Principal's Report
College Captains
It is with great pleasure that I announce the College Captains and Vice-Captains for 2021.
Captains
Male Captain: Joseph Vella
Female Captain: Maeve Galvin
Vice-Captains
Male Vice Captain: Joe Mitchell
Female Vice Captain: Sara Sinclair
SLC
The captains were elected from the Student Leadership Council which was presented to the college community via live stream on Monday 21 September. The elected council members in alphabetical order are - Stephanie Creigh, Noah Dunnill, Maeve Galvin, Daisy George, Macey Gillies, Sarah Klasen, Joe Mitchell, Ella Patterson, Brendan Scott, Sara Sinclair, Nathaniel Thrift and Joseph Vella.
We are looking forward to working with these young talented leaders throughout the remainder of 2020 into 2021. The timing of the formal induction of the 2021 Captains would normally happen at the College Awards Night in December. At this point in time, it is unclear if that event will go ahead. I will keep you informed.
Year 12
As many students and families would now be well aware, the government restrictions to suppress the spread of COVID-19 will be easing from Thursday 12 November 2020. The easing of these restrictions in relation to Year 12 'Rites of Passage' have implications for McCarthy students and families whom we recently surveyed to gauge the level of support for a change of scheduling for the Graduation Assembly and Graduation Ball. As a result of this survey we are officially maintaining the previously communicated schedule. The Graduation Ball has been moved from the Town Hall to the TRECC to be able to enable parents to attend under strict social distancing guidelines (ie. 4 square metres per family; 2 parents only; secure food service; dancing possible with external ventilation.) Overall, it is heartening to know that we can finally look forward to participating in a community event with our parents and Year 12s in the same room!
Earlier in the term, the Year 12s were able to engage in a lovely retreat experience coordinated by Mrs Allen and Mrs O’Neill. This led into a beautiful liturgical experience with Father Chris Onuekwusi in the Our Lady of the Rosary Centre that was live-streamed to families. While certainly not ideal without parents, the Graduation Mass, the deeply reflective Homily by Father Chris and the sharing of family photos at the conclusion of the service, made for a quality spiritual experience.
MCC Olympics Day
At the time of writing we have concluded our McCarthy Olympics Day. As a whole College event staged under COVID-19 restrictions, we managed to spread our activities widely across the college grounds and were able to compete in year level groups only. From Oz-Tag, to Futsal, Computer Games, Handball, Debating, Basketball, Chess, Theatre Sports and Frisbee, our students had a fun and fantastic day of Inter-House competition. Enormous thanks to Mr Mitchell for his meticulous planning and preparation of courts, fields and equipment. Massive thanks also to the dedicated staff for leading the respective activities, as well as those clever, talented young men and women who acted as officials, referees and umpires!
The winning house from each year group is as follows -
Year 7- Chisholm 770 points
Year 8 Dominic 510 points
Year 9 Chisholm 470 points
Year 10 Dominic 330 points
Year 11 Mackillop- 700 points
Year 12- Chisholm 440 points
A Pizza and Mufti day for each of these groups will be organised early next term.
Staffing
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Mrs Samantha Cox, Ms Megan Dunn, Mrs Frances Tyler-Vine as newly appointed Education Assistants and Ms Melanie Lamb as another valued member of the ATSI support team for the remainder of 2020. All of these ladies come very highly regarded as in-class and out-of-class support for our SWD and ATSI students.
I also am very pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Mrs Donna Swan as Leader of Learning - Creative Arts and Languages. Mrs Swan has been in the acting role since Term 2 and now moves into the permanent leadership of this diverse and successful faculty. We thank her for her previous service and look forward to seeing the impact that she brings to improving outcomes in Creative Arts and Languages.
It is also my sad duty to announce the official resignation of Ms Julie Hodges from McCarthy Catholic College effective Friday 25 September. While only here for a relatively short period of time, we sincerely thank her for her dedicated service and wish her well in her future endeavours.
End of Term
Classes conclude for Term 3 at 3:00pm on Friday 25 September. We will start again for Term 4 on Monday 12 October at 8:45am. Please enjoy a wonderful break with your families and if you are travelling I pray that everyone returns safely to Tamworth.
Principal on Leave - Week 1 T4
Please note that I will be on leave during the first week of Term 4. My Personal Assistant - Mrs Gall can field any queries in my absence and I will respond upon my return.
Mr Geoff McManus - Principal