30th July, 2013 Reflection World Youth Day Prayer Oh Father, You sent Your Eternal Son to save the world, and You chose men and women, so that through Him, with Him and in Him, they might proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to all nations. Grant us the necessary graces, so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the joy of being the evangelists that the Church needs in the Third Millennium may shine in the faces of all young people. Oh Christ, Redeemer of humanity, the image of Your open arms on the top of Corcovado, welcomes all people. In Your paschal offering, You led us, by the Holy Spirit, to encounter the Father as His children. Young people, who are nourished by Eucharist, who hear You in Your Word and meet You as their brother, need your infinite mercy to walk along the paths of this world as disciples and missionaries of the New Evangelization. Oh Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and of the Son, with the splendour of Your Truth and the fire of Your Love, shed Your Light upon all young people so that, inspired by their experience at World Youth Day, they may bring faith, hope and charity to the four corners of the earth, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace and catalysts of a new world. Amen
World Youth Day in Rio Some excerpts from the Homily of Pope Francis: “Dear Friends, But what are we here for? “Bota fé – put on faith”. The World Youth Day Cross has proclaimed these words throughout its pilgrimage in Brazil. “Put on faith”: what does this mean? When we prepare a plate of food and we see that it needs salt, well, we “put on” salt; when it needs oil, then you “put on” oil. “To put on”, that is, to place on top of, to pour over. And so it is in our life, dear young friends: if we want it to have real meaning and fulfilment, as you want and as you deserve, I say to each one of you, “Put on faith”, and your life will take on a new flavour, it will have a compass to show you the way; “put on hope” and every one of your days will be enlightened and your horizon will no longer be dark, but luminous; “put on love”, and your life will be like a house built on rock, your journey will be joyful, because you will find many friends to journey with you. Put on faith, put on hope, put on love! Today, I would like each of us to ask sincerely: in whom do we place our trust? In ourselves, in material things, or in Jesus?
We are all tempted to put ourselves at the centre, to think that we alone build our lives or that our life can only be happy if built on possessions, money, or power. But it is not so. Certainly, possessions, money and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want to have more, never satisfied. “Put on Christ” in your life, place your trust in him and you will never be disappointed! “ May we be inspired by these words of Pope Francis to ‘Put on Faith’ in our family, our Parish, our School and indeed in the wider community. Peter Pan Again, I congratulate all staff and students involved in the production of Peter Pan at the Crate Theatre last week. A fabulous Production- bring on 2014 in our very own Auditorium at Bulmans Road! Mark Sheehan Principal
Parents & Friends Meeting There will be a Parents & Friends meeting this Wednesday, 31st July at 7.30pm.
In recent weeks a number of excellent articles have appeared in the media addressing and raising a number of issues confronting young people and parents today. Please follow the links provided for further reading and I invite you to discuss some of the issues raised in the articles with your son or daughter. How to Raise Boys in the Era of Internet Porn In an excellent article published in the Age on July 17, Steve Biddulph, author of Raising Girls, as well as Raising Boys, and The New Manhood talks about the very serious risks involved in mid-teen boys regularly watching porn and gives some great advice for parents about how to manage this aspect of parenting. http://www.theage.com.au/comment/how-to-raise-boys -in-the-era-of-internet-porn-20130716-2q25l.html Teenage girls trapped in web of low self-esteem In an article published in the Age on July 21, Cosima Marriner reports on a Flinders University study that found the more time teenage girls spend on social media - caught in a world of competition for likes on Facebook, posting weight-loss progress selfies on Instagram - the more likely they are to have low self-esteem. Flinders University research involving more than 1000 high school-aged girls found teenage conversations about appearance were ''intensified'' on social media, and more influential because they involved peers. Experts say social media is a more powerful influence on teenage girls than traditional media because it is so pervasive and interactive. http://www.theage.com.au/national/teenage-girlstrapped-in-a-web-of-low-selfesteem-201307202qb9y.html Their fragile future This article appeared in the Age June 24 and raised a number of very interesting points that warrant consideration. The fragility of modern kids is being challenged by psychologists who say parents are overprotecting, overindulging and overscheduling their children to the point where they expect perfection in every area other than hardiness, leaving kids floundering. University of NSW associate professor, Vijaya Manicavasagar, says modern children are subject to many more stresses than those of previous generations swamped in technology, experiencing cyber-bullying and pressure to try drugs and alcohol at an earlier age.
Many children don't always learn coping skills from their parents, who sometimes want to be friends with their kids rather than showing them how to handle stress, she says. “Overprotective parenting is a phenomena that people have documented. It seems to be more prevalent than it was in the past. Many kids are mollycoddled quite a bit, so they're protected by their parents from encountering stress. The child never actually really exposes themselves to the realities of life, basically.� http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/their-fragile-future20130621-2omcz.html Robert Blackey Deputy Principal Re-enrolment 2014 During Term 3 a formal re-enrolment process will take place. This process enables the College to comply with a CEO requirement regarding enrolment data which is due in Term 4. The actual enrolment prediction for the 2014 school year will influence the recurrent funding for the College. The Parish Priests and Finance Committee are currently drawing up lists of families who are behind in their Thanksgiving envelopes and/or school fees. To avoid an interview please make an effort to have your fees and Thanksgiving envelopes up to date. Re-enrolment paperwork will be sent home the week beginning the 12th August and will be due, with a $100 per child re-enrolment fee, on Thursday 29th August. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) - Second Instalment Parents/guardians who lodged an EMA application at the beginning of the year are not required to lodge another EMA application to receive the second instalment of EMA. If you have a child under 16, and hold a valid Health Care Card, Pension Card, or are a foster parent, you may be eligible to receive the EMA. Parent/guardians whose children have transferred to this school will need to submit a new EMA application form and return to the College with a copy of their Health Care Card. Application forms are available from the office. Applications close on 2nd August 2013. applications cannot be processed.
Late
If you have any queries please contact the School office.
The CRC Family A key feature of CRC Melton is the involvement of parents / guardians in their child’s / children’s education during their time at the College. Over the past, and this week in particular, this has been highlighted. The College Production of Peter Pan was a great success and this was not just due to the talented students who performed or played their backstage roles but also due to the enormous support and guidance from staff and families. The rehearsals had been taking place since Term 1 and not only required after school and weekend time from students but the willingness of parents to drop off and pick up. The reward for all this effort was shown on the performance nights, and I am sure student, staff and family bonds have been strengthened. A huge thanks to parent and students who have so successfully added to the Arts culture of the College. Our recent Year 11 Information Evening and VCE ParentStudent-Teacher Interviews have provided parents / guardians with the opportunity to gain further insights into the future academic program and current academic situation of students at these year levels. I look forward to this week’s 2014 VCE Subject Selection Interviews that provide parents/ guardians with the opportunity to discuss and be fully involved in the two year VCE subject selections with their child. The chance to look at future Tertiary / Employment options and any linked specific requirements has been a tremendous success in having parents/ guardians understand the subject offerings and future options as well as ensuring better selections for each student. I encourage parents/guardians to take advantage of future involvement opportunities such as our 2014 Year 10 Information Evening next week and Parent-StudentTeacher Interviews in September. 2014 Subject Selections As mentioned above, Year 10 and Year 11 students have begun their 2014 Subject Selections. 2014 Year 11 student and parent/guardian interviews take place this Thursday and our 2014 Year 10 Information Evening takes place next Wednesday, August 7 at 7pm. An invitation letter will be sent home this week. Semester Two Subject Changes Year 9 and Year 10 Elective changes for Semester Two have been finalised. John Christie Deputy Principal (Staff)
Social Justice News
Any of the following items can be dropped at school into the tubs near the student office. We will then credit points to the appropriate sports house. Sleeping Bags and Blankets = 20 points Coats and Jackets = 10 points Scarves, Gloves and Beanies = 5 points An opportunity to be part of the Soup van experience Any student that is 16 years or over is invited to join with myself and other staff to take part in the St. Vinnie’s soup van experience on Friday 13th and/ or 20th September. We will leave from school and return later in the evening, approx. 10pm. This is an amazing insight into another side of Melbourne that we often neglect. There are many people that are experiencing extreme hardship and without the soup van every night, may not get much to eat. Please email mrowewatts @crcmelton.com if you are interested. Saving three lives through one blood donation The Melton mobile blood bank will be operating again at the Civic centre from Monday August 12th – Friday August 16th. For hours of operation call 13 14 95 or go to donateblood.com.au. There will be an opportunity for a small group of students to attend on Tuesday August 13th after school. Thank you products – water, food and body products There are a range of basic products available now where 100% of the sale price goes towards a charitable project. Take a look at this link: thankyouwater.org Margaret Rowe-Watts
Peter Pan
Parish of Melton Mass times: St Catherine of Siena Church Wednesday 9.15am Saturday 6.00pm Sunday 9.00am & 11.00am Reconciliation Saturday 5.30pm to 5.45pm St Dominic’s Church Tuesday 7pm Thursday & Friday 9.15am Please see Parish Tidings for any changes. Student News Congratulations to Madelyn Gray, who was chosen to represent Victoria in the National School Sports Netball Championships. Madelyn is competing in Tasmania this week. We wish her all the best.
Uniform
Calendar 2013
2013
Term 3
Term 3
July
July
31st Year 11 Melton Careers Expo Parents & Friends Meeting
Wednesday 31st 1.00pm -2.00pm T. Brewis
J. Antony
August August 2nd 6th 7th 12th 13th
SACCSS Hockey Year 8 Premier League Round 3 Year 10 2014 Information Evening 7.00pm LOTE Week LOTE Week Year 8 Premier League Round 4 Year 12 Parent VTAC Information Evening 7.00pm 14th LOTE Week Unit 4 Outdoor Education Camp 15th LOTE Week Unit 4 Outdoor Education Camp SACCSS Chess 16th LOTE Week Unit 4 Outdoor Education Camp
Wednesday 7th
6.30pm - 7.30pm
L. Cadman
D. Shalders
Wednesday 14th 1.00pm - 2.00pm L. Muscat
H. Breich
Wednesday 21st 6.30pm - 7.30pm S. Kovacic
S. Bala
Canteen 2013
Homework Club Homework club will run each Wednesday from 24th July until 4th September in the Library from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Term 3 July Tuesday 30th
Johanna Blain Jennifer Elander Wednesday 31st Heather Harrison August
Mass Times Parish of Melton Parish Priest : Fr Michael Moody Weekend Mass times: St Catherine of Siena Church Bulmans Rd, Melton West Saturday: 6.00pm Sunday: 9.00am & 11.00am St Bernard’s Parish Parish Priest: Fr. Brian Glasheen Weekend Mass times: Saturday: 6.30pm Sunday: 8.30am & 10.00am
St Anthony’s Parish Parish Priest: Fr. Fabian Smith Weekend Mass times: Saturday: 5.30pm Sunday: 8.30am & 10.30am
Friday 2nd
Debbie Winzar
Monday 5th Tuesday 6th Thursday 8th Friday 9th
Julie Harkin Linda Tomac Lisa Trethowan Robyn Dodd Karen Pawlowicz
Monday 12th Tuesday 13th Wednesday 14th Friday 16th
Debbi Taylor Cynthia Amor Suzanne Smith Ana Levett Karen Normoyle
S. Woods