Dear Parents, Students and Friends  

The Archdiocesan Principals’ Retreat took place during Week 6. This annual retreat provides an opportunity for Catholic leaders to pause, reflect, and pray about the important work they undertake daily, while growing in a deeper understanding of their personal faith. Experiences such as these are certainly enlightening. Creating the space to think deeply about the way we connect as humans and interact with the world can be quite profound.

Spend time on what resonates with you

• What is it about you that reflects the image of God?
• What in you does not reflect the image of God?
• How can we assist others to find confidence in who they are?

The Retreat was facilitated by Sr Margaret Ghosn MSHF, Executive Principal Maronite College of the Holy Family. A comment she made has stayed with me. She said, “Students come to know their worth in a Catholic school”. No truer words capture our purpose and absolute commitment to caring for and developing young people to be kind, compassionate, and intelligent individuals. Every one of us is a work in progress. It can take a lifetime to accept one’s worth, but every interaction should show another person that we care. The foundation of our human interactions should always be one of love.

University of Canberra – Carroll College Awarded ‘Top School’

I am thrilled to report that the college has received the ‘Top School’ Award from the University of Canberra for the highest number of students offered a place in the Fast Forward Program.

Year 11 students enrolled at schools in the ACT and surrounds (within a three-hour drive), can apply for the program, which will give them access to an early conditional offer into nominated UC courses.

Each year UC accepts 25 all-rounder Year 11 students into the program, giving them the opportunity to participate in a range of opportunities during senior school that will help prepare them for university life. There are also benefits once students reach UC to help them settle into their first year of study.

If students are admitted into the program, they will gain a guaranteed offer to their preferred course in September of their Year 12 year.

This is outstanding news!

Claim the Date – Thursday 4 May

Next term, Carroll College will host a Parent Information Evening with Dr Lorraine Hammond AM, Associate Professor – School of Education, Edith Cowan University. Families from Carroll College and across our feeder primary schools are most welcome to attend. The session will begin at 5.30pm in the Hall. This input is not to be missed. Please refer to the flyer that follows. Childcare will be available at the college to support families.

Lorraine Hammond has worked in and researched early literacy, high impact instructional strategies, including explicit teaching and learning difficulties since 1990. In 2021, she commenced work with Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn to guide a consistent approach to literacy teaching practice across all schools within the Archdiocese.

Catalyst ‘In Action’ Team

Many of our teachers are moving through the intensive training being offered by ‘Teach Well’ in High Impact Teaching Practices (HITP). Our team now consists of 29. Explicit teaching through the use of high impact instructional strategies is proving to increase student engagement and proficiency levels. We are committed to creating classroom environments where we see all students interacting meaningfully with critical content throughout whole-class instruction.

You may hear your children speak about full participation tactics. These come in many forms as lessons are delivered. 

Below are four commonly used practices.

2023 Annual Improvement Plan
The college’s annual improvement plan focuses on three specific areas, each aligning to System priorities. 

Goal 1: Improve student achievement in Literacy through the implementation of explicit teaching using evidence-based practices.

Goal 2: Promote Teacher Efficacy using High Impact Teaching Practices.

Goal 3: Increase Student Engagement and Parent Education of Religious Education.

Catalyst develops excellent Principals, Leaders and Teachers through evidence-based professional learning programs founded on the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading.

Congratulations

The following students have signed training plans to commence their chosen School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).

This is really exciting for each of these students and provides them with connection between school and the world of work. We are very proud of them!

Enrolling for 2024

Open House - 8 May

You are invited to our Year 7 2024 Open Night for prospective families. The evening will include an Information Session, College tour and the opportunity to meet with current students and staff.

See attached Flyer for Details

Parent Webinar

Webinars provided by the eSafety Commissioner/ Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) are proving popular across most NSW Dioceses. There is an opportunity for parents to voice their preferences for future webinars through the following survey link: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/survey/28

There has been some strong feedback through this survey suggesting interest in a webinar on the effects of Gaming on young teenage brains. It is likely that this will be the next webinar to be offered. 

I have included a flyer promoting Dr Justin Coulson’s webinar on Anxiety and Resilience. This is coming up next Wednesday 29 March from 7.00 – 8.00pm. Dr Coulson PhD is a highly regarded parenting expert.

