Dear Parents, Students and Friends

Congratulations to our 2023 Year 12 graduates! We have enjoyed a very special week of celebrations. A Year 12 Mass and Awards ceremony was held on Wednesday evening with family and friends. This was a beautiful and prayerful way to mark 13 years of formal schooling, and a reminder of the gift that these young people bring to our lives every day!

Presentations were made to each student followed by special awards recognising academic success, community involvement, and outstanding contribution to the college and broader community.

Congratulations to Special Award Recipients

Mr Jim Herford responded on behalf of Year 12 parents during the Awards Ceremony. An extract from his touching speech is below.

Some of you will be familiar with my daughter Raphi, who owned the stage as Willy Wonka in the school musical.  You’ll be relieved that I’m not quite as accomplished on the stage as her, and certainly won’t be breaking into song tonight.

But I was very pleased to be asked to offer this response, not because I enjoy public speaking, but because I really do think Carroll College, Jacqui, the teachers and the all support staff do such a fabulous job.

What I like about Carroll, and presume most of the parents would agree, is it’s inclusive, comprehensive and supportive – if you’re good in the arts they’ll work with you, if you’re into sport (any sport, even gridiron!) they’ll have a team, take a bus to the cross country in Canberra in the winter, you can join the cadets, volunteer with Vinnies, save souls with Youth Ministry, or save the planet (or at least Captain Oldrey Park) with the Rosellas, the Vocational Education and Training set up is par excellence and of course they work with every student to achieve their best academically. 

The Social Justice thread runs deep at Carroll.  That’s incredibly important as the world is becoming a vastly more complicated place.  Our kids deal with issues and threats that we never had to contemplate – cyber bullying, AI, the climate crisis.  It’s been heartening, especially from within the Community Council, to watch how Carroll addressees these – always aiming to advise and guide to what is best for each student and for everyone.

I think we all appreciate the effort you all make - I imagine attending doofs, variety nights and parent teacher evenings for the umpteenth time might be less than enticing, and I can only imagine the amount of dedication and sheer perseverance required to take 30 – 40 teenagers on a 3 day urban challenge and come back smiling.  But you do and you do it graciously and well.

I suppose most schools try and do these things, be inclusive, provide a rounded education.  I think the difference has been that we have always had a sense that the Carroll community have got our daughters back.  When we come to Parent Teacher interviews it’s always obvious that all her teachers know her and genuinely care about her.  They recognise her strengths and are able to provide guidance.  They actually get her!  And that’s a really big deal – it’s the difference between doing a job and a vocation.  Vocation might be a tad cliched, but I couldn’t think of another word which sums up that sense of doing something more.  And for that we’re grateful and we know we made the right choice.

So, I’m pleased to offer this response of thanks, on behalf of all the parents of the graduating class of 2023.  To Jacqui, all the teaching staff and all the supporting staff too - I think you’ve all helped the students, our children, grow and develop into better people.

Staffing News

Mr Paul Hamer has made the difficult decision to retire after 22 years of teaching at Carroll College. He and his wife, Ruth are relocating to Sydney to be closer to their adult children. Mr Hamer has enjoyed a long and rewarding career in education, touching many young lives with his nurturing and compassionate nature. He will be missed from our community and wish him health and happiness as he moves into this next stage of life.

Mr Tim Hodges has made the decision to trial Flexible Work Arrangements for Term 4. I have appointed Mrs Janette Soper to fill the Science Coordinator’s role for one day p/week next term in Mr Hodges’ absence. Mr Hodges will be taking Tuesdays off work for the 10 week period. He has no classes on his timetable on Tuesdays so no students will be affected. I’m sure you join me in wishing Mrs Soper every success in the role that she will share with Mr Hodges. Mrs Soper has actually held similar roles for many years in Canberra. I’m sure Mr Hodges will also enjoy a slightly slower pace working 4 days p/week.

In other news, Mrs Cathy Fryer has been appointed by Catholic Education to work one day p/week remotely as a VET Support Officer supporting Ms Karen Ruppert, Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Manager. This role complements Mrs Fryer’s position at the college.

Mrs Danielle Ciuffetelli will be returning to work next term for 4 days p/week following Maternity Leave. She will be roving relief and supporting in Pastoral. It will be lovely to welcome Danielle back to work.

Thank you to Mr Darcy Harding who has been working as a Classroom Support Assistant this term. Mr Harding is returning to Canberra, but we are hoping he’ll be back at Carroll in 2024. I wish him well and thank him for his commitment to the college in the important work he undertakes.

A reminder that Mrs Karen Lyttle, Xavier House Coordinator is taking leave for the first two weeks of Term 4. Mrs Kym Millikin will be Xavier House Coordinator (Acting) while Mrs Lyttle is away. Miss Emily Parrish will be teaching Mrs Lyttle’s classes.

We welcome Mr Greg McAteer back from leave next term.

Classroom Mastery
Next year, Catholic Education is introducing a behavioural /well-being program called ‘Classroom Mastery’ to selected schools to pilot the program for gradual implementation across the system.

Our three K-12 Catholic schools on the coast have been selected in the first wave of schools to participate in 2024.  Our three schools were chosen recognising the importance of a common approach for the K-12 Pathway.

Initial training is commencing next term with Dr Tim McDonald to upskill staff. To enable this to occur, an additional Pupil Free Day has been approved for Wednesday 25 October (Week 3). This training complements Catalyst initiatives, particularly High Impact Teaching Practices.

Our involvement in this program is exciting as it supports our continual promotion of high expectations for learning.

Follow the website link for further information.

https://www.classroommastery.com.au

I extend my thanks and appreciation to our tremendous staff for their work this term. I feel so blessed to work with such genuine and committed professionals.

I wish all our families a safe and enjoyable break. School resumes for students on Tuesday, 10 October. I ask that students return in full summer uniform. Please refer to Mrs Ibbett’s pastoral article for full details on uniform expectations.

Best wishes to Year 12 as they prepare for their exams.

With respect and encouragement to you.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

“The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action.” 

St Mother Teresa