Final Newsletter for 2019

The following newsletter represents our final publication for 2019. As such, the articles contain an extensive summary of the events of the final term as well as reminders and updates about the 2020 academic year.

Newsletter Schedule 2020

To ensure that our future newsletter communication has ongoing value for busy families, we have decided to trial the publishing of the newsletter in Weeks 2, 6 and 10 each term (ie. beginning, middle and end of term). Such a change to the newsletter will allow for a more detailed report of academic and community achievement while also accessing other online platforms such as COMPASS, Facebook and Twitter to communicate shorter reminders and to celebrate achievement both in and out of the classroom. We will seek your feedback regarding the potential efficiencies during 2020.

Sports Awards Assembly

Congratulations to all of our award winners and coaches who were acknowledged on Wednesday 27 November at the annual Sports Awards Assembly. We were privileged to have Mr Ken Sutcliffe as the Guest Speaker who not only reminded the students of the ongoing value of sport in building the right attitudes towards their work lives, but he also spoke about the increasing opportunities for women both on and off the field in sport, especially in his field of sports journalism.

I also publicly acknowledge the dedication and hard work of Mr Brad Mitchell in coordinating and supporting the myriad of sports on offer in the Armidale Diocese. I congratulate and thank him for his great work in 2019. I also deeply thank and acknowledge the generosity and hard work of all of our volunteer coaches without whom we would not be able to offer such a diverse selection of sporting opportunities.

Orientation Day

On the 2 December we welcomed close to 165 Year 6s who will be bursting at the seams to begin their transition to secondary school. The day began with some trepidation that was soon allayed by enthusiastic Year 11 buddies and a caring bunch of dedicated and experienced staff who lead them on a journey of discovery and understanding about Year 7.

School Advisory Council AGM

School Advisory Councils act as key advisory bodies to Catholic schools across the Armidale Diocese. I am deeply indebted to the past and present members of our McCarthy Family who choose to volunteer their services and expertise to support the strategic governance of the College. At the Annual General Meeting held on 19 November 2019 we elected our 2020 Council. The new council is listed below -

Ex-officio - Parish Priest of St Nicholas Father Christopher Onuekwusi

College Principal - Geoff McManus

Chairman - Bernie Munro

Secretary - Fletcher Davies

Staff - Raelene Maxworthy and Briony Martin

Members - Carol Reed, Geoff Shanley, Richard O’Halloran and Felicity Sawtell

I publically endorse the great support that ex-member Peter Sleiman generously donated to the Council by filling a casual vacancy position during 2019. Thank you, Peter!

HSC

Well done to all of our 2019 Year 12 students on their HSC achievements. I attach the list of Distinguished Achievers below and they are to be highly commended not only for such an achievement but their work ethic and dedication! I especially identify Sebastian Diss (ATAR 97.65) who is now in the privileged position of having to decide between a number of lucrative and prestigious scholarship offers in the fields of Medicine, Engineering and Mathematics as a consequence of his diligence, hard work and positive collaboration with the expert teaching staff at the college.

Sarah Lui - Ancient History

Madeline Neville - Biology and Business Studies

Sebastian Diss - Chemistry, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2

Briony Littlejohns - Community and Family Studies

Laura Robertson - Community and Family Studies

Anabelle Coppola - Mathematics Standard

Keely Jameson - Mathematics and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

James Smith - Mathematics

Krisha Transona - Mathematics

Tuckwell Scholarship Update

We are pleased to announce the news that 2018 College Captain Ellie George has been elected to the position of Bell Ringer at the Australian National University for 2019.

Elected by the most recent Scholar cohort, the Bell Ringer is a prestigious appointment awarded to the Scholar who has most consistently demonstrated the Tuckwell attributes, and who best represents what it means to be a Tuckwell Scholar.

As Bell Ringer, Ellie has the opportunity to provide leadership within her year of service and can represent the program on formal occasions.

The position title stems from the Tuckwell handbell used in the 'ringing in' ceremony at the annual Commencement Dinner. The Bell Ringer rings the Tuckwell Bell once for each new Scholar to welcome them to the Tuckwell community.

Ellie is currently studying an ANU Flexible Double Degree (Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Science) and is a resident of Bruce Hall.

Award Night

Congratulations to all the award winners from this week’s annual Award Night. In choosing a theme of ‘essence’ in my Principal’s Address, I chose to tap into the refined definition that is “its intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character.” And in holding our learning work here at McCarthy up against that definition I highlighted and showcased the ‘essence’ and quality of this wonderful faith community. An excerpt of my address will be printed in the 2019 Year Book due for publication in early 2020.

I particularly thank all of our teaching and support staff for their untiring effort and support of our students. I similarly acknowledge the support of our parents and carers who operate in partnership with us to provide a high-quality educational opportunity for our students. Special thanks to all of the Administration staff who collated results, printed certificates, wrapped prizes, organised trophies for engraving and set up on the night. Their work almost always goes on behind the scenes with little public acknowledgement and is always high quality and I thank them for their ongoing support of the great work going on at the college.

Staff News

As we draw to a close for 2019, it is with some sadness that we farewell some long term staff who have made a long and valued commitment to McCarthy Catholic College. On behalf of the students, staff and long-term families I offer great affirmation and appreciation to these staff members -

Mrs Suzanne Day - long-term Leader of Learning - TAS who also successfully performed the role of Acting Teaching and Learning Coordinator for a number of years.

Mrs Andrea Woods - Student Support Teacher.

Ms Sophie Cottrell - Contract and Casual teacher of English.

Mr Ned Forrest - long-term groundsman appointed at the formation of McCarthy Catholic College in 2003.

Mrs Michelle Gale - long-term teacher of TAS and recently a well-respected Year Coord

St Nicholas Parish