Principal's Report 

Hello everyone,

This is a brief message to first, thank you for your support, patience and adaptability before, during and after lockdown. Thank you for responding to calls for feedback, early notification of potential learning and wellbeing concerns, and general recognition that there is no single best way when pandemic meets school education. At the same time many of you were facing work, business, family and other challenges that emphasised the many and varied ways that COVID-19 has had its impact. While the big decisions will always be in the hands of people further up the chain than us, we can decide to continue to work together for best possible learning and wellbeing outcomes for all children and young people in our care, regardless of the nature of the next turn in this situation. 

A second purpose in writing is to thank and farewell (some temporarily) several staff.

Raelene Maxworthy has accepted a temporary contract with the NSW Education Standards Authority as Subject Matter Expert Technologies 7-10. Raelene will provide expertise to support the syllabus development for the NSW curriculum reform process, a role that will impact the shape of learning across NSW in the coming years. This is a significant role which recognises Raelene’s deep understanding of teaching, learning and curriculum development and her specific TAS Key Learning Area influence. The College and CSO have supported this appointment and approved leave for Raelene so that she can return to her position in 2024. Raelene has asked me to pass on her gratitude and thanks to the McCarthy community. In turn we thank her and look forward to her return. 

Rebecca Hannan begins maternity leave today. We wish Rebecca all the best and thank her for her excellent work, including during recent weeks when she delayed leave to maximise time on Year 12 HSC preparation.

Kathryn O’Sullivan has accepted a position as teacher-librarian in a Port Macquarie Primary school. She has been working as a writing and literacy tutor, providing outstanding opportunity and support for individuals and classes.

On a personal note, thank you for the support so far this year. Now that the Leadership Team has been confirmed for 2022, I need to ask for a day early next Term where all staff can meet to finalise and implement improvement plans for Term 4 and 2022. I understand the reluctance to give up a day of learning after this lockdown, but I am asking you to trust me and the leadership team on this one. We need a day to ensure clarity and coherence of improvement steps and unfortunately our previous professional development day was derailed by the looming lockdown. I am proposing Monday October 25 (Week 4) and reassure you that work on building stronger teaching teams, implementing a coherent instructional framework and improving student support will repay the lost day of learning many times over.

All the best for the Term 3 holidays.

Mr Rod Whelan - Principal