Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers,
Holy Spirit - Pentecost Sunday
Christmas was God with us
Easter was God for us
Pentecost is God in Us
On May 19, the Catholic Church celebrated Pentecost Sunday, commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit. This event marks the beginning of the Church and fulfills Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit. We pray that the Holy Spirit guides us in our daily lives as we strive to serve others.
Pentecost Sunday recalls the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church. It also reminds us that God's work, both in our personal lives and in society, unfolds in stages rather than all at once. Just as children must learn patience and gratitude, we must remember that saying please, waiting, and saying thank you are essential parts of our relationship with God and with each other.
Term 2
Term 2 has begun at a dynamic pace, seamlessly continuing the momentum from Term 1. Over the past three weeks, our school has hosted the annual Athletics Carnival and seen students represent us in netball, basketball, chess, cross country, touch football, tennis, and Bill Turner Cup Soccer.
The athletics carnival was blessed with beautiful weather, contributing to a fantastic day for everyone involved. Our Year 12 students added a special touch to the event by dressing up in fancy costumes, making the most of their final carnival.
During the holiday period, many students, along with staff, participated in the ANZAC Day Parade. I was extremely impressed and proud of our students, who generously gave their time to honor those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
Upon the completion of Term 2, McCarthy will commence its building program, which includes the demolition of the current library and M Block to make way for a modern two-storey structure. This new development will feature two interconnected buildings under one roofline. The new library will boast an open-plan design, fostering an environment where staff and students can collaborate seamlessly in a space that encourages creativity and learning.
As you can see, the new building will also provide new classrooms and outdoor learning spaces, creating a dynamic and versatile environment for both teaching and learning. It is expected that the build will be completed in readiness for Term 3, 2025.
We are pleased to announce that Catholic Schools Armidale will fund a Dignity Vending machine for our female students at a cost of $25,000 over the next four years. Considering the size of our female student population, I have decided to purchase a second vending machine. These machines will provide free access to pads and tampons for our students. For more information about Share the Dignity, please visit sharethedignity.org.au
Attendance
Student attendance is crucial for both Student wellbeing and academic success.
From Monday 20 May, 2024 the SMS absence notification will now be sent at 10am daily. In addition to this notification you will also receive an email at the same time.
From Friday 24 May, 2024 you will also receive an SMS and email advising of three (3) or more consecutive unexplained absences for the week. Parents and Carers will have seven (7) days to explain these absences through the Compass App or via the College Office. Unexplained Absences not explained after 7 days cannot be adjusted.
Please note: you will not be able to reply or respond to the SMS or email messages.
Please understand that daily SMS notifications assist us in managing the safety and wellbeing of our students. We understand that on occasions there may be notifications received that you feel are incorrect and we encourage you to contact the College so the absence can be updated correctly.
Save the date: On Tuesday, May 28, at 7:00 pm, we will hold our Parent Information Evening. Mrs. Nicole Anderson and I will present our NAPLAN data for 2024 and the school's Implementation Plan for 2024. Further information, including RSVP details for those wishing to attend, will be available via Compass and on our social media pages in the coming days.
Year 7, 2025 enrolments
I draw the attention of parents wishing to enrol their children at McCarthy Catholic College for Year 7 in 2025. Enrolments are closing soon and applications should be in by the due date. If you require assistance with your application, please contact: Enrolment Officer; Mrs Jennifer Ray or email mccadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au
Thank you for your continued support as we partner together to ensure our students, your children, are safe, cared for and respected.
God bless,
Michael Whitton, College Principal