Staffing Update

I am really pleased to announce that we have two new graduate teachers that have started this week. We have welcomed Mrs Alicia Reid (teaching Monday & Tuesday), and Miss Emily Parrish (teaching Wednesday - Friday).

Both teachers are in their final stages at university and will graduate from the University of Wollongong. At this point in their degrees, they are accredited to teach. Mrs Reid is Biology/Chemistry trained, and Miss Parrish has specialised in PDHPE/Maths. 

Mr Tim Hodges, Mrs Nicole Montgomery and Mrs Karen Ashby will be mentors for Mrs Reid and Miss Parrish as they begin as Early Career Teachers. We are delighted to be welcoming Alicia and Emily to Carroll College.

With respect and encouragement.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal

On Friday 10 March, the Year 9 Youth Ministry class facilitated the Reconciliation Retreat. Year 3 students from St Bernard’s Batehaven and St Mary’s Moruya came to the College for a day of fun, prayer and reflection about the importance of saying sorry when we have done the wrong thing and importantly, in offering forgiveness to those who are truly sorry for their actions. 

The Year 9s were wonderful on the day and led the Retreat with confidence and maturity. I would like to thank all those involved in the day especially Mrs Belle Barling for her organisation, the Religious Education Coordinators from the Primary Schools, Mrs Sharon Beashel (St Bernard’s) and Mrs Genevieve Schofield (St Mary’s) for ensuring the Year 3s were well prepared for the day and to Ms Jane Garland for her preparation and organisation of lunch. It was a very successful day and an impressive example of peer ministry in action.

We wish all those students receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the coming weeks the very best and pray for them at this special time.

I would like to share with you two students' reflections on their experience in leading the day.

“I really got a lot out of the Reconciliation Retreat Day. It was a great experience and I loved teaching the Year 3s all about forgiveness. All the kids were really interactive and loved all the activities.” Piper Schuchmann Year 9

“I really enjoyed the Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat Day. It was good to interact with the younger kids and to see how I would be as a mentor. All the kids were really respectful and open to the concept of forgiveness and how we forgive and say sorry. The kids loved the activities and I’m sure they were happy to come out to Carroll!” Annabelle Paull Year 9

Fourth Week of Lent 

(Week beginning Monday 20 March)

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Thu, who lives in Vietnam. When Thu was 12 years old, he stepped on an unexploded land mine and lost his leg. ​

Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked mainly as a rice farmer. Thu also took on the role of caring for his wife, Linh, after she suffered a stroke.​

Determined to turn their lives around, Thu and Linh joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, run by Caritas Australia’s local partner in Vietnam, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).    

For Thu, the greatest impact the program has had is enabling the change in Linh’s physical and mental well-being. With the support of a physiotherapist, Linh can now walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick.

Photo: Phan Tan Lam/Caritas Australia

Erica Drewsen

Religious Education Coordinator

Meet Linda Dwyer  

HSIE Coordinator

I have always wanted to be a teacher, but I took a varied path to get here. I have always had a particular interest in History and Anthropology. I am definitely a lifelong learner, and my interests include History, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Archaeology and Popular Culture and I spend much of my free time ‘learning’ about these topics.

I started my teaching Career at Carroll College in 2006 in a relieving capacity. I have then worked locally since and am very pleased to have come full circle and joined the fabulous HSIE team here at Carroll College.

I spent much of my childhood here on the South Coast graduating from Moruya High School in 1988 and was blessed to have been able to return as an adult and raise my family in the Eurobodalla. I attended the University of Wollongong as an undergraduate student and obtained a degree in History, English and Anthropology, and then went on to complete my Masters in Secondary Education through the New England University.

I really enjoy spending my day with young people and feel a sense of privilege to be a part of their educational journey. I am passionate about what I teach and am actively involved with a number of professional associations, teach at the University of Wollongong in their Master of Teaching program and also contribute to publications and podcasts about history, social science and popular culture. I am an experienced HSC Marker and HSC Assessor and really enjoy mentoring beginning teachers to develop their management skills as well as their pedagogical skills.

In my spare time, I love to walk the beach with my dogs, read, as well as spend time with my family and friends. I also love to travel and have been fortunate to have visited many interesting and amazing places both in Australia and throughout the World.

I have had a great start to 2023 and have experienced a very warm welcome to Carroll College.  I look forward to meeting the parents of my wonderful students.

Linda Dwyer

HSIE Coordinator

Dear Carroll Families,

Over the past two weeks, staff, parents, and students have had the opportunity to be involved in parent and teacher interviews either online or in person at the college. The feedback has been positive with conversions geared towards improvement and goal setting for the next semester.

Year 12 Half Yearly Reports are currently underway and will be published for families in Week 10. The reports, report on academic achievement, rank, and application to learning. Students are encouraged to also read their teacher's comments in detail and apply the suggestions put forward.

It has been a very busy term and I hope you and your families have had a smooth transition into learning at the College. We have a big year ahead with many achievements to come.

I wish you a peaceful time as we prepare for the celebrations of Easter.

Andrew Kenneally

Assistant Principal  Curriculum, Learning and Innovation

NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM

Each year, NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program.

In 2023, vaccines will be offered to Year 7 and Year 10 students. NSW Health will be at the College to administer the vaccinations on the following days:

• Year 10 - 22 May 2023
• Year 7 - 16 August 2023

NSW Health has changed the consent form process. Parents/carers will need to consent to their child's vaccination online through the Service NSW site - 'online consent portal'. The portal in Service NSW is now open for Carroll College.

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

Mother’s Day Breakfast – Save the Date!

We will hold our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast on Thursday 11 May from 7.30 am to 8.30 am in the College Hub. We hope you can join us for this special celebration.

Next week’s reminders …

• Catch-up parent-teacher interviews with Mrs Maher and Mr King on Monday 27 March via Teams.
• Catch-up face-to-face parent-teacher interviews with Mrs Shilling, Mrs Enfield, and Ms Pope on Monday 27 March.
• On Tuesday 28 March, the CECG Netball Championships will be held in Canberra. Good luck to these teams.
• Friday 31 March Year 11 Biology students have their field trip to South Broulee Rock Platform.
• The Rosellas and Year 12 Geography students will participate in an estuary clean up on Friday 31 March.
• Year 11 students are attending the RYDA driver safety course on Monday 3 April.
• The Year 7 Archaeological dig will take place on Tuesday 4 April.
• On Wednesday 5 April, we will hold the combined School Mass at the College, starting at 10.30am. We welcome St Bernard’s and St Mary’s students and staff. Parents are invited to join us in the celebration.
• We will hold Xavier House Day on Thursday 6 April.
• The last day of the term is Thursday 6 April. 

Term 2 resumes on Wednesday 26 April, timetabled Day 3.

Sandra Harris

Administration Coordinator

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) is the government mechanism for providing funding to school systems to assist students with disability.

During next term’s newsletters I will be sharing information about the NCCD and how it works. This is a requirement of the NCCD process and families should be informed about the importance of the NCCD.

I’ve recently had questions about ‘reasonable adjustments’ implemented by the college to support students in their learning.

The NCCD documentation says the following about ‘reasonable adjustments’:

WHAT IS A REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT?

An adjustment is an action to help a student with disability take part in education on the same basis as other students.

Adjustments can be made across the whole school (eg ramps into school buildings). They can be in the classroom (eg adapting teaching methods). They can also be for individual student need (eg providing personal care support).

The school assesses the needs of each student with disability.

The school provides adjustments in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians and carers.

Schools must make reasonable adjustments if needed.

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 define ‘reasonable adjustment’ as an adjustment that balances the interests of all parties affected.

(NCCD Fact Sheet for Parents, Guardians and Carers, 2019)

The consultation and collaboration between the college and families is so important in this process and at Carroll College, we are seeking to support students and families in the best way possible.

We conduct the Collaborative Curriculum Planning process either face to face or by email to ensure that student Personalised Plans are correct and will help students achieve their agreed goals.

During the upcoming holiday period, parents and carers of students who have a Personalised Plan will be emailed the plan for the Semester 1 2023 consultation. Please look through the plan and discuss the plan with your child.

If you have any amendments or questions about the Personalised Plan, please contact me at the college – email: wayne.foster@cg.catholic.edu.au; phone (02) 44 715 600.

