4th September 2012 Reflection Grace Grace is always and everywhere available to us. It is only we ourselves who prevent it from transforming us more truly into that image of God in which we were first created. God’s gracious gifts surround us on every side. It is important to remember that grace does not only travel on fine days. On wintry evenings, especially, grace is never far away. By this I mean that very often the greatest strides in holiness are made in the darker happenings of our lives. (Daniel O’Leary 1998)
A great deal has been reported in recent times about the escalating incidents and impact of bullying, in particular cyber bullying. Things students can do if victims of cyber bullying include:
Be careful who you trust and make ‘friends’ with online Set your profile to ‘private’ Always keep your password a secret Don’t open messages from people you don’t know Don’t respond to any nasty or offensive comments in a chat room Keep a copy of any nasty, offensive or intimidating message you are sent Think before you post information online – once posted it can’t be taken back Ask parents before providing your name, address or any personal details online
I would encourage parents to access the following website for valuable tips and information: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents.aspx
We had an absolute blast with the Year 7 & 8 cohorts and were really impressed by their enthusiasm, insight and empathy. Each session was highly interactive, strengths-based and fun, with a real focus on allowing students to experience learning through activities, discussion and real-life stories (rather than being formally taught). Rather than dealing with labels of 'bullies' and 'victims,' the approach placed an emphasis on the role of the bystander and the responsibility to stand up to bullying and be counted. The program presented real and in-touch strategies and examined a range of related issues, including social labels, personal values, judgement and leadership. Below is some of the feedback from the students: Thanks for the helpful tips today. I thought it helped a lot. This is an awesome program! CRC students loved it and you had some great things to share. Thank you. Industrial Action
As a school we act on incidents of bullying when we become aware of them. Support programs have also been put in place to educate and inform students about the impact of bullying. Over the past two weeks all Year 7 and 8 students have been involved in a program designed to address the issues of bullying and building positive relationships called PROJECT ROCKIT www.projectrockit.com.au The presenters, Lucy and Adam, were energetic, enthusiastic and quickly got the students involved. Lucy commented to me via email:
A reminder that due to Industrial action, Year 9 students are not required at the College tomorrow. Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews A reminder that Thursday 13th September will be a student free day.
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The facts on Catholic school funding
Year 12 Information
Below is some information from the Catholic Education Office regarding funding.
A few reminders for Term 3:
Almost one in four Victorian students attend a Catholic school. On average, they receive 20 per cent less government funding than if they went to government schools. The families who choose to send their children to Catholic schools are pretty similar to government school families. Catholic schools tend to charge low fees, so that more families can make that choice for their children. When parent fees are included, Catholic schools operate on around 90 per cent of the cost of government schools. Many parents make big sacrifices to send their children to a Catholic school. This includes parents whose children have special needs. Special needs students in Catholic schools receive less funding from government than if they were going to a government school. Despite the lack of funding, Catholic schools continue to show improvement for their students, including their most disadvantaged. Parents should be free to choose the type of education they want for their children. When parents choose a Catholic school for their children, governments can invest more on students in government schools.
CRC require students have their VTAC preference completed by the 13th of September. Students should have completed their special entry programs (PPP, SALT, REAP) by Friday 31st August. Students completing SEAS applications should have their information to Mrs Gauci by Wednesday 19th September. Students are completing practice exams on the second week of the holidays. Students have been provided with a timetable of all exams in this week. If you require a copy, please email me. Attendance to these examinations is compulsory. Students are not required to wear school uniform for these examinations. Requests for Graduation Dinner tickets are required by 21st September. Requests for Graduation Mass tickets are required by 8th October.
Thursday Afternoon Activities Thursday 6th September Online applications and Special requirements – Finish time 1.30pm. Psychology study session (Mrs. Van Iersel’s class) – Period 4, Finish time 3.20pm.
Any decision to stop government funding for Catholic schools, or to reduce funding by not having school funding keep pace with government school funding, will mean that fees will have to go up.
Thursday 13th September Parent Teacher Interviews – NO CLASSES. Deadline for VTAC APPLICATIONS.
If Catholic school fees go up, parents may have to change their mind about where they send their children to school. Their only choice may be government schools, which will put further pressure on the government system.
Chantelle Gauci Year 12 Coordinator
Properly funding Catholic schools now, and in the future, will help take pressure off government schools.
Robert Blackley Acting Principal
2013 Subject Selections
Thank you!
Year 9 students and families are reminded that the Year 10 - 2013 Initial Selections will need to be completed and submitted to their Homeroom teacher by Tuesday, September 11.
Thanks on behalf of Fr Glasheen to the 10 waiters who assisted Saturday morning in making the St Bernard's Fathers’ Day Breakfast such a success. Bryce Robinson, Annika and Zac Miesen, Lauren Caldow, Josh Tejedor, Brooke Guirguis, Lauren Layton, Isabella Williamson, Agoun Chol and Patrice Alea.
Year 8 students’ initial selections for Year 9 electives are due to their Homeroom teacher by September 19. Term 3 Interim Reports - Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews
Shaun Coates Religious Education & Faith Development Coordinator Werribee Giants Baseball Club
Term 3 Interim reports are now available through the Parent Portal on the College Website. Parent/Student/Teacher interviews take place on Wednesday, September 12 after school and on Thursday, September 13 from 1pm to 7.30pm. This will be a student free day. Information on how to access this website was mailed home last week. John Christie Deputy Principal (Staff) Fundraising for Kenya In 2013, the school will be sending eight students to Brother Beausang Catholic Education Centre in Embulbul, Kenya. As part of our association with the school, we are trying to raise $6000 before we travel next year to go towards the construction of a brand new playground for the primary school students, at the site of their new school building. To start our fundraising, we will be placing donation boxes on each table at the Cabaret performance evenings on the 5th, 6th and 7th of September. We kindly ask that those of you attending the performances please consider making a small donation to help us out. Your support is greatly appreciated. Bryce Robinson, on behalf of ‘Team Kenya”.
Werribee Giants Baseball Club are a non-profit sporting club. We are running a 'Come and Try' Day on the 16th September in the hope of getting more children into sport and in particular our sport of baseball. For further information please contact: Mary Wilson Junior Co-ordinator Werribee Giants Baseball Club 0421 426 616
Calendar
Uniform
2012
2012 Term 3 Term 3 September September 5th 6th 7th 10th 12th 13th 17th 18th
19th 20th 21st
College Cabaret Performance Year 12 VTAC Applications College Cabaret Performance College Cabaret Viewing Night Year 10 & 12 VCAL Excursion Year 8 LOTE Excursion Year 11 Media Excursion Year 7 Premier League Round 2 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews - Student free day SACCSS Senior Soccer Grand Final Year 8 MASP Excursion Year 10 VCAL Work Experience Year 10 Work Experience Year 10 VCAL Work Experience Year 10 Work Experience SACCSS Athletics Carnival Year 11 & 12 VCAL Excursion Year 10 VCAL Work Experience Year 10 Work Experience Year 10 VCAL Work Experience Year 10 Work Experience Year 10 VCAL Work Experience Year 10 Work Experience Term 3 concludes - 2.30 pm
Wednesday 5th
1.00pm - 2.00pm
K. Arandt
L. Broadway
Wednesday 12th 6.30pm - 73.30pm A. Hindell
J. Harvey
L. Lewis
A. Foxwell
Wednesday 19th 1.00pm - 2.00pm R. McDonald
M. Tadros
Term 4 October Wednesday 10th 1.00pm - 2.00pm A. Massey
J. Barbara
Canteen 2012 Term 3 September Wednesday 5th Thursday 6th
Mass Times
Friday 7th
Christine Dennison Heather Harrison Linda Tomac Amanda Horwood Tabatha Hehir
Monday 10th Shirley Dobson Tuesday 11th Meagan Salton Wednesday 12th Lisa Wilkie St. Dominic’s Parish Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Moody Weekend Mass times: 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
Monday 17th Tuesday 18th Wednesday 19th Thursday 20th Friday 21st
Debbi Taylor Joanne Websdale Teresa Wheadon Tess Galea Donna Robinson
Homework Club Homework Club Term 3 starts Wednesday July 25th until Wednesday September 12th Homework Club will be held every Wednesday in the Library from 3.30pm—4.30pm