Filter Content
- Principal's Welcome
- Assistant Principal - Curriculum, Learning and Innovation
- Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
- RE Matters
- Sympathy and Prayers
- Administration News
- Business Manager
- Sport News
- MacKillop News
- HSIE News
- Career and VET news
- Wellbeing Coordinator
- Wellbeing Wednesday's
- HUB Happenings
- Community News
Dear Parents, Students and Friends
Welcome to Term 3!
NAIDOC celebrations have been a prominent focus to start the term. As part of the Catholic Education Regional Mass hosted by St Bernard’s last Friday, Leadership Awards were presented to three of our senior Indigenous Captains (pictured L-R below). I congratulate Samantha Ellis, Sarmaya Te-Kowhai and Rhianna Brierley for their outstanding contributions to college life and broader community initiatives. Our young Aboriginal leaders are very proud of their culture and recognise the importance of using their voice to advocate for their people. They have worked tirelessly this year to spread awareness of the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community and encourage school community members to learn more about Aboriginal Histories and cultures. Learning the local Aboriginal language, Dhurga, has been a focus for the girls as they recognise the significance of keeping the language alive. Furthermore, the girls have been outstanding mentors in the Gurubangamba-ga Mentoring and Transition Program. Congratulations Sam, Sarmaya and Rhianna!
2024 NAIDOC THEME
This year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.
The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.
“Blak, loud and proud” encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering us to stand tall in our heritage and assert our place in the modern world. This theme calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.
Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.
Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, 2024
For the past three days, I have been accompanying our Aboriginal students on a cultural immersion experience in Sydney with Brinja Yuin Elder OA, Ms Patricia Ellis, Mrs Michelle Katuke, Mr Malaki Moreton and Mr Jon Brady. What a fabulous experience! …More details to follow next newsletter!
Semester One Achievements
As we move into Semester Two, I think it is always worthwhile to reflect on our successes of the previous semester. We often underestimate what has been achieved, and Semester One certainly has seen some significant developments that have moved us forward as a college. I sincerely thank the staff for their commitment to these improvements.
- New student mobile phone practices
- Classroom Mastery implementation
- New finance system
- Move to Compass Lite/Sentral Cloud
- ‘Teach Well’ High Impact Teaching Practices – 35 teachers completed/completing Teach Well course
- Audits – NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian Child Safe Audit, Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) Audit, School Registration Compliance Review, Buildings and Facilities Audit
- 115 Student Personalised Plans updated with parent input
- Wellio implementation
- Student Care Overview – focus Tiers 1-3
- Development of a Data Action Plan
- Summative Assessment tasks – ongoing improvements
- Staff Learning & Teaching Hub/Assessment @ Carroll websites – ongoing additions.
8 Big Ideas of Learning
Informed by the Science of Learning and Research, evidence and insights from global experts in education, including the work of ED Hirsch Jr, Barack Rosenshine, Dylan Wiliam and Emeritus Professor John Sweller and more, Catholic Education has defined 8 Big Ideas of Learning, encompassing:
Our Staff Professional Learning Day last week centred on this learning as we continue to upskill on our Catalyst journey and our commitment to ongoing pedagogical improvements.
2024 South Coast Schools Excellence in Vocational Education and Training Awards
Charlotte was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for Business Services. Charlotte completes this course at Carroll College.
With respect and encouragement to you.
Mrs Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal
‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12)
Dear Carroll College Community,
The college celebrated the Semester 1 Awards Ceremony this week for all students in Years 7-12. During this celebration of learning we were able to take the opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful efforts of all teachers and students over the past two terms. At the ceremony students received the following awards:
Award for receiving an A in any course
A student operating at an A level, has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
Academic Excellence Award
An Academic Excelle Award is achieved by a student who receives 5 or more As for the semester. This is a highly recognised achievement as the student is operating at an extensive level across multiple subjects.
Endeavour Award
An Endeavour Award is awarded to students who consistently model a high level of application to their studies. Students receiving this award have demonstrated consistency across all courses, to the highest level at all times, and have shown a consistent effort to learn every day at the college.
Finally, thank you again to all the parents and carers who attended the event. Congratulations to our amazing students at Carroll College.
Newsletter Semester 1 Awards Ceremony 30 July 2024
Mr Andrew Kenneally
Assistant Principal – Curriculum, Learning and Innovation
Free Webinar for Parents and Carers
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is offering a free webinar on Wednesday 11 September from 7-8pm. Parents are invited to join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia's leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health crisis enveloping our children.
During the webinar Dr Coulson will cover
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child's wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers
- Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness
Parents are invited to register via the link on the flyer to join the conversation and be part of a dynamic, interactive experience where you can collaborate to reshape the future of your children's mental health. The webinar offers opportunity to hear real stories, explore innovative solutions, and discover practical strategies to empower your kids.
From our Counsellor
‘Clearly Me’ supported by the Black Dog Institute
For some young people the idea of spending time with a counsellor can be a little daunting and as a result they may not receive the help they need. Clearly Me is a mental health app aimed at assisting teens aged between 12-17 through difficult times. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play Store. There is also a QR code.
The details of this valuable resource are on the flyer.
MacKillop Day
On Friday 26 July we celebrated MacKillop Day. We were blessed with a day of beautiful weather. Students and staff were encouraged to wear appropriate blue mufti clothing. Students participated in a gold coin donation for mufti, an informative slide show and enjoyed a variety of fundraising stalls provided by MacKillop homerooms. MacKillop House raised over $1000 which will be forwarded to MacKillop Family Services.
Student Leadership Team
Thank to our current SLT for their hard work and ongoing contribution to the college community.
The process of determining our new Student Leadership Team for 2024/25 has just commenced. Thank you very much to all the Year 11 students who have nominated themselves for consideration. Over the coming weeks interviews will occur, and student and staff voice will be sought. Once the process is completed, we look forward to announcing the results.
Good Luck Year 12
We wish all Year 12 students success in the upcoming Trial HSC Examinations. During this time students are encouraged to take good care of themselves, find the balance between study, work and sleep, and strive to eat a healthy diet. Sometimes this is easier said than done. During the examination period the Pastoral Team and counsellors are available to support our students and families. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Kind regards,
Mrs Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care
Welcome Back to Term Three!
Term Three is another busy term for the Religious Education KLA. Year 10 students will be participating in a formation day on the 13th of August and our Youth Ministry Group will be facilitating the Year 4 Eucharist Retreat on the 28th of August. Finally we have our Year 12 Graduation Mass on the 24th of September. In class, students continue to build upon their knowledge of religious teachings across several faith traditions, and the impact these have on the wider world and contemporary society. Teachers are also continuing to incorporate high impact teaching strategies, along with targeted sentence and paragraph writing to ensure that academic rigour is maintained and cross-curricular skills are built upon.
I am very excited to share with you that our social justice initiative for this term is Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organisation. This project is a hands-on way for you to demonstrate God’s love to children in need across the world by filling shoe boxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. We collect the gift-filled shoeboxes and send them to local partners around the world that use them as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Each homeroom will be filling their own box, with the option for students to fill boxes individually or in small groups. Any student who wishes to take this option should come and see me as soon as they can in the staff centre, or of course they can also contact me via email, at anna.smart@cg.catholic.edu.au.
There is also the opportunity for ‘online shoeboxes’ to be donated through individuals and families. If you would like to participate in the Operation Christmas Child program in this way, the link below will take you to a page where you can choose a gender and age group, then donate $35 for a box to be packed online. You will then be able to track the journey of your shoe box, right up until delivery.
https://occdonations.samaritanspurse.org.au/product/pack-a-shoebox-online/
Mrs Anna Smart
Religious Education Coordinator
Please keep the following student and his family in your prayers. James Carnell (Year 7) on the passing of his Grandfather.
Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations
Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations begin next week from Monday 5 August to Monday 19 August. The exams will be held in G-block. Students will need to check Sentral Daily Notices each day for their room changes.
I wish Year 12 students all the best in their exams.
Parent/Teacher Evenings
The second session for our Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Monday 5 August, 3.30pm – 7.00pm at the College.
The booking portal has now closed. We look forward to engaging with you during this upcoming Parent/Teacher Evening.
Tell Them From Me Parent and Student Survey
Carroll College will be participating in an online survey - 'Tell Them From Me' (TTFM). The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. Parents and students will receive an email next week inviting them to complete the Tell Them From Me survey. We would greatly appreciate your feedback. The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your time and interest.
Year 10 Minimum Standards Tests
The HSC Minimum Standard Tests are a way of ensuring students have a functional level of literacy and numeracy. Since 2020, in order to achieve an HSC students must successfully complete online tests in reading, writing and numeracy. Each of the three tests are of 45 minutes duration.
Students need to download the Lockdown Browser from the Year 10 Google Classroom page before they can begin the tests. Students are advised to check their email for the classroom code.
Year 10 students will complete the minimum standards tests in Week 3.
Monday 5 August – Reading
Tuesday 6 August – Writing
Wednesday 7 August - Numeracy
Year 11 Examinations
The Year 11 Examinations will be held in Weeks 8 and 9. Students should start preparing for their examinations by revising the year's work and other study material set by their class teacher. If students have questions regarding their exams, they are encouraged to talk to their class teachers. Good luck with your preparation Year 11.
This week’s reminders …
- Session 2 Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held at the College on Monday 5 August from 3.30 pm to 7.00 pm
- SLT Interviews will take place on Tuesday 6 August
- South Coast Careers Expo (Year 10 students) on Thursday 8 August
- Year 10 Formation Day will be held on Tuesday 13 August
Term 3 Examination and Testing Weeks:
- Weeks 3 to 5: Year 12 HSC Trial Exams
- Week 3: Year 10 Minimum Standards Tests
- Week 6: Years 7 - 10 PAT Spelling
- Weeks 8 to 9: Year 11 Exams
Mrs Sandra Harris
Administration Coordinator
Business Manager
The Open Boys Football team played on Friday 26 July in the Interdiocesan Football Gala Day at Young. What was meant to be a cold and wet day turned out to be beautiful and due to a forfeit in the younger age groups, the boys games were played earlier than expected!
In their first game against some tough opposition from James Sheahan, Orange, the boys dug deep and went down 2-1. Coach Kenneally was proud with their performances in both games. The team played with great determination and fairness. In their second game their confidence had grown and they came out winners against Marian College, Griffith 2-1. Congratulations to Tyler Cooper on scoring all three goals. Coach Kenneally was proud with their performances in both games. The team played with great determination and fairness. The team celebrated the end of the day with cheers for Josh Smart and Michael Aitken who have been part of the team for 4 years and being in Year 12, won’t be at the college in 2025. We also thank Michael who stepped into the position of goalkeeper after our regular goalie had to pull out injured. The boys played some great football and are to be commended on playing two games in some unseasonable heat with 25 minutes break between the two games and no subs due to withdrawals. Well done and we look forward to next year!
Sport Coordinator
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
“Never see a need without doing something about it.”
On August 8 we commemorate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (marking the anniversary of her death in 1909). St Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first Saint after being Canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010. On her feast day, we honour and celebrate her legacy and good works. The eldest of 8 children, Mary understood human frailty and the need to reach out and support those less fortunate.
At just 24, Mary established a school for children of the poor and less priviliged in Penola, South Australia. She was also the co-founder of the Josephites, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Mary and her Sisters would establish orphanages and homes for the destitute as well as establishing refuges for ex-inmates of Australia’s grim nineteenth century prisons.
Often met with opposition and acting contrary to many societal norms, Mary’s strong faith, courage and dignity helped her face these most daunting of challenges, including excommunication. She was a trailblazer of her time who truly carried out the work of Jesus.
Through her vocation as a Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Mary MacKillop impacted and improved the lives of many Australians. Her legacy lives on through many Catholic schools across Australia including here at Carroll College.
On July 26, Carroll College celebrated the life of Mary MacKillop. Students wore blue mufti, purchased items from the MacKillop stalls and engaged in a range of activities organised by the MacKillop Homerooms.
All money raised will be donated to MacKillop Family Services. This is a very worthy organisation that today continues the good works of Saint Mary MacKillop.
As the Pastoral Coordinator of MacKillop, I work closely with the MacKillop Homeroom teachers dedicated to meeting the pastoral needs of our students, ever inspired by the works of Saint Mary MacKillop.
Mr Greg McAteer
MacKillop Pastoral Coordinator
|
MacKillop Pastoral Team  Pastoral Coordinator |
||
|
MacKillop 1  Mr Matthew King
|
MacKillop 2  |
MacKillop 3  Mrs Debbie Enfield |
|
MacKillop 4  Mr Jason Szwarek |
MacKillop 5  Mrs Linda Dwyer |
MacKillop 6  Ms Sonia Pope |
|
MacKillop 7  Mr Ryan Bissell |
HSIE Coordinator
Guarantee your place at ACU, even before your Year 12 HSC exams. The ACU Guarantee program offers eligible Year 12 students a place at ACU based on your Year 11 results.
Offers may be made as early as September. While successful applicants must complete their HSC exams, they can do so secure in the knowledge that their Year 11 results will meet ACU's early entry requirements. Students may also enhance entry score by including short personal statements that give ACU an insight into personal circumstances and motivation for university study.
VET and Careers Coordinator
- Build Connections - Good relationships are important for your wellbeing.
-
Be Active – boost your energy and mood by doing something active. Being active is not only good for your physical health and fitness it is also good for your mental wellbeing.
-
Mindfulness – be curious about the world and savour the moment. Some people call this mindfulness. Mindfulness can help you enjoy your life more.
-
Keep Learning – learn something new, something fun to boost your confidence and have fun. Learning new skills can boost your mental wellbeing.
-
Acts of Kindness – do something nice for someone. Acts of kindness can help improve your wellbeing.
Wellbeing Coordinator