Wayne Foster

Leader of Inclusive Learning

On 14 March, Year 7 students celebrated Pi Day in their Maths lessons. Students measured the circumferences and diameters of circles within and outside the classroom. A competition was held in each class for reciting the most digits of Pi. The winners were Harrison Roberts from Mrs Millikin’s class, Cooper Brennan from Mr King’s class, Harry Bruce from Miss Large’s class, Noah Angwin from Mrs Montgomery’s class and Erica Shalders from Mr Ashby’s class. The overall winner was Harrison with 32 digits. Thank you to Jane for organising the pie morning tea.

During the lesson the following learning took place:

I learnt that there is a discus circle at our school. I also learnt that the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter equals pi. – Amelia

What pi is and how it works – Sam

That pi goes on forever – Charlotte

That it is also Einstein's birthday – Alec

That the first number of pi is 3.14 and how to measure the circumference of a circle - Amy

The numbers of Pi – Marguerite

That the circumference is the area around the circle and the radius is halfway across the circle – Morgan

That pi day is the best – Erica

Who can remember the most digits – Lailah

That pi is infinite – Sam

I also learnt what the pi symbol looks like - Memphis

Students enjoyed:

Measuring circles parts, the most – Amelia

Going out and finding circles to measure – Heidi

Drawing circles – Morgan

Measuring the water tank – Zac and Heidi and Jasmine

Learning all the numbers of pi and then reciting them - Erica

Remembering the digits of pi and the song – Marley

Knowing where my birthday is on pi - Bryce

Karen Ashby

Maths Coordinator

Year 11 Geography

Year 11 Geography set out yesterday to begin Fieldwork along the Moruya River. We started our examination at Riverside Park where we examined the human and physical environments. Students discussed the impacts of some of the threats to the environment, the management strategies present and made some insightful suggestions in relation to future sustainable practices. The students then completed some field sketches to refer to when anaylsing their fieldwork results.

As always, these students represented the College in a mature and respectful manner. 

Year 10 Geography

During Term 1, Year 10 Geography students have been investigating Environmental Change and Management. As a part of this mandatory course, our students have been lucky enough to be able to investigate Coastal Management Processes in our local area. 

Mrs Johnston, Mrs Dell, Mrs Enfield, Mr McAteer and Ms Dwyer have all facilitated our students' walk to Broulee Beach and supervised them while they carried out their investigations. The data collected will then be incorporated into their assessment task for this term. We are so lucky to have such pristine local environments to investigate right on our doorstep and our students are the beneficiaries of this. 

As always our wonderful Year 10 students represented the college with a responsible and respectful attitude.

Thanks to everyone who helped our students enjoy learning outside of the classroom.

Ms Linda Dwyer

HSIE Coordinator

ANU OPEN DAY 

Some of our Year 12 students considering studying at ANU in 2024 or beyond travelled up to Canberra for the Australian National University Open Day on Saturday, 18 March. The Open Day was a great opportunity to tour the campus and accommodation, learn about academic colleges, degree programs and support services, and chat to current students about campus life and their ANU experiences. Overall, it was a great way to spend a sunny Autumn Saturday in Canberra! 

University of Sydney - International Science School, July 2023

If you're interested in studying in the STEM area, see the link below for information about a brilliant opportunity to attend an International Science School at the University of Sydney during the July school holidays.

https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/industry-and-community/community-engagement/international-science-school.html

ANU Direct Applications open until 15 May

Direct applications for Year 12 students interested in studying at ANU in 2024 will open on 1 March and close on 15 May 2023. See the link below for more information. 

Unlike most other universities that require prospective domestic students to submit applications via the University Admissions Centre (UAC) in Term 3, students planning to study at ANU need to apply directly to ANU.

See the link below for more information:

https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/domestic-applications-anu-undergraduate

Charles Sturt University - Early Entry Applications open until 7 April

Applications for Year 12 students to apply for early entry to CSU are open now until 7 April. The simple application process involves providing your Year 11 results and answering 3 questions regarding your soft skills attributes.

See the link below for more information:

https://study.csu.edu.au/study-options/pathways/charles-sturt-advantage?

AFP Forensics Work Experience Program - Open to students in Years 10-12

The AFP Forensics Work Experience Program provides high school students in Years 10-12 with a greater understanding of a career in forensic science by learning from AFP Forensics specialists. The one-week program is run twice a year at the AFP Forensics facility in Majura, Canberra for a small number of students. 

The AFP Forensics Work Experience Program typically includes:

• learning about the roles and personal experiences of forensic science specialists, including Biology, Chemical Criminalistics, Document Sciences, Crime Scene Investigation, Fingerprints, Firearms Identification and Armoury, Digital Forensics, and Facial Identification
• practical scenarios simulating scene and lab-based forensic examinations
• a simulated courtroom trial, where you get to experience giving testimony as an expert witness.

If your application is successful and you gain placement in the program, you will be required to fund your own travel to Canberra and all related costs, including accommodation and travel to and from the program.

For more information, see the link below or call into the Careers office.

https://jobs.afp.gov.au/work-with-us/afp-forensics-work-experience

For more information about the opportunities listed above or for assistance completing applications etc, please pop into the Careers Office at school, check the Year 12 Academic Care Google Classroom or contact Ms Nicholson kerryn.hopkins@cg.catholic.edu.au or Mrs Dalgleish amy.dalgleish@cg.catholic.edu.au

NRL Country Cup

On 9March our U13 and U15 Boys Rugby League teams travelled to Mackay Park to participate in the Country Cup. This is a tournament run by the NRL and is available for all local schools to participate in.

The format of the day involved playing two pool matches, followed by a grand final for the top two teams after the pool rounds.

First game of the day was our U15s playing Batemans Bay High School. It was a dominant display from our boys, cruising to a 24-0 win against a well-structured Bay team. The U15s defended well and made good use of space in the game. Our U13s were up next, also playing Batemans Bay High School. It was their first time playing the Carroll College teal and maroon and they did not disappoint. It was a physical game against a much bigger team. Our boys scored first and held the Bay out until the last minute. They still earned the victory as first-try scorers.

Up next were the games against Moruya High School. The U15s continued their good form against a very strong Moruya team. It was a close battle, with the Carroll boys working hard to secure a victory by one try. The U13s had a strong four-try win over the Moruya High team.

With their excellent record, both teams qualified for the grand final. Unfortunately, fatigue and some key injuries made it harder for our teams, who both went down by narrow margins.

Well done to all our players who represented our college with pride and passion. Their effort, behaviour, and sportsmanship were exemplary.

Thank you to the Batemans Bay Tigers for organising the fields and running the canteen for the day.

Archdiocesan Tennis Championships

It was a windy, but hot and sunny day in Goulburn for the Archdiocesan Tennis Championships for 2023. Both our Girls and Boys Teams were on deck early and we were able to have a solid warm-up to prepare for the day.

Our Girl's team of Pypar McCarthy, Georgia Lovegrove, Paige Leplaw, and Erin Rayment started the day well with a solid 5 sets to 1 win over Trinity Catholic College Goulburn. Erin Rayment had a strong 6-0 victory. The scoreline did not indicate the closeness of the set.

The Boys then played Trinity and also came away with a 5 sets to 1 victory. Joshua Nguyen came away with a convincing 6-0 victory. Round 2 was against Hennessy Catholic College Young. The Boy's team was again too strong and won 4 sets to 2. Max Colbourne and Joshua Nguyen were unstoppable and won their doubles match 6-0.

The Girl's match against Hennessy came down to the wire. Locked at 3 sets all, Pypar McCarthy and Georgia Lovegrove had to dig deep and win the deciding doubles set 6-3 to secure a 4 sets to 3 victory.

Both teams played some great tennis and were deserving winners of both events. Their commitment, team spirit, and overall presentation were to be admired. They did themselves and the College proud.

Carroll College now advances to the CCC State Tennis Championships to be held in Bathurst next term on Monday 29 May 2023. Well done to the following students:

Mr Paul Graziani

A reminder Term 1 2023 fee statements are due Monday 27 March 2023. 

Thank you to families who have already made payments.  

Payments can be made through Direct debit, BPay, Qkr!, EFTPOS or Cash. 

Should you have any queries or are experiencing any financial difficulties please contact our Business Manager Dalys Whipp, at finance.ccb@cg.catholic.edu.au or 44715600.