From the Principal

At St Francis Catholic College, our commitment to sustainability is more than a practical response to environmental challenges - it is a living expression of our faith and our Franciscan identity.

Inspired by the example of St Francis of Assisi, we are reminded that care for creation is a sacred responsibility. St Francis saw all of creation as a gift from God, our “common home”, and called us to treat the earth and all living things with reverence and gratitude.

We are delighted to see our staff making full use of our newly installed electric vehicle charging stations at our Cobblebank campus. The College currently operates four charging stations and plans to expand by installing an additional four at our Melton campus.

This initiative supports cleaner transport options and reduces our community’s environmental footprint, a practical step towards caring for the world God has entrusted to us.

Our sustainability efforts continue with extensive solar power systems installed across the rooftops of both new and existing buildings. By generating on-site renewable energy, we reduce reliance on non-renewable sources and model responsible stewardship for our students.

Recycling bins located throughout the College grounds further encourage all members of our community to take simple but meaningful actions to reduce waste and protect our environment.

This week, our students will participate in activities connected to Clean Up Australia Day. This experience provides a valuable opportunity for students to put faith into action, serving their local community while learning the importance of environmental responsibility.

Through initiatives like these, we are not only improving our physical surroundings but also nurturing hearts and minds grounded in compassion, respect, and stewardship.

At St Francis Catholic College, caring for the environment is not an optional extra. It is central to who we are. By embracing sustainable practices and engaging our students in meaningful action, we continue the legacy of St Francis: living simply, acting responsibly, and caring deeply for God’s creation.

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus

Parents and Friends

The first meeting of the Parents and Friends Association for 2026 will be held tonight, Tuesday 24 February from 7pm at the Melton Campus.

All formal positions will be open and appointed on the night.

Our first guest speaker for the year will be our new Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching, Jennifer Frisardi.

To express interest in joining the meeting, please email arowley@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Pedestrian Safety Reminder - Bridge Road, Cobblebank

We would like to remind all members of our school community about the approved pedestrian routes near the construction site on Bridge Road.

For safety reasons, students must use the south side footpath of Bridge Road (the side away from the construction site) and access via Ferris Road.

The following areas are strictly off-limits:

• the temporary access pathway near Site Gate 1
• the construction car park. This area is designated for authorised construction personnel only.

Please see the map below. The green line shows the footpath pedestrians should use, and red indicates the off-limit areas.

We appreciate the cooperation of all students and families in reinforcing this important safety message.

Concert Band Information Night

A reminder that families and aspiring musicians from both campuses are warmly invited to attend our Concert Band Information Night tomorrow, Wednesday 25 February.

The evening will feature student performances, opportunities to meet our music staff, and information about the many benefits of being part of this vibrant program.

The evening is open to interested parents and students from all year levels at both campuses, with a particular focus on our new Year 7 students.

Find out everything you need to know about instrument selection, music lessons, ensemble participation, costs, rehearsals and performances. It’s also a great opportunity to meet students in our Concert Band and hear what to expect when you join.

The evening starts at 7pm in our Melton Campus Performing Arts Centre. Please enter via Gate 6 on the night.

2025 Year 12 Academic Awards Ceremony

Last Thursday, we had the great pleasure of welcoming our high-achieving Year 12 students from 2025 to recognise and celebrate their dedication, growth and achievements. 

The students we acknowledged demonstrated consistent effort and a genuine commitment to their studies. Whether through their chosen VCE subjects or their applied learning pathway, they showed a strong work ethic, steady engagement, and a willingness to challenge themselves and grow. 

We also acknowledged our teachers, support staff, and families for creating the environment in which our students can flourish.

It was inspiring to have our College Dux, Jordan Nidras, speak to our community and share his inspiration with us all. Jordan encouraged our current Year 12 students to be consistent with their studies, to set ambitious yet achievable goals and to enjoy the year so they can walk away feeling satisfied they did their very best and invigorated for what lies ahead. You can read his speech below.

Below is a full list of our 2025 Year 12 awards recipients.

College Dux

Jordan Nidras, who achieved an ATAR of 98.30

VCE VM Awards

Unit 3 and 4 Subject Duxes

Cassandra Camilleri - Literacy

Sione Fonua - Numeracy

Riley Grech - Work-Related Skills

Tyniha Hawira - Personal Development

2025 VET Dux

Joshua Saliba

2025 VPC Dux

Belinda McGuffie

2025 VCE VM Unit 3/4 Dux

Sione Fonua

2025 IVET Excellence Award recipient 

Belinda McGuffie

Unit 3 and 4 VCE and VCE/VET Awards

Year 11 students who have excelled in their academic studies are also eligible to receive these awards.

VCE Unit 3 and 4 Subject Duxes

Students who attained the highest study score in their subject. The study score must be above 35 for acknowledgement.

High Achiever Study Score Awards

The following students achieved a score of 40 or higher out of 50 in a Unit 3/4 subject, scaled or unscaled. This score places them in the top 10% of the State.

High Achiever ATAR Awards

These awards are presented to those students who achieved the highest ATARS above 85 at the College, placing them in the top 15% of students across the state.

Jordan Nidras achieved an ATAR of 98.30 and will study Science at the University of Melbourne.

Emischa Morales achieved an ATAR of 97.05 and will study Commerce/Law at the University of Melbourne.

Cara Reading achieved a perfect score of 50 in Health and Human Development and an ATAR of 96.65. Cara will study Nursing/Paramedicine at the Australian Catholic University.

Emma Presnell achieved an ATAR of 94.10 and will study Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University.

Lucy Thompson achieved an ATAR of 92.80 and will study Design at the University of Melbourne.

Talank Srikumar achieved an ATAR of 91.50 and will study Medicine at Monash University.

Keely-Shae Clark achieved an ATAR of 90.60 and will study Education (Primary & Secondary) at Australian Catholic University.

Jasmine Van Berkel achieved an ATAR of 88.90 and will be study Science at the University of Melbourne.

Lucas Perry achieved an ATAR of 88.30 and will study Accounting and Finance at Australian Catholic University.

Leadership Awards

ADF Long Tan Future Innovators Award - Mikaela Mendoza

This award recognises a student interested in science and mathematics who demonstrated strong abilities in these areas in 2025. The recipient must display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others, and an interest in STEM for future innovation.

ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award - Emma Presnell

This award recognises a student who demonstrates leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader community. The recipient must display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others, and mateship; qualities that are highly regarded and integral to Australian society.

Ampol Best All-Rounder Award - Sage Gnacinski

Every year, the Ampol Best All-Rounder Award gives us the opportunity to acknowledge a final-year student who has made an exceptional contribution both in and out of the classroom. The award recognises qualities including leadership, service and community, attitude, and personal conduct.

Hawke Award - Trish Griffin, teacher and Social Justice Coordinator, Melton Campus

The Hawke Award is named after the Hawke electoral seat, which itself pays homage to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Eligible recipients are from the regions around Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and Ballan.

Trish has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to the school community and her dedication to service and social justice.

For the past four years, she has led the College Breakfast Club, ensuring students are welcomed each morning with care and generosity. She has also coordinated the St Vincent de Paul Reading Program, supporting young readers at the Melton Library. She has organised the annual Winter Sleep Out, raising awareness of homelessness through action and example.

Her leadership in initiatives such as Ks for Caritas reflects her creativity, compassion, and deep commitment to making a difference.

Passionate about social justice, Trish has inspired countless students to serve others and live out the Gospel call to love and hope.

John Landy Sportsmanship Award - Mia Grainger and Emma Presnell

This award is presented to students who have been nominated for demonstrating one or more of the following at SACCSS events:

• outstanding acts of sportsmanship during and out of competition
• outstanding acts of fair play during competition
• and acts of cooperation, courtesy and respect to officials and opposing players.

Below is the speech given by our 2025 College Dux Jordan Nidras during last week’s awards ceremony.

Good afternoon staff, students, parents and families,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the college for granting me the privilege and honour of speaking in front of everyone here today.

I would also like to congratulate all my fellow 2025 graduates here today for the incredible achievement of completing VCE to such an exceptional degree. We made it!

Year 12 was a truly remarkable year for me. It was a pivotal year of change, stress, and anxiety, but also of joy, laughter, and fun.

I went into the year with the mindset that my studies were the only thing that mattered, but I ultimately learned that balance is most important.

So, my advice to all future and present Year 12 students is, of course, to work hard and set ambitious, yet achievable goals, but also to take the time to enjoy the year ahead, because it is a turning point in life that you should not take for granted.

As long as you put consistent effort into your academic work and your passions while maintaining a healthy equilibrium, you will no doubt reap the benefits of your discipline at the end of the year, and you will walk away from high school feeling satisfied and invigorated but not burned out.

I would like to thank all the teachers I had throughout Year 12 for setting me up for success by being consistently available, helpful, and supportive.

You all pushed me to be the very best student I could be, and your impact on me as a person will stay with me throughout my life. I am incredibly grateful to you all.

Thank you also for making each class engaging and entertaining, making the workload so much less daunting and encouraging all my peers and me to put our best foot forward.

I would also like to thank my family, my parents and my younger sister, for your immense and unending support and care throughout not just Year 12, but my entire life.

I am so fortunate to have such a secure, encouraging network behind me in you, knowing I can always rely on you.

I am so thankful that you have always been by my side and have allowed me to grow as a person. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to have you in my life.

Finally, I would also like to extend thanks to the friends I’ve made throughout my time at St Francis Catholic College.

You have had such a great impact on my life that it is hard for me to put into words, and I cannot thank you enough for standing by me this entire year and making so many amazing memories with me.

I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it weren’t for all of you, and I can’t wait to see us all into our futures and to continue to develop into the best versions of ourselves.

Now, I would like to wish everyone listening today all the best in 2026.

Whether you’re in Year 12 yourself and are nervous or excited about the year ahead, or you’re only just beginning your high school journey and don’t know what to expect, I hope that you’re able to find satisfaction and enjoyment in your time at school.

I believe every person in this room has incredible potential and I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

SFCC in the News

New data shows our College had the biggest growth in Year 7 enrolments in Victoria between 2020 and 2025.

Our Principal, Marlene Jorgensen, was interviewed by The Age this week about how we are building not only a new campus but also a thriving, inclusive school community.

Below is an excerpt from the article.

Fee hikes of thousands of dollars at private and Catholic schools across Victoria have not deterred families enrolling their children as year 7 students, as many campuses soar to their highest intakes ever.

Many high-fee private schools such as Caulfield Grammar and Haileybury – where fees increased more than 4 per cent this year – have increased their year 7 intake over the past five years, but it is the low- and mid-fee schools which are enjoying the strongest enrolment growth.

About two-thirds of the 222 Victorian private and Catholic high schools have recorded booming year 7 intakes in the past five years, The Age’s analysis of Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA) data has found.

It comes as the portion of students in non-government education has slightly risen nationally. The latest ACARA figures show that Victorian secondary students in non-government high schools comprised about 43 per cent of all enrolments, an increase of less than 1 percentage point since 2020.

The school with the biggest growth in Year 7s since 2020 is St Francis Catholic College in Melton, where principal Marlene Jorgensen said the school had responded to the influx of families to the area.

Demand was so acute it led the four-decade-old school to open a second campus in nearby Cobblebank in 2023.

“So it’s about the location and about the demographics, but we also have an excellent product,” Jorgensen said. “The families that come to our school align well with our values of equity and access and seeing everyone as individuals.”

St Francis is in a balancing act as it strives for students to receive a quality education and sense of community, while it keeps a lid on fees – they are currently $5269 for year 7 students – and it constructs new buildings in preparation for enrolling a further 1000 students by the end of this decade.

“An underlying principle is we want to provide quality education at affordable prices just so we ensure equity and access. Yes, it’s rapidly growing, but it’s still a low socio-economic area,” Jorgensen said.

The school is among several non-government campuses in the growth suburbs which have had enrolments surge, including Hume Anglican Grammar in Mickleham, Marymede Catholic College in South Morang, and Iona College Geelong in Charlemont.

To read the full article online click here. A subscription is required.

Year 7s Take a Long Walk for Water

Our Big Water Walk to mark the launch of our Caritas Project Compassion fundraising for Term 1 was held last Tuesday.

Year 7 students at both campuses walked approximately 6kms to a water source where they collected a bucket of water. 

Cobblebank students walked to Atherstone Wetlands, and Melton students to Navan Park. 

The aim was to raise awareness and empathise with people around the world who must walk long distances to access clean water. 

After collecting the bucket of water, each student from each House had a turn at carrying it back to school. 

Below is what students had to say about the event.

The walk was hard but fun. Logan, Bakhita House, Cobblebank

I liked the purpose of the walk as it was very creative, even though it was gruelling. It was nice to be among nature. Kite, Bakhita House, Cobblebank

The water walk was for a good cause and a good way for Year 7's to make new friends. Noah, Anthony House, Cobblebank

It was a really fun and great experience to do the Walk for Water, and to carry the bucket to see how some people live their lives. Koda, Catherine House, Melton

On Tuesday 17 February the Year 7s went on a walk to Navan Park. On our return, we had to carry a bucket of water back. We did this to simulate what some women and children have to do daily. It was a great experience; I really want to help others out. Isabelle, Catherine House, Melton

Project Compassion Fundraising Update

Our fundraising for Caritas' Project Compassion campaign is off to a great start, with more than $500 raised from pancake sales at both campuses on Shrove Tuesday.

A total of $306.90 was raised at Cobblebank Campus, and $201 at Melton Campus. This is a wonderful contribution towards supporting vulnerable communities both locally and globally.

Thank you to all the students and staff volunteers who helped cook and serve the pancakes and to everyone who generously donated and supported this fundraising effort.

Over the coming month, your child's mentor groups and Houses will host a variety of food stalls and fun challenges. These will be cash-only events, and all funds raised will support Caritas Australia.

Melton Sports Academy Students Visit St Kilda Football Club

Our Year 10 Melton Campus Elite Sports Academy students visited St Kilda Football Club headquarters at RSEA Park, Moorabbin, on 13 February. 

Watch highlights from the day here

To start the day, students participated in an AFL skills session facilitated by St Kilda AFLW captain Hannah Priest. For students without a background in football, this session offered an opportunity to learn new skills, test their ability to adapt to a different sport, and pick up tips and tricks for coaching a group session.

Students were then fortunate enough to observe the AFL men's squad completing a match simulation training session, in preparation for the start of the 2026 AFL season.

Following lunch, we moved into a practical session on recovery strategies, using the infrared sauna, cold plunge baths, and inflatable compression boots. 

A theory component followed, designed to help students understand how each of these strategies would benefit recovery from intense training sessions and matches, while also providing insight into the importance of sleep, hydration, and fueling for performance and recovery.

Cobblebank Year 9 Textiles

Year 9 students have kicked off the term by launching their own fashion label, bringing the design process to life in a real-world context. 

They have developed a business concept focused on “comfort wear,” combining creativity with practical enterprise skills.

Students have now moved into the production phase, constructing their first sample product, a hoodie, which will feature in their end-of-term advertising campaigns.

Sports Update

Melton SACCSS Senior Sports

Cobblebank Year 10 Premier League – Round 1

Year 7 PAT Testing

Last week, our Year 7 students completed their PAT testing for Maths and Reading. Teachers were proud of the cohort’s ability to follow instructions and understand the requirements throughout the process.

Beyond the assessments themselves, the students have learned valuable test-taking skills and demonstrated great perseverance. 

The results will help teachers ensure that every student is effectively supported throughout the year to achieve academic growth. We look forward to seeing what they produce in their in-class assessments as the term progresses.

Building a Positive Approach to Learning

As we approach the middle of Term 1, staff at the college are focusing on helping students build resilience and a positive approach to their learning. 

Psychologist Andrew Fuller offers some valuable strategies for parents and teachers to work together in shifting students from "can't do" to "can do".

Praise effort more than ability: Andrew suggests that to build a growth mindset, we should focus our comments on the hard work and practice students put in, rather than just their intelligence or results. Phrases like "I noticed you really tried your best at that" or "Wow, your practice seems to be really paying off" help students value the process of learning over immediate perfection.

Mistakes are opportunities to learn: It is helpful to remind students that "mistakes are an essential part of learning". If a student struggles, we can help them understand that it simply means they haven't learned how to get it right yet. Fuller reminds us that being bad “at something the first few times you do it is the first step to getting good at it".

Together, we can help our students grow in their learning through creating the belief that they can do the hard things, and it’s worth it when they do.

You can read Andrew's article here.

Library News – A Great Start for Year 7s

Our Year 7 students have successfully completed their library induction sessions – and what a fantastic start to the year it has been!

During their visit, students explored the library, learned how to find books in our catalogue, discovered different genres and collections, and became familiar with our borrowing procedures. 

Most importantly, every Year 7 student has now borrowed a book for their English reading project. It’s wonderful to see so many students excited about choosing stories that spark their interest and curiosity.

Reading for pleasure is one of the most powerful ways to build vocabulary, improve writing skills, and develop empathy and imagination. We encourage families to support students in setting aside regular reading time at home as they work through their selected texts.

The library is open throughout the school week before school, at recess, and at lunchtime. 

All students are warmly invited to visit during the year – whether to borrow a book, find a quiet place to read, work on assignments, play chess, or simply explore something new. There is always something happening in the library!

Don’t forget our ePlatform either - https://sfcc.concordinfiniti.com/library. 

Students can access a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere. The ePlatform is a fantastic option for busy schedules, travel, or students who prefer reading on a device.

We look forward to seeing students in the library regularly throughout the year. Happy reading!

Wellio Parent Webinar - Navigating Social Media Restrictions

Parents and guardians are welcome to join a free Wellio webinar that will offer helpful advice on living with social media age restrictions and how to address them at home.

See the flyer below for all the details. Click here to register.

If you can't make live session, Wellio will send out the recording and any relevant supporting resources to all registrants after the event.

Uniform Shop Closed for Stocktake 3 March

Community Notices

Shaping the future of female football

Useful Links

Keep updated with College events, procedures, resources and information via the links below.

PAM – Parent Portal

Enrolment

Parent Handbook

SFCC Careers Tools

Facebook

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Policies

Uniform

Library