Welcome back to Semester 2. I hope the holidays provided a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. The start of a new semester brings fresh opportunities. It is a chance to set new goals, reflect on how far we have come, and look ahead with purpose and hope.
At Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, our motto 'Live Fully, Act Justly' continues to guide all we do. It reminds us to embrace life with courage and passion, and to live each day with fairness, compassion, and a commitment to what is right. Today, as we celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we are especially reminded of someone who lived this motto long before it was ours.
Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, is a shining example of someone who truly lived fully and acted justly. She once said, “Do all you can with the means at your disposal and leave all the rest calmly to God.” In her life, Mary saw the need for education for the poor and responded with action. She opened a small school in a stable in Penola, South Australia, alongside Fr Julian Tenison-Woods. From this humble beginning grew the Sisters of St Joseph, a religious order dedicated to helping those most in need.
Mary faced many challenges, including being wrongly excommunicated. Yet she responded not with bitterness but with forgiveness and unwavering faith. Her strength, vision, and deep trust in God helped shape Catholic education in Australia and continue to inspire us today. Her well-known words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” are a powerful reminder to each of us that living our faith requires practical action. It is not enough to notice what is wrong. We are called to respond.
So how do we live fully and act justly this semester?
To live fully means to give your best in learning, in relationships, and in all you do. It is about embracing each day as a gift, using your talents, and staying open to growth. Whether it is exploring a new subject, joining a co-curricular activity, or simply being present to others, living fully calls us to be our best selves, and enable others to be their best self.
To act justly means to stand for fairness and kindness. It means treating everyone with dignity, being courageous enough to speak out against injustice, and offering help to those in need, even in small ways. Following Mary MacKillops example, we too are challenged to act when we see a need and to be people of action as well as compassion.
Our school community is one where everyone should feel welcomed, supported, and valued. Let us continue to build that spirit of inclusion and respect together. Look after one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and be there when things are tough.
We are truly blessed at CRC Caroline Springs. Along with our modern facilities and rich learning environment, what makes our college special are the relationships we form, the values we uphold, and the shared mission we carry. We are called to live fully, act justly, and grow in faith.
As we begin this new chapter of the year, let us take inspiration from St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, a woman of faith, courage, and action. Let us walk together with hope, ready to make a difference.
May this semester be one of learning, growth, and joy.
Parent webinar on AI and online safety
Catholic Network Australia (CNA) and the Cyber Safety Project will host a free AI & the Digital Generation webinar for parents and guardians of primary and secondary school students on Monday 11 August from 7.30pm to 8pm. To register or find out more click here.
The webinar offers insights into topics including generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI companion apps, deepfakes and online misinformation.
Student Free Day – Monday 11 August
A reminder to all parents and carers that Monday 11 August is a student-free day to allow for a Staff Professional Learning Day. On this day, our teaching staff will engage in important professional development focused on the continued implementation of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0. This dedicated time will support staff in developing the resources and strategies necessary for a successful and effective rollout of the updated curriculum.
Term 3 Key Dates:
11-15 August - National Science Week
Monday 11 August - Student Free Day
Wednesday 13 August - College Tour for Prospective Families
Friday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption Mass
18-22 August - Book Week
Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 August - College Production: Once Upon a Stage
Friday 5 September - Father's Day Mass and Breakfast
Friday 12 September - Live Fully Act Justly Day
Monday 15 September - Student Free Day
Thursday 18 September - Sports Fever Casual Clothes Day
Friday 19 September - Last Day of Term 3