Dear Parents, Students and Friends

It has been a big fortnight in the life of the College. Year 12 have graduated and College leadership has been handed over to Year 11. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly our children grow up. Year 12 have witnessed a year like no other. One filled with challenges that most never witness in a lifetime. They have endured a lot and I am sorry they have missed normal experiences that most Year 12 students get to enjoy. Despite the setbacks of 2020, the Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony was a beautiful celebration on Wednesday. One parent for each Year 12 student could attend, which made the occasion so special under the current circumstances.

Congratulations to our Year 12 Special Award recipients:

Penn College VET Scholarships

Anna Rogerson and Rheannan Murray

Male Swimming Champion

Shane Mass

Female Swimming Champion

Jordan Carter

ADF Future Innovators Award

Cameron Stocks

Principal’s Awards

Jade Borg
Ethan Hanson
Riley Maher

CCCC Learning for Life Award

Hugh Tuckwell

St Vincent de Paul Award

Simone Bingley-Hughes

Reuben F Scarf Award

Ann Lovell Class of 2020 Award

Ethan Hanson

Caltex All-Rounder Award

Cadyn Argent

Fr Henry Byrne Award

Shane Mass

The University of Wollongong Award

Jade Briggs

ADF Long Tan Award

Hugh Tuckwell

Archbishop Carroll Student of the Year Award

Maggie Blythe

A final word on behalf of the Graduating Class of 2020

Written by 2019/20 College Captains Jade Briggs and Teagan Moses

In our time at Carroll College, we have all (hopefully) learnt important lessons that we will carry with us throughout life. We have made friends whom we will treasure forever and memories that have defined our lives. 

We are grateful to the students, staff and teachers of the College who contribute to the safe, welcoming and fun culture of this school. You have cared so deeply for us and supported our every endeavour. We are the product of everything you have taught us and the examples you have set.

This year our parents deserve special praise. Their support and sacrifice is undoubtedly the reason that we are able to reach our dreams. We thank you and we love you.

To our peers, our friends, we did it! The bonds that we have formed are truly special. It is a reminder of the importance of working together, respect for all and unconditional friendship when moving through life. Just to have persevered with our Year 12 lives is something that we should all be proud of. The resilience and motivation that we have gained will not go unnoticed in the ‘real world’. We have absolutely no doubt that every person in the Class of 2020 will go on to do great things.

To the Year 12 students of 2021, we wish you the very best of luck with your final year. Remember, you only have one year left to learn a lot, to make a change, to laugh with friends, to persist and to thrive here at the College. Working together with the well-deserved Student Leadership Team, we know each of you will be inspiring role models for the younger students.

As we move on with our lives and achieve our great plans, we will not forget this place and the wonderful people. We will all, as our friend Riley Maher says, “Keep it 100"

Address at Year 12 Mass at St. Bernards

Light Our way

I am pleased to be able to address you this morning on behalf of the Catholic school system that has, for most of you, been a part of your life for the past thirteen years. It is self-evident that 2020 will be a year that you will never forget. We all know how disrupted lives have been through natural disasters and the C-19 virus but you are here in this church on September 23rd, 2020 as Tim Winton wrote in his novel Cloudstreet “In a crisp, clean, clear day in a good world, in the midst of our living”

And you must believe it is a good world despite the traumas in life. Your parents sit beside you as the most powerful affirmation on this planet of the power of unconditional love. Never lose sight that they have been your primary carers, the light that guided you through childhood. They will continue to be the greatest resource you possess as you begin the next phase of your lives.

And sitting near you are the people you have shared this educational journey for years. There is a saying that you have a friend “for a reason, a season or for life”. I suspect that for many of you the friends you have made at school will be there for both the special events and for the moments when you need the comfort and advice of a trusted friend. Don’t take it for granted…you may never see some classmates again. Life will take you in so many directions, some will travel near and far, others will call the Eurobodalla home…but make peace if you need to in these living years.

Make a difference in the world; There are two ways of spreading light- to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Choose a job for which you have passion. Life is too short for compromise. Laugh every day…life is a comedy not a tragedy. Lastly, something I have tried to live by but have alas fallen short many times:

Congratulations to our newly appointed Student Leadership Team

College Captain’s

Emma Tuckwell and Declan Holmes

College Vice-Captain’s

Cooper Brady and Sarah Penberthy

Indigenous Captain’s

Cooper Brady and Caleb Piper

Indigenous Support Officer

Marie Slockee-Albert

MacKillop Captain’s

Meg Phillips and Caleb Piper

Xavier Captain’s

Madeleine Forner and Gemma Mass

Chisholm Captain’s

Bonnie Brewer and Samuel Heffernan

Faith Formation Leader

Damia O'Loughlin

If you had told me I would be a High School Teacher ten years ago… I would not have believed you. I never really knew what I wanted to do or become as an adult. I have always loved learning, but unfortunately, I was not fond of school - and was never the best student. However, I have found my passion in life, and ironically, that passion is in education.

I have worked in several industries. Hospitality, taking the form of a waitress, barista, café-worker; working in retail, at ‘Offshore Surf Shop’ for several years, and driving the occasional excavator, tractor or bobcat in my families’ earthmoving business. Although each of these roles gave me so many countless experiences, and a diverse skill-set, I never found my passion. I had worked non-stop since the age of 14, even taking a ‘gap year’. It was at this point that I embarked on the enigma that is, a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

I thrived at University but I wasn’t sure where to go once I reached graduation. I initially opted to write an Honours thesis on the Rwandan Genocide, but upon reflection, wanted to embark on a career path that would allow me to apply and enjoy history and learning, daily. So… I completed a Masters of Secondary Teaching, and fell in love with teaching. Now, I am immersed in History, Geography and Legal Studies daily. I have realised that to make a difference in this life, we have to be able to learn from the past. As part of the Master’s Degree, I completed my final six-week teaching practicum at Carroll College. During this time, a permanent position was advertised for a HSIE teacher… and I applied. Just off four years later, and here I am… writing a blurb about my career path!

I can’t wait to continue learning and evolving in the Carroll College teaching space. Despite the fact I am still ‘young’ in my career, I can say with 100% confidence that I am working in the job that I want to spend the rest of my life in. My passion for teaching is what drives me day in and day out, to make a difference in the lives of students.

HSC Exams
Best wishes to Year 12 as they prepare for their Higher School Certificate. HSC Exams begin on 20 October.

Wishing all families and staff a safe and restful holiday period. School resumes for all students on Tuesday 13 October.

Yours sincerely

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal