Federation Vision
As the Federation of Catholic Regional College we seek to know God by being …
As the Federation of Catholic Regional College we seek to know God by being …
At the heart of the vision of the Federation of Catholic Regional College, and touching all that it does, stands the Eucharist. The most profound of all Catholic rituals, the Eucharist makes visible the Christ we seek to know. In the Eucharist we find ourselves; called, invited and challenged.
Jesus taught that his disciples must be prepared to serve – to the cross. The cross reminds us of our life journey, walked in the companionship of others. It speaks of our obligation to be a distinctive community; to be followers who lead with compassion and teach with love. In the shadow of the cross we find hope for a promised future.
As a formal educational endeavour, Catholic Regional College seeks to live a spirit of learning which celebrates personal excellence and values individual achievement. In the symbol of the open, unfinished book, we proclaim ourselves as a people open to the possibility of what is to come.
In the five stars of the Southern Cross, we identify the broad Australian context within which the Federation operates. In acknowledging the cultural, social, economic and spiritual diversity within the families of the western suburbs of Melbourne in which we have chosen to minister, we recognise the traditional owners of the land on which our colleges are built; the Wurundjeri people.
Encompassing all, the ellipse demonstrates the binding commitment each College has to the other and to the vision we uphold. Deliberately different, the ellipse holds fast to the lived reality of the Federation of Catholic Regional College, without parallel in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
In 1976 representatives of the parishes of St Albans, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury and Airport West met with Bishop Joseph O’Connell to express their concern about the growing numbers of young Catholics unable to secure Catholic Secondary Education in the west of Melbourne. The St Albans – Sydenham Catholic Secondary Education Planning Committee was established in March 1977. The Committee held their first meeting on 19 April 1977. By the 25 May 1977 the Committee made the decision to commence work on a complex of Colleges which would operate as a single federation known as Catholic Regional College.
Catholic Regional College North Keilor, the third College in the Federation, was established in 1982. The first College at St Albans was established in 1978, followed by Melton in 1980, Sydenham in 1982 and finally, Caroline Springs in 2007.
The Catholic Regional College Council is the Governing Board of the Federation. Membership of the Council comprises Parish Priests, parent representatives, the Principals of the five Colleges, and other persons selected for their expertise. Two sub committees of the Council, the Board of Studies and the Finance Committee, respectively deal with educational aspects, and oversee financial matters.
Strong support exists for the College from our parishes in both a pastoral and financial sense. Pastoral support is provided by visits to the College by Parish Priests, participation by the Priests in service programs, camps, regular Masses within the College, special liturgies and Reconciliation.
Holy Father, God of Love
You are the Creator of this land and of all good things.
Bless the Federation of Catholic Regional College, who,
through your servant Fr John O’Reilly,
You inspired and gave vision to.
As individuals, we are called to service and sacrifice, to take up our cross daily.
Inspired by the Gospels, may we emulate your Son,
through compassion and goodwill,
and by sharing in the Eucharist, in solidarity with one another.
As a community, we look to welcome new members into our ellipse,
which is bound together by the love of Christ,
in which all are accepted and unified.
Give us the strength to be true disciples in our ministry to others.
In our schools, we are challenged in our learning to do our best each day.
Allow us to use our God given gifts and unique talents.
May we live out the message of Jesus Christ, through encouraging education,
in the North-Western suburbs of Melbourne for all young people.
We celebrate the diversity within our Federation,
and foster reconciliation as people under the Southern Cross.
Bless us, your sons and daughters who form this community.
May the light of our Federation shine upon all your people.