The example of Mary and helping us walk together in Reconciliation

The month of May is a special time in the Catholic Calendar, as we celebrate the life of blessed Mary, mother of Jesus. In her example of life, we are reminded of two powerful journeys: one of her faith and devotion to her mission as the mother of our Lord, and one of justice and healing as she nurtured and loved her child and her God.

Mary is a guiding light of Faith, Acceptance, Compassion, and excellence. At our College, we look to Mary as a model of courage and love, especially through her acceptance and faith in honouring God’s call.

As Mary stood beside her son, we are reminded to stand beside one another with empathy, grace, and solidarity, especially as we support one another during the highs and lows of life.

We currently acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week, a time to reflect on the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. This year’s theme, “Now More Than Ever”, calls us to action; to speak the truth, to listen deeply, and to walk together toward a more just and united future.

Our commitment to reconciliation as part of our Gospel mission is very important as a community of Christians. We are called to walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in making our college a safe and inclusive context for learning and celebrating diversity.

Mary’s love was for all people, especially those suffering, forgotten, and broken-hearted. As a College rooted in Catholic social teaching, we recognise that reconciliation is not just a national issue, but a spiritual responsibility that we must embrace.

May this week be a time of compassion, reflection, and renewal, particularly as we honour Mary, and commit ourselves to truth-telling, healing, and justice.

Social emotional learning in times of societal change

In recent months, there has been a lot of discussion in the media regarding the absence of resilience in our youth. Although I disagree that our young people are less resilient than in past generations, it is also important to acknowledge that in the emergence of the technological revolution, we must embrace the explicit teaching of social emotional skills for our children. We are living through one of the most transformative periods in human history, in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) and rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping every part of our world, from education and work to ethics and daily life.

The educational platform is changing as we now have more adaptive instructional platforms, AI continually provides the scope for instruction and feedback, and educators question academic integrity in relation to digital literacy. While we recognise that the emergence of AI is not just a technological leap and rather considered it as a societal shift, we must identify that that wisdom, responsibility, and imagination are values and skills needed for the successful use of the technologies. We live in times where we are challenged to ask: What does it mean to be human in an age and future of artificial intelligence?

It is here that social emotional learning, specifically in resilience building, comes to the rescue. As parents, it is important that you continue to support your child through their personal development more so than ever. In essence, understanding how setbacks are normal, and in fact, opportunities for reflection and growth helps young people thrive in times of uncertainty. We must ensure that they can normalise failure and disappointment as part of life because the changes we now experience will lead to greater changes to the future, impacting on work, careers, opportunities and our sense of control.

Since the 1950’s the education landscape has experienced great change. Education was built on the notion of standardised rankings to predict success and development. The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was used to develop learning experiences, and such methods discriminated the scope of growth across holistic personal development. In the 1980’s Educational Psychologist Howard Gardner proposed the theory of the multiple intelligences, and such notion continues to underpin pedagogical frameworks today. However, AI has had a notable impact on Gardner’s theory, both in how it is understood and how it is applied, particularly in education. While Gardner’s theory is human-centered, the rise of AI invites both challenges and opportunities across the different intelligences which continue to challenge thinking.

Due to the technological influence and young people use of such systems, we could argue that relationships and connections are different to what we experienced as young people ourselves. Leading psychologists like Michael Carr Greg and Andrew Fuller argue that in the absence of control, resilience is vital to enable growth and prosperity.

The relevance of “Emotional Intelligence”, as noted by Daniel Goleman, is crucial as we learn to make the most of the opportunities of AI. Success is shaped by our character, happiness, life-long learning and capacity to relate and be resilient. These are all emotions which empower us.

To support your child to exceed, I recommend that you teach them to use setbacks as part of life. Building resilience means asking them to consider:

“What do you think you could try next (when something has not gone to plan)?”

“(acknowledging that not everything is always going to go to plan, ask) I know that was tough. What do you think you’ve learned from it?”

