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School Reception: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm
Phone: (03) 8099 6000
Email:info@sfcc.vic.edu.au
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Each year, World Environment Day invites us to reflect on the beauty of creation and our shared responsibility to care for our common home.
In a Franciscan school community, this day holds special meaning as we are inspired by the example of St Francis of Assisi, who saw all of creation as a gift from God and referred to the earth as “our sister and mother”.
World Environment Day reminds us that caring for the environment is not simply about protecting nature; it is also about living with gratitude, justice and compassion.
As followers of the Franciscan tradition, we are called to respect the dignity of all living things and to make choices that protect the wellbeing of future generations.
Small actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, recycling and caring for local wildlife can make a meaningful difference.
Pope Francis, in Laudato Si’, encourages us to hear both “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor". This challenges us to think about how environmental issues impact vulnerable communities around the world and inspires us to act with responsibility and hope.
At our school, World Environment Day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to stewardship, sustainability and simple living.
Through our learning, prayer and daily actions, we can continue to build a community that values creation and reflects the Franciscan spirit of peace, humility and care for all.
May we continue to walk gently upon the earth and encourage one another to protect the wonderful world God has entrusted to us.
Director of Faith and Mission
This past week, as a community at St Francis Catholic College, we joined schools, workplaces and communities across Australia in acknowledging National Reconciliation Week.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to reflect on how each of us can contribute to building a more united and respectful nation.
I especially love this year's theme - All In. These two simple words carry a powerful message.

All In reminds us that reconciliation is not someone else’s responsibility. It is not an issue for governments alone, or something only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should carry. Reconciliation belongs to all of us.
It asks every Australian to step forward with open hearts, open minds and a willingness to listen, learn and act.
At St Francis Catholic College, our Catholic faith calls us to this work. Jesus taught us the importance of dignity, compassion, justice and respect for every person. Reconciliation is deeply connected to these Gospel values.
As a Catholic community, we are called to walk together in truth and understanding. We are called to recognise the rich cultures, histories and spiritual traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the world's oldest continuing culture.
Thank you to our Indigenous Program Project Officer Imra Banu and the staff who assisted with all the Reconciliation Week activities at the College. You can read more about these here.
As we enter the winter season and June, I would like to continue our series highlighting 11 Child Safe Standards in 11 months. The series is part of our ongoing commitment to highlight Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) child-safety campaign, MACS Care.
This month we focus on Child Safe Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Our Reconciliation Week activities, including our Welcome to Country ceremony and campus assemblies are just one example of how St Francis Catholic College enacts Standard 5.
What do equity and diversity mean in relation to Child Safe Standard 5?
Why is equity and recognising diverse needs important for child safety?

If you would like more information on Standard 5, please click on the link below.
MACS Care Parent Newsletter 5 2026
As our College community continues to grow, the safety of our students, families, staff and neighbours remains a shared responsibility.
The beginning and end of each school day are particularly busy times, and we ask all members of our community to work together to ensure student safety remains the highest priority.
We appreciate that pick-up and drop-off times can be challenging and that many families are managing busy schedules. However, a few extra moments of patience can make a significant difference in creating a safe and orderly environment for everyone.
We kindly remind parents and guardians to:
We also ask families to consider alternative arrangements where possible, including carpooling, walking short distances from nearby parking locations, or arranging a slightly later collection time to help reduce congestion.
Most importantly, our students learn from the example we set. By demonstrating patience, courtesy and respect on our roads, we model the values we seek to instil in our young people each day.
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for all members of the St Francis Catholic College community. Together, we can ensure that every student arrives and departs safely each day.
Principal
| Dates to remember | |
| Wednesday 3 June | Year 7 and 8 Timed Assessment Tasks (TATs) |
| Thursday 4 June | Year 10 and 11 Exams begin |
| Friday 5 June | College Tour - 9.15am. Click here to register |
| Monday 8 June | King's Birthday public holiday |
| Tuesday 9 June | College Tour - 2.15pm. Click here to register
Parents and Friends Association Meeting - 7pm |
| Friday 12 June | Year 10 and 11 Exams end |
| Monday 15 June | Student Study at Home Day |
| Tuesday 16 June | Semester 2 begins |
| Wednesday 17 June | Anthony House Mass
Elite Sports Academy 2027 - Parent Information Night |
| Wednesday 24 June | Subject Expo - 4pm-8pm, Sheehan Stadium and Performing Arts Centre |
| Friday 26 June | Final Day of Term 2 - students dismissed at 2.30pm |
| Dates to remember - Term 2 | |
| Wednesday 3 June | Year 7 and 8 Timed Assessment Tasks (TATs) |
| Thursday 4 June | College Tour - 2.15pm. Click here to register |
| Friday 5 June | Year 10 Immunisations |
| Monday 8 June | Kings Birthday Public Holiday |
| Tuesday 9 June | Year 10 and VCE Unit 1 Exams begin College Tour - 9.15am. Click here to register Parents and Friends Association Meeting - 7pm |
| 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 June | Anthony House Mass |
| Thursday 18 June | Elite Cricket Academy 2027 - Parent Information Night |
| Wednesday 24 June | Subject Expo (4pm-8pm at Melton Campus) |
| Friday 26 June | Final day of Term 2 - students dismissed at 2.30pm
Semester 1 Reports released |
The next meeting of the Parents and Friends Association will be held online next Tuesday 9 June, from 7pm.
The association comprises representatives from both campuses, and new members are always welcome.
Please contact me via email at arowley@sfcc.vic.edu.au for the Teams link.
Director of Community Relations
The General Achievement Test (GAT) will be held on Tuesday 16 June. It is undertaken in two sections.

Who will sit the GAT?
Non-ATAR students and VCE-VM students can sign out and go home following the completion of Section A.
The GAT will be held in Sheehan Stadium and students should wear their school uniform on this day.
All students are required to stay in the examination room until the completion of each section, even if they finish early.
Students must be at school no later than 8.10am and assemble in the Osma building rooms before the exam.
What is the GAT?
The GAT is a test of general knowledge and skills in these broad areas:
GAT results:
Materials students should bring on the day
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please contact me via email at clock@sfcc.vic.edu.au.
Senior Years Leader
If your child has become an Australian Citizen since moving to Australia, please remember to forward a copy of their certificate or Australian passport to the College. Or if their visa status has changed, you are required to provide us with their updated documents.
They can be emailed to enrolments@sfcc.vic.edu.au or dropped into the office at your child’s campus.
Registrar


We're excited to share that two of our teachers have been nominated in this year's Australia’s Best Teachers 2026 campaign, run by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools in partnership with News Corp Australia.
Nathaniel Winfield (Melton Campus High Ability Practice Leader) and Cassi Bottrell (Cobblebank Campus Bernard House Leader) featured in today's Herald Sun, sharing what led them to become teachers at our College.
You can read the full article here

We are thrilled to announce that Year 9 Cobblebank student Amaira has been accepted into the University of Melbourne's Girl Power in Engineering and IT program.
This is a fantastic achievement, with only 40 students selected after a competitive application and interview process involving more than 120 short-listed applicants across the state.
The four-year STEM initiative provides students with opportunities to participate in hands-on engineering and IT workshops, connect with industry experts, complete work experience placement in Year 10 and receive ongoing mentoring support throughout Years 11 and 12.
Amaira will begin the program during Term 2 with a three-night residential camp at the University of Melbourne.
Congratulations Amaira, and we look forward to hearing all about your experiences along the way.
Teacher
To reflect this year's Reconciliation Week theme of All In, students and staff at St Francis participated in a variety of activities to raise awareness of Indigenous culture and highlight that meaningful change cannot happen without all of us working together.
Throughout the week, students designed individual message sticks to express their own messages about community, faith, culture and Country.
They also gathered in our food rooms to make Lemon Myrtle Bliss Balls, learning about the history of lemon myrtle and its use in First Nations cooking.
For many centuries, Indigenous Australians have used the leaves of the lemon myrtle tree for medicinal purposes, including helping with colds, coughs, and stomach pain, as well as adding a citrus flavour to food.
Students also created jewellery using emu feathers, learning how natural materials have been used in First Nations cultural practices, including for adornment, ceremony and storytelling. This activity encouraged students to appreciate the importance of respecting cultural traditions and the connection between people, Country and the natural environment.
On National Sorry Day (26 May), students and staff took part in a trivia activity, and the lunchtime bell was replaced with Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning, the Voices for Reconciliation song for 2026.
Through these activities, we hope our community has taken a step off the sidelines and furthered our journey towards recognition, understanding and reconciliation. Imra Banu, Project Officer, Indigenous Program
To end our Reconciliation Week activities, students and staff at Melton Campus were fortunate to participate in a traditional Smoking Ceremony before yesterday's campus assembly.
What is a Smoking Ceremony?
A smoking ceremony is a tradition that has been performed by Aboriginal people for centuries and is one of the oldest ceremonies practised in the world today.
Smoking ceremonies are conducted by an Aboriginal person who has cultural knowledge and is recognised in the community. Yesterday's was conducted by Elder Daniel Ross, who is from Wurundjeri land, the land on which SFCC stands.
Smoking ceremonies are usually performed:
Where does the Smoke come from?
The Smoke comes from burning the leaves and bark from Country, this case, Wurundjeri land.
What is the significance of Smoke?
The Smoke has cleansing properties and wards off bad spirits from the people and the land.
Smoking ceremonies provide protection and healing, as well as connect Aboriginal peoples to the ancestors and the Dreaming.


