Principal's Welcome
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Day
15 August
This significant feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.
Dear Parents, Students and Friends
Thank you to Fr Loi who celebrated Mass for the staff before school yesterday to mark the Feast of the Assumption, a Holy Day of Obligation. The feast day of this holy and momentous event stems from the middle of the 5th Century when the Commemoration of the Mother of God was celebrated each year on 15 August in a shrine located near Jerusalem. More than 100 years later, the feast also commemorated the end of Mary’s sojourn on earth and was known as the “Dormition of Our Lady.”
ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP
Last week we remembered St Mary of the Cross MacKillop for her dedication in caring for the human and spiritual needs of children, and her care for the poor and destitute. Underpinning all of her activities was her faith in divine providence. In all the challenges she faced, and the crosses she endured, she never doubted the unceasing protection of 'our good God'.
The college celebrated MacKillop Day during Week 1 of term, raising $1176.07 for MacKillop Family Services. Each year on 8 August we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's beloved first saint and patron saint of our Archdiocese. Thank you to Mr Greg McAteer, MacKillop House Captains, Ashlianne Sharp and Finn Love, and MacKillop students for their efforts in creating a memorable day for all students to enjoy. A tremendous fundraising effort!
Congratulations to Year 11 student, Erin Drewsen who is one of sixteen students selected for the Bell Shakespeare’s Work Experience program for 2024. This experience takes students behind-the-scenes at Bell Shakespeare HQ at Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay, from 28 October – 1 November 2024. This opportunity is only open to students in Years 10 and 11. Applications were received from students in regional and metropolitan areas across Australia. What an extraordinary opportunity that has seen Erin’s successful selection through an extremely competitive process. An actor in the making!
TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY
The Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey closes on Friday 23 August. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Carroll College.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by clicking on the link recently emailed to families. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with constructive feedback.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM (SLT) 2025
It was my absolute pleasure to listen to Year 11 student speeches this week for those wishing to be considered for College Captain and Vice-Captain positions for 2024/25. Last week, Year 11 students nominating for these positions were interviewed by Mrs Ibbett and Ms Boller. This gave them a deeper understanding about each student’s motivation for these roles and their understanding of leadership and the essential qualities required of them should they be successful. I am very proud to say that any one of these students would be outstanding in a formal leadership role. Year 11 students and staff are now tasked with the responsibility of putting their preferences forward to determine our new student leadership team. I wish students well throughout this process.
UNPACKING THE CRISIS IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Wednesday 11 September from 7pm – 8pm
Join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia's leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health crisis enveloping our kids. He'll cover:
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible.
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children.
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal.
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child's wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers.
- Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness.
CLICK TO REGISTER: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/61
This isn't just a workshop; it's a call to action. Join the conversation and be part of a dynamic, interactive experience where we collaborate to reshape the future of your children's mental health. Hear real stories, explore innovative solutions, and discover practical strategies to empower your kids.
Year 12 students have been moving through their Trial HSC exam period over the past fortnight. Exams finish next Monday. Year 12 have been very courageous during this time, facing each of their exams with determination to do well. Their preparation has been thorough, and I am confident their efforts will be reflected in their results. Well done, Year 12!
Over the past two days, the college has hosted the Southern Region Principals’ meeting. Senior Catholic Education leaders have also been involved and presented content aligning to our improvement strategy. These meetings are always beneficial as we hear from various personnel from Catholic Education on a range of topics.
Enjoy a lovely weekend ahead.
With respect and encouragement to you.
Principal
‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12)