Principal's Report 

Dear students, parents and carers,

Welcome to the 2021 school year. Thank you for your support in negotiating a difficult 2020. We pray that 2021 will see successful steps taken in minimising the impact of Covid-19, globally and locally. 

Apologies for repeating elements of a message I sent in an earlier Compass communication. I want on the record our key 2021 message about the importance of every day being productive, worthwhile and life-giving, particularly given an interrupted 2020. Some sensible goals for any secondary school include that:

• Students experience meaningful learning in calm and collaborative settings. Each day we aim for five great lessons.
• Students feel safe, cared for, valued and respected.
• Staff feel safe, cared for, valued and respected.
• Parents, carers and families feel welcomed to enter into positive partnership with the school to improve learning, wellbeing, faith development and life opportunities for all children and young people in our care.

Implementation of the Diocesan Student Support Framework, ‘Living Well, Learning Well’ is under way. Again, I need you to read pages 18 and 19 as a minimum, and the document as a whole if possible.

Welcome to Year 7 and new students in all Year groups. I extend both welcome and thanks to parents and carers who entrusted us with caring for our new students.

Welcome to new staff for 2021. Joining us are Mrs Melissa Carr (English), Mrs Tracy Le Fevre (English), Miss Clara Wolds (English/RE), Mr Craig Drew (TAS), Mr Roger Torrington (TAS), Mr Mitch Ebert (ICT Assistant) and Ms Cassie Gardiner (Administration). 

Like these students and staff, I too am new. I will allow some time to learn more about McCarthy Catholic College before writing in more detail about our plans for 2021. Thanks for the welcome received from many.

All the best,

Mr Rod Whelan - Principal