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Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
“Be More”
We are heading into our third week of Lent, a time of great significance in the Church’s liturgical calendar. The Project Compassion theme for 2021 is “Be More.” The theme is inspired by the words of Oscar Romero, who was killed whilst celebrating Mass in San Salvador in 1980. As a martyr of the Church, he was made a saint in October 2018 by Pope Francis. Romero was the Archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador and he was a dedicated advocate for the poor and oppressed people of his community. In one sermon he asked of people to “aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
St Oscar’s words and life example are one’s that we try to emulate at the College. During this Lent, we are asking families to once again donate to Caritas’ Project Compassion Appeal. Money raised will be used to support people and projects in Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands, Tanzania and Indonesia. Please encourage your children to think about the theme this year and perhaps they can choose to forgo an item they purchase, perhaps without giving the money any real consideration, and donate this money instead to the Appeal. Constant consumerism has become such a part of our lives and society. St Oscar’s words challenge us to see our material wealth and excess in a different light.
Donating money or giving up something for Lent like chocolate or coffee or some other ‘treat’ is only one way to see this time of preparation. During staff prayer this week we prayed about another kind of fasting. The prayer is called “The Fast Life” and it reminds us that Lent is really about a time of transition – not just for 40 days, but for life. We are called to let go of things that are not life giving in preference for those that are. It is a challenge for us all but a fine goal to work towards. I have included the prayer towards the end of this item.
Prepared for Learning
Last week we held our Year 7 and Year 11 Welcome and Information Night. It was great to feel like things were somewhat getting back to normal having parents on the school grounds once again.
At this event, I spoke to families about the importance of children being prepared for learning. Whilst this seems like an obvious need, we are often surprised by the number of students who do not have what is required of them to fully engage in their lessons. The request is simply that students have the correct equipment for each class such a pen, pencil, ruler, eraser. It is expected students will have the correct book for the lesson and that they are aware of their timetable for the day.
I ask that parents please assist in this basic school request. It would be helpful, and perhaps enlightening, for parents to ask their children how prepared they are for school the following day. Do they have the correct equipment? Do they know which books to pack the night before a school day? Is their device charged?
Being prepared for learning is essential. A lack of preparation wastes valuable learning time and means that a student has not received the most out of their learning opportunity. In order to help remind and reiterate to students what is required, we are in the process of having posters for each classroom produced that outline these simple expectations. The posters are in both written and visual form to cater for all student needs. Together, I hope that this expectation need not be an extended focus in our classrooms.
New Religious Education Curriculum
In the last six months, the Religious Education Department has begun delivering a new curriculum from Years 7-10. This is a significant undertaking and had required a great deal of discussion and development of new teaching and learning resources and class activities. The curriculum comes from Brisbane Catholic Education. There are four Strands that are taught across all four terms and their order and make up has been the work of the RE Team. Students will be engaging with a range of content under these four very broad Strands.
Sacred Texts
|
Beliefs |
Church |
Christian Life |
Old Testament
New Testament
Christian Spiritual Writings and Wisdom |
Trinity: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
World Religions |
Liturgy and Sacraments
People of God |
Moral Formation
Mission and Justice |
Regardless of your child’s personal faith and world view, their learning in Religious Education is valuable. Your child will be learning to question, decipher, reason, analyse, make informed judgments, compare and contrast, improve their communication skills, consider and show respect towards differing viewpoints. Religious Education is grouped in the Humanities and as such is aligned with the types of skills found in subjects such as English and History. It is academically rigorous and challenging. It also requires students to think deeply about their beliefs, their moral compass and the lens through which they, and others, view the world.
I encourage you to ask your children about what they are currently studying in their RE classes and discuss with them their recently distributed assessment task.
Well-being Year Level Meetings
We are currently taking the time to hold Year level meetings across Years 7-10. Years 11 and 12 already meet regularly in their Administration periods.
The purpose of these meetings in Year 7-10 is to have the opportunity to discuss with that Year level issues and concerns related to them and their current context. The meetings are pastoral in nature and students are provided with information to assist them in their daily life at school. Meetings are conducted by Jacqui Heffernan, Principal, Louise Ibbett, Assistant Principal Pastoral Care and House Coordinators, Corrinne Dell (Chisholm), Karen Lyttle (Xavier) and Greg McAteer (Mackillop) and they are an effective forum for disseminating a common message particularly around acceptable behaviour and care of self and others.
God’s blessing on your family.
Erica Drewsen
Religious Education Coordinator/Assistant Principal
The Fast Life
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
- Author Unknown
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care Report
Carroll College students are about to participate in a range of organized events for Activities Week. Each Year group will be engaging in either camps, water activities, a day at the Zoo, a formation day or activities with an academic focus for the Senior students. We hope that everyone has an enjoyable time. A special thank you to the staff who have organized these events and those that are giving up time with their families to allow our students to have these special experiences.
Recently students from the College attended the Eurobodalla Council Youth advisory committee meeting. One of the initiatives discussed was the upcoming ‘Photos of hope ‘ competition as part of Youth week celebrations. After such a challenging 2020, the Council are inviting youth to capture and share with everyone the amazing people and places that make up the Eurobodalla Shire and its resilient and supportive community spirit. Young people can creatively interpret the theme of Hope, Happiness, Positivity, Emotional Wellbeing and/or Inspiration through digital imagery in a way that is meaningful to them. There will be three age categories: under 12 years, ages 13–17 years and ages 18–25 years with great prizes to be won. The flyer in the link provides more details of how to get involved.
On the 24 February, student representatives, Madeline Handley, David Manning, Jasper Ziino, and Mr Hamer attended the Purple Poppy Day memorial service organised by Narooma RSL. This is a National day to recognise the lives and services of animals that have died during conflict.
Feedback indicates that the Safe Drivers course in Batemans Bay has been well attended. If you missed out on this, please follow the link to an advertisement for another opportunity in April.
Finally, as part of our Duty of Care it is very important that we have the latest contact details for all students. If any of your details have changed can you please make these changes on the gold forms that were sent home recently and return them to the College Front Office so our records can be amended.
Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
Assistant Principal Curriculum News
All parents should have received a copy of their child’s Assessment Booklet recently. These booklets outline the timetable for all the major Assessment tasks for the year. It provides information about when tasks are due so that students can plan their time. Students are usually given plenty of time to prepare and complete Assessment tasks. In Years 7 to 10, more often than not, considerable class time is allocated to get tasks started, so students only have a minimal amount to complete at home. Please encourage your child to be doing a little each night so that things do not become overwhelming. Additional copies of the booklets can be found on Sentral.
Parent-Teacher Interviews are being conducted next Thursday evening, in a face to face format and the following Tuesday evening via zoom. If you would like to meet with your child's teachers (and I would highly recommend that you do) please log into Sentral and make a time. Details about the zoom meeting will be forwarded to those parents who have made a booking for Tuesday evening. Please encourage your child to be with you during the meetings. A three-way discussion and goal setting will be very beneficial for your child. If you are attending on Thursday, please be aware that we are still under restrictions due to COVID and request that only one parent and your child attend. A BBQ will be available on Thursday evening as well. If you are having difficulty accessing Sentral, please email Mrs Sandra Harris at sandra.harris@cg.catholic.edu.au If you are having difficulty booking interviews please contact Mrs Nadine Cooper at the College with the teachers' names and preferred times you would like to book.
Year 12 are approaching the halfway mark in their final year of schooling. Please check in with your child to see how they are travelling. This time of year is very hectic with lots of assessment tasks to complete. Students also still need to be keeping up with all their usual classwork and homework during this time.
John O’Neill
Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Achievement
Tuesday 9 March – College Assembly
Wednesday 10 March – Community Council Meeting
Thursday 11 March – Parent Teacher Interviews (face to face)
Thursday 11 March – Year 10 Immunisations and Year 8 catch up from 2020
Friday 12 March – Year 11 White Card course
Week 8 – Year 12 VET Work Placement
Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 March – Headspace Workshops Year 7 – 12
Tuesday 16 March – Parent Teacher Interviews (via ZOOM)
Thursday 18 March – Gurubangamba Mentoring Day
Thursday 18 March to Friday 19 March – Senior Art excursion to Sydney
Friday 19 March – Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat
Week 9 – NAPLAN Readiness Tests for Year 7 and 9
Friday 26 March – Xavier House Day
Tuesday 30 March – Year 7 Immunisations
Wednesday 31 March – Combined School Mass
Thursday 1 April – Last day Term 1
Archdiocesan Swimming Report
On 2 March, 23 Carroll College students made the trip to Goulburn to compete in the Canberra/Goulburn Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival. The students all competed with great effort and enthusiasm and are to be commended for their efforts.
Highlights included -
Kai Canham being awarded the 17+ boys Age champion.
