From the Principal

Year 12 driving and respectful parking

As more of our Year 12 students gain their driver’s licence and begin driving to school, it is timely to remind everyone about the importance of respectful and considerate parking in the streets surrounding the College.

We understand that finding a place to park can be challenging, and students are welcome to park in the surrounding streets. However, we ask that you please be mindful of our neighbours and other road users.

Please park on one side of the street wherever possible. Parking on both sides of the road can make it difficult for residents, visitors and emergency vehicles to safely get through.

We also ask students to:

• park legally and considerately, ensuring driveways and access points are not blocked
• allow enough room for other vehicles to pass safely
• drive slowly and carefully in the residential streets around the College
• be respectful of our neighbours and remember that these streets are their homes
• make their way to class when they arrive at school, rather than remaining in their car during lesson time.

Having your licence and driving to school is an exciting milestone and an important step towards independence. With that independence comes responsibility. How we drive and park reflects not only on us as individuals, but also on St Francis Catholic College.

Thank you to our Year 12 students for being considerate, responsible drivers and for helping us maintain positive relationships with our neighbours.

Supporting our staff while planning for the future

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) strongly supports increased wages and improved conditions for our school staff and recognises the difference they make in the lives of students every day.

During Term 3, all Victorian Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. 

As Principal, I have met with my Regional General Manager and the MACS Finance Support personnel to look at various areas of the 2027 budget.

These have included:

• the Position of Leadership (POL) structures within our school
• teacher face-to-face hours
• NCCD funding allocations. Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a yearly Australian government census that counts school students receiving educational adjustments due to disability, helping authorities understand student needs and distribute school funding. 
• class sizes.

This is part of responsible financial planning that helps ensure our school remains strong and sustainable for future generations. 

It includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff.

Pay parity with Victorian Government schools

Together with Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), MACS will match the total percentage wage increases in the Victorian Government agreement.

While these changes will be government-funded in state schools, Catholic schools will not receive additional government funding commensurate with the additional cost. They need to be supported through our usual budget and planning processes.

As a Principal, I recognise the significant financial pressures many households face, and in consultation with our School Advisory Council we will make a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases.

Last Sunday's Gospel tells of the disciples terrified at sea in a boat as a storm raged around them. When Peter walks towards Jesus, his faith is tested, and he begins to sink.

Jesus reaches out his hand and pulls Peter into the boat. This Gospel reminds us that through turbulent times Jesus is at our side if only we have faith.

Mary of the Cross MacKillop, whose feast day we celebrated last Saturday, tells us: “Do all that you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God”.

As we face unknown and turbulent times, we trust in our loving God to guide us in wise decision-making.

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus

Year 7 2028 Enrolments Due

A reminder that applications for Year 7 2028 are due this Friday 14 August.

If your child is in Grade 5 and you would like them to attend the College, please get your application in as soon as possible. Demand for places is high and if you submit an application after 14 August, it will be classed as late and you may be placed on a wait list. 

This also applies to current families.

Please also note that applications that are missing documents will be considered late if the documents are not provided before 14 August. 

If you need help to complete your application, please email enrolments@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Australian Citizenship Information

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. 

If their visa status has changed, you are also 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.

2027 Europe Trip Information and Applications

Thank you to everyone who attended our information session last week in preparation for our 2027 Europe Trip.

Information covered on the night is available below, including deposit details for families who would like to formally apply.

Please don't hesitate to email me at piannazzo@sfcc.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.

Languages Week Canteen Menu

A reminder that the canteen has some special menu items this week to celebrate Languages Week.

Preparing for Success: VCE Students Engage in Study Sessions

We had a fantastic response to our after-school VCE study session last week, with many students taking the opportunity to get some extra assistance as they prepare for their final SACs and exams.

Supported by VCE teachers from a range of subject areas, students used the afternoon to revise key content and seek individual assistance. It was wonderful to see students working collaboratively, sharing ideas and supporting one another in such a focused and positive environment.

The incredible turnout reflected the commitment of our Unit 3/4 students and their determination to achieve their best. 

A sincere thank you to the VCE teachers who generously gave their time and expertise, and congratulations to all students who participated and helped make the afternoon such a success.

