Dear College Community,

As Advent ushers us into a season of hope, reflection, and preparation, it also invites us to consider the blessings and challenges of the year gone by. This moment is particularly poignant for me as I pen my final newsletter as Acting Principal, reflecting on a year of growth, resilience, and collaboration at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College.

The journey of 2024 has been both challenging and rewarding. Without Rob at the helm, we have faced new terrains together, continuing to honour his vision of providing the best education for our students. Education, as we know, is the cornerstone of a successful future, and I am proud of how we have upheld this mission. His leadership has left an indelible mark, shaping a culture of high expectations, innovation, and care. Rob’s dedication to fostering opportunities for every student to succeed, both academically and personally, has created a legacy that continues to guide us. This year, as we strived to honour his vision in his absence, we were reminded of the profound influence of his leadership and the strong foundation he has built for our College’s future.

This week’s Afternoon of Excellence was a testament to the outstanding achievements of our students. Across academics, leadership, and social justice, our students have demonstrated a commitment to not only personal excellence but also the values that define us as a Catholic learning community. To those students recognized, congratulations on your remarkable efforts—your perseverance and passion inspire us all.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional staff. Your dedication to our students, each other, and our shared vision is truly the lifeblood of our College. You have worked tirelessly to provide innovative learning opportunities, support wellbeing, and foster a culture of high expectations. Thank you for your unwavering support and teamwork throughout this year.

To our leadership team, I express my deepest appreciation. The year has presented its share of complexities, but your guidance and collaboration have been invaluable in navigating these challenges. Together, we have ensured that the College remains a place of thriving learning, where each student is supported to reach their potential.

Parents and families, thank you for trusting us with your children’s education. Your partnership is essential, and your encouragement at home plays a vital role in the successes we celebrate today.

As we move through Advent, I encourage our community to reflect on the virtue of gratitude. It is easy to focus on what we lack, but gratitude shifts our perspective to the abundance that surrounds us. It allows us to appreciate the relationships we share, the opportunities we have, and the education we are privileged to access. Gratitude is transformative—it enriches our lives and empowers us to contribute positively to the world.

As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Let us carry this spirit of gratitude into the Christmas season, cherishing our families, friendships, and faith.

To our senior students, we look forward to welcoming you back next year, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities. For our junior students, let’s finish the year strong as we continue to learn and grow together in the coming weeks.

May the holiday season bring you joy, peace, and the warmth of community. Thank you for making this year as Acting Principal a truly memorable and enriching experience. I now look forward to returning as Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching, continuing to support this vibrant College in a new capacity.

Wishing you all a restful and blessed Christmas.

Warm regards,

Laura Ruddick
Acting Principal

Dear Families,

As Term 4 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students on their efforts and achievements throughout the year. Every student should feel proud of their growth—not only in their academic pursuits but also in the many other aspects of school life that contribute to their development.

Our Year 10 and Year 11 students should feel particularly proud of their recent efforts as they, today, conclude their two-week transition program. During this time, they embarked on their 2025 courses, acquiring new skills and knowledge to prepare for next year. Beginning a new program so late in the year can be challenging, but our students embraced this challenge with determination, demonstrating focus and commitment that will serve them well next year.

For our Year 7 to Year 9 students, the conclusion of their 2024 classes marks the beginning of an exciting week of co-curricular activities. These activities will provide an opportunity to consolidate their learning in practical and engaging ways, foster teamwork and house spirit, and share meaningful moments with peers as the year comes to an end.

Today, the College hosted our Afternoon of Excellence, a highlight of the College calendar. This special event celebrated outstanding achievements across academics, leadership, athletics, and service, with awards generously sponsored by members of the wider College community. It was wonderful to see so many families in attendance, joining us to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of our students. The event also served as a moment to reflect on the collective success and hard work of our College community this year.

In just a few weeks, our Year 12 students will receive their final results. For those completing a scored VCE program, this includes their ATAR—a significant milestone that reflects their perseverance and dedication. It’s important to remember, however, that these results represent just one measure of their efforts. Their futures will be shaped by a combination of qualities, skills, and choices that extend far beyond a single score.

