Funding for Catholic Schools

The next week shapes up as a significant time for the Catholic school system in Australia as the Federal Government considers several issues that concern us.

Catholic schools’ concerns are focused on five key issues:

1. Support for parent choice

At the moment, the government’s policy expects Catholic schools to charge fees at a level that will make them unviable, in many parts of Australia. If the Government truly supports parental choice, what is it doing to make sure that Catholic primary school parents don’t face fees that will double over the next decade?

2. Calculation of SES

School SES scores – the key measure of ‘need’ in the funding model for Catholic and independent schools – are structurally biased against Catholic education. It is recognised that National Schools Resourcing Board is currently examining the SES scoring methodology with the expectation that a new, fairer measure will be recommended. However, Catholic education has many concerns with the review process up until this point. Will changes to the SES scoring methodology ensure that the calculation is fair for all families and for all schools?

3. System funding

In the future, there will be greater regulation of funding allocations by Catholic school systems – will Catholic school systems still have the autonomy to distribute funds according to school needs, or will the Government mandate how funding must be spent in each school?

4. Transition arrangements

As it currently stands, Catholic schools that are assessed to be ‘over-funded’ will transition to lower funding within 6 years, while independent schools in the same category will have 10 years to transition. Will all schools be treated fairly and equally over the transition period of the new funding model, irrespective of whether they are part of a school system?

5. Indexation

The current indexation rate proposed does not directly incorporate educationally specific measures. With ever-increasing year-on-year educational costs will Government funding for Catholic schools be indexed with a measure that reflects the real costs of education?

Ultimately, the genuine concern of Catholic school educators is that the Federal Government’s education policies threaten our mission to provide affordable, accessible, faith-based schooling.

I will keep parents informed of our progress in this political debate about our future funding.

Parents & Friends Meeting

The next Parents & Friends Meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th June at 7:00pm. All welcome.

Mid -Year Exams

We wish our Year 9, 10 and Year 11 VCE students well with their exams that conclude this week. A reminder that Year 10 and 11 VCE students only have to attend school for their exam, therefore no classes will operate. There will be supervised study rooms available for students to use.

Year 11 students will start Unit 2 studies in the last week of term and Semester Two electives for Years 9 & 10 will begin in Term 3. Year 7 & 8 Art/Technology rotations will also occur at the start of Term 3. All students at Years 7 – 10 will be given a new timetable at the start of Term 3 which they can access via SIMON from 14th July.

Work Experience

We wish all our Year 10's the best on work experience next week. This experience is always valuable as it either reinforces that the pathway is the correct one for that student or tells them that maybe it is not their best option. Regardless, it assists when our Year 10 students choose their 2019 VCE / VCAL Pathways and subjects next term.

Last Day of Term 2 and Buses

Our College will finish classes at 2:30pm on Friday 29th June.

Please note the following information regarding bus service pick-ups.

Melton Town services will run at their regular time as they are not tied to school finish times. Students who normally catch the two SITA Buses may wait until their normal scheduled pickup time of 3:30pm or make other arrangements, such as catching other town buses to get home.

All Bacchus Marsh Coaches services will pick students up at approx. 2:40pm except for the Toolern Vale service which will pick students up at the regular time as it needs to meet other services at the Melton Interchange.

Semester 2 Subject / Electives Changes

Year 11 students are now able to investigate Unit 2 subject changes requests for Semester 2. Subject changes must first go to Mrs Dickson, our Careers Coordinator. Once a pathway plan has been approved, students can complete a change of subject form. Students must first talk to their subject teacher before requesting a time to meet with Mrs Dickson. All changes must be applied for and processed by 28th June.

Staff PL Day

The College will be running a Professional Learning day on Monday, 25th June. This is a student free day. Staff will be involved with training as part of the College Resilience Project.

Resilience Project – Parent workshop

Seats are still available for the The Resilience Project parent evening on 25th June at 7:00pm and is open to all year levels. Click on the link below to book your tickets.

As stated in last weeks newsletter, The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, providing evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience and happiness and delivered programs to over 500 schools around the country.

The Resilience Project seeks to help all Australians become mentally healthy through the values of Gratitude, Empathy, Emotional Literacy and Mindfulness. The presenter Martin Heppell is most engaging and informative. I had the opportunity to hear Martin speak to an audience of 17-18 year olds last year and was most impressed with his ability to engage them with his messages.

The parent workshop will deliver a presentation that provides practical strategies to help you build their son/daughters resilience.

Find out more information on their website https://theresilienceproject.com.au/schools/ and about Martin https://theresilienceproject.com.au/about-us/

Visit https://www.trybooking.com/WIPF to book tickets.

The cast of eighty students are working hard in preparation for their Showcase performance at the start of term three (26th and 27th July). Charismatic teacher Mr C and his diligent students travel through the history of the performing arts in Catholic Regional College's 2018 Showcase. We travel from Greek Theatre to Casablanca to Flashdance to Beyonce and even to this year's hit- the Greatest Showman; hence our title 'The Greatest Showcase'. Sit back and relax as our talented students sing, dance and act their way through history.

