PROSPECTUS 2015
Principal’s Message
Welcome to Catholic Regional College, Melton. Warm greetings to all families who may be considering CRC Melton as a secondary school for their child. CRC Melton, which was established in 1980, is a welcoming, friendly community where all staff, students and parents are valued and their spirituality nurtured. The College provides a broad curriculum, designed to engage students in a way that promotes excellence and builds self-esteem. Our Pastoral Care program is based on Gospel values and has been recognised in the wider community for developing resilience in our students as they progress through their secondary schooling. After three decades as a Year 7-10 Campus, CRC Melton embarked on its new journey as a Year 7-12 school in its own right in 2012. We are nourished by our rich heritage of providing quality Catholic education in the Melton and Bacchus Marsh region. We look forward to our new journey as a VCE and VCAL provider with extensive pathways for students with diverse talents and abilities. We will continue to embrace new technologies and demonstrate contemporary learning pedagogies in the classroom. Our teaching and learning strategies are complemented by the school’s building program, which has seen six major projects completed in recent years. (Food Technology, VCE, Year 7, Year 10, Trade Training Centre and Performing Arts Centre. The College is also introducing a new program in Year 9, the GADAL program. A new Year 9 building will be constructed in 2015. Catholic Regional College, Melton will continue to strive in providing the best quality education for families in the Parishes of St Bernard’s Bacchus Marsh, St Dominic’s Melton and St Anthony’s Melton South. I look forward to meeting your family as you embark on the journey to Catholic secondary education.
Mark Sheehan College Principal
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Catholic Regional College Melton
Overview Catholic Regional College, Melton
The College was officially opened
In March 1980, the College
is a Catholic, Co-educational,
in 1980 with Sister Helen Reed as
relocated from its temporary
Secondary College, situated in
Principal. Sister Reed was from the
location at St Dominic’s Parish Hall
Bulmans Road, Melton. In 2012 it
order of the Sisters of St Joseph of
to its permanent site in Bulmans
welcomed its first Year 12 cohort.
the Sacred Heart.
Road, Melton. In 1982 another
It provides education for the
This order of sisters was founded
opened as was the campus at
Parishes of St Bernard’s Bacchus
by Mary MacKillop who was a
Sydenham.
Marsh, St Dominic’s Melton and
passionate believer in education
St Anthony’s Melton South. The
for all. Reflecting the Orders habit,
At the end of 1984, Sister Helen
College is part of the Catholic
our College uniform was initially
Reed completed her term as
Regional College Federation,
chocolate brown. In 1990 the new
Principal. In 1985, Mr Frank
which includes campuses at
uniform of maroon, gold and navy
Fitzgerald began his term as
Caroline Springs, North Keilor, St
was gradually phased in.
Principal until 1995. In 1996,
junior campus at North Keilor was
Albans and Sydenham.
Mr Paul Daffey commenced in what eventuated as a 13 year
The College is administered by
period of service. In 2009 Mr
the Catholic Regional College
Mark Sheehan began his term as
Council, with Father John O’Reilly
Principal.
as Chairperson, and Mr Mark Sheehan as the Principals’ Representative.
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Catholic Regional College Melton
Mission Statement Catholic Regional College, Melton, is a Catholic school serving the Parishes of Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Melton South.
Catholic Values To provide an environment that nurtures and encourages Catholic Values.
to explore options in order to apply their knowledge and learn through experience.
The mission of the College is to nurture the personal, spiritual and academic growth of each individual in this community in an atmosphere of FAITH, CARE, SUPPORT and ENCOURAGEMENT.
Community Responsibility To lead students to see that they have a responsibility to the broader community and so encourage them to become members of society who are: • active • worthwhile • effective
Relevance of Programs To enrich learning, teaching and school experience by making the curriculum: • challenging • relevant • varied • accessible
We aim to foster the growth of personal worth and to develop the gifts of each individual through the pursuit of prayer, knowledge, communication and service to each other. While respecting individual differences, we challenge each other to use our talents in the best way possible. We encourage personal excellence, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility, which is displayed in our respect and concern for the wellbeing of all. Through this community of purpose, Catholic Regional College - the students, parents and staff - will be a sign of God’s presence in the local community. Educational Goals In this Catholic College, our goals are:
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Catholic Regional College Melton
Lifelong Education To recognise that while at CRC Melton, students are receiving only one part of their lifelong education which began at home with their families and involves primary, secondary and further education. Critical Thinking To encourage in students the will and capacity to: • develop a sense of responsibility for their own learning • to think independently • to analyse critically • to make choices that are informed Learning through Experience To acknowledge that effective learning takes place both within the classroom as well as through significant activities outside formal classes, so that the students are provided with opportunities to express their creativity and
To take students beyond the boundaries of the known to a broader range of knowledge and skills. Building Self Esteem To develop in the student a sense of: • personal worth • achievement • self confidence This will enable them to express their individuality in appropriate ways, and to explore and participate comfortably on their own or within a group. To provide a supportive environment where students are challenged and inspired to recognise and maximise their potential: • spiritually • academically • creatively • socially • physically
Student Information We expect students in a Catholic
6. That they bring a note from
Behaviour of Students
College will be characterised by
parents to explain absences or
the respect they show for others,
parents contact the College on
Secondary School students are
and for the property of others.
the day students are absent.
at a stage of rapid physical
The students at this College are expected to act with courtesy, with concern for their own and for
7. That they wear the uniform correctly. 8. That they participate in celebration days, reflection days
others̢۪ safety, and with common
and sports carnivals.
sense. To live this out in practice, the following is expected of students: 1. T hat they have a serious attitude to study. 2. That they care for the College and its surroundings.
The College Welfare and Discipline Policy clearly defines student expectations inside and outside the classroom.. This policy has been adopted by the whole College community and is enforced by all staff.
3. That they show care and courtesy when travelling. 4. That they are punctual. 5. That they remain inside the College boundaries during the day.
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Catholic Regional College Melton
development and mental change. From time to time, a great deal of guidance is needed, and on some occasions, corrective action is necessary. Parents are encouraged to support the College̢۪s advice and decision in any discussion with their children. The College Welfare Policy has been implemented to encourage students to conduct themselves in accordance with the goals of the College.
Parent Information All parents are asked to
close links with parents as the
participate in the life of the
educational process is developed.
school by means of the Parent
Each year parents, students and
Meetings are held to discuss the
Involvement Program.
staff join together to clean, repair,
educational program and review
paint and maintain the College
the students’ progress. The College
One, or either of the parents will
Your involvement in this activity is
would also like to provide faith
therefore be expected to register
highly encouraged.
development experiences for
as a participant in one of the
parents. Parents are invited to our
following activities:
Records are kept of Parental
Eucharistic Liturgies and whole
• Canteen
Involvement, so that the College
College Masses.
• Grounds and Maintenance
is kept informed of the active
• Executive or Committee of
participation by many families.
Efforts are made to inform parents of events via written communication, the College Website or direct contact.
Parents and Friends • Sport Support - especially at our Sporting Carnivals • Working Bee • School Production and Cabaret
Parent Involvement Program
• Uniform Shop
The Executive Committee of the
Staff involvement in one of these
Parents and Friends Association
areas is strongly encouraged, as it
consists of parents who wish to
provides an excellent opportunity
act in a leadership function in the
for informal and helpful mixing
Parent Involvement Program. While
with the parents.
there is no set number of positions in this group, elections will be held for the key positions as the need arises.
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Working Bees
The College tries to establish very
Catholic Regional College Melton
The College is very appreciative of the work done by parents.
Curriculum Overview
The annual cabaret/dramatic
Students who have been
performing arts productions
identified as having additional
Catholic Regional College Melton
provide an opportunity to
needs in learning are assisted by
provides a comprehensive
showcase our students’ talents as
the Student Support Group, in the
curriculum that caters for the
performing artists to the broader
case of funded students, and by
individual needs of all students.
community.
literacy and numeracy support in years 7 and 8.
The Australian Curriculum/
Catering for Individual Needs
Victorian Essential Learning
A reading program is offered
(AUSVELS) is used as our
The College has developed a
for Years 7 and 8 for students
curriculum framework from
whole school approach to literacy
requiring additional support in
Year 7-10. In 2014, we have
designed to create individualised
reading comprehension within the
implemented AUSVEL units in
learning for students.
literacy support time.
English, Mathematics, Humanities
Students who are more
Religious Education
and Science. We are currently
academically able are invited
completely the planning of the
to attend our MASP (More
The Religious Education Program
second iteration of the AUSVELS
Able Students Program). This
is central to the life of students,
subjects.
program aims to deepen student
parents and teachers of Catholic
understanding and skills in
Regional College Melton.
all the first iteration subjects in
There is a strong emphasis on
areas such as problem solving,
achievement and all students are
collaborative learning and
Prayer is part of each morning in
expected to complete a range
creativity. The two curriculum
homeroom and reminds everyone
of assessment tasks in order to
areas targeted by MASP are
daily how a community based
demonstrate their learning.
Mathematics and Humanities.
on the Catholic Ethos should live
In 2015 the MASP program will
each day modelled on ‘Christ like’
The College offers an extensive
be extended in year 9 in the
behaviour.
range of VCE subjects and VCAL
Enquiring Minds Project that all
and some VET subjects.
students in year 9 will participate
Liturgies are celebrated at the
in. The MASP students will work
College each week in the chapel.
Many aspects of the curriculum
collaboratively in their own group
There are many celebrations of
reflect the College’s highly
within this project.
the Eucharist throughout the
developed sense of community.
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Catholic Regional College Melton
year, including ‘Back to Parish’
a Performing Arts Centre will be
of the School Year, Advent and
completed in October, with a
Graduation Masses. All parents
year 9 learning centre due to start
The College is also strongly
are welcome to attend and join
before the end of 2014.
committed to ensuring that all
in such important celebrations.
students have ready access to a
Priests of the local parishes are
As of 2015, all students will have
an integral part of our community,
their own ipads for their learning.
providing much of their time to
variety of extra-curricular activities. The College is a member of the
our special celebrations and
In the area of sports, we have
Sports Association of Catholic Co-
programs.
modern artificial turf basketball,
educational Secondary Schools
tennis and soccer facilities and
and through this association
new cricket oval.
we compete in many events
The College holds a Reflection Day, for each year level. This is an opportunity for our students
including athletics and swimming Assessment / Reporting
to put their studies aside and
carnivals, cross country, volleyball, tennis, netball, football, cricket
focus on some of the significant
All reporting is online through our
and golf. Premier League also
issues in their lives such as family,
Parent Assess Module (PAM) with
allows students to compete in a
relationships and their future. The
two major reports at the end of
competition over a longer period
College also takes this special
each semester and two interim
of time.
opportunity to highlight aspects
reports at the end of terms 1 and
of the spiritual side of life for our
3. The results of all assessment
The college also participates
youth within our Catholic ethos.
tasks can be monitored by
in the Debaters Association of
The Reflection Day program
parents and students as they are
Victoria secondary competition.
culminates with an overnight
completed. Reports are followed
‘Retreat’ for our Year 12’s early in
up by parent/student/teacher
The annual production and
their final year.
interviews twice a year. In addition,
Cabaret allow students from Year
parents are free to contact the
7-12 to demonstrate their artistic
College at any time to arrange
and creative talents.
Resources
further interviews. The College is constantly updating its resources. In 2014 the Trade Training Centre (Engineering) was opened and
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Extra Curricular Programs
on celebration day, the Opening
Catholic Regional College Melton
Curriculum Year 7 Students at Year Seven are offered
The College continues to limit the
The Rite Journey Program. Both
number of teachers working with
these are designed to support
one class.
the development of self-aware,
a diverse program that introduces
vital, responsible, respectful and
them to subjects across all the
A number of programs designed
resilient young adults who are self-
Domains. Students can choose
to cater to the emergent social
motivated and interested in their
between studying either Italian or
conscience of Year Eight students
own learning.
Indonesian.
are introduced. Students also explore issues such as bullying
There is a strong recognition of the
and conflict resolution.
individual needs of all students
There will be 10 program teachers who will provide the core of
and, based on testing conducted
Early in Term One, students attend
the program, building strong
at the end of Year Six and teacher
a surf camp.
relationships with the students;
recommendations, some students will be offered places in the
other teachers will teach some Year 9
core subjects.
In recognition of the needs of year
The elective program for year 9 is
Student Support Group, Literacy or More Able Students Program.
9 students, a new program will be
concentrated around ‘designing,
As part of the transition process,
introduced in 2015: the GADAL
creating and exploring’.
only a small number of teachers
Learning program. The students
are assigned to work with each
will have their own purpose
class. Each class is assigned two
built learning centre, due to be
homeroom teachers; both also
completed June 2015.
teach the class. The Year Seven camp also assists with transition.
The GADAL Learning program aims to help students ‘to learn, to
Year 8
grow and to discover’. The core subjects of English, Mathematics,
The Year Eight program continues
Science, Humanities, RE and HPE
to offer range and scope across
remain the same, however two
all Domains in recognition of
new programs will be introduced:
individual learning needs.
the Enquiring Minds Program and
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Catholic Regional College Melton
Year 10
The Year Ten curriculum is aligned
The College offers Program
with the VCE curriculum to allow
Support for students requiring
Two distinct pathways are offered
students to complete accelerated
a modified VCE program.
at Year Ten. One is an academic
subjects.
The vertical alignment of the
pathway leading to the
Students participate in programs
curriculum from Year Ten to Year
completion of the VCE. The other,
designed to introduce them to life
Twelve means that students have
VINCIT, is a vocational pathway
beyond school. This includes Work
access to many accelerated VCE
leading to the completion of
Experience for one week of term 3.
subjects.
VCE/VCAL
Pathways and transition programs
VCAL. This has a very practical and hands on approach to learning.
are a feature of the VCE/VCAL at The College offers a wide range
the College. The Pathways team
The Year Ten academic program
of VCE subjects designed to meet
and the Pastoral Welfare team
has a firm focus on the fact
all tertiary entry prerequisites whilst
work with students to ensure
that students will soon enter the
at the same time catering for the
that they make fully informed
post compulsory phase of their
diverse needs of students.
decisions.
schooling. Hence, whilst Religious Education, English, Mathematics,
For VCE students, a small number
Science, Humanities and Physical
of VET subjects are offered. VCAL
Education remain core subjects,
students can select from over 30
there are a large number of
VET options.
options within this core to best cater for individual learning needs and to acknowledge the growing desire for students to take control of their own education and achieve academic excellence.
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Catholic Regional College Melton
Financial Matters Tuition Fees for 2015 (no GST)
Year 7-10
Year 11&12
Tuition Fee
$3,430
$3,900
Family Deduction
Year 7-10
Year 11 & 12
Where there are two students from one family
$303
$350
Where there are three students from one family
$606
$700
Where there are four students from one family
$909
$1050
Where there are five students from one family
$1212
$1400
(The above fees include Parents & Friends Levy) Additional Charges: Years 7, 8 & 9 - eBooks $100
- iPad program $200
Year 9
- The Rite Journey
Year 10
- iPad program $200
Year 11
- iPad program $200
Year 12
- iPad program $150
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Catholic Regional College Melton
Enrolment Enrolment Policy
Enrolment Process
The criteria for processing
Enrolment for Year Seven students
to confirm their acceptance
applications for enrolment into
begins in the November that the
by completing the Enrolment
Year 7 at CRC Melton is:
students are in Grade Five. The
form and returning it to the
1. Catholics who live within the
4. Families wishing to accept their offer of a place are required
parents of students who seek
College with a $100 deposit
Parish boundaries of Bacchus
enrolment at CRC are requested
which is deducted from the first
Marsh, Melton and Melton
to:
term fees. This deposit is non-
South, and who attend one of the following Catholic primary
refundable. 1. Attend an enrolment meeting
schools; St Bernard’s Bacchus
and complete an Application
Enrolment for students in other
Marsh, St Dominic’s Melton,
for Enrolment form where an
year levels involves:
St Catherine’s Melton and St
enrolment fee of $50 is payable.
Anthony of Padua, Melton South.
1. Completing an application 2. New families may be contacted by the College to arrange an
2. Catholics who live within
enrolment fee of $50 is payable.
interview with a senior staff
the Parish boundaries of
member. New families will also
Bacchus Marsh, Melton and
be required to arrange an
enrolment form with a copy of
Melton South, and who attend
interview with their Parish Priest
the student’s most recent full
Government Primary schools.
during February.
school report.
3. Other students within the Parish
3. Applicants are notified by mail
2. Return the application for
3. When contacted by the
boundaries of Bacchus Marsh,
during the last week in April of
College, attend an interview
Melton and Melton South
the result of their application.
with the Principal and local
for whom there are pastoral considerations.
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for enrolment form where an
Catholic Regional College Melton
Parish priest.