Principal's Report

Walkathon 2019

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to make our annual Walkathon a resounding success last Friday. Despite the awful blustery conditions towards the end of the day, we managed to avoid most serious complications and finished our walk in good time. I publicly commend staff for keeping students safe at road crossings and turns. Similarly, we appreciate the ongoing support of the local police and Tamworth Regional Council who assisted us greatly in coordinating the WHS requirements of such a large event.

We are now in the final stages of collecting donations which we will in turn present a proportion to the local St Vincent De Paul Society, who will coordinate the allocation of the funds and goods to needy Tamworth and New England families affected by the drought. It is our intention to allocate the remaining portion to our own McCarthy families who are ‘doing it tough’ from the effects of the drought. Final tallies will appear in the final newsletter of the term.

And a final, heartfelt thanks to the Year 11 and 12 students from the Environmental Council who successfully coordinated another incredible performance of McCarthy’s Got Talent. As I have noted in previous years, the talent pool at McCarthy never fails to deliver a wonderful showcase. Well done to all involved. Please check out the dedicated report later in this newsletter and some of the great photos on the McCarthy Facebook page.

Student Leadership Council

Congratulations to the following twelve students on their recent election and appointment as the 2020 SLC representatives; Safia Arranz, Michelle Coates, Thomas Croake, Lara Dewhurst, James Highlands, Matilda Lewis, Jose Malaga, Grace Maloney, Ella McRae, Nikala Murray, Jack Paton and John Wong . As Year 12 students finish up and prepare for their HSC examinations, these hard working Year 11 students will step into the student leadership roles and support new and ongoing initiatives that serve our community.

The 2020 Captains and Vice-Captains will be officially announced from amongst these twelve at the conclusion of the Year 12 Final Assembly in Week 10.

Good Luck to Year 12 students

Year 12 students will shortly complete their time at McCarthy Catholic College. We wish them all the best of luck as they progress through their final few weeks of secondary education.  Several events marking this important milestone have been planned by the College. The first of these events is the final Year 12 Twilight Retreat on Monday 9 September from 5:00pm. On Monday 16 September our Farewell and Thanksgiving Mass will be held at St Nicholas’ Church at 6:00pm.  The Mass provides an opportunity to give thanks for blessings received and to thank parents for their support. It is an expectation that all Year 12 students attend this Mass and we encourage parents to share this special event with them. On Wednesday 25 September we will hold a formal whole-College assembly, beginning at 9:00am, which parents are welcome to attend. Year 12 students will leave the College at the conclusion of the assembly.  Finally, the Year 12 Graduation Dinner will be held at the Tamworth Town Hall on Tuesday 14 November. Please keep the Year 12 students and their families in your prayers, especially during the HSC Examination period.

Summer Uniform

Summer Uniform can now be worn. Year 12 students are required to wear full winter uniform, including ties, at the Final Assembly on 25 September.

RU OK? Day

R U OK? Day will be held on Wednesday 18 September at recess next to the COLA. There will be games, music and activities focused on ways to stay okay! Pizza will be available for $1 per slice, and at lunch time there will be a Bake Sale run by Year 11 on the terrace. All profits will be going towards the Walkathon Drought Relief. Show your support by wearing a yellow accessory on the day. Intervention days such as this highlight key strategies that can be employed by a caring community to help those community members who are feeling isolated, stressed or anxious such as asking people around them if they’re okay and demonstrating effective listening skills so that friends could feel valued, supported and connected.

All Contact and Deliveries through the College Office

Please be reminded that all contact and deliveries for students should come through the College Office.  Sometimes students forget things and need to have items such as a lunch box or assignment delivered to College. These must be delivered to the College Office. Parents are not to deliver these items over the fence (particularly takeaway food deliveries!?) or enter the College grounds at any other entry point. Our duty of care demands that we monitor all contact with students during the day.

Welcome

We welcome the following students to the McCarthy community: Harry (Year 8) and Isabella (Year 9).  As a community, we hope that their transition has been a smooth one and that they are enjoying the McCarthy community.

Mr Geoff McManus - Principal