I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep
John 10:15

In the Church calendar, the fourth Sunday of Easter is known Good Shepard Sunday, and this occurred last Sunday. The Gospel reading for the Mass was taken from John 10:11-18. There was a particular synergy between Sunday’s readings and our recent commemoration of ANZAC day.

Jesus is the Good Shepard and says that he will lay down his life for his sheep. We do not mind being likened to sheep in this context. The word sheep in this text is not disparaging or belittling. In fact, it is quite the opposite as it goes to the core of our very human need to be loved and to feel safe, sheltered and protected in that love, just like the innocent lambs that Jesus the Good Shepard shields and protects. The image of Christ as our Good Shepherd has always appealed to me. One of the earliest paintings of Christ in the Roman catacombs represents him as carrying an injured sheep on his shoulders. In Jesus we have a Shepherd who understands us, one whose patience and love are infinite. He is always ready to go after us when we stray too far; his voice is constantly reaching out to us in missions, retreats, sicknesses, and we all have our own crosses to bear. But with Jesus as our protector we can confidently continue through life’s trials and tribulations

The sermon preached by the Good Shepard two thousand years ago is still echoing and reverberating around the world, calling on us his faithful flock to do all in our power to help those other children of God who are still outside the fold, or lost from the flock.

May – The Month of Mary, Mother’s Day and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Over the last week, I have been privileged to watch our students at various College events honour their mums. On Friday we held our Mother's Day Mass, followed by Breakfast in the college cafeteria. It was so pleasing to have so many mothers and grandmothers attend with their children and grandchildren and hear the appreciation of the mums around how these events had meaning.

May is traditionally dedicated in a special way to honouring Mary as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church. By our devotion to Mary, we acknowledge how our relationships with women enrich our lives and how we are drawn closer to God through the example of Mary. We give thanks to our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, colleagues and women friends for the special way they bring the virtues of Mary into our world. Mary is the Mother of the Church and therefore the example and inspiration to us all about the way to Jesus.

Mother’s Day and our devotion to Mary also calls us to consider the injustices perpetrated against women in our world. The month of May is also Domestic and Family Violence Awareness. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is an annual event held each May to raise community awareness of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence and the support available for those affected.

Our schools play an important role in the prevention of social problems such as domestic and family violence. As a Catholic school, we want to form active citizens for whom the morality and the long-term impact of their actions, is a major consideration.

We want to produce young adults for whom virtues like love, compassion and justice are not just good manners, but are lifelong values. Knowledge by itself is not enough; proper human formation demands that the acquisition of knowledge be joined to the teachings of the Catholic Church and of developing good values and character.

In the context of Mother’s Day and the month of Mary, we at CRC Caroline Springs, want to produce good young men and women who are not only good husbands and wives, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers but who are also prepared to take a stand against social problems like domestic violence.

Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast:

On Friday 6 May the college held their CRC Caroline Springs Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast. It was pleasing to have so many mothers and grandmothers attend with their children and grandchildren. There were over 80 people in attendance, and all enjoyed a wide selection of breakfast foods and warm drinks in the College cafeteria. I would like to thank Father Richard Rosse from St. Catherine of Siena Parish for celebrating Mass with staff, students, parents, and parishioners. and for joining us in the College cafeteria for breakfast

ANZAC Day:

ANZAC Day is always a special day on the Australian calendar and occurred on Monday 25 April. We remember all who lost their lives through Australia’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. On ANZAC Day we especially remember the courageous actions undertaken by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War.

CRC Caroline Springs 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. Our first face to face meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 May at 7:00pm in the College staffroom (please meet at reception). Meetings are open to and attended by interested parents/guardians, 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/guardians, 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 would like for interested parents to please email the college at: principal@crccs.vic.edu.au

At CRC Caroline Springs we look at various ways to promote a sense of school belonging. The College events organised by the school create a positive culture that we believe encourages connections between staff and students and helps foster relationships amongst those in our school community. Our students have missed out on so many opportunities to celebrate who we are as a school over the last two years, and it has been so wonderful to start experiencing College events once again in 2022. It is our expectation that students attend all College events such as the swimming and athletics carnival, whole school assemblies, mass, excursions and our Live Fully Act Justly Day. Attending all these events helps ensure students feel connected to our College as it impacts on their wellbeing, social development and learning outcomes. Attendance at College events provides an opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate who we are and what we stand for here at CRC Caroline Springs. Our expectation is that all students participate in these days and see the value each day brings to them as individuals. I always look forward to experiencing these fantastic events with the students as it builds our community and helps celebrate our amazing students.

O Mary, Give us a Heart Like Yours

O Mary,

Give us a heart as beautiful, pure and spotless as yours.

A heart like yours,

So full of love and humility.

May we be able to receive Jesus as the Bread of Life,

To love Him, as you loved Him,

To serve Him

Under the mistreated face of the poor.

We ask this through

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

• St Mother Teresa

Our Lady of Fatima

Today, 13 May we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. May is traditionally devoted to Mary, Queen of Heaven.

It was on this day that the Blessed Virgin Mary started her series of apparitions to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima in Portugal in 1917.

70,000 people witnessed a "miraculous solar phenomenon,” in which the sun appeared to fall toward earth. Fátima has become the location of one of the greatest Marian shrines in the world.

Our Mother Mary is a wonderful reminder of the virtues she possessed. Her humility, charity towards God and others, faith, hope and obedience all serve as ways we can grow in holiness.

Below is a link to a YouTube clip of the 11 Facts about the Happenings at Fatima as well as some other great resources to learn more about this miraculous event. 

11 Facts about the Happenings of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima story  (3:59mins)

Why Catholics Call Mary Their Mother (9:18mins)  

Ablaze Youth Group

Dear Parents/Carers,

ABLAZE Youth Group runs every Friday fortnight on College grounds. It is a community for High School Students to come together and encounter the person of Jesus in a fun, safe and welcoming place. It would be great to encourage you children to attend. Next meeting is this Friday 13 May 7:00-8:30pm.

Sunday Gospel Focus

Fifth Sunday of Easter Year C – John 13:31-35

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students is 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.  

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 (9 days), allowing schools greater opportunity to schedule the tests at times that suit them best while also increasing student participation.  

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs supported students by facilitating a NAPLAN Online practice test window in Week 10 of Term 1, aiding students’ familiarisation with the NAPLAN Online platform and protocols. If students were absent during their practice testing, they are encouraged to familiarise themselves via the NAPLAN Online Public Demonstrations Tests accessible at https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site.

Official NAPLAN Online testing is held during Week 3 and Week 4 of Term 2 (next week). The NAPLAN Online timetable features below:

Information about the four NAPLAN Online tests is below:

Support can be arranged for students with disabilities if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks. Please contact Learning Diversity for further information.

Please note that students will require a fully charged MacBook and headphones for the tests. Students should bring their own headphones.

Schools generally receive students’ NAPLAN reports from mid-August to mid-September. We will notify you when the reports are being sent to your home. The same report format is used for every student in Australia.

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

NAPLAN Online Information Brochure

NAPLAN Online Test Window

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.

On review of the Assessment Re-sit Program occurring during Term 1, Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs has updated its Assessment Re-sit Policy.  

A summary of the key changes to the policy can be found below: 

• Assessment re-sit will occur from 3:20-4:20pm each Tuesday and Thursday in the College Cafeteria to provide an opportunity for students who are absent for an Assessment Task to complete this task. 
• Parents/carers will be notified if their child is required to attend an Assessment Re-sit by 3:40pm on the Friday prior for the Tuesday Assessment Re-sit, or by 3:40pm the Tuesday prior for the Thursday Assessment Re-sit.

Students who do not attend an Assessment Re-sit Session may have a score of 0% recorded for the task, which will impact their Overall Result on the Semester Report.

A copy of the Assessment Re-sit Policy  can be found on the SEQTA Learn and SEQTA Engage Homepage. 

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 they seek.

Below is the timetable for Term 2 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.

Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs is excited to once again offer our Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) with NASA International Experience for current Year 9 students in 2023.

On Monday 16 May, the College will be holding a Parent Information Night, for parents/carers of current Year 9 students who are interested in attending the 2023 STEM with NASA International Experience. This program will be held in Orlando, USA in from Saturday 1 April to Wednesday 12 April 2023 and is offered as an optional excursion to immerse students in the field of STEM. Please note that only a limited number of places will be offered for this immersive experience. A sample of the itinerary has been provided along with this article for your perusal.

The Parent Information Night will commence at 6:30pm at CRCCS in the Performing Arts Centre. Information will be presented about the curriculum links, itinerary and travel procedures for the STEM with NASA International Experience. The evening will also provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have in relation to the proposed trip. Please note, attending this evening does not lock you in to any financial commitment, nor does it guarantee your child a place in the program, it is simply an opportunity to formally start the planning process.

For 2023 the STEM with NASA International Experience is priced at $7,150 per student and covers flights (including airline fees and taxes), all listed activities, accommodation, transfers in the USA and meals (except on days of transit). The cost of travel insurance, passport and visa applications are not included as part of the tour price.

Please click link for a copy of the College’s Cultural Immersion Student & Parent Policy

If you have any questions about this tour, please do not hesitate to contact the College’s Cultural Immersion Leader (Ms Linda Bracco) or myself at :
lbracco@crccs.vic.edu.au
bjackson@crccs.vic.edu.au

The month of May is dedicated to our Mother Mary, which links to the beginning of springs when the earth springs into bloom. During this month give Mary a special spot in your prayer corner. Make it appealing and a real tribute to her beauty and virtue.  Pray for her intercession, especially for mothers and/or motherly figures in your lives.

To pass on the message of love, the social justice team organised the opportunity for card making at lunchtime, in celebration of Mother’s Day. A time to not only embrace our mothers, but all the remarkable females that brighten our lives. It was heart-warming to see the student’s strolling in, and giving it their all, as an expression of their gratitude. As the proverb 31:26-27 states, “she speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”. May God bless all the amazing females around us, as they lead us on the right path.

“The love of a mother is the veil of a softer light between the heart and the heavenly Father.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Last Friday we were joined by our Mother’s, Grandmother’s and significant women of our students to celebrate Mother’s Day. We commenced with 8:00am Mass at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church, giving thanks to God for the wonderful gift of motherhood. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Richard who spoke about the beauty of motherhood and gave a beautiful blessing to the women present.

The students then escorted their guests to the cafeteria to share breakfast and present their mothers with a special chocolate and prayer card. A very special thank you to our canteen staff, Anna and Maryann for the lovely breakfast as well as Ms Katie Murray-Fawcett for assisting with the preparation of the event.

We would like to thank all our mothers in our community and important mother figures who bring so much to our lives. May God continue to bless them.

On Sunday 24 April, 27 students and 4 staff members made the journey to Tasmania. For 5 days everyone was treated to fresh food, lofty heights, spooky ruins and clear blue skies as the group travelled around the state. Some of the main attractions that we visited were:

- Port Arthur Historic Site and Ghost Tour
- Port Arthur Lavender Farm
- MONA
- Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery
- Tahune Airwalk
- Mt Field National Park
- The Salmon Ponds
- Barilla Bay Oyster Farm and Tasting
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
- Richmond Historic Town
- Cataract George

There were many highlights from throughout the trip, and each student connected with something different. New friendships were made as the group worked through all the challenges together, despite most not knowing each other beforehand. A huge thankyou must be given to the College and all staff involved, as this trip wouldn't be made possible without them. But a thank you also needs to be given to the students for taking advantage of every opportunity that was presented to them.

Ava Nesci from Year 9 sums up the trip in this wonderfully written summary:

When I left Melbourne, I felt excited and slightly anxious. I felt this way because I was going to be experiencing so many new experiences but in a place I had never been before. Even though I was scared I knew that I would have so much fun. On the trip we made so many unforgettable memories in so many incredible places that I think it would be impossible to pick a favourite place. Although, in saying this, one of my favourites and a big standout for me had to be the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. I loved this place so much because I absolutely love animals and being able to interact with such amazing creatures was definitely a huge highlight on the trip. We got to learn about wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, and of course you can't forget about kangaroos. We got to feed and touch the kangaroos which was such a crazy and once in a lifetime opportunity that I would recommend to anyone.

Another standout on this trip was the Tahune Airwalk. If you don't like heights this may not be one for you, but it was so much fun. It was so cool to see and learn about the surrounding nature that we walked through along the metal airwalk that was in line with most of the treetops. This is a trip I would definitely recommend to other students because I have made new friends and made so many memories that will last a lifetime. Most of the things I learnt on the trip were about nature. I learnt about so many interesting plants that I had never even heard of before. Everything was so intriguing and could engage anyone. If you get the chance to go on this trip, I would highly recommend you go.

Thank you to the entire CRCCS community for their unconditioned generosity and support throughout term 1. As a community we raised a total of $3695.95 towards CARITAS – Project compassion.

Term 2 will be focusing on raising funds to support the needs of our brothers and sisters in Uganda. Our first fundraiser took place on Friday 6 May, at the Athletics Carnival. The social justice team made sure to keep our community well feed and nourished during this time by hosting a sausage sizzle for all to enjoy.

This was a very successful event, with the community raising a total of $2690.00. What an amazing job! Congratulations on this wonderful kick start to Term 2 for UGANDA.

During this term, we will be asking each student to donate $20.00, towards the Uganda Project. This amount will go a long way, as it will provide essentials to the children, such as a meal a day. This project beautifully supports us in living out our College motto - "Live fully, Act justly" and ties nicely with the Caritas quote for 2022 "for all future generations". 

More information about the Uganda project will be shared with the community in the next newsletter!

We will be holding our inaugural Winter Music Concert on Thursday 2 June in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) starting at 7:00pm. This event will feature performances from the College Choir, Chamber Choir, School of Rock Bands and the first performance from the Beginner Concert Band.

There will be several featured soloists and small groups. It promises to be an exciting and entertaining evening.

Tickets are free, but limited. Book your FREE ticket today: https://www.trybooking.com/BZWEB