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This week marks the conclusion of HSC exams for our Year 12 students. On behalf of the Carroll College community, I congratulate Year 12 on the completion of their formal schooling and look forward to celebrating with them next Tuesday evening at their Graduation Dinner. We are very proud of their achievements as they have faced significant challenge throughout their senior years. I am confident that their perseverance and commitment to their studies will be well rewarded. Congratulations!
Catholic Leaders’ Day
Last week, leaders from across the Archdiocese gathered in Canberra for three days of meetings and leadership development. This annual event is highly collegial and sets the vision for the new year. It also provides colleagues the opportunity to celebrate together and farewell retiring Principals.
Catalyst was naturally high on the agenda as Director, Ros Fox provided an overview on the journey thus far. The infographic below clearly illustrates the positive uptake of participants across the Archdiocese.
Notable speakers included Pamela Snow, Professor of Cognitive Psychology in the School of Education, La Trobe University, and Lisa Paul AO PSM, Chair of Quality Initial Teacher Review Panel. Professor Snow presented compelling research on the Science of Reading.
Her presentation included:
- Why does reading matter?
- The science of reading
- The importance of theoretical models
- The Simple View of Reading
- The history of English and tiers of vocabulary
- Orthographic mapping
- Using evidence in education
Catalyst priorities continue to focus on the essential foundation of reading competencies.
Staffing Update
Mr Sean Mulally has accepted a permanent position at Clancy Catholic College at West Hoxton in the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. It is a PDHPE and Religious Education teaching position/ Assistant Year Coordinator role. Mr Mulally and his family are moving to be closer to family. On behalf of our college community, I congratulate Mr Mulally on his new appointment and wish him every success.
Mr Mulally has been actively involved in many extra-curricular initiatives and leadership roles during his time at Carroll College. I sincerely thank him for his commitment and passion for the college and college life. Mr Mulally has been teaching at Carroll since 2017. He has made many connections and will be missed by students and colleagues.
I will be able to announce Mr Mulally’s replacement within the next fortnight.
Orientation Day for Year 7 Students 2023
A reminder that our next year’s Year 7 students will be visiting the college on Friday 25 November for their orientation day. This will be an exciting day as students familiarise themselves with their new school and make new friends. More information will be emailed to families in the coming days.
K-12 Combined Schools’ Mass
The Combined Schools’ Mass has been postponed until Term 1 2023. We look forward to celebrating the beginning of the school year as a K-12 Pathway for Catholic Schools on the Coast. This will also be an opportunity to welcome the new Parish Priest of Batemans Bay.
NSW Term Dates
2022 | |
Wednesday 14 December | Final day of Term 4 for students and staff |
2023 | |
Thursday 26 January | Australia Day Public Holiday |
Friday 27 January | Staff Planning Day (Pupil Free Day) |
Monday 30 January | Catalyst Conference in Canberra for all system staff |
Tuesday 31 January | Staff Planning part day (Pupil Free Day) |
Wednesday 1 February | Years 7,11 & 12 students commence Term 1 |
Thursday 2 February |
Years 8-10 students commence Term 1 |
The Halloran Art Prize
Congratulations to Ms Lizette Richards who’s artwork titled, “The Connective Narratives of Science and Sea” has been selected for exhibition at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. This award is a non-acquisitive award that engages with and responds to the Halloran Collection: Science & the Sea at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum & Gallery. The Collection is internationally significant and contains a diverse range of scientific and maritime instruments, artworks, and ephemera. The aim of this contemporary art prize is to overlay a contemporary lens and understanding of the Halloran Collection and to delve into its mysteries, which are often hidden from the viewer. Congratulation Lizette!
We have enjoyed a really productive week at the college this week. Present priorities include the recruitment of staff for 2023, the development of our 3-year Strategic Plan, the Annual Improvement Plan (AIP), and the 2023 Budget. We are supporting our senior students to select appropriate courses, and enrolment of new students across a range of year levels has been an enjoyable process.
Our students in Years 7-9 will soon be asked to nominate learning partners as we formulate classes for the new year. Of course, many variables come into play during this process.
Enjoy the weekend ahead.
Yours sincerely
Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal
"Treasure the power you have to influence other people positively. It's the greatest power you will ever have."
Stephanie Dowrick
Christian Meditation
Prayer is an important part of the life and culture at Carroll College. An ancient form of prayer is meditation and staff and students have, in the past week, been introduced to the practice of Christian Meditation. The history of this form of prayer is explained in the Australian Christian Meditation Community’s pamphlet, “An Introduction to Christian Meditation.” It states:
“The ancient Christian tradition of meditating on a singly sacred word or phrase (mantra) was revived by the English Benedictine monk, Dom John Main (1926-82), who established an ecumenical Christian Mediations Centre in London in 1975 and then, in 1977, with Dom Laurence Freeman OSB, founded a meditation community for religious and lay people in a Monastery in Montreal.”
“Meditation involves coming to a stillness of spirit and a stillness of body. The extraordinary thing is that, in spite of all the distractions of the modern world, this silence is perfectly possible for all of us. To attain this silence and stillness we have to devote time, energy and love. “
Laurence Freeman OSB
Archbishop Christopher Prowse of the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn has requested that all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese begin to introduce Christian Mediation as a regular form of prayer. All schools have been asked to “focus on embedding Christian Meditation.” The goal is that over time all students in all year levels will regularly have the opportunity to participate in Christian Meditation.
The Stillness, Silence and Simplicity of Christian Meditation offer students a way of prayer that allows them to enter into contemplation. That is, they move from their head to their heart and come to experience the indwelling presence of God.
On Tuesday 11 October, Helen Bramanathan from Catholic Education visited the school to take Year 7 Humanities classes and the staff through the practice of Christian meditation. We learned what Christian Meditation entailed and the benefits for the mind, body and soul.
The staff have begun to move to the practice of Christian Meditation for our weekly staff prayer on a Thursday morning. Humanities classes will be taking part in the practice at least once a week. It is hoped that this form of prayer will then filter through the whole school as the years progress and soon all RE classes will be making Christian Meditation a regular part of the lesson.
So far both staff and students have found this to be a gentle form of prayer that has encouraged and allowed for some much-needed stillness and silence in our busy days. I am very much looking forward to watching this initiative grow and seeing the benefits that come from this ancient form of contemplation.
Formation Days
Year level Formation Days are an important feature of the faith and personal development program at the College. Typically, Formation Days are spread throughout the year. This year due to COVID restrictions, we have needed to move all four days into Term 4. The table below is for your ease of reference regarding the days and dates for Formation Days this term.
Week |
Day and Date |
Year Level |
6 |
Wednesday 16 November |
10 |
7 |
Tuesday 22 November |
9 |
8 |
Tuesday 29 November |
7 |
9 |
Tuesday 6 December |
8 |
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
The Social Justice Captains, Heidi Manning, Claire Mass and Autumn Rankin, have launched our 2022 Vinnies Christmas Appeal. They have been selling lolly bags this week and running a Friday raffle prize. Each Friday there will be items to buy to support the cause so please bring along a gold coin or two on Fridays to support the Christmas Appeal.
Donations can also be made in Homerooms of non-perishable food items that will help to celebrate Christmas. Christmas gifts (unwrapped) are also welcome. There are posters around the College to give students ideas about what to donate. Cash donations are also able to be made via Qkr!
Please support the Social Justice Captains and the Christmas Appeal!
Prayers
Please keep the Woolridge family in your thoughts and prayers following the passing of Nigel Woolridge. Our deepest sympathies to the family.
Erica Drewsen
Religious Coordinator
A Message from our Assistant Principal Pastoral Care
World Teachers Day
On 28 October the school day began with our morning prayer led by our College Captains. The prayer focused on teachers, the role they play in the lives of their students and how much this is valued. The prayer of thanksgiving asked us all to recall a teacher in our lives that had a positive impact on us and helped to form the people we are. I am sure we all had one that came to mind. The Student Leadership Team also organised a lovely morning tea for the staff to enjoy along with a hamper of treats from Mrs Heffernan to acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by the staff each day. The Staff Centre had been decorated and delicious cakes and slices were ready to be enjoyed. On behalf of the Staff, I would like to thank the SLT. This thoughtful gesture was much appreciated.
Academic Care Program planning
This week the Pastoral leaders spent a day focused on the planning and programming of the Academic Care program that will be implemented in the college from 2023. This program will have a holistic approach and is aimed at enhancing the protective and connective role Carroll College plays in the lives of our students. Through the Academic Care Program, students will have a dedicated lesson each fortnight where they will gather in classes made up of their year cohort. During this lesson, the focus will rotate through wellbeing topics, study skills, curriculum issues, spirituality, social justice initiatives, house/year meetings and peer support opportunities. Our planning also includes Pastoral Days for our 7-10 year groups targeting the specific needs of each cohort as well as external providers offering whole school topics. 2023 is looking very exciting!
Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care
A Message from our Assistant Principal, Learning and Improvement
Year 11 Senior Courses 2023
Over the past two weeks, Years 10 students have been finalising their senior courses for 2023. The Year 11 lines have been devised to best meet the needs of the current Year 10 cohort and every effort has been made to cater to the requests of as many students as possible. We have been able to offer a wide range of courses next year. If any student has not completed their changes, please see Mrs Harris.
Year 11 2023 – Virtual Learning Courses
For the first time, Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn is launching a Virtual Learning (VL) Collaborative across the Archdiocese. This enables students to access courses we may not offer because of limited interest. This is a wonderful initiative from 2023. Next year, students in Year 11 can study Economics and Business Studies as a senior course in the Virtual Learning space.
Virtual courses comply with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements and can be used towards the HSC and calculation of an ATAR.
NESA’s policy allows students to undertake a maximum of two VL courses as part of their pattern of study, this includes studying a Distance Education course. Students enrolled in a VL course will attend a camp at the start of the school year, where they will meet their teacher and peers from across the diocese.
Years 7 – 10 Exam Timetables
Year 7 to 10 students will complete their exams over the next few weeks. A copy of the exam schedule for each year group is available below. Following the exams, the students will complete their online Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) for Reading and Mathematics.
PAT assessments provide objective, norm-referenced information to teachers about their students’ skills and understandings in a range of key areas. Each PAT has its own proficiency scale with descriptors outlining the content and skills students are consolidating at any given point on that scale. Each PAT assessment provides data on student performance, making PAT ideal for understanding students’ current strengths and weaknesses, informing teaching and learning, and monitoring progress over the year. The tests are online, multiple choice and each test will take approximately 40 minutes. I encourage all students to do their best during these tests, as the data will be used by their class teachers.
Year 10 students will complete the HSC: All My Own Work module. All My Own Work is a program designed to help HSC students follow the principles and practices of good scholarship. This includes understanding, valuing, and using ethical practices when locating and using information as part of their HSC studies. It is about completing tasks honestly. Students who have completed the program will also know about penalties for cheating and how to avoid malpractice when preparing their work for assessment. To be eligible for the HSC, students must complete HSC: All My Own Work before they submit any work for Preliminary (Year 11).
HSC Examinations
Congratulations to our Year 12 students on completing their HSC exams this week. HSC and ATAR results will be released on Thursday 15 December. We invite Year 12 students to join their class teachers for a morning tea at 10.30am on Thursday 15 December to celebrate finishing their HSC. We will hold morning tea in the Senior Courtyard. I wish Year 12 students all the best in their future endeavours.
School Photos – Save the Date
School photos will be held early in Term 1 on Tuesday 7 February.
This week’s reminders…
- Year 10 PAT and All My Own Work will take place in Week 5.
- Years 7 – 10 exams will be held in Week 5, followed by PAT Reading and Maths in Week 6.
- Year 12 Formal Graduation Dinner will be held at Bay Pavilions on Tuesday 8 November.
Sandra Harris
Assistant Principal Learning and Improvement
Term 4 fee statements were emailed on 19 October with a due date of Friday 4 November. Thank you to families who are up to date with their account. All families are emailed a fee statement including those who make regular payments. This provides information on where your account and fees are up to at the dates indicated and provides the opportunity to check your account.
Any families who have submitted a recent Fee Concession Application, your application will be assessed shortly. Anyone who is in need of fee assistance for 2022 and who has not submitted an Application for Fee Concession as yet should submit it by Friday 11 November at the latest to be considered. Contact the finance office for the Application form or for assistance.
Families who have not submitted a Fee Concession Application or who’s Application was not successful are expected to pay their fees by the due dates. Where families demonstrate an unwillingness to pay fees, the College will recover fees and this may involve referral to a debt collection agency. Additional costs incurred in the collection of fees are the responsibility of the debtor/parent/guardian.
Managing your Fees
The College recommends a regular payment approach to managing your school fees and to reduce the financial burden that delaying fee payments may cause. For example, a regular weekly or fortnightly payment through Direct Debit, BPay or Qkr! can assist in managing your school fees. The 2022 Fee Schedule is available on the Carroll College website – Enrolment/Fees. In this section of the website, there is also a Fee Calculator to assist families in determining fee payment amounts in managing their school fee payments. If you are unable to pay off your school fees in full by the end of the year, you will need to setup a Fee Agreement with the College. A fee agreement assists both the College and families in managing school fees. Please contact our finance team via finance.ccb@cg.catholic.edu.au to obtain Fee Agreement Form.
Fee Assistance – Concession Application
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 Fee 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. 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.
Change in Circumstances – Request for Split Billing
Where there has been a change to your family circumstances and you require split billing, this creates a variation to your school fee obligations from initial enrolment. Please request the Split Billing Request Form which needs to be signed and dated by both parents/guardians to take effect. Separate forms can be provided to each parent. This form requires parents to indicate the percentage split for fees and acknowledges your obligations relating to fees, levies and charges incurred while your child is enrolled at the College. Please contact our finance team via finance.ccb@cg.catholic.edu.au to obtain a Split Billing Request Form.
All information is treated and maintained confidentially.
If you require fee assistance, please contact Chris Pymont, Business Manager by email at chris.pymont@cg.catholic.edu.au
Chris Pymont
Business Manager
Handy Hints
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.