Dear Parents, Students and Friends

As you know, last week I attended the Principals’ Retreat in Bowral. The focus of the retreat centred on the theme of Hope. When we enter into the season of Lent and prepare for Easter, Hope is essentially the gift afforded to us as Christians. We reflect on what it really means to be human, how this transfers to our day-to-day lives and our relationships with others. Retreat facilitator, Brother David Hall shared this beautiful quote,

 “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey
      but spiritual beings on a human journey” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin).

I am often asked why a Catholic school is different from other schools. Brother David offered incredible insight into this question. He explained that schools across the world must develop humanity. Catholic schools offer a way. We offer a common set of values, and of course, these are Gospel values, lived out in the culture of Catholic schooling. Being a Catholic school defines how we understand each other. It is profound and wide-reaching. Knowledge of Christ is not enough until it transforms into relationships. This is the reason why I place such importance on connecting with students and families. Unless there is trust in our organisation, we are likely to underperform and be slow to innovate. Trust plays to the core of humanity. Our call in Catholic schools is to be a beacon of hope and take the compassionate God into the world.

The College has been incredibly fortunate with the support we have received following the devastation of the bush fires. In this week’s newsletter edition, I take the opportunity to thank the organisations and school communities who have contributed significantly to our community’s recovery.

Hands Across the Water is a charity organisation that supports change and provides lifesaving necessities for kids and communities in Thailand. It supports families in outreach programs and funds orphanages for kids who have no known family to care for them, kids who do not have family able to care for them or kids who have been removed from families for their safety. Their mission is to create a life of choice for kids, rather than one of chance. It provides 100% of donations directly to the kids and communities that it supports. In Australia, business donations are made through the National Australian Retailers Association and organisations such as Betta Electrical. BSR Australia (Betta) has been a supporter of Hands Across the Water for the last 10 years.

This Thailand Orphanage, supported by Hands Across the Water has fundraised as a result of learning of our bushfire plight and has made an extremely generous donation to our College of $6,540. This donation will go towards establishing an outdoor classroom for the College situated in the Agricultural area. Hands Across the Water hopes that the College and its students will be able to foster a long term relationship with the Thailand Orphanage. This orphanage is home to very young children through to high school age students.

An official handover of the cheque will occur at the RFS Thank You Event on 28 March from 4pm – 7pm at Corrigans Reserve, Batehaven. Betta Electrical Batemans Bay advises there will be many raffles at the event with all proceeds going to the RFS. Please refer to the flyer in this newsletter for more information.

I particularly thank Geoff Hatton and Dominic McClelland from Betta Electrical and Jenny Tuntevski from the Hands Group for supporting Carroll College at this time. We truly appreciate their support.

To learn more about Hands Across the Water follow the link: https://www.handsacrossthewater.org.au/what-we-do

Thank you also to a number of schools for their outreach and concern during this period. I thank Holy Spirit Primary School, Nicholls under the leadership of Principal, Mr Brad Gaynor for the generous donation of gift cards and vouchers to the value of $1000 that we are able to distribute to families in need. Also to Principal, Mr Greg Walker of St Anthony’s Parish Primary School, Wanniassa who so generously supported the coordination of back-packs and stationery and personally delivered these to our schools along the Coast. These gestures of support have been gratefully received and will go a long way to supporting our community this year.

On 27 March, Brigidine College, St Ives will be visiting Carroll College. Brigidine College students have been fundraising for us and would like to present a cheque to our student leaders at Assembly. Their efforts will support the redevelopment of our agricultural area. Similarly, during Week 10, on Friday 3 April we will have two more Sydney College leadership teams visiting. Mr Peter Buxton, Principal of De La Salle Catholic College, Caringbah has been in contact with me over the past few weeks to coordinate a visit. De La Salle College and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College, Burraneer under the leadership of Principal, Ms Ann Freeman will accompany student leaders to the Coast to present the College with a cheque following the fundraising efforts they have been involved with in support of our school. We are most grateful to their communities and look forward to welcoming the students and staff to Broulee. 

I also acknowledge the tremendous support of the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn. The support for families, staff and students has been extensive and ongoing. In a time of great need, it has been very reassuring to have Catholic Education working to meet the needs of the College.

Parent/Teacher Interview
I encourage all parents to schedule an interview with teaching staff to discuss the progress of their child/children. It is not too late! If you missed going online to book a time for last night’s meetings, please follow the link below and secure times for next Tuesday 17 March. It is essential that we work in partnership to ensure that the best learning environment can be achieved. I look forward to seeing you. Please encourage your child to attend with you. Follow the link below: https://sentral.ccb.nsw.edu.au/portal/login

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We continue to be guided by the State and Federal Departments of Health and other appropriate agencies as we navigate the evolving Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 issue. It is my sincere hope that our community is safe and remains settled during this challenge. The College intends to calmly do its best to keep our community safe and to progress learning. Thank you for your support and consideration at this time. The staff and I appreciate it is a time of uncertainty. I will continue to communicate openly with you all as developments occur.

Yours sincerely

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal