Principal's Report

COVID-19 Update

As all families are aware the volume of communication from the college during the COVID-19 pandemic has been much higher than normal. Hence, this newsletter content for Term 2 - Week 2,  will be as brief as possible.

 

In referring to the ‘managed return to school’ model for Term 2 - Week 3, I encourage all families to revisit my video communication sent out on Monday 4 May via email. The details listed are all highly important and necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and staff who attend the college. I particularly emphasise that no student is to attend the college if they are feeling unwell. Similarly, students are only to attend on their scheduled days unless they are the children of essential service workers. Failure to comply with this direction will compromise our capacity to adequately supervise children, as well as satisfying social distancing protocols. Let’s play the ‘team game’ and keep everyone safe!

 

The detailed timetable for each year level including room allocations will be communicated prior to Monday 11 May. 

 

An update regarding the Week 4 arrangements will be sent out no later than Thursday 14 May.

 

Breaks and Canteen - Week 3

Similarly, it is essential that students either bring their own food for lunch and recess or order through the qkr! App no later than 9:15am. Casual canteen purchases will not be possible until we have clearance to return to full face-to-face teaching and learning. Year 11 and 12 students will not be permitted to leave the grounds under any circumstances between 8:45am and 3:00pm. Please pre-plan for meals.

 

Blessed Edmund Rice Feast Day

As one of our dual charisms, the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice is a time of significant reflection and gratitude for a man whose transformational vision of education for the poor and the marginalised revolutionised career pathways for the poor in Ireland and ultimately led across the world to Australia. We offer prayers in thanks for Blessed Edmund’s deep faith and counter-cultural leadership in forming the Christian Brothers who eventually came to Tamworth and contributed to the growth of Catholic education in many of our local schools, but most particularly at McCarthy. A high-quality reflection resource was sent out to families on Tuesday.

 

Winter Uniform

A reminder that the changeover date from Summer to Winter uniform has now engaged. After we move past the ‘managed return to school’, students are to wear the Winter Uniform. Any boys who have purchased the ‘new’ uniform may wear the short-sleeved shirt with a jumper or winter jacket over the shirt. The preference is to purchase and wear the long sleeve shirt for warmth. The ‘old’ Winter uniform may continue to be worn until the end of 2021. During Week 3, years 7 to 10 students may wear PE uniform as they may engage in physical activity on their scheduled day at school.

 

Year 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews

Year 12 teachers are currently finalising a method of engaging with Year 12 families regarding a learning conversation about the upcoming reports for Year 12s. At this point in time reports should be communicated to Year 12 parents via COMPASS by the middle of Week 3. These families would then be able to book in for a scheduled phone call and learning conversation during week 4 at a mutually convenient time. Booking details will be sent out with the reports.

 

Enrolment Information Evenings

As the current COVID-19 restrictions do not allow large gatherings, the Year 7 2021 Information Nights for Catholic primary school families has been cancelled for 2020. In their place, Year 6 families who satisfy the following criteria will receive a multi-media recording that emphasises the college expectations for potential new students. All Year 6 families whose children are either i) Catholic and currently enrolled in a Catholic school; ii) Non-Catholic and currently enrolled in a Catholic school; or

iii) siblings of currently enrolled McCarthy students will be eligible to receive the Enrolment Information recording. Once the video is viewed these families are expected to acknowledge and support the expectations via the return of an online form. This return will trigger an offer of enrolment that will be sent out no later than Term 3. All other Year 7 2021 enrolment applications will be processed via a face-to-face interview once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, more than likely in Term 3 - 2020. Please direct any questions to the Enrolment Officer - Belinda Gleeson-Barker - 6761 0800.

 

Tamworth Regional Council - Water Sustainability Awards

Congratulations to the Environmental Council members and our new Groundsman - Mr Brad Welsh in receiving official commendations for their respective submissions to Tamworth Regional Council to encourage water sustainability. These sorts of initiatives and creativity in times of drought are to be celebrated and encouraged as a more sustainable future for all Australians.

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all of our McCarthy Mums! As a son who is regularly away from his mother as she lives in Queensland, I can resonate with those families who have been isolated from their parents and grandparents in these restricted times. Consequently, if you are fortunate to be able to hug your Mum this Sunday, do so with all your might and pour all of your love and appreciation into the breakfast-in-bed that she so richly deserves!

 

Staffing

Congratulations to Deanne and David Battistuzzi on the safe arrival of Levi James born 6 April 2020. Mum and bub are doing well. Congratulations also to Mel Thompson who has welcomed a baby girl last week just as she commenced her maternity leave. I offer a warm welcome to Mrs Kate Mercer who steps into Mrs Thompson’s role for the remainder of 2020.

 

Mr Geoff McManus - Principal