Principal's Report 

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your contribution to a safe, productive and calm start to the 2022 school year. 

I extend a warm welcome to our 161 commencing Year 7 students, and their families. Thank you and congratulations to our Year 11 and 12 students for the support and welcome they have given Year 7 students. One of the reasons for a shift to vertical mentor groups was to build stronger connections between students across the Year groups. This work is off to a great start.

Welcome to new staff:

Stephen Lawson joins us from Calrossy Anglican College as Leader of Pedagogy and Mathematics teacher.

Harry Vella is a McCarthy graduate and Science teacher, joining us from John Therry Catholic College, Campbelltown.

Maria Creigh is a music teacher, joining us after working at St Joseph’s and St Nick’s. Maria has been employed as our first permanent relief teacher. This role brings more certainty and order to lessons when teachers are on sick leave or otherwise away from school.

Maeve Galvin, Phoebe Porter and Joshua Viertel are 2021 McCarthy Year 12 graduates. Maeve is working as a Lasallian Youth Minister, Phoebe as an Education Assistant Trainee and Josh as an ICT Trainee. These Gap-year positions are an excellent way of employing outstanding young people and a highly effective way of placing influential and positive role-models in full view of all students.

Please ensure you have read Living Well, Learning Well: A student support framework for the Diocese of Armidale to get a clear picture of the Diocesan approach to supporting student learning, wellbeing and positive behaviour. At a minimum, read page 18 which outlines how we look after one another and page 19 which details the type of family-school partnership that maximises the number of students feeling safe, valued, cared for and supported as learners.

For those interested in more detail please read Living Well, Learning Well: Policies and Procedures. It is a concise and clear rewrite of multiple CSO policies to ensure policy aligns with the Living Well Learning Well document.

We are off to a great start. Classes are productive and calm. All students have a Chromebook, a beautiful new locker and the opportunity to do wonderful things in 2022. Thanks to those who always give their best. Thanks to those who have recognised the ‘fresh start’ opportunity and set improvement goals. If a student is asked to replace an unproductive behaviour, replace an unsafe behaviour or show more care, teamwork or character we can expect a positive outcome with the support of staff and family in full partnership.

Thanks in anticipation of your continued support.

All the best,

Mr Rod Whelan - Principal