COVID Safe measures:

Cases of COVID-19, flu and other winter illnesses continue to rise across Victoria, which is causing disruption for staff and students.

We have implemented several COVID Safe measures, such as air purifiers, improved ventilation and recommended mask wearing, based on advice from the Victorian Government that they will reduce the transmission of COVID-19, and help keep staff and students safe.

These measures will remain in place for the rest of winter to ensure that Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs can remain as safe and open as possible.

We have also deployed other measures, such as engaging casual relieving teachers, combining classes, rescheduling some school activities and having school leaders supervise classes, to minimise the disruption of staff absences.

The operational flexibility these measures provide enables us to minimise the disruption to the wider student body as much as possible.

I thank you and your child for your support, and patience, as my staff and I work through this challenging period.

College Musical Mamma Mia!

WOW what a wonderful, vibrant, fun, and very polished performance of this year’s musical Mamma Mia!, we have recently witnessed. I have watched the faces of the students as they have performed over the past week, and I have seen wide smiles and happy, joyful faces. Similarly, I also watched the audiences throughout the performances, and they also had permanent big smiles throughout the shows with plenty of laughter and singing.

This has been eight months in the making, and I am so deeply proud of all the students who have worked so tirelessly throughout this year. I was truly amazed, by the wonderful gifts and talents that our students have displayed, across so many diverse areas. In these shows we witnessed our students’ outstanding performing arts abilities, including singing, dancing, acting, and instrumental music playing. This production was an excellent opportunity for the students involved, to showcase their gifts and talents in an engaging and entertaining way. I thank the students for having the courage to step outside their comfort zone and initially undertake their auditions and then be brave enough to accept the roles, and then perform them so skillfully and stylishly.

This year we re-introduced a live band format, with a very skillful 8-piece band performing every single note of the musical score. The band led by conductor Dr Chris McGillan and Musical Director Mr Danny Godoy also practiced and rehearsed for many months and they sounded extremely professional and achieved outstanding results. I would like to thank all the student and staff musicians involved for their exemplary commitment to the college musical and for performing at such a high standard.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the staff that were involved in this year’s College production. In this production we witnessed the students and staff working collaboratively and creatively to bring out the best in each other. We are very proud of all involved, as they dedicated themselves to literally hundreds of hours of rehearsals, after school and on weekends.

The staff at CRC Caroline Springs are very committed and go above and beyond to support the students. Our students are indeed very lucky to have such great teachers and staff, who are so committed to providing them with these amazing experiences that they will all remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.

I am sure that anytime in the future, whenever the students in this year’s cast and crew hear an ABBA song in the car, on the radio or on tv, they will be reminded of the magnificent times they had here at CRC Caroline Springs as part of the Mamma Mia! musical cast. The fond memories, friendships, songs, and lyrics will all come flooding back to them.

We also thank those staff, students involved in vocal ensembles, backstage crew, front of house, and the many students, staff and our maintenance team involved in the painting and construction of the amazing musical set. The set looked fabulous. It was also very exciting to have so many past students volunteering their times and talents to assist backstage in numerous roles. We always warmly welcome our alumni back into our College community and we very much value and appreciate their efforts.

A very special and heart felt thank you, to the following staff who played very significant roles to put together this year’s amazing college production of Mamma Mia!:

Director: Ms Jordyn Bugeja

Producer: Ms Katie Franzone

Producer/Conductor: Dr Chris McGillen

Musical Director: Mr Danny Godoy

Acting Coach: Mr Ben Wisby

Photographer: Mr Shingo Gibson-Suzuki

Back Stage Manager: Ms Allison Caruana

Vocal Coach: Ms Elise Laguna

Instrumental Music Piano: Ms Maria Fiteni

Instrumental Music Guitar: Mr Luke Julian

In concluding, I also thank the parents and families of the students involved in the musical who have supported their participation and have often acted as taxi drivers, dropping off and picking up your son or daughter to the various after school and weekend rehearsals. The support and encouragement you have given you child has enabled their involvement.

We eagerly look forward to announcing the 2023 college musical in the upcoming weeks.

August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
full of goodness,
show your love towards us.
Let the flame of your heart,
O Mary, descend on all people.
We love you immensely.

Impress true love in our hearts
so that we have a continuous desire for you.
O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we are in sin.
You know that all men sin.

Give us, by means of your Immaculate Heart, spiritual health.
Let us always see the goodness of your motherly heart
and may we be converted by means of the flame of your heart.

Amen.

Dear Fathers, Grandfathers and significant men of our students,

You are invited to attend a thanksgiving mass and breakfast to recognise and give thanks for the gift of ‘fatherhood’ and all the great contributions you have made to the families of our community. Details of the Mass and breakfast as well as how to register are below.

Date: Friday 2 September

Mass: 8:00-8:30am, St Catherine of Siena Parish Church, Caroline Springs

Breakfast: 8:30 – 9:00am, College Cafeteria

Registration: Please register your interest via the link by Wednesday 24 August.

Father's Day Mass & Breakfast Registration Link

Last Sunday’s Gospel of the parable of the rich man (Luke 12:13-21) explains the challenge many of us face as humans. Jesus tells us about the man who tore down his grain bins to build bigger ones to contain all his grain. Jesus called this man a fool. It is easy to fall into the mindset that achievement and success comes with how much wealth we have accumulated throughout our lives. Our consumerist lifestyles orientate us to desire the latest ‘must have’ gadgets.

As a Catholic School our mission is to raise the hearts and minds of our community towards storing up treasure in heaven rather than storing up treasure for only ourselves. As soon as a member of our community walks in our front gates there should be a realisation that something is different about this place. Our college motto ‘Live Fully Act Justly’ is a daily reminder of what Jesus is calling us to do in the parable. By ‘Living Fully’ we open and raise our hearts and mind to Christ and his teaching of love and use this to ‘Act Justly’ for the good of the other. This is how we can ‘make ourselves rich in the sight of God.’

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

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Gospel Luke 12:32-48

Be as servants, wide awake at the return of their master.

Enrolment applications are now open to Year 5 students who will be starting Year 7 in 2024.

You can download the application form from our website. Applications close Friday 19 August 2022.

Please note that parents/carers who already have children attending the College and who have a sibling in Year 5 will still need to complete an enrolment form.

Box of Books

If you have not yet paid for your child’s 2022 digital student subscription please login to ‘Box of Books’ website to attend to immediate payment before the child’s subscription is interrupted. https://shop.boxofbooks.com.au 

Please email the finance department with your payment receipt to mkrsteski@crccs.vic.edu.au

Year 10 Camp 2022

Payment for the Year 10 camp is due by 3 October. The date of camp is 26-28 October 2022. Please contact the finance department if you need to discuss this in further detail.

STEM with NASA Cultural Immersion (USA 2023)

Payment due dates are 1 October, 1 December 2022 and 1 February 2023. The date of the STEM with NASA Cultural Immersion is 1-12 April 2023

Italy Immersion (2023)

Deposit is due by 24 August with payments due dates 14 September, 16 November 2022 and 1 March 2023. Date of Italian Immersion is 9 – 7 September 2023

2022 School Fees

School fees are to be completed by November each year. If you have any concerns with school fees please contact the Finance Department to discuss.

Thank you
Finance Department

Math 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 their seek.

Below is the timetable for Term 3 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.

Dear Parents/Carers,  

At Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, we offer an array of Student Learning Support Programs to assist our students beyond the classroom. These programs are facilitated by Teachers and Learning Support Officers at the College. Students are encouraged to make use of the following programs:

• Maths Support
• English Support
• Refugee and EAL Support (with Operoo)
• Homework Support 

Students at times may be required to attend certain programs at the request of their teachers. Parents/carers will receive a SEQTA notification to attend the following: 

• Homework Catch Up 
• Assessment Re-Sit (with Operoo) 

Please see a summary table below for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Ms Linda Bracco on lbracco@crccs.vic.edu.au

St Vinnies Winter Appeal

The St Vinnies Winter Food appeal translates to - thinking about others!

Some examples include:

• pasta/spaghetti
• canned vegetables
• tuna
• canned stews
• whole grain, low-sugar cold cereals
• olive or canola oil
• canned tomatoes
• dried fruits, no sugar added
• honey
• chicken, beef and vegetable broths and stock
• canned beans
• dry beans
• peanut butter, or other nut butters
• rolled oats
• canned fruit in juice, not in light or heavy syrup
• canned vegetables, with no or low sodium
• low-sodium soups

Jackson House Captains: Nyankat Deng and Sarah Rigg

Nyankat Deng

Q1. What does servant leadership mean to you?

Servant leadership to me means to live up to our college motto, live fully, act justly and to always be a role model not only to students within our college but everyone around me.

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 because I wanted to try new things and to boost my self-confidence and I must say that it has helped me a lot!

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

My role in the student leadership team this year is Jackson Deputy House Captain. My responsibilities are to encourage my house as much as I can and to also be a role model to them.

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

My goal this year in the student leadership team is to give back to the Catholic Regional College community as it has helped me in starting my high school journey since year 7!

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

A legacy I would like to leave behind is that Catholic Regional College is a place where student voice is valued and it’s a place where you are supported by both students and staff.

Q6. What are some exciting projects or proposals the leadership team are currently working on, that you are passionate about?

Me and a couple of my leadership peers have proposed to leadership a peer support program which I am very excited about and can’t wait for it to start very soon.

Sarah Rigg

Q1. What does servant leadership mean to you?

To me Servant leadership means someone who is willing to put their hand up and take responsibility for the college and be a good representative.  

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

I wanted to be a part of the 2022 student leadership team because when I was in year 7 I really looked up towards the leaders and I knew that in my senior year I want to be that kind of inspiration for the younger students.  

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

my role in the leadership team is Jackson House Captain. My responsibilities include representing Jackson House and all the sport carnivals we have at CRCCS and to help make decisions for the college.  

