Dear, Families.

In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest. His answer is simple but powerful: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. But he also gives a second commandment: love your neighbour as yourself. Together, these form the foundation of a life of faith, teaching us that our relationship with God must extend to the way we care for others.

Jesus’ words challenge us to see our love for God as something that shapes every part of our lives, from our work and studies to our relationships and actions. This devotion isn’t just about praying or attending Mass; it’s about reflecting God’s love in how we treat those around us, recognising the dignity and worth in each person.

Year 12, 2024

Congratulations to our Year 12 students on completing the HSC! This milestone marks the culmination of your hard work, resilience, and dedication, and we are incredibly proud of all that you have achieved. As you move into the next chapter of your lives, know that you carry with you the support and best wishes of the McCarthy community. We are looking forward to celebrating with you and your families on Thursday, 14th November, at your formal evening—a special occasion to reflect on your journey, cherish memories, and look with excitement toward the future.

Student Leaders 2025

Congratulations to our newly appointed student leaders for 2025! We are delighted to welcome Jack Benjamin and Natasha Lees as our College Captains. Both bring unique strengths, leadership qualities, and a commitment to the values of McCarthy Catholic College that will inspire and guide our community in the coming year.

We also extend our congratulations to our House Captains for 2025:

Assisi: Ryan Dunnill and Penelope Hutchinson
Chisholm: Shaun Kampe and Alexis Masters
Dominic: Zachary Whalan and Madeline Studte
Mackillop: Thomas Errington and Emily Dietrich
Rice: Samuel Salvestrin and Mia Shvili
Sienna: Cooper Holzigal and Sasha Domingo

Each of these students has shown exceptional dedication to their studies, their peers, and our College community. We look forward to seeing them embrace these roles with enthusiasm, lead by example, and contribute positively to the life of our school.

Congratulations once again to all our leaders for 2025!

MCC Mission Ambassadors

I recently received a letter from Jacqueline Toakley Diocesan Director, Armidale Diocese to express her gratitude and appreciation to Lauren Barnes, Charlotte Lyon, Natasha Lees, Sasha Domingo, Mikeeli Tyrrell, Hannah Wakely, Gabi Innes, Jack Benjamin and Cooper Holzigal who recently acted as Mission Ambassadors and spoke about Catholic Mission’s World Mission Sunday appeal in the Tamworth parishes on Sunday, 20 October.

The feedback from the parish priests after the weekend was incredibly positive. Words like ‘awesome’ and ‘wonderful’ came up again and again. The students were complimented on the high standard of their presentation and the confidence of their delivery.

I also want to express my enormous gratitude to Mrs Allen without whose assistance the Mission Ambassador Program simply wouldn't have happened.

School Advisory Council (SAC) & Parent Information Evening

Our next SAC meeting and AGM will be Tuesday, 10 December 2024 commencing at 5:30pm. We are currently looking for three members of our community to fill spots that will be vacated at the end of the year. If you are interested please send an email to mccadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au

Following the SAC meeting will be our final Parent information evening for 2024 commencing at 7pm in the staff common room. Further information to follow via Compass and Facebook.

CSNSW Spirit on Country Conference

The recent Catholic Schools NSW "Spirit on Country" Conference, held in Tamworth from October 21-24, 2024, gathered educators and community leaders to deepen intercultural understanding and advocate for reconciliation within educational spaces. Hosted by Armidale Catholic Schools, the conference focused on the theme "Learning Together, Then, Now, Always," emphasising the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their connection to the land.

The Conference was made especially memorable thanks to our emcees, Year 12 students Ethan Allen and Grace Shanley. Their humour and engaging presence added a lively, enjoyable atmosphere to the evening, connecting with the audience and enhancing the overall experience. Ethan and Grace’s lighthearted commentary and energy were warmly received, bringing both professionalism and fun to the event. This personal touch highlighted the spirit of the conference, fostering connection and celebration of cultural unity.

I also want to express my enormous appreciation to Ms Lisa Smith, Aboriginal Education Assistant, without whose leadership many of the cultural activities would not have been possible.

Sport update

This week, our Junior Girls Basketball Team showcased their pride, determination, and exceptional teamwork at the NSW CCC Championships. Competing against some of the top teams in the State, the girls represented our school admirably, advancing all the way to the quarterfinals with remarkable skill and resilience.

The team’s journey began with a challenging opening game against St Pius, Adamstown. Despite entering as the underdogs, our girls held strong with tenacious defense and impressive coordination, fighting hard for every ball. Their well-earned victory in this match set a confident tone for the remainder of the tournament.

The quarter finals presented another tough battle, but our girls gave it everything they had, playing with relentless effort until the final buzzer. Although they did not advance past this round, they left the court with heads held high, proud of their hard-fought achievements. Their courage, teamwork, and unbreakable spirit are a credit to McCarthy and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish next season.

Congratulations to our Junior Girls Basketball Team on an outstanding performance in the championship!

Thank you to Ms Gambrill and Mr MacKenzie for taking our girls to Sydney and spending time away from your families.

Congratulations to Marcus Hayes

Congratulations to Marcus Hayes in Year 10! Marcus recently competed in the AUSA Hoops basketball trials and has been selected to join the national team traveling to America next year, where he will have the opportunity to be scouted for a college scholarship. This is an incredible achievement for someone his age, well done, Marcus.

Rugby League and League Tag

On Thursday, 24 October, a large group of students traveled to Oxley High School for the annual Mental Health League Tag and Rugby League Gala Day. Thank you to Oxley High for organising such a fantastic event, complete with cheerleaders, a BBQ, and activities hosted by Headspace. Special thanks go to Mr Mitchell, Mr Williams and Mrs Laird for their dedicated coaching.

All games were played in a wonderful spirit of sportsmanship.

God bless!

Michael Whitton

Agricultural News