Weekly Reflection

Prayer for NAIDOC Week

Holy Father, God of Love, You are the Creator of all things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the sufferings of Our peoples, and we ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus to reconcile the world to you.

We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation.

Amen.

Pictured above: Wood carving of Bunjil. This sculpture stands near the College Chapel and represents Bunjil, a Creator Spirit and Ancestral Being that takes the form of the wedge-tail eagle. 

Shaun Coates

Director of Catholic Identity

From the Principal

Always Was, Always Will Be

This week we celebrate NAIDOC Week. As a Fire Carrier school (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) we take this opportunity to acknowledge our ongoing support in working towards Reconciliation with the original inhabitants of this great land – Australia.

Perth artist Tyrown Waigana designed the artwork for the 2020 National NAIDOC Poster. It is interesting to read what inspired his design:

“The Rainbow Serpent came out of the Dreamtime to create this land. It is represented by the snake and it forms the shape of Australia which symbolises how it created our lands. The colour from the Rainbow Serpent is reflected on to the figure to display our connection to the Rainbow Serpent, thus our connection to country. The overlapping colours on the outside is the Dreamtime. The figure inside the shape of Australia is a representation of Indigenous Australians showing that this country - since the dawn of time - always was and always will be Aboriginal land.”

This week, activities have been organised at the College to celebrate NAIDOC week. You can read more about these in this edition of the newsletter.

Victorian Certificate of Education

Last week the Alexandria Resource Centre was a hive of activity. Our senior students returned to the College in large numbers to study with peers and attend workshops with VCE teaching staff. The first major VCE examination, English, was completed today.

We wish all our students the very best. Be confident that your teachers have prepared you well for each examination. Now it is over to you to be the best version of yourself. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all over the coming weeks.

Deepest sympathies

We are saddened to hear of the passing of the father of Mr Shaun Coates. We keep Mr Coates and his family in our prayers.

Each grief has its own imprint, as distinctive and as unique as the person we have lost. - Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead

Dates to remember
Tuesday 10 NovemberYear 11 VCE Exams underway
Year 12 VCE Exams begin
Monday 16 NovemberYear 10 Exams begin (Maths and English only)
Tuesday 17 NovemberYear 10 and 11 exams conclude
Wednesday 18 NovemberYear 11 and 12 VCE 2021 Jumpstart begins
Thursday 19 NovemberSchool Photo catch-up day
Monday 23 NovemberVCAL 2021 Jumpstart begins (Foundation, Intermediate and Senior)
Wednesday 25 NovemberParents and Friends meeting
Friday 27 NovemberYear 11 and 12 VCE Jumpstart concludes
VCAL 2021 Jumpstart concludes
Term 4 concludes for Year 10 and 11 students
Tuesday 1 DecemberVCAA Unit 3/4 exams conclude
Friday 4 DecemberTerm 4 concludes for Year 7, 8 and 9 students


Reminders

Now that the weather is warming up, students should remember to bring a drink bottle to school each day. All drinking taps have been turned off due to COVID-19 restrictions but the College has taps available for students to refill their bottles.

Parents are also reminded that due to ongoing VCE exams for Year 11 and 12 students, announcements over the College public address system are being limited.

From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Our students have settled in to face to face learning and as Term 4 progresses, we have many important events occurring.

VCAA exams

Today Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) exams began for our VCE Unit 3 and 4 students.

Many students have come to the College to study and receive support from our VCE teachers. A room has been allocated in Siena for Year 12 private study and the Alexandria Resource Centre provides a collaborative space. We wish our students well as they undertake their formal and final exams.

Year 10 and 11 Exams

Our Year 11 exams began yesterday and run until 17 November. There is a dedicated, supervised study space in Siena for students who need to remain at school outside of their exam timetable.

Students are reminded they are not permitted to bring mobile phones or any other unauthorised devices into the exam space. Year 10 students will complete English and Mathematics exams on 16 and 17 November.

Jumpstart

As part of preparation for next year, CRC runs a Jumpstart Program for VCE and VCAL students. This introduces the students to their next year of study, provides opportunity to begin Unit 1 and Unit 3 courses and allows for completion of work-related modules in VCAL.

Jumpstart runs from 18-27 November for VCE (Year 11 and 12 2021) and 23-27 November for VCAL (Year 10-12 2021). 

Booklists

Families are reminded that the booklists have been sent out via Operoo.

Students have received an email with their 2021 subject and elective choices. Families should refer to this when ordering books for subjects and electives.

For senior years, Edrolo may be listed as a resource. This is compulsory and is ordered directly through Edrolo, reducing the cost to families.

CRC Melton supports the Sustainable School Shop. This provides second-hand textbook options to assist families in the purchasing of resources. Follow this link to register and access the online store www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au. Please remember to check the edition is correct when purchasing.

Awards Ceremony

At the start of 2021, we will recognise our VCE College Dux and students who achieve academic excellence in their VCE studies.

We will also recognise our Year 7 to 11 2020, high achieving students at a whole school assembly. Parents and guardians will receive an invitation to attend this next year, providing there are no COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Joanne Holmes

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

From the Deputy Principal Students

School Photos 2020

Our annual school photos were taken last week by Arthur Reed Photos. A catch-up day for students who did not have their photo taken will be held on Thursday 19 November.

To view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to register online.

  1. Go to https://order.arphotos.com.au
  2. Enter the 2020 image code for your child (from their personalised flyer received on photo day)
  3. Fill in your email and mobile details

You will be notified by email or SMS when the 2020 images are ready to view and purchase.

In the webshop, you can view the photos taken of your child and customise your photo package. Choose any layout, any image and choose a digital image download, which includes all of their 2020 portrait images.

Even if you registered last year, you need to register again this year to link your child’s images for the current year with your details.

Once you have registered, please wait for notification that 2020 images are ready to view before making your purchase. All photo orders will be sent directly to the address you provide when ordering.

If any families have issues with the registration or ordering process, they can contact the Arthur Reed Photos customer service team directly for assistance on (03) 5243 4390.
Rob Blackley

Deputy Principal Students

From the Deputy Principal Staff

2021 subject selections

As previously advised, students have all received their 2021 initial confirmation letters. Any change requests need to be completed by this Thursday 12 November so booklists and levies can be finalised.

Year 11

Year 11 VCE students are now completing their Semester 2 exams that will end on Tuesday 17 November. Students are only required at school when they have exams.

All returning students will then be involved in Jumpstart classes for 2021. Individual Jumpstart timetables will be available to students during the exam period and via SIMON.

Asthma awareness

A reminder to all families that November and December are critical months in terms of thunderstorm asthma events.

All students with asthma need to carry their inhaler with them at all times (not leave them in lockers or home). Our recent emergency response drill highlighted that many students did not have their inhalers with them or have easy access to them. 

We are undertaking staff asthma awareness sessions and will post reminders in the daily Student Bulletin. We are all aware of the tragic results that can occur if treatment is not readily available.

Term 4 key dates

Listed below is a summary of Term 4 key dates.

Year 11 and 12 VCE 2021 Jumpstart will run from Wednesday 18 November to Friday 27 November. Our Year 10/11 Farewell Mass will be held on the afternoon of Friday 27 November. Students will receive individual timetables for Jumpstart. 

VCAL 2021 Jumpstart will run from Monday 23 November to Friday 27 November for Foundation, Intermediate and Senior students. This week is compulsory and will count towards VCAL 2021 attendance. Students will complete work placement modules and should wear their full summer uniform. 

Year 7, 8 and 9 students will finish on Friday 4 December. We are still waiting to confirm if the Year 7 Camp and Year 9 City Experience will go ahead. There will be a special last day program on Friday 6 December.

John Christie

Deputy Principal Staff

Farewell to Year 12 students

A glorious morning was spent with our Year 12 students on their final day on 30 October.

The morning was full of celebration and excitement as students enjoyed their last day together as a cohort with their homeroom teachers. The relationships that students fostered with their homeroom teachers were significant, especially in this unusual year.

The day started with a display of costumes and plenty of photos. Students then gathered in small groups to view their graduation ceremony video that was filmed the week prior due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Plenty of cheers could be heard in Padua as students congratulated each other on receiving their certificates of completion! It was a very positive and energetic atmosphere with lots of laughter, clapping and cheering.

A celebratory walk through the College was next on the agenda and our Year 12 students enjoyed parading their costumes while other year levels congratulated them and clapped their achievement.

Although our traditional breakfast was not possible this year, students received a food pack that they enjoyed in Sheehan Stadium while they watched a video put together by staff as a send-off.

Despite all the restrictions in place, students and staff had a great time celebrating this significant milestone.

In the evening, parents and guardians were invited to view the pre-recorded Graduation Mass and Ceremony from the comfort of their own homes. Principal Marelene Jorgensen welcomed families and staff and students were asked to light the candle that was gifted to them in preparation for the Mass.

Although we were physically separated, we joined together as a community for this special moment.

I would like to thank staff, parents and guardians and the College leadership team for supporting our first-ever virtual graduation event.

Once again, I’d like to congratulate the Year 12 class of 2020 on their graduation. Whatever path students have chosen for 2021, I wish them the best and hope the effort and commitment they showed in 2020 continues beyond our gates.

Good luck to students who are joining the work force, moving into a short course, starting a traineeship or are planning on taking a gap year. I wish you happiness and blessings as you begin a new stage in your life. Good luck also to students who are currently completing examinations. I am sure your hard work, determination and resilience will bring success.

May God Bless you all and continue to keep you safe as you transition from secondary school and start your journey as well-equipped young adults.

Karina Dunne

Year 12 Coordinator

New Student Leaders

CRC Melton’s new 2021 Student Leadership Team was announced during the annual Leadership Investiture Assembly held on Thursday 29 October.

The event also marked the end of leadership commitments for this year’s representatives who were recognised for the remarkable effort they made to ensure remote learning was a positive experience for the whole school cohort. I am genuinely appreciative of all their hard work and their commitment to their roles as school leaders.

The Investiture was an opportunity for College Captains, Paul and Chantal, to handover leadership to Bagena and Raphael, our 2021 College Captains, on behalf of their respective teams.

The 2021 Student Leadership Team is a remarkable and enthusiastic group of students who I look forward to working with next year. A full list of the students and their roles is available below.

College Captains

Bagena Malua

Raphael Hadfield

SRC Executive

Aaron Cimera

Dep. SRC Executive

Michael MacDowell

Sports Captain

Solomon Miesen

Dep. Sports Captain

Daniella Ahmet

Environment Captain

Tijana Pirro

Dep. Environment Captain

Alleya Bautista

Academic Captain

Kirsty Caruana

Dep. Academic Captain

Ellie Grainger

Arts and Culture Captain

Alla Rowley

Ayla Williams

Dep. Arts and Culture Captain

Wanwue Tarpeh

Liturgy Captain

Steve Teves

Regina Laumata

Social Justice Captain

Mariet Balebanga

Raheal Mengistu

Dep. Social Justice Captain

Abby Timms

Daffey House Captain

Benjamin Trethowan

Aguak Chok

Dep. Daffey House Captain

Lucy Taylor

Glasheen House Captain

Zoe Attard

Oliver Cukavac

Dep. Glasheen House Captain

Grace Holt

Reed House Captain

Mystique Ardley

Natalie Valentine

Dep. Reed House Captain

Vasudha Mahajan

Fitzgerald House Captain

Chloe Downer

Jozela Nilwau

Dep. Fitzgerald House Captain

Montana Crooks

Media Captain

Dillon Puskadija

Dep. Media Captain

Nathan Furtado

Nirasha Pandi

Student Leadership Coordinator

Vocal Ensemble Performance

It has been a year of firsts for the entire world, and the CRC Melton Vocal Ensemble is no exception.

This year the Vocal Ensemble was faced with unprecedented challenges. Singing rehearsals were paused, camps and performances were cancelled and face to face contact was halted while Victoria grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the ensemble has been adaptive, dedicated, and creative.

I was inspired by the thousands of choristers around the world who, while in lockdown, put together virtual choir performances. I approached the College Ensemble with the idea of creating something similar. Not only did the students rise to the challenge, but they also surpassed expectations, showing a fantastic dedication by rehearsing and filming themselves to put together their version Let It Be originally written and performed by The Beatles.

The song was first suggested by Arts and Culture Captain, Elizabeth McKay, and was the perfect choice for these trying times, conveying the moral message of turning to God and having faith that things will work out for the better in times of hardship.

We hope you enjoy the performance. Click the image to watch now.


Let It Be by The Beatles – Performed by CRC Melton Vocal Ensemble. Backing track by Ms Amy Bandiera. Video editing and audio mix by Different Gravity Virtual Choir Services.

Amy Bandeira

Ensemble Coordinator

NAIDOC Week

It’s NAIDOC Week and the College is celebrating with a host of activities to build further connections with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

This year’s theme Always Was, Always Will Be recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 65,000 years.

Events planned for this week include a daily competition on our INFINITI library catalogue, a homeroom challenge and displays throughout the College.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are usually held across Australia in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. Due to COVID-19 the event was rescheduled to 8 -15 November.

Watch our Facebook and Instagram pages to see how our students and staff celebrate this important week that invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country.

CRC Melton became a FIRE Carrier School in 2019. FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education.

As part of our involvement with this project, a Homeroom Acknowledgement was created and will be used in reflection activities during NAIDOC Week.

CRC Melton Homeroom Acknowledgement

The air we breathe, the water we drink and the land we reside on are not only critical elements in the quality of life we are so lucky to enjoy, they are also a reflection of the majesty of our creators. We are all visitors to this time, to this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose is to observe, to learn, to grow and to love in all forms. And then return home.

While here at CRC Melton, on Wurundjeri Country we ask their ancestors to return to earth and protect us while on their country. May we be nourished from the land, may we never go without, may we have peace with our first nations brothers and sisters and work alongside them to achieve greatness. We thank them for allowing us to share their traditional lands on our educational journey.

We would like to acknowledge Wurundjeri’s ancestors and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

You can read more about the FIRE Carrier Program on our website.

Daniela Harrington

FIRE Carrier (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education)

Humanities Update

We are excited to have our students back at school and return to face-to-face teaching. We have missed the laughter, the chats, the classroom vibe and the adventures of a Humanities classroom.

It was with a mix of emotions we recently farewelled our Year 12 students. As they prepare for their final exams, we encourage them to submit tasks for feedback and stay connected with their teachers. Our senior Humanities students will complete the following Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) exams in the coming weeks: Accounting, Business Management, Australian History, History – Revolutions and Legal Studies.

Our Year 11 students have finished their Unit 2 classes and began their Semester 2 exams yesterday before heading into Jumpstart. It is hard to believe that 2020 has passed us by and we are about to begin preparing current Year 11 students for their final year of secondary schooling.

Back in the classroom

Our Year 7 to 10 students are getting back into the swing of face-to-face learning.

We have reviewed the delivery of our content taking into consideration the importance of transitioning back to the school environment. We have gone from being physically isolated at home to being back in full classrooms and busy yards with smiling faces everywhere.

Our Year 10 students are finishing off their studies in Business/Commerce, Geography, History and Political Law. Our Year 8 and 9 students have completed their Civics and Citizenship unit where they learned about current legal issues. They have now moved onto their final unit – Geography.

Our Year 7 students have completed all their units and will finish off the year with a focus on Business Economics. There is much to learn about in this year of COVID-19 and its impact on business and personal finance. Pictured here are boomerangs created by Year 7 students during their unit of study on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.


