadership. This links with the legacy I would like to leave behind that everyone is treated equally, and I hope by getting this proposal through, we can build an even better culture at our College.

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs is excited to be hosting Italian exchange students from our Sister School Liceo Scientifico Livio Cambi, Falconara Italy in February 2023 for one week. These students are aged between 14-15 years old and are fluent in English.

As a College, we are now looking for suitable families keen to host an Italian exchange student during this time. This would provide an enriching opportunity to interact with a student from another culture and welcome them into your family.

Please see a few important points below:

• all Italian exchange students are triple vaccinated against COVID-19
• host students can be from Year 7, 8, 9 or 10
• students arrive on the 22 February 2023 and depart on 01 March 2023
• host families can take up to two students
• all Italian exchange students will take part in classes, incursions and excursions organised by the College
• host students can opt into incursions and excursions during that week.

If you are interested, please complete the form below for more information.

Italy Hosting Form 2023

Fifteen Students from years 7-10 were given a wonderful opportunity to be involved with CRC Live Radio. On October 6, students were given media training which include learning how to conduct interviews, running voiceovers and familiarising ourselves with the equipment of professional radio-broadcasters. October 12 was the big day, this involved the recording of our interviews, we had many wonderful guests on our show these included our College Principal, Mr Jamie Madigan, our Deputy Principal of Student Wellbeing Ms Katie Murray- Fawcett, our Head of Student Pathways, Mr Adam Ray, Vanessa & Kerry from Brimbank Youth Services, Malou from the African Youth Initiative, Manessha from Victoria University and Suzanne from Cohealth. Each of these individuals provided their own unique story and they were an absolute pleasure to interview. The topics of our interviews included talks about our school from the perspective of students to the wellbeing of young people today and the future prospects of living within our community. These interviews are not to be missed! Students are encouraged to visit the library during lunchtimes on the following days to listen to our radio broadcasts. These are available on Wednesday 2 November and Friday 4 November. Parents and families are also encouraged to listen to our broadcasts by clicking on the following link. I am beyond grateful for this wonderful experience and have many fond memories to look back on from my time working on this radio opportunity!

You can view this fantastic experience by using this link - https://online.flipbuilder.com/xjke/ftcv/

The week of the 17^th to 20^th October saw the annual Arts/Technology exhibition held in the PAC foyer and varied events occurring during lunchtime.

The formal opening of the exhibition was held on Tuesday evening with delicious finger food from the Food Technology department being served on a giant paint palette and awards being revealed to deserving creative students.

The principal’s award was won by Lourdess C in 10MW, with encouragement award given to Ava Q of 8MK.

Students chose Claire P from 9WO and her ceramic shoe as their favourite and runner up being Janine E of 10MK for her skateboard design.

The school acquisition program chose the following students’ artworks to add to the collection- Lily C (8LI) photograph ‘Mirror to the Past’, Jessica C (8MW) ceramic bird and Johann N (10MW) skateboard design.

Certificates recognising a high standard in Technology were - Claire L 10BU, Alizah P 8MW, Sophie T 8KO and Jameson C 8MW. Certificates recognising a high standard in the Visual Arts were - Connor O 10BU, Jessica C 8MW, Astrid Y 7CO, Maryan B 8BU, Isabelle 8WO, Olivia R 8KO, Maryam M 10KO and Helen N 7BU.

Winners of the Photography competition were – Doreen A 9WO, Katherine S 10LI, Lily C 8LI and Emilija B 7MK.

Winners of the Manga drawing competition were – Megan M 8MK and Dominic A 8WO.

Thank you to all the Visual Arts and Technology teachers for their dedication to our learning areas over 2022, and to the students who have contributed their creative talents throughout each class.

The inaugural House Music Festival was held in the Hall on Tuesday 18 October. The theme of the event was music from the 2000s, the House Captains and Vice Captains ran rehearsals on Tuesday 4 and Monday 10 October. Each House chose a song from the 2000s and performed it to the whole school with a judging panel deciding on a winner. The event opened with a performance from Franklin who chose Waka Waka by Shakira, followed by O’Reilly who performed All Star by American band Smash Mouth. The third House to perform was Jackson who sang Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus, with the final performance left for Norman who performed Baby by Justin Bieber. The winner of the inaugural House Music Festival was O’Reilly. Many thanks to the House Captains and Vice Captains: Sarah R & Nyankat D (Jackson), Eniola T & Ella H (Norman), Georgia M & Augustha M (O’Reilly) and Elizabeth D & Alessia I (Franklin).

Our College community had the opportunity to appreciate and celebrate world food day. Students lined up from every year level to purchase sushi, pizza or chocolate. All proceeds were put towards our Uganda Project. Students also had the opportunity to take part in a World Food kahoot during their homeroom, after learning about St Martha the Patron Saint of cooking.

Prayer
Saint Martha, patron saint of cooking and hospitality, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better. Help us to overcome our distractions and worries to listen to his words and be present to him this day. Help us to show the love and hospitality you presented. 
Amen.

On Friday 21 October a small team of Year 7 and 8 students played both singles and doubles tennis at Hume Tennis Centre. It was great to escape most of the rain so the students could play all their matches against competing Catholic schools.

Our girls’ singles player Zara C played well, dropping only one match, while Benjamin V faced tough competition amongst the boys’ grouping, holding his own by winning two of his matches.

Our boys’ double’s team, Luke C and Johnathan K, won three of their five matches and our B team were able to play in a separate competition.

Ms Georgia Seymour and a group of Year 9 and 10 students volunteered their time to help co-ordinate the scores and oversee each of the matches.

A big thank you to all who participated in this event.

A session on the pillar of Compassion was presented to each Year 7 homeroom during their Faith Formation Day. The students were presented with the college definition on compassion “motivated by the love of Christ, we are compelled to carry the needs and suffering of others”. Initially their understanding on the pillar of Compassion was basic, however, by the end of our varied conversations and sharing of experiences, their understanding was deepened and enlightened.

Together, they took the time to pack some food items for the less fortunate in our community, and more importantly, to write a message of love and hope to a random soul. The instruction was to write a message that would warm the heart of a stranger, and with open minds and a willing heart, the Year 7’s of our blessed CRCCS community did just that.

Thank you, to the entire Year 7 cohort, for displaying the true meaning of Compassion.

The CRCCS School of Rock has been part of the Co-Curricular Music Program for many years, and they had their first road trip since 2019. The three bands and four staff set off at 9.00am for their first performance at St George Preca Primary School. Grade 4 and 5 students were treated to a polished performance by the three bands made up of students in Years 7 to 10. Songs performed included Twist and Shout and Stand by Me from the 1960s through to more contemporary songs. After packing up an array of equipment and boarding the bus the School of Rock headed to Emmaus Primary School for their second performance. There were several Grade 6 classes in the audience who learnt about all of the amazing options in Instrumental Music at our College. Many thanks to the three staff mentors, Mr Luke Julien, Ms Melinda Martinek and Mr Ben Wisbey, who have worked diligently with the students throughout the year.

Year 7 and 8 students stormed into the kitchen to take part in the 'One Pan Competition' as part of the Technology week celebrations. They were given a “wok” (pan), a wooden spoon and a range of ingredients to select from. They had 30 minutes to cook, clean and present. Our judges Margaret and Nrmin, had the important job of tasting a sample and deciding the champions. Well done to all who participated and especially to the champions of the 'One Pan Competition' for 2022.