From the Principal

Last Thursday evening, I attended the Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals’ Association annual Women in Leadership Dinner with several of our College leaders. This is always a wonderful night and a great opportunity to network with fellow leaders and be inspired by the guest speakers.

This year certainly did not disappoint. Fiona Hayes is an alumnus from Sacred Heart College, Oakleigh, and is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at 7-Eleven Australia.

Fiona gave a wonderful speech, which resonated well with the audience of educational leaders, outlining her key thoughts on leading and leadership.

Fiona's five leadership truths

1. Showing up matters – as adults, our two biggest influences are family and our leader at work. As leaders, we are called to remain visible, calm and consistent.
2. Communication is almost always underdone – don’t rush, don’t talk people out of how they are feeling. Link your comments back to strategy.
3. Leadership is a team sport. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. The biggest risk in leadership is silence.
4. Plan for things to go wrong…because they will. Accept that mistakes are proof of trying.
5. Be future-ready but anchor the decisions in human integrity.

Thank you to those who attended and all who strive each day to be the best possible leaders in our College.

New names for our Cobblebank Campus buildings

It is with great pleasure that we announce this week that the Naming Protocol for our buildings at Cobblebank Campus is now complete. Our working party of pilgrims who had visited Assisi thought long and hard about appropriate names for our new buildings, which were ratified by Father Alex, our Custodian of Mission, and finally submitted to Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) for final approval.

Yellow Building: Assisi

This was the first building completed on the site, and where academic classes take place. Given that our patron saint, St Francis was born, lived and worked in Assisi, it serves to reason that this building has this name as it is the original building of our school.

Red Building: Greccio

Greccio is the site of the first nativity scene created by St Francis of Assisi. We have chosen this name to reflect our Franciscan charism, as it signifies a place where people come together to remember Christ's birth. This building is used for music, dance, drama, and science, and is a space where staff and students can express their creativity and better understand the world we live in.

Blue Building: San Damiano

San Damiano is the place where St Clare lived with her sisters for over 40 years. It is also the place where St Francis wrote The Canticle of the Creatures, which makes it significant for our College. It was at this site where St Clare performed the miracle of bread, so it is fitting that the building with many kitchen spaces and a communal eating area should be named this. Also, St Clare is known as the patron saint of television and given there are media spaces in this building, this is another reason for choosing this name. The building also has creative and technology areas that align with themes found in The Canticle of the Creatures.

Orange Building: La Verna

La Verna is a place where St Francis of Assisi would spend hours in contemplation. St Francis understood the need for periods of restoration and having time to revitalise the mind, body and spirit. This building will serve as a quiet place for study and learning, akin to what the early Franciscan brothers experienced at La Verna, as it is home to the oldest Franciscan monastery. It is also where St Francis had the transformative experience of receiving stigmata. It is hoped that this building may also be a place where students have experiences that positively impact their lives.

Stage 4: Gubbio

Gubbio is the name of the town that was being harassed by a wolf until St Francis intervened. It is believed that he approached the wolf, and even though it snarled at him, St Francis stayed calm and called the animal "brother wolf". The wolf began to calm down, and from that moment, roamed the streets like a dog. The children loved him and took care of him. By naming the building after this town, the idea is that it becomes a place where problems can be solved with courage.

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus

New Form for Rescheduling Exams

All Year 10 and 11 students and families were emailed information last week regarding the form that must be completed to reschedule an exam.

It’s a straightforward process, and there is plenty of support available.

How do I reschedule?

Students can access the Exam Rescheduling Form by following these steps:

1. Log in to Simon

2. Go to Student Links

3. Click on Exam Rescheduling Form

There are instructions on the first page of the form, along with a list of staff members who can help students with any questions they may have.

More details and the instructions are also available below.

Exam Rescheduling Form Student Guidelines

Reconciliation Week Activities

National Reconciliation Week at St Francis Catholic College will be recognised from 25 May to 3 June.

Each year, National Reconciliation Week has a new theme and artwork designed by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist. The artwork aims to inspire Australians in new ways each year and encourage reflection, learning and action.

The 2026 National Reconciliation Week artwork is titled Gaagal, which means 'ocean'. It was created by Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung artist Otis Hope Carey. He explains its inspiration and significance: “All of my paintings connect to water. This artwork uses the ocean as a metaphor for people from all walks of life swirling together to be 'All In' for reconciliation. The ripples, waves and flowing movement represent how our actions and voices can spread outwards, encouraging others to join the journey towards reconciliation."

Throughout the week, a range of activities will take place at both campuses. We strongly encourage all students and staff to get involved, show their support and take this opportunity to listen, learn, reflect and be All In for reconciliation as a school community.

Imra Banu

Project Officer, Indigenous Program

Mamma Mia! Production Camp

Students from both campuses came together last week for our three-day Mamma Mia! Production Camp as part of our preparation for this year’s show. 

