Issue 02 - Thomas Carr College

Volume 20 Issue 02: March 1 2016
From the Principal
Dr Watson
20th Anniversary Celebration
The past week has seen our official 20th Anniversary celebrations take place where
we as a community remember, commemorate and celebrate the foundation of
Thomas Carr College in 1997. The College commenced with 72 students on a
temporary site on Tarneit Road. Twenty years later we occupy 10 hectares of
landscaped grounds with modern buildings and facilities to serve a student population
of close to 1200.
Our 20th Anniversary celebrations have focused on the people who had the vision
and commitment to establish Thomas Carr College.
20th Anniversary Commencement Assembly
On Wednesday we gathered for our commencement assembly where the Bronze
Sculpture Portrait of Thomas Carr was officially unveiled and the launch of “Shining
in the West”, the story of Thomas Carr College (1997–2016) and its Patron
Archbishop Thomas Carr (1839-1917).
At the unveiling of the Thomas Carr sculpture, Ms Meleisa Judge, the artist that
completed the sculpture, spoke of her work and the Archbishop:
Accounts of Thomas Carr’s life focus on his career as a Bishop and Archbishop, on
his work in education, establishing schools and churches. He was appointed Bishop
to his home county of Galway, caring for a clergy that was controversially and radically
politically active at a time when religious divides in Ireland were deeply divisive. When
he was appointed as Archbishop of Melbourne in 1887 he was entering a community
that was equally divided along political lines and also still struggling for its identity as
a new country. Throughout all of this, Thomas Carr maintained a strong role as a
communicator, unafraid of controversy but always prudent, able, conciliatory, amiable
with a genius for friendship.
His involvement in the Catholic newspapers is often not highlighted, but when you
read his life, it becomes clear that his dedication to journalism was a natural extension
of his personality, communicating well with beautifully calibrated articles, tactful but
not afraid to speak the truth and prepared to research deeply so as to give a balanced
perspective. Most of all it reflects the effort that he put into communication; truly
believing that lively debate, clear discussion and ready access to important factual
information would be transformational to the whole Catholic community.
The sculpture portrays him with his newspapers in his hand; The Australian paper,
the Austral Light in his left hand in front of his body as if he is just about to glance at
it. And the Irish one, the Ecclesiastical record in his right hand.
Coming Events
Mar 1: Board Meeting
Mar 2: Year 8 Reflection Day
Mar 3: Year 8 Reflection Day
Mar 4: Year 12 Caritas speaker
Mar 7: Year 9 City Experience
Mar 8: International Women’s Day;
Prayer Service in the Chapel for
International Women’s Day
Mar 8: Parents and Friends Meeting
Mar 9: Year 8 Reflection Day
Mar 9: Year 9 City Experience
Mar 10: Year 8 Reflection Day
Mar 10: Year 9 City Experience
Mar 11: Archbishop’s Conversation
with Student Leaders
Mar 11: Year 9 City Experience
Mar 14: Labour Day Public Holiday
Term Dates for 2016
Lenten Term:
January 29 to March 23
Easter:
March 24 to 28
Pentecost Term:
April 11 to June 24
Assumption Term:
July 11 to September 15
Advent Term:
October 3 to December 2
College Theme for 2015
College Vision
‘Be the face of mercy’
Thomas Carr College is a dynamic
Catholic learning community, guided by
the Gospel.
Prayer
Loving Father
We pray for our community as we celebrate our 20 year anniversary. May we be
strengthened to be witnesses to the Gospel of mercy and work for a future that
embodies a genuine culture of mercy.
We pray to the Lord.
Amen
Excellence and opportunities to develop
are pursued.
Through our hope and service to others
we shine our light into the world.
There is a reason why the sculpture shows him walking so strongly. When Thomas Carr
came out to Australia he took it upon himself to visit every area of his Archdiocese - a
huge amount of travel for the times, in creaky carriages on rough dirt roads, yet again,
reflecting his active commitment to connecting the Catholic community, and to creating
a personal relationship with his people. He had done the same when he was Bishop in
Galway.
The other thing you will discover as you look at him is that in his hand alongside the
Austral light is the drawing for St Patricks Cathedral. This is an interesting reference as
it ties together all these ideas of Thomas Carr as a communicator and networker. The
plans for the Cathedral were already in place when he arrived in Melbourne, but building
had ground to a halt with a lack of funding. Thomas Carr felt strongly that the building
of the Cathedral would give cohesion to the Victorian Catholic community, he said ‘this
Cathedral is a symbol of our faith, a proof of our strength and it is a bond of our union”
The Cathedral is classically gothic in style, designed by famous architect Wardell. Carr
donated significant sums of money himself toward building it and he worked tirelessly
to raise funds and solicit gifts for the various chapels and the altar. The 1890s saw a
major recession in Melbourne, so fundraising was not an easy feat. Nonetheless the
main building of the Cathedral, minus its spires, was finished and consecrated in 1897.
On reading Carr’s biography it was apparent that his warm, sincere and engaging
personality was the key to his work in the community, both in Ireland and Australia.
The Commencement Assembly also provided the opportunity to officially launch
“Shining in the West”, authored by Mr Larry Burn. In launching this history book I made
the following comments about the process undertaken and about the author, our
Chaplain, Mr Larry Burn:
Upon my appointment as Principal of Thomas Carr College and prior to the death of Mr
Bruce Runnalls, the second Principal of Thomas Carr College, I would meet regularly
with Bruce and let him know of life at the College and the plans for the future.
One of his requests to me during this period of time, was to complete a project he had
started. Bruce wanted a biography of Thomas Carr produced that that was accessible
for all student and staff and a resource that could be used by teachers and a book
students would receive upon their enrolment of the College.
Along with this, there was also the need to document the first twenty years of the College
as the twentieth anniversary was fast approaching, while the key people responsible for
the development of the College were able to provide vital information in relation to those
early days.
So a project of developing a history of Thomas Carr College and a biography of its
patron began.