A very special assembly commemorating National Reconciliation Week for 2026 began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country performed by Wurunderji elder Daniel Ross, reflecting on what it means to celebrate and live out our own cultures as Australians in 2026.
During the assembly, a number of students were recognised for demonstrating our Core Wellbeing Values of Empathy, Endeavour and Community. We congratulate all award recipients.
Students and staff were also treated to a preview of our 2026 SFCC College Production Mamma Mia! with Alannah, Abbey and Edie performing Honey, Honey.
We thank everyone who was involved in the assembly and look forward to a very exciting Term 3 and Semester 2. Jessica Read, Senior Student Leadership Coordinator, Melton Campus
Students and staff made the short bus journey to neighbouring Kolorer College today, where they all gathered in the school's new gym for the whole-campus Reconciliation Week assembly.
It was a wonderful experience to come together as a whole campus and witness seven new FIRE carriers being inducted.
The FIRE Carrier Project is a joint initiative of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria, the Opening the Doors Foundation, and the Sandhurst Catholic Education Office. It seeks to keep the Reconciliation flame alight in schools and educate the wider community about Reconciliation.
Our concert band and vocal ensemble provided impressive performances and the student leaders represented the College with confidence and enthusiasm, speaking about Term 2 events such as house challenges, excursions and Year 10 exams.
Congratulations also to all students who received awards for displaying our Core Wellbeing Values of Community, Empathy and Endeavour throughout Semester 1. Your commitment to modelling positive behaviour has not gone unnoticed, and you should be proud of this achievement. Charlee Keating, Student Leadership Coordinator, Cobblebank Campus
Our school library is proud to showcase an incredible collection of books dedicated to Indigenous culture, history, and storytelling. This curated selection offers all students a powerful way to connect with First Nations perspectives, voices, and truths.
Exploring these shelves allows us to deepen our understanding of the rich heritage that shapes our nation.

A must-read highlight of our collection is the thrilling Wylah book series. This epic adventure follows Wylah, a brave Aboriginal girl who must become a warrior to save her family. Packed with culture, heart, and high-stakes action, it is a fantastic read that has quickly become a favourite among students. Hear more from the author and illustrator of Wylah here.
Finding books by Indigenous authors and illustrators is now easier than ever. We have updated our library shelves using the specialised Indigenous sticker designed by Syba Signs. Whenever you see this meaningful design on a book spine, you will instantly know that the story or artwork inside comes directly from a First Nations creator.

True reconciliation requires action from everyone, and change starts with education and empathy. We encourage every student to live this theme by visiting the library this week and borrowing at least one Indigenous title. By reading these stories, we actively listen, learn, and walk together toward a shared future.
Happy reading!
The VCE VM cohort have been busy applying the skills they learned in their VET program to redesigning the exterior space around the Gadal Building with the help of the 2025 VCE VM Dux, Sione Fonua.
During this term, a group of Year 11 students has been busy digging, carting soil and planting to create a native garden behind the building. With the addition of a beautiful mosaic bird bath created by students in 2025, this garden will become an oasis for native birds and wildlife and provide students witha pleasant space to gather.


The Year 12 cohort are also contributing to this space and have upcycled pellet wood and skateboard decks into a variety of tables and seating options and garden beds. With the addition of this furniture, what was once a neglected space will become a space where students can relax and enjoy the hard work of the VCE VM cohort.


And while all this manual labour is happening, we have had a variety of students producing hot and iced coffees and chocolates for staff and students.

Applied Learning Leader
The seaside location of Lord Somers Camp on the Mornington Peninsula provided our Year 7 students with an opportunity to learn more about each other and enjoy a wide variety of activities designed to build resilience and school spirit.
Our Melton Campus students headed off for their two-night camp on 13 May.
There were many firsts for a number of students - their first camp, their first time on a paddleboard, their first time in the ocean and the first time they had to rely on peers from their Mentor Group during the various activities.
One of the highlights was the unexpected opportunity to paddleboard alongside a mother dolphin and her calf, who happened to be swimming in the calm waters. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Below is some of what our Melton Campus students had to say about their camp.
“My favourite activity was the beach games. I really loved digging up the sand to make holes, moving quickly between them, and then jumping into a different hole. My least favourite activity was the nature walk because my legs were already hurting and the walk seemed to take a long time. The food was really good too, I really enjoyed the chicken curry.”
“I felt very tired when I got home, but I it was fun.”
“I would recommend Lord Sumers Camp to all the 2027 Year 7 students because it’s a fun camp and the camp leaders were all very helpful.”
"During camp at Lord Summers, we did land and water-based activities. On land, we played beach games, in which we had to get into groups of three or four and dig a big hole that we could hide in. We made pizzas in groups that we were able to eat, played games with others in our house, did puzzles, took an Indigenous walk, and learned how to throw a spear. We also got to go to a little area where we got to see preserved animals, learn about their habitats, and a little about them. For the water activities, we did canoeing in the river, and my personal favourite, paddleboarding with the dolphins, which was amazing. It was probably everyone's most-liked activity because you got the chance to see them up close."
Cobblebank Campus Year 7s enjoyed their Lord Somers camp experience from Wednesday to Friday last week.
Despite the cold weather, students participated enthusiastically as they kayaked in the estuary and tried their hand at stand-up paddleboarding. Students designed their own t-shirts, made their own pizzas, tested their problem-solving skills during challenges and expanded their knowledge of Indigenous history in the area.
Students exemplified the values of the St Francis Catholic College community as they gave it their all, doing so with kindness and cooperation.
Below is some of what our Cobblebank Campus students had to say about their camp.
“Camp was fun, and even though it was tiring, it provided us with a lesson about teamwork. I lost my voice as I screamed too much while I was paddleboarding.”
“Camp was really fun, hanging out with my friends and trying stuff that's brand new to me.”
Art Making and Exhibiting VCE students at Melton Campus participated in an incursion last Friday with Art Gallery of Ballarat educator, Pauline O'Shannesy Dowling.
Pauline was able to give our students a real-world context for the many roles involved in gallery curation and provide them with a deeper understanding of how exhibition spaces are run.
Students engaged in a lecture-style class and had the opportunity to ask questions while building a physical diorama of their own gallery space.
Furthermore, Pauline was able to provide students with constructive feedback on the progress of their final artworks and discuss the content required for our students' final Art Making and Exhibiting exam.
We look forward to welcoming Pauline back as the guest presenter for our upcoming cross-campus exhibition in October 2026.
Teacher
Congratulations to the Year 10 students who recently completed the 12-week Western Bulldogs Leaders of the Pack program at the College.
The group of 20 students took part in the weekly program during Big Break, and we commend them for their dedication and for giving up their lunch break to listen to the presenters and get involved in all the activities with great enthusiasm.
Students would start each session with an icebreaker activity to encourage them to interact with each other and have a go at problem-solving activities. Sessions were run with a different focus topic each week. We discussed topics such as gender equity, public speaking, and goal setting, both short- and long-term.
We also had guest speakers from Headspace, Vic Uni and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation who shared valuable information about pathway opportunities and services.
To wrap up the program, all the students enjoyed receiving their Western Bulldogs jumpers and certificates, which will look great on their future resumes.
I enjoyed learning many new things and understanding how to follow your goals for the future. This program is important because it teaches you how to stay positive. We also learnt about universities, how to solve problems and understand what we might want to do in the future. Lynda
Personally, I love this program because it helps us, as a community, explore future opportunities and get to know each other. My favourite activity was when VU came into the class and explained their timetables and how their life at university works. I was struggling to figure out whether I even wanted to go to university, and this narrowed my options, which I’m grateful for. I also loved the weekly activities, and I wish it were run twice a week! Scarlett
I have loved this program; it’s been so beneficial and opened so many opportunities. It helps us, as a group, understand the different pathways we can take at university. It also gave us information about support groups, highlighted the impact of certain youth issues and where we can seek help as well as ways to help in our community. Overall, this has been such a rewarding program that has been fun and engaging, and I would do it again. Olivia
This program has been a lovely experience; I’ve enjoyed getting together with my friends and learning about different things that affect our community. It’s been eye-opening as we explore the different pathways we could take in our lives, as well as help lines we can reach out to. It’s been amazing to explore all the opportunities for our future and get a better understanding of the impact we can have on a community. Lily
EAL Team
Year 7 and 8 students from both campuses braved cold and wet conditions last Wednesday to participate in the SACCSS Junior AFL tournament at JK Grant Reserve in Altona.
Both teams gave it their best shot, with Melton advancing to the Grand Final against Caroline Chisholm College.
The girls played valiantly, but Chisholm claimed the final victory, 13-0.
Thank you to the coaches, Nyomi Stowers and Bianca Mifsud, and congratulations to all students who participated. We hope to see you again for next year’s event!


