Principal's News
Our Faith is a central part of who we are as a College and as a community. Our Catholicity is our identity, connecting each of us as a people of the Eucharist following the teachings of Jesus Christ. This year 99% of the students enrolled at the College are Catholic. This is significantly higher than most Catholic schools and I would hazard a guess as to say that we would have the highest percentage of Catholic students enrolled in a school across Australia. This is not merely a statistic though. This is further reason why the faith life of the College is so important to preserve and share. We are Catholic, we must ensure that we act and speak as Jesus Christ taught us.
There are times when a family and the College will be in disagreement. There are times when two students or two families will not see eye to eye. There will be times when we all make mistakes and could do better, this is our humanity. It can be challenging to follow the teachings of Christ at times. Christ challenged the disciples but at the same time he loved and nurtured their development, so too must we as a Catholic community follow this example. It is quite reasonable to address concerns, to raise matters that we are not happy with but at the same time we must ensure that these are opportunities for learning, for growth and for each of us to develop both individually and as members of the community. To challenge because we care deeply is a very different rationale in fact.
I am sure that many families often wonder if the young people, your children, our students, for whom we are providing a Catholic education will actually connect all of the pieces. I can assure you that I am constantly amazed at the capacity of our students to articulate their faith and to demonstrate through their actions what their faith means to them.
During the last term holidays a group of our students travelled to Timor Leste where they undertook a service project in country. Working alongside young people from the local community, they spent a week painting and restoring a basketball complex that had become run down and dilapidated. Leaving Timor Leste they left a legacy of smiling children, new found friends and modelled the example of Jesus Christ. Their compassion for others, treating all with dignity and respect, reaching out and walking with others, truly showing love and care and their openness to touching the lives of others while opening their hearts so that they in turn could also be moved by the Holy Spirit was an experience they will never forget. It is in the faces of other people that we truly start to know God. The students who travelled to Timor Leste have had a profound experience that has seen them grow in their relationships with others and with God. I commend and thank them for their work, their willingness to give of themselves and their openness to be of service so that they might do something for someone elese without seeking any reward.
The Catholic Education Melbourne Religious Education conference commenced on Thursday 14 July with a feature being 15 4meter by 2 meter artworks depicting modern interpretations of the Stations of the Cross. Each work explores an individual station, seeking to challenge the viewer and make them think what lesson we can gleam in 2016 from the Passion of Christ more than 2000 years ago. From Christ falling being akin to all of us at some time falling by not caring enough for the elderly or the homeless to seeing ourselves in Christs crucifixion so that we might truly consider why it is Christ willingly gave himself to go through the agony that he did, te works are inspiring, thought provoking and beautiful. These works were also the result of our own students’ talents and hard work.
Over the past term, student leaders have been leading teams of students in developing each piece. From discussing the modern interpretation from a theological perspective to exploring various mediums through to sketching, designing and redrafting their concepts. The students completed the works for installation as a part of phase one of this project. This will continue though. The works are so inspiring that we will install them in the hall for an open exhibition so that families may view them as well. It is intended that we will leave the works installed in the hall so that after Mass at Emmaus on a specific Sunday, the Parishioners may also have the opportunity to view these beautiful art works.
The works will be used as the basis for a series of permanent Stations of the Cross commissioned by the College in 2017, our 35th Anniversary year. To be reproduced in slumped glass, metal cut using the CNC Router and carved in timber, the permanent replicas of these inspiring pieces will be installed to provide a Stations of the Cross walk through a part of the College in a corridor of prayer and reflection that will particularly be a focus for us during Lent each year. His Grace, the Archbishop of Melbourne will bless one of the pieces which will then be used as the Crucifix in the new Study Hall to be built shortly.
I thank all of the students involved in this project, it was inspiring to see each of them speak with confidence and authority after 10-13 years of Catholic Education about their Faith and their deep understanding of Christ’s sacrifice. Their translation and interpretation of the stations speak to their peers about how they might follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, their work evangelises and spreads the Good News.
Brendan J Watson OAM
Principal
Level Crossing Removal - artist impression of new road over train line .
Level Crossing Removal Details
The level crossing at Melton Highway is set to be removed by the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA). LXRA was established by the Victorian Government to remove 50 level crossings across Melbourne, including the disruptive and dangerous Melton Highway level crossing near Sydenham Road. LXRA has worked with the community since February this year to obtain feedback on the design being considered, which is building a road bridge over the rail line.
Removing the level crossing will ease traffic congestion considerably, particularly in the morning peak period when boom gates are currently down for about 24 minutes.
Building a road bridge over the crossing was determined to be the best option after site assessments, construction impacts and environmental impacts were considered by LXRA. The road bridge will rise over the rail line from Overton Lea Boulevard to west of McCubbin Drive (first entrance to Watergardens Town Centre). The road bridge will also allow for improved walking and cycling links, with a shared-use path and bike lanes.
The design is now being refined based on feedback received from the community, with a focus on access, safety and aesthetics. LXRA will continue to talk to the community on important topics, including traffic and pedestrian movements, access to residential and commercial areas, and the design of the new bridge.
LXRA recently met with Catholic Regional College Principal Brendan Watson and Business Manager Michael Testa to discuss the design and issues that are important to the school and students. Safe pedestrian access for students walking to school was a key topic, as well as the urban design of the new bridge. Another key issue discussed was the ongoing challenge and safety concerns of students frequently crossing railway lines at various times of the day and general safety concerns in the community.
LXRA will continue to consult with the College to make sure the best outcome is achieved for students, teachers and community members. If you’re interested In talking to LXRA about the crossing removal please send an email to contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au
For more information please visit www.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossings/melton-highway
New Roundabout Contstruction
Please note that construction works on a new roundabout are to be carried out at the intersection of Overton Lea Boulevard/Peck’s Road, Sydenham.
Harte Excavations Pty Ltd has been recently awarded these works by the Brimbank City Council. Harte Excavations intend to establish on Site Monday the 14th of June. The works are expected to last 4 weeks.
There will be traffic management systems in place for the duration of the works, with the junction being reduced to one-lane shuttle working for period throughout the works. As a result delays are to be expected when using the road.
Mercy Hospice Care
Catholic Regional College Sydenham was involved in raising funds of $10,000 this term. These funds will contribute to the extraordinary work done by Fr John O’Reilly and the local Catholic Community in providing Hospice Care for the sick and elderly. Mercy Care provides palliative and ongoing support to people throughout the North Western suburbs, especially those who are financially unable to care for themselves in these moments of need. All of us are touched by the work of Mercy Care, either through sickness or ageing, and we all know someone in need of this specialist care.