From the Principal

St Francis Catholic College alumni kicking goals

It's been a big week for a number of our alumni, who have been in the spotlight on stage and in the sporting arena.

We are so proud to celebrate the achievements of two outstanding past students, Jacinta Guirguis (pictured above left) and Wanwue Tarpeh who are currently finalists in the latest series of Australian Idol.

Both Jacinta and Wanwue were highly involved in the life of the College during their time at St Francis, particularly within the Arts, and their success is a wonderful reflection of their dedication, talent and commitment.

Jacinta Guirguis graduated having made a significant contribution to the College community. She served as Deputy Arts Captain in 2016 and was an SRC Leader in 2014. Jacinta was also an active performer, appearing in several Cabaret shows. In 2014, she performed Soul Bossa Nova and Rhythm of the Night, and in 2012 she performed a duet of Lean on Me with her sister. Her passion for the stage also saw her perform the role of Marty in Grease and Questioning Alice in Alice Down the Rabbit Hole.

In 2017, Jacinta received the Community Spirit Award, recognising her remarkable generosity and commitment to others. She raised funds for a fellow student suffering from a chronic illness by busking in her own time, volunteered at the St Bernard’s Father’s Day Breakfast, and was a dedicated member of the College Ensemble from Year 7 through to Year 12. Jacinta was widely recognised for her kindness and her genuine care for those around her.

Wanwue Tarpeh was another student who made an exceptional contribution to the Arts and wider College community. She served as Deputy Arts Captain in 2021 and represented the College at the Youth Engagement Forum in 2021. Wanwue also starred as Gabriella in the 2021 school production of High School Musical, showcasing her outstanding musical and performance talent.

In 2020, Wanwue was awarded the Citizenship Award, recognising her strong leadership, her willingness to assist at school events, and her active involvement in a wide range of activities that enriched the life of the College.

The St Francis Catholic College community is incredibly proud to see both Jacinta and Wanwue sharing their talents with audiences across Australia. Their journeys from our school stage to the national spotlight are a testament to their hard work, passion and perseverance.

We wish Jacinta and Wanwue every success as they continue their journey on Australian Idol. The entire St Francis community is cheering them on.

We also congratulate SFCC alumni Jack Watkins (CRC Melton Class of 2018), who made his debut with the Port Adelaide Football Club against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday and ended the game with 10 disposals!

These achievements are a testament to the well-rounded, holistic education provided to students at our College.

We would love to hear from more alumni forging paths in their chosen careers. Sharing these stories has the potential to inspire a whole new generation of our students. You are welcome to send your details and story to info@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Harmony Week Activities

The College will celebrate Harmony Week from 16-20 March. The theme is Everyone Belongs.

Harmony Week recognises and celebrates our cultural diversity and promotes the values of respect, inclusiveness and belonging for everyone within our school community.

Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities celebrating culture and diversity. See below for full details.

One of the highlights of the week is Friday's whole-campus assembly, where students proudly perform cultural dances and songs. It is a unifying experience that showcases our community's diversity and appreciation of the traditions and stories of other cultures.

On Friday, students can wear cultural dress to school or an orange top with their PE shorts or track pants. Orange accessories – hair ties, scarves, etc. – are also permitted. If they do not choose either option, they should wear their academic uniform.

Since our first Harmony Week dancers took the floor in Sheehan Stadium in 2022, the number of students performing has grown rapidly and this year we have 173 taking part across both campuses.

The ability of our students to learn and grow in peace with one another is an essential skill that will enable them to become active, informed citizens who contribute to our global community with empathy, compassion and understanding.

It is through celebrations such as Harmony Week that we see the positive results of our learning and wellbeing programs – the genuine willingness fostered among students and staff to walk in others' shoes, combat racism, and be proud of their heritage and culture.

We look forward to celebrating the rich cultures within our school community together.

Melton Campus activities

Cobblebank Campus activities

Year 7 2028 Enrolments

Enrolment Assistance Afternoon

Wellio Parent Webinar - Navigating Social Media Restrictions

A reminder that parents and guardians are welcome to join a free Wellio webinar next Tuesday 24 March 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.

Sports News

Student success at the State Track and Field Championships

Year 12 student Nyandeng had incredible success at the State Track and Field Championships on 7 and 8 March , winning the Female 17 400 metres, 300m hurdles and triple jump events. 

We’re so proud of Nyandeng and all our students who competed and earned a place on the podium (see below).

Asher, Year 11 – Male 17

• Long Jump, 2^nd
• Triple Jump, 3^rd

Cody, Year 10 – Male 16

• 1500m Walk, 2^nd

Lachlan, Year 10 – Male 16

• Shot Put, 3^rd

We wish all our athletes the best in future competitions.

SACCSS Girls Open Cricket Tournament

Last Wednesday, 13 students from Cobblebank Campus competed in the SACCSS Open Girls Cricket Tournament.

It was excellent to see all students represent the College with pride and non-stop effort. The girls' hard work and determination saw them win one of three games on the day, finishing second in their pool.

