27th August, 2013 Reflection Last Friday CRC Melton staff were invited to go out to the community to provide acts of service inspired by the reading below: The Anointing at Bethany While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9
Funding update from the Catholic Education Office With the Federal election looming, the CEO have sent the information below for your consideration. While on the topic of the election on September 7th, CRC Melton is a polling booth and our students travelling to Kenya next year, are raising funds with a BBQ on the day. Understanding the facts on funding for Catholic schools For over 180 years, Catholic schools have educated children in Australia. Today, Catholic schools enrol 735,000 students in 1,706 schools across Australia. Both major parties have committed to increases in school funding over the next four years. It is important to understand the facts on funding for Catholic schools. One-in-five Australian students currently attend a Catholic school. Catholic schools have a strong social justice mission to form well-rounded individuals who make a positive contribution to their local communities. A strong Catholic education system contributes to a strong Australian community. All governments provide important funding for Catholic schools along with families who contribute to the costs of Catholic education through fees and fundraising. According to the Australian Government’s My School website, Catholic students receive, on average, 20 per cent less government funding than students in government schools.
Even when parent fees are taken into consideration, Catholic schools nationally operate with an average of 10 per cent less recurrent funding than government schools. Even with fewer resources per student, the Australian Catholic school system is amongst the best in the world, compared to Shanghai, Finland and Singapore on international tests, for student performance across all socioeconomic backgrounds. Catholic schools save the taxpayer $2.2 billion each year which helps take the pressure off government schools. Catholic education policy priorities Catholic education is seeking a statement from both major parties on their education policies and how they will affect the 735,000 students educated in the 1706 Catholic schools across Australia. Parents & Friends Meeting There will be a Parents & Friends meeting Wednesday, 28th August at 7.30pm.
Reminder Re-enrolment 2014 There are a large number of families who are still to return their re-enrolment paperwork. All paperwork is due by this Thursday 29th August.