As I write this article for Week 10 of Term 3, I am conscience of the events and celebrations that this week traditionally holds for Carroll College that have had to be put on hold for the moment. Week 10 in the life of Carroll College usually includes final lesson celebrations with Year 12 students and their teachers, the commissioning of the new Senior Leadership Team, the Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Assembly followed by the Guard of Honour as Year 12 left the premises to head off to a shared lunch. It is a wonderful week in the life of our school community.

I think staff, students and parents alike are mourning somewhat that this year is different. In my discussion with Year 12 students, they are naturally saddened by not being able to have these experiences – yet. The celebrations will happen, just not as they have happened in previous years.

The loss of the ‘usual’ way of doing things reminds us of the importance of tradition and routine and how they contribute to the identity of a community. When traditions are not able to be performed, there is a sense of disconnect or disruption to the norm.

Of course, Year 12 students are sensing this very acutely at the moment, but I acknowledge that so too are many of us in the Carroll College community at the moment. We can think about things in terms of what we are missing out on, however, we can also think of this time in terms of it reminding us of what it is we truly value about this school community. This time of challenge reminds us that we value supportive relationships, interactive learning environments, collaboration, shared experiences and quite simply being together. This time apart reminds us of the wonderful, collegial community Carroll College is and how much we value being part of this place.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers and support staff for their tireless work over the past month of remote learning. Staff have been incredibly dedicated to the care of their students both academically and pastorally. I hope and trust that the students and parents have experienced the diligence of staff in preparing valuable lessons and learning opportunities. There is an enormous amount of time that goes in to preparing remote lessons and I thank staff for their professionalism.

Thank you also, to our parent community for your efforts at home with your children. Successful schools are schools where staff, students and parents all work together to achieve the best outcomes for the child. Remote learning has certainly brought parents into the secondary school environment like never before. I appreciate how difficult this environment has been for families. Many of our staff are juggling parent responsibilities whilst teaching your children. It is a delicate balancing act. Thank you for all you have done to support your child/children with their learning. It has been an enormous team effort from everyone within the Carroll College community.

Year 12 HSC Support

Over the term break, arrangements are being made to provide all Year 12 students completing an ATAR with access to additional HSC support. InspirationEd (formerly HSC in the Holidays) is a company that has been providing HSC support for students and teachers since 2005. Our Year 12 students will have access to live sessions, on-demand videos, practice exams and HSC4Me an interactive learning app. See below for more information about what our students will be afforded in October to support them in their final weeks of preparation for the HSC exams.

Erica Drewsen

Assistant Principal Curriculum