Principal's Report

New Uniform Consultation

We are in the final stages of community consultation regarding potential changes to the McCarthy Catholic College Uniform. Included in this newsletter is a link to the summary sheet displaying all of the potential uniform items. There are also life-size manikins in the foyer for families to check out the samples provided by our uniform supplier - Lowes. Note especially that we are providing contemporary uniform options for our girls that include shorts, slacks and tights to complement a skirt (to knee length) and blouse combination.

We seek written feedback from families by the end of the term please.

Once final feedback is received we will begin a phase-in period of 2 years from 2020. That is, the existing uniform options can be worn throughout 2020 and 2021 prior to the new version being fully implemented in 2022.

On a separate note, please be aware that the girls' sport shorts are currently out of stock at Lowes until April.

Mobile Phone Policy

A further reminder about the consultation with families about the use of Mobile Phones at school by students. Please read the attached letter and respond as needed by the end of the term.

Staffing

Welcome to new staff member Ms Eliza Le Brocq who joins us two days per week as active support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

It is with significant sadness that I announce the resignations of Mrs Cheryl Gulliford and Mrs Jo O’Brien, both of whom have been long term servants of Catholic education in Tamworth. Our College community will sorely miss Cheryl’s contribution as a first-class English teacher as well as her expertise in running the College library. A good deal of our current research resources exist and are well utilised by our students on the back of Cheryl’s vision and efficacy for contemporary learning.

Similarly, Jo’s work in the Administration Office, both here and at Our Lady of the Rosary College, has been first rate, especially with her eye for detail and organisational capacity. She has even been known to keep the odd Principal well organised!

I also thank Mr Daniel McDonald who leaves us after a short stint. We wish him well as he concludes his studies at UNE.

Study Club

Due to the significant generosity and dedication of the McCarthy Teaching staff, Study Club runs in our Library each Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Those students who are seeking to extend themselves or have access to our valuable research resources are strongly encouraged to attend.

Stage Information Evening 2019

To support a continued and positive growth in the learning partnership between the College and parents, we will be running Stage Information Evenings throughout the year specifically for parents to be updated and informed about the ‘stage-specific’ learning and pastoral needs of their sons and daughters. Please note the following dates in your diary and feel very welcome to come along and hear and see the latest targeted information and strategies that we are using in each stage of learning at McCarthy. All sessions will be conducted in the College Hall beginning at 5:30pm sharp.

Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12): 4 March 5:30pm-7:00pm

Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10): 18 March 5:30pm-7:00pm

Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8): 1 April 5:30pm-7:00pm

Year 7 Welcome BBQ

Thank you to all of the Year 7 families that attended the Welcome BBQ last week. It is good to get to know our community in a more casual atmosphere than formal Parent/Teacher Interviews. I trust that the opportunity to ‘put a face to a name’ was useful and helps to support a seamless transition for your sons and daughters into our McCarthy Family.

Coles Card

A reminder to all existing and ongoing families that the privilege to walk down to Northgate Shopping Centre after school is not an automatic opportunity. As staff are rostered on the Bus Bay for duty, their role is to ensure that our students are safe and well supervised. That said, some families choose to provide written parental permission to the College with the understanding that their son and/or daughter will walk down to Coles and return in time for their bus and that the College does not exercise duty of care for that period of time. Once written permission is received, the student will be issued with a signed ‘Coles Card’ to show the teacher on duty in the Bus Bay that they have parent permission. All students must update their written parent permission each year. Please send the letter into Mrs Jones at the College Office as soon as possible please.

Chromebooks

A final reminder to all Year 7 families that it is a compulsory requirement for all Year 7 students to have purchased a Chromebook through the online portal by the end of this week. As a College committed to 21st Century learning our Bring Your Own Designated Device (BYODD) program provides seamless opportunities for students to learn ‘Anywhere-Anytime’.

Association Meeting

Please note that due to the unavailability of the majority of Executive Committee, the February Parent Association meeting was postponed to 7:15pm on Tuesday 26 February. All new families are encouraged to attend.

Association Annual General Meeting

This is official notification that the Annual General Meeting of the McCarthy Parent Association will be held on Tuesday 19 March 2019 beginning at 7:15pm in the staffroom. All Executive Committee roles will be declared vacant on the night and elections will occur at that time. I encourage current and new members of the Parent Association to consider taking on the roles of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Twilight Swimming Carnival and Day in Lieu

The upcoming Twilight Swimming Carnival, to be held at Scully Park Pool from 2:30pm – 7:30pm on Thursday February 28, presents an ideal opportunity for students to contribute to the growth of school and House spirit. While elite swimmers are given the opportunity to shine in front of their peers, other students receive the intrinsic reward of contributing to their House team by participation. I commend this opportunity as a rare time during the school year when students can enjoy a casual and spirit-filled afternoon and evening of fun and camaraderie with their peers. As the College allows for the extra commitment of the twilight event to be repaid with a student-free day the next day, I encourage all students to attend and enjoy a wonderful community event. I know that our 2019 Year 12 students are committed to increasing attendance with the introduction of some alternate novelty games.

Please note: there will be no supervision available at the College after 2:00pm on Thursday. The following day, Friday 1 March, will be a non-school day. The College will not be open on that day.

Enrolments for Year 7 in 2020 close Monday April 8 2019

McCarthy Catholic College extends an invitation for students seeking enrolment into Year 7 in 2020. The only round of Year 7 applications for this year will close on Monday 8 April. Fully completed application forms and the $100 application fee need to be lodged at the College on or before Monday 8 April. Open Day will be held on Saturday 9 March from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Please contact the Enrolment Officer, Mrs Jo O'Brien, on 6761 0802 or jobrien1@arm.catholic.edu.au for an application pack and/or more information.

Safer Drivers Course

1800Drive4Life will be holding a Safer Drivers Course in Armidale on Saturday March 23rd.