Kai also broke many long standing Archdiocesan records including -
- Boys 17+ 50m Butterfly – Old Record Brady Armstrong - Trinity (2002) 29.22 New Record Kai Canham - Carroll 28.60
- Boys 17+ 100m Backstroke – Old Record Michael Pugh – Carroll (2001) 1:09.41 New Record Kai Canham – Carroll 1:09.28
- Boys 17+ 100m Freestyle – Old Record Michael Janes – Trinity (2002) 1:00.19 New Record Kai Canham – Carroll 59.72
- Boys 17+ 50m Backstroke – Old Record Michael Janes – Trinity (2002) 32.59 New Record Kai Canham – Carroll 31.29
Kai also won all 9 races he entered on the day. What an amazing achievement!!
Phoebe Rankin winning 3 individual races in the open girls division and Meg Phillps winning the 50m freestyle in the open girls division. The open girls relay team also took home a win (Phoebe Rankin, Meg Phillips, Darcy Coppin and Felicity Lotze). All those students will progress on to the CCC Swimming Carnival in Sydney. Well done!
A big thanks to all the parents who transported their children to the carnival and helped out on the day
Charlton Fogarty
Sports Coordinator
UOW Discovery Day
Thirty-three Year 12 students made an early start for a 5.30am departure from the College to the University of Wollongong Discovery Day joining 900 other students on campus. Students had registered and created a timetable of interested lectures and workshops to try and see what a day in the life of a university student is like. Students experienced entertainment whilst having lunch in the heart of the campus. Thank you to Mr McAteer for accompanying students and to Mrs Lyttle for her oganisation of the event in 2020. It was a pleasure to take Year 12 away on this excursion.
Uni Step Up Semester 1 2021 Information:
Yr 11 & 12 Students are now invited to apply to complete units in the following areas of study:
- Exercise Science Apply here: https://acu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jOhKjyXvbQCNT0
- Business Apply here: https://acu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eA8sgYkvVNxQxim
This unit can lead to:
Business – Money Matters |
Exercise Science |
Unit Description: Without knowledge of ethical accounting and financial analysis skills the business world could collapse. This unit will provide a non-specialist grounding in accounting and financial management so that you can appreciate the financial dimensions of decisions within business. Also, the unit considers corporate social responsibility within the context of financial management and sustainability in the promotion of stewardship for social good. |
Unit Description: This unit provides an understanding about how movement evolves through growth, development, and ageing within the context of health and physical performance effects across the lifespan. You will also examine how genetic foundations, task requirements, and environmental constraints bring about changes to movement.
|
Relevant Degrees at ACU
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance - Brisbane, Melbourne, North Sydney
• Bachelor of Business Administration - Brisbane, Melbourne, North Sydney & Strathfield
• Bachelor of Commerce - Blacktown, Brisbane, Melbourne, North Sydney & Strathfield
• Bachelor of Information Technology - North Sydney |
Relevant Degrees at ACU Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science - Blacktown & Strathfield (Sydney), Brisbane, Melbourne Bachelor of Physical Activity and Health Science - Strathfield (Sydney)
Bachelor of High Performance Sport - Brisbane, Melbourne, Strathfield & Blacktown (Sydney)
|
The Uni Step-Up program is your chance to experience university life by joining us to study a first-year unit online while you’re still in year 11 or 12. The program is delivered at no cost to you or your school. All required learning materials will be supplied.
Please see below for a list of benefits for students who participate in the Uni Step Up program:
- Students who successfully complete two Uni Step-Up units may receive an offer to study a related bachelor’s degree at ACU with credit points awarded for both units.
- Successful completion of one unit means students will receive credit points towards a related ACU undergraduate degree and a conditional offer for admission.
- Students will be making an early move towards building a career through a vocational pathway, putting you ahead right from the start.
- Students get to experience studying at a university, taking you out of your usual school environment.
- By getting a taste of uni life now, it will help make the transition to university much easier.
- Studying a subject through the program is free.
- You could be eligible for adjustment factors if you apply for a degree at ACU.
Please note, enrolments close on Monday 1 March, 2021.
What a fantastic start to the year. The weather has been fantastic and Red Gate Farm is being planted out with seasonal vegetables and herbs. The new rooster (Nugget) is in fine company with his three Barn Velder hens and they spend the day helping keep the bugs and slugs away. Agriculture students are currently building a new day yard for the pigs Harley and Rose which will give them the opportunity to forage in a new area. The students have also been busy building 10 new raised garden beds to increase the output of produce that can be supplied to the canteen, the hospitality students and staff for a small fee. This money goes back into the farm to purchase new and exciting plants. The students are building on the current edible indigenous plants and will soon plant out Salt bush to add to the Warrigal Greens and Finger Lime that already exist.
Design & Technology News
I promised I would show everyone what the final rings looked like from Design and Technology last year. A fantastic effort by all students. Photos show unpolished and then each student displaying their own polished ring.
Food Technology
Carroll College competed in the CWA Moruya Branch Cookery Competition. Students furiously baked to enter butterfly cakes for the U18 division. The judging took place on Saturday 20th February at CWA Headquarters, where technique and presentation was hotly contested.
Congratulations to Erin Drewsen, who triumphed with the most desirable cakes. Followed by Kenish Prior in 2nd and Kara Handley in 3rd. A special mention to all the students that entered. The judges commented on the excellent standard of entries this year.
iSTEM
The iSTEM class has been designing, building, and testing their Mars Rovers.
Finding the Light
I awoke to the bitter smell of burning eucalyptus leaves
An anxious feeling takes over my entire body
Stepping outside, the air was hot and thick
We waited not knowing what was to come.
The situation escalated rapidly
The orange sky turned black, day turned to night
Blazing embers started falling from the sky
Should we stay or should we go?
We surrendered and drove towards safety
Not knowing where the fire was heading
The fear became immense
And then, suddenly, the wind changed.
The crowning fire turned back on itself
Relief and then numbness
As we wondered -
Are our loved ones ok, do we still have a home?
Then, the aftermath -
No power or communication
Our little community was isolated from the world
We came together to comfort and support.
Spending time with friends and family
Sharing dinners, stories, tears and hugs
Playing board games for hours
The light in a very black summer.
By Kira Pendlebury
Year 8
The Withered Summer
Embers and ash descend like a downpour
We will survive and fight this ferocious firestorm.
The burning heat and hefty smoke
Skies crimson-red like danger, with trees black as oak.
Trees dark as charcoal and as grimacing as death
With flames lurking we’ll soon be out of breath.
Strong winds and tough conditions decide our fate
The immense fires go out to incinerate.
Scorching blows and aching stitches
Burnt with a touching flare, like glowing riches.
The intense sparking and burning inferno
Taking down trees like an erupting volcano.
Panic on peoples’ struggling faces
Will drive them to defeat the fire by using their aces.
The dense flames that washed us to bay
The lush land that withered and decayed.
Josh Nguyen
Year 8
Strictly Ballroom
Meet the Character - Scott
Played by – Thomas Gardner
What has been your favourite part about playing Scott and being involved in the school musical so far?
Being able to have fun with the character and learn some funky new dance moves. Also being able to interact with the cast and just have a lot of laughs.
What can you tell us about Scott?
Scott is an arrogant but passionate dancer. His ability to perform magnificent steps is only magnified by his love for dance. However, his tendency to improvise (when it is heavily frowned upon) gets him into a lot of strife with his ballroom cohort.
Our College Musical, Strictly Ballroom is scheduled to show Week 10, Term 2.
Term 1 fee statements were emailed on Friday 12 February with a due date of Friday 5 March. Thank you to families who have made payments. Any recent payments will be receipted shortly.
The 2021 Fee Schedule is now available on the Carroll College website – Enrolment/Fees. In this section of the website, there is also a Fee Calculator to assist families in managing their school fee payments.
Currently enrolled families facing significant financial difficulty are able to apply for fee assistance. Fee assistance is income based and requires supporting documentation. You may be asked to meet to discuss aspects of your application and will be required to provide supporting documentation. Fee assistance can include:
- a payment plan (extends the payment period to 12 months and commits families to make ongoing payments to pay off school fees by the end of the school year)
- an extended payment plan (extends the payment period to greater than 12 months and commits families to make ongoing payments to pay off school fees over an approved, extended period of time)
- Fee Concession – partial reduction of fees and payment plan
- Fee Concession – full reduction of fees
Fee assistance is an annual application process based on your circumstances. In some situations, any reductions may be reviewed on a term by term basis, which would then require separate applications including supporting documentation at the start of each term. Where your circumstances improve during the school year, the College relies on families to get in touch, so that your fee assistance can be adjusted accordingly and the College is able to provide support to other families requiring assistance.
Government grants provide part of the funding required to operate the College. The balance of operating costs are funded through school fees. The ongoing operations of the College are dependent on parents paying the required level of fees. Every effort will be made by the College to recover fees from parents who are deemed to have the capacity to pay fees.
On the basis of the information provided in the Fee Assistance Form, the Fees Committee will determine an appropriate level of fee support based upon guidelines agreed to by Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Carroll College. The Fee Committee reviews fee assistance applications once per term, in the latter half of the term. Applicants will be then be advised of the outcome via email and letter. Please sign a copy of this letter and return via return envelope to the College. Following receipt of signed agreement letter, the concession will then be applied to your fees. Where you are granted a partial reduction in school fees with a payment plan, it is necessary that you commit to maintaining your payment plan. Where you are on a payment plan or extended payment plan, it is important to maintain those ongoing payments. If you need to change your payment plan arrangements, please get in touch with College as soon as practicable.
All information is treated and maintained confidentially.
If you require fee assistance, please contact Rhonda Forner, Business Manager by email at Rhonda.Forner@cg.catholic.edu.au
Rhonda Forner
Business Manager
Access to Bushfire Support
Given the challenges that 2020 has presented, there are many avenues for support. These are listed below to provide some assistance.
Bushfire Support
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency is able to provide assistance to individuals and families, businesses, not for profits, primary producers – everyone in our community. Their website address is: https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/
For support – relating to Bushfires, drought, flood and/or Covid-19 for individuals and families:
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/recovery-assistance/combined-individuals-and-families
For small business and not for profits support relating to Bushfires, drought, flood and/or Covid-19:
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/recovery-assistance/combined-small-business
For well-being and mental health support:
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/recovery-assistance/families-individuals/mental-health
Bushfire Specific Assistance
Type |
Website |
Closes |
Useful Contacts |
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/key-contacts
|
|
Recovery Support Officer |
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/find-recovery-support-officer or email |
Ongoing |
Property Cleanup |
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-opt-nsw-bushfire-clean |
Ongoing |
Primary Producer |
https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/recovery-assistance/small-business/primary-producer-factsheet |
Ongoing |
COVID 19 Financial Survival Guide
Please be aware that you are not alone and there are resources available to assist you and your family at this time. Listed below are some of those resources for information.
https://ndh.org.au/debt-problems/covid19/
Recent changes to Jobkeeper can be found at:
https://www.ato.gov.au/general/jobkeeper-payment/
Information on Jobseeker can be found at:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/jobseeker-payment
Changes to Government Assistance:
https://ndh.org.au/debt-solutions/covid-19-changes-government-assistance/
Financial Institution Support during Covid19
Financial Institutions are also offering a range of assistance to account holders, homeowners and businesses. Please enquire with your financial institution to access financial support such as:
- Suspending payments on credit cards and personal loans
- Reduce interest rates on home loans/suspending or deferring home loan repayments/loan variations/reducing loan interest rates
- Loans and support for small business
- Loan extensions/deferrals.
Westpac
https://www.westpac.com.au/help/disaster-relief/coronavirus/?pid=iwc:sr:support_2003:covid:
NAB
https://www.nab.com.au/personal/customer-support/covid19-help?own_cid=MH20012
St George
ME Bank
https://www.mebank.com.au/support/coronavirus-information/
ANZ
https://www.anz.com.au/promo/covid-19/
Commonwealth Bank
https://www.commbank.com.au/latest/support-for-home-loan-customers.html?ei=pers_HL
Teachers Mutual Bank
https://www.tmbank.com.au/about/member-news/2020/coronavirus?icn=corona2020&icd=hpnews2
ING Bank
Scams during Coronavirus
Please be aware that there are some financial scams relating to Coronavirus. These may be in the form of text messages, emails or phone calls. The best approach is to not provide any of your financial information. If you suspect you have been contacted as part of a scam, you can report it to scamwatch – scamwatch.com.au/report-a-scam and the police.
For additional support, other services available include:
Beyond Blue
Life Line
When finalising payments on Qkr, please make sure to finalise anything that is in the cart on the top right hand corner. If the cart is not empty and you do not have a receipt, this means the payment and consent has not been finalised. This includes any events or excursions that only require permission (eg. swimming consent notes). Once you have signed the permission note you will still need to ‘checkout’ at the end of the process to ensure the permission note is finalised. Thank you!
Qkr! Is our preferred payment option. If you need help using this app, please contact the Office on 44 715600.