Weekly Reflection

Anniversary of Laudato Si’

The site at which St Francis penned The Canticle of Creatures.

In May 2015, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical Laudato Si’, addressed to “every living person”.

Inspired by St Francis of Assisi and his Canticle of the Creatures, the title means “Praise be to you” in medieval Italian. The document calls all people to care for creation rather than exploit it, recognising nature as a gift from God. Like St Francis, who lived simply and rejected wealth, we are encouraged to make sustainable choices rather than support consumerism.

The central message of Laudato Si’ is that everyone shares responsibility for caring for our “common home”, the Earth, and for one another. Pope Francis explains that environmental, social, and economic issues are closely connected, and that caring for creation is an important part of respecting human dignity and living out our faith.

This message reflects the spirit of St Francis, whose life showed humility, peace, gratitude, and respect for all living things.

As a Franciscan community, we are called not only to appreciate creation, but also to act with compassion and justice, especially for people most affected by environmental damage and inequality.

Living out Franciscan values means making thoughtful choices each day: reducing waste, caring for the environment, supporting others, and understanding that small actions can make a difference.
Terri Curnow

Director of Faith and Mission

From the Principal

Our Parents and Friends Association is an informal and welcoming way to stay up to date with what is happening at the College and to contribute valuable feedback that helps shape our community.

At each meeting, parents receive the Principal’s Report, which provides updates across key areas of College life, including:

  • Faith Leadership
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Community
  • Buildings and Infrastructure

We also invite a guest speaker from our staff to share insights into their role and the College's current initiatives. 

At our last meeting, our Deputy Principal Professional Practice and Staff Wellbeing, Ray Green, spoke about his new role and his vision for supporting staff development and wellbeing across the College.

At our next meeting, parents will hear an overview of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) pathways, with practical information about these important senior secondary study options.

All parents are warmly welcome to attend. Meetings are relaxed, informative, and rarely last more than one hour.

  • Terms 1 and 4: Meetings are held in person on campus from 7pm
  • Terms 2 and 3: Meetings are held online from 7pm during the colder months

As Principal, I highly value the feedback and perspectives of our Parents and Friends members. Their contributions have directly influenced important College decisions, including:

  • providing feedback on the design of our new College uniform, particularly sportswear items
  • selecting new outdoor furniture for College spaces
  • offering input on College events such as our Welcome Evening
  • reviewing College policies and providing feedback on new initiatives.

Importantly, unlike many primary school Parents and Friends groups, there is absolutely no fundraising involved in our P&F and no risk of being elected as an office bearer, as all positions are already filled.

Our Parents and Friends Association is simply an opportunity to connect, stay informed, and have your voice heard in a welcoming and supportive environment.

We warmly encourage you to consider joining us. For more details, feel free to reach out to our Director of Community Relations Amy Rowley, via email at arowley@sfcc.vic.edu.au, or to me, at principal@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Child Safe Standard 4

Becoming a part of our Parents and Friends is a great way to put Child Safe Standard 4 into practice.

As part of our ongoing commitment to highlight Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) new child-safety campaign, MACS Care, this week I would like to focus on Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

To be aligned, schools must support the following:

  • Families participate in decisions affecting their child.
  • The organisation engages and openly communicates with families and the community about its child safe approach, and relevant information is accessible.
  • Families and communities have a say in the development and review of the organisation’s policies.
  • Families, carers and the community are informed about the organisation’s operations and governance.

If you would like more information on Standard 4, please click on the link below.

MACS Care Parent Newsletter 4 2026

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus

Dates to remember
Wednesday 20 May - Friday 22 MayProduction Camp
Friday 20 MayYear 10 Immunisations
Friday 29 MayYear 7 Immunisations

College Tour - 2.15pm. Click here to register

Monday 1 JuneCampus Assembly
Wednesday 3 JuneYear 7 and 8 Timed Assessment Tasks (TATs)
Thursday 4 JuneYear 10 and 11 Exams begin
Friday 5 JuneCollege Tour - 9.15am. Click here to register
Monday 8 JuneKing's Birthday public holiday
Tuesday 9 JuneCollege Tour - 2.15pm. Click here to register
Friday 12 JuneYear 10 and 11 Exams end
Monday 15 JuneStudent Study at Home Day
Tuesday 16 JuneSemester 2 begins
Wednesday 17 June Anthony House Mass
Wednesday 24 JuneSubject Expo - Melton Campus
Friday 26 JuneFinal Day of Term 2 - students dismissed at 2.30pm

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus

Dates to remember - Term 2
Wednesday 20 May - Friday 22 MayProduction Camp
Wednesday 27 May - Friday 29 MayYear 7 Camp
Thursday 28 MayCollege Tour - 2.15pm. Click here to register
Tuesday 2 June

Campus Assembly

Wednesday 3 JuneYear 7 and 8 Timed Assessment Tasks (TATs)
Thursday 4 JuneCollege Tour - 2.15pm. Click here to register
Friday 5 JuneYear 10 Immunisations
Monday 8 JuneKings Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday 9 JuneYear 10 and VCE Unit 1 Exams begin 
College Tour - 9.15am. Click here to register 
Parents and Friends Association Meeting

Friday 12 June

Year 10 and VCE Unit 1 Exams end

Monday 15 June Student Study at Home Day 
Semester 2 begins 
Year 10 Work Experience begins
Wednesday 17 JuneAnthony House Mass
Wednesday 24 JuneSubject Expo (to be held at Melton Campus)
Friday 26 JuneFinal day of Term 2 - students dismissed at 2.30pm

Semester 1 Reports released

Live Online Cybersafety Session for Families Next Week

Supporting Students with Subject Selections and Pathways

Throughout this term, students in Years 9-11 have participated in subject selection information sessions for 2027. These sessions have been designed to support students in making informed decisions about their future learning.

Subject selection is a significant milestone in a student’s educational experience. It provides an opportunity for students to align their interests, strengths, and aspirations with the subjects they choose, while also considering future study and career goals.

Through carefully structured presentations, students have been guided through the key aspects of this process, ensuring they understand both the immediate and longer-term implications of their choices.

During the sessions, students learned about the various programs that are available to support their individual goals and circumstances. Students are encouraged to reflect on what motivates them and to consider pathways that support both academic growth and personal wellbeing.

Students were also introduced to important considerations such as workload expectations and the importance of maintaining a balanced program. Practical advice was shared to support decision-making, including how to seek guidance from teachers, careers practitioners, and family members.

Parents and guardians will continue to play an important role in this process, and the college encourages ongoing conversations at home about subject choices and future aspirations.

Additional resources and support will be made available to families to assist them in guiding their children through this important stage through the Domain and Subject Selection Expo and Information Night on Wednesday 24 June, to be held at Melton Campus.

As the term progresses, students will continue to be supported through individual conversations, planning activities, and access to tailored advice. 

The goal is to ensure that every student feels equipped to select a pathway that aligns with their strengths and sets them up for success beyond school.

Resources are available on our website to support our students. These include:

  • Subject Selection Handbook 2026 (the updated version for 2027 will be available in the coming weeks)
  • Planning sheets 
  • Copies of the presentations shared with students.

Click here to view. 

Jennifer Frisardi

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching

Year 10 Cobblebank Hospitality Students Host Morning Tea


Year 10 Hospitality students at Cobblebank Campus proudly hosted a Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea event in the school restaurant, transforming the space into a warm and welcoming dining experience for staff.

Guests were treated to an impressive selection of house-made sweets and savoury items, alongside expertly crafted barista-style drinks, a true showcase of the students’ newly developed skills. 

Seated in a restaurant-style setting, staff were thoughtfully served with plates, cutlery, and serviettes, while soft background music created an authentic, relaxed atmosphere.

From start to finish, the event captured the feel of a real working restaurant, offering students a valuable first taste of the hospitality industry. Most telling of all were the smiles, a reflection of both their hard work and pride in delivering such a memorable experience. The staff were extremely impressed by the service and the students' enthusiasm.

Well done, Year 10s!

Sophie-Kieu Jewell

Teacher

Student's Challenged to Keep our College Clean!

This week our Faith and Mission Action Teams at both campuses will implement a new initiative for the College as part of Laudato Si’ Week (18–22 May). 

While new to SFCC, Laudato Si’ Week is an established event within the Catholic and social justice calendar. It is a global Catholic celebration inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, inviting Catholics around the world to renew their commitment to caring for one another and for our common home.

In keeping with this year's theme of Hope to Action, both campuses have committed to significantly reducing waste on our grounds and to encouraging students and staff to reduce unnecessary energy use by switching off lights, heaters, and screens when they are not in use or in the classroom.

Our overall aim is simple: to create a lasting change within our College community for the good of all in our Common Home.

SFCC Faith and Mission Action Team

Year 10 Sports Science Excursion – Cobblebank Campus

Last week, the Cobblebank Campus Year 10 Sports Science class visited the Eynesbury Golf Club Driving Range to complete the practical component of their Biomechanics Unit. 

Students have been exploring the biomechanical principles used to analyse and improve movement skills for participation and performance in sport. These principles include force, momentum, impulse, Newton’s Three Laws of Motion, and levers.

During the practical session, students investigated the maximum distance they could hit a golf ball using three different types of golf clubs at the driving range. They reflected on their results and applied their understanding of the biomechanical principle of levers to explain the differences in distance achieved with each club.

It was fantastic to see students actively involved and participating to the best of their ability throughout the session. Congratulations to the Year 10 Sports Science class on their excellent effort and engagement.

Peter Commisso

Health and PE Domain Leader - Cobblebank Campus

Year 8 Geography Fieldwork Excursion – Melton Campus

Last week, Year 8 Melton Campus students completed fieldwork as a part of their Geography unit on Landforms and Landscapes. 

In this unit, students have been learning about the different landscapes and their distinctive landform features. They also learn about the human impact on the environment and the range of hazards we can encounter in the world.

To prepare for their assessment, students walked to Arthur Westlake Memorial Reserve to observe the natural and human features of the site and how it is currently used. They also noted any hazards people may encounter in this reserve and its accessibility to anyone who may visit.

It was great to see the students get involved in this excursion and experience Geography outside the classroom. A huge thank you to the Year 8 Humanities team for supporting this excursion.

Nirasha Pandi

Humanities Domain Leader - Melton Campus

KidsView Conference


Our students recently attended the KidsView Conference, where they participated in a variety of workshops exploring poverty and the challenges many people around the world face.

Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to meet youth leaders from Bahay Tuluyan and learn more about their experiences and the work they do to support vulnerable young people. They also watched a performance by the youth leaders, which was a highlight of the day.

Students were inspired by Catherine Scerri, who has been volunteering since 2003. She spoke about her experiences and encouraged students to think about how they can make a positive impact in their own communities.

The conference was both enjoyable and eye-opening, and gave students a great opportunity to connect with other like-minded young people who are passionate about social justice and creating change.

Student reflections

Attending the KidsView Social Justice program helped me understand how unfair life can be for many children. Through the activities, I learned that not everyone has the basic resources they need in life, and it made me more aware of how important kindness, fairness, and support are in creating a better world for everyone. Daakshya, Year 8, Cobblebank Campus

The Social Justice Conference at St Columba's College helped me learn more about poverty, violence, and the challenges faced by children and families. The conference focused on Bahay Tuluyan, a children’s rights organisation that supports young people experiencing difficult situations. Throughout the day, we completed workshops about work, health, education, and home life, which showed how difficult life can be for some people. One of the highlights was hearing personal stories from two staff members through a performance, which made the experience more meaningful and helped me better understand the importance of social justice and helping others. Diljot, Year 9, Cobblebank

