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Dear Parents, Students and Friends
A warm welcome to the 2025 school year. I hope you all enjoyed a fabulous break and were able to
spend quality time with family and friends.
Term One has started very positively for all students. Year 7 have settled quickly into their classes and are embracing high school and the new opportunities presented to them. It is a pleasure to listen to their stories during the breaks and to see them adapting to the routines and expectations of the secondary setting. Well done to all!
This year we are celebrating 30 years since the establishment of Carroll College which marks a significant milestone in our story as a Catholic college. This is certainly reason to celebrate and give thanks for the incredible foresight of those who shared a vision of establishing a Catholic College on the South Coast. We will launch our celebrations with Patron’s Day on 26 February. This year, Patron’s Day is combining all House days into one – Chisholm, MacKillop and Xavier. We have a
fantastic day planned. More details to follow in the coming week.
“All schools have a fundamental place in society. To educate the young is always a privileged and even sacred task. That importance and sacredness take on the added dimension of Christian faith when the task is undertaken in a Catholic school. “Learning for Life” is an appropriate motto for any school. Its particular relevance for Carroll College becomes clear in light of the faith vision
which has inspired the College, and which shines through…”
+Francis P. Carroll
Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn 1998
There is quite a lot to communicate as we begin the new school year so I hope you find the following information helpful and informative.
JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGE 2025
Every 25 years, the Church proclaims a Holy Year, a special gift of grace and mercy for all God’s people. The Jubilee Year Pilgrimage is an invitation to leaders and emerging leaders across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to step into this grace and join with the faithful from around the world. On a pilgrimage inspired by many holy men and women of Italy, participants will encounter the pathways of some of the Church’s greatest saints, from St Francis and St Clare of Assisi to St Peter and Paul in Rome, where they will cross the threshold of the Holy Door in St Peter’s Basilica and receive the Jubilee blessing
Harvest Journeys
I congratulate Mr Andrew Kenneally and Mrs Kym Millikin on being selected to be part of this experience. They will depart on Monday 7 July for 12 days and be accompanied by Archbishop Christopher Prowse and colleagues from across the Archdiocese. Full details follow for your perusal.
CONGRATULATIONS
Mrs Cassie Johnston had quite a different holiday break to the rest of us! Congratulations to Mrs Johnston and her husband, Hugh on the safe arrival of their second daughter, Billie. Wonderful news! Congratulations from the Carroll College community.
STAFFING
Each year it is exciting to see new opportunities arise that support leadership growth from within our team. This year, we have several colleagues moving into higher duties and/or into new roles. Congratulations to…
· Mrs Anna Smart – Religious Education Coordinator
· Mrs Erica Drewsen – Leader of Pedagogy
· Mrs Kym Millikin – Mathematics Coordinator
· Mrs Erin Blackman – Leader of Inclusive Education
· Mrs Amy Dalgleish – VET Coordinator
· Mrs Belle Barling - Humanities Coordinator (Year 7)
· Mr Ryan Bissell - Pastoral Assistant (Acting)
· Mrs Anna Voysey-McManus – English Coordinator job-sharing with Mr Stephen Knight
· Mrs Miriam Shilling – CAPA Coordinator job-sharing with Mrs Ros Maher
· Mrs Janette Soper – Science Coordinator job-sharing (continuing) with Tim Hodges
Congratulations also to colleagues who have moved into permanent teaching roles this year. Their contributions to the college have been highly valued since their commencement at Carroll.
· Miss Montana Price
· Mr Luke Fuller
· Miss Kate Blackmore
It is my pleasure to welcome the following new staff to Carroll this year. Welcome to Miss Tiffany Johnston, Mrs Nicole Jamieson, Mrs Simone Eagan, Mrs Michelle Zutt, Miss Samantha Ellis, Mrs Brooke Irving, and Mr Riley Nolan.
Also, to Mr Damien Hughes, Mr Stuart Clarke, Mrs Judy Smith and Ms Elise Paull who are taking on new roles from last year. Ms Paull has held the VET Administration role for 14 years. As Ms Paull moves into a different role this year, I thank her sincerely for her commitment to VET and the guidance and support shown to our students. Our Pathways offerings have positively impacted so many of our students and Ms Paull has been a huge advocate in this space.
We also welcome Mr Wayne Foster back from leave.
TASTE OF TASMANIA TOUR
We are thrilled to be offering the Carroll College Taste of Tasmania Tour this year with students in Years 9 and 10. A big shout out to Ms Sonia Pope and Ms Lizette Richards for proposing this experience! With two attempted overseas trips cancelled in recent years for reasons beyond our control (Cambodia and New Caledonia), we are now looking to explore options within Australia and alternate student experiences nationally and internationally. The Tour is planned for Week 8 - Term 4, Monday 1 December - Saturday 6 December 2025. Our tour company is G.E.T. Travel who specialise in Educational Tours. The Tasmanian Tour is a cultural journey where students will experience a taste of Tasmania and its history. The itinerary includes visits to cultural institutions, a safari bus tour, art experiences, hiking through a national park and exploration of the historical Port Arthur, including a lantern-lit ghost tour. Teachers accompanying students to Tasmania include Ms Sonia Pope, Ms Lizette Richards, Mrs Sandra Harris and Mr Tim Hodges.
