Dear Parents, Students and Friends

This week has been a very special time for our Year 12 students who have celebrated with a Year 12 Breakfast, Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony, final Farewell Assembly, Guard of Honour and Luncheon. Wednesday was Year 12's final day and marked a significant milestone in their lives as our College community celebrated the culmination of their years of schooling. I have had the privilege of being their Principal since their earliest days in Kindergarten or Year 1, depending on which Catholic primary school they attended before joining Carroll College. Whether I have journeyed with these young people over the past 12 to 13 years or welcomed them to Carroll College for their high school years - witnessing their growth and achievements has been one of the greatest honours of my professional career. They are no longer students but young adults who have grown into compassionate, capable, and resilient individuals. They have faced the challenges of their senior years with determination and strength, and I could not be prouder of how they have embraced the opportunities and overcome the obstacles before them. Their early high school years saw unprecedented challenges that we navigated together with courage.

Year 12 are ready to step boldly into the future with passion and confidence. The future is bright, and it is theirs to shape. Congratulations Year 12! 

Special Awards	Recipient
Overall Champion Boy - Athletics	William McAteer
Overall Champion Boy - Tennis	Max Colbourne
Female sports person 2025	Kehlei Cowan
Male sports person 2025	Max Colbourne
The University of Wollongong Award	Lincoln Keough
ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award	Kehlei Cowan
ADF Future Innovators Award	Matthew Jansen
Lois White Humanities Award	Lincoln Keough and Reis Gaspari-Nicholls
Fiona Phillips MP - Champion Award	Logan Baumer
Lowes Penn College VET Award	Ciara Coffey
Reuben F Scarf Award	Beau Mullins
Australian Catholic University Student Prize	Angus Blythe
Ampol All Rounder Award	Emily Borg
St Vincent de Paul Award	Akin Suksing
Noel Cook Award	Michelle and Phillip Blythe
Ann Lovell Class of 2025 Award	Ryan Johnston and Stephanie Bow
Carroll College Community Council Learning for Life Award	Isabella Syne and Kira Pendlebury
Principal’s Award for contribution to Performing Arts	Archie Cockram, Brooklyn Briggs and Justin Murphy
Fr Henry Byrne Award	Angus Blythe
Archbishop Carroll Student of the Year Award	Erin Drewsen

Staffing

Mr McAteer is taking leave for Weeks 1-4 next term. Mr Ryan Bissell will step into the role of MacKillop Coordinator (Acting) during this period. Miss Ellisha Large will take on the position of Pastoral Assistant (Acting), while Mr Bissell moves into higher duties.

Thank you

Thank you to Mrs Sandra Harris who has been Assistant Principal (Acting) in Mr Andrew Kenneally’s absence. Mr Kenneally returns from leave at the start of next term.

Special thanks also to Mrs Elise Paull who has been replacing Mrs Harris in the role of Administration Coordinator (Acting).

Ms Elle Boller returns next term as Mrs Elle Berry after her recent wedding. Warmest congratulations to Mr & Mrs Berry!

Thank you to Miss Montana Price who has replaced Mrs Berry for the past fortnight as Wellbeing Coordinator (Acting).

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mrs Emily Zutt and her husband, Jake on the safe arrival of their first child, Hudson William Zutt, born on 21 September. Wishing their family all the best during this special time.

Term 4 Start Date
I wish all students and their families a safe and happy holiday. School resumes for all students for Term 4 on Tuesday 14 October 2025. Monday 13 October is a Pupil Free Day. Staff will be participating in professional learning on this day.

With respect and encouragement to you.

Mrs Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

Farewell to the Class of 2025

On Tuesday, 23rd September, our community gathered at St Bernard’s Church to celebrate the Graduation Mass for our Year 12 students. The theme, drawn from the Gospel of John, was “Go and bear fruit that will last.” This powerful message was beautifully woven throughout the liturgy by Father Josh and Father Joshy, who led us in prayer and reflection.

In his homily, Father Josh reminded students of the many wonderful opportunities and experiences that lie ahead of them, encouraging them to trust in God’s guiding hand as they step into the next chapter of their lives. Building upon this message, our School Captains, Emily and Josh, spoke with wisdom and sincerity, reminding their peers that it is progress, not perfection, that will sustain them into the future.

As our graduates step into a world filled with both challenges and possibilities, we hope that their time at Carroll College has impressed upon them the importance of service, love, and compassion being at the forefront of everything they do. In the current world and political climate, these values are more vital than ever, shaping not only who they are, but the positive impact they will have on others.

The atmosphere of the Mass was prayerful and reflective, made possible through the thoughtful preparation of Mrs Belle Barling and the uplifting contributions of our talented musicians, whose music enhanced the sense of celebration and reverence.

As we farewell our Year 12 students, we thank them for the gifts they have shared with our College community and pray that they continue to live lives of faith, service, and love; bearing fruit that will last. 

Operation Christmas Child

A reminder that shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child are due at the end of Week 1 next term. If you would rather contribute a gold coin donation, then this would also be greatly appreciated. Operation Christmas Child is a powerful way for our community to share joy and hope with children around the world. By contributing a small gift or donation, students are reminded that service, compassion, and generosity have the power to make a lasting impact; showing young people in need that they are seen, loved, and valued.

Mrs Anna Smart
Religious Education Coordinator

Please keep the following students and their family in your prayers. Declan Foran (Year 12) and Emily Foran (Year 9) on the passing of their father.

As Term 3 draws to a close, we take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements and milestones of our Chisholm students.

Firstly, congratulations to our Year 11 students who have now completed their Preliminary year of study. We commend you on your hard work, resilience and commitment throughout the year, and we look forward to supporting you as you step into your HSC studies next term.

We also extend our congratulations to Year 12 on the completion of their schooling journey. The end of Term 3 marks the conclusion of an important chapter, and we are so proud of the way you have represented Chisholm House with dedication, spirit, and pride. We wish you every success as you prepare for your final examinations.

This term also saw the induction of our new College leadership team. We are especially proud of our Chisholm students who have been appointed to key leadership roles. Congratulations to Aimee Harris, who has been named Vice Captain, and to our Chisholm House Captains, Bronte Eppelstun and Georgia Lovegrove. We know you will serve the College community with enthusiasm and integrity.

Chisholm House has continued to show teamwork, perseverance and pride throughout Term 3. We thank all students for their contributions and look forward to an exciting Term 4 ahead.

Mrs Corrinne Dell
Chisholm Pastoral Coordinator

"Never see a need without doing something about it"

Another 10 weeks and another busy term! The efforts and dedication of the following MacKillop students must be recognised - MacKillop Marvels - for their outstanding attendance and/or achieving a high number of Sentral Awards (at the time). Well done!

Congratulations also to the many students who have involved themselves in the many and varied activities across Term 3. 

Year 7 

Attendance:

Flynn Angwin - 96%

Amaya Buschhaus - 96%

Matthew Shalders - 100%

Sentral Awards:

Romy Bruce - 740

Liam Fisher - 690

Dusti-Rae Locklier - 760

Tyler McDonald - 680

Ky Nelson - 1110

Campbell Ralston - 700

Georgie Tegel - 910

Lila Weyman - 820

Mitchell Whipp - 840

Year 8

Attendance:

Darcy Fitzpatrick - 96%

Sentral Awards:

Darcy Fitzpatrick - 660

Hailey Ison - 900

Harper Lasscock - 750

Owen McDonald - 930

Lilly Millikin - 650

Ridham Pathak - 710

Koby Pike - 800

Reilly Plenty - 800

Angel Reddy - 740

Cici Steinke - 870 

Molly Ward - 910

Parker Whiteman - 850

Year 9

Attendance:

Noah Angwin - 97%

Morgan Browne - 96%

Erica Shalders - 100%

Sentral Awards:

Jasmine Casagrande - 610

Erica Shalders - 640

Year 10 

Attendance:

Armani Stjepanovic - 95%

Nicholas Wain - 95%

Sentral Points:

Ryder Freyer - 410

Year 11

Attendance:

Seth Hodgetts - 96%

Lachlan McRae - 97%

Sentral Points:

Sophee McFadyen - 390

Year 12

Adam Klekner - 97% attendance

Jed Ware - 480 Sentral Points

For Years 7-10 MacKillop, the 3/4 mark of the year presents an opportunity to celebrate your achievements, reflect on the journey thus far, and, more importantly, challenge yourself to improve as you approach Term 4.

This week marks the end of the preliminary year for Year 11 students - well done! I encourage you all to make the most of the final term break leading into your HSC year. Early next term, with your parents/guardians, take the time to read over your report and, where applicable, make an informed and guided decision about the subject you will cease studying. 

On September 8, the current Senior Leadership Team formally commissioned the incoming 2026 leaders. Congratulations to the following MacKillop students who will hold the following leadership positions for the coming year:

Annabelle Paull - College Captain

Lukas Muir - College Vice Captain

Mia Lasscock - Indigenous Captain

Olivia Johnson-Pepper - Indigenous Captain

Congratulations to the incoming MacKillop House Captains, Millicent Harpley and Sophee McFadyen. I am certain they will both make a positive contribution to MacKillop House and Carroll College and build on the strong house spirit instilled by Keira and Marissa over the past year. 

As co-Indigenous Captain for 2025, Savannah McGann deserves praise for the pride and enthusiasm she consistently showed throughout the year. She has served as an inspiring role model for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Year 12 MacKillop, you made it, nearly! After 13 years of schooling, well done! This week marks the end of your formal classes. You should all be proud of your achievements, and though the journey has had some challenges, you are now well placed for life beyond Carroll College. Parents and guardians, take pride in your child’s accomplishments and acknowledge the vital role you have played in guiding and supporting their journey. Your encouragement and involvement have been instrumental in shaping their growth and achievements.

On behalf of the MacKillop team and all MacKillop students, we wish all Year 12 the best for their HSC examinations and success beyond 2025.

I am on LSL until the beginning of Week 5 next term. If you have any concerns or need to pass on any information regarding your child/ren, please reach out to your child’s/children’s Homeroom teacher and/or Mr Ryan Bissell. E: Ryan.bissell@cg.catholic.edu.au

Mr Greg McAteer
MacKillop House Leader   

This term has been filled with growth, learning, and community spirit, and as we turn our attention to Term 4, I have included a few reminders to help with a smooth start.

PAT Reading and Maths tests – Term 4, Week 2

In Term 4, Week 2, we have scheduled the Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Reading and Mathematics for our students in Years 7 to 10. PAT is an integrated approach to improving learning as it measures students’ knowledge, skills and understanding and helps pinpoint where they are in their learning journey. 

Below are the test dates for each year group:

Monday 20 October

• Year 10 Reading – Period 1
• Year 7 Maths – Period 2
• Year 8 Maths - Period 3

Tuesday 21 October

• Year 10 Maths - Period 1
• Year 8 Reading - Period 3

Wednesday 22 October

• Year 9 Maths - Period 1  
• Year 7 Reading - Period 3

Thursday 23 October

• Year 9 Reading – Period 2

To facilitate the test, students are required to use their personal devices. All tests will be held in the B-block classrooms. Parents and students can view the test schedule and room allocations on the Sentral Daily Notices early next term.

If a student is absent on the day, we will hold catch up sessions on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October.

Transition to Compass

A reminder that Carroll College will be moving away from Sentral and transitioning to Compass in 2026. This change brings us in line with all schools in the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese, ensuring a consistent platform for families and staff across our system.

One of the most important features of Compass is event consent. From the start of Term 4, a new process will be implemented. All event consents must be completed through Compass by the due date, no later than one week before the event date. Parents receive an email notification when an event their child is involved in becomes available in Compass. It is vital that this deadline is met. Having all consents submitted one week prior allows staff to finalise student numbers, confirm bookings, arrange transport, and organise catering. Late consents place significant pressure on the organising teachers and front office staff and may result in students missing out on valuable experiences. Please note:

· Phone calls and emails cannot be accepted as consent. Each event has specific questions to be answered, and these can only be completed in Compass.

· It is the responsibility of students to remind their parents of any upcoming events to ensure consent is provided before the deadline.

We greatly appreciate your support in making this transition smooth and successful. Your cooperation in meeting consent deadlines will ensure that events run efficiently for everyone.

New Feature in Compass

In Compass, Parents are now able to email all of their child's teachers at once. Once you log into the parent portal you select "send email to students name teachers" and then a new tab will open with all of the child's teachers. From this, you are able to remove any teachers you do not want included in the email. If there is an additional staff member you would like included in the email, you can do so by selecting "add recipients" and typing in the staff member's name.

Monday 13 October - Staff Professional Learning Day
Tuesday 14 October - Students return to School
Friday 17 October - yLead Maximising the Badge
Friday 17 October - Mountain Biking
Thursday 23 to Friday 24 October - SLT Training 
Friday 24 October - Day for Daniel
Friday 31 October - World Teachers Day
Tuesday 4 November - Year 7 and 11 Interhouse Battle
Friday 7 November - Year 7 Formation Day
Friday 7 November - Year 8 and 9/10 Elective French Film Festival
Wednesday 12 November - Year 12 Graduation Dinner
Thursday 13 to Friday 14 November - Cootamundra Touch Football Carnival
Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 November - Year 10 Urban Challenge
Tuesday 25 November - Year 9 Formation Day
Tuesday 25 November - Year 10 Spring Soiree
Monday 1 to Sunday 6 December - Taste of Tasmania Excursion
Friday 12 December - Giving Mass
Monday 15 December - Year 10 Peer Support Training
Wednesday 17 December - College Awards Assembly
Thursday 18 December - Last day for Students
Thursday 18 December - HSC results celebration Morning Tea for Year 12 Students 
 

Wishing everyone a restful break, and I look forward to welcoming all students back on Tuesday 14 October in their Summer Uniform.

Ms Elise Paull
Administration Coordinator (Acting)

As Term 3 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Acting Wellbeing Coordinator for the past two weeks in Elle Boller’s absence. It has been a privilege to step into this role and to be a part of the energy, generosity, and leadership that make our school such a special place.

This term has been filled with events that brought students, staff, and the wider community together in meaningful ways. Highlights included the Fight NMD Ice Bucket Challenge, the R U OK? Day bake sale, and the formal commissioning of our 2026 Student Leadership Team. We also marked Book Week with an adventure-filled dress-up parade.

A special thanks goes to Vice Captain, Erin Drewsen for leading the creative and sustainable Thrift Shop Swap, and to Social Justice Captain, Angus Blythe for his vision in bringing the Blue Tree Mural for mental health awareness to life this term.

I would particularly like to thank the SLT for their dedicated service and enthusiasm. Their efforts have undoubtedly left a positive mark on our school. Some final words from our outgoing College and Vice Captains:

Emily Borg: Throughout my leadership experience, I have grown into an array of skills that have shaped not only my abilities but also my perspective. I’ve learned not only how to speak confidently in front of large groups, how to bake last-minute treats and, above all, the lesson of selflessness. That leadership isn’t about yourself, but about dedicating your time and effort to serve those around you. Moreover, I’ve learned how to collaborate with others, take initiative, and consistently show up for those who need support—lessons that came from being pushed beyond my comfort zone. These are only some of the things I will carry with me beyond school, which I was privileged enough to experience and learn through leadership.

Josh Nguyen: As College Captain, I have been grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Emily and the SLT as a cooperative team which have taken part in various initiatives such as the MND Ice bucket challenge, our Christmas activities, organising World Teachers' Day morning tea, and many, many more! Being able to lead the school and be a voice for the student body has shaped my personality into who I am today, developing and growing skills such as bravery, courage, compassion and leadership. This role has allowed me to serve as a role model at the school and lead by example, standing alongside others and lifting them up when they are down. As a leader of the school, I am grateful for the opportunities given and experiences learned, taking these lessons with me as I leave the college, hopefully having a positive lasting impact on the school community.

Erin Drewsen: During my year as Vice Captain alongside Archie, I have had a wonderful experience—learning how to communicate effectively and bring some of my ideas to life has been an amazing challenge, which has taught me so much about myself as a leader. Some of my highlights during this year have been leading the Harmony Week Food Festival where students could bring in traditional foods from around the world and World Environment Day with DIY eco-friendly product workshops including ‘make your own body scrub’ and ‘DIY tote bags.’ In Week 7, I had the opportunity to run a ‘school wide thrift shop’ where students from all year groups could bring in old second hand clothes which were then sorted and hung on racks for shopping. This position has given me the opportunity to not only grow as a leader but also as an individual, encouraging me to be resilient when things go pear-shaped but also the importance of reaching out for help from the other captains when in need. I am truly grateful for this experience and am excited to see what the 2026 Student Leadership Team achieve.