Across the three days, students participated in intensive rehearsals while continuing to build their confidence, teamwork, and performance skills.

The energy and commitment shown by all students were fantastic, and the growth across the camp was incredible to witness. 

With rehearsals now well over halfway, Mamma Mia! is shaping up to be a super trouper of a production. 

Keep an eye out towards the end of this term for booking information - you won’t want to miss your chance to say Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! a ticket!

Melton Campus Elite Sports Academy Parent Information Evening

All parents and guardians of students in Year 7, 8 and 9 at our Melton Campus are invited to attend an information evening about the Athlete Development Program and Elite Sports Academy on Wednesday 17 June at 6pm in the Performing Arts Centre. 

This presentation relates to the subjects in Year 9 and 10, and applications will open soon after the session.

Year 7 and 8 students and parents are also strongly encouraged to attend this information session, as it will provide valuable insight into the expectations, selection criteria, and key qualities we are seeking in students within these year levels prior to the application process in Year 9 and/or 10.

It is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the subject and learn more about the excellent opportunities within the Elite Sports Academy for our talented student-athletes.

Please RSVP by filling out the short form below.

Elite Sports Academy Information Evening - Questionnaire

Cobblebank Campus Elite Cricket Academy Parent Information Night

Year 10 Hospitality Afternoon Tea - Melton Campus

Melton Campus staff were treated to an incredible afternoon tea last week, planned and prepared by our Year 10 Hospitality students.

The hospitality program provides students with valuable hands-on experience in food preparation, service, and event management. 

As part of these activities, students prepare and cater afternoon tea for staff, offering a variety of food items while developing practical skills, teamwork, and an understanding of customer service in a real-world setting. 

Well done to all the students and staff involved in creating not only delicious but also beautifully presented food and drinks.

Inspiring Future Authors at the Melbourne Writers Festival

On Thursday 7 May, students from Melton and Cobblebank embarked on an exciting literary excursion to the State Library for the Melbourne Writers Festival. It was a fantastic opportunity for our young writers to learn directly from some of the most talented and celebrated storytellers in the country!

Throughout the day, students participated in three engaging sessions led by award-winning and acclaimed authors. The presentations covered a diverse range of topics, including:

• The Creative Process: Understanding how professional authors plan and construct narratives.
• Idea Generation: Learning practical strategies to spark imagination and overcome writer's block.
• Technology & Representation: Exploring modern themes and the importance of diverse voices in literature.

Every session was carefully selected to align with the Victorian Curriculum, reinforcing the critical reading and writing skills students are developing in their classrooms.

A major highlight of the day occurred between sessions, when enthusiastic students queued up to meet their favourite authors. Many walked away with personally signed copies of books and shared inspiring conversations with the creators.

It was an enriching day that left our students buzzing with creative energy and new ideas for their own writing pieces. Thank you to all the staff and students who made this event such a success!

Student reflections

The writer's festival was a wonderful experience; we were able to hear from many authors about their work and what it took to write their books. We were also able to get books signed by the authors. They also said they are on the lookout for cool names and wrote some of ours down as they signed books. Adam, Year 10, Cobblebank Campus

The Writers Festival was a wonderful insight into the professional and creative aspects of writing; the variety of perspectives on the publishing and creative processes offered by different authors was both enjoyable and informative. The warmth and friendliness with which the speakers answered questions and shared their own stories helped dispel common fears surrounding professional editing and publishing. The topics addressed also made for interesting presentations for people who write for fun, as well as those who want to write for work, as they discussed a range of ways to approach writing, worldbuilding, and character development, in addition to the process of being published. I would recommend the event to anybody interested in writing - the variety of panels offers something for everyone. Chloe, Year 12, Melton Campus

The excursion to the Melbourne Writers Festival was interesting. We got to meet Amy Doak, Karen Comer, and Tigest Girma and learned about their writing process and what they did while writing their books. It was cool hearing about where they got their ideas from and how they created their characters' storylines. We also got to ask questions and learn more about what it's like being an author. Overall, the excursion was fun and interesting, and it helped us learn more about writing and creativity. Achraj, Year 10, Cobblebank Campus

Cobblebank House Challenge Week

Our annual Cobblebank Campus House Challenge proved popular last week, with students enthusiastically competing for their house.

Anthony and Bernard went head-to-head during a daily quiz in Mentor Group each morning, as did Glowrey and Dominic, testing their sports and historical knowledge.

Bakhita and Catherine were out to prove their stamina by running and walking laps around the oval to win points for their house, while MacKillop and Lawrence battled it out in an intense game of volleyball.

It was a brilliant showcase of friendly competition and house spirit and the participation and teamwork shown by all were commendable! 

Well done to our brilliant House Captains for coordinating a fun-filled week.

Results and winners will be announced at our upcoming assembly on Tuesday 2 June. Stay tuned!

Charlee Keating

Student Leadership Coordinator – Cobblebank Campus

Year 8 Textiles – Cobblebank Campus

Students in Year 8 Textiles have been working hard this term to create calico teddy bears inspired by the idea of bringing comfort to children in hospital. The design brief for this project was based on an imaginary client scenario; students will take their teddy bears home as a special keepsake celebrating their first sewing experience.

To extend their learning, respond to the design brief, and make a meaningful contribution to the community, students have also begun creating cuddle hearts and superhero capes to donate to local hospitals.

The cuddle hearts are designed for newborn babies requiring extended hospital care. In many cases, these babies are separated from their mothers during the crucial first days of life, delaying important early bonding experiences. The hearts help support this connection by carrying the mother’s scent and being placed with the baby while they sleep, providing comfort and familiarity during this time apart.

The superhero capes are created for older children in hospital care. By wearing the capes, children are encouraged to imagine themselves as brave and powerful superheroes, helping them feel stronger and more confident when facing surgeries, treatments, or recovery.

Through these projects, SFCC students can apply and further develop their textile skills while making a genuine and positive impact on the wellbeing of others in their community.

Amazon Girl's Tech Day Excursion – Cobblebank Campus

Earlier this year, a group of Cobblebank Campus students had the exciting opportunity to attend the Girls’ Tech Day organised and sponsored by Amazon.

The event brought together students from across Melbourne’s west to explore careers in STEM and ICT through a range of engaging, hands-on activities and exhibitions, including robotics, media production, and emerging technologies.

Students also had the chance to hear from inspiring female leaders in technology, who shared their experiences and encouraged students to consider future pathways in STEM-related fields.

The excursion provided a valuable opportunity for our students to build confidence, develop new skills, and gain insight into the exciting possibilities available in the world of technology and innovation.

Judy Lam

Teacher

Year 12 Ancient History Excursion – Melton Campus

Year 12 students studying Ancient History were given a rare opportunity to view statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from ancient Rome at Melbourne Museum's ROME: Empire, Power and People exhibition exploring the vibrant nature of the city's political, cultural and social life.

This rare opportunity to view treasures from the Museo Nazionale Romano and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze, two of Italy’s most prestigious museums, was a chance for students to immerse themselves as they begin their studies on Ancient Rome, the focus of Unit 4 History.

The exhibition covered events from the fall of Julius Caesar to the power and ambition of an Empire, showcasing the luxury of Imperial Rome, the spectacle of the gladiator arena, the bustling marketplaces and the everyday experiences of Romans.

It explored Ancient Rome’s political, social, and spiritual worlds through artifacts dating from the Imperial period, from the 1st Century CE to the 3rd Century CE. It is the first time that every object on display has come to Melbourne.

The splendour, drama and humanity of Rome were also brought to life in detail with scenography and multimedia, giving visitors an immersive experience and vivid portrait of a civilisation that continues to shape our world today.

Sports Update

Melton Year 7 Premier League

Cobblebank Year 7 Premier League

Melton Senior Sport

Da Vinci Decathlon – Leaderboard Update

Congratulations to our High Ability Program students who earned the College a place on the da Vinci Decathlon leaderboards in the categories listed below.

Held earlier this term, the da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition in which our students competed across various disciplines, testing their high-level thinking, knowledge, and ability to apply their learning.

Competition was fierce from schools in the eastern suburbs, but our students worked hard in the lead-up to the event, and it was an achievement to be listed on the leaderboards in their first decathalon. 

We look forward to sharing more updates on the High Ability Program and competitions in the future.

Community Notices

New youth football program for girls

A girls’ youth football (AFL) program is coming to Eynesbury!

Led by Back 2 Basics, an organisation founded by AFLW premiership athletes Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell, and supported by the Eynesbury Football & Netball Club coaching team, the program will empower young athletes to focus on basic skills, play with confidence, and, most importantly, have fun whilst playing football.

The program is aimed at girls aged 10-16. No minimum skill level is required, and best of all, registration is just $20 for the full 8-week program!

To kick off the program, Rotary Eynesbury are putting on a free barbecue dinner after the first session! This exciting program is the perfect opportunity for your child to learn new skills, both sporting and otherwise, whilst making new friends within the Eynesbury community and its surrounds.

Program details

Session dates: Wednesdays from 10 June – 5 August (no session on 8 July). The first and last sessions will be delivered by Jasmine and Ash from Back 2 Basics. The remaining 6 sessions will be delivered by Eynesbury Football & Netball Club

Session times: Session 1 & 8: 6.15pm – 7.15pm, Sessions 2-7: 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

Location: Eynesbury Recreation Reserve, 3 Avoca Street, Eynesbury.

Cost: $20 per child

Registrations: To register your child’s place visit the Eynesbury Football & Netball Club website or use the QR code below.

More information: please contact the club’s Football Director, Ryan Sutcliffe, via phone 0413 986 020 or email at football@eynesburyfnc.com.au

Foster carers wanted