Dear Parents, Students and Friends

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The staff gathered for prayer Wednesday morning to reflect on this most important time in the Church’s calendar. Prayer followed with students in Homerooms to support their understanding of the Catholic Tradition and the significance of this liturgical season. The marking of the Ashes on our foreheads is a public expression of our faith and repentance. During this time of Covid, ashes were distributed differently. Ashes were mixed in holy water and sprinkled on staff and students.

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through prayer we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise our baptismal promise to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting joins us in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without the basic human needs. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Lent prepares us for the season of Easter. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). May we be encouraged to ‘Be More’ in our own lives, and in the lives of others. 

Year 7 and Year 11 Information Evening 

Next Monday evening, 22 February we welcome Year 7 and Year 11 parents to the College for an information session relevant to their child’s stage of learning. Students are also encouraged to attend.

Year 7 have embraced College life with enthusiasm and readily express their enjoyment of being at High School. It is heart-warming to see their level of engagement as they navigate their new learning environment. We respectfully request that only one parent of each student attends, so the College complies with Covid regulations. Information was emailed to parents of these grade levels yesterday with specific details. I look forward to welcoming families on Monday evening.

The commencement of senior years for Year 11 students is a significant step as they prepare for their Higher School Certificate (HSC). Learning Pathways and opportunities will be discussed to encourage students to be committed learners as they work towards their final year of schooling. Whether students are pursuing an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for university entry or a Non-ATAR package, all students are supported to achieve their personal best. This can be an uncertain time for students and their families as they determine the most suitable career options. The most refreshing change in education today is that there are so many options and pathways to achieving success.

Did you know that Carroll College offers five VET Courses for Years 11 and 12. We have 78 student placements currently in 2021, meaning that many students are enrolled in one or more of our VET courses. Three students have opted to undertake three or more VET subjects in their pattern of study for Year 11 (Preliminary year). These offerings include:

• Business Services
• Information and Digital Technology
• Hospitality
• Sport Coaching
• Construction

We also have seven students currently enrolled in an EVET course (VET courses offered externally through TAFE). There is also the option for students to undertake a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT).

If you have specific questions regarding your child's career pathway, please contact our VET/Careers Coordinator, Naomi Gill and she will be very happy to assist. Naomi's level of experience in this area will be of great benefit to every student at the College.
Naomi.gill@cg.catholic.edu.au

A Future Full of Hope

Year 12 Senior Retreat
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Senior Retreat with Year 12 students in Jindabyne. It was simply a life-giving experience. We laughed and cried... the openness and vulnerability of our shared experiences have inspired and enriched each of us. We have an incredibly cohesive Year 12 group. I have the utmost respect for them, and it was most evident, they have this respect for one another too. There were many funny moments but most importantly the spiritual richness of the Retreat touched us all. It was truly my privilege to spend three days with Year 12 and the dedicated staff that accompanied them.

I take this opportunity to thank Belle Barling and Erica Drewsen for their coordination of Retreat. It was exceptional. Also, to Sean Mulally, Sonia Pope, Liarna Miller, Tim Hodges, and Karen Lyttle who made the Retreat so enjoyable. Their professionalism and commitment to the students is outstanding.                                        

College Counselling Service

As part of the pastoral care program for students, Carroll College has access to a Student and Family Counselling service provided by CatholicCare Canberra &  Goulburn (CCG). CCG is contracted by Carroll College to provide counselling services to students and their families on-site. There is no fee to access this service.

The role of the counsellor is to focus on the emotional, social and educational well-being of the students. Counsellors welcome contact with students having difficulty with some part of their life, whether or not it affects their school work. The problem does not have to be a big one. It is better to seek help sooner than later. Some typical concerns that counsellors work with include anger, anxiety, behavioural problems, depression, eating problems, family breakdown and family conflict, grief and loss, learning and educational challenges, parenting challenges, peer and other social relationships, school avoidance, stress and study skills. As well as individual sessions with students, counsellors can run groups, do family work, consult with parents and teachers, and make referrals to other services and supports. 

Student and Family Counsellors subscribe to a set of professional ethics that include duty of care and respect for the individual rights to privacy and confidentiality. The counsellors’ obligation is to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and confidentiality of the student they are working with. All counsellors are mandated to report any disclosure or sign of abuse or neglect to Child Protection Services. Outside of our mandated requirements, all counselling sessions are confidential, and the details will not be discussed with other parties unless written consent is given by the client.

2021 has seen some changes to the school counselling service. The biggest change relates to consent and permission. Parent consent is now required for all students under 14 years of age. Consent will be sought and provided via email. Referrals to the service can be made by contacting the pastoral team or speaking with the counsellor directly.

Carroll College's Student and Family Counsellor:
Naomi Bee - Social Worker Phone: 4471 5600.
Naomi is on-site on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week and is located at the end of B Block.

We have welcomed several new families to the College in recent weeks. I extend a warm welcome to our new students as they transition to the College. To all our families, please know my door is always open and I look forward to working in partnership as we support the wellbeing and educational goals of your children.

With blessings on your home this Lenten season.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal