Principal's Report

COVID-19 Consequences

I came across an appropriate meme the other day which likened 2020 to looking twice both ways before crossing the road, noting that all was clear, stepping out calmly onto the road and being struck by a plane! In all seriousness, this crisis has affected everyone in differing ways and the impact on the McCarthy community has been far-reaching and varies in the depth of consequence. That said, the level of resilience and goodwill amongst our staff and families has to be highly and graciously commended. Thank you for your cooperation with all of our COVID-19 restriction measures. While some may be relaxed next term, our commitment to staff and student’s safety and wellbeing remain high priorities. The next few points will explain some of the impacts.

 

College Fees

The employment conditions of many families have been affected by COVID-19 and, of course, the ongoing drought. Consequently, the applications for authenticated fee relief have been approved with a compassionate ear by the college. However, the economic impact, combined with associated increased in technology costs, cleaning contractors, cleaning supplies, on the college has been significant. Nonetheless, we would not be the only business that has suffered a downturn at this time. Thankfully, at least, we are still open!

 

Some families have misunderstood how our ‘all-up’ fee structure works and have been seeking a refund for events that have not gone ahead. To be clear, an ‘all-up’ fee structure spreads the event load for each year level across the 6-years of the enrolment. Some events are obviously more expensive than others. So, to ease the burden on families the higher costs are combined with the lower costs, averaged over 6 years and proportioned into the annual fees. The staggered introduction of this structure into Year 7 from 2017 allowed families to have greater certainty about their fee commitment and not to be ‘blindsided’ by unforeseen expenses such as camps or major excursions. There are other complicating factors such as cost variances and CPI increases, late entries to the year level, or early exits, as well as private pastoral support that have all been factored into the proportioned fee costs. Long story short, there are no refunds available in an ‘all-up’ fee structure.

 

Please note also that at this point in time there are no cancelled whole year events. The Year 10 Ski Trip has been postponed to 2021. The Year 8 camp has been postponed to Term 4. The college will also be paying for each Year 12 student’s Formal ticket (1 per student) as a token of our support for their senior year that has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All examples of ‘oncosts’ that the college will continue to apportion for students to enjoy their pastoral and milestone experiences.

 

PTC via phone

At the time of writing, the Year 7 to 11 Parent-Teacher conferences are going ahead via phone due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. We are very confident that this mode of communication will be quite appropriate on the back of our previous success with the Year 12 version. Thank you in advance for your support. We will be conducting a survey of families in Term 3 to measure the value of this mode of Parent-Teacher conferencing.

 

CCC Sport Cancellation Term 3 & 4

We received official confirmation regarding representative sport last week. All Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) sport is cancelled for the remainder of 2020. We are liaising with the secondary sports coordinator for the Armidale Diocese to determine the viability of some Gala days in Terms 3 and 4.

 

University Online Webinar Evening

Thank you to Mrs Barrett and Mrs O’Neill for coordinating the live ZOOM session promoting the vast array of University entry pathways for Year 11 and 12 students and their families. Once again, while not ideal, the ZOOM mode was quite efficient, despite Mrs Barrett's computer deciding to complete a Windows update early on leaving Mrs O’Neill to fill the void for a few awkward minutes!? Seriously though, we received some positive feedback from students and families and will look to adapt the process for upcoming Subject Selection and VET information nights.

 

Aerosols

A strong reminder that all aerosols are banned from the college site. As many students and staff members are acute asthmatics who suffer quite significantly when exposed to aerosol vapour, they are banned and will be confiscated and disposed of, if brought onto the grounds. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Parents & Friends Association/ School Advisory Council Meetings

We feel confident that P&F and School Advisory Council meetings can go ahead next term on Tuesday 18 August. With appropriate social distancing, we should be able to meet successfully. A confirmation message will be sent via the COMPASS app next term.

 

Staff News

As communicated in other forums, we have sadly lost long term staff members Peter Belson and Sarah Sommerlad in recent weeks. Their decades-long contributions to Catholic education in Tamworth and their generous commitment to our students will be deeply missed. We continue to offer prayers of support for their respective families. May both Peter and Sarah rest in the peace of our Lord. 

 

While Mrs Fiona O’Neill takes sick leave, we congratulate Ms Rebecca Hannan as she generously takes on the Acting Leader of Student Care (LOSC) - Year 12 role for the remaining weeks of Term 2. I offer similar congratulations and thanks to Mr Jonathan Dean for undertaking the Acting LOSC - Year 7 role while Mr Damian Kenniff was on sick leave.

 

It is with mixed feelings that we farewell Mrs Jolene Faint from her dual role as ATSI Focus Teacher and Aboriginal Education Worker. Mrs Faint has worked very hard for many years to successfully complete her teaching degree and has been offered a well-deserved graduate position with the Education Department. The ATSI students of McCarthy are deeply indebted to ‘Jo’ for her support of their academic and pastoral needs for over 10 years. We wish her well as she embarks on her next career journey as a dedicated and passionate educator.

 

And finally, I offer public thanks to Mr Glenn Davis who has resigned from his role as Farm Assistant. While only here for a short time, Mr Davis made a positive contribution to the Agricultural department.

 

Canteen Volunteers

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted we are now able to welcome back our wonderful canteen volunteers from the beginning of Term 3. Please contact Jenny or Angela if you are available. The main restriction is obviously not to attend the canteen if you are unwell. Cashless transactions will be continuing via the Qkr! App and food safety guidelines will be strongly enforced. Thank you in anticipation.

 

End of Term

A friendly reminder that the last day for Term 2 will be Friday 3 July with classes concluding at 3:00pm. The college reopens on Monday 20 July at 8:45 am.

 

Note also for your pre-planning that the Pupil Free Day set down for Term 3 is Monday 17 August 2020. Year 12 students will begin HSC Trials on this day in the Hall. All other year levels (7-11) will not be required at school.

 

Have a well-deserved break with your children!

 

Welcome to the College

We wish to welcome Thomas McAuley (Year 7) and his family to the MCC community.

 

Mr Geoff McManus - Principal