Weekly Reflection

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, formerly known as Our Lady of Victory and Feast of the Holy Rosary, is celebrated on 7 October.

For Catholics, the Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because it is of man’s salvation from eternal damnation. As one faithful said, by saying the Rosary, “we meditate the mysteries of joy, sorrow, and glory of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mary”.

The prayers that comprise the Rosary are arranged in sets of ten Hail Marys, called decades. Each decade is preceded by one Lord’s Prayer and traditionally followed by one Glory Be.

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst 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.

Loretta Kalms

Acting Director of Catholic Identity

From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 4 – I can hardly believe it is almost the end of the year!

During the last week of Term 3, I attended a virtual conference for principals. One of the key takeaways for me were the words of Dr Anna Dabrowski from the Australian Council of Educational Research. Anna pointed out that to date, there is no evidence of a loss of learning for students during lockdowns.

This year, the College’s NAPLAN results for grammar, spelling and punctuation show considerable improvement and growth for students in Years 7 and 9. Anna emphasised the importance of focusing on the potential of students rather than “catch-up” and “time lost”.

Here are her 10 individual actions that you may find helpful as we return to on-site learning.

Things you can do on your own

  1. Allow yourself to grieve the "old normal"
  2. Recognise signs of COVID fatigue
  3. Find ways to have community
  4. Create a routine
  5. Focus on what you can control
  6. Break down anxiety-provoking activities into small steps.
  7. Limit doomscrolling
  8. Sit with uncertainty
  9. Notice your thinking. Remember thoughts are not facts
  10. Maintain hope.

Let’s celebrate all that we have achieved and are yet to accomplish throughout Term 4.

We look forward with hope and anticipation to the gradual return to face-to-face teaching.

Vaccination clarification

Last week the Victorian Government released its COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Directions, which clarify the vaccination requirements for schools and school-based employees.

The Directions require employees and volunteers of schools or education entities that attend a school to have their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by 18 October or a booking within one week of that date, with full vaccination required by 15 December unless a medical exemption applies.

All employees and volunteers in Victorian Catholic schools will need to comply with the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Directions. This includes principals, teachers, administration and education support staff, casual relief teachers and pre-service teachers.

As a Catholic College, we are tasked with caring for all in our community. High vaccination rates will ensure that everyone is as protected as possible. Having all staff vaccinated will protect your children when they return to classes on site.

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, all Victorians aged 12 years and above are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Getting vaccinated is important for your safety and that of our school community. The College strongly encourages VCE students to get vaccinated as soon as possible as this will support the safe conduct of the VCE examinations this year. All exam supervisors must also be vaccinated.

How to book an appointment

You can now book or change a vaccination appointment at a vaccination centre through the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine online booking system

You can also call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. For an interpreter, press 0.

Helpful resources

For more information, refer to:

  • the Victorian Government COVID-19 website - www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au - or the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398.
  • the Commonwealth COVID-19 website -  www.australia.gov.au - or the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080.

Translated advice about the vaccines is available on both websites.

Thank you again for your hard work to keep our school staff and communities safe.

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead

Dates to remember
Wednesday 6 OctoberAll Year 12 students and Year 11 Unit 3/4 students return to on-site classes
Thursday 14 OctoberFinal day of classes for Year 12 students
Friday 15 OctoberYear 12 Celebration Day
Tuesday 26 OctoberAll Year 7 and 11 students return to on-site classes*
Year 8 and 9 students on site for classes. Year 10 students DLM classes*
Wednesday 27 OctoberYear 8 and 9 students on site for classes. Year 10 students DLM classes*
Parents and Friends Meeting
Thursday 28 OctoberYear 10 students on site for classes. Year 8 and 9 students DLM classes*
Friday 29 OctoberYear 10 students on site for classes. Year 8 and 9 students DLM classes*
Monday 1 NovemberStudent free day
Tuesday 2 NovemberMelbourne Cup Day
Wednesday 3 NovemberYear 8 and 9 students on site for classes. Year 10 students DLM classes*
Thursday 4 NovemberYear 10 students on site for classes. Year 8 and 9 students DLM classes*
Friday 5 NovemberAll students return to on-site classes*

* Dates may be subject to change by Victorian Government

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Welcome back to what will be another busy term at the College.

Our Year 7 to 9 students will continue with unstructured lessons for the first four weeks of the term, after which we hope the return to on-site learning will occur.

We keep in mind our Year 12 VCE students and those in Year 11 completing Unit 3/4 subjects as they finalise assessments and prepare for their exams.

Our Year 12 VCAL students are also completing their final outcomes to obtain their full certificates.

It has been a challenging year with students again called on to be organised, resilient, work independently and with commitment during distance learning. Congratulations to all our students for how they have navigated 2021.

NAPLAN

For the first time, the learning growth of Victorian students in Year 9 and their success in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) were recognised with new Certificates of Achievement.

The certificates were awarded to almost 19,000 Year 9 students across Victoria for two categories of achievement:

  • Category one – the achievement of excellence through attaining a result in the top band for reading or numeracy, or both.
  • Category two – the achievement of outstanding learning growth through improvement by two or more bands between the NAPLAN Year 7 and Year 9 tests for reading or numeracy, or both.

The introduction of these certificates gives equal importance to student learning gain and the level of learning achieved.

They provide an opportunity to talk about personal excellence with students and how this means a high level of improvement, not just being top of the class.

At CRC Melton, 23% of the Year 9 cohort achieved Certificates of Achievement. I congratulate these students and all students who completed NAPLAN to the best of their ability.