Adult tickets $15, student tickets $10. Tickets available only at https://www.trybooking.com/WDXX.

Jess Godwell

Production Coordinator

Parent Meeting: Ignite Catholic Youth Conference, September 2018

Parents and students wishing to attend Ignite in the September school holidays are invited to an information meeting:

Thursday, 21st June

7:00pm – 7:45pm

In the Front Office of the School (no longer in the Library)

Please RSVP if you are coming to sanastasia@sfcc.vic.edu.au or call the school on 8099-6000

Ignite Catholic Youth Conference is for young people from all over Australia.

27th September – 1st October, 2018

If you are interested in having your child attend, please contact Sr Anastasia at sanastasia@sfcc.vic.edu.au or call the school on 8099-6000.

More information is available at https://igniteyouth.com/conference18/

Sister Anastasia

RE Teacher

Winter sleep out and appeal 2018

Did you know that there are approximately 300 people that are homeless on any given night in Melton?

“Are you ready to step up?”

On Friday 10th August we are hosting our very own Winter Sleep Out at school. Our aim for the night is to raise awareness and some vital funds to help those experiencing homelessness in and around our community. A school sleep out also gives students the opportunity to understand the realities of homelessness by sleeping “rough” for one night.

During the night we will hear from some guest speakers, discuss the issues around homelessness and share a small meal together before setting up our “bed” for the night in the hall. Several staff will be in attendance and appropriate security measures will be put in place to ensure that our night is a success.

Participants in the event are asked to raise between $75 –$100.00 through sponsorship. The money raised will be passed onto St. Vincent De Paul and Hope St. Melton who provide many valuable services for the homeless in Melton and the surrounding areas.

Students wishing to take part are able to obtain the necessary forms from the student office. They should be returned as soon as possible to the office or to Ms. Rowe-Watts. If you have any concerns please email me at mrowe-watts@sfcc.vic.edu.au

Winter coats and blankets are urgently needed.

Each year Vinnie’s feeds and houses thousands of families doing it tough through winter. They urgently need good quality winter clothing particularly Coats, blankets, sleeping bags, hats, gloves and scarves.

We will make sure these get given out to those that need them.

Marg Rowe-Watts

Social Justice Coordinator

Western Region Volleyball - CRC Melton Volleyschool

Western Region Volleyball is very pleased to bring our Volleyschool program to CRC Melton.

WRV Volleyschool coaches are highly qualified and experienced in delivering a top quality volleyball program in a fun and educational environment.

The Volleyschool program will commence in Term 3 on Tuesday 17th July and run for 10 weeks.

All Volleyschool sessions will be held on Tuesdays after school.

Venue: CRC Melton gym

Time: 3:45 to 5:15 pm

Cost to participants:

The term costs $110 (10 trainings)

Introductory “training only” sessions: 5 sessions for $60 (One time only bundle).

Single session is $15. Payment must be made in advance or on the day.

To Join Volleyschool:

To join the Volleyschool program, please complete and return the following form by Tuesday, 19 June.

The form can be scanned and emailed to Western Region Volleyball directly -

admin@westernregionvolleyball.com.au

The form can also be given to Mr Hill before Tuesday, 19th June.

Payment

Payment by cash or electronic transfer is preferred.

Account name: “Western Region Volleyball”

Account details: BSB 633-000 Account Number: 135065621

Reference: Your “Full Name” & “CRC Volleyschool” e.g. “Ben Brown, CRC Volleyschool”

Michael Hill

Volleyball Coach

This notification is to raise awareness about the importance of booking in a breast screen every two years for women aged 50-74. This is a vital message to share as 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and early detection can help to save lives. A breast screen could save their life.

What

A breast screen every 2 years is the best way to find breast cancer early when treatment is likely to be most successful. BreastScreen Victoria has a clinic located in Melton. Appointments are free, take 10 minutes and are with a woman.

Where

Location of your closest BreastScreen clinic:

103 Unitt Street, Melton 3337

When

The Melton breast screen clinic currently has plenty of available appointments. Women can call 13 20 50 or book online TODAY at breastscreen.org.au

Why

· 1 in 8 women in Victorian will develop breast cancer in their lifetime

· Most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease

· 75% of breast cancers occur in women aged 50 and over

· Early detection of breast cancer offers a better chance of successful treatment and recovery

· A breast screen is free, takes 10 minutes and is with a female radiographer – no GP referral/Medicare Card required.

Rachel Bottomley

BreastScreen Victoria

The Teenage Holiday Program will be running from 2nd July til 14th July. Customer Service Bookings open Wednesday 20th June at 10:30am. Don’t delay the bookings as spots get filled up fast and may result that you will be put on the waiting list.

See attached flyer for more information.

Melton City Council

Artists’ Collective of Melton Inc. will be holding a number of workshops over the winter holidays for children and teens of Melton and Caroline Springs area including those with disabilities, autism and those coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Cost is gold coin donation towards the ACM Inc.

Please see attached flyer for more information.

Sandra

Melton Artists