From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope that all our students and staff were able to take a break and are returning fresh and ready for what will be a busy term.

Our College Production, Mamma Mia, will kick off this week. I know that staff and students have been putting in extra rehearsals over the holidays to ensure a highly professional and polished production. We cannot wait to sing along and wish the team all the best for their opening night this Thursday. There are some tickets still available if you would like to see the show. Click here to book.

For our Year 12 cohort, it is a short ten-week stint to the end of Unit 4 studies or towards VCE VM competencies.

This term will fly by, and it is important that all students remain up to date with their studies. For VCE students, revision and completion of practice examination questions should already be well underway. Do not leave revision and practice until the last minute. Knowledge and skills needed to answer the exam questions must be well embedded – so start now.

Last Wednesday, our staff participated in a pilgrimage to the city to deepen their understanding of what it means to work in a Catholic school.

This term, we also have our Athletics Carnival, Winter Sleep Out, Feast Day celebrations and the Senior Snow Trip. These are just a few of the upcoming activities that make school life so special at St Francis Catholic College.

I look forward to the term and the many opportunities to engage with families and students.

Child Safe Standard 6

This month, I would like to draw your attention to Child Safe Standard 6 as part of our ongoing commitment to the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) child-safety campaign, MACS Care.

People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Catholic School Parents Victoria 

Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV), is a statewide body that promotes the involvement of parents in their children's education. 

Its aim is to strengthen partnerships between home and school. The promotion and enhancement of strong partnerships with parents and the school leads to better outcomes for our students.

Parents and guardians play a vital role in shaping their children's learning, faith, wellbeing and personal growth. CSPV supports this important role by providing practical resources, timely information and opportunities for parents to engage confidently with their child's education.

CSPV also advocates for the interests of Catholic school families, ensuring that parent perspectives help inform educational decisions at both the local and state levels. By connecting families with reliable information, meaningful support and a strong parent network, CSPV empowers parents to be active partners in their child's educational journey.

Below is a link to the newly launched CSPV newsletter. I encourage you to take some time to read the edition which includes:

• an introduction to the CSPV Chair and Executive Officer
• an article on NAPLAN results and what they mean for your child
• perspectives on parenting in the Digital Age
• details of a free webinar presented by the eSafety Commissioner on understanding AI and the new online risks for children.

Looking Ahead - Melton Campus

Looking Ahead - Cobblebank Campus

Disruptions to V/Line Train Services

Due to Melton Level Crossing Removal works from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 26 July, buses will replace trains between Bacchus Marsh and Caroline Springs.

Students and families can plan their journey by downloading the temporary timetables available here.

More details are also available below.

• V/Line - Service changes on the Ballarat Line
• V/Line - Service changes on the Maryborough Line
• V/Line - Service changes on the Ararat Line

Please note that bikes are not allowed on replacement buses.

During this time, there will also be reduced parking at Rockbank Station due to works to extend the platforms at Rockbank and Cobblebank stations. More information is available below.

New Bus Route - Thornhill Park to Cobblebank Station

From Sunday 26 July 2026, there will be a new public bus route from Thornhill Park to Cobblebank Station.

Route 451 will run close to St Francis Catholic College, Thornhill Park Primary School, and St Padre Pio Catholic Primary School.

The bus will pass schools near morning and afternoon bell times. Students should check timetables before travelling to determine the best journey to and from school and should arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

All passengers under 18 years of age can travel for free on public transport, anytime, anywhere in Victoria with a Youth myki card. For information on how to get a new Youth myki card, click here.

Students, parents and guardians should check the new route map below, along with the Transport Victoria journey planner, to plan the most suitable journey before travelling.

Click here to view the full timetable for Route 451.

Annual Winter Homelessness Appeal

It's that time of the year again when we call on the generosity of our College community and seek donations to our Winter Appeal for those experiencing homelessness. 

Our Faith and Mission Action Teams at both campuses are now collecting non-perishable food, hygiene products, clothing, and homewares, and aim to exceed last year's record number of items donated.

Our Social Justice Monitors will collect items from the clearly marked tubs located in each House. Students are encouraged to place their donated goods directly into their House’s tub.

Each item earns one point for your child’s House. The more items contributed, the more points each House accumulates!

A big thank you to our House Monitors for their leadership and commitment to collecting the bags of items each week.

Why a winter appeal?

One of the key initiatives that reflects who we are and what we stand for as a Franciscan college is our annual Winter Appeal for the Homeless.

