From the Principal Leader

Dear staff, students, parents, carers and friends of Chisholm,

Year 12 Retreat

Thank you for your support and understanding during my time on leave in weeks 1 and 2. Having returned this week, it has been a busy time catching up with students, staff and parents.

I would like to acknowledge our new 2026 Year 12 students who have commenced their HSC year this term. I am incredibly proud of these young women who have embraced the challenge of the Year 12 journey with their strong attendance and engagement at their Year 12 Retreat in week 2 of the term. These students embraced the experience with enthusiasm and commitment allowing themselves to flourish and grow as they learned about themselves, their relationship with God and how they can strengthen this through their social justice initiatives and building positive relationships with family and friends. Thank you Mrs Cocks, Mrs Vella and Ms White for leading the Year 12 Retreat groups and all teachers who led the students to deepen their faith and spirituality. Congratulations Year 12 2026 you have commenced your HSC journey very well indeed.

Catechist

Congratulations to our Year 10 and 11 students who were awarded their certificates for their outstanding service as Catechists at our local public schools. Your work sharing the love of Jesus is incredibly worthwhile and appreciated by our students, staff and parents.

Their commitment and dedication in representing our community are greatly appreciated by everyone. Thank you to all of the following students: 

Year 11 Awards Ceremony

I would like to share with you my address at last week’s ceremony for the Year 11 Awards Ceremony.

Today is a celebration of growth — the growth that comes from learning, from effort, and from courage. For our Year 11 students, this year has been one of incredible transformation. You’ve moved from the familiarity of junior years into the challenge and responsibility of senior learning. You’ve discovered new strengths, faced new expectations, and learned what it means to take ownership of your goals.

Each of you has grown — in knowledge, confidence, independence, and resilience. That growth doesn’t always happen easily. It often comes through moments of uncertainty, when you’ve had to push through difficulty or step beyond your comfort zone. But it’s through those moments that real progress is made.

Year 11 is about laying strong foundations. It’s about finding your rhythm, learning how to manage your time, and understanding what it means to work with purpose. These experiences have prepared you well for Year 12 — a year that will ask for your best, but will also give you the opportunity to lead, to inspire, and to leave your mark on our college community as an aspiring young woman of Chisholm.

At Caroline Chisholm, we speak often of our key values of faith, courage, and tolerance — values that will continue to guide you as you take your place as the leaders of 2026.

• Have faith — in your abilities, in God’s plan for you, and in the people who walk beside you.

• Show courage — to keep striving, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

• And live with tolerance — showing kindness, understanding, and respect for others in our community and beyond.

To our award recipients today, congratulations. Your commitment and perseverance have been recognised, and we are very proud of all you have achieved. But to every student in Year 11, I also want to say this: growth isn’t measured only by certificates or accolades. It’s seen in your willingness to learn, your care for others, and your determination to improve. Every step forward this year matters. Being a learner who is continuously looking to grow based on feedback is critical to your success and I encourage you to look for ways to support each other on this once in a lifetime journey.

 

As you prepare to commence Year 12 this term, I encourage you to embrace this next chapter with optimism and belief in yourself. You are ready. Ready to lead, ready to learn, and ready to continue the Caroline Chisholm legacy of faith-filled young women who make a difference in their world.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for your expertise and guidance, and to our parents and families for your continued partnership and encouragement.

Congratulations once again to all of our students on a successful Year 11. We are so proud of the young women you are becoming, and we look forward with great excitement to what lies ahead as you embark on your exciting Year 12 HSC journey.

Thank you and may God bless as you journey ahead with courage to meet the challenges that lie ahead. With the strong and constant support of your families and teachers you are all bound for future success.

Congratulations to our award recipients

Year 11 Dux Award - Dilpreet Kaur

Outstanding Student Award

Sportsperson of the Year Award - Summer Knowles

Principal’s Academic Excellence Award 

Chisholm Gold Award

Caroline’s Footsteps Award For Community Service

Learning Growth Award

Outstanding Student Learning Performance Award

First in Course

May God bless you and keep you safe.

Mrs Tania Cairns

Principal Leader