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From the Deputy Principal, Strategic Development and Curriculum

28 July 2023

Welcome to our new Principal, Rose Connolly.

The Thomas Carr College community has been excited to ‘meet and greet’ and warmly welcome our new Principal, Rose Connolly. We are delighted with the appointment of the first female Principal who has quickly immersed herself into the College, getting to know students and staff. We are confident that the College is in great hands and that Rose will lead us into the future with much energy and enthusiasm to bring out the best in all.

At our Opening Assembly for Assumption Term on Tuesday 11 July, the staff and students presented gifts, on behalf of the College community, that symbolised the various aspect of her new role as a faith leader. On Wednesday 12 July a special Commissioning service was held in our College Chapel which was very moving and inspiring, as Rose takes on her first appointment as a Principal.

We look forward to working together with Ms Connolly as we continue to strive for excellence in all that we do.

Striving for Academic Excellence

Young Voices

Congratulations to Bussolami Bello and all of our students who participated and received recognition in the Australian Catholics Young Voices competition.

Thank you to all the Religious Education teachers who supported their students and to Ms Cecile Pitpit for writing the article featured today which celebrates the excellent achievements of our students in this Australia wide competition.

United Nations Simulation in Italian

Best wishes to the students in the Year 10 Italian class, their teacher Mr Alessandro Alesci and our Italian Language Assistant, Miss Giorgia Corradin who has been helping them prepare to present with students from VCE Italian classes across Victoria.

Thank you Miss Corradin for the article featured below on how the students are preparing for their presentation next week. We wish them all the very best and look forward to celebrating their successes.

VCE Holiday Revision Classes

We were very pleased with the number of students in attendance at VCE Revision Classes during the mid-year school holidays. Thank you to all our teachers who dedicated their time to running classes during the school holidays.

Our Year 12 cohort is now focussing on finalising school-based assessments and preparing for the final examinations that will commence in October. We encourage those who will be sitting the examinations to stay focussed and take advantage of all the opportunities for further revision and preparation.

In the first week of the September holidays, practice examinations will be scheduled as well as more revision classes to support those completing Unit 3 & 4 VCE studies.

VCE Peer Mentoring

Last Friday we met with the students who have formed study groups though our Peer Mentoring Program for students who are accelerating. It is imperative that we continue to maintain a growth mindset and always strive to do better. Teachers, tutors, school counsellors and careers advisors, are all keen to support our students. Please ensure you reach out and take full advantage of all the opportunities on offer to help our students to excel.

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. Maya Angelou, American Civil Rights Activist and Poet

Literacy

At our Monday afternoon staff workshop this week, some of our teachers shared strategies they have been implementing in the classroom to make the vocabulary associated with each topic more explicit. The power of words to unlock opportunities in life cannot be underestimated. One of our most important tasks as a College is to create articulate, well-rounded, critical thinkers who are ready to take their place in society.  Thank you to Ms Doman, Ms Bellair, Mr  Huynh and Mr Lucas for working with Ms Huculak to share your literacy strategies.

Looking Toward Future Pathways

Thank you to all the families who attended the Learning and Pathways Expo on Tuesday 18 July. All of the information has been distributed to students in Year 8 to 11 with regard to the options available to them and the timeline for subject selection.

The updated Curriculum Handbooks have been posted on SIMON and on the College Website. It is important to note that choices need to be well-informed as there will not be any opportunities to change classes next year. Families and students are reminded that this year we will have a two-week Headstart Program from 21 November to 5 December to begin the 2024 academic year.

Students of Italian at a simulation of the United Nations Assembly

On 1 August, students from Thomas Carr College will be taking part in the “Italian Language Model United Nation”. This event is organised and supported by the Victorian Department of Education and VATI, the Victorian Association of Teachers of Italian and the Italian Embassy in Australia.

Thomas Carr College will be represented by Year 10 Italian students studying a VCE topic, which is Ocean Conservation. During this event, students will represent different countries in the world in small groups, and they will discuss the issues related to the environment and protection of the oceans. Many students from different schools will attend this event and they will all have the chance to simulate a United Nation Convention.

Our students, representing Argentina, Morocco, and Turkey, are working in small groups to prepare a statement which they will present in front of all convention attendees. The goal of the convention is to debate and agree on a resolution to implement solutions to address the threats that marine ecosystems are facing.

The Year 10 students are really excited to take part in this event and it will be a great opportunity for them to practice and improve their Italian speaking and writing skills.

Ms Giorgia Corradin, Italian Language Assistant at Thomas Carr College

Lucy Angelico

Deputy Principal Strategic Development and Curriculum