COLLEGE MUSICAL
This year’s college musical is Ben Elton's acclaimed We Will Rock You. The music of Queen features and will appeal to a wide audience. The musical this year will be held at Bay Pavilions across three performance dates, with a fourth performance date available depending upon the demand for ticket sales. The dates are as follows:
Wednesday 25 June
- Matinee Performance - 11.00am
- Evening Performance - 6.30pm
Thursday 26 June
- Evening Performance - 6.30pm
Friday 27 June- Date available on demand.
Bay Pavilions has been confirmed as our venue for this event as the construction of our new TAS facility will be underway. There will be limited parking and unknown restrictions - we are yet to discover! Special thanks to our Director, Mrs Teagan Russell, Musical Director, Mrs Ros Maher, Producer, Mrs Belle Barling, and Costume Manager, Mrs Anna Voysey-McManus.
COLLEGE IMPROVEMENTS
As you would appreciate, the Christmas break offers an opportunity to get a number of jobs done when students and staff are offsite. Thank you to Mr Daryl Hanson, Mr Glyn Bromige-Avery and Mrs Dalys Whipp for their work over the past month in coordinating college upgrades. Significant work is occurring in C5 to better utilise this space. This room has been converted into two rooms to cater for our needs with intervention programs and break out spaces for students requiring small group/individual support. Some office changes have also occurred to accommodate role changes.
Mrs Erica Drewsen has moved into the VET office. Some work will be occurring in this office space to provide visibility into the Hub. Mrs Drewsen will be introducing podcasts and interviewing students, staff and alumni for various purposes. A glass window will be added on the wall where there are currently desktop computers. This will allow students to observe an interview in progress before it is uploaded to our website and College Facebook pages.
BGA PROJECT UPDATE
Our Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) building refurbishment is close to starting. We have the largest project in the Archdiocese this year coming in at a cost of approximately $8.4M. Quite a timely investment for our 30th anniversary year. Exciting times ahead! Follow the link to see more. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/stcocxngmd280gbz010jm/_CARROLL-COLLEGE-ARCH-Set.pdf?rlkey=b1ljvcg2wqmf5jqdswn5qmnmp&dl=0
CLASSROOM MASTERY
Classroom Mastery behavioural routines are now an agreed practice at Carroll College. Every member of the team is modelling routines explicitly to support student engagement. Mrs Drewsen will be taking the lead this year with Classroom Mastery and combining observations with a High Impact Teaching Practice (HITP) focus.
· Cue to Start
· Student Entry Routine
· Student Exit Routine
· Student Voices
TEACH WELL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING | WAVE 5
We have a new group of ‘HITP In Action’ teachers undertaking intensive training in High Impact Teaching Practices. These colleagues include Ms Elle Boller, Mr Joel Coates, Mrs Amy Dalgleish, Mr Luke Fuller, Mr Paul Graziani, Mr Greg McAteer, Ms Lizette Richards, and Mrs Miriam Shilling. More information will be shared throughout the year regarding evidence-based teaching practices that we implement at the College.
STAFF IN THE SPOTLIGHT!
Each fortnight, the newsletter will be featuring a member of our team. This provides an opportunity to get to know some of our newer staff members and a little of their background. We have included this segment in our newsletter in the past and it has been well received. Mr Luke Fuller is in the spotlight this week. An enjoyable read!
Congratulations to Miss Montana Price and her fiancé, Angus who have recently become engaged! Warmest congratulations from the Carroll community.
Year 12 students are preparing for their senior retreat next week. This is always a highlight of their secondary experience, one of personal and spiritual growth.
My best wishes for 2025! We have a great year planned. Please always know you have my full support, as we work together to give your children the best opportunities. Our college is blessed with an exceptional team who are committed and passionate about working with young people.
A reminder that we have a Pupil Free Day coming up at the end of Week 4 on Friday 28 February. Staff will be engaged in a staff spirituality day with Fr Rob Galea.
With respect and encouragement to you.
Mrs Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal
“The Holy Spirit reminds us first and foremost that we are children loved by God –
everyone equal in God’s love, and everyone different.” (Pope Francis)
Welcome back to a new school year! I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break. As we begin Term 1, we are excited to come together as a faith-filled community, ready to learn, grow, and celebrate all that makes our school so special.
Our theme for 2025 is inspired by Pope Francis’ beautiful words: “The Holy Spirit reminds us first and foremost that we are children loved by God - everyone equal and everyone different.” This message encourages us to embrace our unique gifts and differences while remembering that, at our core, we are all equally loved by God. It calls us to celebrate the richness of diversity in our school, treat each other with kindness and respect, and live with a spirit of unity and inclusion.
To mark the beginning of the year, staff from the College, St Mary’s and St Bernard’s have gathered for special Commissioning Masses. The St Bernard’s Commissioning Mass was held on February 8, whilst the Sacred Heart Mass will be held on February 15. These Masses are always a meaningful way to acknowledge the mission we share as educators - to nurture the minds and hearts of the students in our care.
