Dear Parents, Students and Friends

Welcome to Term 2!

It has been wonderful to return to work after taking leave last term. I feel refreshed and excited for the term ahead. We are off to a flying start with several major events taking place in this first fortnight. I am sure you will enjoy this newsletter edition as it captures the diverse range of activities and celebrations that make us Carroll College!

Carroll Day – Celebrating 30 Years!
It was my absolute pleasure to welcome special guests, students, parents and colleagues to our Prayer Service this morning that began our Carroll Day tradition. We welcomed Mrs Maureen Cook, wife of the late Noel Cook, who along with Fr Henry Byrne first floated the idea of a Catholic College on the South Coast, their daughter Mrs Caroline Odgers, one of our first students to commence at the college, and Mr Graham Campbell, Assistant Principal of the college from 1998-2016.

Carroll Day is one of our most celebrated days of the year!  A day that holds deep meaning for our college community. To be celebrating 30 years is a tremendous milestone.

Today, we took a moment to reflect on the values, mission, and inspiration given to us by our founder Fr Francis Carroll. He took great pride in having our college named after him.

On the very first Carroll Day back in 1995, Fr Francis planted a red flowering gum tree to mark the occasion. Today, 30 years on, we did the same as we honour his legacy and remember his values and contributions to our community. The tree features in our senior courtyard.

Something that is very special about our college is the number of former students that return to Carroll as teachers! If this is not testament to an amazing school – I don’t know what is! Two of the first students that walked through the gates of Carroll College on their first day of Year 7 in 1995 shared their memories during prayer – Mrs Anna Smart and Mrs Belle Barling, along with reflections from Mrs Deb Enfield and Mrs Karen Lyttle. Very moving moments that fill us with pride and nostalgia. The fun activities that followed, shared lunch and anniversary cake, and Battle of the Bands, all combined to produce a brilliant 30^th Carroll Day. It was also lovely to welcome senior St Mary’s and St Bernard’s students to the college to share in the fun!
 

My sincere thanks go to the staff for their support and involvement, particularly those who were integral in the planning and preparation. An extraordinary effort was made to make today a very special day for our community.

We have been part of the global community mourning the passing of Pope Francis - a deeply compassionate, visionary leader whose legacy has left an indelible mark on our world. His unwavering dedication to humility, inclusivity, and social justice not only inspired millions but also challenged each of us to lead with empathy, courage, and purpose.

US Cardinal elected as new Pope Leo XIV
Today we learnt of the appointment of a new Pope. White smoke emerged from the Vatican in the early hours of this morning signifying a new pope had been chosen. I am sure over the coming weeks and months we will discover more about the man who will follow Pope Francis. Following his announcement, Pope Leo said, “I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”

You may be interested in reading the process involved in electing a new Pope. I have included details below. 

The process of selecting a new Pope

The process of selecting a new Pope is known as a conclave. Cardinals from around the world travel to the Vatican. Only Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote.

The Cardinals participate in meetings called "General Congregations" to discuss the needs of the Church and the qualities needed in the next Pope.

The Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and are sequestered from the outside world until a new Pope is elected. The word "conclave" comes from the Latin "cum clave," meaning "with a key," signifying the locked nature of the proceedings.

The voting is conducted through secret ballots. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new Pope. If no candidate receives the necessary votes, the ballots are burned and black smoke is emitted from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling that no Pope has been elected. The voting process is repeated up to four times a day until a new Pope is chosen.

Once a Cardinal receives the required two-thirds majority, the ballots are burned with chemicals that produce white smoke, signalling that a new Pope has been elected. The Dean of the College of Cardinals then asks the elected Cardinal if he accepts the election and by what name he will be known as Pope.

The new Pope is then introduced to the public from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the announcement: "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope).

The new Pope gives his first blessing, known as "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world). This process is deeply rooted in tradition and reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to maintaining continuity and leadership.

Enrolment Period 2026
Earlier this week, I was honoured to share my vision and commitment to Carroll College with prospective families looking to enrol their children in Year 7 for 2026. I work with exceptional educators, and together, we are dedicated to supporting young people to flourish. We know that young people will thrive and be successful when we focus on their wellbeing, emotional intelligence, and natural gifts and talents to the same extent as their academic results.

The next step in the enrolment process is for families to submit their application online to secure a place for their child in the Year 7, 2026 cohort. Enrolment is also open for all other year levels. I encourage families to act on this in a timely manner, as interviews will begin to be scheduled from next week. Mrs Nadine Cooper will be in contact to arrange a convenient time for parents. Your child also attends this meeting as it is a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with them and put them at ease with any questions they may have before beginning at Carroll College. I personally meet with every enrolling family.

Link to enrolment application - https://enrolments.ccb.nsw.edu.au/nsw-schools/start

Please share this link with family and friends who may not have been able to make it to the Information Evening on Monday.

Calendar Date:

Year 7, 2026 Orientation Day will be held on Friday 28 November 2025.

2025 NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year

Congratulations to Beau Mullins, Year 12 student who has been selected as a Finalist for the 2025 NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year category in the Illawarra and South East NSW region. A remarkable achievement! The Winner of this category will be announced at the 2025 Illawarra and South East NSW Training Awards presentation event, which will take place on Friday, 13 June at Shellharbour Civic Centre Auditorium, Shellharbour. We wish Beau all the very in this final selection stage. Congratulations Beau!

Artificial Intelligence
"Technology is not neutral. From the moment of its creation, it has the potential to both enable and constrain us. The key is to use it in ways that enhance our humanity, not diminish it."

Pope Francis, World Communications Day 2024

Did you know Carroll College is leading the way in AI literacy, with explicit teaching of Artificial Intelligence so students can be responsible users of the technology? Our commitment to future readiness ensures that our students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Important questions arise about the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence. Earlier this week, I was in discussion with Principal colleagues and the following questions were presented.

How do we model authentic Christian discipleship in increasingly digital learning environments?

In what ways might our digital practices either enhance or undermine our Catholic mission?

What digital boundaries are essential for maintaining human connection and spiritual development in our school community?

Further reading: Vatican Document on Digital Ethics, 2023

Mr Jason Szkwarek is our AI Lead at the college as part of the cechat pilot program. Follow the link below to read Jason’s published article in the Catholic Voice.

The link for our Catholic Voice article is here: https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/ai-in-education-balancing-innovation-and-ethics-in-australian-classrooms/

Important Update: Please note that some of the information previously shared in this article is now being reviewed due to the rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly in the area of student assessment. As the landscape continues to evolve, we are committed to providing updated guidance that reflects current best practices and innovations in education.

2025 Practicum Students at Carroll

It has been our pleasure to welcome several prac students to the college recently. These students have been visiting one day p/week (March 24, March 31, May 5, May 12 and May 19). They will commence two weeks full time from June 9 – June 20.

Miss Mateja Kostrica commenced full time in TAS at the beginning of this term. Miss Kostrica has another four weeks with us which is fantastic!

There is no better learning environment for these developing teachers than Carroll College. With best practice pedagogies based on the Science of Learning, and Classroom Mastery initiatives well embedded, we are a leading college in the Archdiocese and beyond.

A Prayer for Mother’s Day

Heavenly Father,

Today, we thank You for the gift of motherhood and honour all the mothers among us. Bless them with strength, patience, and joy as they balance their many roles. May they feel appreciated and cherished for the love and care they give.

For those who are grieving or longing on this day, we ask for Your comfort and peace to surround them. Help us to support one another with kindness and gratitude as we celebrate the nurturing spirit that mothers bring to our lives.

In Your name, we pray.
Amen.

Thank you for joining us for our Mother’s Day breakfast, offered with our compliments in recognition of all mothers and individuals who fulfil the vital role of motherhood.

Take a look at our photos on the CCB Facebook page.

With respect and encouragement to you.

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)