Melton Campus BBQ Lunch Raises Funds for Winter Appeal

Last Friday at Melton Campus, our community came together for a special BBQ lunch and raised $775 to support people experiencing homelessness in our local community.

Our fantastic Maintenance Team were behind the BBQ, cooking up plenty of delicious sausages for our students and staff to enjoy. It was wonderful to see so many students and staff getting involved by purchasing a sausage and supporting this important cause.

The BBQ was also supported by members of our Faith and Mission Action Team, Student Leadership, former College Captains and staff, who generously volunteered their time to serve food, collect donations and assist with the running of the event.

The proceeds from the BBQ will contribute to our Winter Appeal, helping us to provide much-needed support to people and families experiencing hardship throughout the winter months.

A huge thank you to everyone involved - every sausage purchased and every contribution made helps us turn compassion into action.

It was a wonderful example of our college community living out the values of faith, service, compassion and solidarity, coming together to make a difference for those most in need.

Students Explore Careers in Sport

Our Year 11 Elite Sports Academy students were put through their paces during a visit to Melbourne United Basketball Club recently.

Students toured the club’s headquarters and training facility, located at Hoop City, Cheltenham, before a Q&A session with current Melbourne United Captain Chris Goulding and former player Brad Newley.

Both Chris and Brad have represented Australia at senior level, and had some great advice for our student-athletes about pathways to professional sport, and what it takes to be a high performer in other aspects of life.

Students then warmed up with Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Jay Ellis for an on-court skills session with Melbourne United Academy Head Coach Nathan Crosswell.

The session tested their technical skills and challenged their decision-making under pressure.

Dominic House Mass

Last Wednesday, staff and students from Dominic House gathered at St Catherine of Siena Church to celebrate the Feast Day of St Dominic. 

It was a meaningful and reverent occasion, with Father Wilford leading the Mass in honour of our house patron and his spirit of love and kindness. 

After Mass, everyone was treated to a doughnut. It was a sweet end to a wonderful day of faith, community and celebration.

Melton Biology Students Visit Melbourne Museum

Our VCE Unit 4 Biology students recently visited the Museums Victoria Research Institute Gallery and the 600 Million Years exhibition at Melbourne Museum. 

The excursion supported students’ understanding of evolution through fossil, anatomical, and DNA evidence. 

Students explored changes in species over geological time, fossil dating, and hominin characteristics.

Sports Update

Melton Senior SACCSS Sport - Round 3

Melton Year 9 Premier League - Round 4

Cobblebank Year 9 Premier League - Round 4

2027 VET Course Applications

Expressions of Interest for cluster VET programs have now been lodged.

Please note that some TAFE and registered training organisations have not yet opened their application processes, including Kangan and Victoria University.

Students who have selected a VET course through the Western Edge Cluster, Brimbank VET Cluster or Highland Local Learning and Employment Network should have received a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of their Expression of Interest. 

Please note that this is not an acceptance into the program.

Information regarding offers and acceptance into VET programs will be available at the beginning of Term 4.

If you have any questions regarding your VET application, please email me at nfuller@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

Letter from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority

For your information, below is a letter from Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, Professor Elizabeth Labone.

Upcoming Traffic and Train Disruptions from this week

A reminder to all families that Exford Road, between Brooklyn Road and Staughton Street, will close to traffic from 7pm tonight, Tuesday 11 August to 7am on Monday 31 August as part of the Melton Level Crossing Removal Project.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at Exford Road and around the station precinct. Detours will be in place via Richard Road to the north and Wilson Road to the south. Please see the map and further information below.

There will also be service changes on the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough train lines from the first service on Wednesday 12 August to the last service on Monday 31 August.

Replacement services will depart some stations earlier than usual. Students can plan their journey using the PDF temporary timetables available on the V/Line website.

Please remember that bikes are not allowed on buses that are replacing trains. For more information and to plan your journey, visit www.vline.com.au/Timetable/Service-changes.

Community event

Please see below details of a free community event to celebrate the removal of the level crossing at Ferris Road.

When: 9am to 12pm on Sunday 30 August.
Where: Cobblebank Indoor Stadium, 14 Stadium Drive, Cobblebank.

There will be something for everyone, including food trucks, coffee, kids’ entertainment and more.

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