Feast of Mary MacKillop 8 August
Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint, is a hero of our church and our nation for her life of service and powerful leadership. She established the Sisters of St Joseph order of Catholic nuns who became responsible for the education of many generations of Australian children, especially those from poor backgrounds. Her faith is a shining example of an 'Australian' way of being Catholic. As a school for girls and women, our College looks to Mary MacKillop as a very local expression of how God's power works through people to do good in our community.
Loving Father,
Through the example of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, may we learn to
recognise God’s will for us and trust in his providence.
May her life of service awaken in us a deep respect for the poor and a strong
will for justice.
May we share in her courage, see with the eyes of Christian love, and learn
from her holy deeds.
Amen.
7-10 Parent and Teacher Interviews - via Zoom Teleconferencing
This is a reminder that parents and carers of students in Years 7 to 10 need to book their interviews for August 14. Emails have been sent to parents containing details for how to book interviews and how to access the teachers via Zoom. If you have any concerns or questions please contact Mrs Karen Chester at the College or email kchester@parra.catholic.edu.au
Year 11 (2021) Subject Selection Meetings
A reminder that parents and carers of students in Year 10 are welcome to book a meeting to discuss any questions or concerns about subjects for year 11 study. Emails will be sent to parents this afternoon containing details about how to book these meetings which will also be held via Zoom on August 14.
Tell Them From Me Parent Survey 2020
Over the next few weeks we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. This is the third year we have used the Tell Them From Me survey which replaced the Quality Catholic Schools survey. All Catholic systemic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta will be completing this survey.
Students will be given a random username and password to access and complete the survey online. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. A letter has been sent via Skoolbag for parents to complete if they do NOT want their daughters to complete the survey. If you are happy for them to complete the survey, you do not need to do anything.
We would like to invite you as parents and carers to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Caroline Chisholm College.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by going to www.tellthemfromme.com/carolinechisholmcollege.
You will be able to access the survey from Monday 10 August until Friday 28 August.
Dance and Drama Showcases
Congratulations to our Year 12 Dance and Drama students on the presentation of their HSC major works to small audiences over the past two weeks. Despite the interruptions and restrictions imposed by COVID-19, these classes developed extraordinary works of art and our audiences were thrilled by the quality and beauty of the performances. HSC examiners will be attending the College in the coming weeks to assess these works, and we are confident that our students will be prepared to demonstrate this quality to the examiners.
Options for Chisholm Graduates - post-COVID-19
Did you know that, according to a recent study, for every low-skill administration job advertised in Australia in June there were 275 applications! Did you know that the current unemployment rate (with 1 million people out of work) is disproportionately affecting young people and women. Caroline Chisholm College is ready to respond to these challenges. Next Tuesday at 6.00pm we will be hosting a Facebook Live event (and broadcast on Zoom Webinar) where we will discuss the Chisholm edge in local employment and the steps our students and their families should be taking now to increase the changes of university entry or quality employment after graduation. Visit our Facebook page or click this Zoom link to be part of the event and ask your questions.
Process for moving to another school
From time to time, parents decide that they need to move their daughter to another school. Whilst research shows that moving schools often creates significant challenges and unsuccessful adjustments for young people, we support parents' right to make these decisions. The steps below indicate our preferred process and the support that is available for families who find themselves trying to decide:
a) If you are struggling to pay fees, your daughter will not need to leave Chisholm. Please contact the College fees clerk, Mrs Slaughter, and arrangements can be made to support you and your daughter's education here;
b) If the decision is a curriculum matter (e.g., subject choices, results) please speak with Mrs Scollard, Assistant Principal Learning, who can explain and explore options;
c) If your daughter is having friendship struggles, contact her Year Leader of Learning, who will share with you the range of supports and strategies we can use to support her through the inevitable ups and downs of school relationships;
d) If your daughter is considering entering the workforce early, or TAFE or further training, contact Nicky Alsemgeest or Kara Oliver our Pathways Coaches who can ensure all options and pathways have been explored.
You will note that each of these scenarios involve parents discussing the matters with the College. This is a necessary and rational first step in such an important decision. We have had parents remove their daughter without ever trying to explore with us if this is a good decision or not. Sadly, sometimes parents ask if their daughter can return shortly after leaving.
If all options have been explored, and your decision is made, please write a letter to Dr Elliott officially requesting that your daughter's enrolment be terminated and giving details of her destination.
Finally, the Diocese will charge families 10 week's school fees unless 10 week's notice is given. That is because we have budgeted for your daughter's enrollment and this needs to be accounted for.
School Fees
Term 3 School Fee Statements will be posted from the Catholic Education Diocesan of Parramatta from Monday 10th August 2020.
Notification of Measles and Chickenpox
Students in our school are currently receiving treatment which results in a lowered immune system, which means, the students are more prone to getting ill from infections. As the students are not contagious but have a chronic illness, it is important they participate actively in the day to day school program without any major limitations. A major concern is that if these students develop measles, chickenpox, whooping cough or influenza, they could become seriously ill. We seek your cooperation in preventing this situation. If your child has or may have measles, chicken pox or other infectious illness, we would ask that you please:
1 Do not send them to school.
2 Notify the School Principal as soon as possible.
3 Take them to your GP or medical centre to confirm diagnosis if possible.
Thank you in advance.