The next challenge was to find a suitable author for this project. At the beginning of
2014, Mr Larry Burn began work as a part time lay Chaplain at the College after his
retirement from the position of Director of Catholic Education for the Ballarat diocese
after 13 years of dedicated and outstanding leadership of Catholic Education. Prior to
that Larry had held senior positions at Marcellin College and Xavier College and was
also Principal of Mercy Regional College a number of years prior to my appointment as
Principal. Larry and I worked closely together, along with Bishop Peter Connors, during
my time as Principal in the Ballarat diocese. It has been a great pleasure to again work
alongside Larry at Thomas Carr College. He continues to be a great mentor to me.
I always knew Larry was a gifted writer, as was evident during his time as Director of
Catholic Education in Ballarat, but this project required a particular approach, of being
historically accurate, but also writing in such a way to engage with a wide audience,
from Year 7 students to the most widely read and qualified members of staff. After some
discussion Larry willing accepted this challenge.
The result has been the publication of: “Shining in the West”, the story of Thomas Carr
College (1997 – 2016) and its Patron Archbishop Thomas Carr (1839-1917).
Having read numerous drafts and proof read the final version I can honestly attest to
what a wonderful piece of work Larry has produced. He has achieved the desire for
something that is accessible and engaging for all, while recording accurately the life of
Thomas Carr and the history of the College named in his honour. Larry’s biography of
Thomas Carr captures a wonderful man dedicated to his faith and his Church, a person
who was humble and warm in his disposition and someone who lead the Church with
integrity, compassion and understanding. The biography captures perfectly the true
essence of this significant leader in our Church:




A man of faith
A leader of the Catholic Church in Melbourne for thirty years
A scholar who taught and wrote throughout his life and who made Catholic
education a priority as Archbishop
A pastoral person who cared for all especially the poor and needy
The second half of ”Shining in the West” tells the story of the establishment of Thomas
Carr College from the early beginnings of a concept of a new secondary school for the
west of Melbourne, through the first day when Paul d’Astoli commenced as Foundation
Principal along with 72 Year 7 students and 10 foundation staff, to the beginning of our
twentieth year with 1200 students and 163 staff.
The history of the College beautiful captures the dedication and commitment of many
people who were instrumental in the establishment and development of the College
over the past 20 years. Larry has used the time period of the three principals of to reflect
upon the progress, achievements, moments of joy and moments of sadness that face a
school community.
There is no doubt Larry is a gifted writer and I think to a certain extent that this has been
a talent that Larry has only discovered as a result of taking on this challenge. The
beginnings of a new chapter in his career dedicated to Catholic education beckons.
20th Anniversary Mass
On Friday February 26 the College community gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral for
our 20th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Connors. Bishop Peter is the
Emeritus Bishop of Ballarat and was the Auxiliary Bishop for the Western Region when
Thomas Carr was established and played an important role in the establishment of our
College. Con-celebrating alongside Bishop Peter was Bishop Vincent Long and our
three Canonical Administrators:
 Fr Jude
 Fr Pius and
 Fr Frank
We were also delighted to have our past Canonical Administrators:
 Fr Peter Ray
 Fr Barry Tobin
 Fr Greg Bourke
I also welcomed friends of the College Fr Mario Zammit, Fr Barry Ryan, Fr Minh Tran
and Fr Benneth Osuagwu.
In attendance at the Mass were Mr Paul D’Astoli, Foundation Principal of Thomas Carr
College along with his wife Mary, Mr Stephen Elder, Executive Director of Catholic
Education Melbourne, Dr Paul Sharkey, Director of Education Services for Catholic
Education Melbourne, Mr Rob Aron, General Manager for the Western Region,
Councilor Glenn Goodfellow from Wyndham City Council along with past and present
Board Members, and Principals from other Catholic Secondary Schools.
Our liturgical celebration was highlighted by our wonderful choir who led the Mass so
beautifully. As always the Eucharistic celebration of our significant events is integral to
our Catholic Identity. Highlights of the Mass will be available on our website shortly.
Commencement Mass and Academic Assembly
On Wednesday at the Commencement Assembly our new College Captains were
acknowledged during the assembly:
 Middle School Captains: Drashti Shah and James Mallia
 College Vice Captains: Emily Reeves and Thomas Duxson
 College Captains: Amy Bongetti and Luke Gleeson
Other College leaders have been recognised elsewhere in the Beacon. Congratulations
are extended to all students who have taken on a leadership position in 2016.
Recognition of our High Achieving Students
Again this year the College recognised the academic achievement of our students for
Semester 2, 2015. Those students who have achieved the following results attended a
special luncheon hosted by Ms McDonald and myself where they were presented with
a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of achieving examination results above 90%
in a number of subjects.
The following criteria for receiving this recognition for each year level are as follows:
 Students in Year 7 who achieved 90% or better in two examination
 Students in Year 8 who achieved 90% or better in three examinations
 Students in Year 9 – 11 who achieved 90% or better in four examinations.
Congratulations are extended to the following students who received a certificate of
achievement:
Year 7: Sinit Berhane, Zmantha Zoe Casmiro, Shaneika Diec, Claudia Xin Yee Fam,
Aleena Hinso, Alex Lapina, Mikaela Lat, Selena Luu, Hussain Naqvi, Matthew Tomelty,
Amy Virgona, Audrey Wong
Year 8: Emmanuel Ayano, Sarah Buenaventura, Elyssa Cahoy, Daniel Calderon,
Lauren Costa, Cassandra Cremona, Juliane David, Victoria Diczku, Michelle Diep,
Theodorus Goenawan, Bertwin Gomez, Jessica Grech, Olivia Helena, Darrien Herbert,
Nivahangma Limbu, Benjamin Lo, Tamara Ma, Jett Mathews, Christopher Moran, Sarah
Nguyen, Abigail Pableo, Alexis Pangan, Michelle Park, John Ruelo, Sonia Sabu,
Jasmine Saleem, Drashti Shah, Hannah Spratling, Chethana Varma, Jasmine Wilson,
Mariana Zakharia
Year 9: Julie Lloyd, Adarsh Ram
Year 10: Alexie Barlow, Emily Bradley, John Chan, Bree Duncan-Smith, Catherine
Mashalidis, Erin Sidwell, Esther Tomelty
Year 11: Alisha Bala, Bryce Currao, Michael Lloyd
Swimming Carnival
On Friday February 19 all students and staff had a most enjoyable day at the House
Swimming Carnival. Our students were co-operative during the day and very eager to
participate in the Carnival’s events and novelty activities. A big thank you and
congratulations to our Year 12 students who worked very hard to ensure that the day
had a wonderful carnival feel and great House spirit. A special thank you to Ms White
and the Heads of House for their organisation of the Carnival. The results of the
competition will be published in the next edition of The Beacon.