I look forward to seeing how our theme comes to life in our classrooms and across the wider school community this year. May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire us as we walk this journey together.
Wishing you all a wonderful and rewarding term ahead.
Mrs Anna Smart
Religious Education Coordinator
Welcome to the 2025 school year and a very special welcome to our new students and families. We hope everyone has had a relaxing break. Our students have had a positive start to the term. I have been impressed with their energy and good manners directed at each other and the staff, along with their smiling faces. We hope this year continues to be a successful one for learning and building positive relationships.
Pastoral Team
Along with Homeroom and Class teachers, the Pastoral Coordinators and extended Pastoral Team are here each day ready to support our Carroll College community.
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Mrs Corrinne Dell |
Mr Greg McAteer MacKillop |
Mrs Karen Lyttle Xavier |
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Ms Elle Boller
Wellbeing Coordinator |
Mr Ryan Bissell
Pastoral Assistant |
Mrs Marg Croese
Welfare Officer |
College Counsellors
As part of the pastoral care program for students, Carroll College has access to a Student and Family Counselling service provided by Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn (MCCG). MCCG are contracted by Carroll College to provide a counselling service to students and their families on site. There is no fee to access this service.
The role of the counsellor is to focus on the emotional, social and educational well-being of the students. Counsellors welcome contact with students having difficulty with some part of their life, whether or not it affects their school work. The problem does not have to be a big one. It is better to seek help sooner than later.
Some typical concerns that counsellors work with include: anger, anxiety, behavioural problems, depression, eating problems, family breakdown and family conflict, grief and loss, learning and educational challenges, parenting challenges, peer and other social relationships, school avoidance, stress and study skills. As well as individual sessions with students, counsellors can run groups, do family work, consult with parents and teachers and make referrals to other services and supports.
Student and Family Counsellors subscribe to a set of professional ethics that include duty of care and respect for the individual rights to privacy and confidentiality. The counsellor's obligation is to ensure the safety, wellbeing and confidentiality of the students they are working with. All counsellors are mandated to report any disclosure or sign of abuse or neglect to the Department of Communities and Justice. Outside of our mandated requirements, all counselling sessions are confidential and the details will not be discussed with other parties unless consent is given by the student.
Parent consent is required for all students under 14 years of age. Consent will be sought and provided via email. Referrals to the service can be made by contacting the pastoral team or speaking with a counsellor directly.
Carroll College's Student and Family Counsellors:
Faith Costigan, Social Worker - Monday and Tuesday
Naomi Bee, Social Worker - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
The counselling office is located in the HUB and counsellors can be contacted by Ph: 4471 5600.
Bus Safety Week will be held from Monday 17 - Sunday 23 February 2025.
Bus Safety Week, part of the annual Be Bus Aware campaign which promotes safety on and around buses for all road users.
Having your child catch the bus to and from school each day is very important for most of our families. The following Code of Conduct sets out acceptable standards of behaviour and rules students are expected to follow for the safety and comfort of all passengers, including themselves. If the rules are not followed, it may lead to the withdrawal of travel passes for subsidised travel, banning students from travelling on buses, and even police prosecution and court action. Parents are encouraged to discuss the information below with their child.
Bus safety for school students
Safety around schools | Transport for NSW
Towards Zero—Safety around trucks and buses
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES
It is every student’s responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes:
Behaviour on buses:
- Use appropriate language - not offensive or racist language.
- Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted.
- No eating or drinking (other than water) – unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission.
- Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers.
- Do not touch, push or shove other people.
- Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature.
- Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of an emergency.
- Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers.
Safety on and near buses:
- Obey reasonable directions from the driver (e.g. where to sit or to remain in the bus).
- Remain in your seat – do not move around the bus unnecessarily.
- If standing, remain behind the front passenger seat and keep a secure handhold at all times.
- Keep bags and other items clear of the aisle.
- Do not allow any part of your body to protrude out of the bus at any time.
- Wait for the bus in a quiet and orderly manner – including at bus interchanges.
- Stand away from the roadside until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Allow other passengers to leave the bus before stepping onto the bus in a single line.
- Wait until the bus stops before moving to get off the bus at your designated stop.
- Wait until the bus leaves the stop and you have clear vision before crossing the road.
- Cross the road where and when it’s safe to do so, use crossings/traffic lights where available.
Legal considerations on buses:
- Wear the seat belt properly adjusted and fastened, if one is available.
- Obey the law that bans smoking on buses.
- Ensure that buses are not vandalised – report any damage, e.g. graffiti and window etching to the driver.
- Do not interfere with bus property, equipment and signage.
Guidelines for Managing School Student Behaviour on Buses
- Do not leave rubbish on the bus, or at bus stops or interchanges.
- Using bus passes: Show travel passes or tickets to the driver on boarding and to Authorised Revenue Protection Officers, NSW Police Officers or bus company representative when requested.
- Use the travel pass only for its intended purpose – do not lend your pass to other students or borrow a pass from them - swipe or ‘dip’ passes in ticket readers if available when boarding.
- If issued with a School Opal card, always tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving the bus.
Academic Care Period
The Academic Care period this week had a curriculum focus to assist students with organisation and examining their strengths, areas of further development, opportunities, and identifying any threats to this achievement. Parents are invited to talk to their child about the content that has been covered.