The NAPLAN online School Readiness Test, scheduled for 8 October, has been postponed until we return to on-site classes.

Joanne Holmes

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

Welcome back to Term 4. It is always a special time of year, clocks changing and spring bringing us the warmer weather.

Return to school

At the beginning of the school holidays, the Victorian Government announced its road map out of lockdown and proposed dates for the return of students on site.

After an extended period away from the College, some students will be excited to return and others may have mixed emotions.

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg has recorded a special report with advice and tips on helping children transition back to school.

I encourage you to watch the report with your child and if you have any questions regarding the return to school, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher or Year Level Coordinator.

Watch Now - Special Report - Transition Back to School

Year 12 final weeks

I would like to acknowledge the commitment and resilience of our Year 12 students as they embark on their final weeks at the College and the end of their secondary education. 

They have all worked incredibly hard and should have a sense of pride in their achievements. With the support of their subject and homeroom teachers, VCE Coordinator Ms Carissa Lock, VCAL Coordinator Ms Narelle Layton, Pathways Coordinator Ms Sasha Dixon, Careers Practitioner Ms Kate Runciman and Year Level Coordinator Mr David Arthurson, they have continued to remain focused on their studies and maintained their work ethic. 

I wish them the best of luck for their final days at CRC Melton and for their upcoming exams.

Useful links

COVID-19 Mental health resources

Mindfulness resources for VCE and VCAL students

Attendance

The College expects all students to attend every class each day. Attendance rolls are taken for every lesson whether it is online or on site. If your child is unwell and not attending classes for the day, please inform the College online via the parent portal PAM or phone 8099 6000 and follow the prompts to the absence line. Please contact the College if you have any questions.

Uniform

All students are expected to wear their full school uniform upon their return to on-site classes.

In Term 4, students can wear either the summer or winter uniform until Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 2 November), after which they must wear the summer uniform.

Please prepare your child's uniform before their return date to ensure it fits correctly.

Click here to view the College Uniform Policy.


Cheryl Bullen

Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing - Melton Campus

Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Recitation Competition Results



Congratulations to our Year 9 and 10 Italian students who received recognition for their efforts in in the Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Recitation Competition last term.

Year 9Award
Anna AguirreFirst (100% accuracy)
Diamond PhanSecond (99% accuracy)
Kaitlyn Borg Third (97% accuracy)
Emma KingMerit
Elesha GruisHonourable mention
Dannilla Jeevakenthiran Honourable mention
Mikayla LorenzoHonourable mention
Thinh NguyenParticipation


Year 10Award
Georgina BertsiasHigh Distinction
Ophelia FernandoMerit
Caitlin FrankMerit
Dakotta LuckettMerit
Samantha MerinMerit
Andre NguyenMerit
Alannah KingHonourable mention
Clara ThourHonourable mention
Teresa Sant Honourable mention


Claudia Russo

Languages Domain Leader

CRC’S Got Talent

Students have just three more days to vote for their favourite performer in the CRC’s Got Talent competition.

CRC's Got Talent is usually a main event at our Celebration Day. Despite a switch to distance learning mode, it was decided that the show must go on! 

During the last few weeks of Term 3, with the encouragement of our Arts and Culture Captains Alla Rowley and Ayla Williams and their Deputy Wanwue Tarpeh, students sent through their video submission for the competition. It was amazing to see so many students showcasing their talents.

Using the link on Simon, students can watch all the brilliant performances and then cast their vote. Winners will be announced soon after voting closes on Friday 8 October.

Nirasha Pandi

Student Leadership Coordinator

Year 7 Artwork

Many Year 7 students submitted wonderful work during their art classes during Term 3.

The students had to choose from a selection of sketchbook ideas and use their imagination to draw the artwork. Below is a snapshot of their creations.

Abby - 7 O'Reilly

Cooper - 7 O'Reilly

Taylah - 7 Dominic

Arna - 7 Dominic

Jessica - 7 Anthony

Kath Jones

Catherine House Leader

Blood donation project helps students gain new skills

Year 12 students Chelsea Farrugia and Hannah Ciappara organised a blood donation drive for staff and students as part of their Personal Development Skills class project. This week, Chelsea reflects on the important work of the Red Cross and the skills she has gained through her work.

Did you know that 8000 litres of breast milk was donated to the Australian Red Cross in the past year, and 1.8 million people donated blood? One single blood donation can save up to three lives and 1 in 3 people will need blood or blood products in their lifetime.

That’s why for our Personal Development Skills (PDS) project, Hannah and I wanted to do something to help the community, so we organised a blood donation drive for staff and students at CRC Melton. We chose to donate blood as we are both passionate about helping those in the community and those in need.

The Red Cross is an organisation committed to providing life-giving essence to support the everyday wellbeing of all Australians. This includes blood, plasma, transplantation and biological products like breast milk.

In our PDS class, we are required to organise and plan our own projects. They can include fundraisers, activities around the school, excursions and incursions. It is also about conducting a project around a social, cultural or environmental issue that you’re passionate about.

This project has helped develop my communication skills, as I have learned to talk professionally on the phone and send formal emails. It also helped with my collaboration skills as I was required to work with Hannah every step of the way.

Although the school blood drive was unable to happen due to COVID restrictions, the Red Cross is still taking donations during lockdown. If you want to learn more about the Red Cross and blood donations, you can visit its website at www.lifeblood.com.au

Useful Links

Keep up to date with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.

PAM – Parent Portal

Parent Handbook

Events

Enrolment

Bulmans Road Upgrade

Facebook

Instagram

Policies

Uniform

Library

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