A special mention to Year 7 student Jiya, who was part of the team and boldly competed against much older students.

Cobblebank Campus' Cricket Academy is up and running and we hope to build on the number of girls in the program over the coming years. Any student interested in the program can contact Cricket Academy Coordinator Michael Bretag via email at mbretag@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Melton Inter-House Mixed Netball Competition

With only one round left of the Inter-House Netball Competition, play is getting intense!

Anthony once again dominated their opposition while Bernard regained their winning streak, defeating Glowrey. Catherine knocked out Lawrence and Bakhita was defeated by a strong Dominic side.

It is amazing to see the House spirit and sportsmanship shown by each House week after week.

With scores so close, it’s a nail-biter to see who will climb the ladder or hold their position and win the championship title. Emilyah, Sports Captain and Lily, Deputy Sports Captain

Melton SACCSS Senior Sport Round 3

Melton SACCSS Senior Sport Round 4

Congratulations to our senior netball and cricket teams, who are playing exceptionally well this year. 

The senior netball team has two rounds left to play and the senior cricket team will play Kolbe Catholic College in the grand final.

Cobblebank Year 10 SACCSS Sport Round 5

Maths Day Fun at Cobblebank Campus

Last week, Cobblebank Academic Captains Subha and Pall ran a mentor group quiz and a Pi competition to celebrate International Math Day.

The Pi competitors were extremely impressive.

1st place: Miguel Hernandez recited 180 numbers

2nd place: Kaitlyn Sarmiento recited 69 numbers

3rd place: Pall Patel recited 50 numbers

Congratulations to all students who placed, and it was a great effort by all who participated.

Subha created an engaging, tricky and fun mentor group quiz for the students to take part in! Below is an example of one of her well-thought-out questions. Well done, Subha! Keep up the great work!

International Women's Day

Last week, our Faith and Mission Action Team recognised and celebrated International Women’s Day. This global day acknowledges women's achievements and contributions and encourages us to reflect on the important role they play in our lives and communities.

To mark the occasion, students participated in a reflective activity where they wrote call cards to significant women in their lives who have supported and inspired them.

Students shared heartfelt messages of appreciation, recognising the kindness, strength and guidance these women provide. The activity was a meaningful opportunity for students to express gratitude and celebrate the positive influence of women within our college community.

Seven Weeks at SFCC - Anthony House

It's been seven weeks since our new Year 7 students joined our College community. When Anthony students received their house badges recently, our House Leaders, Rebecca Toms (Melton) and Lauren Marett (Cobblebank), thought it would be a good time to ask them how they were enjoying secondary school.

Cobblebank Campus

At first, starting high school felt a bit different from primary school. The school is much bigger, there are more students, and we move to different classrooms for each subject instead of staying in one classroom as we did in primary school. It felt a little overwhelming at the beginning, but it was also exciting.

Everyone in Anthony House has been very kind and respectful, even the older students. That made me feel welcome and comfortable. The school really helped me settle in. Teachers in the yard would often ask how my day had been, which showed they cared about us and wanted to make sure I was well.

It has been nice meeting new students and teachers. The teachers in Anthony House are very kind, and they are always ready to help whenever someone needs support. The most fun part of starting high school has been making new friends and getting to know new people.

Overall, even though high school is different from primary school, it has been a positive experience so far, and I am really enjoying being part of Anthony House. Gureet, Anthony 3

I really like St Francis so far, it has been such a wonderful time for me. I was actually really nervous at first, but over time I've learned that it's really not that bad! Anthony House students have been very kind and I've made many friends. I am looking forward to helping my peers and the school in any way I can! Mehreen, Anthony 1

The water walk was a great way for the Year 7s to make friends. I liked the way Anthony House came together to get our badges and an icy pole afterwards. I'm looking forward to representing Anthony House at school events. Noah, Anthony 1

A word from 2026 Cobblebank Anthony House Captain, Van:

It’s an honour to be Anthony's House Vaptain and I’m excited for the year ahead. It was lovely to see all the new members of Anthony and hand them their badges as they all had great manners and attitudes. Tejas and I will work hard to make Anthony the greatest house, and we would like to give Mrs Marett a big shout-out for being such a great House Leader! I hope we can all work together and make this year memorable.

Melton Campus

Anthony House is very upbeat and welcoming. The students and Ms Toms never judge and always welcome me. I have made lots of friend along the way. Ava, Anthony 1

Anthony House is the best because we do fun stuff like trivia and sell lolly bags. I like all my teachers and I love that all my classes are in Padua. I love how friendly everyone is. Kaylee, Anthony 7

Anthony House is safe and welcoming. We do fun activities in the mornings and sell lolly bags and Zooper Doopers for Project Compassion. Spoothi, Anthony 7

It is super great to be in Anthony House and I like all my teachers. Tejas, Anthony 6

I like Anthony House, it is very welcoming, and I have made so many friends. Emily, Anthony 7

Year 11 Sports Academy Students Visit Tigerland

Year 11 Elite Sports Academy students visited Richmond Football Club earlier this month, touring the Punt Road Oval facilities before listening to a presentation about careers and study pathways in the sports industry post Year 12.

