Year 12 Farewell

Term 3, Week 10 is always a high point on the college calendar. This time is also known as Graduation week where the college community acknowledges the achievements of our Year 12 students and sadly farewells them. Across several events we hope that our Year 12 students are feeling affirmed and encouraged to continue to work hard in preparation for their HSC examinations. As they finish their time at Carroll College, we hope they take with them the example of strong Christian values that have been so much of their daily lives here at the college. Practising these values in their daily lives will assist with making the world a better place.

Breakfast BBQ

On Wednesday morning the Year 11 Skills for Work class supported by the new Student Leadership Team, cooked breakfast for Year 12 and the staff. It was a great opportunity on such a bright sunny morning to share breakfast with Year 12 who were relaxed and happy in casual clothes. Thank you to everyone involved in this early morning, inclusive event.

Graduation Awards ceremony

Collecting and collating the details for the Awards ceremony is a special task. Through the process you get to see the culmination of the effort, achievement and aspirations of our Year 12 students. This year we were pleased to launch a new look Graduation folder and certificate to celebrate this very special occasion. During the ceremony it was obvious that our students and their families were proud of the collective achievement of this cohort.

Year 12 Final Assembly

The College gathered to farewell the Year 12 students with an assembly on Thursday morning. We were very happy to welcome a large number of parents, families and friends to join the celebration. As Year 12 processed into the Hall they were greeted with continuous applause from the students, staff and guests. We heard speeches from the Captain’s on behalf of the Year 12 cohort that reflected so positively on what Carroll College has meant to them over the years and they offered encouragement for the students to continue to appreciate all that they have and make the most of their opportunities. The Chisholm House Captains were very proud when Chisholm were announced House of the Year! Our Year 12 Music students shared their talents one more time and we finished the assembly with a montage of images of the year group put together by William Nguyen.

A fitting farewell was the Guard of Honour formed by students, staff, parents and families as the students left the hall. Cheers, tears, hugs and smiles were clearly evident, a release of emotions that this important day had finally arrived and been shared with each other and their community.

Year 12 Luncheon

Finally, each year after the Farewell assembly members of the college executive and Pastoral House Leaders escort Year 12 students to lunch.  This year we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Smokey Dan's, Tomakin. Thank you to the staff at the venue for making us feel so welcome.

Change Agent

Carroll College was privileged to experience the Discovery Program from Young Change Agents for female students organised by our Wellbeing Coordinator Ms Boller.  Around 60 Year 8 and 9 students were able to participate. It was obvious that the students thoroughly engaged in team building, innovative thinking and design briefing activities.

The students were thrown straight into a challenge that required them to think about groups in our local community who needed attention. From there, they launched into designing a pitch that would solve a problem. It was really great to see that some groups focused on our College and others on issues they can see around the local area such as a lack of public transport for youth, lack of activities for youth, and the degree of homelessness.

Students that focused on our College, put together proposals such as ‘binamal’ which is a way to help students manage their lunch rubbish by designing a little round bin that would be attached to the outdoor chairs. Another group designed a way for the canteen to be more student-led with some great ideas.

Ms Boller and Mrs Smith were absolutely amazed and impressed with the high level of thought and innovation that the students produced. It is exciting to see what benefits their proposals could bring to the College and the Eurobodalla.

Well done to the team who won the overall challenge, of designing a bus system for the youth of our area! We look forward to inviting the boys in Years 8 and 9 into the program during Term 4.

R U Ok Day

On Thursday 14 September, the College recognised R U OK? Day. The mission of this day is to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with those in their world and lend support when they are struggling with life. By inspiring people to take the time to genuinely ask, 'are you OK?' and take time to listen, we can help people struggling with life to feel connected long before they are in crisis.

Thank you to the volunteers who made cupcakes to sell at AM break so the money could be donated to this cause and yellow/black ribbons for students and staff to wear to show their support. Our staff were encouraged to wear a yellow piece of clothing as a collective to raise the importance of mental wellbeing and a range of activities were held in the hub during AM break.

Bay Walk for Life

R U Ok? Day saw Headspace Batemans Bay organise a ‘Bay walk for Life’ to highlight mental health, suicide prevention, and overall well-being and invited schools to participate. A group of Student Representative Council members and friends accompanied Ms Kerryn Nicholson to represent the college at this special community event and enjoy some sensational weather as they walked along the Batemans Bay foreshore. Thank you to everyone involved and to Ms Boller for all of her organisation to ensure both events were so successful.

Shared thoughts of the day by Year 8 students, Amelia Hick and Cecilia Schofield.

On Thursday the 14th, we drove down to Batemans Bay to participate in Wellbeing Walk for Life Day. We set off on the 5km walk down the pathway with many others in our community. Laughing and chatting with new people, we made our way down the scenic pathway, meeting lots of friends on the way. When we arrived, there were so many fun activities to take part in they included pot painting, hula hooping, enjoying a sausage sizzle, and appreciating live music. The pot painting came with a succulent and a little cardboard holder, and the live music was hosted by a very fun and creative man who had written his own songs. The man singing was very spirited; he gave the day a fun twist. Altogether it was such an amazing experience and we would recommend partaking next year.

Uniform

Over the student break, students are advised to locate and organise their summer uniform. Particular focus needs to be on ensuring that dresses and skirts are the correct length. A copy of the Uniform Policy can be found in the link below. Parents and students are encouraged to be familiar with these expectations and use the holiday break to source correct uniform items.

To assist with the selection of the correct sports shoes, please carefully review the graphic included in the uniform policy above.

We look forward to seeing our students returning next term well-prepared with all their equipment for lessons, ready to learn and achieve their personal best.

Term 3 has been a very busy one, so I wish all our students, families, and staff a restful break.

Louise Ibbett

Assistant Principal - Pastoral