Dear Parents, Students and Friends

Welcome to Term 2. I hope the holiday period provided some time for relaxation with family and friends.

We have enjoyed a productive start to the term and initiated some important changes as we review practices and procedures in preparation for our School Registration and School Improvement Review.
 

CARROLL DAY
For our community, Carroll Day is one of our most celebrated days of the year. Archbishop Francis Carroll passed away in March aged 93 and today we paid tribute to the wonderful vision he had to establish a Catholic college in Broulee. We certainly accept the challenge to embrace the qualities personified in his life and work. A tremendous role model for us all.

EARLY CAREER TEACHER COMMISSIONING
It was an honour to join our first-year early career teachers yesterday in Canberra as they were commissioned as beginning teachers in our Archdiocese. Congratulations to Alicia Reid, Emily Parrish and Montana Price on their recent appointments to Carroll College. We are blessed to have such high quality and passionate educators beginning their careers at the college. Their level of professionalism is well beyond their years.

Catholic Education closely supports Early Career Teachers (ECT) in their first two years of employment as they transition confidently into their roles. Professional development is prioristised and mentoring is an essential component of their program as they work towards proficiency. Mr Tim Hodges is our ECT mentor and meets regularly with our first and second year early career teachers to guide and support their growth in the profession. Mr Michael Thane is now in his second year of teaching and is part of the CECG program as well. A great team of young professionals impacting our learning and teaching environment at Carroll College! We are very fortunate.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Much of our focus for the first half of the term will be preparing for Registration. This will take place on Wednesday 5 June. This is a compliance review essentially, so it is very important that all our policies and procedures align with college practice. We are currently reviewing documentation to reflect the requirements for Registration and Accreditation of NSW Non-government schools. It is a fruitful exercise so best practice is achieved across several domains.

 “An explicit behaviour curriculum will be introduced in all Australian schools…”
(Education Review, April 2024)

I’m sure you’ve heard recent headlines like the one above. The introduction of a behaviour curriculum is a hot topic in the media at present, along with explicit instruction to improve student learning outcomes. It comes as the OECD recently found Australian classrooms have a disciplinary climate that is among the “least favourable” in the world, ranked 33 out of 37 countries.

I’m very proud to say that Carroll College, along with St Bernard’s Batemans Bay and St Mary’s Moruya are leading the way in both explicit instruction pedagogies and a behaviour curriculum that is changing the way students present to class.

CLASSROOM MASTERY – NEW ROUTINES FOR TERM 2
An additional two behaviour routines have been introduced. This will increase our routines from three to five:

• Cue to Start
• Student Entry Routine
• Student Exit Routine
• Student Movement
• Voices

STAFFING UPDATE
Thank you to Mrs Anna Voysey-McManus who has been an active member of the executive team for the past two terms. I thank Mrs McManus for sharing her wisdom. Her level of discernment and proactive approach has been highly valued. Mrs Kym Millikin now joins the executive for Terms 2 and 3 to gain experience as part of the Catholic Education leadership course she is currently undertaking.

Ms Sonia Pope is returning to full-time again from Term 2. Mrs Hailee Nugent was teaching Ms Pope’s classes one-day p/fortnight. Mrs Nugent will be teaching on this day in a different capacity.

Ms Julie Davis will be moving back into Inclusive Education four days p/week, a position she previously held before a reallocation of staffing positions was necessary in the front office.

Mrs Deb Mason is moving to 5 days p/week in Inclusive Education and Mrs Victoria Urbanik will be working casually as a Classroom Support Assistant.

Mrs Rita Graziani is moving to 5 days and will continue to support Mrs Erin Blackman in her leadership of Inclusive Education in Mr Foster’s absence. Mrs Graziani will also be assisting with Events and Office Administration.

We will welcome Mrs Emma Kenna back from Maternity Leave in Week 6. Mrs Kenna will be working 3 days p/week (Tuesday – Thursday), initially in a casual relief capacity. Mrs Kenna is excited to be returning and we look forward to welcoming her back.

OPEN NIGHT
I look forward to welcoming all prospective families to our Open Night next Monday evening as our Year 7, 2025 enrolment period formally commences. I encourage all families to submit their child’s enrolment details as soon as possible. Please refer to the flyer further on in this newsletter for more information.

NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL
I am pleased to announce that Mrs Jennifer Hornby and Mrs Maree Turnbull will be joining the executive of our School Community Council. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for Tuesday 28 May.

MOTHER’S DAY PRAYER
Lord God, we lift up all mothers to You. Grant them the strength to face the daily challenges with courage and the wisdom to guide their children towards a life of faith and service. Encourage them when they are weary and inspire them when they feel overwhelmed. Bless them with Your peace and love, now and forever.

Wishing all our Carroll mums, grandmother’s and special female figures in our lives a very special Mother’s Day this Sunday.

With respect and encouragement to you.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’           (John 8:12)

Week 11 wrap up

The final week of Term 1 was a very busy one.  Thank you to Mrs Dell for organising and leading the Year 7 Pastoral Day on Tuesday along with Mr Bissell, Miss Parrish, Mrs Davis, Mrs Barling and Mrs Whiteman.   

On Thursday the annual RYDA Year 11 excursion occurred at Moruya Racecourse.  Thank you to Mrs Dwyer, Mr King, and Mrs Young for accompanying the students and to Mr Hanson for driving the bus. Finally, on Friday we had Xavier Day.  

Thank you to Mrs Lyttle, the Xavier House Captains, other members of the SLT, and staff for finishing the term with a fun day that also raised much-needed money for the Winter Vinnies Appeal.

Eurobodalla Youth Committee

Erica Shalders, Malachi Condon and Ruby Hodgetts received a certificate from Eurobodalla Shire Council acknowledging their generous contribution of time, effort and ideas towards Currents Battle of the Bands 2024.

Thank you also to Elsie Hann, Mitchell Love and Chloe Tyrrell for all their contributions to the ESC Youth Committee.

ANZAC Day

Thank you to all the students and families who were able to attend the ANZAC Day services across the region.  Carroll College had students at all services laying wreaths, participating in the marches and reading moving poems and reflections at the Dawn Service in Tuross.

Child Safe Advocate Term 1 Meeting

Each school across the Archdiocese has a designated member of staff in the role of Child Safe Advocate.  Here at Carroll College the Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care is the Child Safe Advocate.  The role is an important one in each school as the Child Safe Advocate leads, promotes, and assists compliance with our child safeguarding responsibilities. The key functions include:

• Oversee compliance with Child Safe related legal requirements.
• Provide leadership and support to school staff in child protection-related matters.
• Actively contribute to the Child Safe Advocate Portal to address and identify best practices for child-related areas of concern.
• Ensure the completion in Term One of the CECG Child Safe Standard Self Assessment.

Last term during Week 11, I attended the Term 1 Child Safe Advocate meeting in Canberra. Together with colleagues from other schools, we discussed the key focus areas and school needs in this space with leaders from the Child Protection Team. During the meeting, we looked at case studies of establishing a Child Safe Culture, involving students and parents in developing a child-safe approach, how to differentiate instructions about how to make a complaint, and ensuring child safety training across the organisation. Later in the day, a focus was highlighted on the relationship between disability and diversity and the Child Safe Standards. The ACT Commissioner for Children and Young People gave an update on the work her team is doing to listen to young people and finally, a representative from the legal team at CECG gave an update on current child safety issues.

Stepping away at busy times to attend meetings can be challenging but as you can see the issues raised and the information shared are important in our ongoing efforts to ensure we are offering the best support to our students, families, and staff.

National Families Week 13-19 May 2024

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your family, connect with your extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. No matter where you live – in our major cities or a remote community in the country – all Australians, are invited to participate in National Families Week each year.

The aim of National Families Week is to not only celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society, but to also reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children as they grow.

Celebrating family diversity involves recognising and embracing the unique circumstances, backgrounds, and dynamics that make each family special. And finding opportunities to connect across differences including those in culture, language, gender, sexuality, ability, and age.

In National Families Week 2024, we are encouraged to celebrate the diversity within our family. And to celebrate the commonalities and differences between your family and other families.

eSafety Resources

As parents accessing reliable and useful resources around eSafety to assist with conversations with young people is important. The eSafety Commissioner site is always a great place to find these resources and has handy information for Parents https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents and Young People https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people.

Academic Care

In Term 1, Wellio invited parents to join in the free parent Webinars offered to our community. Wellio is the platform Carroll College uses to support the wellbeing component of the Academic Care program in 2024.

The next free webinar for parents will focus on practical strategies that will help your children manage phone addiction and social media. This will be next Tuesday night 14 May 2024 at 6.30pm. The topic will be Phones and Social Media. Here is the Registration Link  which will also allow those registered to be sent the recording: https://www.wellioeducation.com/en_au/webinars

• Reality vs Social Media: we discuss how students compare their lives with what they see on social media and the impact this has on their self-esteem. We'll share 3 simple strategies to keep them on track.
• Technology and Sleep: 73% of teenagers aren't getting enough sleep and their devices are a primary cause. We explain how you can limit the impact.
• Techniques to manage anxiety: A toolkit of strategies that you can use to help your child manage and prevent anxiety developing as a result of social media and phone use.

Below are the dates for other free parent webinars running across the year:

• Tuesday 14 May 6:30pm - Phones & Social Media
• Thursday 29 August 6:30pm - Building Healthy Relationships
• Thursday 31 October 6:30pm - Resilience & Setbacks

Parents can register to attend any or all of these sessions here and you can find marketing materials for each session here.

Academic Care Lesson Term 2, Week 2

This week across the college the following topics were covered in the Academic Care period.  Parents are encouraged to visit the Study Skills Handbook site to view the content covered to assist with a conversation with their child or to seek support for specific issues being faced.

Year 7 Study Skills – Home Study Environment

Year 8 - Sharing information online

Year 9 Study Skills – Mastering Middle School

Year 10 Careers and Study Skills – Mastering Middle school

Year 11 Carroll Day final preparations

Year 12 Study Skills – Managing Stress

Winter uniform reminder

The weather has started to get cooler. Students are welcome to transition to winter uniform. Everyone will be expected to be wearing their correct winter uniform by Term 2, Week 4. The uniform policy is in the link below. We would appreciate all families checking their child’s uniform including hair, accessories etc to ensure they are correct as they come to school. https://www.ccb.nsw.edu.au/uniform

The Pastoral Team are always ready to assist students and families. Please reach out to your child’s Pastoral Coordinator if you have any concerns or would like more information about how your child is doing.

Chisholm House Mrs Corrinne Dell corrinne.dell@cg.catholic.edu.au	MacKillop House Mr Greg McAteer greg.mcateer@cg.catholic.edu.au	Xavier House Mrs Karen Lyttle karen.lyttle@cg.catholic.edu.au
	Wellbeing Coordinator Ms Elle Boller elle.boller@cg.catholic.edu.au

Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday!

Kind regards,

Mrs Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Dear Carroll Community,

Over the next fortnight students in Years 7-10 will be sitting two Progressive Adaptive tests: PAT adaptive reading and PAT adaptive Mathematics. So, what is PAT testing? The following article has been sourced from the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) to provide greater insight into this amazing technology that we are embracing at Carroll College.

What is PAT testing?

From vision to reality: The journey of computer-adaptive testing

Sourced: PAT Insights (2023)

Almost 40 years ago, ACER’s concept of what assessment could achieve was far ahead of the technology as work began on computer-adaptive testing (CAT).

A November 1986 edition of the ACER Newsletter lauds the ‘the development of microcomputers and their introduction into schools as a great step forward for introducing CAT in the classroom.

The objective of ACER’s original CAT project was to develop a computer-based instrument that could more accurately assess a student’s achievement than a static paper-based assessment by individualising the test as the student enters their responses. Although students would experience a different question set, student outcomes could be plotted on a common scale. The results of each student’s assessment would therefore equip teachers with a far more precise idea of how well a student was doing and where to go from there. While the understanding of the theory was clearly present in the 1980s, it did take several decades for the technology and school readiness to catch up.

An illustration of pathways through an adaptive test. 

The original work in the 1980s demonstrated an understanding that standardised testing doesn’t always provide teachers with an accurate enough picture of individual students’ knowledge and skills. With research showing students in the same year level can vary in achievement by the equivalent of up to 6 school years, it’s no surprise that in standardised testing, high-achieving students and students requiring support are under-served.

Released in 2021, ACER’s PAT Adaptive assessment is the successful realisation of an innovative project that was started back in the 1980s. It’s a fairer, more engaging, and accurate way to assess students’ progress and map out their personalised learning needs, so no one is overlooked.

The 1986 article notes the potential for time-saving innovation in the classroom, declaring that CAT ‘could free the teacher from having to administer tests to the class as a whole at the same time – individual students could take the test when they were ready to do so; students could then be provided with instant feedback by the computer about how well they were progressing in the course; the computer could automatically update information about students’ performance and deliver ‘tailored reports to teachers and school’.

PAT Adaptive has now achieved the 3 key aims outlined in the 1986 project, as we waited for technology to catch up to the idea:

1. Create a CAT program that could be run on ‘portable computers’.
2. Convert paper-based Maths test to CAT.
3. Assess the differences between paper tests and CAT, and the extent to which CAT improves test-taking performance.

It's fair to say that the changing technology landscape has meant ACER exceeded the original goal of providing CAT on ‘floppy diskettes’ that can ‘handle items with significant pictorial content’.

The key advantage of CAT is that it helps teachers identify a starting point on the learning journey that’s appropriate for each student. Adaptive testing establishes what a student understands and is able to demonstrate at a point in time. Armed with this more exact information, teachers can then more accurately identify the strengths and areas for improvement of each individual student; diagnose student needs; differentiate their teaching; and monitor individual progress over time.

Computers have become such an integral part of teaching and the classroom experience – and so quickly – that it’s hard to remember a time when students had to put pencil to paper and demonstrate their proficiency in one-size-fits-all models of assessment. But less than 40 years ago, ACER was at the cutting edge of computer-adaptive testing – steering the education sector away from inequitable testing models and pushing the technology to catch up to their vision.

Andrew Kenneally
Assistant Principal – Curriculum, Learning and Innovation

Project Compassion

We are thrilled to share the wonderful success of our recent Project Compassion fundraiser. Thanks to the incredible generosity and dedication of our students, staff, and wider community, the College has raised close to $2000 towards this vital cause. This achievement not only demonstrates our collective compassion but also reaffirms our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

Project Compassion, an initiative by Caritas Australia, aims to support vulnerable communities worldwide, providing essential resources, education, and empowerment. By participating in this annual fundraiser, we not only contribute to immediate relief efforts but also sow seeds for long-term sustainable change.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Sleepout

As we celebrate the success of Project Compassion, we also look ahead to our next opportunity to make a difference. We are excited to announce that Carroll College will be participating in the St Vincent De Paul Winter Sleepout. This initiative, which takes place annually, aims to raise awareness and funds to support individuals experiencing homelessness during the challenging winter months.

Please stay posted for further information regarding this initiative that aims to foster empathy, solidarity and a sense of social responsibility among our students.

Carroll Day Service

Today, the College paid tribute to Archbishop Francis Carroll at our annual Carroll Day Service. I thank the students who were involved in bringing this service together. Thank you also to Mrs Barling for creating and facilitating the service. 

Anna Smart
Religious Education Coordinator

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you had a relaxing break and could spend some quality time with your family. The Admin Updates section of the newsletter will provide families with important dates for the term and exam timetables.

NSW School Vaccination Program
The Year 7 vaccine date is rapidly approaching. NSW Health will be at the College to administer vaccinations to Year 7 students on Thursday 23 May 2024.

NSW Health has changed the consent form process. Parents/carers will need to consent to their child's vaccination online through the Service NSW site - 'online consent portal'. The portal in Service NSW is now open for Carroll College. If you cannot access the portal, students can collect a paper consent from the front office.

HSC Examination Timetable
The HSC Written Exam timetable was released last week. I encourage all Year 12 students to check their Schools Online account to view their individual exam timetables. The HSC exams start on Tuesday 15 October and finish on Friday 8 November.

Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)
PAT Maths assessments will continue into next week for all students in Years 7 to 10.

The PAT assessments provide objective, norm-referenced information to teachers about their students’ skills and understandings in a range of key areas. Each PAT has its own proficiency scale with descriptors outlining the content and skills students are consolidating at any given point on that scale. Each PAT assessment provides data on student performance, making PAT ideal for understanding students’ current strengths and weaknesses, informing teaching and learning, and monitoring progress over time. The tests are online, multiple-choice and each test will take approximately 40 minutes.

Year 7 – Monday 13 May

Year 8 – Tuesday 14 May

Year 10 – Wednesday 15 May

Year 9 – Thursday 16 May

We encourage all students to do their best during these tests as the data will be used by their class teachers throughout the year.

Next week’s reminders …

· On Monday 13 May the College Open Night will take place for Year 7, 2025 students and parents.

· All the best to our students representing the College at the Archdiocesan Cross Country Carnival in Canberra on Friday 17 May.

· VET Work Placements will take place in Week 4.

· On Monday 20 May, some Year 9 students will be attending the yLead Altitude Day in Canberra.

· Good luck to the girls competing at the Euro/Far South Coast Katrina Fanning Cup in Narooma on Tuesday 21 May.

· Year 12 HSC Biology excursion will be held on Tuesday 21 May

· On Wednesday 22 May, the College DOOF will be held in the Hall from 6.00pm – 9.00pm. The theme is ‘The 80s’. There will be live bands, a DJ, food and drinks.

· Year 12 are travelling to Canberra on Thursday 23 May to attend the University of Canberra Open Day.

· Year 7 Vaccinations will be held on Thursday 23 May.

· Year 8 Formation Day will take place on Friday 24 May.

Sandra Harris
Administration Coordinator

School Fees 

School Fee statements for Term 2 2024 have been issued this week. If you do not receive your statement by Friday 10 May, please contact the College.

For detailed information regarding your school fee account, you are able to log in via your Compass Portal to view all transactions and charges after the statements have been issued. To do this you can log into your app, select 'More' down the bottom right-hand corner, then select 'Open in Browser' on bottom left. Once the new screen has opened, click the cogwheel (settings) up the top right-hand corner. From here you are able to select 'My Payments' to view transactions or 'Saved Cards' to alter your card details. 

Bpay payments - please ensure you are using the new Bpay details as noted on your most recent statement. 

When reviewing your statement, please note that any amount showing as a negative indicates a credit transaction. 

Fees are preferred to be paid via BPay. You can also make payments via Cash, Eftpos at the Front Office or the Compass Portal. Term 2 Fees are due on 24 May 2024.

Should you require any fee assistance for 2024, please make urgent contact with our Business Manager Dalys Whipp via email finance.ccb@cg.catholic.edu.au

Dalys Whipp
Business Manager

 Hi, I am Finn. I am one of your MacKillop House Captains.

I take my role with pride, having the opportunity to be a kind, compassionate and respectful leader.

In my free time, you can catch me surfing or winning AFL games, go Seahawks!

I love stars and my favourite colour is of course blue. Go, MacKillop!

• I haven't lived here all my life, in fact I moved here from a very small town called Bundanoon in 2021.
• My favourite colour is green!
• My favourite artists are Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift.
• I've been doing gymnastics for almost all my life.
• One day I dream of travelling the world.

Building Skills and Confidence: VET Building Students complete their first project

In the busy workshop of our VET Building program, the air is filled with the sound of tools humming and the focused energy of students shaping their first project of the year - the Oil Stone Box. This foundational project not only serves as an introduction to basic hand and power tools but also lays the groundwork for the mastery of essential skills that will carry our students forward in their building careers.

At the heart of this project lies the mastery of precision. Our students learn to translate a basic design into tangible dimensions with accuracy and attention to detail. The combination square is mastered to ensure that every line is straight.

As they progress, students are taught how to use a range of hand tools, using planes with finesse to smooth rough edges and create smooth surface. Students used the drill press and forstner bit to remove the waste and bevelled edge chisels to pare away the remining timber.

But it's not just about the tools; it's about the mindset. Our students learn about patience, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Beyond the technical skills, this project instils a sense of pride and accomplishment in our students. As they see their work take shape, they gain confidence in their abilities and an appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into every piece of work.

Now our students are ready for the next challenge - the Toolbox. This project will further hone their hand tool skills and provide opportunities for plan reading and interpretation. Meanwhile, our seniors are putting the finishing touches to the Graduation Arbour project and the Mod-Wood planter boxes and assembling window frames and door jambs, showcasing the culmination of skills and dedication.

As educators, we are privileged to witness the transformation that occurs within our students over the two years. We know that the skills they are honing today will not only serve them well in their academic pursuits but will also lay the foundation for successful careers in the building industry.

Mr Jason Szkwarek
VET Construction

Carroll College band, 'Polaroid' entertained the very appreciative crowd at Currents Live Music Event on Saturday 13 April.

 

A huge congratulations to Sam, Isabella, Michael and Brooklyn for their outstanding set of songs. We are very proud of them. Photos thanks to Kat Patton.

  

In the second week of the school holidays Erin Drewsen (Year 11) spent three days at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney studying “Acting for the Stage and Screen.” The course included a range of activities including improvisation, script analysis and working with a camera for screen.

Erin gained a great deal from the experience and she enjoyed working collaboratively with the other senior students in the course.

 

Ros Maher

CaPA Coordinator