The Carnival also served as a great preparation for the ACS Swimming Carnival which
will be held on March 17. Our team is currently training for this event. Parents are more
than welcome to attend the ACS Swimming Carnival which will be held at MSAC.
I wish our ACS swimming team all the very best for this competition and I look forward
to hearing of some very positive results.
Year 7 Welcome Evening and VCE Parent Information Night
Over the last couple of weeks the College was pleased to welcome parents from Year
7 to 12 to a number of information evenings. The Year 7 Welcome Evening provided
the opportunity for parents to meet with their son or daughters Homeroom teacher, learn
about the various College processes and procedures and check that all was going well
with the transition from primary to secondary school.
The VCE Parent Information Night provided parents invaluable information about the
VCE and the need for students to commit to their studies in order to achieve success.
Strategies were also discussed for study routines, time management and a list of key
dates for each year level was supplied to assist students and parents in their planning
of the year. At the conclusion of the evening, a number of parents participated in a
Forum on how to best assist students in their studies and results. Again the opportunity
to meet informally with teachers was appreciated by many.
I thank all parents who were able to attend these important evenings. In future editions
of The Beacon we will feedback information gathered at these forums.
From the Deputy Principal
Ms McDonald
Beacon Awards
The Beacon Award recognises achievements of our students. Selected students will be
presented with a certificate of commendation and their names will be published in each
edition of The Beacon. A maximum of 5 students per level may be recognised each
fortnight. The criteria is:
 Evidence of learning which is consistently exemplary or displays great
improvement
 An action performed by a student(s) that supports the Catholic ethos of the school
 Evidence of behaviour which is consistently exemplary or displays great
improvement
 Active and purposeful involvement in a College or community event
Year 12
Year 11
Year 10
Year 9
Year 8
Year 7
Austin Deppeler, Kyle Thomas, Michael Lloyd
Kaitlyn Mercieca, Marko Vekic, Corey Potter, Tayla Bonnett
Elizabeth Howell, Mahlee Langdon, Yohannes Michael, Natasha Andrew, Caitlin Mudford
Shahreen Khan, Jasmine Wilson, James Mallia, Drashti Shah
Rhys Bennett; Selena Luu; Deng Dut
Chaileen Carredo, Roshal Gupta
From the Senior Director
Mr Scarlata
Accessing Information About Your Child’s Learning Through PAM
As you are aware, information about your child’s learning such as assessment dates,
feedback comments from teachers, homework and results, can all be accessed through
the Parent Access Module (PAM).
Reports are Delivered to Parents Via PAM
Subject Progress Reports will be released and available for parents to view on March
11. The Reports indicate the academic progress of the students and the degree to which
students are working in class and attending to the learning requirements of the subject.
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
The dates for the first Parent/Student/Teacher Conference are listed below. The
meetings with teachers will take place in the Bruce Runnalls Middle Years Centre.
Online bookings for the interviews can be accessed from Friday March 11. We welcome
parents to contact their child’s subject teachers throughout the Term
Date
Wednesday March 23
Thursday March 24
Time
3.50pm – 5.30pm
6.30pm – 8.30pm
8.30am – 10.30am
11.00am – 12.30pm
From the Director of Catholic Identity
Ms Berardinelli
The Archbishop’s Conversation with Student Leaders
Our College Captains and Vice Captains will attend the annual Archbishop’s
Conversation with Student Leaders on Friday March 11 at St Bernard's College,
Essendon. This gathering will be an opportunity to bring together senior student leaders
from Catholic Secondary schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne to provide them
with an opportunity to discuss and reflect on their roles as young Catholic leaders today.
This year’s conversation will be centred on the theme “Be merciful, just as your heavenly
Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36) and will invite young people to reflect upon and respond
to Pope Francis’ call for a “Year of Mercy.” The gathering provides an opportunity for
Archbishop Hart to speak with the students and will include time for prayer and small
group discussion. Before returning to their own College communities, a blessing and
commissioning of the student leaders will be held.
Mr Burn, College Chaplain, will accompany our students whilst also participating in a
special staff information session during the day. What makes this event special is that
parts of the day will be recorded to help create a resource for the Archbishop’s
Pentecost Letter, which can be found at the end of this newsletter, something that we
look forward to using in our very own College Pentecost Liturgy on May 17.
Catholic Education Week
We celebrate Catholic Education Week from March 15 to 22, focussing on the theme
“Be the face of mercy” inspired by Pope Francis’ Holy Year of Mercy. “The church is the
house that welcomes all and refuses no one. Its doors remain wide open, so that those
touched by the grace of mercy and can find the certainty of forgiveness." (Pope Francis)
This is a special week to open our hearts to receive the blessing and the mercy of God.
As a College community we look forward to hosting many activities such as a morning
tea, Community Mass, workshops, fundraising activities and a Parish visual display at
St James Church. One of the highlights will be attending the Mass of St Patrick for
Schools, Concert and a Colloquium which will be held on Thursday March 17. Our
College Vinnies Conference will attend this special gathering with our neighbouring
Catholic primary schools whilst joining representatives of students and teachers from
Catholic schools around Melbourne.
Catholic Education Week allows us to stop and think about our achievements in Catholic
Education and remind us to entrust in the Mother of Mercy, because she looks to us
with her gaze and watches over our way. The more we celebrate, the more we enable
this Holy Year to be a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God.
Catholic Education Week Community Mass
An invitation to all our College and parish community to come together to celebrate this
significant occasion with relevant prayers, readings and music. It will be held on Friday
March 18 at 9.00am in the College Chapel.
A Spirit of Mercy - Yin Yan Yoga Workshop
On Wednesday March 16 from 3.45pm to 5.00pm in the Bruce Runnalls Middle Years
Centre we will hold a workshop to initiate deep relaxation of the body and mind;
beneficial to help balance out the busyness of life and allows the body to really let go
and just be. It is a great way to unwind from a busy day and take time for yourself and
reflect on the challenge Pope Francis calls upon us – to be people of love, compassion
and forgiveness. Please RSVP to anne.berardinelli@thomascarr.vic.edu.au
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social
achievements of women past, present and future. This year marks 105 years since the
first International Women's Day. To celebrate this occasion on Tuesday March 8 we
host a ‘Women’s Student Leadership Breakfast’ at the Catholic Education Western
Regional Office from 8.30am-10.00am. We are proud to invite all our female student
leaders to join together over a delicious breakfast for an early morning opportunity to
celebrate this annual event. The breakfast will also include prayer and time to engage
is some worthy awareness activities.
The theme of International Women’s Day 2016 is the elimination of violence against
women and girls. It focuses on the work that needs to be done to promote the prevention
of violence against women in the Asia Pacific region. Bringing our event to life, we will
decorate our venue with purple balloons and specially designed International Women’s
Day posters, factsheets and place cards. The College has also purchased each female
student an International Women’s Day purple ribbon to wear with pride. Every ribbon
sold supports UN Women’s work to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Year 8 Reflection Days
To complement the Year 8 Religious Education program and main formative RE
assessment task for Year 8 students during our Lenten Term, we will require all Year 8
students to attend a Reflection Day. The day will commence with a visit to the Jewish
Museum of Australia which will show how practising Jews live the Jewish parts of their
lives daily, yearly and throughout the life cycle. The afternoon session will conclude with
an interactive workshop on campus facilitated by ‘Values for Life’ exploring issues of
identity, peer pressure, resilience, friendship and what healthy community entails.
Homeroom
Date
8 Blue and 8 Silver
Wednesday March 2 2016
8 Green and 8 Gold
Thursday March 3 2016
8 White and 8 Jade
Wednesday March 9 2016
8 Purple and 8 Red
Thursday March 10 2016
All students were issued with a permission slip via their Religious Education teacher in
early February however, all copies of forms can be accessed via PAM.
College Sacramental Program
We are pleased to announce the seven students who will form part of our College
Sacramental Program for 2016. Congratulations to: Lleyton D’Rozario, Aidan Ianniello,
Teal Kidder, Daniel Lian, Connor McLennan, Kayla Salmons and Joel Goullet
We will host a parent information evening on Tuesday March 8 at 7.30pm in our College
Chapel. However, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Friday July 29
at St James Church and the Sacramental of Reconciliation and Eucharist will be
arranged with Fr Jude Pirotta at a later date. I thank our College Chaplain Mr Burn in
advance for his work with this program that works alongside our local parishes.
Year 11 Reflection Day
On Tuesday February 16, our Year 11 students heard from a range of different speakers
on their Reflection Day offering them a sound foundation to the various topics they will
study over the course of 2016 in their RE classes. Each session offered students’
valuable and insightful information on Catholic ethical thinking, Aboriginal spiritually and
religious experience.
Our morning workshop welcomed Fr Nicholas Pearce who was representing ‘Catholic
Voices’. ‘Catholic Voices’ was established by a team of lay Catholics to put the Church’s
case in the public eye, especially through the media, social media and other public
engagements. Fr Pearce positively shed light on the Catholic Church’s teachings and
position, especially concerning the ‘Hot Button’ issues. The workshop was engaging
and participatory.
The next workshop was certainly a powerful one. Scott Darlow, an Australian
singer/songwriter based in Melbourne, successfully used his music as a tool to open the
hearts and minds of our students. Scott spoke to our students about Indigenous culture
and challenged them to help facilitate reconciliation and understanding. Through
student feedback, it was obvious that students were deeply moved by this session and
felt Scott was blessed with the ability to connect, inspire and educate them on
indigenous culture.
The Youth Mission Team (YMT) concluded our day with the theme of ‘Self Image’.
Students engaged in personal sharing, ice breakers and role plays allowing them to
more fully appreciate their uniqueness and worth. The day concluded with a beautiful
candle ceremony where students could lay forth their personal intentions.
May the light of God brighten our journey in as we re-vision our discipleship in Mercy.
May the vision of Jesus for reflective living and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit persuade
us of the need to work collaboratively so that together we may “see clearly” May the
blessing † of God: Creator, Teacher and Guide descend upon each one of us during
this week of mercy and remain with us forever. Amen
From the Social Justice Co-ordinator
Ms Dagmang
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday, popularly known as ‘Pancake Tuesday’, is the last day of forgiveness
before Christians traditionally move into a 40 day period of abstinence that marks the
lead up to Easter. It takes its name from the word "shrive", meaning to confess and seek
absolution.
The College Vinnies Conference, together with staff and volunteers, served pancakes
and hot chocolate on Tuesday February 9. The amount of $277 was donated to Caritas
Australia Project Compassion Appeal. This was just the beginning of our effort towards
the annual Caritas Lenten fundraising and awareness raising appeal to help end
poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
We look forward to our community’s support in all succeeding fundraisers and
awareness campaigns throughout the Lenten Term. If you wish to put forward your
personal donations, please use the following link:
https://secure.caritasfundraising.org.au/registrant/teamSummary.aspx?EventID=1125
0&LangPref=en-CA&RegistrationID=623339
College Vinnies Conference Servant Leadership Day
Written by Social Justice Captain Emily Bradley
On Friday February 12, the 2016 Social Justice and Liturgy Captains, along with several
volunteers, came together to experience the second annual Vinnie’s Conference
Servant Leadership Day. Together, the team worked to put their “faith in action” by not
only speaking of good works, but also acting upon their words to minimise the effects of
injustices within our society. The team consists of students varying from Years 7 to 12
who are dedicated to offering support to those in need by organising fundraisers as well
as by raising awareness about issues that affect real people every day. Throughout the
year, the team will work together to ensure that they carry the loving spirit of Christ within
them and encourage others to do the same.
The day began with a Mass in the College Chapel celebrated by Fr Jude. During his
homily, Fr Jude used Pope Francis as an example of how we should strive to live our
lives. He spoke about making small changes in our lives in order to live with humility
and kindness. It was humbling to see the students really get involved in the liturgical
celebration and take on board what Fr Jude was sharing with them. Fr Jude then gave
the team a commissioning blessing before they moved to the Seminar Room for a
general induction.
The conference had the privilege of spending two periods with the Youth Mission Team
Melbourne (YMT), who led them in fun activities and prayer time. The activities allowed
students to reflect on what their ideas of leadership were and what they could offer as
servant leaders. The YMT volunteers were very insightful and helpful when it came to
discussing ideas, ensuring that it was a safe space for students to express their
thoughts. After they had participated in the activities, students were able to reflect on
and explore the leadership qualities that they saw in themselves and each wrote their
own personal prayer; these were laid in front of an image of Jesus as a symbol of
surrendering themselves to Him and as a way to pledge to use their gifts to serve Him.
To conclude the Servant Leadership Day, the team held their first official College
Vinnie’s Conference meeting. Each student was able to share their own ideas and
discuss their passion for seeking justice. The day was a huge success and really
inspired the conference members to put their “faith in action”. A huge thank you to Ms
Berardinelli, Ms Dagmang and Mr Burn for leading the day, the YMT for helping the
students understand what leadership really means and finally, to the students who made
the effort to participate in the day and share their passion for justice.
Caritas Just Leadership Day
What sort of world do you want? What talents and skills are needed to make the world
better?” Two initial big questions that the student leaders from 5 different secondary
schools tackled when they attended the Caritas Australia Secondary Just Leadership
Day at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday February 15.
Thomas Carr College, together with Parade College, Bundoora, St Monica’s College,
Epping, Our Lady of Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh, and De La Salle College,
Malvern, looked deeply into the many issues relating to social justice and that
preferential option for the poor is the key to creating change. In its 50 years of
celebration, Project Compassion focuses on the importance of sharing knowledge
through education and training programs.
Megan Bourke, the Caritas Australia facilitator, enlightened all participants about the
story behind the Project Compassion awareness campaign posters. She said that the
featured pictures captured their best moments, not only to promote justice, but also to
uphold their dignity. To continue the Caritas mission, Megan emphasised two things to
make fundraising awareness campaigns at schools effective: good leadership and
effective campaign strategies.
In the day’s workshops, the student leaders engaged in group discussions such as who
among the great leaders would they like to invite for dinner and why. They pinpointed
the qualities of great leaders that they would like to emulate. They analysed and
critiqued previous Project Compassion campaign posters in the hope that they could
apply these techniques in making effective campaign awareness advertisements at
their respective schools.
In subsidiarity with the communities in Malawi and Uganda, the participants used scrap
materials to build tippy-tap, an ingenious way of providing a hand wash after toilet use.
This activity was followed with action planning that does not only focus on the
fundraising but more importantly the awareness raising action part of it.
The session ended with an inspirational song by Beyoncé ‘I was Here’, which she
performed on World Humanitarian Day 2012. It encourages each one to inspire people
all over the world to do something good, no matter big or small, for someone else. During
this Lentern season, use your compassion to create change, here and elsewhere.
From the Director of Student Services
Mrs McCarthy
Positive Choices: New Online Portal for Accessing Drug and Alcohol Information
Harmful drug and alcohol use by young people continues to be a significant concern for
most parents and school staff. Many young people are able to make a smooth transition
from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood, however, others struggle and
find themselves engaging in risky behaviours such as excessive alcohol consumption.
Research has shown that it is possible to reduce the risks of harmful drug and alcohol
use by building up certain protective factors in young people. Young people are more
likely to resist harmful drug use if they:






feel a sense of belonging and fitting in at school
experience positive experiences and achievements at school
have someone outside the family who believes in them
have opportunities to be an active contributor in their school and community
feel loved and respected
have a religious or spiritual connectedness
Together, families, schools and communities can reduce the risks and increase these
protective factors in young people. By working together, we are able to prevent harmful
drug use and to improve the wellbeing of all members of our community.
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of NSW,
commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health, has developed the
Positive Choices online drug prevention portal. It is freely accessible to schools,
teachers, parents and students across Australia.
Positive Choices provides a central access point for school based drug prevention
resources and information linked to the Australian curriculum. The Positive Choices
portal enables parents and teachers to provide credible, evidence-based information on
illicit drugs to students. It also includes how to approach conversations with young
people and when and how to intervene across the school years.
If you would like to learn more about how to talk to your children about underage drinking
and substance abuse, I would encourage you to visit the Positive Choices portal.
Late last year, the College reviewed its Drug Education Policy. Please refer to the
College website to read this policy or contact me on 8734 2444 if you have any concerns
or queries.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
On Monday February 15, Student Counsellor, Ms Georgey, arranged a morning tea for
our students and parents who are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
backgrounds. Ms Georgey provided a lot of important information about the range of
support services available to meet the educational and cultural needs of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students. It was also a great opportunity for parents and students
to discuss professional learning activities to assist with the implementation of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within the College and also suggestions for
appropriate cultural activities such as National Reconciliation Week (celebrated last
week), and International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. Special thanks to Ms
Georgey for coordinating this event and for the ongoing work she provides in this area.
From the Careers Co-ordinator
Ms Kristina Covacci
Year 10 2016 Work Experience Program
Preparations for the Year 10 Work Experience program are well and truly underway. On
Friday February 5 all Year 10 students received an Important Dates calendar to remind
them of the Work Experience timeline. A friendly reminder that all Work Experience
arrangement forms are due by Thursday March 10 2016.
The Careers Team understands that for many students and parents, arranging work
experience and meeting the deadline can be a daunting process. The following simple
steps below may provide assistance in finding a placement.
 Identify the interest of the student
 Talk with family and friends to identify if they know any employers that would be
willing to take a Work Experience student. The majority of placements come about
through a known contact or previous relationship
 Look on the College Work Experience Employer database located on SIMON which
lists employers that students have been placed at in the past. This can be located
by on SIMON>Knowledge Banks>Careers & Pathways>Work Experience
2016>Work Experience Employer Database
 Arrange a time to meet with a member of the Careers Team to discuss further
options
Year 12 Individual Career Appointments
Throughout the Lenten Term all Year 12 students will meet with a member of the
Careers Team for an individual Careers Counselling appointment. This appointment is
aimed at providing guidance on post school options, application processes, key dates
and how the careers team can be of assistance to the students throughout the year.
If you have any further questions regarding either the Year 10 Work Experience
Program or the Year 12 Individual Career Counselling Appointments, please feel free
to contact a member of the Career Team either via email or phone.
Airline Pilot Workshop
Flight Academy Australia is pleased to offer a three day program giving you a start in
an exciting career in Aviation. These workshops provide a priceless opportunity when
considering you career in Aviation.
For further details please go to www.flyfaa.com.au
From the Student Wellbeing Team
Mrs Janicki
What’s the Big Deal? Talking to Teens about Gambling
For most people, most of the time, gambling is innocent fun with no negative
consequences, however, for some (including around 30,000 Victorians), gambling ruins
lives. Working out who will develop a problem with gambling is not an exact science,
however, what prevention experts know is that like with drugs and alcohol, the earlier in
life a person begins to gamble, the more likely they are to develop a problem later in
life. This is why evidence that a growing number of adolescents are gambling, is a
concern. Experts say underage gambling does not automatically lead to problems with
gambling, however, they say adolescents are more vulnerable because they: have less
impulse control or capacity to understand the risks, are more likely to think they are
going to win, think they can predict winners in sport when they cannot and are less able
to be critical about or resist advertising.
Quick Facts
 One in five adults with gambling problems started gambling before they were 18
 Boys are more likely to gamble, place bigger bets and develop problems rather than
girls
 Parents’ behaviour and values affect how children feel about gambling but the family
structure and income do not
 Adolescents who gamble are four times more likely to have a gambling problem as
adults
 3% to 4% of adolescents have problems with gambling; that’s 1 in every Secondary
school class of 25 students
 Sports betting advertising reportedly increased by 300% between 2010 and 2012
 In 2012 there were 20,000 sports betting advertisements on Free to Air television
Gambling has always been risky but some experts believe increasing accessibility and
new ways of gambling, such as internet gambling, are making it more risky. This is
especially so for adolescents who do not always think about the consequences of their
actions. Traditional gambling has built-in barriers (eg gambling venues are only open
certain hours, you have to be over 18, you have to travel to a race track or TAB) that do
not remove the risk altogether, but can slow down and limit the amount lost. With newer
forms of gambling all you need is a smart phone and an online banking account and
you can spend a week’s pay in just a few minutes.
New Forms of Gambling
The Internet has changed our world in so many ways, including gambling. Today you
can gamble online at a real or virtual casino anywhere in the world, anytime, day or
night. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are now bringing virtual, as well as
real, gambling and advertising about gambling, to anyone who has a smart phone and
an account.
What You Need to Know About the Internet and Gambling:
 Facebook links from friends can contain links to gambling sites
 Very young children have accidentally spent thousands on Mum or Dad’s smart
phone or tablet on credits for virtual games
 Some simulated gambling apps deliver prizes at a higher rate than real gambling
games, which makes people think they will win more often than playing in the real
world
 If a Facebook friend ‘likes’ a gaming site, a link to that site could end up on your
son/daughter’s newsfeed
Signs that an adolescent might be having problems with Gambling
 Showing signs of depression (including isolation from friends)
 Obsession with simulated gaming apps and games
 Spending lots of time talking or thinking about gambling
 Obsessing about odds when watching a sport, instead of focusing on the game
 Lying or being secretive about gambling activities
 Missing school or grades falling due to time spent gambling
 Continuing to gamble to win back the money they have lost
Talking to young people about gambling gives them a chance to understand what
gambling is all about so they are able to make better choices down the track. Use these
conversation starters to talk to your son/daughter about gambling.
 Did you know Facebook now has gambling?
 Is gambling advertising changing the way you enjoy sport?
 How many different ways to gamble are there?
 Is gambling more ‘in your face’ than ever?
 Why are more opportunities to gamble a problem?
 What impact is gambling advertising having on young people?
 Is peer pressure about gambling increasing?
If you or someone you care about has an issue with gambling, have a question or are
looking for further information; confidential, professional, free advice and support is
available at:
 Gambler’s Help 1800 858 858
 Gambler’s Help Youthline 1800 262 376
 www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
 the Thomas Carr College Wellbeing Team are also able to help
From the Head of Senior School
Mrs Knurek
Pastoral Care
Thomas Carr College places a strong emphasis on individual student's development
and growth as a person. Parents and students are encouraged to utilise the resources
provided by the College for assistance and support in achieving shared objectives in
both the academic and co-curricular life of the school. The College has three Student
Counsellors who can assist students with problems that affect their study and/or of a
personal nature. The Pastoral Care program is delivered by Homeroom teachers and
developed by the team of Year Level Co-ordinators and Heads of School and is based
around a number of themes.
 Healthy Relationships - cyber, sexual harassment, workplace bullying, same sex
relationships, annual safety survey, conflict resolution (restorative practices), social
emotional intelligence, Harmony Day, National Sorry Day
 Being effective learners - time management/study skills/exam preparation
 Healthy lifestyles - safe partying, drugs, alcohol, smoking, mental health, physical
health, driver education
 Resilience - stress management, loss and grief
 Pathways/Careers - careers/subject selection/careers expos, leadership and
opportunities to develop leadership skills
A number of guest presenters adds to the strength of the program.
In the Senior School, our Pastoral Care program in the first week of March will focus on
Healthy Relationships and, in particular, violence against women. This is an issue of
great concern in Australian society, with the violent deaths of 63 women and children at
the hands of family members in the past year. In Victoria in 2015, there were more than
70,000 family violence incidents attended by police. Year 12s are fortunate to have a
guest speaker from Caritas on Friday March 4 to mark International Women’s Day,
which falls on March 8 each year. Evidence shows that the rates of violence against
women are lower in countries where women achieve greater equality with men.
Year 11 Debutante Balls
A number of Year 11 students have indicated they intend to participate in a Debutante
Ball this year. Whilst we acknowledge the importance of these occasions for students
as a “coming of age” and a sign of developing maturity, we are concerned that it does
not interrupt their academic pursuits. Students are asked to register the date of their
own debutante evening with the Year Level Coordinators, Ms Goodman and Mr Peszko.
We also ask for parents to write or email me at the College to provide an official notice
that their child is being presented on this night (eg a copy of the list of debutants or letter
from the organiser. Once this is received, we will excuse your daughter from the College
on this day. Should we not receive this notification, the normal College rules and
expectations will apply.
This applies only to the girls being presented- not to students attending as guests on
the night. We have been advised about the requirements/needs for the boys being
presented and provided they supply a note from a parent, they will be dismissed at
lunchtime. It is the responsibility of the student to advise their teachers prior to the event
and to catch up on any missed work.
Study Habits
The key to success at the senior level, whether it is in VCE or VCAL, is a combination
of hard work and excellent study habits. Time management is the key to successful
studying. Maximising efficiency when you study results in more free time for other
activities. The following habits will help:
 Have a quiet work area free from interruption
 Set yourself goals (short term, medium term and long term, as they help keep you
focussed and motivated)
 Keep a record of all work that is required and when it is due in
 Begin work when it is set and work consistently from that time. Allow enough time to
complete each task.
 Make a list of priorities so you know which tasks come first
 Organise your time so that nothing is left to the last minute
 If you have large amounts of work to learn, break it up into chunks of information and
use highlighters for each section to help them stand out.
Study Periods
The College expects all senior students to be independent learners. When students
have a study lesson timetabled, the College expects that quiet and private study will
take place in the Information Centre. All students must attend Homeroom at 8.40am
each morning.
Attendance
All students are reminded that they are required to remain at the College for the entire
school day. Students who have turned 18 are not permitted to sign themselves out at
lunchtimes or when they have study periods. Students who have been dropped off by
their parents or have arrived independently, are not free to leave the school grounds of
their own accord for any reason; this includes visiting the local shopping centre. No
student is permitted to leave the College grounds to purchase their lunch.
From the Head of Middle School
Mr le Roux
Year 7 Orientation Camp
Year 7s have had an amazing time on camp so far and there are now only two
Homerooms left to experience the Orientation Camp. Students have had so much fun
and the feedback from Coragulac staff and their Homeroom teachers has been
nothing but overwhelmingly positive. Below are a few response and photos of their
time so far.
My highlights of Year 7 camp were getting to know the class and staff there, but most
of all seeing everyone have a go at archery. I enjoyed spending time in the rec room
playing table tennis. The staff were extremely welcoming, kind and supportive. The food
was delicious. Overall the camp was a good experience, we got to play games with our
Homeroom teacher and class mates. But most of all spend time away from home!
Yelena Walton
Camp was the best! We had fun activities like canoeing especially after which we
jumped in the water with our clothes and shoes on. Or chef made delicious food for us
including lasagne, chips and salad on the first night followed up a night later with a
barbeque. We had our Year 9s Jess and Jasmine come and assist us throughout the
camp and we got to know them and they got to know us. We had our amazing teacher
Ms Diaz suggest we play Capture the Flag. IT WAS FUN!! The activities were canoeing,
archery, fishing, capture the flag, the animal game, orienteering and other fun activities.
The amazing people who looked after and ran this camp were Joe, Dane, Mr Diamond
and Debbie. We had the best fun at camp and cannot wait until the next time we go in
Year 9 for 3 weeks - double the time double the fun! Christopher Fuiono
Year 8 Shine Program
As part of the 2016 Year 8 Shine Program all Year 8 Homerooms engage in different
activities to challenge us and help us to get to know our fellow students. On Monday
February 15, 8 Green and 8 Jade went to Ocean Grove to learn how to surf.
We met the instructors from Go-ride-a-wave, who gave us our wetsuits and boards. We
then all met on the beach in small groups for our lesson. The instructors were very clear
and easy going. We learnt how to paddle correctly and ‘pop-up’ correctly which made it
really easy for us to surf. The instructors were really good as most of us managed to
stand up, even if just for a couple of seconds! The awesome thing about surfing, which
most of us liked, was the feeling of riding the wave; it’s hard to describe the feeling, but
it was amazing but what made it better is that you were doing it with your friends. A lot
of us had fun falling off our surfboards and accidentally swallowing the salty water!
The highlight was surfing of course, as it involved swimming, catching waves and
colliding into other people! Going surfing was a fun thing to do and we all wish that we
could have stayed longer. It was especially great to be out in the sun and getting to
know the people in our Homerooms. Overall surfing was a great experience for all of us
and we would definitely do it again.
We would like to thank the Year 8 YLCs for organising the program for us and for all the
homeroom teachers and staff who participated and helped us throughout the program.
Tom Newland and Amy Virgona
It was a great chance for the classes to learn a new skill and be able to say that they
had surfed. The staff at ‘Go ride a wave’ were very supportive and friendly; we were
able to archive what we wanted with their help. The two classes had a blast and for
some it was there first time ever going to the beach. Surfing was a great new experience
for many and some people even managed to stand up on the board and ride a wave. In
the end we were all wishing we could do this again some time soon given all the fun we
had. Overall the day was a success and the classes were able to learn about each other
in a fun and relaxed environment. Lily Joesika
Community News
Uniform Shop
Don’t leave it till last minute! Organise your Winter Uniform now! No need to make an
appointment as we are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:15am to 4:00pm.
The Uniform Shop will be closed Monday March 12 for the Labour Day holiday. Except
for the dates listed below the Uniform Shop will close for Lentern Term holidays on
Wednesday March 23 at 4.00pm. Over the holidays we will be open Friday April 8 and
Monday April 11 from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Normal trading days will resume from Wednesday the April 13. Any questions please
phone Michelle on 9749 5969.
National Ride2School Day
This year Ride2School Day will be held on Friday March 4. The day offers an opportunity
for families to celebrate getting active on the journey to and from school. Riding,
scooting and walking to school supports students to achieve the recommended
minimum daily physical activity level of 60 minutes for children. This is in line with
Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines from the Australian
Government Department of Health.
PAM Information Workshops
Thomas Carr College invites all new and existing parents to a PAM Information
Workshop. This workshop will help you learn how to navigate through PAM (Parent
Access Module) and where to look for important information about your child’s progress
at school. Workshops will be held on Monday March 7 from 9.15am to 10.40am or
Thursday March 10 from 6.30pm to 7.45pm in Computer Lab (M15), Bruce Runnalls
Middle Years’ Centre. Parents will only need to attend one session.
For further information and to reserve your place, contact Geralyn McCarthy on 8734
2414.
Missionaries of Mercy
Lenten Pastoral Letter for the Jubilee Year of Mercy
Dear Friends,
This Lent, 2016, we are in the midst of a special Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis is calling each of
us to deepen our baptismal vocation. We are being sent forth to be 'missionaries of mercy' in a
world which desperately needs the Good News of the Gospel.
As we enter into this special Jubilee, let us first ponder the Word of God, so as to become credible
and joyful witnesses.
Two parables are especially worthy of our reflection - The Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan.
1. Let us repent and change our hearts!
But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and
put his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:28
As we ponder the Word of God we cannot avoid examining our own hearts. If we honestly face our
sins and limitations and confess them, we will open ourselves to the grace of God. If it is just up to us
then we are in real trouble!
Think of the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Jesus uses the image of a father's love to illustrate God's mercy. The human bond between a father
and son is one that reaches deep into the heart. It is a love that is often beyond words.
In this image, the son who was 'lost' has begun to turn his life around. From deepest darkness and
shame, he returns to the embrace of his father's love. The parable has so many meanings for us but
it firstly calls each of us to confess that we are in need of God's mercy. We are all sinners. A deep
acceptance of this is the critical first step. We begin our Jubilee Year of Mercy by honestly examining
ourselves before God and, like the Prodigal Son, repenting of our sins.
An extraordinary blessing of our Catholic tradition is that forgiveness, healing and mercy are readily
accessible in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In his recent book, His Name is Mercy, our Holy
Father reminds us precisely why this Sacrament is so vital for our souls.
If you are not capable of talking to your brother about your mistakes, you can be sure that
you can't talk about them with God, either, and therefore you end up confessing into the
mirror, to yourself. We are social beings; forgiveness has social implications; my sins wound
mankind, my brothers and sisters, and society as a whole. Confessing to a priest is a way of
putting my life into the hands and hearts of someone who in that moment acts in the name
of Jesus. (21-22)
No wonder the Holy Father is constantly reminding us of the need for the Sacrament of Penance as
a regular feature of our own faith journey. Pope Francis gives the lead through personal witness!
So pray and confess for mercy




2.
Intentionally pray the Lord's Prayer/Our Father and make a personal act of contrition each
week during the Year of Mercy.
Explore the Sacrament of Reconciliation times locally and attend, especially in your own or
nearby parish or at St Patrick's Cathedral (www.cam.org.au/Church-inMelbourne/Parishes-Mass-Times/melbourne-cathedral;
Visit St Francis' Church in the City to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during these
times:
Tuesday - Thursday: 11.30 am - 2.00 pm; 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Friday: 7.30 am - 8.30 am; 11.30 am - 2.00 pm; 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Saturday: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm; 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Make a list of ten ways you have felt / received the Mercy of God in your life - give thanks!
Boldly take risks to act for mercy now!
But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved
with pity. Luke 10:33
Renewed and refreshed by the experience of honestly placing our own lives before the Lord's mercy,
we are called to spread mercy, especially to the needy and to those who 'lose out' in our society.
The 'door' the parable of the Good Samaritan takes us through is one of direct action and concrete
acts of mercy. In this parable Jesus uses the image of a foreigner to illustrate what mercy truly
means. The neighbours we are commanded to love and show mercy towards include those who are
not of our own faith or nationality, and gives first preference to those on the margins of our Church
and society.
In Melbourne there are many people showing us the way forward to undertake this action. Let us
imitate and join with these witnesses of mercy. Blessed are they who 'walk' with others rather than
'talk' at them. If anything is going to evangelise others, it is such witness!
So pray and act for mercy





'Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them' (Hebrews 13:3). Keep
those in prison, their families, those who work with them and those who minister to them, on
your personal prayer list. Pray and learn more about Catholic Prison Ministry Victoria.
They do not 'pass by'. Prisoners are very often the 'poorest of the poor' - caught up in a
tragic spiral of violence. Respond from your heart. Contact cpmvic@ccam.org.au.
Support the St Vincent de Paul Society, the lay association with the sacred mission of
'clothing the naked', feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless here in Melbourne.
Volunteer as a member of your local Vinnies.
Give generously this Lent to Caritas Australia's Project Compassion Appeal.
Continue to reach out and seek justice and healing for indigenous people.
Offer hospitality and compassion to refugees as they struggle to adapt to their new
situations.
A final reminder: The Jubilee Year of Mercy is a moment of Grace for Melbourne Catholics. Let us
take up these two simple challenges of this Lenten Pastoral Letter:
Repent and change our hearts!
Boldly take risks to act for mercy now!
Mercy and tenderness are not optional extras in Catholicism but its very soul. Thank God, Pope
Francis is continually calling all of us - as disciples - to reach out and show mercy, especially to those
on the peripheries of our lives and our culture.
A final thought: Are we as Melbourne Catholics merciful and tender enough with each other in our
communities and parishes?
During Lent may we continue to encourage our wonderful parishes and people who minister and
witness daily to the tender mercy of our God.
Let us walk together and 'walk faster' on a grace-filled pilgrimage in the Holy Year of Mercy. We
are sent by Jesus to be missionaries of mercy to all our sisters and brothers.
I wish you the blessing that Lent will speak to us - Jesus in our heart, mind and deeds.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
ARCHBISHOP OF MELBOURNE