They also completed a training session facilitated by Richmond Institute’s strength and conditioning coaches.

Our students left with a better understanding of the broad scope of jobs available within a professional sporting organisation and the different options for further study. 

Our thanks to the staff at Richmond Institute for sharing their insights and expertise.

You can watch highlights from the day here.

Art Club at Melton Campus

Art Club runs every Thursday during Big Break at Melton Campus and provides students from all year levels with the opportunity to participate in collaborative art projects for both the school and the wider community.

This term’s Art Club project explores the art forms of collage and painting, drawing inspiration from the flower markets in Assisi, Italy. 

Students are currently developing their skills in drawing flowers in form, which will later be collaged together to create a larger collaborative artwork. 

The piece responds to ideas associated with St Francis, including creation, the celebration of nature and beauty, and the importance of community.

We look forward to seeing the final artwork come to life.

Insta-worthy Brownies - Year 10 Hospitality

Our Year 10 Hospitality students served up some sensational brownies last week and they were as impressive as they were delicious.

As part of their practical assessment, students were challenged to produce Insta-worthy brownies while demonstrating their knowledge of food preparation techniques, hygiene practices, time management, and presentation skills.

Beyond simply following a recipe, students were encouraged to explore their creativity through garnishing, decorating, and plating.

And as you will see, the results were fabulous!

Mind Kraft Club at Cobblebank Campus

Cobblebank's MindKraft Club runs in the Collaborative Space during Big Break on Tuesday and Thursday.

The club provides a quiet, friendly environment for students looking for an alternative to the busy cloister area or sports grounds.

A trolley of activities, such as Lego, beading, games, loom bands, mindful colouring, and origami, is available for students from all year levels to enjoy quietly with their friends after they have eaten their lunch outside.

The activities do change, but students do not have to pull apart their pieces if they are not finished; they leave them on the trolley to finish during the next session.

Activities are rotated, and we welcome suggestions from students.

Coming up, we will offer Easter crafts, and students will be able to create hanging paper eggs like those pictured below.

Year 9s Work On Their Soccer Skills

We are very excited to have John Sugunananthan from Melbourne Victory joining us for some of our Year 9 PE classes at both campuses to teach students soccer skills for their Field Invasion Games unit. 

Melbourne Victory have plenty of exciting holiday programs coming up. Visit our Community Notices section for more information. 

What our students thought:

I found this program really fun and interesting. We learned how to work together, using our new skills and much more. Leah

John is really nice, supportive and helped me with skills that were tricky for me. Molly

I found this program fun because John is a nice guy and funny sometimes. He got me thinking about the drills that were smart and focused on soccer. Tayte

John was so kind and made these classes easy and fun. It helped us with different skills and tricks. Brodie

John always makes the session really entertaining. Mele

SACCSS Survey

The Sports Association of Catholic Co-educational Secondary Schools (SACCSS) is calling on all students and families of their member schools to complete a survey that will provide feedback on their social media platforms.

If you would like to participate, please click here.

You will find SACCSS on Facebook and Instagram.

Community Notices

Salvation Army School Holiday Program

The Salvation Army Children and Parenting Support Service is running a free school holiday program designed for children aged 4–12 years. Parents and guardians are required to attend with their children.

This is a great opportunity for families to spend time together while participating in fun and supportive activities during the school break.

To register click here

Melbourne Victory All Abilities Holiday Program

The Melbourne Victory All Abilities Holiday Program is a fun and inclusive football session designed for young people with additional support needs and disabilities.

Delivered by the Melbourne Victory in partnership with Special Olympics Australia, this one-day program focuses on skill development, friendship, and creating a positive football experience for everyone.

Program Details

Who: Grade 1–6 and Grade 7–12
When: Wednesday 8th April, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Where: JH Murphy Reserve, 351 Williamstown Rd, Port Melbourne
Cost: $25 (includes a t-shirt)
Register: MVFC All Abilities Holiday Program Registration

If you have any questions please email: community@mvfc.com.au or call: 0494 062 947

Melbourne Victory school holiday events

Western Bulldogs Youth Leadership Program

Youth Leadership Project Registrations are now open for 2026. This program is designed for young people aged 14–16 in Melbourne’s west who want to develop leadership skills, confidence, and resilience, connect with other young people, and expand their networks.

Program Highlights

• 2-day camp during the April school holidays
• 10 fortnightly workshops with inspiring guest speakers, based in Melton
• Hands-on social impact project development
• Match day experience and other fun activities
• The program is completely free

Registrations close on 26 March. To register your interest, use the form below. 

2026 Youth Leadership Project Registration Form

Melton Young Communities Holiday Activities

Click here to view all the activities on offer these school holidays by Melton Young Communities.

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

Instagram

Policies

Uniform

Library