Dear Parents, Students and Friends 

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we continue to navigate the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines. The health and safety of everyone in our community remains our priority and we must continue to be vigilant to ensure the wellbeing of all.

Congratulations
It is great to be able to share some happy news with you. Ms Louisa Bonner is expecting her fourth child. On behalf of our community, I congratulate Ewan, Louisa, Ryley, Autumn and Ivy as they await the arrival of a new ‘bundle of joy’ to their family. Wonderful news!

Ms Bonner will be taking Terms 1-3 off work in 2021, and plans to return part-time in Term 4 next year.

Senior Leadership Team 2021
Over the last two days, I have had the privilege of interviewing Year 11 students who have made application for the positions of School Captain or Vice-Captain for the 2021 school year. I thoroughly enjoy this experience. It is a courageous and self-revealing process for the students as they discuss their leadership strengths, think deeply about what they hold as important, and how these personal values and attributes translate to their leadership capacity. I see their growth towards adulthood and have complete admiration for their willingness to engage in this journey. This year we have had 63 applications for the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) 2021 for the roles of Faith Formation Leaders, Indigenous Leaders, School Captain, Vice Captain, and House Captains. I have been so impressed by this overwhelming statement of support for the College. When students have this level of desire and energy to make a difference, I believe we have much to celebrate! Mr Nathan Mansfield has outlined more details on the leadership selection process in his newsletter article this week.

National Skills Week 2020 - August 24th — August 30th 2020

“National Skills Week will again set out to bring to life the positive messages, highlighting the talents, the skills, the career pathways and the value of apprentices …”                 
                                                                                                          www.nationalskillsweek.com.au

VET Education offerings at Carroll College include Business Services, Hospitality, Sports Coaching, Construction and Information, Digital Media and Technology.

Angus Turner
Completed Carroll College 2019 – Awarded VET Student of the Year
Occupation:        Sapper – ADF Apprentice Electrician

What is a typical day like in your role?
A snapshot of my week would be - Parade every morning, attending TAFE 5 days per week, undertake Physical training sessions throughout the week and Dress inspection (once per week) along with room inspections (every fortnight).

What’s the best advice you can give someone who just started their career?
Stay focused, don’t give up if you are faced with hardship or setbacks and don’t lose sight of what you want to achieve.

What energies you at work?
The thought of having a long-lasting career with the Australian Defence Force at the end of this Apprenticeship and any other opportunities that may arise within the Defence Force.

The mateships and the fact that you are a part of something bigger than you.

Overall enjoyment of the course and the physical fitness training, and the lifestyle that ADF provides.

What interests do you have outside of work?
At the moment, it is very difficult with COVID-19 restrictions and because we are in Victoria especially so. Otherwise, I love all sport and gym activities.

What is your fondest memory of Carroll College?
How welcoming the school was when I came to Carroll in 2017, the Teachers & Staff, and also the great friendships made.

Working with my Dad hanging cornice on building sites was my introduction to the world of work at the age of 7. I enjoyed school and was always fascinated by Science. I was the classic 1980’s nerd. I even had a professional Chemistry set!

During my high school years, I worked in the local supermarket, at a local petrol station and I worked with my Dad. Towards the end of school, I decided that I wanted to be either a doctor or a teacher. I was very inspired by my Senior Maths teacher who was an amazing teacher. My school gave me a reality check about becoming a doctor saying that I wasn’t going to get the marks to get into this very competitive field so I went off to the ANU to study Science, majoring in Biology and Psychology.

While at uni, I worked as a Youth Worker/Counsellor and I did some tutoring work in a juvenile justice facility and I played in a band (does that count as work? We weren’t very good and hardly ever got paid so perhaps not). After graduating with a Bachelor of Science, I went to the University of Canberra to complete my Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education.

I didn’t go into teaching straight away. I worked for three years as a lab technician/research assistant at the Research School of Biological Sciences at the ANU and the CSIRO. I then ran a corner store for a year in Tasmania before moving to Leeton. I had a year at home looking after my baby son and during that year, I worked as an after-hours library supervisor at Yanco Agricultural High School and I studied Chemistry at CSU part-time.

It was at Yanco Ag that I met the Science Coordinator at St Francis De Sales Regional College in Leeton and she told me that they were looking for a Science teacher. I worked as a Science Teacher at St Francis for five years and then got a job as a Science Teacher here at Carroll College.

In 2004, I was lucky enough to be appointed as the Teaching and Learning Coordinator, which was an Executive Coordinator role and I had the job of overseeing the implementation of the Quality Teaching and Learning initiative. I decided to resign from that role at the end of 2008 and continue as a full-time Science teacher. I did an overseas teacher exchange with Mr Hodges in 2010, which was an amazing experience. At the start of 2015, I was fortunate enough to be appointed as Science Coordinator and I am continuing in this role today.

I love teaching! I have had many roles over my 23 years in schools. I have taught Music, VET and STEM and I have been Careers Advisor. Science is what I really love and I really enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for learning about Science with our students, and I love working with the Science team at Carroll. I’m really happy I became a teacher. Schools are great places to work, students and teachers are amazing and teaching is never boring!   

Carroll Day

Next Friday, we officially celebrate Carroll Day! With a bit of rejigging, we have a nice day planned. Students can come dressed in mufti. Our Year 11 students will continue College tradition and come in fancy dress – always a lot of fun! Slow cooked pulled pork rolls are on the menu at the Canteen to create a special lunch to help celebrate the day! There will also be sweet potato wedges with guacamole, and brownies available to purchase.

On behalf of the Carroll staff, I thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding as we support each other to get through this pandemic.

Yours sincerely

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal