Principal's Report
Year 12
We wish Year 12 students all the best as they begin their HSC examinations this week. As most would be aware, these exams contribute 50% towards each individual's final result in each subject. And while there is an obligatory amount of stress that goes with these final assessments, for students who have prepared well over the past two years, the experience should reap appropriate and deserved rewards. Deep appreciation is also offered to the Year 11 and 12 teachers who have dedicated an earnest amount of effort to support and nurture these students. Thank you to all and good luck!
School Advisory Council Information Evening
The operation of advisory groups in schools in the Armidale Diocese has now changed from School Boards to School Advisory Councils. I encourage any interested parents who wish to be involved in supporting the governance of the College as an advisory member to attend the SAC Information Evening on Tuesday October 17 in the Meeting Room at 5:30pm. If any parents have missed the date and are still interested please email Mr McManus to discuss - principal@mccarthy.nsw.edu.au
The AGM will be held on Tuesday November 21.
Staffing
It is with regret that I announce the resignation of long-term Administration staff member, Mrs Colleen O’Meagher. As Colleen moves on into well-earned retirement, I wish to publicly acknowledge her dedication and commitment to excellence in the Finance Office of the College. I know that I speak for many families who have appreciated Colleen’s respectful manner in discussions about fee collection, as well as her attention to detail in all matters financial. Thank you Colleen!
We are very fortunate to have acquired the services of Mrs Lisa Sutherland as Colleen’s replacement and I welcome her to the McCarthy family.
Notification for Families
Planning for the 2018 school year is well underway. The Catholic Schools Office requires each school to send in projected student numbers. Using this data, the CSO then determine our staffing levels. Could I ask any families who may be relocating to let the school know as soon as possible so that this can be taken into consideration as we plan for next year.
Year 7 2018 - Orientation Day and Information Night
A reminder that the Year 7 2018 Orientation Day (students) and Information Evening (parents, carers and students) will be held on Monday November 20. All new families of Year 7 students enrolled for 2018 are encouraged to attend the Information Session beginning at 6:00pm in the College Hall. An information letter has been sent this week.
BYOD
Digital learning opportunities are critical in the 21st Century in order to prepare students for the modern workplace. McCarthy is committed to providing learning opportunities that reflect the contemporary world and anticipated future. We believe that it is essential that students have access to learning technology ‘anywhere-anytime’ to facilitate better educational outcomes in the digital age. McCarthy will embark on a roll-out of a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) in 2018 beginning with Year 7. The College has decided on Chromebooks as the preferred, low-cost device that families will be able to purchase or finance through an online portal. Each Chromebook will be loaded with the McCarthy dashboard that not only enables students to launch the powerful online applications of the Google Suite, but also includes monitoring software to ensure that students are safe online. More in-depth details will be provided to incoming families at the Information Evening in November.
Students in other year levels will continue to have access to our Chromebook/Laptop/Desktop fleet (over 600 devices) at the College as we work through a deployment of BYOD from 2018.
Welcome
We welcome Brock Margetts (Year 7), Samuel Smith (Year 8), Klaire Horner (Year 9) and Tracy Mkwananzi (Year 11) to the McCarthy community.
Salvation Army Moneycare Financial Counselling Service
May God go with you.
Mr Geoff McManus
Principal