College Voices - Caroline Chisholm Catholic College

Community Engagement

Our community is at the heart of why we exist.

At Caroline Chisholm Catholic College we recognise the importance of engaging the community in the learning journey of our students, particularly their families. Community Engagement is about connecting with families, external services and the broader community, and, equally important, it’s about engaging the students in all aspects of school life and finding the common threads that weave our community together. It is these common threads that hold us together and help our students be the best they are called to be.

In his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love, Pope Francis emphasised the importance of Catholic schools which ‘play a vital role in assisting parents in their duty to raise their children. Catholic schools should be encouraged in their mission to help pupils grow into mature adults who can view the world with the love of Jesus and who can understand life as a call to serve God’. Pope Francis stated that “Schools do not replace parents but complement them.”

Family Engagement

As a College, we are committed to engaging our families on their child’s learning journey. As the first educators of children, families are integral to the positive outcomes for our students. Our Family Partnerships Team proactively connects with our families and provides myriad opportunities for this collaboration to occur. Our Family Partnerships Team supports our families through education, resourcing, communication, and inclusivity. Families are encouraged to participate in a number of learning forums, information sessions, community building activities, external services, and a range of initiatives that respond to the changing needs of each new cohort of students who come through our doors. Our doors are always open to our families.

Community Linkage

At different times in some students’ lives, external supports are needed to best navigate rough seas. Young people face the same challenges all people do – mental health issues, general health challenges and social issues as an example. It is at these times that we as a College community engage with services outside of our school. We have developed strong links and relationships with Beyond Blue, Headspace, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria Police, and the Department of Health and Human Services to name a few. Through our Care Teams and our case-management approach, we are able to engage with these community services and better facilitate our students’ success in their learning journeys.

These relationships not only address individual student needs, but also help our College community grow stronger within. We have several partnerships with external providers, such as the Department of Education, Western Bulldogs, and Berry Street to strengthen our capacity to engage our students with their learning and with life. Through such partnerships we aim to develop the life skills our young people need to thrive in whatever the future holds for them.

Cross Campus

Across all our campuses we aim to forge within our students the capacity to be their best. Through analysis of data, engagement with student voice, reflection on teacher expertise, and current research on best practice, we as a community participate in a range of programs that specifically address the needs of the current cohort. Our community understands that each generation brings with it its own challenges and it is up to us to prepare for this and to respond to this. As a result we will implement programs and procedures that create capacity in our students, our staff, and our families.

Our Counselling Team also plays an important role in engaging our community across all campuses. We offer onsite counselling to all our students and triage to external services if the need arises. Our Counselling Team works with the staff and our families via education and information. Through community activities, professional learning, direct collaboration, and e-communication the Counselling Team respond to, connect with, support, and destigmatise mental health in our community.

Student Agency

The call to service is strong for many of our students and, as a result, we offer myriad leadership opportunities for them to be able to answer this call. Students are able to serve the Caroline Chisholm Catholic College community as Captains or Ambassadors, shining a light on an area of passion or on the needs of the community as a whole. Student Leadership is not tokenistic – it is real, it is active, it is meaningful, and it is there to ensure our community is engaged and connected. Through initiatives, such as a games room and sustainable practices, our Student Leaders do as directed by St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop – “Never see a need without doing something about it.”

As a College we are working towards greater student agency – empowering students to have more control over their learning and their environment. Our students are surrounded by the wisdom of their elders and use this to facilitate their voice in their time here at our College. Student agency gives student voice and often choice in what and how they learn. Our Learner Mentor system is the vehicle for this, with that relationship being the place for that voice to be heard. With consultation with the student and their families, our College offers myriad ways to learn – a Personalised Learning approach. Through facilitating greater student agency we harness the spirit of Caroline Chisholm whose life’s work was to empower the most vulnerable in society.

Parents & Carers

The Caroline Chisholm Catholic College families are given the opportunity to contribute and become involved in their child’s school in a social and enjoyable environment.

All Caroline Chisholm Catholic College parents and carers are invited to participate in a wide range of events, such as Open Day, Parent Information Night (PIN) and cultural nights.

All parents and carers are welcome to attend regular meetings, usually held once a term. These meetings cover topics and provides updates on what’s going on at the College.

We offer interpreters for non-English speaking families. We look forward to welcoming new families into our friendly College community.

Student Leaders

At Caroline Chisholm Catholic College we believe we have a responsibility to develop leadership skills in students across all year levels. All members of the school community are asked to promote, foster and encourage others to take on roles of leadership, responsibility and commitment to their school.

It is important that students have a strong voice, and that student leaders have the opportunity to serve the College, advocating for their peers and supporting our staff. There are a variety of leadership opportunities for students across our junior and senior campuses. We believe that such roles enable students to gain valuable leadership experiences, grow in confidence and become responsible citizens and positive role models for others.

Our Alumni

Our Alumni remain an important part of our College community. Each year we celebrate the five previous decades of student departures with a Reunion Night held on the Friday evening following the Melbourne Cup in November. We also celebrate past students and achievements through Alumni Times, a bi-annual publication.

Graduating from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College doesn’t mean losing your connection to the College. Our students automatically transition into our alumnus upon graduation and can remain a part of our community and the many benefits it has to offer.

Since 1965 more than more than 100,000 students have graduated from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. Many of these students attended the three former schools of Christ the King, St John’s and Chisholm College. In 1997 Caroline Chisholm Catholic College was formed through the amalgamation of these schools, and Christ the King (junior girls), St John’s (junior boys) and Sacred Heart (senior co-ed) as three campuses were established.

Alumni Registration

We invite you to become an active member of our alumni community to celebrate its history and contribute to the future of Caroline Chisholm Catholic College.

Please complete our Alumni Registration form by clinking here.

Where Are They Now

Frances

2016 Alumni

Frances graduated from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in 2016. Hear about her experience at the College and pathway beyond secondary school.

Alicia

2013 Alumni

Alicia graduated from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in 2013. Hear about her experience at the College and post secondary school life.

Brandie

2015 Alumni

Brandie graduated from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in 2015. Hear about her experience at the College and tips for a successful transition post secondary school.

Reunions

Our annual reunion night is held on the Friday evening following the Melbourne Cup public holiday in early November.

The reunion night celebrates graduating classes in 10 year blocks.

In 2023, we celebrate the graduating classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013. Invitations are sent out mid-year. If you haven’t received yours, please email alumni@cccc.vic.edu.au.

Registered?

If you aren’t currently registered, please complete the online form and ensure you receive:

Invitation to College events
Alumni Times Newsletter
Notifications for the graduating year reunion night
Opportunities to sponsor College evenings

Update your contact details

So much has changed since you graduated – maybe even your contact details. Having your contact details, including phone number and email address, means we can send you news, reunion notices and event invitations. Plus we’d love to hear your story. You can update your details by emailing alumni@cccc.vic.edu.au or calling us on +61 3 9296 5311.

What have you been up to?

We would love to hear what you’ve been up to since leaving the College. Share your memories and photos from your time at school and your journey to the present day for future newsletters and part of our Meet the Graduates online series. Email alumni@cccc.vic.edu.au with your contributions and further information.