Now in its fifth year, the Winter Appeal is a whole-college effort to support members of our local community who are experiencing homelessness or are in vulnerable living situations.

Each winter, we invite students, staff, and families to donate warm clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, homewares, and essential toiletries. These items are then distributed through our local Melton services such as St Vincent de Paul, Combined Churches of Melton, and the Melton Food Bank, who work directly with those most in need.

The purpose of the Winter Appeal extends beyond charity. It is shown in our Franciscan values, particularly our commitment to compassion, simplicity, and solidarity with the poor. St Francis of Assisi modelled a life of humility and service, standing with the marginalised and recognising the dignity in every person. Through this appeal, we strive to live out the same mission, inviting both students and staff to engage in meaningful service and social justice.

We hope that through your involvement, you will experience the strong sense of purpose and compassion that defines our college community. Thank you for supporting this vital initiative and for helping us to continue living the Gospel in action.

Europe Trip 2027 Information Session

The College conducts a Europe trip for students every two years with a focus on religion, history, Italian, and the general aim of allowing students to travel abroad with friends and under the supervision of our teachers. 

The 2027 SFCC Europe Trip will include visits to several places in Italy, before stays in Berlin, Germany and Krakow, Poland.

All students currently in Years 9 and 10 at both campuses are eligible to take part in the trip, regardless of their subjects. 

Interested families are invited to a preliminary information session in the Melton Campus Performing Arts Centre on Thursday 6 August at 7pm.

The approximate cost of the trip is $8,500. Families are expected to be up to date with their school fees before they apply for a place on the 2027 Europe Trip.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Iannazzo via email at piannazzo@sfcc.vic.edu.au.

NAIDOC Week Activities

Students returned from school holidays to NAIDOC Week celebrations at both campuses last week.

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

This year’s theme was 50 Years of Deadly, which celebrated 50 years of work led by Elders, organisers, artists and activists.

During NAIDOC Week, students created turtle mobiles, played Marngrook and completed the Opening the Doors Foundation (OTDF) Together We Walk walk-a-thon.

Turtle mobiles

In Dreaming stories, turtles are recognised as creator beings and caretakers of both sea and land, symbolising a strong connection to Country. Turtles are also recognised as a totem. In Indigenous cultures, a totem is a natural object, such as a plant or animal, that is passed down through a family and represents a person’s lineage and connection to Country. 

Students had the opportunity to explore the significance of turtles in Indigenous cultures by creating turtle mobiles using egg cartons.

Marngrook

Marngrook is a traditional Indigenous ball game that is widely believed to have influenced the development of Australian rules football. Unlike many modern sports, Marngrook did not have fixed goals or a winning team. Instead, it was often played as a social and ceremonial activity that promoted teamwork and community connection.

The game was traditionally played by large groups, with players attempting to catch and return a possum-skin ball that had been kicked or thrown into the air.

During NAIDOC Week, students participated in a modified version of Marngrook, competing in teams to maintain possession of the ball for as long as possible. This activity allowed students to experience an important aspect of Indigenous culture while enjoying a fun and engaging game.

Walk-a-thon

Our students and staff walked more than 3500 laps at their respective campuses as part of our annual Together We Walk walk-a-thon for OTDF.

Students walked laps around areas of each campus alongside their peers, raising funds to improve First Nations students’ access to educational opportunities.

The Walk-a-thon highlighted the importance of reconciliation and symbolised walking together towards a brighter and more inclusive future.

Exploring Careers for Women in Sport

Late last term, the Year 10, 11 and 12 female students in our Elite Sports Academy attended the Careers for Young Women in Sport Forum at Victoria University. 

The forum was designed to support and inspire young women who are passionate about pursuing a career in the sporting industry.

The day gave me a greater appreciation for the many career pathways within sport. 

General Manager of Sport at Swimming Victoria and Vice President of Athletics Victoria Clare Burton's keynote presentation was particularly impactful as she reflected on her journey from competing in Little Athletics to becoming a respected leader in community sport. 

Her passion for creating safe and inclusive sporting environments showed how leadership can make a meaningful difference and motivated me to think about the impact I hope to have in my own career. 

The panel discussion with AFLW pioneer Dr Susan Alberti, CEO, The Huddle – North Melbourne Football Club Lee Bevan Woodley, and Bachelor of Sport Science (Human Movement)/ Bachelor of Sports Management student Cameron McLeod further reinforced the importance of leadership, inclusion, and perseverance.

Throughout the day, I participated in workshops on sport and community participation, and injury and rehabilitation, where we learned from Australia's first osteopath about her career and the important role osteopaths play. 

Because this is a career path I am interested in, the session gave me valuable insight into the profession. We also participated in practical activities, including strengthening exercises, rehabilitation assessments, and scenarios focused on managing conflict within community sporting clubs.

The forum broadened my understanding of the many opportunities available within the sporting industry. Listening to experienced professionals share their journeys has inspired me to reflect on my own future goals and given me greater confidence to pursue a career where I can make a positive impact through sport.

SACCSS Chess Tournament

Our chess players did the College proud last Friday when they competed at the annual SACCSS Chess Tournament at Kolbe College. 

Each student played seven games in total, with many winning at four or more. 

A special mention to our senior team, who came a close second to St Monica’s College. Well done to Paeki, Ciara, Youssef, Amazial, Aaron, Josh and Chloe.

Huge congratulations to Year 12 student Chloe, who won six of her games and was awarded the second-place medal in her division. 

After her performance at Kryal Castle earlier in the year, Chloe has qualified for both regional finals and the girls' secondary finals later this year. We wish her the very best of luck!

Well done also to our Cobblebank Campus junior team, who competed in their first SACCSS tournament. Jett, Beau, Hargun, Jacob, Eljin and Lucas played some fantastic games and thoroughly enjoyed the one-day event.

Sport in Term 3

Term 3 has begun with a whirlwind of events from Senior Sport and Year 9 Premier League to the 2026 SACCSS Chess Tournament last Friday 17 July.

Many of our teams had outstanding matches, including the Senior Boys Football team, who played against Kolbe Catholic College, which we were thrilled to host on the Melton Campus pitch. The sportsmanship displayed by both teams was excellent. We hope there will be many more games to come. You can read more about the match below from team captain Nicholas.

Other highlights included colossal wins from the Melton Year 9 Premier League AFL team (164-point margin!) and the Cobblebank Year 9 Premier League girls' basketball (54-8) and football (7-0) teams.

This term, we also look forward to our rescheduled Athletics Carnivals, which will be held on Monday 3 August (Melton Campus) and Tuesday 4 August (Cobblebank Campus).

Don't forget to prepare your House-coloured accessories and get ready to cheer your House on for the coveted Athletics Carnival Cup!

Melton Senior Sport

Home crowd carries team to victory

Last Tuesday, our senior boys football team stepped up in their opening league game against Kolbe Green. Unlike previous years, this home game was played on St Francis school grounds, where a large crowd of students and staff formed an incredible atmosphere.

From the first whistle, St Francis controlled the game, defending solidly on one end of the pitch, and carving out chances on the other. As the game developed, the team adapted its approach by playing more direct football.

This tactical change in the first half enabled an impressive run by Alex (Year 11) who found striker Joel (Year 12) in the box to put them up 1-0. Their opening goal sparked loud celebrations from both the crowd and teammates. Joel added a second before Alex sealed the 3–1 victory.

The team thanks all students, staff and supporters for creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Special thanks also to Principal Mrs Jorgensen, Property Grounds and Maintenance Manager, Mr Plummer and the maintenance team, Director of Sport, Miss Alp, and coaches Mr Gavran (who was unfortunately unable to attend), Mr Klasic and Mr Desfosses for making the day possible. Nicholas, Team Captain, Year 11

Melton Year 9 Premier League Round 1

Cobblebank Year 9 Premier League Round 1

Before and After School Supervision

Please note the reminder below of the times students are supervised at each campus.

At Melton Campus, students are supervised from 8.20am to 4pm. Students finish classes at 3pm, and staff are rostered to supervise bus areas and those who remain at the College in the Alexandria Resource Centre. This supervision ends at 4pm. Supervision of students does not occur in the Alexandria Resource Centre on Friday afternoons.

At Cobblebank Campus, students are supervised from 8.10am to 3.25pm. Students finish classes at 3pm, and staff are rostered to supervise those who remain at the College. This supervision ends at 3.25pm.

From this week, vehicle access to the Cobblebank Campus drop-off and pick-up area will open at 8.10am, close at 8.50am, and reopen from 3pm to 3.30pm.

We strongly suggest that your child not be left waiting outside the College before the gates open at each campus or after they close.

Some students stay back for extracurricular activities under the supervision of relevant staff. Parents and guardians must provide permission for this to occur (via PAM) and are advised by our staff of the appropriate pick-up time.

Community Notices

Wildlife Warriors