CELEBRATING CARROLL DAY

"Two are better than one...if either of them falls down, one can help the other up”.  
                                                                                                  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Dear Parents, Students and Friends

Tomorrow we celebrate a significant day for the College. Carroll Day acknowledges our College founder, Fr Francis Carroll. On 5 December 1989, an initial meeting took place to discuss the feasibility of establishing a Catholic Secondary College in the Eurobodalla. This was a bold and ambitious vision. Now, almost 25 years on we are proud contributors to our Catholic community as we continue to strive for excellence in creating a high performing school.

St Mary Mackillop once said, “Never see a need without doing something about it”. This statement encapsulates the shared vision of the then Parish Priest of Batemans Bay, Fr Henry Bryne, parishioner Noel Cook and Archbishop Carroll. During 1992, Noel Cook proposed that the College be named Carroll College in recognition of Fr Francis’ contribution to Catholic education. This was endorsed by Fr Byrne and was approved by the Archbishop. Today, Carroll College is a leading school on the South Coast. It provides exceptional opportunities for students and families and promotes a strong culture for learning. It is fitting that we celebrate Carroll Day each year and give thanks to those who contributed their time so generously to ensure the establishment of Carroll College.

Tomorrow is Mufti day for all students in Years 7-12. We ask that students wear warm casual clothes as we will be in the Hall for a large part of the day and it is an extremely cold venue.

I invite you to join us for our College Mass at 9.30am tomorrow morning in the Hall.

Rome Study Tour
On Saturday 22 June, Mrs Veronica Harrold-Carter and Mrs Charlotte Nicoletti will travel to Rome with the Australian Catholic University, as part of their postgraduate studies in Leading the New Evangelisation. The unit to be studied abroad, Catholic Education: Mission, Culture and Spirituality, focuses on key documents concerning Catholic Education and schooling. The emphasis is on the role of schools in realising the mission of the Catholic Church and how spiritualities and charisms can contribute to the culture of Catholic schools and communio.  The unit, led by Peta Goldburg Sister of Mercy and Professor of Religious Education and Professor David Hall, a Marist Brother and Dean of the La Salle Academy for Faith Formation and Religious Education, is a blend of lectures, workshops and excursions to places of religious significance in the Catholic Tradition.

The course prepares educators for leadership roles with Catholic schools. Within faith-based schools, Religious Education is a key learning area and for Catholic schools in Australia, Religious Education has been one of the ways in which the Catholic Christian tradition has been transmitted across generations. In his writings, Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI states “Evangelisation is in fact, the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelise". Teaching in a Catholic school is a vocation, a calling. Through the course, Leading the New Evangelisation, Mrs Harrold-Carter and Mrs Nicoletti have become familiar with dynamic expressions of youth evangelisation, new methods and innovative ways the Gospel message can be presented to our students; methods which exist beyond current pedagogy but through accompaniment, and witness.

I wish Mrs Harrold-Carter and Mrs Nicoletti a safe and enriching experience.

Staffing
Mr John O’Neill will be taking leave in Weeks 9 and 10 to enjoy some time with his family. Mrs Sandra Harris will be Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Achievement (Acting) for the last two weeks of term. I take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs Harris on her successful appointment to this significant leadership role within the College. I also wish Mr O'Neill an enjoyable and restful break.

As you are now aware, Mrs Veronica Harrold-Carter and Mrs Charlotte Nicoletti are travelling to Rome and will also be on leave for the next two weeks. I congratulate Ms Lizette Richards on gaining the position of Xavier Pastoral Coordinator (Acting) during Mrs Harrold-Carter’s absence.

We have welcomed Mrs Belle Barling back to work this week following Maternity leave. Mrs Barling re-joins the team for only a short period, as she is pregnant again. Congratulations from us all! Mrs Barling will be teaching until the middle of next term before taking leave again. During this time, she will be teaching in the area of Learning Support and relieving for Mrs Nicoletti as Faith Formation Coordinator.

An announcement will be made in the coming days regarding the successful applicant for the role of Coordinator, Administration (Acting). A current member of the team will fill Mrs Harris’ role while she undertakes higher duties.

Social Media
I invite you to listen to the podcast (link below) which highlights the danger that devices can have on brain development, particularly for adolescents. As a result of current research such as this, staff have revisited the College’s mobile phone policy. Further information will follow in the near future. https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/david-gillespie-2019/10986686

Lollapalooza – CLAIM THE DATE!

Please contact Karen Motyka M: 0415 592 019 or Brigid McNeill M: 0408 888 756 to get involved!

As we move into the last couple of weeks of term, I thank you for your ongoing support. Our building project is almost complete with a new staff centre and four new classrooms. It is a beautiful work space. More details will follow in next week's newsletter.

Warm regards

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal