Dear Carroll Community,

As we approach the fifth Sunday of Lent and look forward to Easter, I was deeply moved by the homily at my local Mass last Sunday. Gai Delaverve, Kiama Lead Catechist, eloquently emphasised the significance of making a lasting impact on the lives of young people. This message resonated profoundly with me, as I firmly believe that Catholic schools are truly the face of the Church in the 21st century. The gift of teaching our students to pray and nurturing their relationship with Jesus and the Church is invaluable, providing them with direction, purpose and hope.

As Catholic educators at Carroll, we are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of sowing the seeds of faith in all our students. This mission is at the heart of everything we do, guiding us to create an environment where our students can grow spiritually, intellectually and emotionally.

As we conclude a busy yet productive first term, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all staff members for their professionalism and dedication to creating engaging, high-quality learning experiences every day. To our students, I commend your active participation in learning and your consistent display of respect for yourselves, others, and the learning process. These attributes will serve you well as we move into the next term.

EASTER PRAYER

O God of the Last Supper
God of the Cross
And God of the Empty Tomb
We come before you now and we pause.

Holy Week has passed. 
But how we long to live by
the marvellous story we have heard.

Let us remain ever beside you at the table of the Last Supper. 
Show us who is hungry. 
And give us the courage to offer them bread from your table. 
Show us who is thirsty. 
And give us the strength to lift up the cup of your love.

Most of all, show us how to linger at the table, serving others
Doing ALL that we do
In remembrance of You,
And the way You were when You walked this earth.

We lift these simple, limited words
Up to you, O God.  Amen

Enhancing Teaching Practices through Professional Learning Teams

This year, our college has successfully implemented Professional Learning Teams (PLTs), harnessing the collective expertise of our staff to drive educational excellence. The core objective of PLTs at our college is to foster collaborative groups of teachers who work together to refine teaching practices and enhance student outcomes.

Our focus areas for the year include:

• Collaboration and Shared Responsibility: Encouraging a culture where teachers collectively own the success of their students.
• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Using data and research to inform teaching strategies and assess their effectiveness.
• Ongoing Professional Development: Engaging in continuous learning to stay updated with best practices.
• Inquiry-Based Approach: Adopting a systematic method to identify areas for improvement and evaluate the impact of new strategies.

Over a short period, our PLTs have already achieved significant milestones. Staff have successfully designed, developed and implemented guided notes to reduce cognitive load and improve teaching outcomes. During our third meeting, staff reflected on their work and shared their experiences with colleagues, showcasing the power of collaboration and shared learning.

This initiative not only highlights the dedication of our staff but also underscores our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students. We look forward to continuing this journey of improvement and innovation.

Staffing   Announcements

I would like to share some important news regarding our teaching staff. Nick Collins has made the decision to resign from his position, with his final teaching day scheduled for April 11. During his tenure at Carroll College, Nick has been an invaluable member of our community, embracing innovative teaching methods and demonstrating significant professional and personal growth. His contributions to our college have been deeply appreciated, and we are grateful for the positive impact he has had on our students and staff.

As Nick moves on to a new opportunity at Moruya High School next term, we wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We will officially bid farewell to Nick at the end of this term.

In preparation for the transition, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Barnett will be joining our team as a new beginning technology teacher, commencing in Term 2. We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Barnett and look forward to the fresh perspectives and expertise he will bring to our community.

BGA TAS BUILDING

Exciting News: BGA Project Commencement

We are thrilled to announce that our 4-stage BGA project will officially begin on Monday, April 14, during the school holidays. This exciting project includes the development of a new student car park, a state-of-the-art TAS learning facility and modifications to the existing TAS block. Construction is expected to last approximately 12 months, subject to weather conditions.

Key Project Details:

• New Student Car Park: Designed to enhance parking facilities for students.
• TAS Learning Facility: A modern space tailored to support innovative teaching and learning in Technology and Applied Studies.
• Existing TAS Block Modifications: Upgrades to ensure seamless integration with the new facilities.

