News &
Events

The commencement of Term Two has offered us many opportunities to reflect.   

On Sunday 21 April we held our College Open Day. It was a highly successful day that showcased our welcoming, vibrant community. Over 500 people explored our facilities and chatted to students and staff, whilst enjoying student musical performances and learning about the various programs on offer at the College. The day allowed us to reflect on, and celebrate, the many great things that happen across the College every day. It is a privilege to be considered by families as their children’s secondary school of choice. 

Our work with local families continued this week, as we commenced our Grade 5 visits to the Parish Primary Schools in our area. These visits see Year 7 students returning to their primary schools to share their Thomas Carr experiences with the Grade 5s. 

This term we have also welcomed some new staff to our community – 

• Lisa Menzel – Student Counsellor 
• Jewel Thomas – Student Counsellor 
• Naveet Alukah – Science Teacher 
• Hugh Suckling – HPE Teacher 
• Fariya Nisha – Food Studies Teacher 
• Dominic Mete – English Teacher 
• Gabriella McGregor – Tutor 
• Masa Jovanovic – LSO 

At the end of Term One, we wished Justine Surrao (Student Counsellor) all the best as she commenced Maternity Leave. We also farewelled Anne Englebretsen (English Teacher). 

I am very pleased to report that Term Two begins with us in a very good position with the majority of classes staffed. I would like to extend my thanks to Andrew Bryson, Deputy Principal: Staff & Operations, and Natalie Matiszak, Director of Operations, for their work with recruitment and timetabling. 

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” 
John 15:13 

ANZAC Day provides us with the opportunity to remember the sacrifice and courage shown by those who have served and died in wars and conflicts around the world. 

On Sunday 21 April, our students participated in the Werribee RSL Pre-ANZAC Day March. During this service they each represented a departed veteran. 

We continue our partnership with the Malaya & Borneo Veterans’ Association through our support for them at the state ANZAC Day March and our College Remembrance Service. Seven of our students joined the Malaya & Borneo Veterans’ Association to march on Thursday representing those who are no longer able to participate. Students carried the Association’s banner along with the Malaysian and Australian flags. It was an incredible honour for our students to support the veterans and participate in such a significant commemorative event. 

On Tuesday, we also hosted the Malaya & Borneo Veterans’ Association for a Remembrance Service which all our students and staff attended. It was a very solemn occasion that provided an opportunity for reflection and the chance to show our gratitude to these important members of our community.  

They shall grow not old, 
as we that are left grow old; 
Age shall not weary them, 
nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun 
and in the morning.
We will remember them. 
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

As May commences, we take the time to recognise and honour Mary, Mother of God. May is traditionally dedicated to honouring Mary and the important role she, and other women, play in our faith. Through our devotion to Mary, we acknowledge how our relationships with women enrich our lives and how we are drawn closer to God through the example of Mary. We give thanks to our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, colleagues and women friends for the special way they bring the virtues of Mary into our world. Mary is the Mother of the Church and therefore the example and inspiration to us all about the way to Jesus. 

Mother’s Day and our devotion to Mary also calls us to consider the injustices perpetrated against women in our world. The month of May is also Domestic and Family Violence Awareness. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is an annual event held each May to raise community awareness of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence and the support available for those affected. A matter that is at the forefront of our attention at the moment. 

Our schools play an important role in the prevention of social problems such as domestic and family violence. As a Catholic school, we want to form active citizens for whom the morality and the long-term impact of their actions is a major consideration. 

We want to produce young adults for whom virtues like love, compassion and justice are not just good manners, but are lifelong values. Knowledge by itself is not enough; proper human formation demands that the acquisition of knowledge be joined to the teachings of the Catholic Church and of developing good values and character. 

In the context of Mother’s Day and the month of Mary, we at Thomas Carr Catholic College, want to produce good young women and men who are not only good friends, partners, daughters and sons, mothers and fathers but who are also prepared to take a stand against social problems like domestic violence. 

I would like to wish all mothers and significant female within our villages a Happy Mother’s Day. 

Rose Connolly
Principal