Weekly Reflection

Love of Creation

Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!

I am small and weak; I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty, and may my eyes always see the red and purple sunset.

May my hands respect the things that you have made, and my ears be sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the things that you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons that you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

Make me always ready to be with you with clean hands and straight eyes. So, when life fades as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.

Native American Prayer

Shaun Coates

Director of Catholic Identity

From the Principal

Last week members of the leadership team and I attended a webinar delivered by Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM).

The topic was Permission to Diverge, and participants explored what it might mean for students returning to face to face teaching after a prolonged time away from the daily routine of school.

Several studies have already been published into the effects of lockdown on students. The overwhelming finding is that learning from home has been vastly different for each student.

Some who struggled to come to school have enjoyed the safety and security of learning from home. Others have missed the ability to socialise with friends and to ask questions of their teachers face to face.

Our challenge as on-site classes resume is to provide learning that first addresses the wellbeing needs of our students. The wellbeing framework of CEM explains the connection between academic success and student wellbeing.

“Social connectedness, academic engagement and achievement, physical wellness and spiritual growth are interdependent. This holistic view recognises that wellbeing is both central to learning and an outcome of learning; neither wellbeing nor learning can be viewed separately from each other.” 

Wellbeing for Learning in Catholic School Communities

Teaching is mostly about relationships, built on trust and deep knowledge of students. It will take time to re-establish relationships at school and to reconnect with students who may have enjoyed the freedom of learning from home.

The focus for all staff in Term 4 will be the Recovery Curriculum. This will require a personalised approach to re-engaging students in their learning.

In the media, I have been reading about the need to “catch students up”.

Those in education know that learning is not a factory with a lockstep, linear approach that requires all students to be at a certain point at a given time.

Each year in any given Year 7 class, there is up to 5 years difference in the abilities of students in the class.

The strategic intent of the College is to develop our teachers so they can provide learning to meet the wide-ranging abilities of students. Distance learning has heightened the need for this more personalised approach to teaching.

Learning is more about determining each student’s needs and providing an opportunity for growth along the learning continuum. This will be our focus in Term 4 - to determine where each student is at and work towards growth in learning.
Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

Looking Ahead

Dates to remember
Thursday 15 OctoberVirtual College Tour - 9am
Tuesday 20 OctoberVirtual College Tour - 9am
Friday 23 October Grand Final public holiday - College closed
Monday 26 OctoberYear 8, 9 and 10 students return to on-site classes
Wednesday 28 OctoberParents and Friends Meeting
Thursday 29 OctoberLast day of classes for Year 12 VET and VCAL students
Friday 30 OctoberLast day for Year 12 students
Monday 2 NovemberStudent free day
Tuesday 3 NovemberMelbourne Cup Day - College closed


From the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

This week our Year 7, 11, 12 students, Year 10 VCAL and relevant VET students returned to face-to-face learning with Year 8, 9 and 10 students continuing their distance learning.

Students and teachers arrived enthusiastically yesterday ready to begin the week. A walk through the Year 7 area saw students enjoying being with their peers and teachers, with lively chatter coming from the rooms. A new portable for Year 7 has provided another learning environment and connects to the Clairvaux building.

We will welcome our back Year 8, 9 and 10 students on Monday 26 October. Teachers are focussed on reconnection and will continue to monitor all students’ progress and work with students who may not achieved the standard required on the Learning Continuum.

Many of our students have developed skills in self-management and self-directed learning. Their resilience has also increased and we aim to foster these achievements further.

Teachers are seeking feedback from students about what they enjoyed while learning from home and identifying which teaching practices they can continue using to support the learning.

VCE practice exams

The Unit 3/4 students completed the General Achievement Test (GAT) last Wednesday with excellent attendance. The examination supervisors gave very positive feedback on the way the students responded to the exam conditions and COVID-19 safety requirements.

The supervisors are also overseeing VCE practice exams this week. The English practice exam will be marked externally, and students will receive feedback before the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) English exam on Tuesday 10 November. Our English teachers will continue to work with students on the skills required for their exam.

Our Drama (Solo) Performance students are busy preparing for their VCAA performance exam on 29 October. We wish them well as they master their performance skills.

Reminder for students on site

Students are required to follow safety guidelines to ensure social distancing is maintained and masks are worn while in class.

Teachers will direct students when masks are not required, for example, during group work. Students should remain at home if they are unwell and catch up on their lesson tasks once in good health.

In line with Government educational guidelines, unless a student falls under the immune-compromised category and must remain at home, teachers are unable to provide distance learning if students are expected to be on site. Teachers may provide access to the lesson plan for students to undertake self-directed learning.

With the sound of student voices outside my office, it is wonderful to be part of the College community active and engaged in the return to on-site learning.

Joanne Holmes

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

From the Deputy Principal Students

School photos cancelled

As a result of Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions, school photographers are not permitted to enter schools to take student photos.

Therefore, with great disappointment, we’ve had to cancel our scheduled school photo days on 20 October and 5 November for all year levels.

If restrictions are eased, we will endeavour to reorganise dates for the photos to be taken. 

Elevate Education webinars

CRC Melton parents and guardians have access to Elevate Education’s Parent Webinar Series Empowering Parents to Reinforce Study Skills at Home.

Below is a list of the topics included in the series.

Wednesday 21 October – Independent Learning: How to know that your child is focusing on the right kind of work that gets top marks.

Wednesday 4 November – Stress and Wellbeing: Understanding your child’s stress triggers, symptoms, and a toolkit for stabilising during tough periods.

Wednesday 18 November – Exam Preparation: Developing a pre-exam roadmap with your child to maximise their chances of success and keep overwhelm at bay.

Wednesday 2 December – Technology: Understanding the impact of technology on your child’s habits and how to develop techniques for responsible device use.

    The live webinars run online from 6pm to 7pm and include time for parents to ask questions so they get the specific tools they need.

    Follow this link to register

    You can contact Elevate on 1300 667 945 or via email on auscoaching@elevateeducation.com. For more information visit www.elevateeducation.com.

    Rob Blackley

    Deputy Principal Students

    Changes to CSEF in 2020

    A number of new and previously announced changes have been approved to the operation of the Camps Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) for 2020 only.

    • The final eligibility date for CSEF in 2020 has been extended from 14 April until 5 October 2020.
    • Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. The normal special consideration arrangements continue in addition.
    • Payments will be made at 50% of the standard per-student rates for families eligible between 15 April and 5 October 2020.

      Any families who have not previously applied for CSEF and have a valid Health Care Card issued after 15 April 2020 and valid on 5 October 2020 can fill out the form below and return it to the College or email it to kpalmer@sfcc.vic.edu.au with a copy of their card. Students aged 16 and over with a health care card can also apply.

      Community Notices

      Applications are now open for the headspace Melton Youth Advocacy Group (YAG). The YAG is made up of young people aged 16-25 who live, work, study or take part in recreation in Melton and its surrounding areas, who are passionate about young people's mental health and would like to be proactive in health promotion and community engagement.

      More information is available below or to apply follow this link headspace Melton YAG application

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