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

An achievement for me is for people to look up to me and feel the same inspiration I felt when I just started high school.  

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

I wish to leave behind a positive message that anything is possible. If you would have told me in year 7 that I would be house captain, I would not believe it. I want people to believe in themselves and do what truly makes them happy.  

Q6. What are some exciting projects or proposals the leadership team are currently working on, that you are passionate about?

We are currently working on many more fundraisers for many different foundations.

Dear Parents/Carers,

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs is excited to offer our Italian Exchange Program for 2023 to our current Year 8 and 9 Students.

The Italy Cultural Immersion Tour will take place on the 9 September to the 27 September 2023. It is offered as an optional experience for students interested in exploring Italian language and culture and partaking in an exciting exchange experience. Students wishing to attend this tour will be required to host an Italian Exchange Student for 1 week during February 2023. This gesture will be reciprocated if your child travels to Italy in September. The experience of hosting an Italian student, and being hosted by an Italian family, is a major highlight of this exchange program for travelling students and their families.

On Wednesday 10 August, the College will be holding a Parent Information Night, for parents/carers of current Year 8 and 9 Students who are interested in attending the 2023 Italy Cultural Immersion Tour. The Parent Information Night will commence at 6pm in the Performing Arts Centre. Information will be presented regarding the itinerary, travel procedures and an opportunity to ask questions regarding both the tour and hosting element of the exchange.

Please register your child’s interest and RSVP for the Parent Information Night using the link below. If you have any questions about this tour, please do not hesitate to contact me via email lbracco@crccs.vic.edu.au

Parent Information Night Registration Link

Dear Parents/Carers,

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 1 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. It is 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
• 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

What a HUGE success! Thank you to all the parents, students and staff who helped this to happen.

We had 4 shows across one weekend where the students performed to full houses each time. They worked so hard for two terms to learn lines, sing and choreography to enable the performance to come to life on stage.

The band made up of both adults and students who worked tirelessly to learn the score and to bring the music to life for the cast!

To the Crew (all of you) for helping with; backstage, front of house, lighting, sound and hair and makeup THANK YOU

We cannot wait to announce the 2023 College Musical at the end of year assembly and we look forward to sharing news on our up and coming Alumni Musical.

Please enjoy a few of the photos taken at the Primary School Performance last Tuesday.

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs celebrated Languages Week on Monday 18 July – Friday 22 July. All Year 8 students of Japanese were treated to some hands-on incursions include a Kendo demonstration, a Ninjutsu workshop, and cultural activities. All Year 8 students of Italian participated in both cultural activities and ‘tagliatelle’ Pasta Making Incursion facilitated by Big Pocket. It was equal parts educational and engaging for our students.

Student Testimonials:

‘The Year 8 Italian excursion was very enjoyable. The pasta making was such an experience for all of us to enjoy and really understand Italian culture and the importance of making food from the heart. All the activities were very informative, and we learnt about Italian culture. Overall, we all had such a great time.’ Eve Curtain

‘I found the Year 8 Japanese Incursion to be quite fun, unique, and exciting. In Kendo, we safely used and learned about bamboo swords and other weapons from medieval Japanese times. A demonstration Kendo match was also presented earlier that day. The Ninjutsu workshop was also exciting. Learning how to defend ourselves from a blade strike, use a wooden pole to attack, and a live demonstration of equipment to train with. Finally, we had some cultural activities such as manga drawing and origami. The activities were relaxing and calming. Overall, this day will be one to remember.’

すばらしかった！
  Dominic Arellano

ABLAZE YOUTH GROUP & ALPHA PROGRAM

The next Alpha Program is on Friday 5 August at CRC Hall from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. It is also when the Youth Group meets. It is open to all Year 7 to 12 students.

For further enquiries, please contact: stcatherineyg@gmail.com

Year 9 Art students are building upon their hand building techniques by using slab pottery skills to create their own ceramic shoe.

It has been interesting watching them convert their two-dimensional drawings into three dimensional shoes with all the details, stitching and logos.

A simple definition of Social Justice reads, “promoting a just society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity”. However, at CRCCS our mission is much broader, as the team strives to bring to life the cause of God. Through knowledge, words and deeds, we pray that the community can see Christ in action.

God wants us to be happy and grateful for everything that we are blessed with. Positive thinking is holy thinking. So, during the past few weeks, the Social Justice Team has strived to keep the positive energy flowing through the college community. Together we have celebrated BE positive day, a sausage sizzle, games on the green and lots more. This all starts by seeing people as God sees them – recognizing that we are all created in the image and likeness of God.

Our focus initiatives to date are the St Vinnies Winter food appeal and our Uganda $20 (per family) project. We are grateful for the community’s generosity and encourage all to do their part in making a difference to the lives of our brothers and sisters both locally and afar.

The bible clearly states to “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute,” (Psalm 82:3). “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless,” (Isaiah 1:17).

Our hearts need to be fuelled by compassion and love for Christ. Together, let us continue our work in making our community a Christ filled one. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).