News &
Events

Please click on the link below to view the Principals Term 1 Video Message to the College community:

This Sunday 28 May is the day of Pentecost, celebrated seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus; the Holy Spirit was poured out upon those followers of Jesus who had gathered together in Jerusalem. In Pentecost, God pours out the Spirit upon all who put their faith in Jesus Christ and become his disciples (see Romans 8:1-11).

Pentecost presents us with an opportunity to consider how we are living each day. Are we relying on the power of God’s Spirit? Are we an open channel for the Spirit’s gifts? Are we attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Pentecost offers a chance to confess our failure to live by the Spirit and to ask the Lord to fill us afresh with his power. We pray that the Holy Spirit empowers us to truly live and enact our College motto of ‘They Will Shine’.

Principal Announcement
I am delighted to announce that, following a rigorous search and selection process, the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) has appointed Ms Rose Connolly to the principalship at Thomas Carr College, commencing at the start of Term 3 this year.

Rose is currently Deputy Principal, Learning and Innovation, at Emmanuel College in Point Cook and Altona. Prior to working at Emmanuel, she held various leadership positions, including Director of Learning and Teaching, at De La Salle College in Malvern. Rose brings a strong sense of mission and moral purpose to this role, a track record of successful leadership and managing innovation and change. Rose has expertise in strategic improvement in learning and teaching, which will serve the Thomas Carr community well over the coming years.

I know you will all join me in welcoming Rose to Thomas Carr College and we look forward to meeting her and working in partnership with her during Semester Two and into the future.

Thomas Carr Day
On Friday 19 May we gathered to celebrate Thomas Carr Day.

We were blessed to have so many people involved in the planning, preparation and celebration the Thomas Carr Day Mass. We thank Bishop Martin Ashe, Auxiliary Bishop of the Western Region, for celebrating the Eucharist with our College community. We also thank him for his inspiring and enlightening homily and for taking time out of his busy ministry celebrate Mass with us. We also extend our thanks to Fr. Jude Pirotta MSSP for being the co-celebrant, his continued ministry of our College community and service to the Parish is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to the Director of Faith and Mission, Alexandra Higham, and the many staff involved in the preparation of the Thomas Carr Day Mass. We also thank Mr. Mathew Morse for organising the hymns, musical ensemble, choir and for the beautiful music, in singing God’s praise. We thank Assistant Principal Tom Bridges and Head of School Operations Natalie Matiszak for overseeing the logistics, set-up and movement of students and for their overall support and guidance. Thank you also to the College maintenance and administration team for assisting with the planning, set-up and for their attention to detail in all areas.

Thank you to the many staff and students involved in the Mass and who assisted with the many ministries including:

• Reading
• Music, including those playing musical instruments.
• Singing, including the Vocal Soloists
•  Processionists
• The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Altar Servers
 
As we celebrate Thomas Carr Day, we embrace the exciting challenges of the future while continuing to cherish and value the customs of our past, honouring and paying tribute to Archbishop Thomas Carr, our College namesake.

As we know, Thomas Carr College began in 1997 with just 72 Year 7 students, situated on a temporary site on Tarneit Road. The inaugural classes began in a very humble beginnings in old and borrowed portables with donated equipment being the only materials available for the staff and students, however, a great relationship between the staff and students emerged. These inaugural students went on to complete the College’s first VCE classes in 2002.

It is this spirit that has transformed Thomas Carr College from a small school into the large contemporary educational institution it is today. We are now surrounded by state-of-the-art buildings and facilities, well thought out gardens, sporting ovals and courts and passive recreation areas. We have also been increasing our presence in the international market. We have, for many years now, have sister school relationships with several schools in China and we eagerly look forward to hosting visits from these international students here later this year.

Partnership with Singapore
It is my pleasure to announce that Thomas Carr College has recently secured an exclusive agreement to be the first school in Victoria to have a sister school in Singapore. This school known as ‘Hitmaker Global Academy’ specialises in Music Performance, and we look forward to a bright and prosperous future working with this school.

New Senior School Building
I am excited to announce that the commencement of our new Senior School building project is scheduled to begin in Term 3 this year. This new building will house the senior students in 21 general purpose learning classrooms, as well as a Careers hub, senior student study venue and a state-of-the-art STEM centre. We look forward to the commencement of this project, the largest ever undertaken at Thomas Carr College.

National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all. Research shows large community support for the next steps in Australia’s reconciliation journey, including the Voice to Parliament, treaty making and truth-telling.

Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us. Learn more about National Reconciliation Week here

King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Please note that Monday 12 June is the King’s Birthday public holiday. Students will return to school on Tuesday 13 June. Please place this return to school date in your calendars.

Mr Jamie Madigan
Principal