Community and Family Engagement

Active Citizenship Team Visit to Epping RSL

On Wednesday the Active Citizenship Team members visited the Epping RSL to help them prepare for the Remembrance Day Service that will be held on Monday.

Here are some of their thoughts about what they learnt:

In our visit to the RSL we learnt a lot of history about the Great War. Things like where all the ammunition is stored in the tank, how to climb a tank and tank history. We were lucky because we were the first group of school kids to ever have a discussion with an ex-tank driver. We also learnt that red poppies represent dead soldiers, white poppies represent dead nurses and purple poppies represent dead animals. We learnt how at every annual meal or gathering they would pass around port(wine) in a specific way and they would only use one bottle of port per gathering. We thought it was fascinating how specific this tradition was.

We also learnt that if a person is wearing medals on a special day on the left side of their chest that means that it is their medal that they earnt it. If it is on the right hand side that means it is a relative or close friend that that person knows. We learnt that they added a dead soldier into the army photo at the pyramid in Egypt. The Aussie soldiers all snuck into Britain's army photo.

Xavier, Thomas, Isaac, Aiden and Alice

In a short visit to the Epping RSL we learnt various new learnings that we didn’t ever think about before. We looked at the different medals and learnt that if you wear them on your left side it means you have earned them so they are over your heart and on the right it would mean you did not earn them they belong to someone else. We saw the uniform and the things they used in combat in the cabinets.

Even though we went on quite a historic guide we also planted flags by the names of important soldiers and climbed a tank. Something I can tick off my bucket list. Not only did we climb the tank we were informed by a tank driver about special points of the machine. The Epping RSL is a place filled with knowledge about the wars Australia had been involved in and stories during the wars.

Emma and Olivia

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE!!

BBQ Masters! Now is your time to shine!

We still need lots of helpers for our Bunnings BBQ next SUNDAY 17TH NOVEMBER at the Epping store. Helping on the day will involve: setting up, cooking the bbq, serving customers and packing up. Volunteering can be for as little as 1 hour of your time. DON'T FORGET - VOLUNTEERING EARNS YOU ENTRY INTO OUR RAFFLE TO WIN AN ACADEMY UNIFORMS VOUCHER!

This fundraising event will support our planning efforts for our Community Fair next year. If you are available to help it would be greatly appreciated so please reach out to kristie.hocking@smcmepppingnthc.catholic.edu.au.

City of Whittlesea News

Each year the City of Whittlesea run a program to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the work undertaken by our school crossing supervisors. An award will be given to one school crossing supervisor selected for their commitment and dedication to the supervision of school crossings. The staff member receiving the award should be able to demonstrate the following:

· Professional and great presentation (uniform and equipment),

· Working knowledge of road rules relating to school crossings,

· Welcoming, caring, and encouraging to all users of the school crossing,

· Helpful – informative and clear on correct use of the crossing, and

· Good attendance and punctuality.

The winner will be presented with a certificate and a $100 Coles voucher.

We are very lucky at SMCM to have 2 fabulous crossing supervisors - Charlie on Farmhouse Blvd and John on Redding Rise.

If you would like to nominate either one of them to win, please complete one of these forms at reception by 5pm Thursday 14th November 2024.

EnviroFest & Circular Fashion Market

Next date: Saturday, 30 November 2024 | 12:00 PM to 04:00 PM

You won't want to miss this event, where we are hosting our free EnviroFest as well as the free Circular Fashion Market right next door!

With a host of interactive nature-based activities and science experiments to wow curious little minds, the City of Whittlesea's free EnviroFest is perfect for anyone and everyone! Come on down and join in the many activities on offer such as hands-on craft with Eco Explorers, a live butterfly display, a wildlife show by Animals of Oz, and more.

There will also be a range of stalls for you to wander through and learn more about our environment and the little ways each and every one of us can help protect it.

We will also be hosting the Circular Fashion Market right next door! With 40 unique stalls offering a wide range of pre-loved fashion items, this eco-conscious event will provide an opportunity for shoppers to discover affordable, stylish clothing while supporting sustainable fashion practices. And for when you get hungry, there will be toasties, Scouts BBQ and coffee available to purchase!

Apply to become a stallholder at the Circular Fashion Market.

Saturday, 30 November 2024 | 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM
180W Painted Hills Road, Doreen, 3754

Epping Auskick and Superkick Centre!

Dates: Thursdays, Commencing 7/11 until 5/12

Times: 5:00pm - 6:00pmLocation: Mill Park Secondary College (Epping Campus)

Age limit: 4 - 12 years old (kids must be turning 5 in 2025 to participate)

Cost: $55 for five sessions + a football and pump! ('pay in 4' instalments option available at checkout)

Register your child for Auskick (age limit 4 - 12): https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/1194a8

Register your child for Superkick (age limit 7 - 12): https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/5a89fc

Our NAB AFL Auskick program is well known by the community, it is a fun-packed 5-week program for all kids in the Epping area aged 4 - 12, introducing AFL and developing fundamental physical literacy (evasion, jumping, catching) through our various non-contact games and skill-based activities. The program is able to be modified for all kids regardless of their background or previous experience. Non-contact mini-match play is available for participants with previous AFL experience and looking to advance their existing skills

Our newest offering, NAB AFL Superkick is for all children aged 7-12 wanting to get a feel for footy, without the pressure. It’s a great next step after Auskick, a great alternative during the junior football off-season or a good way to start fresh in footy, as kids learn new skills through skill-based activities in weekly sessions, then show them off in games straight after. Superkick is all about learning Australian Rules footy, but without the tackling. Teams range from 5-9 per side, so kids feel safe learning footy, and can build their confidence for the game while still having fun.

Want to see the women in action? Auskick and Superkick are giving away free AFLW tickets to Round 10 Carlton vs Essendon Match at Ikon Park, as a show of AFL Vic's appreciation to the wider Epping Community. Click the link to enter AFLW Junior Offer | Carlton Football Club (ticketmaster.com)

Kristie

New Arrivals & Community & Family Engagement Leader kristie.hocking@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au