Assistant Principal Pastoral Care
Assistant Principals' Retreat
This week I was fortunate to be able to join with colleagues from across the Archdiocese for the 2025 Assistant Principals' Retreat at Galong. The theme of the retreat was Anchored in Truth; Leading with Wisdom and Integrity. Over the next three year cycle this spiritual formation experience will invite us to encounter the mystery of God through the lens of the transcendentals – Truth, Beauty, Goodness and Unity with this year's focus on Truth as God’s enduring presence in the world. Through prayer, theological reflection and communal dialogue we had the opportunity to deepen our understanding of divine truth, discern its presence in a complex world, and explore how to lead with integrity, peace and justice from this foundation.
Our sessions covered:
- The Transcendental: God’s Footprint on the World
- What is Truth? - Objective and subjective truth
- The Heart of Truth – Encountering the Divine Truth in Our Lives: ‘My Truth’ to God’s Truth – Discerning God’s Truth in a Complex World
- Embodying Truth – Leading from Truth; a pathway to peace, justice and authentic relationships
Our constant reference throughout the retreat was from John 14:1-14 where Jesus said, “ I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me, ”God IS truth – Truth unites the mind with reality.
God IS beauty- Beauty unites the heart with wonder
God IS goodness – unites the soul with virtue
God IS unity- draws all things into harmony under God
“The world, in all its diversity, is eager to be guided towards the great values of humankind; truth, good and beauty; now more than ever…. Teaching means to accompany young people in their search for truth and beauty, for what is right and good.” Educating Today and Tomorrow: A Renewing Passion, 2014.
As leaders in catholic schools, we are encouraged to teach and bear witness to our faith, discover God in the every day and inspire unity.
Child safety
Carroll College is guided by the NSW Child Safety Standards. Each term, time is dedicated to providing professional development for our staff. This week, Mrs Brenda Foley, Senior Officer from the Schools and Family Services team from CECG was invited to address the staff meeting. Brenda’s focus centred around the very important topic of Duty of Care with particular focus on excursions and overnight and overseas experiences and the legal expectations on supervising staff.
Another aspect of the Child Safety standards covers student voice. What opportunities and avenues do students of the college have to be heard on matters that impact them? On Monday, during the college assembly, our new Student Representative Council were commissioned by Mrs Heffernan with the assistance of the current Student Leadership Team. These students have taken on their leadership role, to listen to the needs of their peers and represent them. We thank them for taking on this responsibility and we know they will do an outstanding job.
Year 12 Save the Date
Our Year 12 students and families are encouraged to add the following dates to their calendars.
A change for our College Counsellors
At Carroll College, we are very fortunate to offer our students access to the counselling service 5 days per week.
Naomi Bee (Naomi.Bee@mccg.org.au) will be working Week 1 Wed-Thurs and Week 2 (Wed-Fri)
Faith Costigan (Faith.costigan@mccg.org.au) will be working Week 1 Mon-Tues and Friday and Week 2 Mon, Tues.
Parenting Tips
Friendship and Social Skills
Positive friendships are an important part of life for children and adults alike. Having a good friendship can make a huge difference to a person’s experience of the world. Friendship is not only important for social and emotional development but also for supporting and promoting good mental health and wellbeing. Children who have friends generally do better socially and academically, are more self-confident and happier. It is important, however, to remember that having friends and being popular is not the same thing. Being friendly with everyone and having one or two good friends is perfectly ok.
Positive social skills help children to make and keep friends. Some ways you can assist your child to develop these social skills include:
- Positive role modelling. Teach your child through your own actions the social skills that are important in building and maintaining relationships. This includes asking questions, listening, turn-taking and negotiating, expressing feelings appropriately, sharing, resolving conflict and helping others. Work on one skill at a time and role play scenarios that give your child opportunities to practice these skills.
- Providing children opportunities to develop skills. This might include encouraging time with friends or joining a local sports team. These are also opportunities for children to meet others with similar interests, expand the group of children they are interacting with and for you to get to know their friends.
- Don’t rush in to solve their problems. Teach your child how to problem-solve and resolve conflicts. This is an important learning that helps children to negotiate difficulties in friendships while also helping them to build resilience.
- If you are concerned about your child’s social skills or friendships, start by talking to them about it and asking them what could be done (if anything needs to be). If your concerns persist you could speak with their Pastoral Coordinator or look at resources like the ones listed below. You may also like talking to the school counsellor if these concerns don’t resolve over a longer period of time.
Electronic Resources:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/communicating-relationships/friends-peers/teen-friendships
Academic Care
This week in our Academic Care period a range of wellbeing and academic topics were covered. Parents are encouraged to continue these conversations with their children.
Year 7 – Peer Support activities with Year 11
Year 8 - Wellio Lesson - Peer Pressure Survival Guide
Year 9 - Wellio lesson - Harmful Stereotypes
Year 10 – Work Experience and Year 11 Subject Selection follow-up
Year 11- Peer Support activities with Year 7
Year 12 - Wellio lesson - Embracing Challenges & Discomfort
Eurobodalla Winter Event
Winter has definitely arrived in the last two weeks. Tonight, our Eurobodalla Youth Committee members would like to advertise an opportunity to have some fun and ‘feed your soul as we light up the darkest night of the year ‘ the Winter Soulstice. Check out how to get tickets for this free event with dinner provided for people aged 12 -24 years.
Please remember to reach out to the Pastoral Team as we work together to support your child.
Kind regards
Mrs Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal Pastoral Care