Dear Parents, Students and Friends 

I begin this newsletter by sharing my insights from our recent Staff Spirituality Day with Fr Rob Galea. Following his input, I found myself googling him with intrigue and began reading his book, Breakthrough.

Fr Rob writes,

‘Before I was on The X Factor Australia, before I performed for a pope … I was an alienated, messed-up teenager.’

The story of Fr Rob Galea is a journey from desperation to hope. Struggling under the weight of addiction and depression, Fr Rob was considering ending his life when redemption came through a phone call. Knowing that he needed help, Fr Rob fought his demons to forge a relationship with Jesus Christ and has never looked back.

Breakthrough asks you to find your way through adversity to the better life that awaits you. It’s a powerful story about recovery, redemption and faith, and is told by one of the most charismatic priests of our time.

https://www.garrattpublishing.com.au/product/9781925073485/

I think the takeaway from Fr Rob’s input is that we are all responsible for filling up our own cup. If we have nothing else left to give, then it is our personal responsibility to do something about this. Instead of scattering shard (ie. negative comments/attitude that can creep in and cause damage) when our cup is not overflowing, we reflect on our own behaviour and wellbeing, rather than imposing our negativity onto others. I see this often in human behaviour. If you are not performing at your best, this is not someone else’s issue. It’s time to reflect and do things differently. Self-awareness is one of the most important qualities to have and it is very evident when a person lacks this. At Carroll, we commit to ‘being more’ for one another in our workplace each day. Fr Rob’s message is a powerful one and prompts deep reflection on what is important and within our control.

 “…I am still in many ways a mess, but I stand and hold onto a God who is always ready and able to turn this mess into a message.”    Fr Rob Galea

Staffing News

I am taking Long Service Leave (LSL) for three weeks from Friday, Week 7 (21 March) through to the end of Term 1 (11 April). During this period, Mr Andrew Kenneally with be Principal (Acting) in my absence. Mrs Linda Dwyer will be stepping into Mr Kenneally’s position as Assistant Principal - Learning, Curriculum and Innovation (Acting), and Mrs Catherine Davis will step into the role of HSIE Coordinator (Acting) for these sixteen days. I sincerely thank these colleagues for stepping into these senior roles to support the executive in my absence and I wish them well.

Catholic Leaders’ Retreat

Last week, Principals from across the Archdiocese gathered in Bowral for four days as part of the annual Catholic Leaders’ Retreat. The Retreat was facilitated by Clara Geoghean and centred on Charisms and Leadership in the Jubilee Year of Hope. During this time, participants were invited into deep reflection on how to recognise their charisms and the charisms of others. The retreat provided opportunities for stillness, silence, and discernment of how leaders utilise the charism gifted to each of them.

Charism may be a term of which you are unfamiliar. In Christian tradition, a “charism” refers to a special spiritual gift or grace given by the Holy Spirit, intended for the good of the community. You may be thinking, what are examples of charisms and why are they important? All people have charisms. These are ordinary gifts that become extraordinary as individuals recognise their gifts and use them for the benefit of others. Individuals can have a charism of encouragement, giving, hospitality, music, service, teaching, leadership, faith, wisdom, writing, mercy, administration, knowledge, giving… to name some examples.

Knowing our gifts enables us to avoid

• ineffectiveness and frustration
• setting ourselves up to fail
• burn out

Knowing our charisms makes it easier to

• make decisions
• avoid judging others
• reduce conflicts

Leaders completed an inventory to discover their top five charisms. Interestingly mine are administration, encouragement, healing, leadership and mercy.

Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn has a strong commitment to nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and teachers, to meet their God-given potential through Faith in Learning empowering them to shape their future. We are very proud of our programs and offerings at Carroll College and commit ourselves to the education and wellbeing of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The following eight principles underpin the approach taken to respond to the broader aspirations of students and their families. 

School Community Council

The School Community Council executive met on Tuesday evening for the first time this year. I thank our staff and parent representatives for their commitment to the Council. Our Council members for 2025 are:

• Russell Allen - Chair
• Judy Toman - Deputy Chair
• Gary Bruce 
• Maree Turnbull
• Jennifer Hornby
• Joshua Nguyen (College Captain) / Archie Cockram (Vice Captain)
• Emily Borg (College Captain) / Erin Drewsen (Vice Captain)
• Dalys Whipp
• Louise Ibbett
• Andrew Kenneally
• Linda Dwyer
• Elise Paull
• Fr George Azhakath

Pope Francis: Lent calls us to journey together in hope

In his Message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis invites the faithful to “journey together in hope," and to take the opportunity during this Lenten Season to ask ourselves whether we are truly willing to heed God's call to change our lives.

The central theme of Pope Francis’ Lenten Message is encapsulated in the phrase "Let us journey together in hope," which ties into the broader theme of the Jubilee Year - "Pilgrims of Hope."

The Pope's reflection focuses on conversion and unfolds in three key dimensions: the importance of journeying, journeying together, and journeying with hope.

Our life of faith is a journey of conversion.

Best wishes for the remainder of the term. Next Wednesday and Thursday, I will be in Melbourne attending a leadership program called 6R Leadership Program for Experienced Catholic School Principals facilitated by the Brown Collective. Mrs Jo Wain, Principal of St Mary’s, Moruya and I, along with seven other Principals from our Archdiocese will be involved in this year-long program.

With respect and encouragement to you.

Mrs Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

“The Holy Spirit reminds us first and foremost that we are children loved by God –
                                        everyone equal in God’s love, and everyone different.”                (Pope Francis)