Be consistent, calm, and emotionally available, listening without rushing to fix things, offering praise for effort, and not just results. Resilience grows in relationships where young people feel safe, where the promotion of the idea that abilities and intelligence can develop through effort is upheld. Praise perseverance and problem-solving, not perfection, and in doing so, help reframe negative self-talk (“I can’t do this”) into hope (“I can’t do this yet”). This forms the basis of Dr Dwerk’s renown Growth Mindset theory.

Letting your child struggle within reason will also assist their development. Avoid shielding them from all discomfort as some struggle builds coping skills. Support them to solve their own problems rather than stepping in, which can be hard to do.

Helping your teen build resilience isn’t about making life easier; it is about helping them to become stronger, wiser, and more hopeful in the face of challenge through reflection and a sense of control. With your love and support, they can learn to thrive through anything, irrespective of the world in which they function while making the most of the opportunities and challenges that technology and the AI era will throw at them. Their strong emotions will help them build the capacity to relate to others in being compassionate, forgiving, accepting and loving. This is what the world needs.

Dr Napoleon Rodezno
College Principal

As we approach the halfway point of Term 2, it is a fitting moment to pause and reflect on the progress we have made as a learning community, and to look forward with purpose to the opportunities that lie ahead.

To celebrate our Careers Week the College took our Year 11 and 12 students to the Victorian Careers Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds. With over 90 institutions to visit and connect with, our students were overwhelmed by the possibilities for future study, work and pathways. When surveyed, over 93% of students said the experience was positive and helpful, saying their highlights were "learning that there are more universities and TAFE institutes than I thought," and "seeing all the different opportunities."

In Week 3, Year 10 students completed their Academic Assessment Services (AAS) tests. These assessments provide valuable diagnostic information about each student’s learning strengths and areas for development. The results will be made available to parents in the coming weeks via Compass and will be used by teaching staff to tailor learning and teaching programs more effectively, ensuring that our curriculum continues to meet the needs of all students.

Our Year 9 students have commenced their Outdoor Education camps at Garema-Dumont, an exciting and enriching component of the school’s holistic learning program. Through a variety of challenging and engaging activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, cooking, hiking, the pampa pole, and raft building, students are developing important life skills including problem-solving, interpersonal development, resilience, and self-awareness. We commend the students on their enthusiastic participation and wish the remainder of the cohort all the best as they continue to take part in this valuable program.

Next week marks two important events in our academic calendar. On Tuesday, May 28, the College will host our Term 2 Subject Conferences. These conferences provide a vital opportunity for parents and carers to engage in meaningful conversations with teachers about their child’s learning journey so far. I encourage families who have not yet booked appointments to do so before bookings close on Monday, May 26. These meetings are designed to celebrate each student’s strengths while also identifying areas where further growth and support may be needed.

On the following evening, Wednesday, May 29, we are excited to welcome families to our Senior Pathways Course Selection Evening. This is a key event for our Year 9 and 10 students and their parents/carers as they begin considering their options for the senior years. The evening will include detailed presentations on the various pathways available—including Year 10 curriculum, VCE, VCE Vocational Major (VM), and VET—ensuring students and their families are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their future learning. After the main information session, our Subject Expo will take place. This is a fantastic opportunity to speak directly with our dedicated Heads of Learning and senior teachers about specific subjects, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the expectations and opportunities associated with each course.

In the coming weeks, students in Years 7 to 11 will begin their Semester 1 examinations. For many, especially our Year 7s, this will be their first formal exam experience, and we commend their commitment and enthusiasm as they prepare. While our senior students are more accustomed to exams, we encourage all students to seek assistance and guidance from their classroom teachers in the lead-up. These assessments are not only an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding, but also a chance to develop critical study and revision habits. Following the examination period, students will attend feedback sessions, where teachers will provide constructive insights and targeted suggestions to help them improve and prepare for Semester 2.

Looking ahead, Semester 2 will officially begin on Monday, June 17. New classes and timetables will be available on Compass in the coming weeks, and we ask students to check regularly to ensure they are ready to begin their new subjects with enthusiasm and organisation. This fresh start offers students the chance to reset their goals and embrace new learning challenges.