The KidsView conference was a very insightful learning opportunity for many students about social justice issues around the world. It completely changed my perception of how many people are in difficult situations and inspired me to believe that small actions can make big differences.  Anna, Deputy Faith and Mission Captain, Year 11, Melton Campus

The conference was a really interesting experience. We enjoyed listening to different speakers, learning from those who had lived through disadvantage, and taking part in activities throughout the day that showed us how different people live in terms of money, healthcare, and education. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and come away with fresh ideas for raising awareness. Izabella Boon, Faith and Mission Captain, Year 12, Melton Campus

SFCC Faith and Mission Action Team

Indoor Tournament for Cobblebank Cricket Academy Students


Students from the Cobblebank Campus Year 10 Elite Cricket Academy recently ventured to Hoppers Crossing for an indoor cricket tournament against fellow Academy Movement schools, Mickleham Secondary College and Lara Secondary College. 

The group was divided into two teams, and students quickly adjusted to the different rules. It was exciting to see some big hits and fast reflexes inside the nets. Both teams came home with one win and one loss on the day, which was good to see, as it was most students' first game of indoor cricket.

These co-curricular events are a staple for the program, and we look forward to more throughout the term. 

Students currently in Year 8 and 9 who are interested in joining the program in 2027 can visit my office upstairs in the Yellow Building during Big or Short break, or email me at mbretag@sfcc.viv.edu.au.

Michael Bretag

Elite Cricket Academy Coordinator

Sports Update


Congratulations to all Melton Campus students who represented SACCSS in the 2026 Victorian Schools Associations Competition (VSAC) swim meet at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Monday 11 May.

Delta Bacon, Victoria Geremian, Emmett Locke, Brody Cooney and Matthew Cobreros were selected for the team following their results at the SACCSS Swimming Championships in March.

SACCSS finished in sixth place overall out of 14 Associations – the best result they have achieved yet at a VSAC meet.

Over the past week, students from both campuses have also participated in the SACCSS Open Badminton Tournament and the SACCSS Intermediate Futsal Tournament.

Melton and Cobblebank Year 7 Premier League

Our teams competed against each other this week with a perfectly even spread of wins and losses!

Team

Result

SFCC MEL Ladder

SFCC COB Ladder

AFL Division 1

MEL 92 d COB 31

5

6

Netball Division 1

MEL 27 d COB 25

3

5

Volleyball Boys Division 1

COB 2 sets d MEL 1 set

4

1

Volleyball Girls Division 1

COB 3 sets d MEL 0 sets

5

2

Basketball Boys Division 1

MEL 58 d COB 42

3

4

Basketball Girls Division 1

Mel 94 d COB 28

3

6

Football Boys Division 2

COB 8 d MEL 1

5

1

Football Girls Division 2

COB 1 d MEL 0

5

4

Melton Campus Senior SACCSS Sport

Team

Result

Ladder

AFL Division 2

SFCC 114 d Penola Catholic College 92

2

Volleyball Boys Division 2

SFCC 3 sets d Kolbe Catholic College 1 set

1

Volleyball Girls Division 2

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College 3 sets d SFCC 1 set

4


SFCC Sports Team

V/Line Disruptions Between Bacchus Marsh and Southern Cross

Due to the Melton line upgrade works, from Wednesday 27 May to Friday 29 May, there will be service changes between Bacchus Marsh Station and Southern Cross Station.

You can plan your journey by downloading the temporary timetables available here

If your trip includes a connection with Metro Train services, check arrival and departure times by using the PTV journey planner at transport.vic.gov.au/vline or the mobile app.

For further details, visit the V/Line website.

Community Notices

Melton Level Crossing Removal Works

Melton Level Crossing Removal Project Works May 2026

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