McCarthy Catholic College Newsletter

Principal's Report 

Final Newsletter for 2020

The following newsletter represents our final publication for 2020. As such, the articles contain an extensive summary of the events of the final term as well as reminders and updates about the 2021 academic year.

 

Orientation Day

On the 30 November we welcomed close to 160 Year 6s who were 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 group of dedicated and experienced staff who led them on a journey of discovery and understanding about Year 7.  Their feedback about the orientation experience at the end of the day was very positive, so we look forward to a successful start to the academic year in 2021.

 

SAC 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. I publicly acknowledge the work of the outgoing Chair, Mr Bernie Munro and thank him on behalf of the college community for his service.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 17 November we elected our 2021 Council. The new council is listed below - 

 

Ex-officio

  • Parish Priest of St Nicholas - Father Christopher Onuekwusi
  • College Principal - Rod Whelan 2021

Chairperson

  • Fletcher Davies (newly elected for 2021)

Secretary

  • Vacancy exists for discussion in 2021

Staff

  • Raelene Maxworthy
  • Briony Martin

Members

  • Carol Reed
  • Geoff Shanley
  • Richard O’Halloran
  • Felicity Sawtell
  • Julian Kelly (new member)

HSC

Well done to all of our 2020 Year 12 students on their HSC achievements. I attach the list of 10 Distinguished Achievers below and they are to be highly commended not only for such an achievement but their work ethic and dedication in a very challenging year! 

Awards Presentation Ceremony

Congratulations to all the award winners from the 2020 Award Ceremony. I quote from my Principal's Address in commending the community on its achievements under challenging circumstances faced only once in a generation.

 

...The dictionary definition of ‘change’ quite simply states it is “the act or process through which something becomes different.” Consequently, the year 2020 has through many all-pervading change experiences, made us and our world ‘different’. ‘Different’ for those who suffered and continue to suffer the effects of crippling drought. ‘Different’ for those who lost everything in the devastating bushfires. And ‘different’ for all of us, who in one way or another have been affected by the ubiquitousness of the Coronavirus.

So how did we go on that journey to ‘difference’?

 

...Here at McCarthy in 2020 I can confidently and proudly say that on balance while we certainly have ‘changed’ and we are ‘different’, the resilience, creativity, innovation and genuine care for our kids was deeply evident amongst the staff of the college. Many parents and students have commented and affirmed the extraordinary lengths that both teaching and support staff went to, both during and after lockdown. I take this important opportunity in my final address as Principal of McCarthy Catholic College to deeply thank the staff for their incredible hard work during 2020. While we all know there is much more to do here, the ‘Foundations of a Catholic Professional Learning Community’ are emerging solidly here. Evidentiary classroom practices that include Learning Intentions and Success Criteria combined with the Gradual Release of Responsibility and Differentiated instruction are laying the groundwork for an even higher level of holistic success for our students.

 

In thanking the staff, I also acknowledge the students for their willingness to adapt during 2020. While we certainly had higher aspirations to embed the philosophy and practices of our college expectations - ‘Be Better Everyday’, I commend all of our students for their optimistic spirit to meet the challenges of unprecedented change throughout 2020 and come out the other side unbroken, different and ‘Better Everyday’! And that statement pays little tribute to the quality of learning undertaken online. Much early research would support the notion that while the McCarthy version of online home learning was expertly delivered by our incredible staff, the subsequent academic success of our resilient and willing students has been inconsistent to say the least. Some took the challenge to ‘Be a Better Learner’ in an online environment to a new level and they thrived. Others, disconnected and isolated, spiraled downward without the human connection and an unfulfilled craving for a high-quality teacher-student learning relationship. Consequently, as we ramped back up into full time face-to-face learning, our pastoral team and our counsellors went into overdrive to support a higher proportion of students who were experiencing anxiety and stress in their home and school lives. I fully commend the dedicated work of our pastoral team and our skilled Counsellors during 2020, as they adapted to the diverse needs of our kids and positively reconnected them with the McCarthy learning community...

 

...When I began at this place in 2015, I emphasised the critical importance of the McCarthy staff’s capacity to know, love and challenge every child that they teach. In other words, every teaching staff member must develop a high-stakes learning partnership that is built on mutual respect and dedication to holistic improvement. Most staff members, including those who do not physically lead the classroom teaching, have and continue to step up to that crucial responsibility. I publicly commend the ongoing work of the McCarthy staff and encourage everyone to continue to work in partnership with us to keep on ‘Being Better Everyday’. I also commend the valued contribution of long term and recently retired staff members such as Brian Kells, Jo O’Brien, Pat Hobson, Deb Wade, Kate Woolostan, Colleen O’Meagher, Suzanne Perfrement, Donna Forrest and Cheryl Gulliford who made a significant difference to this place over many decades. That said not every staff member is still with us. In my time, we have lost such wonderful educators as Peter Belson, Pat Kilborn, Penny Crowley and Sarah Sommerlad who loved this place with all their heart and gave so much to us right until the end. Similarly, we lost a great young man in Jack Cutcliffe in 2017, who epitomized the McCarthy spirit with his enthusiasm, warmth and good nature. May they all continue to rest in the peace of the Lord.

 

All Award Presentations can be viewed via our Facebook Page and YouTube Links provided. 

 

Staff News

As we draw to a close for 2020, it is with some sadness that we farewell some 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:

  • Miss Janika Armanno - Contract RE/PDHPE Teacher
  • Mr Connor Betts - ICT Support Staff
  • Miss Melanie Landers - Maths Teacher
  • Mrs Kate Mercer - Contract English Teacher
  • Mrs Wendy Bowden - Contract TAS Teacher

Authentic farewells and appropriate written testimony are difficult as dedicated staff move on at this late stage of the year and this newsletter summary does little justice to the contribution and commitment of the above staff. Nonetheless, we wish all of these wonderful staff the best as they move into new phases of their careers and/or retirement.

I also offer deep gratitude to Mrs Cate Allen (Leader of Mission, Spiritual Formation and Religious Education), Mrs Tracey Bradbery (Administration Coordinator) and Mr James Vella (Chair of WHS Committee) as they all step down from their important leadership and management roles at the end of 2020. All three of these gifted staff members have given 110% to these critical roles at the college for many years and are to be commended for their compassionate and caring disposition to their work. 

 

Welcome

Alternatively and happily, we welcome the following staff to the college to begin new full-time or contract careers at McCarthy:

  • Mr Roger Torrington - TAS Teacher
  • Mr Craig Drew - TAS Teacher
  • Mrs Melissa Carr - English Teacher
  • Mrs Tracey Le Fevre - English Teacher
  • Mrs Carrie Madden - English Teacher
  • Miss Clara Wolds - RE/English Teacher.

We also congratulate the following staff on their appointment to positions of added responsibility from the beginning of 2020:

  • Mrs Nicole Anderson - Secondary Literacy Coach
  • Mrs Briony Martin - Leader of Pedagogy

Uniforms

All uniforms including the new caps are now available at Lowes. A further reminder that the phase-in of the new uniform began in earnest from 2020. All students in Years 7,8, 9 and 10 are expected to wear the new uniform. From 2021 all students may choose to wear either of the McCarthy Catholic College Caps (see pics below) only. Note that the design allows for a ‘trucker’ version or a ‘baseball’ version of the cap. If students own the previous edition of the McCarthy broad brimmed hat they may also be worn to school. From the beginning of 2021, students are not to wear non-McCarthy hats or caps. 

Fees 2021

Early in the new year, all families will receive a one-off invoice that summarises the tuition fee commitment for the full academic year. Families can then choose to pay these fees in a variety of modes -

  1. Pay in full by Qkr!, cheque, credit card, cash or direct deposit to the college bank account.
  2. Pay in instalments as listed according to the three dates set out on the invoice by Qkr!, cheque, credit card, cash or direct deposit to the college bank account.
  3. Pay by Direct Debit using ADIG either weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
  4. Pay by direct deposit to the college bank account.

We trust that this early notification in 2021 will allow for families to plan their financial commitments more readily and reduce any potential confusion about the amount owing resulting from frequent invoices being sent.

 

Thank you and farewell

As I sign off for the final time as Principal at McCarthy Catholic College, I believe the final excerpt from my address at Awards Presentation Day adequately enshrines my heartfelt and deepest feelings of gratitude while I have served this catholic community for six years.

 

As I have said many times previously in such addresses, you never want these things to become ‘Thank-a-thons’ and if you start naming names you invariably end up missing someone. Mind you I’ve already broken that rule today…So to conclude I return to my theme of ‘change’ and the ‘difference’ made in 6 years is not by any minute measure mine alone. Positive or negative, call it what you like, the changes implemented in this place since 2015 have made a significant difference and that difference is proudly laid at the feet of those who chose and continue to choose to be part of our McCarthy ‘team’. For those who have chosen to personally join in teams with me, I thank you sincerely for choosing to dive in, do it differently to make a change. The measure of our collective success or otherwise is not for earthly judgement but I am deeply grateful for the difference this incredible community has made in me. Your individual and collective contribution to my leadership journey has contributed positively to ‘God’s Plan’ for me. I have no idea where the next phase of my adventure in catholic education will take me but I have no fear of the change because hanging around young people in the Church has taught me to have deep abiding faith in the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Quite simply, take me Lord, where you need me to go so I too can aspire to ‘Be Better Everyday’!

 

Thank you for welcoming me and my family to Tamworth and McCarthy Catholic College. As I move into the Catholic Schools Office next year, my persistent and heartfelt prayers for your ongoing and future success will continue.

 

May God go with you.

 

Holidays

May the peace of Christ be with all of our McCarthy families these holidays. If you are travelling be safe and enjoy the love and fellowship that comes with relaxing and sharing a meal together with family and friends.

 

Mr Geoff McManus - Principal