Dear Staff, Parents and Friends of the College,
Music is an important part of a well-rounded education, therefore is one of the subjects that our school takes quite seriously; but the talents of our students go far beyond the classroom, moving us to provide as many outlets to develop those talents as means provide. Here are some ways our school supports the musical formation of its students.
Weekly Musical tuition lessons: We currently have two music tutors who provide weekly tuition to our students. They offer to train our students in flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello and piano. Please see the advertisement on page 3 of the Chronicle for more information.
College Choir: Our secondary students have the opportunity to participate in the College choir. The boys and girls train separately Monday after school for one hour each week and come together to perform set pieces on important occasions like ANZAC day memorial services, College Masses and Presentation Night. When students are ready, the College also enters them into local competitions for which historically our students have done very well.
Chapel Schola and Choir: Sacred Music is an integral part of the liturgy of the Church. Students are given the opportunity to learn sacred music throughout Primary and Secondary school as part of their classes in music. Secondary boys have the opportunity of joining the College Schola, which is traditionally a boys’ choir dedicated to singing Gregorian chant, the traditional sacred music of the Catholic Church. Our boys train once a week at lunchtime and then sing at the weekly Friday College Masses. Secondary girls have the opportunity of joining the College chapel choir which is dedicated to singing choral pieces suited to Mass. They likewise train once a week at lunchtime and then sing at the weekly Friday College Masses.
Parish Choir: Our secondary students can progress on to become members of the Corpus Christi parish choir. This requires them to attend a practice every Wednesday evening at the parish church from 7pm-8:30pm. They then perform every Sunday at the 10am High Mass.
College Band or Orchestra: For some time now we have been wanting to start a College brass band or small college orchestra but our staff are stretched too thin. This is why I am calling on members of the school community who might be interested in supporting this venture. The band or orchestra members would come together after school to practice once a week. They would perform on important occasions like the Presentation Night or at a music recital. This initiative is only possible with the support of the community, so please reflect on whether God might be calling you to offer your musical experience in this capacity to help our students grow in confidence and love for music. If you feel you might be able to help in this enterprise, please contact the College with an expression of interest by the 25th of March.
Sincerely yours in the Two Hearts.
Father Andrew Cranshaw
Principal
Relaxation of mask requirements for students and staff in Schools
The Victorian Government made significant changes to pandemic orders and public health recommendations that came into effect, 25 February. The changes include measures in schools related to the use of masks.
Masks will only be required indoors in the following circumstances, unless an exemption applies:
- People on public transport
- Students in year 3 or above at primary school, and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools.
Masks can be removed in secondary schools.