Important Notes:

• Construction Zone Access: The building site will be a controlled area managed by Edwards Constructions. Please note that there will be strictly no access for staff and students in these zones during construction.
• Parking and Access Changes: There will be several changes to student and staff parking arrangements throughout the project. Detailed information regarding these changes, as well as access to the agricultural farm and student parking, will be communicated at the beginning of Term 2.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we embark on this exciting journey to enhance our college facilities.

ANZAC DAY

I invite all students to participate in ANZAC Day services across the region. ANZAC Day falls in the second week of the school holidays on Thursday 25 April. Carroll College will be represented at eight locations from Batemans Bay to Narooma. Students are asked to present in full summer uniform. Specific details outlining meeting times, location and staff contacts for each venue has been forwarded to families.

I congratulate all students on the way they have engaged in their learning this term. Classroom Mastery has created consistently productive, safe and calm classroom environments and it is wonderful to see students responding to the new routines and expectations and seeing the benefits.

This will be the final newsletter for Term 1. Our final day of term is Friday, 11 April.
The college resumes for Term 2 for all students on Tuesday 29 April. I wish all families a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Warn Regards

Mr Andrew Kenneally
Principal (Acting)

Last week, the Carroll College community gathered with St Bernard’s and St Mary’s for a joyful celebration of faith and unity at our annual Combined Schools Mass. This special occasion brought together our school community, and was a beautiful reminder that our shared mission flows seamlessly from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The theme for this year’s Mass, '30 Years: Anchored in Hope', was chosen by the dedicated Religious Education Coordinators of each school. It captures the spirit of both our 30th anniversary and the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese theme for the year, 'Pilgrims of Hope'. This combined theme invited us to look back with gratitude and look forward with trust. As a college, we celebrate 30 years of formation, community and growth, and we anchor ourselves in the hope that comes from our faith in God and in one another.

Adding a special layer of meaning to the day, several members of the very first graduating class of 2000 were present as both teachers and parents. They are pictured with Karen Lyttle, one of the first teachers of the college. Their ongoing presence in the life of the school says so much about the strength of our community. When former students return not just to visit but to lead, to teach, and to invest in the next generation, it speaks volumes.

As we continue our journey through the Easter season, we invite all families to join us for our Easter Service on Thursday, 10th April at 10.15am in the College Hall. This will be another special opportunity to gather in prayer, reflection, and celebration as a community of hope. Finally, a reminder that as we move into the final week of Lent, students are encouraged to donate to Project Compassion through bringing loose change for our homeroom collection boxes.

Let us continue to walk together as pilgrims; anchored in faith, strengthened by love, and inspired by hope. I wish you and your family a joyful and blessed Easter, filled with the hope and renewal that Christ’s resurrection brings. May this sacred season uplift your spirit, and remind you of God’s enduring love.

Mrs Anna Smart
Religious Education Coordinator

Term 1 has certainly been action packed and highly successful. Congratulations to our Year 7 students and the new students across the year groups who have joined our college community this year and settled in so smoothly.

Our students have had the opportunity to join in a wide range of experiences and activities that have enhanced not only their learning but also their wellbeing and sense of connectedness to Carroll College.  Thank you to the staff for the work that they do 'above and beyond' to ensure opportunities are available and inquiries are answered. Thank you to the Homeroom teachers who greet and ensure the students are ready for each school day.  A huge thank you to the Pastoral Team who are always available to assist our students and families, provide experiences that nurture wellbeing and increase awareness.

Students, families and staff are encouraged to attend the Anzac Day services across the region on Friday 25 April. Students who attend are requested to wear their summer college uniform and gather as a group representing Carroll College. Below you will find the information for the Anzac Day services and the staff who are attending.

Our Year 11 students attended the 'Rotary Young Drivers Awareness' program on Monday 7 April. Thank you to Mrs Barling, Miss Large and Mrs Shilling who accompanied the students. Across the day the students moved through various presentations and practical demonstrations covering a range of important road safety and driving information. Thank you to our local Rotary members, police and guest speakers for organising this day. Our local roads and highway present a range of challenges for our young drivers and we hope they remember what they have learned.

Parents are invited to complete the following survey RYDA WORKSHOP - PARENT SURVEY (2025). It will help the organisers identify what parents think about their young drivers and the type of education you think will lower their risks.

Cyber safety

Recently we have received information about students who have been misusing social media eg. Snapchat and Tik Tok.  All parents are encouraged to monitor what their children are creating, sending and receiving from others on social media to ensure that everything is appropriate and not in breach of any laws relating to the use of devices. If you are aware of anything that is wrong then you can contact the police and/or the esafety commissioner to get advice or make a report.

Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

Uniform

When we return to school next term the weather will be a lot cooler. All students are expected to be wearing their winter uniform by the beginning of Week 6. Our suppliers for the college uniform are:

Stitches

Hip Pocket

Lowes

Sports uniform items, jerseys and jackets are available from the college uniform shop. The Uniform Shop will be open on the Pupil Free Day, Monday 28 April from 12 noon to 3.00pm.

Wishing all our families a holy and happy Easter

Mrs Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

Please keep the following students and their families in your prayers.

Alexander (Year 9) and Alice McDougall (Year 8) on the passing of their Grandfather.

Millie Harpley (Year 11) on the passing of her Grandfather.

Celebrating 30 Years of Carroll Day

On May 9, we will come together to celebrate a special milestone—30 years of Carroll Day!

The day will begin with our annual letter-writing activity, where students will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and write a letter to themselves. The letters will be placed in a time capsule and opened again when the students are in Year 12. Following this, we will come together for the Carroll Day Service, a time to acknowledge the significance of this day.

After the service, we will enjoy a shared lunch of a sausage sizzle and drink, and to mark 30 years, a special treat will be shared with everyone!

The day continues with a Trivia Challenge, where students will put their knowledge to the test in a fun and friendly competition. Then, it’s time for the much-anticipated Carroll Day Carnival, where there will be a variety of games and activities for all to enjoy, organised by Year 11 students.

After PM break, we conclude with one of the highlights of Carroll Day—our annual 'Battle of the Bands' in the hall!

We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you all.

Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)

During Weeks 2 and 3 next term, all students in Years 7 to 10 will be involved in completing the online Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT).

Students will be completing the following two tests:

· PAT-R (Reading)

· PAT-M (Mathematics)

The PAT assessments provide objective, norm-referenced information to teachers about their students’ skills and understandings in a range of key areas. Each PAT has its own proficiency scale with descriptors outlining the content and skills students are consolidating at any given point on that scale. Each PAT assessment provides data on student performance, making PAT ideal for understanding students’ current strengths and weaknesses, informing teaching and learning, and monitoring progress over time. The tests are online, multiple-choice and each test will take approximately 40 minutes.

A copy of the test schedule is attached below and will be available in Sentral daily notices. We encourage all students to do their best during these tests as the data will be used by their class teachers throughout the year.

Year 7

• Reading – Wednesday 7 May, period 4
• Mathematics – Monday 12 May, period 3

Year 8

• Mathematics – Monday 5 May, period 3
• Reading – Thursday 8 May, period 3

Year 9

• Mathematics – Wednesday 7 May, period 1
• Reading – Thursday 14 May, period 4

Year 10

• Mathematics – Thursday 8 May, period 1
• Reading – Monday 12 May, period 1

All tests will be held in B-block and G2. Students will be required to complete the tests on their own devices.

Annual Cross Country Carnival – Friday, 2 May

Our Annual Cross Country Carnival is set for Friday, 2 May.

To accommodate the event, Periods 3 and 4 will be shortened, and all students will walk together to Broulee Surf Club, where the event will take place.

Race Schedule:

· 17+ years

· 12 & 13 years

· 16 years

· 15 years

· 14 years

All students will participate, whether you're aiming for a top 6 finish or just enjoying the run with friends. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and wear your sports uniform. Senior students can get changed into appropriate running gear for the event.

We will give students more information during the House meetings on Tuesday, April 29.

Mother’s Day Breakfast – save the date

We will hold our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 8 May from 7.30 am to 8.30 am in the College Hub. We hope you can join us for this special celebration.

Year 7 immunisations will take place on Wednesday 28 May. NSW Health will be at the College to administer the vaccinations. Parents/carers will need to consent to their child's vaccination online or complete the paper consent form if they want their child to receive the immunisation.

If you have questions regarding the school immunisation program, please contact the Public Health Unit.

Upcoming reminders …

● Term 2 resumes on Tuesday 28 April, timetabled Day 2.

● We will have an extended Homeroom on Tuesday 29 April for Cross Country.

● College assembly - Thursday 1 May.

● Year 9 and 10 Commerce classes visit the Council Chambers on Thursday 1 May.

● The College Cross Country will be held on Friday 2 May.

● Years 7 - 10 students will complete their PAT Reading and PAT Maths tests in Weeks 2 and 3.

● The Year 7 2026 Open House will be held on Monday 5 May.

● Year 12 Biology excursion will take place on Tuesday 6 May.

● Our annual Mother’s Day breakfast will be held on Thursday 8 May from 7.30 am in the College Hub.

● On Friday 9 May we will celebrate Carroll Day.

Mrs Sandra Harris
Administration Coordinator

As Term 1 comes to a close, it’s been a vibrant and exciting start to the year for Chisholm House. With a jam-packed calendar of events, our students have embraced every opportunity to connect, lead, compete and grow. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights that made this term one to remember.

MacKillop News Term 1 2025!

"Find happiness in making others happy."

Well done to all Year 7 MacKillop students for completing a successful first term at Carroll College. We also welcomed many new students across all year groups, some local and some new to the area. 

Congratulations to the many students who have engaged in the many opportunities offered here at the college. 

The efforts and dedication of the following students must be recognised - MacKillop Marvels - for their outstanding attendance and/or achieving a high number of Sentral Awards for Term 1. Well done!

For 100% attendance:

Year 7  

Amaya BUSCHHAUS

Liam FISHER

Emily JOKINEN

Ky NELSON

Arthur SHAKESPEARE-DARGAN

Matthew SHALDERS

Jayda SIMON

Leo SMITH

Year 8 

Cici STEINKE 

Owen MCDONALD

Year 9

Erica SHALDERS

Year 10

Cameron PAULL

Zoe RALSTON

Armani STJEPANOVIC

Year 11

Lachlan MCRAE

Annabelle PAULL

Year 12

Max COLBOURNE

Adam KLEKNER

For a high number of Sentral Awards: 

Year 7 

Nathan Bishop

Jimmy Hill 

Ruby Millikin 

Dusti-Rae Locklier

Ky Nelson

Indhi Thomas

Year 8

Owen McDonald

Koby Pike

Cici Steinke

Molly Ward

Year 9

Morgan Browne

Amy Collins

Brodie Martin

Alexander McDougall

Erica Shalders

Year 10

Layne Blewitt

Ryder Freyer 

Year 11

Ashlee Bogdanovic

Oscar Bruce

Grace Colebrook 

Murray Harrington

Year 12

Callum Coulter

Adam Klekner

Ryan Johnston

The MacKillop team wishes all MacKillop students and their families a holy, happy and safe Easter. We look forward to working with you all in Term 2. 

Mr Greg McAteer
MacKillop Pastoral Leader 

. 

Xavier Term 1 2025!

Patron saint of Roman Catholic missions.

As Term 1 comes to a close, we would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all students for an excellent start to the year. It has been a busy and rewarding term, and we are so proud of everything our Xavier students have achieved, both individually and as a House.

Academic, Sporting & Extracurricular Success

A huge 'well done' to all students who have experienced success in their academic studies, sporting events and extracurricular activities throughout the term. Your hard work, talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed and continue to reflect the high standards we strive for in Xavier House.

House Spirit & Enthusiasm

One of the highlights this term has been the incredible enthusiasm and pride shown by our students. Whether it’s cheering each other on at events or supporting peers in day-to-day college life, Xavier House spirit is alive and thriving – and we couldn’t be prouder.

Attendance Achievements

We would also like to acknowledge those students who have shown great improvement in their attendance, and especially those sitting on a perfect 100% attendance record – a fantastic effort that reflects your commitment to learning. Students sitting on 100% are:

Dante Tester Year 7

Jayden Bush Year 7

Edwin Malayil Year 7

Kaylee Edmunds Year 7

Archer Mills Year 7

Sebastian Lockhart Year 7

Emily Franklin Year 8

Elyssa Welsh Year 9

Charlotte Ekin Year 9

Teleesha Sinclair Year 9

Kai Cornford Year 9

Sarah Lassau Year 11

 

Sentral Awards

It’s been pleasing to see a large number of students earning Sentral awards this term – a testament to the positive choices, resilience and leadership being shown by so many of you each day. Keep up the great work! Students in Xavier with over 20 sentral points for the year to date are:

Wishing You a Happy Easter

As we head into the break, we wish all our students and their families a relaxing and restful holiday and a very Happy Easter. May this time be filled with joy, connection, and a well-deserved recharge.

Looking Ahead

We’re looking forward to a busy and productive Term 2, with plenty of exciting opportunities ahead. Let’s keep the momentum going – and with the Cross Country Carnival on the horizon, we’ll be training hard and aiming high for a Xavier House win!

Thank you all for a fantastic Term 1. I am so proud to be part of such a vibrant and supportive House community.

 

Mrs Karen Lyttle 
Xavier Pastoral Leader

• Unplug for a bit: If you’ve been glued to screens all term, try to take a break and enjoy some tech-free time.
  
  
• Get outside: A walk in the fresh air can work wonders for clearing your head.
  
  
• Connect with loved ones: Quality time with friends and family (or even just a good chat) can be so uplifting.
  
  
• Practice self-care: Read that book you’ve been meaning to pick up, try a new hobby, or just relax and catch up on sleep.
  
  

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

NSW Training Awards - VET Student of the Year

Congratulations to Beau Mullins (Yr12). He has been selected as a finalist for the NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year, Illawarra & South East Region. 

He was nominated by the college for his outstanding work in Cert II Hospitality and Cert II Construction Pathways. He is now being considered by a selection panel to progress as a state finalist. It is wonderful that he is recognised for his achievement in VET, both inside and outside the college and we wish him well for his interview in Wollongong. 

 
 
CAREERS

Year 10 Work Experience

Students in Year 10 have been introduced to the Work Experience Program which is scheduled for Week 9 of Term 2 (23rd to 27th June). Although the program is optional, we encourage all students to take advantage of this experience. 

Work Experience (WEX) is a valuable opportunity to gain an insight into real-world work contexts and helps to plan study, training and career pathways. WEX is also an excellent way to build networks for future employment.

The next step for students is to identify a workplace that is of interest and then register in the Careers Office to collect the necessary paperwork. Please note that paperwork must be returned to the college at least 1 week prior to placement dates. 

If your student has questions about any aspect of work experience, please reach out to the VET / Careers Office.

The University of Sydney presents Your Path to Sydney: Year 10 Subject Selection Evening  

"Your Path to Sydney” is designed to help Year 10 students navigate the subject selection process for their senior years. This event offers a comprehensive overview on how these choices can impact future pathways, including university and career opportunities.   

Hosted by our Future Students Team with presentations by our UAC Admissions Manager, and a current University of Sydney student, we will also share information about:  

• The ATAR and key university terminology  
• The student experiences  
• Tips for admission and scholarships  
• An overview of the University of Sydney.  

Students can also have their questions answered by our expert staff and student ambassadors.  

To register for the session, please click on one of the event registration links below:   

Online session: Thursday evening, 15th of May 2025 | Register with link: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/webinar/register/8517429648817/WN_5QL95pOWT_SSZZA0wUKNiw?authuser=0

Charles Sturt University Advantage (Early Offer)

With the Charles Sturt Advantage you can get a guaranteed spot at Charles Sturt University in your course before you sit your final exams.

Applications open on February 7, 2025.

More information can be found at https://study.csu.edu.au/information-for/school-leavers/charles-sturt-advantage

Australian National University (Early Offer)

ANU is opening their Direct Entry Program for potential 2025 undergraduate students.

Applications open: 3 March 2025

Applications close: 15th May 2024

Offers released: 4th September 2024

For more information and applications: See link attached.

https://study.anu.edu.au/apply/domestic-undergraduate/how-apply/early-offer-application

UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA OPEN DAY - 19th May

The link is opening to register for the sessions for the UC Open Day. Year 12 Students that are attending must register and complete Compass permission. 

Get in quick for registrations as sessions fill up fast!

• Registrations will be open from 4pm, Monday, April 7th. 
• Registrations close at 11:59pm, Sunday, May 11th.
• Be sure to know which day you are attending Explore UC as you browse the agenda.

University Admission Centre (UAC)

University Admission Guide (UAC) applications open for 2025 to 2026 domestic undergraduate admissions. 

Applications open at 9am for:

- domestic undergraduate applications for admission

- Schools Recommendation Scheme

- Educational Access Scheme

- Equity Scholarships

Login will be sent to the Yr12 student’s school email address. 

Closing: Tuesday 30 September 2025 Early bird processing charge deadline (Pay for and submit your application by this date to avoid the higher processing charge.)

UAC is responsible for processing university applications and admissions in NSW and ACT. If you wish to use your ATAR to apply for university courses (aside from Early Entry), students will need to submit an application through UAC. 

Mrs Amy Dalgleish
VET and Careers Coordinator

The Year 11 Chemistry and Physics classes, accompanied by Mr Hodges and Mrs Millikin, made the annual trip to Wollongong on Thursday 20th March to have an 'Inside Industry' tour of the Port Kembla Steelworks plant. The tour offered insight into the process, scale, history and career opportunities that exist at Port Kembla Steelworks.

Students observed the steel making process from obtaining the correct PPE for entering the site, at the visitor centre, through to watching the slabs come off the line, to the final product of rolled flat steel. The process starts with over 80 tonne of scrap steel being incorporated into the ladle with molten iron and allowed to react for 40 minutes. It is then poured into slab form and cut into 12 metre lengths. Some of the students commented on how hot it was in the factory at this stage!

The biggest misconception that was raised was the plum of 'smoke' that is seen from the steelworks when travelling past. This is in fact water vapour, which was a surprise for the students. They were able to observe just how water is used in the plant to cool the 1500 degree Celsius steel at certain stages in the process. The group also saw where all the water is reused from the waste treatment facility nearby.

The students stayed overnight at Metro Miranda and enjoyed a night of ten pin bowling at Zone Bowling. There was certainly a variety of talent on display. Mr Hodges and Aimee were the winners in each of the lanes. It was certainly an enjoyable night!

The following day, Friday 31st March, students attended the only nuclear reactor facility in Australia: ANSTO at Lucas Heights. This consisted of a tour of the facility including: seeing where the 30kg of uranium radioactive source is located, the production line of Technectium-99m (a widely used radioisotope for medical imaging), how waste products are stored and the use of some radioisotopes in the treatment of thyroid and prostrate cancer. The tour was followed by a presentation and practical investigation which the students happily volunteered to be a part of. This will now form part of their data collection for their Depth Study tasks due later next term.

A phenomenal two days of Science that allowed the students to see what Science beyond school is all about.

Mrs Kym Millikin
Chemistry Teacher
 

It has been another busy few weeks for sport at CCB! 

Congratulations to Jacob Borg who was selected in the 15 years Southern Country Rugby League team. 

The boys' 'Bill Turner Cup' is happening on 7/4/2025. There will be a full report in the next newsletter.

Archdiocesan Tennis Report - Mr Graziani

It was a beautiful sunny day in Goulburn for the Archdiocesan Tennis Championships for 2025. Our girls' team of Georgia Lovegrove, Bonnie Dalgleish, Arielle Brantingham and Lullaby Lane started the day well with a dominating 6 sets to 0 win over Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn. The boys' team had a Bye in their first round. Their team consisted of Sebastian Chatfield, William Lovegrove, Henry Allen and Seth Locklier. They then played Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn and were dominated by an older, more experienced side. They lost 5 sets to 1. Round 2 for the girls was against Hennessey Catholic College, Young. They were again too strong and won 5 sets to 1, dropping only 11 games. The boys' second match was against Hennessey Catholic College, Young. They finished the day well and won 4 sets to 2. Both teams played some great tennis, but unfortunately only the girls' team were winners on the day, with the boys coming runners-up. This was a great effort considering the young age of the team and having to play boys older than them on the day. Carroll College Girls' Team now advances to the CCC State Tennis Championships to be held in Bathurst in Term 3, on Monday 1st September, 2025.

Thanks to Mr Graziani and Ms Johnston for helping out with the teams. 

CCC swimming report

On Wednesday the 2nd of April two Carroll College students represented the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese at the CCC SWimming Championships at Homebush. The students were Michaela Fitzpatrick and Darcy Fitzpatrick. Both students swam well on the day with Michaela and Darcy both swimming personal bests. Michaela’s best result was a 5th in the 100m fly, with Darcy 6th in the 100m fly.

Congratulations!

Bill Turner Cup

In warm, but windy conditions, the boys took time to settle in, with Sam Harris finding the back of the net after some great work through the middle. The Carroll boys went into half time with a 1-nil lead.

Unfortunately, the boys lost their way in the second half and found themselves down 3-1 with less than 10 minutes to play. Jai Moore found some space and took on several defenders to score and take the game to 2-3 with 5 minutes to play. Again Jai, made a great run after some sensational passing only to be fouled in the box. Sam Harris took the penalty kick to lock it up at 3 all, with less than 3 minutes to go. Neither team could get that final goal and extra time had to be played.

With a quick drink break to rest and recharge, the boys came out firing, and with some great scrambling defence and passing up the side line, captain Lukas Coulter had a great shot on goal only for it to be deflected off an opposition player. Sam Harris was able to score off the deflection to win the game for the Carroll boys 4-3! The boys now look forward to playing round 2 within the first two weeks of Term 2!

Coaches were unable to split the man of the match so it was awarded to two players – Jai Moore and Jacob Borg!

Southern Country Football (Soccer) 

Congratulations to Charlotte Welsh and Tyler Cooper who have both been selected to play in the Opens Southern Country football team.

College Surfing Championships

On Wednesday the 9th of April the annual CCB Surfing Championships were held at South Broulee in perfect 3-4 foot surf. The sun was shining and the wind was puffing lightly offshore making for the best conditions we have seen for a college surfing contest. The students were eager to hit the water and get amongst the perfect conditions. We had 16 male and 2 female competitors this year. 

The competition format involved males surfing in a round robin format, in which each student had the opportunity to surf twice with the 4 highest placed surfers progressing straight to the final. After the boys’ rounds were completed, the 4 surfers who progressed to the final were Billy Miles, Callum Coulter, Ryder Freyer and Will Tyler.

Billy got off to a cracking start with a long lefthander as the heat started. Callum caught several nice waves throughout the heat, but unfortunately couldn't convert on the final section which left him behind Billy on the scoreboard. 

As the clock wound down no one could catch Billy and he managed to catch a few more decent rides to consolidate his lead. 

Special mention to Ruby who surfed in the boys’ final and managed to snare a couple of great rides midway through the heat. She was just pipped by Callum at the end of the heat in a close one for second place. As the seconds ticked down to 0 the final results were: 1st - Billy Miles, 2nd - Callum Coulter, 3rd - Ruby Davis (surfing in the boys’ division) 4th - Ryder Freyer and 5th - Will Tyler. Congratulations, Billy on a well earned victory! 

The girls were to surf in a ‘Best of 3’ heat format throughout the day to determine the overall winner. Lizzy Barrington and Ruby Davis paddled out for their first heat in excellent conditions. Both girls surfed amazingly amongst an experienced crowd of older surfers, free surfing in and around the contest area. Lizzy surfed a great left hander cracking 2 big turns for the highest score of the day amongst all surfers, and backed it up with another great ride. Ruby wasn’t far behind slicing off some nice turns on the right handers. Lizzy took the heat win in a closely fought battle in Heat 1. Unfortunately, Lizzy had to depart for the day after Heat 1 and Ruby was left to surf the remaining heats with the boys. Ruby’s performances lifted as the day progressed and she was placed in with the boys’ final. She placed 3rd overall out of the entire field of surfers. Ruby was crowned the overall girls’ winner, with Lizzy achieving runner up. Congratulations Ruby and Lizzy! 

A sincere thanks to Mr Lyttle and Ms Johnston for assisting, and to Ocean and Earth for providing prizes for our overall winners and runners up. 

Sporting Events coming up

There are quite a few sporting events coming up including:

• Eurobodalla Netball Cup
• Rugby League
• Rugby Union
• State Cup Touch Football
• College Cross Country (Friday 2 May)

Students are encouraged to keep an eye on Sentral, the College Calendar and the Archdiocesan Sporting calendar regarding trials, training and event dates.

Archdiocesan calendar link - https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar

Mr Charlton Fogarty
Sport Coordinator

 Progress in AI Digital Literacy and cechat Pilot Program

Dear College Community,

As we near the end of the term, I am excited to share the progress we have made in our AI Digital Literacy initiative and the cechat pilot program. These advancements are part of our commitment to equipping Carroll College students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world while ensuring that learning remains at the heart of everything we do.

A key highlight of our program has been the development of specialised AI classroom assistants tailored to support a variety of subjects. So far, these include:

• DesignGenius: The Design and Technology Assistant
• CHIP: The Industrial Technology Assistant
• WOOD-CHIP: The VET Construction Assistant
• The History Immersion Assistant
• The Archibald Prize Assessment Task Assistant
• Pierre: The French Assistant
• RedGater: The Agriculture Assistant
• Spatchy: The VET Hospitality Assistant

With many more in development, these assistants are designed to enhance student engagement and learning by providing targeted support in their respective subject areas. For example, these assistants can be tailored to act as Socratic tutors, guiding students through thoughtful questioning to deepen their understanding rather than simply providing answers. They can also prepare students for exams by scaffolding extended response questions, offering valuable instant feedback on how their answers might score in their Preliminary or HSC exams. Additionally, they can facilitate timed short-answer practice sessions, helping students build confidence and refine their exam techniques under realistic conditions.

Each assistant is thoughtfully crafted to align with curriculum goals and support students in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Importantly, we are embedding High Impact Teaching Practices into these AI tools to ensure they complement and enhance effective teaching. Strategies such as explicit teaching, feedback, and differentiated learning are integrated into the design of these assistants, ensuring they reinforce rather than replace the expertise of our educators.

Our focus remains on teaching students to use AI ethically and responsibly. By engaging with these tools, students learn not only how to leverage AI for their studies but also how to critically evaluate its outputs, recognise limitations, and avoid over-reliance on shortcuts like cutting and pasting answers. This approach ensures that AI is used as a tool to deepen understanding rather than bypass meaningful learning processes.

In Term 2, we will be onboarding new cohorts of students into the program, including dedicated AI Literacy lessons designed to help them understand the responsible use of AI. As part of this process, all students will complete a 30-minute assessment to ensure they have a clear understanding of how to use these tools ethically and effectively in their learning.

The cechat pilot program has already demonstrated its transformative potential in classrooms across a range of year groups. Teachers have shared inspiring stories of how these assistants have sparked curiosity and encouraged deeper engagement with learning materials.

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue refining these tools and expanding their use across more subjects next term. We also look forward to welcoming Lee Barrett from cenet for a presentation on how we can further integrate AI effectively into our teaching practices while preparing students for the future.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we navigate this exciting journey together!

Warm regards,

 
Mr Jason Szkwarek
AI Leader

image generated using OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL·E (April 2025).