Ever-generous God,
You inspired St Mary MacKillop
to live her life faithful
to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope
and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely, or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and joining with St Mary MacKillop, we ask that you grant our request….(name your request).
We ask that our faith and hope
be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too,
like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage,
trust, and openness.
Ever-generous God, hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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

NAPLAN 2025 results have been posted home to parents/carers with children in Year 7 and /or Year 9.
Please contact the College if this mail has not been received.

Thank you.

College events at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs are organised to create positive school culture. These events create an opportunity to build strong connections between staff and students in our school community, as well as our young people experiencing a sense of belonging to our school. It is our expectation that students attend all College events for the remainder of the year including:

· Live Fully Act Justly Day
· Athletics Carnival
· Whole College Assemblies
· Whole College Masses
· Faith Formation Days
· Ignite Lessons
· Excursions
· Year 10 Graduation

Such events help ensure students feel connected to our College as it impacts their personal wellbeing, social development and learning outcomes. Our expectation is that all students participate in these days and if they are absent a medical certificate is expected. The College will be following up with families for any students that do have an unapproved absence on these days.

We thank our families in advance for their support with these processes.

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Feast Day

Today, we celebrate the feast day of Australia's first saint, the wonderful St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Often, when we think of St. Mary Mackillop, we associate her with her advocacy for the poor and marginalized, as well as her efforts to give children access to education. There is no doubt that her legacy in this area has been monumental, evidenced by the many Josephite schools she and her order established during her lifetime and beyond.

Three years ago, I was blessed to attend a Mary MacKillop pilgrimage to Penola with other staff members from our College, visiting many significant sites along the way. While I was aware of her contributions to helping the poor, what profoundly struck me during the trip was her deep love for and personal relationship with Jesus. Everything she did was motivated by this love and I have no doubt that it was because of her relationship with Christ that she was able to receive the graces needed to accomplish all that came her way. Below is an excerpt from two separate letters she wrote:

“When storms rage and persecutions threaten, I quietly creep into (the Sacred Heart’s) deep abyss”, she wrote, “and securely sheltered there, my soul is in peace, though my body is tossed on the stormy waves of a cold and selfish world”. Again, “His presence is before me almost in everything, and I love to come to Him in prayer as to my dearest and only Friend.”

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, pray for us!

Friday 8am Mass

We warmly invite you to join us for our Friday 8am Mass, held every Friday during the school term (excluding Friday, August 15th, and Friday, September 12th). As Pope Leo recently reminded us in his address to youth, “Let us remain united to Him, let us remain in His friendship, always cultivating it through prayer, Eucharistic Communion.” Attending Mass is a beautiful way to answer this call, nourishing our soul with God’s Word and His presence in the Eucharist.

Students are also encouraged to participate in Mass through proclaiming God's Word, with sign-up details available on SEQTA notices. Your presence would truly enrich our community and we warmly invite and encourage your children to attend and participate.

Staff Faith Formation Day

The MACS 2030 strategic plan, ‘Forming Lives to Enrich the World,’ states that “Everything we do is guided by our Catholic faith… also foundational to the distinctive educational experiences we offer those who seek to be educated through our schools.” Our staff Faith Days provide us with opportunities to deepen our faith and work towards achieving this vision alongside our staff, students, and families. In recent weeks, we have held two annual staff Faith Days: one with all CRC Caroline Springs staff and another with our Intercampus Federation.

CRC Caroline Springs Staff Faith Day – ‘Always Keep Jesus in Your Heart’

The theme, “Always Keep Jesus in Your Heart,” was inspired by the last words of Fr. John O’Reilly, the founding priest of the CRC Federation, which he shared before his retirement. We were honoured to welcome two guest speakers who delivered keynote addresses to our staff: Fr. Ken Baker MGL, founder of the Missionaries of God’s Love, and Jonathan Doyle, an international Catholic speaker.

Fr. Ken challenged us to reflect on whether Christ is at the center of our lives and emphasized the importance of surrendering ourselves to Him. He spoke about various dispositions such as resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness that can hinder our relationship with Jesus. These include feelings of separation due to sin, the need for healing, or simply trying to make sense of the worldly experiences we face. Fr. Ken emphasized that becoming aware of these dispositions allows us to better open ourselves to Christ’s unconditional love and mercy.

Jonathan Doyle continued to highlight the love of Christ, encouraging us as educators in a Catholic school to be witnesses to the truth and contributors to a positive school climate. He challenged us to think on a supernatural level and to strive toward our true calling holiness and sainthood. Jonathan shared practical ways we can grow in holiness and nourish our faith through prayer, scripture, the sacraments, and a growing dependence on Christ. As a community, embracing these practices can profoundly transform us into an ‘evangelising lighthouse.’

CRC Intercampus Faith Day – ‘Hope Does Not Disappoint’

On Monday, staff had the opportunity to meet as a Federation, where we welcomed guest speaker Fr. Page Polke OFM. He shared inspiring stories of the founder of his order, St. Francis of Assisi, as well as his good friend St. Clare of Assisi, in light of the Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis’ Papal Bull—‘Hope Does Not Disappoint.’

Fr. Page explained St. Francis’s journey from a man preoccupied with money and pleasure to someone who recognised his true worth in God’s love. He emphasised that, through Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, we come to know that we are deeply loved by God and that He cares for us bringing hope into our lives. We reflected on how, as educators, we currently make this hope a reality for our students but also what more we can do to embed this sense of hope in their lives.

Fr Page Polk OFM – Visit to Year 9 Classes

By Gabriella Lawrence - 9 Murphy Wandin

This term, three of our Year 9 classes had the special opportunity to meet Fr Page, a Franciscan priest during our Religion classes. 

His visit was not only inspiring but also deeply educational, giving us the chance to learn more about the Franciscan way of life, the Catholic faith, and the significance of pilgrimage. 

Fr Page shared the core vows of the Franciscan Order — poverty, chastity and obedience known as the “three promises”. He explained how Franciscans live without money and dedicate their bodies and lives for holiness. Wearing a simple tunic and a Franciscan rope belt with a knot representing each promise, Fr Page reminded us of the humility and dedication shown by Saint Francis of Assisi, who heard God's message through the cross and devoted his life to rebuilding the Church and spreading God's love. 

Fr Page took us on a virtual pilgrimage through the Holy Land, describing places like Bethlehem ("house of bread"), Nazareth, Mount Tabor, Cana, Masada, and the Mount of Olives where Judas betrayed Jesus. These sacred sites are central to our faith and help us reflect on Jesus’s life, sacrifice, and resurrection. He explained that in his church they ring the bell 33 time to represent the 33 years of Jesus's life. We were reminded of our central beliefs as Catholics which is to believe in the Holy Trinity, follow baptismal promises, and live out the universal truth of God’s love. 

Finally, Fr Page discussed the “Seven Sacraments”, especially “baptism”, which washes away original sin and welcomes us into the Church. He also touched on “resurrection”, where after death, our souls are called to eternal life with God. Meeting Fr Page was a strong reminder of who we are, our identity as a Catholic school and the importance of living out our faith through love, humility, and community.

As part of their 'Responding to the World' unit in Science, our Year 9 students recently took part in a sheep's brain dissection to deepen their understanding of the nervous system. After learning about neurons, brain hemispheres, and the different lobes of the brain, this hands-on activity allowed students to see these structures up close.

During the dissection, students carefully identified and labelled various parts of the brain, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. They also worked to distinguish between white and grey matter, bringing classroom theory to life. The level of care, curiosity, and enthusiasm displayed by the students was outstanding, and they should be commended for their respectful and thoughtful approach to this unique learning experience.

In week 2 of the term, we celebrated Languages Week which promoted the languages offered at the college and their cultures. 

Languages Week aimed to take our students’ knowledge of Italian and Japanese out of the classroom and enrich their learning with cultural experiences. Homerooms began the day with daily cultural quizzes and recorded prayers in many of the languages of our College community. 

During the week, Year 8 Japanese students discovered the art of traditional Japanese calligraphy while year 9 Japanese students tried their hands at Japanese Taiko drumming. Lunchtimes brought Italian and Japanese culinary experiences to our College and as a part of the various lunchtime offerings, students enjoyed pizza, gyoza, gelato and mochi as well as a competitive game of tombola (Italian Bingo). 

It was great to see so much student involvement in the various Languages Week events!

Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Competition

In June, 32 of our year nine Italian students participated in the Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Competition. To represent our school among over 2000 students from across Victoria, the students were required to learn an Italian poem and recite it in front of a judge at the University of Melbourne. 

This day out aimed to provide students with uniquely Italian cultural experiences and so we also visited the Museo Italiano which is a permanent exhibition of Italian immigration to Australia. Many of our students of Italian backgrounds found this to be highly relevant to their family histories and a very insightful experience. We also enjoyed a pizza lunch together and visit to Brunetti to enjoy some delicious Italian sweets. This was such a great day that was enjoyed by students and staff! 

A couple of weeks later, we were notified that 2 of our students had progressed to the finals of the competition! Anastasia Pereira and Emilia Raunik were selected to return to the University and recite their poems again among only 150 students across Victoria who had progressed to the finals. What an achievement! 

Our students recited their poems with great effort and skill in spoken Italian. Congratulations to Anastasia, Emilia and all of the students who participated!

The Humanities tell each unique story at CRC Caroline Springs - this is how parents can help

While it may not be every student's favourite subject, the undoubted beauty of studying the Humanities is that it tells the story of every student at CRC Caroline Springs in one way or another; it explores the conflation of political, economic, social and geographic factors that is responsible for each member of our community getting to be where they are now, why their current world is the way it is and what their future might hold.

As our Year 10 History: Civil Rights students recently discovered, studying the Humanities gives context to the media young people consume on a daily basis - certainly, no one has ever won a Grammy with a song about Pythagoras' Theorum - which we know from our own experience is so influential to our individual identities. Indeed, this is why they're called the Humanities; we study what it is to be human.

At CRC Caroline Springs, our incredibly diverse community means we are uniquely positioned to explore all of these factors from an array of perspectives. War, political and economic crises and natural disasters have touched every continent on the planet, and every family at our College.

Parents often express a perceived powerlessness in supporting their children at home when it comes to the Humanities. On the contrary, parents and guardians are best place to expose the key concepts of the subject area simply by sharing their own personal narratives.

When adults share their own perspectives, their culture and traditions, students see the reasons why people make the difficult decision to migrate to a far away land, and why people decide to start their own businesses alongside the challenges faced when doing so. Young people have their eyes opened to how the geographic features of a place influence the economy, diet and rituals of a culture and how natural disasters can cause bigger problems than the obvious physical harm. When parents open the discussion about their political views and why they hold those views, students start to form their own moral compasses and gain an appreciation for their civic rights and responsibilities as the fortunate citizens of a democracy.

The student body at CRC Caroline Springs is filled with curiosity and a hunger for a knowledge that informs their world view. It can be easy, at times, to assume that our students are too young to tackle some of the big issues, or to give into the temptation to shield them out of an abundance of care, but anecdotal evidence suggests they have the maturity and critical capability to be presented with real life information and process it in a healthy way. I did it, and so did you.

Moreover, while consuming the news can feel like a negative experience in the modern world, news bulletins are a live-action play of how concepts studied in the Humanities have real-world, tangible outcomes to people's lives and present a brilliant opportunity to discuss modern day issues, explore family connections to a story and consider moral positions on an issue. Engaging in conversation about what is in the news is a simple yet effective manner students learning in the Humanities classroom can be complimented and extended outside of school hours.

Parents and guardians need not panic if they feel as if can't share their family narrative with the requisite vocabulary or in a way suitable for an assessment task, or even if they're not 100% sure of all the facts - leave that to us, that's our job. Studying the Humanities is about more than passing a test anyways, it's about becoming active leaders in the multitude of communities CRC Caroline Springs touches and inspiring everyone to live a little more fully and act a little more justly.

It’s been all systems go in our beautiful new Sacred Heart kitchens! The Year 9 and 10 students have been the first to roll up their sleeves in the space, learning how to navigate the layout while whipping up delicious recipes like nasi goreng, chicken and asparagus risotto, and the ever-reliable vegetable frittata.

The induction stovetops have definitely kept us on our toes, a few puzzled faces at first, but we’re getting there! One thing’s for sure though… when it comes to cleaning them, the students are absolutely wrapped. Too easy!

Meanwhile, our enthusiastic Year 7s are eagerly awaiting their turn to dive into the chocolate ball recipes. They’ve been building the basics over the past few weeks, exploring food safety, kitchen hygiene, measurement skills, and all the other fun foundation units to get them prepped for their big cook-off ahead.

With both the Sacred Heart and Assisi kitchens in action, there’s no doubt the delicious aromas are drifting right through the school!

Term 3: Embracing the Uganda Project – Living Fully, Acting Justly

This term, our community at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs turns its focus to the Uganda Project, our ongoing partnership with St Francis Primary School in Kizinga, Uganda. What began as a simple outreach has grown into a powerful expression of compassion, stewardship, and solidarity.

Thanks to the generous support of our students, families, and staff, we’ve made significant progress over the years: the construction and furnishing of multiple classroom blocks, the development of a daily food program, access to clean water, and the refurbishment of the local church. This year, the momentum continues with the construction of a third brick classroom block and the installation of water tanks set for completion by year’s end.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings real change to the lives of hundreds of children who now have the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “In a world where there is so much wealth... it is incomprehensible how there can be so many hungry children, so many children without an education.” Through the Uganda Project, we are responding with action, living out our College motto Live Fully, Act Justly, and upholding the Gospel call to serve others with empathy and love.

We invite all members of our community to stay engaged as Term 3 unfolds. Keep an eye out for upcoming fundraising events and opportunities to contribute. Together, we are making a lasting impact, one rooted in faith, compassion, and hope.

To support the 2025 Uganda Project, please donate here: 2025 Uganda Project.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’re writing to let you know about some important updates to how Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs manages concussions in student sport.

Following a review by the Sports Association of Catholic Co-Educational Secondary Schools (SACCSS), a new Concussion Management Policy has been introduced. As a member of SACCSS, our school is required to follow this policy, which is based on national guidelines from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

The goal of the policy is to keep students safe by making sure all concussions – whether confirmed or suspected – are handled properly and with care.

What Families Need to Know:

1. If your child gets a concussion outside of school (e.g., during club sport):
Please let the College know by filling out this Concussion Notification Form.
We’ll then inform your child’s Year Level Leader and teachers, so we can make adjustments to support their learning and recovery.

2. If your child has a suspected concussion during a school or SACCSS sport activity:
We will immediately remove them from the activity and contact you. We’ll also recommend a medical check-up.
We follow the rule: “If in doubt, sit them out.”

If a Concussion is Confirmed: What Happens Next

We’ll support your child through a careful return to school and sport, which includes:

• Rest period (usually at least 48 hours, or as advised by a doctor). A medical certificate is needed for absence approval.

• Medical clearance is required before your child can fully return to sport or PE.

Want to Learn More?

This policy follows the AIS Concussion and Brain Health Statement (2024).
To read more, visit: https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au

Thank you for helping us keep students safe and supported. If you have any questions, please contact the College.

On Thursday 24 July, 16 students from our school participated in the annual SACCSS Chess tournament. 

Each of our students played 7 games of chess, with nearly all of them winning a majority of their games. Unfortunately, we didn’t place or win any medals this year, but regardless, we can be very proud of the excellent effort applied and the ongoing commitment of our students. 

A special congratulations to Evan Santiago, Matejas Juric and Lorenzo Calingin who were our highest ranked students on the day.

Dear Fathers, Grandfathers and significant men in our students’ Lives

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the special gift of ‘Fatherhood’ at our annual Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast on Friday, 5 September. The Mass will commence at 8:00am at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church (located on the college grounds), followed by a breakfast in the College Cafeteria from 8:30am to 9:05am.

Please register your attendance via the following link by Monday 25 August 2025:

Father's Day Mass and Breakfast Registration

We look forward to sharing this special occasion with you as we honour the wonderful role you play in our students’ lives.

2025 School Fees

2025 School Fee notice and Fee Payment Agreements have been mailed home. If you have not received your statement, please contact the finance department or visit the school website. College Tuition Fee - CRC Caroline Springs. If you have changed home address or email details, please also advise the school.

School Fees need to be finalised by November 2025 unless prior arrangement is in place.

Statements will be issued to parents every month for record keeping purposes. If you have requested for a direct debit to be in place, nothing further is required.

2026 STEM/NASA Immersion 14 April 2026 - 26 April 2026

Payment due dates are:

28 August 2025 $1500
16 October 2025 $1500
01 December 2025 $1500
05 February 2026 $1500

If you wish to discuss any finance concerns, please reach out to us by phone 9217 8000 extension 2 or email accounts@crccs.vic.edu.au

Thank you.