On behalf of the Humanities Domain, I would like to wish all of our Year 12 students the very best in their upcoming exams and future endeavours. As I said to my students in Legal Studies and Business Management, “There is no rainbow, without the rain”. So, we are expecting a very bright rainbow as we have experienced a flood!

We also wish all our students and our broader community a safe journey forward.

Daniela Harrington

Humanities Domain Leader

Year 10 Hospitality High Tea

During Distance Learning Mode, Year 10 Hospitality students began designing a high tea to serve when they returned to school.

Despite gaining limited cooking experience this semester, the students presented a beautiful high tea to College leadership staff last week.

The students involved on the day were Georgia, Chloe, Keirah, Georgia, Charlie and Cleo while Diana, Alim and Rhyanon assisted with planning but were absent on the day.

The students were very proud of their efforts

Jessica Mazur

Food Studies and VCAL teacher

CRC Wishing Tree


The Wishing Tree initiative is a long-held tradition at the College and is particularly important given the difficult times many families have experienced this year.

The aim is to collect delicious Christmas foods and gifts that will spread joy and cheer to families doing it tough in our community this Christmas.

Each homeroom has received a poster with details about the family (ages and members only) for whom they are creating a Christmas hamper.

Students and staff are encouraged to fill a basket with goodies for the family or collect donations and the Social Justice team will buy gifts to fill the hamper.

We ask that only non-perishable foods be donated and that gifts are left unwrapped. The Social Justice team will sanitise all items before wrapping up the hampers.

All donations are very much appreciated and should be given to homeroom teachers by Wednesday 25 November.

Thank you for your support.

Social Justice Team

Colour Mindfulness Sessions


The College can be a busy, noisy place so to help students settle back in after the extended lockdown, art teacher Ms Jennifer Segrave ran colour mindfulness sessions in the art room during lunchtime last week.

Soft lighting, meditative background music, salt lamps, fragrances and fairy lights created a peaceful and relaxing environment for students who quietly ate lunch and coloured a range of sheets, some also experimenting with patterns and colour selections. Many of our Year 7 to 10 students enjoyed the sessions.

Social Justice Initiatives

Bandana Day

The Social Justice Team raised almost $900 in two days through the sale of more than 150 bandannas for Bandanna Day late last month.

The campaign raises money for Canteen – an organisation that helps people impacted by cancer access programs, counselling, and peer support. Staff and students proudly wore their bandannas to show their support for the cause.

Over the past 12 years, the College community has raised $6782. Thank you to all those who get behind this fantastic organisation every year.

Polished man

Students and staff also raised almost $70 in one recess and lunch break late last month for Polished Man. The organisation supports trauma prevention and trauma recovery programs for children who are at risk of, or who have suffered violence.

The Social Justice Team set up outside the canteen and invited the College community to have a single fingernail painted blue for a gold coin donation.

Donations to Polished Man are distributed among several organisations around the world including the Australian Childhood Foundation, Survivors and Mates Support Network, Hagar Australia, the New York Center for Children and YGAP.

To find out more about Polished Man please visit their website https://polishedman.com/

Social Justice Team

Community Business Directory


As we move closer to a COVID normal, the Student Representative Council (SRC) would like to remind the College community about the CRC Melton Community Business Directory.

The SRC developed this initiative to support businesses owned by families in our CRC community, especially during these difficult times.

If you are a past student of CRC Melton or currently have a child attending the school and are interested in promoting your business in the directory, please complete the attached Expression of Interest Form and forward it to src@sfcc.vic.edu.au

We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to support local businesses.

Student Representative Council

Community Notices

Moving from primary to secondary school

Parents and guardians of Grade 6 students are invited to take part in a free online forum hosted by psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg tomorrow (Wednesday 11 November).

The forum has been organised by Melton City Council Young Communities to help parents and guardians navigate the transition to secondary school. To register email youngcommunities@melton.vic.gov.au or call 9747 5373.

More information is available in the flyer below.

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