Finally, as we approach the holiday season, I encourage all families to take time to rest and recharge. For our Year 7 to Year 9 students, this is a chance to relax, connect with loved ones, and prepare for the year ahead. Year 10 and Year 11 students are also encouraged to unwind, while ensuring they complete any set tasks to stay on track for a strong start to 2025.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. I wish you all a joyful and blessed holiday period and look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for the new academic year.

Warm regards,
Lauren Markovic
Acting Deputy Principal, Learning & Teaching

Over the past fortnight our Year 10 and 11 students engaged in their transition classes in preparation for 2025. Our Year 7 to 9 students are preparing for their final week of activities. We look forward to hosting our incoming Year 7 cohort later next week, as they attend the college for a day of transition.

The Family Partnerships Team recently held a community conversation and shared morning tea with families who took part in previous wellbeing sessions. It was a lovely opportunity for families to connect and share challenges, concerns, and successes they are experiencing with their young people.

To celebrate the successful completion of Year 12, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families were invited to a graduation ceremony hosted by Melbourne Archdiocese. It was with great pride that we were able to celebrate one of our own students, Brodie Webber receive recognition. He reflected that he is grateful for the opportunities he has had at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College and learning his own language. He dreams of having his own construction business in the future and playing professional football. Congratulations Brodie!

There have been a number of afterschool programs run throughout term 4. One program, Shine recently had the student’s potting plants and discussing what the plants and themselves need to flourish. They also worked through their love language and discussed the different ways people need and show love. Congratulations to the students that engaged in this program allowing them to be themselves and learn how to ‘Shine’.

Throughout terms three and four, Madeline (Year 10) and Ajay (Year 8) participated in the Nallei Jerring program hosted by Western Bulldogs community Foundation, where with other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants, they were provided with a range of life, cultural and sport experiences in which to learn and develop. These include cultural games, first nations art, connecting with culture, meeting Bulldogs players who shared their inspirational stories and yarning circles. Both students successfully completed the program this year – congratulations on your participation!

Wellness over the Holidays

As the 2024 school year comes to an end, we can be proud of all that our students and community have achieved throughout the year. It is important that students take the break to reflect, recharge and prepare themselves for the new year.

While for many, Christmas is a time of celebration, reconnection with family, and rest, unfortunately, holiday cheer is not everyone’s experience. The Christmas season is an important time to consider those who are less fortunate, or who may be finding this time of year difficult. Family separation and conflict, grief, or loss of a loved one, isolation and financial pressures, are just a few factors that leave some families and individuals dreading this time of year.

You and your family may consider seeking opportunities to reach out to others, who may otherwise be alone this holiday. As a community, it is important to keep an eye out for those who are vulnerable, and to teach our children to share this same care for others. Should you find that you or someone you know requires support for mental health related concerns over the break, consider any of the resources below. Recommending a visit to a General Practitioner, is also an option all year round. There are also many free and affordable activities, events, and excursions, offered by your local council youth services, that your kids can access too. Maintaining social connectedness is a useful ingredient for supporting our overall health.

Support Services for Adults:

• MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78
• Women’s Health West: 9689 9588
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
• Parentline: 132289
• www.beyondblue.org.au
• www.mindspot.org.au

Support Services for Young People:

• Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
• www.kidshelp.com.au
• Youth Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• www.youthbeyondblue.com
• Headspace Sunshine 9927 6222
• www.headspace.org.au
• Reachout.com

Wishing you a blessed Christmas, quality time with loved ones, and a safe break.

Stephanie Banks
Deputy Principal, Student Wellbeing

Uniform donations

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of the year and prepare to support families for next year, we call on donations of the College uniform.

If you have uniform items, you no longer need, that are still in good condition, they can be donated to students who need them.

Please bring any items to the College reception before the end of the school year.

Having a collection of items allows the College to provide items to other families.

Many thanks

The Family School Partnerships Team

As we approach the end of another year, we reflect on the incredible spirit of unity and generosity that has defined 2024 at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. In this season of Advent, where we focus on hope, faith, joy, and love, our College community has truly lived out these virtues in word and deed.

