Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the holidays gave everyone a chance to slow down, catch your breath, and enjoy time with family and friends. There’s something refreshing about starting a new term—it brings with it a sense of possibility, new routines, and a renewed focus as we head into the middle part of the year.

We return during the Easter season, which stretches across 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. Even though Easter morning might feel like a while ago now, the Church reminds us that the season of hope and renewal is still very much alive. It’s a good time to reflect on the deeper message of Easter: that life and love are stronger than death, and that we are called to be people of courage, joy and compassion.

A significant moment in the life of the Church took place on 8 May, with the election of our new Pope, Leo XIV—the 267th successor to St Peter. It was a historic and moving event as the white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel and the words "Habemus Papam – Peace be with you" were heard from the balcony of St Peter’s.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in the United States and spent many years in ministry in Peru. He previously served as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. Those who know him describe him as wise, down-to-earth, pastoral, and deeply committed to walking with people in their joys and struggles.

He brings with him a hope-filled vision for the Church, and his early words have already resonated with many. In one of his first messages, he said:

“We are each a reflection of God’s dream for the world. May we live not in fear of our limitations, but in confidence of God’s grace working through us.”

This is a powerful reminder for all of us—students and staff alike—as we settle into a new term. Each person brings their own gifts and strengths, and we are all invited to use them well, to make a difference in our communities and in the lives of others.

To all the mothers, grandmothers, and those in mothering roles in our community, I hope Mother’s Day was a special one. Thank you for the love, guidance and strength you offer so consistently and often quietly. You are a blessing to your families and to our school.

Term 2 is always a full and vibrant time in the life of the College. Our co-curricular program continues to grow, with opportunities in sport, the arts, social justice, chess, leadership and more. These activities help our students to grow in confidence, develop friendships, and find joy in new challenges.

We’re also continuing to support students through our Student Success Programs, including Homework Support in Maths and English. These sessions are a great way for students to build confidence, ask questions, and stay on top of their learning. If you’d like more information, you can find it here. 

There has been a recent research study of the lifelong benefits of Catholic schooling. The piece highlights that Catholic schools support the development of well-rounded individuals who will succeed and be happy long after they finish their studies. It is an interesting read, and I encourage you to read more about it.

As we begin this new term, I want to encourage each student: show up, give your best, be kind to others, ask for help when you need it, and remember that your gifts are meant not just for yourself, but to serve others too.

Wishing everyone a term filled with good learning, steady growth, and plenty of joy along the way.

Prayer for Pope Francis

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd, Pope Leo XIV,
a spirit of courage and right judgment,
a spirit of knowledge and love.
By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ,
build your Church into a sacrament of unity,
love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

It was with great sadness that we mourned the passing of our beloved Pope Francis, the 266th successor of St. Peter. To honour his memory and pray for his soul, we held a morning liturgy with our staff and a special homeroom liturgy with our students.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis urged us to embrace the marginalised and to trust in God's love and mercy. He consistently emphasised the message of Christ as preached in the Gospels. As educators of our youth, we remember his deep love and concern for our young people. In his exhortation Christus Vivit —"To Young People and to the Entire People of God” he states:

I repeat this to each of you individually: Christ is alive and he loves you with an infinite love. His love for you is unaffected by your failings or your mistakes. He gave his life for you, so in his love for you he does not wait for you to be perfect. Look at his arms outstretched on the cross, and “let yourself be saved over and over again”. Walk with him as with a friend, welcome him into your life and let him share all the joys and hopes, the problems and struggles of this time in your lives. You will see that the path ahead will become clearer and that your difficulties will be much less burdensome, because he will be carrying them with you. So pray daily to the Holy Spirit who “draws you ever more deeply into the heart of Christ, so that you can grow in his love, his life and his power”.

Even in his last hours of his life in the traditional Easter “Urbi Et Orbi (to the city and to the world),” Pope Francis had great hope in humanity and the transforming love that Christ brings to all who encounter him.

“The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion. Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit! (cf. Rom 5:5). That hope is not an evasion, but a challenge; it does not delude, but empowers us.

All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.”

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we near the mid-point of Term 2, I would like to extend my thanks to all families for your continued support of our students and staff during what has been a busy and productive time across the College.

Student Absences and Early Exits – A Reminder

A reminder to all families of the importance of providing a written note for any planned student absences or early departures during the school day. We are unable to broadcast announcements to classrooms due to the significant disruption this causes to learning, and so when prior notification is not provided, there can be substantial delays in being able to have a student present to reception.

Where possible, if your child has an appointment during the school day, please ensure they are aware of the time they need to leave class and attend the office. An accompanying written note from home assists staff in supporting this process efficiently and respectfully.

Year 7 Premier League

Our Year 7 students commenced their Premier League season in May, representing the College in weekly interschool competitions across Basketball, Netball, Soccer, Volleyball, and AFL Football. This has been a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship, while also building positive relationships with their peers and teachers beyond the classroom. We commend all students for the way they have represented the College, and we look forward to the upcoming finals in June.

Key Dates for Term 2

For your reference, please find below some important dates for the remainder of Term 2:

• Student Free Day (Staff Professional Learning) – Monday 26 May
• Student Free Day (Teacher Time in Lieu) – Friday 6 June
• Year 7 Premier League Semi Finals – Thursday 19 June
• Year 7 Premier League Grand Final – Thursday 26 June
• Semester One Exam Period (Years 7–10) – Thursday 27 June to Wednesday 2 July
• Year 10 Final Day of Semester One – Wednesday 2 July (finish at 1:00pm)
• Year 7–9 Final Day of Semester One – Thursday 3 July (finish at 1:00pm)
• Year 10 Formal – Thursday 3 July (6:00pm)

Thank you once again for your partnership in supporting student learning and wellbeing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our College reception in the first instance if you have any questions or concerns.

On Friday 9 May, we celebrated the wonderful mothers of our community with over 200 mothers, grandmothers, significant women and students. The day began with Holy Mass, giving thanks to God for the gift of motherhood and seeking His grace to strengthen our mothers in their calling.

Following the Mass, guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast generously prepared by the cafeteria staff, providing a lovely opportunity for students to have some time to connect with their loved ones.

A particularly touching moment was a heartfelt video presentation featuring students sharing what makes their mothers so special. It was a wonderful way to connect with all the special women of our CRC Catholic Community.

We sincerely thank all mothers, the first teachers of faith, who nurture the seeds of love and compassion in our children.

On Wednesday 23 April, our Outdoor Education class went to UrbnSurf to learn how to surf in an artificial surfing facility that replicated the experience of surfing in the ocean. After we arrived, we were given wetsuits to change into before we were given a short lesson on land about the basics of surfing. Following this, we were given an hour to surf freely in the water with instructors to assist us with our technique. To produce waves, a generator was located at the deep end of the water, pushing big waves towards the shore and stopping for a short break for us to catch our breaths.

Although the experience was a bit nerve wracking, it was a great experience for everyone to learn how to surf, or to improve on our current skills. The instructors were friendly and were giving us many tips to improve. Through this experience, we were all able to have fun and surf around and be ourselves without the fear of messing up. Overall, this excursion was a great learning experience for individuals of all levels of surfing, and we were able to improve significantly with the help of the facility.

Ylai C
10MK

Here at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, we are aware that our local area is very busy both before and after school. We need to consider the safety of all our students and their families given the businesses in our area. A number of our students choose to ride their bikes to school, which we fully support, however we also need to keep in mind the rules around road safety.

We would like to encourage parents and carers to have conversations with their child around being safe on their bikes and following the set of expectations below:

• Students must wear a helmet to and from school
• Know your safety signals when riding your book
• Be careful when crossing the road on your bikes
• Always pay attention and listen to any warnings
• Ride bicycles carefully
• Students are not to ride their bikes through the College car park
• Students are to walk their bike through the College grounds
• Students with an e-scooter must be aged over 16 years

Please take note of the attached fact sheet from the Victoria Police regarding Road Safety.

Last Friday 9 May, Ms Shaw, Ms Giang and Angella Francis (Youth ministered) accompanied a group of students who attended ‘Encounter’ at Good Shepherd Parish, Gladstone Park. The night to encounter Jesus with prayer, fellowship, food, testimonies and meet other youth who share the Catholic Faith in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Sean Cortes Alinea 7 Bunjil and Vanessa Chung 7 Coranderrk have shared their experience of the night.

“We arrived at Good Shepherd Parish, Gladstone Park we started off with a light dinner including pizza, drinks and dessert. After we got into small groups and played a game of ‘Guess that Song’ with people on guitar and violin playing. Straight after, we had a talk with one of the MGL Sisters at the parish about the Prodigal Son and how this personally connects to our lives. After we had Benediction in the church and got to hear a faith testimony from one of the volunteers. When the night ended it left us with a life lesson, which was to prioritise faith and family.” Sean Nicholas Cortes Alinea - 7 Bunjil

“We went to an Encounter night at Good Shepherd Parish, Gladstone Park and had a wonderful time together with other high school students. We began the night by enjoying some pizza, then played a fun game where we guessed different songs with the artists. After that, we listened to a story from the New Testament – The Prodigal Son, which was about two sons and a father demonstrating God’s love and mercy for us all. Finally, we went into the church for some time with Jesus in prayer.” Vanessa Chung - 7 Coranderrk

On Wednesday 7 May Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs were blessed to welcome over 500 people for our Year 7 2027 Parent Information Evening. Prospective parents and students were invited to discover the best our school has to offer by listening to a presentation from our College Principal, our Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing, our Transition Co-ordinator and all things teaching and learning from our Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy. The highlight of the evening was our College Deputy Captain Keisha Cortes-Alinea addressing the families and talking about her own journey in regards to what it means to be a CRCCS student.

As a secondary College, we prioritise a positive enrolment process for families and students. I know many parents can be quite anxious about their child beginning secondary school, and information evenings such as these provide an opportunity to have questions answered and be able to meet with various staff members. It was a blessing to have so many join us for the night and hopefully gain a good understanding of our school community.

Just a reminder about our enrolment process:

• Online Application
• Proof of Residency needed (Rates Notice or Utility Bill from 2025)
• Birth Certificate
• Immunization History (from MyGov)
• All Sacrament Certificates
• A copy of your child's most recent semester school report
• Most recent NAPLAN results
• Visa/Passport/Citizenship information (if applicable)
• Applications due Friday 15 August
• Offers from Friday 17 October

Earlier this term, the Social Justice Team organised a Prayer Day as a way of reminding our school community of the importance of prayer in our lives. It was a simple but meaningful gesture—prayer cards were handed out to students and staff, each with a message of encouragement, hope, or reflection. A small treat accompanied each card, just to brighten the day and share a little joy.

Sometimes we get caught up in the rush of everyday life, and Prayer Day gave us all a chance to pause, take a breath, and reflect—with ourselves, with others, and with God.

It was a beautiful reminder that prayer doesn’t need to be long or complicated—just a quiet moment of stillness can make a big difference.

Thank you to the Social Justice Team for leading this with heart and intention.

Finding light, strength and purpose in 2025

This year, our college community has embraced a special journey — the Jubilee Year of Hope. Across the Catholic world, 2025 is a time for renewal, reflection, and walking with faith. For us, it’s become a chance to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what hope really means in our lives, in our relationships, and in our world.

At school, we've explored this in many ways. Our Faith and Mission and Social Justice teams have led the College through weekly themes — from learning about holy doors and pilgrimage, to unpacking the message behind Pope Francis’ Jubilee letter. We've looked at how Jesus himself brought a spirit of hope and renewal, and how Mary MacKillop’s life still speaks to us as Australians today.

One of the most loved parts of our journey so far has been welcoming Luce, our Jubilee mascot. Luce — meaning "light" in Italian — is a cheerful presence in classrooms, prayer spaces and even in staff rooms, reminding us that hope isn’t something distant or abstract. It’s something we can carry, share and live each day.

Throughout the term, we’ve created moments of pilgrimage within the college — simple, sacred experiences that invite us to pause and be present. A dedicated Jubilee reflection space has also been set up in the library. This quiet corner offers students a chance to engage in personal prayer and reflection, supported by Jubilee postcards, inspirational stickers, and a student-written prayer book — a heartfelt resource created by students, for students. It’s has become a peaceful spot for anyone seeking a moment of stillness, purpose, or encouragement during the school day.

As we continue through 2025, the Jubilee invites us to be “pilgrims of hope” — people who bring light where it’s needed most. It’s not always easy, but together, as a community, we’re walking that path with open hearts and open hands.

May this Jubilee year be one we remember — not just for what we learned, but for how it changed us.

Whole School Photos for 2025 will be held on Wednesday 11 June and Thursday 12 June.

Photo Information:

• All students will have an individual portrait taken and a homeroom class group photo.
• A digital flyer will be posted on SEQTA two weeks prior to the photo days. This flyer will include a QR code and ordering link, including details for Sibling Photos.
• No hard copy order forms will be distributed.

Uniform Requirements:

Students are required to wear the full CRCCS Winter Uniform, including the blazer, on their allocated photo day. Jumpers are not to be worn.

Boys:

• CRC monogrammed navy long pants or shorts
• CRC monogrammed long-sleeved white shirt (tucked in)
• CRCCS tie
• CRC blazer
• CRC navy formal socks with stripe
• Polished, black, hard-leather school shoes

Girls:

• CRC tartan kilt (worn at knee length) and/or monogrammed navy pinstripe shorts or long pants
• CRC monogrammed long-sleeved white shirt (tucked in)
• CRCCS tie
• CRC blazer
• CRC navy formal socks with stripe or navy tights
• Polished, black, hard-leather school shoes

Note: Students must not wear make-up, jewellery, or have coloured nails. If these requirements are not met, students will not be permitted to take part in their photo — no exceptions or notes will be accepted.

Sibling Photos:

• Will take place during recess and lunchtime on both days.
• Students will not be called over — they are responsible for attending their own sibling photo session.

Please check Seqta notices for homeroom scheduling.  

On Tuesday 22 April, nineteen Year 8 students and three staff participated in the Tasmania Cultural Immersion Tour. Over five days, the group enjoyed fresh Tasmanian produce – including oysters, chocolate and cheese – beautiful national parks and World Heritage Sites and exceptional weather while exploring Tasmania. Some of the key attractions visited were: 

• Port Arthur Historic Site
• Tahune Airwalk
• Museum of Old & New Art (MONA)
• Barilla Bay Oyster Farm
• Mt Wellington
• Mt Field National Park
• Salmon Ponds
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Richmond Historic Town
• HyperDrive Kart Racing
• Hobart Cenotaph (ANZAC Day Dawn Service)
• Cataract Gorge Reserve 

The tour offered memorable moments, and every student had a different highlight, weather it was through the beauty Tasmania has to offer, the rich history or the adventure. 

Two students shared their personal reflections:

Ava described her experience as, “I was fortunate to take part in this year’s Cultural Immersion tour in Tasmania. This trip allowed me to grow my independence to travel away for the first time without my family. Our trip enabled us to try new things that I haven’t experienced before like Go Karting, new foods and interesting places. A place that really stood out for me was the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. It allowed me to see animals I haven’t seen before like a Tasmanian Devil and a Cape Barren Goose. I was also very lucky to take selfies and pat kangaroos. We were also able to meet a wombat named Bingo who was very soft and clingy. I even learned that when wombats turn two years old, they become quite aggressive. I recommend you participate on this trip to experience the wonders and joys of Tasmania.” 

Isabella also offered her own different perspective of the tour, “Before coming on this trip, I was worried and nervous to go considering I would be so far away from home however I was also excited to travel with friends and explore all the different activities in Tasmania. My favourite part of the tour was visiting Port Arthur. During the day we were able to see all the beautiful, historical landscapes and buildings and learn about the convict history in Tasmania. At night we attended a ghost tour which was enjoyable, educational and petrifying all at the same time.”

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual collection that counts the number of school students with disability and the level of reasonable educational adjustment with which they are provided. The national data collection will count students who have been identified as receiving an adjustment to address a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). College funding in support of learners is determined by this collection and submission of data. Further information, in both English and Arabic, are attached for parents/carers.

This semester, our talented Year 8 students have been hard at work in the art room, developing their skills through a ceramics unit — and the results have been nothing short of outstanding!

Throughout the unit, students explored a variety of hand-building pottery techniques, focusing on pinch pottery. They learned how to transform simple blocks of clay into creative and expressive artworks, experimenting with texture, form, and underglaze application.

It has been wonderful to witness their creativity, patience, and perseverance as they brought their ideas to life. Each piece is a unique reflection of the student's individual style and imagination, and their attention to detail has been incredibly impressive.

We are very proud of the dedication and enthusiasm the students have shown throughout this project. Their completed ceramic works are a testament to their hard work and artistic growth.

A sincere thank you to our Art teachers and technicians for guiding and encouraging students as they brought their artistic ideas to fruition.

We are thrilled to share the exciting results of our school's participation in the recent SACCSS eSports Rocket League competition!

This year, we entered four enthusiastic and skilled teams into the tournament, and their performance was exceptional. Three of our teams battled their way through intense matches to secure spots in the Grand Final – a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about their teamwork, strategy, and dedication.

Even more impressively, one of our teams went all the way and claimed the title of Champions! Their calm under pressure, quick decision-making, and commitment to collaboration led them to a well-deserved victory.

eSports is a growing field that promotes not only gaming skills but also critical thinking, communication, and resilience. We are proud to see our students thriving in this space and representing our school with pride and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to all our players on a fantastic tournament run — and a special shout-out to our winning team! We can’t wait to see what’s next in the world of school eSports.

Energy, laughter, and a whole lot of planking filled the room on Monday the 28 April, as our YTG fitness group powered through a professionally instructed Pilates session after school. Year 9 and 10 girls challenged themselves with crunches, stretches, and heart-pumping exercises… all while sharing plenty of laughs and experiencing firsthand the many benefits of physical activity. We’d like to extend our gratitude to our instructor, Alisha Caruk, a CRCCS alumni, for delivering such a professional and encouraging Pilates session. We hope this experience inspires our girls to explore more fitness opportunities and empowers them with the confidence to dive into new and exciting ways to stay active.

Starting with humble numbers, YTG is growing each fortnight and warmly welcomes anyone interested in boosting their fitness and building social connections. More than just an avenue for physical progress, this group embraces a holistic approach. Students develop a sense of belonging, foster a drive to better themselves physically, form strong social bonds, and build an understanding of what it means to live a healthy, well-rounded life.

At YTG, we believe fitness should be exciting, rewarding, and enjoyable. By offering a diverse range of fitness experiences, our aim is to help participants discover activities they love so that they can develop a lifelong connection to movement. Sessions run afterschool on fortnightly basis for Year 9 and 10 female students, we are always encouraging more to get on board!

Yeah the Girls!

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.

CSEF 2025 (Current health care card holders)

CSEF applications are being accepted for 2025. Please complete the application form on our website and return the completed signed form along with a copy of the parent/carer current health care card to the College office as soon as possible. Applications close 04 July 2025

2026 STEM/NASA Immersion 14 April-25 April 2026

Payment due dates are:

16 May 2025 $850

26 May 2025 $1500

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, Finance Department.

How long have you worked at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs?
Since Term 1 2025

What is your role at the school?
Head of School (Senior)

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I work with our entire community (families, students, staff and others). It is a privilege to be able to extend beyond the classroom or the school gate and build partnerships that support widely is a gift.

What is your ideal way to unwind and relax?
I read, drive and/or take the dog for a walk. Something that allows me to switch off a little.

What was your favourite subject at school?
Consistent favourite was always PE and Outdoor Ed.

What skill would you like to master?
I’d like to be a certified sommelier at some point in the near future.

What book/tv series/podcasts are you into at the moment?
TV Show: The Last of Us, Podcast: The Louis Theroux Podcast & The Art of Teaching

What is your favourite sport to watch or play?
Basketball

If you could choose to be anything or a day, what would it be?
A film director

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
Pause time = more sleep

What's your favourite holiday destination?
Orlando, USA or Kathmandu, Nepal

Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Cillian Murphy

If you had to watch a documentary, what would you want it to be about?
True crime or climbing Everest