As always, we remain committed to supporting each student in their learning journey. We thank our families for their ongoing partnership, and we look forward to a productive and successful end to Term 2.

Lauren Markovic
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching

As we approach the mid-point of the term, it's heartening to witness the high level of engagement many of our students are showing in their learning. It's clear that a number of them are thriving, both academically and socially. It has also been wonderful to see students enjoying their time together in the yard, participating in various activities, sports, and excursions.

We encourage you to take a moment to speak with your child(ren) about how they are progressing at school — in their learning, friendships, and co-curricular involvement. These conversations can make a big difference.

We’re excited to share that the Western Bulldogs’ Social & Study Club program has resumed. In the first session, students participated in a fun Easter Egg Hunt with Western Bulldogs player and mentor, Tom Liberatore. Even better, the program has now been extended to include all students. If you would like more information, please contact Robert Aduer at r.aduer@cccc.vic.edu.au.

Last week, we were proud to relaunch our Parents and Friends Association. We look forward to working alongside our families to create meaningful opportunities for our students, families, and the wider community. If you’re interested in joining, please contact Jodie McLeod at j.mcleod@cccc.vic.edu.au.

Following the launch, we hosted a parent workshop titled “Parenting Strategies for Teenage Success”. The session was presented by world-renowned speaker Darren Pereira, who offered practical, hands-on tips for supporting teenage growth and success. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout for this valuable event.

This week, we look forward to connecting with families during our subject conferences, where we’ll discuss student progress. These meetings are particularly timely, with exams just around the corner. Our Year 9 and 10 students will also begin exploring their future pathways through our Subject Expo and Information Evening.

It’s certainly been a busy and productive term, filled with many enriching experiences for our students and families. Thank you for your ongoing support. When we work together to understand and support the hopes and dreams of our young people, we empower them to engage deeply in their learning — and together, we foster a lifelong love of learning.

God bless,
Stephanie Banks

Term 2 has seen several events to support the instilling of Catholic values and Church teaching to our students and school community.

The term commenced with a whole school Easter liturgy celebrating the resurrection of our Lord – the most important liturgical time in the Church’s calendar. This was conducted during Learner Mentor session in the morning, via Microsoft Teams. Here student representatives led the service from the Chapel streamed across the College, which included the lighting of the Pascal Candle.

The first week back also including a moment of refection and prayer for our nation’s armed forces by commemorating ANZAC day. Across our campuses, student and staff were involved in a service, not only marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, but to also acknowledge those since and those continuing to protect and serve, recognising the impacts of war, and praying for peace in our world.

Our annual Mother’s Day Mass took place on the Friday before at Christ the King church. This was led by Fr Gerald Binegas and shared by Mother’s, Grandmother’s and mother figures within our community along with staff and students.

The Year 8 classes had their Reflection Day a couple of weeks ago, focusing on Christian Life – Valuing self and others. This was led by external group, Youth Mission Team with a session for Saint John students on the Thursday and Christ The King students on the Friday. Sessions on the day allowed for small group reflections as well as personal contemplation.

The Year 12 cohort have recently returned from their 2-night retreat at Philip Island. This opportunity to share time as a whole Year Level cohort, involved sessions on personal reflection, opportunities for reconciliation and moments to deepen their relationship with oneself and with God.

The Year 11 cohort also took part in their Reflection Day, where the theme of Love & Hope was led by Icon Ministries - a Catholic outreach Apostolate. Fr Rob Galea headed the team for a full day of discussions, presentations, music and a Year level mass.

Our College’s Sustainability & Ecological Justice team have been busy planting and maintaining new fruits and vegetable plants in our garden bed across the campuses. This is part of teaching our students about caring for our earth and promoting sustainability.

Students and staff from the College Social Justice team have also launched the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Throughout the remainder of the term the team will be collecting pantry foods items, clothing, and hygiene products to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society in their assistance to needing families and the homeless around the community. We strongly encourage all to donate what they can in support of this essential cause.

Michael Chesser
Director, Faith and Mission

Important dates:

Tuesday 28 May - Subject Conferences
Friday 30 May - Student Free Day
Tuesday 10 June - Winter Music Concert
Friday 20 June - Vinnies Winter Sleepout
Monday 30 June - Brennan Fun Run
Thursday 03 July - College Assembly
Friday 04 July - Sacred Heart Day 

Winter Music Concert

Our annual Winter Music Concert is fast approaching!

This year the concert will be held in the Blessed Daswa Hall while our auditorium is under construction. Our students are hard at work practicing their pieces, learning their instruments and preparing to put on an amazing show!

Get your tickets at the link below:

https://events.humanitix.com/w...

Visual Arts Week

Our staff and students all enjoyed Art Week, which saw our College celebrate and enjoy Visual Arts across multiple mediums. It was a wonderfull week, with students and staff all engaging with a range of activities and learning across the week!

Year 8 Chinese Museum Excursion

Students engaged in an immersive Chinese Museum experience on the 12th of May, featuring a guided museum tour and a hands-on Chinese knot workshop. During the tour, they explored how the Gold Rush shaped the development of Chinatown and gained cultural insights, such as the significance of stone lions guarding traditional Chinese buildings. In the Chinese knot workshop, students uncovered the historical origins of Chinese knots as early communication tools and their transformation into a refined folk art. They also learned different knotting techniques and created their own knotted bracelets or charms as symbols of good luck.

Year 7 Humanities Liveability Field Trip

Our Year 7 Humanities students have been investigating an important question: How liveable is your suburb? As part of their Geography unit, students took part in a walkable field trip to explore what makes a place suitable to live in. They considered key characteristics such as accessibility, safety, and community spaces while collecting both primary and secondary data. By gathering qualitative and quantitative evidence, students developed their understanding of urban settlements and the factors that influence where and how people live. A great hands-on learning experience!

Year 7 Poetry

We’re All Human
Alexandra Peregrino (2025)

We’re all human,

Flesh and bone.

We all feel and react.

So why? Why do our expressions show no remorse?

Hatred kills.

Man or woman,

Different shades

That shows no importance,

If we are under the same moon,

The same sun.

We are all human.

Whatever you are,

We are a family.

I’m all for humanity

And so should this community.

Reflection:

My poem, titled “We’re All Human”, is written in the form of a free verse poem. In this poem, I explore the concept of New Beginnings through giving examples of what is happening in our world to change people’s minds about hatred, focusing on the idea of how all it takes is one person to influence many. The speaker (I) in the poem tries to tell and convince you to stop hatred so that a new perspective can be birthed. I used short sentences and real scenarios to show just how serious this is. This helped to create a serious tone and is intended to make the reader motivated to change and have empathy.

The Map or Mind Journey
Baydah Tankey (2025)

A map with information 

Or my mind and its creation 

A road laid out, detailed and clear 

Or my own trail unknown, yet getting near

Which one will I choose? 

I’ve got nothing to lose. 

A path designed for me to add to 

Or a map to follow, direct and true

I see the people looking at the map bit of paper 

Following steps, their plan is safer 

Yeah, I might do that later 

But I will carve my own way, a fearless creator.

I can be the captain of my boat 

And not drift off to where others float 

I can choose to sink or soar 

Through a journey of my own to explore

Reflection:

My poem, “The Map or Mind Journey”, is written as a narrative poem. In this poem, I explore the concept of new beginnings through following the path that is either easier or harder, easier being using a map and harder being creative and using your mind and heart. It’s about a new start, being brave and trying something new. The speaker in the poem is wondering what they should do, thinking of the outcomes for both options. I used the AA BB rhyme scheme, and I also added metaphors to make things more interesting and exciting for the reader. This helped to make a confused but brave tone to make the reader think that they should be fearless and try new things.

Captured and Freed
Ely Thuah (2025)

For years unending I’ve suffered every punishment and pain,

From the fury of gods and monsters to the hopes of my past slain.

In these chambers, I lay restless, in misery and sorrow,

There’s no point in letting my tears fall, it’s always the same tomorrow.

But today, a girl removes the chains from my wrist. Could she be a God?

When I asked her why she allowed me out her answer wasn’t broad.