Year 7 - Onboarding with information about using Sentral, setting up Google docs and being aware of some everyday policies eg. mobile phones.
Year 8 - Onboarding with information about using Sentral, setting up Google docs and being aware of some everyday policies eg. mobile phones.
Year 9 - Unleash Your Potential - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis.
Year 10 - Unleash Your Potential - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis.
Year 11- Finalising All My Own Work and Unleash Your Potential - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis.
Year 12- Unleash Your Potential - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis and final organisation for the Retreat in Week 3.
Lockers
We are happy to announce that students in Years 7 to 10 now have access to their lockers. Students all know that they are to store their bags, personal belongings and mobile phones in their lockers during the day.
Driving and passengers
Our senior students are now either interested in learning to drive or already have their licenses. If your child intends to drive to school or be a passenger in a car driven by another student then they need to ensure that they have completed the correct documentation. The forms need to be signed, handed in at the Front Office and approved before this driving begins.
Later in the term all of Year 11 students will be attending the Rotary Young Driver Awareness (RYDA) program which offers invaluable information about how to keep young drivers safe on our local roads. More information will follow in the coming weeks.
Uniform
Toward the end of the holidays, all families received an email outlining the College expectations across a range of areas including the uniform policy. Overall our students have returned well presented in their uniforms. We are very proud that the College is well respected in the local area and know that the way our students present in their uniforms and their behaviour plays a major role in this. We are committed to maintaining this high standard and ask that parents support the College staff by checking uniforms before students come to school each day. If a correction to your child’s uniform is required then we appreciate the support from our families.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day (11 February) is a day of action dedicated to making the internet a safer and more positive place for all. The theme for 2025 is ‘Keeping sport positive online’. During Homeroom students were reminded about the simple steps they can take to keep themselves safe in online spaces. Thank you to Mr Bissell for organising this activity.
5 core messages, which every one whether they are involved in sport or not, can model:
- Be kind: Practice respect, empathy and kindness online.
- Be mindful: Balance your time online and consume and share positive and respectful content.
- Speak up: Report online abuse and harmful content.
- Start the conversation: Talk about online safety at your sports club and follow the child safe practices for online communication.
- Share resources: Visit the eSafety Sports hub and share Sport Integrity Australia’s resources.
By doing these simple things, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.
Parents are reminded that the eSafety Commissioners website contains an explanation of the day and some helpful ideas. All families are encouraged to visit www.esafety.gov.au to explore the resources, FAQ and links to webinars.
I look forward to working with our students and families throughout 2025. If you have any concerns about your child or have information that will help us to better meet their needs, can you please contact the College and ask to speak to your child's Pastoral Coordinator or myself.
Welcome to the new school year!
Mrs Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care
Dear Carroll Community,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all our students and families for an exciting and productive year ahead. Last week at the whole school assembly I focused my address on three main themes:
1/ Ready to learn every day, every lesson
2/ Assessment at Carroll College
3/ Learning for Life (Effort equals success)
Ready to learn every day, every lesson is a focus for all our students. This year the college is implementing “Classroom Mastery” and “HITP” to ensure our learners are successful in their pursuit for knowledge and understanding. Academic Care this week for Years 9-12 will allow students to explore their strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities. This self-reflection will assist students to identify what they would like to achieve this year both academically and in their personal life. It is a great time to look back and decide what worked, and what didn’t and then look forward to what new approaches they will try. Students will benefit from the opportunity to self-reflect and then set meaningful goals for 2024.
Assessment at Carroll College is the combination of both formative and summative assessment. Put simply “Everything” counts. All the work students do counts towards their overall grade each semester. Summative assessment schedules will be available soon and it’s important to note the tasks and timing to add to personal calendars and be prepared. Students will receive assessment notifications at least 2 weeks prior to the due date, outlining the task and the marking guidelines.
Learning for Life (Effort = Success)
Michael Jordan said, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying again”.
Your teachers are very similar to Michael Jordan. They understand that everyone may fail at times, but we always encourage all our students to keep trying each and every day.
Your teachers know how to set goals, that includes, time, effort, sacrifice and hard work. It is important we surround ourselves with successful learners. Your teachers have committed at least 4 years to full time study to be able to teach you this year. Draw from their experience and advice, as they know what is required to be successful learners.
AI (Artificial Intelligence Applications)
I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of the increased use by students of AI (Artificial Intelligence Applications) such as ChatGPT to produce answers to questions which are then submitted as a student’s own work.
The use of ChatGPT and other AI Applications to generate answers is not a student’s own work and is therefore considered by Catholic Education and NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) to be plagiarism (cheating). Taking the ideas, views, the work/words generated by AI Applications is NOT the student’s own work.
I raise your awareness that more and more of what students copy and paste from the internet may have also been AI generated and will therefore also be identified as such by our AI checkers.
The goal of our college is to support students to improve and grow as learners and this can only happen when students submit work that is their own and in ‘their own words’.
We know our students. We know when work is not their own. The onus is on the student to demonstrate that the work is their own, (cite and reference, use quotation marks and in-text reference the work of others) not for us to prove it is not.