Archie Cockram: Being given the responsibility of Vice Captaincy for 2025 has been an invigorating adventure, the opportunity to serve my college and develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. It was truly an honour to be able to throw myself head first into the various events this school participates in. A personal favourite of mine was The World’s Biggest Morning Tea where, in order to celebrate all of the effort every single teacher at the college puts in year-round, we, the SLT, hosted a huge morning tea, filled with cakes, pastries, and charcuterie. Being able to help run fundraisers for global issues, such as the MND fundraiser has been amazing, having fun with my friends and learning new skills, all with the knowledge that it’s going towards a good cause. It has been a truly amazing opportunity to serve the school for the past year, and I’m grateful for everything it has taught me and I wish the 2026 SLT the very best with all they plan to do.

Congratulations to our Term 3 Carroll Kudos student and staff winners: Gemma Moore, Khai Thomas, Madi Lloyd, Loki Virens, Ridham Pathak, Vivienne James, Asher Brady, Annabelle Paull, Sophie Barling, Alec Patterson, Marissa McDonald, Piper Schuchmann, Amelia Hicks, Sophie McFadyen, Emily Rossetto, Ruby Davis, Jasmine Casagrande, Ellen Holmes, Tyler Cooper, Nicholas Wain, Isaac Bell, Mrs Enfield, Mrs Waters, Mrs Whipp, Mrs Davis, Mrs Whiteman, and Ms Pope. Thank you for your support of Carroll Kudos - don’t forget to nominate your teachers and peers next term!

Next term promises to be a good one, with the return of our annual Year 7/11 Peer Support Interhouse Battle, and of course, the Year 10 Urban Challenge (Go Team 4!).

A huge thank you to the Pastoral Team for their support during my time in this role. Mrs Berry looks forward to reconnecting with students and staff upon her return as Wellbeing Coordinator in Term 4.

Miss Montana Price
Wellbeing Coordinator (Acting)

Using AI and Our cechat Platform Responsibly: Supporting Deep Learning Across All Year Levels.

At Carroll College, we are committed to helping students become independent, reflective learners across all year levels. One of the innovative tools we’ve introduced to support this goal is cechat, a suite of AI-powered chatbots designed specifically for our classrooms, with guardrails in place to align with Catholic education values and standards.

Unlike general-purpose AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity, cechat agents are carefully constructed for each subject and class, aligned with syllabus outcomes and learning goals. These chatbots are not just answer engines, they are learning companions that encourage students to think critically, reflect deeply, and engage meaningfully with content.

Many cechat agents use the Socratic method, prompting students with questions that guide them toward understanding rather than simply providing answers. This approach helps build essential skills in analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving. However, not all cechat agents are Socratic, some are designed to provide structured support, revision scaffolds, or writing frameworks. Regardless of their format, all cechat agents are built with ethical guardrails to ensure safe, appropriate, and bias-aware interactions.

While these tools are available to all students, they are particularly relevant for Years 11 and 12, where deeper learning and independent thinking are critical. There has been some discussion among students about using AI to “cheat” or shortcut their work. We want to be clear: cechat is not designed to do the work for students. It is a tool for learning, not a replacement for thinking. Misusing chatbots to copy and paste answers, known as bypassing cognitive effort, undermines the learning process and limits the development of deeper understanding. If a student is found to be misusing a chatbot in this way, they will receive an email with a transcript of their chat log to help them reflect on their approach.

We also recognise that this kind of misuse cannot be policed at home, especially as students increasingly access AI tools outside the classroom. In response, the assessment landscape is evolving. We are designing tasks that reward deep thinking, synthesis, and originality; skills that AI cannot replicate on a student’s behalf. These changes aim to ensure that assessments remain authentic and reflective of genuine student understanding.

We encourage families to talk with their children about how they’re using AI in their studies and to reinforce the importance of engaging with learning, not just completing tasks. If you’d like to learn more about cechat or how it’s being used in your child’s class, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Mr Jason Szkwarek
AI Lead
Classroom Teacher