For she too had been imprisoned in these sickening walls,

And now she has risen she aids the ones that suffer the falls.

She’s recused me from my agony, I shall thank her as she looks at me, grinning.

I’ve never felt this free, never have I felt such joy. Could this be my new beginning?

Reflection:

My poem, titled Captured and Freed, is written in the form of a free verse poem. In this poem I explore the concept of New Beginnings through the perspective of a girl who was trapped and rescued, focusing on the idea of her hurting then being given a new beginning. The character in the poem is stuck in a toxic environment and taken out of the cruel environment by another character. I used rhyme and imagery to show all the pain the character has gone through and then how much glee they felt when they were saved. This helped to first create a depressing tone before turning to a relieving tone and is intended to make the reader think that sometimes, you may require guidance to start a new.

My Living Bear
Nevaeh Marsh (2025)

I was shocked.

My jaw on the floor.

Everybody was screaming.

Screaming as loud as they could.

I only said what I would.

Afterall, my bear was roaming the halls.

Wondering around with no goals.

My bear laughed as it walked and walked.

Knowing its appearance was quite the shock.

It went to my locker and opened the lock.

It grabbed my books, looking in all the nooks.

It began speaking to my classmates.

Its voice squeaky and cute, as a student down the hall was playing the flute.

My bear.

Oh, my bear.

Everyone couldn’t help but stare.

I don’t know how and I don’t know when.

Suddenly I wake up and I’m back to reality again.

Now I’m back at boring old homeschool.

Where all I do in class is snore and drool.

Reflection:

My poem, titled My Living Bear, is written in the form of a free verse poem. In this poem, I explore the concept on New Beginnings through the perspective of a girl who sees her teddy bear walking and talking at school, focusing on the idea of Irony and Hyperbole. The character in the poem sees their bear at school and is shocked but then wakes up and realises it was a dream. I used rhyme and imagery to show how the character tries to make sense of what’s happening as they see their bear walking around at their school. This helped to create a shocked and intrigued tone to help the reader understand that not everything is as it seems and that new beginnings will always come with their ups and downs.

Year 9 Golden Dragon Museum

This tour is designed to complement the national curriculum by providing students with a deeper understanding of Chinese immigration history in Australia. Students visited the Golden Dragon Museum, dedicated to the stories of Chinese immigrants, exploring firsthand accounts of their struggles, contributions, and resilience. Through interactive exhibits and guided discussions, students gained insight into the social, economic, and cultural challenges faced by early Chinese settlers, particularly during the Gold Rush and the White Australia Policy era. Following the museum visit, students enjoyed a traditional Chinese lunch at a local restaurant where they practiced Chinese dining etiquette, such as the proper use of chopsticks, sharing dishes, and cultural dining customs.

Year 11 Reflection Day 

Our Year 11 students recently completed their Term 2 Reflection Day, hearing from Father Fob Galea from Icon ministry, who lead students through a reflection on life choices, growing from mistakes, and a message of love and hope. 

Year 10 Rock-Climbing Excursion

Our Year 10's spent one of their mornings visiting Hard Rock Climbing, looking at risk evaluation processes in a fun excursion. 

Year 12 Retreat

Our Year 12 students recently completed their retreat, the culmination of their years of reflection days and LM programs. It was a wonderful three days, filled with personal development and learning, where students had the chance to really dig deep before getting into their final year of exams and study.
A huge amount of work goes into making the Year 12 Retreat happen, so a massive thank you to all the staff who coordinated so many moving parts to make the Retreat happen!

Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

Heavenly Father, 
We thank You for the gift of our Holy Father, Pope Leo the Fourteenth.
Bless him with wisdom, courage, and deep compassion as he leads Your Church in truth and love.
May the Holy Spirit guide his every step, and may his words bring hope to the weary, light to those in darkness, and unity to all your faithful people.

Lord, grant him strength in times of challenge, peace in moments of decision, and joy in his service to You and Your people.
Help us, as a school community, to listen to his call to live the Gospel with integrity and to be a witness of Christ in our daily lives.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Saint Peter, pray for him.
Saint John Paul II, pray for him.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us all.