Dear Parents, Students and Friends 

Yesterday marked R U OK? Day. This day reminds us of the importance of connection and the need to listen with an open heart. Take the opportunity this weekend to check in on someone who may need your support. The time we give to another person can be life changing. No one ever fully realises the impact they make on another human being. Be that person that lifts another.

With Hope we pray for persons and families living with mental illness. We pray that God will help us dispel ignorance and misinformation about mental health conditions.

2022 National Catholic Education Conference 

THE FUTURE IS LISTENING
MELBOURNE 4-7 SEPTEMBER

This week I have been in Melbourne with Catholic leaders from across the country and abroad to engage with keynote speakers on a range of contemporary issues. Geraldine Doogue AO was Master of Ceremonies. Topics were diverse and future-focused, from the psychology of helping adults change what they do, to family engagement, identity and gender, student voice, and Catholic identity in increasingly secularised times.

It was refreshing to be able to gather again with colleagues face-to-face in a conference setting. Pictured above are colleagues from the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn in attendance this week.

University Offers 2023

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who are planning to attend university. Early offers have been received from the following universities. Often students receive more than one offer and must decide on which course is more suitable for them. This can be a difficult decision.

Naturally, not all students have a desire to pursue a university degree. I will continue to feature the career aspirations of our Year 12 students in upcoming newsletters. Our young people are very well positioned to choose different pathways to achieve their goals. This is an exciting time for Year 12 students.

Charles Sturt University (CSU)

University of Canberra (UC)

Macquarie University

Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)

Australian National University (ANU)

Notre Dame

Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year

Western Sydney University

Congratulations to our very own Aunty Loretta     

UTS announcing the win and the James Governor Scholarship

“The Last Outlaws, a trilogy podcast made at UTS about Australia’s last proclaimed outlaws, Jimmy and Joe Governor, has taken out the Digital History Prize at the 2022 NSW Premier’s History Awards.”

https://www.uts.edu.au/news/business-law/it-felt-some-kind-justice-was-done

The River of Art Prize 2022
The River of Art Prize is open to all artists and makers within and beyond the Eurobodalla region.

This year’s judges are the highly respected Andrew Gray, Executive Director of South East Arts and Helen Maxwell OAM (founder of aGOG, Helen Maxwell Gallery, art valuer and curator).

Artists hailed from Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and the South Coast, submitting a range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional works as they examined the themes of Black Summer Fires, Covid lockdown, the environment and exploring who we are as people, as individuals and as communities.

The winners will be announced at the festival launch at Bay Pavilions Art and Leisure Centre in Batemans Bay on Friday, September 16 which coincides with the launch of the 2022 River of Art Festival.

Congratulations to Mrs Miriam Shilling and Ms Lizette Richards who have been selected as finalists in this year’s Prize. Fabulous news for our two highly creative Visual Arts teachers who are both practising artists.

eSafety Parent Guide to Cyberbullying       

Council of Catholic School Parents has provided a link to an eSafety parent guide to cyberbullying webinar. Parents can register for the webinar below which is being held on 20 September. I encourage all families to join.

The webinar is conducted in partnership with the eSafety Commissioner. The eSafety Commissioner website also has some excellent resources that are worth perusing (eg. the process for reporting cyberbullying). 

Cyberbullying is sending or sharing seriously threatening, seriously intimidating, seriously harassing or humiliating online content to or about someone under 18.

The behaviour might include abusive texts and emails, hurtful messages or creating fake accounts to trick someone or humiliate them.

One in five young Australians aged 8 to 17 years say they have been socially excluded, threatened or abused online.

In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT will run a free webinar for parents and carers of students aged 10 -18 years.

Tuesday 20 September 7.30-8.30pm

Register here

As always, it has been a busy fortnight with a lot to report. It is hard to believe that we are heading into the final two weeks of term. Week 10 is full of activity as we celebrate with Year 12 and formally farewell them from the college. Year 11 students are currently in the middle of Preliminary exams but will soon take carriage of their senior leadership positions when Year 12 depart.

More information will follow shortly for parents of Year 10 students, with planning underway for the Year 10 Soiree!

A number of staffing appointments have been made for 2023. I will communicate this news to families next week via email.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to create the best learning environment at Carroll. Year 7 enrolment interviews for 2023 are well underway. If you know of family and friends wishing to enrol their child for next year, please encourage them to contact the college at their earliest convenience.

                   
Enjoy a pleasant weekend ahead.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

                                        "Reflect on how the air itself changes when someone uplifting
                                                        comes into a room. Be that person."
                                                                                                                    Stephanie Dowrick