One of the highlights of this term was our Christmas Appeal and giving tree, which raised $3,000 for MacKillop Family Services along with over 100 gifts for local families. This extraordinary act of generosity is a testament to the compassion and love within our community, reminding us of our call to care for our neighbours, especially those in need. Christmas is a time when God reminds us that gentleness, humility and trust in others are a way forward to live lives defined by peace and love – our efforts in this appeal and in our daily lives reflect this.

Recently we celebrated our Feast of Christ the King end of year mass. We were reminded of the significance of this gathering—the final opportunity for our entire College family to come together before the year concludes. It was a moment to reflect on our achievements, give thanks for our blessings, and renew our commitment to being light for the world.

This Advent also marks the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope, to be inaugurated by Pope Francis on Christmas Eve. He invites us all to walk as pilgrims, bringing hope to the world through our actions, our faith, and our love. I encourage you over Advent and Christmas to consider Pope Francis’ words in his jubilee prayer: “May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.”

As we bid farewell to 2024, I wish all our families a blessed and joyful Christmas. May the spirit of Advent fill your homes with light and peace, and may the coming year bring opportunities to grow together as a community of “Many Minds, One Heart.”

On a personal note, this is my final newsletter article as our Deputy Principal Faith and Mission, I will continue to work at the College next year in the Wellbeing team. Thank you for your support, kindness, and generosity throughout the year. Together, may we continue to make a difference and live out the mission of our College.

Tristan O'Brien
Deputy Principal, Faith and Mission

End of term

As we approach the end of Term, it's important to remember that students from Years 7-9 are still expected on site until 6th December, for a dismissal at 1pm. The last week of Term is always an exciting one, with excursions, House Activities Day and more, so we look forward to a fun final week!

Pentridge Prison Excursion 

By Evan Restall

On Thursday the 31st of October, Ms. Harrison, Mr. Byard and
Ms. Thwaits took all the Year 11 VCE VM Literacy classes to HM Pentridge Prison in Coburg. The day was full of fun. Starting with a general tour of the prison grounds, the tour guide showed where each division of the prison was and what their purpose had been. She then took us to the courtyard to show us where each prisoner would line up in rows for roll call every morning, marked by the large 'X’s on the ground. After that we moved to H division where the most notorious criminals would be kept. In here the inmates would be subject to numerous types of punishments that aimed to dehumanize the inmates in truly horrible and unethical ways that would be illegal by today's standards. During the tour of H division, we were given headphones and iPods that would activate a different story every time you walk into a different prison cell. Some of the stories told by the ex-prisoners were quite disturbing, telling stories of hearing other prisoners screaming from being physically punished just next door. I found the Pentridge experience really fun, and had a good time while learning about Australia’s history and including all the information I learnt into my essay about the laws and ethics around capital punishment in Australia. It helped inform my writing whilst developing my literacy skills in an engaging way. I hope next year we get to go on more excursions in Literacy, as it helps build more knowledge around our classes and subjects.

By Michael Paolo

On the 31st of October, we were offered an immersive and astounding experience, learning what prisoners went through in the infamous Pentridge Prison, a place where some of Australia’s most notorious criminals spent their last days before facing the death penalty. Our tour guide took us to various areas, such as the courtyard and H-Division. In the courtyard, we saw how prisoners spent their free time or plotted escape plans. We were also lucky to visit the inside of H-Division, known to inmates as "Hell Division." Equipped with iPods and headphones, we embarked on a 90 minute exploration that revealed stories about each cell and the harsh realities prisoners faced inhabiting these cells, such as brutal torture. The tour offered a unique and profound perspective on Pentridge’s dark history, ultimately deepening our understanding of its impact on Coburg and how this notorious institution helped shape the area as we know it today. Despite the heavy themes, the day allowed us to socialize and bond as a cohort. Excursions like this bring a refreshing contrast to classroom learning, making the experience much more engaging for students in the Vocational Major program. Overall, it was an exceptional way to end the year.

Louise Crossley Author Talk

By Bailey Vella

In Year 11 VCE VM Literacy, we had a book writer come and present about her books and tips on how to make a really good children's book. The author's name was Ms. Louise Crossley and she had given us her book called "Ella's Handbag". During this time, we had all made a children's book based on the ages for 4-7. The experience was really enjoyable and I am glad she had the time to come in and teach us new tips and skills. After this experience, we all now know how to have a better understanding of editing and publishing our final copy of our books! We want to thank Ms Crossley, for helping us grow.

Year 7 Aspire Presentations

Our Year 7 Aspire classes recently presented their projects to teachers and other students, detailing plans for making the school more sustainable. These presentations included handouts, brochures, diagrams, games and more, with the aim to create inspiring intellectual discussions about the feasibility of each presentation,

Remembrance Day 

Remembrance Day Ceremony :

Sunshine RSL

On November 11, our school, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, had the honour of attending a deeply moving Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sunshine RSL, alongside Harvester Primary School, local veterans and many other representatives. The event was an opportunity to pay our respects and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedoms, and it held particular significance for us as students.

The ceremony was opened by Gary Collins, the President of Sunshine RSL, who gave a very powerful and reflective speech. Mr. Collins, in his address, first reminded us of the importance of Remembrance Day, not only to honour the fallen but to reflect on what war has done to our lives today. He added that during past wars, many of the soldiers who were drafted were roughly about our age, high school students just like us, which is why I believe it to be so crucial to our curriculum. This fact made the day all the more personal, as it hit us how many young people sacrificed their futures for our country. It was a harsh reminder of how the past continues to mould the present day.

We were joined by local MP Daniel Mulino, representatives from the reserves and several veterans who also participated in the ceremony. We all stood in unison, bound together in memory of those who served and sacrificed. Part of that ceremony was a minute of silence, a time for reflection, a time to remember, and a time to honour the fallen. It felt powerful, knowing the silence held not just our gratitude but respect in remembrance of the people who died for our country.

At different intervals during the service, each group representative placed a wreath before the memorial shrine as a symbolic gesture of remembrance and respect. We were also given the opportunity to individually place poppies on the shrine. A tradition allowing each one of us to individually honour those who have served. It was the humbling reminder that through small but significant actions, we can show our respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of others.

To us students, Remembrance Day is not just about looking back but about the understanding of responsibilities as the next generation and I can hope that leaders of our school in future can continue to pass this down. The sacrifices of those who came before us continue to reverberate today, not just in the freedoms that we enjoy but in the values of courage, service, and unity.

The Sunshine RSL Sub-Branch ceremony was one such potent reminder that even though the years slip by, remembrance remains alive within our hearts and lives on through the values that we have such as Faith, Acceptance, Compassion, and Excellence. All qualities that each and everyone of the soldiers who fought for us had. As a Campus Captain of our college, I can only hope that this is something that we can continue to do every year as a way to honour those who paved not only Australian history, but our future too.

Saxon Chapman

SJ Campus Captain

Summer Music Concert

Our annual Summer Music Concert is a real highlight of our events calendar.
It was exciting this year to see the concert expand from it's previous home in our amphitheater, to a picnic style event on our playing green.

The shift in location was a response to growing enthusiasm and the amazing turnout we've had in the past. It was heartwarming to see everyone embrace the change with picnic mats and camping chairs, creating an even more vibrant atmosphere for connection, conversation, and celebration.

Our students, as always, put on an amazing show with performances from a variety of genres. Seeing some of our Year 12 students return after their graduation for a few final acts always stirs emotions, and this year was no different, as they got up for the last time onto our College stage, and said farewell through music.

A special shoutout to our incredible AV and tech teams who ensured that everything—from sound to lighting— in a new environment ran smoothly.

It’s moments like these that remind us how wonderful our community is. Together, we continue to make every event not just a gathering, but a celebration of what makes Caroline Chisholm Catholic College so special.

Afternoon of Excellence

Today was a big one for the College, with the Feast of Christ the King Mass, followed by our Afternoon of Excellence.
We welcomed our award winner recipient families to join us for the After of Excellence, where as a community we celebrated the success of our students for the 2024 academic year. We were treated to wonderful music performances and Italian poetry on stage too.

We also congratulated a number of sports teams who performed particularly well in the SACCSS tournaments, and have therefore contributed to the continued good standing of our College's name in Sport.

Thank you to all our staff and students for putting on such a wonderful event. A great way to mark the end of the last formal event for the year.

Congratulations to all our winners, we are so excited to celebrate your success.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen