Dear Parents, Students and Friends

During National Reconciliation Week we remember that May 27 and June 3 are important dates in Australia’s history. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians voted to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. June 3 marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australia recognised native title.

Lord, we pray for Reconciliation: That the wrongs of the past may be recognised, that our awareness of the journey so far be awakened, and that the Spirit move us to walk the talk and see through what has been started. We ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

PROUDLY CARROLL COLLEGE

Today is a very important day for the college. We paid tribute to our patron, Fr Francis Carroll and give thanks for the many blessings of our school community; our students, our families, our staff, and the exquisite environment we all call home! As we celebrate Carroll Day, we take the opportunity to acknowledge our capacity to bring joy to others through kindness. In the words of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, “find happiness in making others happy”, and therefore, as a vital expression of our own faith, we must act consciously to bring happiness to others, showing them kindness and love. Today we are more aware than ever of the need to support each other, to live in a community where we reach out to others, and care for those in need. In doing this, we willingly and actively bring happiness to those who need it most.

Public Speaking Competition 

Thank you to Mrs Anna Voysey-McManus for initiating the CCB Public Speaking Competition this week during AM Breaks in the HUB. Audiences have appreciated the outstanding speeches and creativity of participants. Speeches were conducted in Stage groups and the competition took place over three days. Many staff were involved in judging. 

For full details and competition winners, please refer to the article further on in this newsletter edition. The quality of the speeches was outstanding. Well done to all involved.

CATALYST
Our Learning Agenda – High Impact Teaching Practices (HITP)

Each term we are building on our understanding of the Catalyst initiatives. This week has seen a return to face-to face professional learning in Canberra with the Teach Well team from Perth working with our HITP In Action 2022 team. Mrs Louise Ibbett, Mr Wayne Foster, Mrs Karen Ashby, Mr Jason Szkwarek, Mrs Emma Kenna and Mrs Sandra Harris are our lead teachers participating in intensive learning this year. Catalyst develops excellent leaders through evidence-based professional programs founded in the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading.

Tell Them From Me Survey

As families are aware, Carroll College is taking part in an online school survey called Tell Them From Me. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. Parents have received the survey link and I invite all families to complete the survey as we value your input and appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will maintain our commitment to working to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Carroll College. Your suggestions are taken seriously to improve our school. The survey is open for another week.

Enrolment Period    
Carroll College welcomes all families who are wishing to enrol their child in Year 7 and any other year level through to Year 12. We encourage families to make application via the online enrolment form. Interviews have commenced for 2023. I look forward to meeting with prospective families. Please lodge applications at your earliest convenience if you haven’t done so already.

This Sunday marks Pentecost Sunday. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday from Easter Sunday. For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is a day for celebrating hope; hope sparked by the knowledge that God the Father, through His Holy Spirit, is at work among His people. It is also a celebration of newness; re-creation; of renewal of our commitment, mission, and calling as people of God. It is a day for celebrating God’s ongoing work in the world and is also acknowledgment that His work is done through His people as one with the Holy Spirit.

Carroll Day has been a wonderful celebration today. We are so proud of our school community and the level of care we extend to our students. As parents, I think we all value the richness that comes from great role models working with our children every day. To the Carroll College team – I say thank you!

Every year on Carroll Day, each student writes themselves a letter recording personal thoughts and feelings, reflections on the past year, and their hopes and dreams for the years ahead. These letters are kept safely within Year Group time capsules where they remain until each student reaches Year 12, and on Carroll Day morning these past letters are returned and read. While our Year 7 - 11 students spent this morning writing this year's letters, our current Year 12 students had the opportunity to read their own letters written during their time here at Carroll College. This tradition started 27 years ago when Year 7 students in 1995 wrote their first Carroll Day letters. We uphold this tradition today.

For the information of all families, I am taking two weeks long service leave from 14 June to 27 June (Weeks 8 & 9). Part of this leave is to attend the NSW All Schools Golf Championships in Yamba. We have a number of students representing Carroll College. I will be sure to keep you updated on developments!  In my absence, Mrs Louise Ibbett will be Principal (Acting). The college is in very capable hands.

With respect and encouragement,

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal