Principal's Report
A Special Visit from the Relic of St Carlo Acutis:
On Monday, 29 June, our College community was honoured to welcome Monsignor Antony from Assisi, Italy, who is travelling with the relic of St. Carlo Acutis as part of a special exhibition and pilgrimage.
Monsignor Antony shared with our students and staff the significance of St Carlo Acutis’ relic and spoke about the inspiring life of this young saint. He reflected on Carlo’s deep faith, his compassion for others, and his ability to use technology as a tool to share messages of hope and faith with the world.
St Carlo Acutis’ connection with young people today is particularly meaningful. Despite living in a modern world surrounded by technology and social media, Carlo remained grounded in kindness, service, prayer, and a desire to make a positive difference. His example reminds our students that age is not a barrier to living with purpose and making an impact in the lives of others.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for our College community to learn more about Carlo’s life, his faith journey, and the message he continues to share with young people across the world. It was a privilege to host Monsignor Antony and to be part of this special moment of reflection and inspiration.
I thank all staff and students who contributed to making this visit such a meaningful experience for our community.
Parents as Partners: Working Together for Our Students:
At McCarthy Catholic College, we believe that the strongest communities are built on genuine partnerships. The relationship between families and the College is central to ensuring that every student feels safe, respected, cared for, and valued.
Parents and carers are a child’s first and most influential educators. The partnership we share with families allows us to work together in supporting the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth of our young people. When schools and families communicate openly, listen to one another, and share a common commitment to student wellbeing, we create an environment where students can flourish.
The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. This responsibility belongs to all of us. As a College, we are committed to providing a learning environment where every student is known, supported, and encouraged to reach their potential. Our staff work each day to foster respectful relationships, promote positive behaviour, and ensure students have trusted adults they can turn to.
Families play a vital role in this partnership. By encouraging respectful conversations at home, supporting College expectations, communicating concerns, and working collaboratively with staff, parents help strengthen the culture of care that exists across our community.
Partnership also means approaching challenges together. There will be times when students experience difficulties, misunderstandings, or moments of growth. These moments provide opportunities for us to model the values we hope to see in our young people - respect, compassion, responsibility, and resilience. By working together, we can respond in ways that support our students and help them learn from their experiences. Our students deserve to know that the adults around them are united in their care and support. When home and school stand together, students feel a greater sense of belonging and confidence.
Thank you to our families for the trust you place in us and for the ongoing support you provide. Your partnership is valued, and together we continue to build a community where every student is safe, respected, cared for, and empowered to succeed.
Preparing for Trial HSC Success:
As we approach the commencement of the Trial HSC Examinations on Monday, 3 August, I encourage all of our Year 12 students to make the most of the opportunities available to prepare thoroughly and confidently.
The Trial HSC examinations are an important milestone in every student's final year of schooling. They provide valuable experience in examination conditions, help students identify areas for further improvement, and play a significant role in preparing for the Higher School Certificate later in the year. While the weeks ahead will require commitment, perseverance and effective organisation, they also present an opportunity for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their courses.
To support our students, the College will be offering Holiday Study Workshops commencing Tuesday, 7 July. These sessions have been designed to provide targeted revision, expert guidance from our teaching staff and valuable opportunities for students to ask questions and consolidate their learning. I strongly encourage every Year 12 student to attend as many sessions as possible.
In addition, the University of New England will be hosting HSC Study Workshops at the UNE Tamworth Campus from Monday, 6 July to Thursday, 9 July.
Success in the HSC is built through consistent effort, thoughtful preparation and maintaining a healthy balance. Alongside dedicated study, I encourage students to ensure they are getting adequate sleep, eating well, remaining active and taking time to recharge.
I thank our parents and carers for the encouragement and support they continue to provide during this important stage of their child's education. Working together, we can help our Year 12 students approach their Trial HSC examinations with confidence and optimism.
As we come to the end of another wonderful term, I sincerely thank our students, families and staff for their continued support, commitment and contribution to our College community. May this holiday break be a time of rest, renewal and joy, filled with opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. I pray that God blesses each of you with a safe, peaceful and happy holiday, and I look forward to welcoming all students back to the College on Tuesday, 21 July, refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning and growth.
God bless,
Michael Whitton
College Principal