On Wednesday 27 May, Year 7 and 8 girls from St Francis Catholic College participated in the Junior Girls AFL Gala Day.
First off, we played Emmanuel Catholic College and won 8-0. In the second game, we played Antonine Catholic College and won again, 59-0. We then proceeded to the semi-final and played Emmanuel again, defeating them 14-3.
Unfortunately, we lost the grand final against Caroline Chisholm Catholic College 0-14. Although we put in a great team effort and played our best it just didn’t show on the scoreboard. Caroline Chisholm Catholic College were the better team on the day. Molly and Grace, Melton Campus
Team |
Score |
Ladder position |
AFL |
Thomas Carr College 43 d SFCC MEL 38 |
3 |
Volleyball Boys |
BYE |
1 |
Volleyball Girls |
Thomas Carr College 3 sets d SFCC MEL 2 sets |
4 |
Congratulations to our Senior AFL team for finishing the season with a nailbiter against Thomas Carr College.
The team fell just shy of the grand final but did the College extremely proud with their development over this season. We thank the coaches, Jayden Cott and Johnathon Bissell, and the students for their commitment, especially those in Year 12 who played their final season of SACCSS Senior Sport. Claudia Alp, Director of Sport Cross-Campus
Team |
Score |
Ladder position |
Netball |
MacKillop College 23 d SFCC MEL 15 |
6 |
Basketball Girls |
SFCC MEL 54 d MacKillop College 29 |
1 |
Basketball Boys |
SFCC MEL 48 d MacKillop College 42 |
3 |
Soccer Girls |
MacKillop College 4 d SFCC MEL 0 |
6 |
Soccer Boys |
MacKillop College 4 d SFCC MEL 1 |
5 |
Volleyball Girls |
MacKillop College 2 sets d SFCC MEL 1 set |
5 |
Volleyball Boys |
SFCC MEL 3 sets d MacKillop College 0 sets |
3 |
AFL |
MacKillop College 118 d SFCC MEL 14 |
6 |
Team | Score | Ladder position |
Netball | MacKillop College 32 d SFCC COB 2 | 7 |
Basketball Girls | SFCC COB 74 d CRC Caroline Springs 25 | |
Basketball Boys | SFCC COB 83 d CRC Caroline Springs 71 | |
Soccer Girls | BYE Round | 5 |
Soccer Boys | BYE Round | 4 |
Volleyball Girls | SFCC COB 3 d Kolbe Catholic College G 0 | 2 |
Volleyball Boys | SFCC COB 3 d Kolbe Catholic College G 0 | 1 |
AFL | Marymede Catholic College 122 d SFCC COB 15 | 7 |
Following last Monday evening’s Navigating the Digital World Safely parent and guardian webinar, families are encouraged to access the rewatch link to explore the practical strategies and guidance shared during the session.
The webinar covered important topics, including online safety, digital wellbeing, social media, gaming, and AI, helping parents and carers support children in navigating the digital world safely and confidently.
Recording link (available for 28 days): Cyber Safety Project; Navigating the Digital Playground Recording
To further support families, a range of complimentary Parent Toolkits and resources is also available. These resources provide practical tips and strategies to assist parents and carers in supporting their child(ren)’s online experiences.
Families can access these here: Resources - Cyber Safety Project










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