If, in the professional judgment of teachers and/or through AI checkers, submitted work has been deemed to have been created by an AI Application or has been AI generated, Carroll Staff will not mark or provide feedback on this work. It will be sent back to the student and a resubmission of work will be requested. Assessment tasks will receive a zero result and in Years 10, 11 and 12 a Non- Completion Warning letter (N warning letter) will be processed and sent to students.
I encourage you, as our supervisors and as partners in your child’s learning, to support students in developing a very clear understanding of what is expected to be a successful learner. I ask that you support us by speaking with your children about their course work and answers, and discouraging student use of applications such as ChatGPT and other AI applications if they are not being used in the correct manner.
Home Learning at Carroll College
Carroll College is a place of authentic learning where students find meaning and purpose in their life through the integration of faith and culture. Our Catholic community has a responsibility to ensure all students find meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning. Home Learning at Carroll College is defined as all school-related preparation, tasks and study with which students engage, and attempt to complete outside of normal learning lessons. Informed by current educational research, home learning that leads to learning is:
- Purposeful and relevant to student needs
- Appropriate to the capacity and phase of learning of the students
- Encouraging of student independence as learners
- Varied, challenging and clearly related to learning
- Both aware and allowing of students’ commitment to recreational, employment, family, religious and cultural activities.
Objectives
Home learning has the potential to:
- Provides the opportunity to link knowledge and understanding through reinforcing learning experiences at both school and home
- Foster good study habits and promote lifelong learning
- Help develop self-discipline and concentration
- Provide training for students in research skills, planning and time management
- Help develop a range of skills in identifying and using information sources
- Provides parents/carers with the opportunity to see the progress of their child.
There is also evidence to show that home learning completion can serve to improve the achievement of socially and educationally disadvantaged students as well as provide challenges and stimulus to gifted and talented students.
Types of Home Learning
At Carroll College, there are usually five types of home learning:
- Set work – completion of set home learning for the next learning session at school
- Formative/Summative Assessment Tasks – ongoing completion of, or preparation for, assessment tasks that are due or set which all count towards their Report (remember all work is assessable and everything counts)
- Study – revision and learning by way of such methods as re-reading and highlighting of key words; executive summaries and/or note-making in forms such as mind-maps, study books, cluster diagrams; traditional headings/subheadings and related points; learning of work completed that day and/or in prior lessons; problem solving, essay introductions/conclusions; correction and learning of correct spelling/glossary key concepts, punctuation and grammar; learning of theorems, equations, formulae and definitions
- Reading – additional research and/or individual interest
- A combination of two or more of the above.
Recording of and communicating about Home Learning
- The student laptop is the primary means of recording and communicating about home learning. If there is no “Set Work” for the next lesson, students are still expected to enter the word “Study”. This is to remind them that there are probably other types of home learning for subjects that need to be addressed or completed.
- Students are expected to note the due date of any home learning, assessment task, class tests or examinations in their personal calendars. Communication to students and parents regarding summative assessment tasks and examinations is also by way of one or more of the following:
- Assessment Handbook for each Year group
- School Assessment Task Notification Form
- School Website
- School Newsletter
Time on Home Learning
An examination of International and National practices and many individual NSW school home learning policy statements reveals that there are some notional minimum and maximum hours most schools use as guidelines.
At Carroll College, suggested daily home learning hours reflect the research and are as follows:
| Year 11-12 | 2-3 hours (but dependent on individual patterns of study) |
| Year 9-10 | 1 ½ - 2 hours |
| Year 7-8 | 1 - 1 ½ hours |
Suggested home learning hours may fluctuate depending on such things as: the nature of the courses being studied; pending examinations; and times when assignments and assessment tasks are due. Various scenarios may require some hours to be assigned to the completion of home learning on weekends or school holidays.
A golden rule is that whether home learning has been formally set by the class teacher, there is always some other work that can be attempted, for at least some of the suggested time, from one of the other types of home learning outlined above. Furthermore, as stated earlier, some home learning done at regular intervals is better than none at all.
Home Learning and Time Management
The amount of time spent on any one specific type, or combination of types, of home learning may vary from one day to the next. This will be determined by a number of factors but does require effective time management.
Effective time management is a major challenge for most students throughout their school and post-school life. Students at all levels require regular, sometimes daily assistance from both teachers and parents/carers in the development of this skill.
Parental involvement in the completion of Home Learning
Research indicates that most parents expect schools to set home learning. Positive parental involvement in home learning is beneficial to students and is associated with higher levels of student achievement.
The nature of parental involvement in home learning may take a variety of forms that can have beneficial impacts on student achievement. Parents and carers can demonstrate positive involvement in home learning by:
- creating a home learning environment that provides appropriate conditions for learning and encouraging their children to complete home learning tasks
- adopting supportive approaches that help to improve students’ attitudes towards home learning and that reduce home learning-related family conflict
- taking an active interest in their child’s home learning - research shows that interactive approaches to homework completion, particularly in the early years of primary and secondary schooling, have significant positive impact on student levels of achievement
- supporting their child in setting aside time each day for home learning
- providing a dedicated place for home learning and study if possible
- assisting teachers to monitor home learning by signing completed work if requested
- regularly observing home learning entries and teacher comments on Sentral
- being aware of the amount of home learning set and due dates
- communicating with teachers any concerns about the nature of home learning or their child’s approach to home learning
- encouraging their child to read and take an interest in current events
- alerting the school to any domestic circumstances or extra-curricular activities that may need to be taken into consideration when home learning is being set or marked.
Finally, I wish you every success as you begin the term and I’ll leave you with one final quote from Michael Jordan.
“If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it”
Warm regards
Mr Andrew Kenneally
Assistant Principal – Curriculum, Learning and Innovation
Welcome to the 2025 school year. A special welcome to the new students and families who have joined us this year and welcome back to everyone else. The Admin Updates section of the newsletter will provide families with important dates for the term and exam timetables.
Sentral App for Parents
If you haven’t downloaded the Sentral Parents App, now is the perfect time. The Parents App provides a convenient gateway to the Sentral Parent Portal, giving you instant access to essential information like student timetables, daily notices, and school reports. Additionally, you can easily submit absence notes directly to the school through the app.
Download the app today!
Once you have downloaded the app, search for Carroll College and log in using your Sentral username and password.
We hope you find it an easy way to access your portal information.
Sentral remains our primary Student Management System, offering features such as attendance explanations, parent-teacher interview bookings, and access to reports, timetables, and daily notices.
We use Compass specifically for excursions, permissions, payments, and school fee transactions.
Qkr! is available to purchase school uniforms and calculators.
School Photos
School photos will be held on Tuesday 11 March. Photo envelopes will be distributed to each student in the coming weeks in Homeroom.
Year 10 Immunisations
Each year, NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program.
NSW Health will be at the College to administer the vaccinations to Year 10 students on Wednesday 19 March.
Consent forms were handed out to students last week. Students can collect a consent form from the office if they missed out. Parents/carers will need to consent to their child's vaccination by completing either the paper form or the online form. Please note that only students with parental consent will receive the vaccination.
If you have questions regarding the college's immunisation program, please contact the Public Health Unit.
Upcoming reminders …
Monday 17 February – Year 12 UOW Discovery Day
Tuesday 18 February – College Swimming Carnival at Bay Pavilions
Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 February – Year 12 Retreat
Wednesday 19 February – Year 11 VET Induction Day
Friday 21 February – Year 10 Jamberoo Excursion
Monday 24 February – Year 7 Welcome and Information Evening
Monday 24 February – Year 11 Information Evening
Wednesday 26 February – Patron’s Day
Thursday 27 February – Will Small Poetry workshops
Friday 28 February – Pupil Free Day
Mrs Sandra Harris
Administration Coordinator
Our students benefit from a high-quality educational experience and a wide range of learning and co-curricular opportunities. We continue to see improvement in the academic achievement of students, particularly in literacy and numeracy. Our approach to high impact teaching has been commended nationally and internationally. Our commitment to learning, combined with knowing each child, continues to nurture the growth and development of every child.
Your school fees are critical to support the delivery of high-quality education, the funding of all staff and the maintenance and improvement of facilities at our school.
It is a policy of the Archdiocese that no student should be refused enrolment, excluded or disadvantaged because their family is unable to afford fees. If you have any concerns that the 2025 fees may cause hardship for you and your family, I encourage you to contact me for a confidential discussion on the assistance available to support your child. You can contact me via email dalys.whipp@cg.catholic.edu.au or phone 44 715600.
Welcome to the 2025 school year!
Mrs Dalys Whipp
Business Manager
Wellbeing Coordinator
Welcome to the 2025 Captains' Corner, a new tradition added to the Carroll College Newsletter! The Captains' Corner was designed by the previous SLT and was created to give you some insight into who your new SLT members are as individuals and what our intentions are for the College. With each fortnightly newsletter, there will be a new pair of College Captains introduced and hopefully as the months progress, you will become more familiar with each of us, building a stronger bond within the College community.
- I am a very social person, I love to talk to anyone, anytime!
- My family and friends mean the world to me! Seeing my friends is the best part of coming to school.
- I love spending time at the beach.
Hi! My name is Josh and I’m one of your College Captains for 2025.
I would like to express my excitement stepping into this role, and having passionate goals in mind for the school. Being a charismatic person, I want to spread kindness and joy to others, showing my persona and helping out the school community. A few things about myself…
- I like to be active and play sports with my mates. It's definitely the most enjoyable thing in the world!
- I love to listen to music around the house. My favourite artists would be Trav Scott, Drake and Don Toliver.
- Every now and then I head down to the beach to relax, but I also love taking the 'boog' out out for a spin.
- The thing I love to do most is laugh and have fun with friends and family, being around others really uplifts my mood and attitude.
These are just a few things about me! If you have any questions or concerns don’t be afraid to come up to me and say hi! I like to be social and help out others whenever I can. Hopefully, with strong intentions in mind, we can work together to make the college community thrive into a remarkable place.
Today marks the 17th anniversary of former prime minister, Kevin Rudd's apology speech. This was a historic moment in Australia's history, marking the first formal acknowledgment of the injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations. The Stolen Generations refers to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by the Australian federal and state government agencies and church missions under the acts of their respective parliaments.
Rudd's apology was significant because it represented an official recognition of the pain and suffering caused by these policies and was a crucial step towards the healing of Indigenous Australia and an urge to reconcile Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The apology was important not only for offering a formal expression of regret and responsibility but also for starting a national conversation about the need for healing, justice, and equality. It was a commitment to address the historical wrongs of the Australian government and helped to start paving the way for improved relations and policy changes aimed at closing the gap in health, education, and economic opportunities that continues to exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Many Indigenous people are still feeling the effects of the stolen generation through intergenerational trauma. This has led to many issues for the health and wellbeing of so many of our people, but we as a people have shown our resilience and strength as we continue to fight against these injustices. This speech was such a crucial step in healing but we are still so far from reaching equality for the whole of Australia.
Our students and staff gathered in the Hub to view this historic footage and be moved by its profound significance for our First Nations people and the whole Australian community.
Miss Samantha Ellis
Aboriginal Education Officer
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
The Carroll College Vocational Education and Training (VET) team would like to welcome you to our department. We are proud to be offering the following courses in 2025-2026:
- Certificate III in Business Services
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways - Early Commencement (YR10)
- Certificate II in Hospitality (Food and Beverage)
- Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services (Entertainment)
- Certificate III in Sport Coaching
2025 VET Student Induction
On Wednesday 19 February all students that are studying a VET subject will be required to attend the Student Induction. The induction will introduce students to the expectations of completing their course in the VET department, uniforms and work placement. Permission is on Compass for this in-house event.
2025 SBAT's
We are thrilled to celebrate three outstanding students who have taken a significant step in their educational journey by signing up for School-Based Traineeships (SBAT). These motivated students; Charlotte Welsh, Mia Lasscock and Tarlaya Te-Kowhai have demonstrated remarkable initiative by choosing to combine their academic studies with practical, industry-recognised training.
Charlotte will study a Certificate III in Fitness through UOW College and combine her studies with her work at Balance Holistic Fitness.
Mia and Tarlaya will be employed by DCJ and are studying a Certificate III in Business Services offered at the college.
We wish these students all the best as they embark on their chosen pathways.
If you would like information about SBATs, please contact the VET Office.
CAREERS
UOW Future Me
Students will explore post-high school opportunities and improve HSC study skills with our Year 12 Future Me program. They'll learn about university pathways, finance and UOW's Early Admission process. Students will attend six 90-minute sessions online or at their local UOW campus. In these sessions, students will learn about pathways to university, connect with peers, and hone their skills ready for Early Admission.
Students who complete the program and apply for UOW Early Entry will be flagged with UOW Admissions Office.
Date/Time: 90min session per week from 3 March - 10 April 2025 (6 weeks total)
Who: 2025 Year 12 students
Location: Batemans Bay, Hanging Rock
Cost: Nil
Register at the link: https://www.uow.edu.au/engage/schools-parents/high-school/future-me/#apply
Charles Sturt University Advantage (Early Offer)
With the Charles Sturt Advantage you can get a guaranteed spot at Charles Sturt University in your course before you sit your final exams.
More information can be found at https://study.csu.edu.au/information-for/school-leavers/charles-sturt-advantage
Applications opened on 7 February 2025.
UOW Discovery Day - Monday 17 February 2025
2025 Year 12 students have the opportunity to experience first hand what a day at university is like. Students will build their own timetable to participate in a range of activities on the UOW's Wollongong campus. The activities run across various faculties and are designed to provide students with an authentic experience of studying at university.
Registration: https://www.uow.edu.au/engage/schools-parents/high-school/discovery-days/
For all VET and Careers information, please email me at E: Amy.dalgleish@cg.catholic.edu.au
Welcome to the new school year!
Mrs Amy Dalgleish
VET/Careers Coordinator
Representative Sport Information
Welcome to another year of sport at Carroll College for returning students and I would like to offer a warm welcome to all our Year 7 students and new enrolments. Sport plays an integral role in college life and not only helps to promote an active lifestyle but assists in fostering and developing relationships with fellow peers and staff. I am excited for the year ahead!
For those students commencing in Year 7 and for all students new to the college in other year levels, we have a wide range of sporting opportunities that occur throughout the year. From our swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals to local school-based sporting competitions, the opportunities are numerous and participation is always encouraged. Representation through Canberra Goulburn Archdiocesan level or Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) at an individual, or part of a team, is available to students.
The majority of our sporting events are already on the College Calendar which can be accessed on the Sentral Portal https://ccb.sentral.com.au/s-pg6axV/webcal/calendar/9. All other sporting events that become available during the year will be announced on the student notices via Sentral. Staff running each event will put a sign up sheet on the student notice board and it will be the student's responsibility to read the Sentral notices and sign up for teams or events.
All Archdiocesan sporting events can be found on the following link: https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar.
Parents who wish to register their child for any Archdiocesan or Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) event must do so via the website which can be found at https://csnsw.sport/ (many parents of students from St Mary's or St Bernards will already have done so and you may use the same account at CCB). It is the parent's responsibility to ensure their child is registered for any events.
I would also suggest following the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Sport page on Facebook for up to date information.
NSW CCC information - 2025
There is a NSWCCC representative pathway sport selection for individual entry sports early in Term 1. The closing dates for registrations are very soon. No registrations will be permitted after the close dates.
All individual sports registrations are completed on the csnsw.sport website. Parents must have an account and add their child to have access. (Sports Registration HELP is available on sport info page)
More details are available on the csnsw.sport website
Sport nominations to be aware of in Term 1:
CCC Tennis (individual)
CCC Cricket (individual)
CCC Golf (individual)
Registration for Expression of Interest Close: 21 February 2025
Selections Event: Monday, 3rd March 2025
Rugby League - 2025 U15's Boys Western Rugby League Trials
As there were numbers in excess of 150 boys trialling for the U15's Boys Western Rugby League team in 2024, it has been decided that registrations will be via an Expression of Interest.
The Western Trials are on 26 March with the following time frame for registrations:
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Expression of Interest are open
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Expression of Interest will close on 5 March 2025
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Parents will be informed of the result if their Expression of Interest has been successful or not on 7 March 2025
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Parents will be advised of the next step if their child has been successful and will be required to have their son registered on the CSNSW Sport website by 19 March 2025.
Please find the note attached. Link for the Google form is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAL6lqFdgtfAIp88jKZF-XO0uuXragWtRGQ95pyrJ-drhK7g/viewform?usp=header
Rugby League - 2025 U18s Boys Western Rugby League Trials
Event Date: 26 March 2025
Registration now open via the CSNSW Portal - csnsw.sport
Rugby League - 2025 U16s Girls Western Rugby League Trials
Event Date: 11 April 2025
Registration now open via the CSNSW Portal - csnsw.sport and close 28 March
Rugby League - Southern Country U18s Girls
Event Date: 10 April 2025
Registration now open via the CSNSW Portal - csnsw.sport and close 2 April
Football (Soccer) - 2025 U18s Boys and U18s Girls
Event Date: 7 March 2025
Registration now open via the CSNSW Portal - csnsw.sport and close 28 February
Southern Country Boys U15's AFL
Closing Date: Monday 10 February 2025
Event Date: Wednesday 26 February 2025
Canberra Goulburn Boys and Girls U15 Touch Football Trials
Event Date: 24 February 2025
Registration via the CSNSW Portal - csnsw.sport
Canberra Goulburn Boys U18 Touch Football Trials
Event Date: 1 April 2025
Registration now open via the CSNSW Portal - csnsw.sport
If you have any questions regarding sport at Carroll College, please do not hesitate to contact me at charlton.fogarty@cg.catholic.edu.au
Mr Charlton Fogarty
Sport Coordinator
Carroll College Taste of Tasmania Tour 2025
The Tasmanian Tour is a cultural journey where 25 students in Year 9 and 10 will experience a taste of Tasmania and its history. The itinerary includes visits to cultural institutions, a safari bus tour, art experiences, hiking through a national park and exploration of the historical Port Arthur, including a lantern-lit ghost tour.
Tour objectives are as follows:
- To provide experiential learning through workshops and visits to significant cultural sites.
- To foster appreciation for Tasmania's unique cultural heritage and natural environment.
- To explore a part of Australia that is vastly different to the region in which Carroll College students live.
- To give students an appreciation and understanding of what their ancestors may have gone through.
Congratulations to the 25 students who will be participating in the tour. Spaces filled within hours and the waiting list has 12 students on it! This indicates that the Carroll College community is keen for adventure, so keep an eye out for future travel opportunities.
Ms Sonia Pope
Organising Teacher
PCYC Far South Coast, in partnership with Mystery Bay Cottages, has secured funding through the Eurobodalla Fire to Flourish - Next Generation Funding to deliver the next WOLF (Wisdom, Opportunity, Learn, Friendship) Program in 2025.
This impactful program is designed to support young people aged 15 to 17 who are experiencing school or social disengagement by offering them meaningful alternative pathways to thrive.
The two 2025 WOLF Programs will run from March to August and will feature progressive camps and workshops aimed at fostering learning, engagement, and personal development. This initiative includes:
Date for the Camps & Future Pathways Expo:
Male Group:
- Foundation Camp: March 5th–7th
- Between camps, participants will attend weekly workshops/training March 13th to May 15th
- Future Pathways Expo: May 21st & Achievement Camp: May 21st - 22nd
Female Group:
- Foundation Camp: June 4th–6th
- Between camps, participants will attend weekly workshops/training June 12th to Aug 14th
- Future Pathways Expo: Aug 20th & Achievement Camp: Aug 20th - 21st
Due to stretched transport options, we are seeking young people who live within a 25-kilometer radius of Mystery Bay (unless they can make alternative transport arrangements). This ensures participants can access the program and fully benefit from the opportunities provided.
We would greatly appreciate your support in referring young people who could benefit from this opportunity. By participating in WOLF, they will gain access to transformative experiences and connections that promote growth and resilience.
If you know a young person who may benefit or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jacqui Filby at PCYC on 0482 161 306 or email jacfilby@pcycnsw.org.au