College Theme for 2020 “Be Strong and of Good Courage”

Prayer Lord, in this time of anxiety, fear, and isolation, we come to you for support, encouragement, and direction. We ask for your Spirit to be close to those who are afflicted and those who have lost loved ones due to the coronavirus. We ask for that same Spirit to be with them and us in uncertain times. Help calm our mind and soul. May your peace that surpasses all comprehension guard our hearts and minds. Amen

College Vision Thomas Carr College is a dynamic Catholic learning community, guided by the Gospel.

Excellence and opportunities to develop are pursued.

Through our hope and service to others we shine our light into the world.

Volume 24 Issue 05: April 17 2020

From the Principal Mr Holmes

“They Will Shine”

Welcome back to our Pentecost Term at Thomas Carr College. While we face most

unusual and challenging circumstances, I am pleased to write that our

LEARNING@HOME program has commenced exceptionally well. The College and

our staff prepared very effectively for this potential situation and it has now made all

the difference, providing a smooth start to learning on-line. I thank the teachers,

students and you the families that are working so hard to make this a viable way to

ensure our students enjoy every possible success in their education.

On Wednesday, we held a live stream event where we commenced with a prayer and

I had the opportunity to speak with students. Given this was our first attempt of this

as a whole school it was well attended with well over 900 students logging in to hear

the presentation

My message to students during the live streaming was to know that the College has

their best interests at heart and that we will be providing every support that we can. I

asked students to think about the following 3 points:

1. Have you adopted the correct mind set? In other words, are you focused on

learning in what will be a challenging time, or our new normal for Term 2?

2. Have you set aside a space where you can get down to business? I

recognised that some large families will find this difficult, but a regular space

and regular routine are of great importance.

3. At the end of this LEARNING@HOME phase, what do you hope to say to

yourself? I hope it will be that ‘I did my best.’

I spoke of a story I heard on TV this week. It went like this:

Don’t walk too far in front of me as I may not be able to follow!

Don’t walk too far behind me because I may not be able to lead!

But walk beside me and be a friend!

I believe this is the partnership that we as a College are aspiring to achieve with you,

our students and families. Likewise, I hope that families can use this as you approach

times that will be stressful in a home learning environment.

I thank families for taking note of the stay at home message. Parents please rest

assured that we do not expect you to be the teachers, our teachers will facilitate the

lessons and learning. We have a small contingent of staff at the College, these are

mainly support staff, as teachers are delivering their lessons from home.

Coming Events

Our first priority at Thomas Carr College is the health and safety of our College community. As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve. The College will update the community about the rescheduling of any events postponed accordingly.

We have sent you a large volume of information. Now our task is to break this down into more meaningful components to assist you and our students in the coming Term. I wish you all the best as we continue to live the Easter message of HOPE! Be Strong and of Good Courage!

From the Deputy Principal of Organisation and Wellbeing Ms Angelico Welcome Back for the Start of the Pentecost Term It has certainly been an unusual time for the community at Thomas Carr College, yet one which has brought out the best in all members of our community in the face of uncertainty and frequent changes. Over the past few weeks, teachers have been working extremely hard to learn new software, new skills and redesign their curriculum, in readiness for LEARNING@HOME, with the support of the non-teaching staff. Our objective is to continue to provide a high quality, holistic education to our students in this online environment and maintain the richness and range of experiences that we offer as much as possible. As we continue to reimagine all of our practices, the IT staff have been instrumental in introducing us to applications and technologies that are new to many of us, to assist us in maintaining our learning and wellbeing programs as well as many College events. Student Leaders We have been very proud of our students and the way in which they have stepped up to the challenges so far. We will endeavour to ensure that they remain connected to their classes, the community and feel energised by the vibrant school spirit we enjoy. During the school holidays our Student Leaders sent two messages to the student body. I hope that you all enjoyed the special multi-lingual Easter Message that went out on social media and via TEAMS to the whole College community. If you missed it, CLICK HERE. Our Student Leaders will continue to share messages of hope and courage as well as learning tips and fun ideas over the coming weeks to keep their peers motivated and connected. We began this week with a ‘Live Event’. We held a short version of a Whole College Assembly with beginning with prayer and followed by important and motivating addresses by our principal, Mr Holmes and our Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching, Mr Bryson. The live event can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Assemblies We will continue to organise assemblies and maintain many of the traditions and rituals we have, but in different ways. We will also refine the way we use these new technologies. The next whole school live event will be held on Tuesday April 21 during Homeroom. I am conscious that we missed the whole school assembly scheduled at the end of the Assumption Term. There will be a full list of student leaders who would of been presented with their badge at the assembly attached at the end of the next edition of The Beacon. House Carnivals and House Spirit Miss White has supplied the PowerPoint presentations that were meant for the assembly last term. She has added voiceovers so please open and enjoy the commentary about the House Swimming and Athletics Carnival. MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS REPORT SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS REPORT The House Leaders and House Captains will find creative ways to keep House Spirit alive this Term in our online environment. We look forward to these once everyone is settled into their new learning routines. Staff Professional Learning Day – Friday April 24 The scheduled Professional Learning Day will proceed as a student free day and an online professional development event. This means that teachers will not be available for live classes through Microsoft TEAMs. We encourage all students to continue with self-directed learning, completion of set tasks and revision. Please note, the College will be closed to the public on this day.

Thomas Carr Day – Friday May 15 At this stage, we are planning to proceed with Thomas Carr Day as a College celebration in a different way. Obviously, it will be an online event, based on our current situation in Victoria. More details to come soon. We are also planning to honour our relationship with the Malaya Borneo Veterans Association in an innovative way. The Beacon Award The Beacon Award recognises achievements of our students. Selected students will be presented with a certificate of commendation and their names published in each edition of The Beacon. A maximum of 2 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 There are no Beacon Awards in this edition of The Beacon.

From the Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching Mr Bryson LEARNING@HOME Like all schools, the start of this Term has been different but nonetheless under the circumstances it has also been a positive start with teachers, students and parents embracing LEARNING@HOME. I wish to thank and applaud all members of the Thomas Carr College community for this and for the way in which we are working in partnership to adjust to the arrangements for remote and flexible learning. Earlier this week, families received a detailed LEARNING@HOME Guide for Students and Parents. This is a very detailed handbook that outlines key information on how your child will access their daily learning activities, expectations and support for students to ensure a degree of learning is maintained throughout the Term. Key Information To provide continuity to your learning, it is important that students establish a

balanced daily routine. Students are encouraged to establish a workable learning routine in this new environment and parents/carers have an important role to play in supporting this.

LEARNING@HOME classes will be scheduled as per the current timetable. Attendance will be marked each day and students are to wear a garment of the school uniform (PE Uniform is acceptable) when accessing online classes that require ‘video’ or ‘live’ chats.

Students are expected to engage in set learning activities as per their 2020 class timetable from 8.30am until 3.10pm.

Students have also received further information from their subject teachers, and we encourage students to develop a daily routine that includes checking their Class Home page on SIMON for all lesson details and record the lessons that they will need to be available online for throughout each day. Students are also encouraged to stay updated with any other subject requirements by regularly checking any messages that are posted on their Class Home Page or on Microsoft (MS) TEAMS. Teachers may also send direct messages to individual students via email. As a school, we acknowledge students all have different homes, space and equipment available to fully accommodate the current remote learning environment. Students are encouraged to consider what space and equipment they have and be open about any issues or difficulties that may arise over the coming weeks. They are also encouraged to ask questions when online, or post questions on their MS TEAMS class page. To

ensure that we can continue to support your child’s learning and overall wellbeing, parents are also encouraged to email or contact their child’s subject teacher or Homeroom Teacher with any questions or concerns. We will continue to keep you updated on any further announcements related to LEARNING@HOME and I wish everyone the best for the Term ahead.

From the Director of Faith and Mission Mrs McCarthy College Motto 2020 – “Be Strong and of Good Courage” When we chose our College theme for 2020, we could never imagine the extent to which we would all need to strive to be people who were ‘strong and of good courage!’ Last week, Pope Francis delivered an address to an empty St Peter’s Square. In addressing the world in this time of global crisis and in blessing the people of the world, Pope Francis proclaimed the same Gospel that we used at our Commencement Mass in February – the story of how Jesus calmed the seas. In this Gospel passage, the disciples were in a sinking boat during a fierce storm. They were frightened and anxious. Jesus calmed the storm, they were no longer frightened, and they believed. Pope Francis’ words helps give us some perspective as we experience this difficult time. This is what he said: This Gospel passage begins with the words: “When evening had come” … For weeks now it has been evening. Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void, that stops everything as it passes by; we feel it in the air, we notice in people’s gestures, their glances give them away. We find ourselves afraid and lost. Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat… are all of us. Just like those disciples, who spoke anxiously with one voice, saying “We are perishing” so we too have realized that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this. Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck. Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God, life never dies. Let us ask our loving Father to give us hearts of courage as we tread in unknown territories. Stations of the Cross and Holy Week Services On our last day of the Lenten Term, even despite our premature closure, the whole school were able to gather for a homeroom liturgy where we meditated on the Way of the Cross. These “Stations of the Cross For Our Times” weaved together the passion of Christ with our own experiences of helplessness and struggle at this time. Parents are invited to view this video which is still on the Thomas Carr College website on this link: https://www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au/latest-news/ Special thank you to all those who assisted in the “Stations of the Cross For Our Times:

Oliver Pond (Year 9) and Dinushi Bombuwelage Don (Year 11)

Mr Andrej Pomasan and his Year 8 Drama Class

Mr Matt Morse and the Thomas Carr College Choir

Mr Cameron Stark and his VET Production Team and

Ms Donna Arandt.

This year, our three parishes (St James the Apostle, Hoppers Crossing North; St Peter the Apostle, Hoppers Crossing; and St Andrew’s, Werribee) came together to film the Holy Week masses at our College Chapel. I would like to extend sincere thanks to the Priests and Assistant Priests who concelebrated the Holy Thursday Mass, the Good Friday Liturgy, and the Easter Vigil mass. A special thanks also to Mr Michael Lapina and his son, Alex (Year 12), who led the videography and the post-production work; and to Angel Hartanto for assisting with preparing the environment.

From the Head of Middle School Mr Rowe As we commence the Pentecost Term, we have been presented with challenges we have not experienced before. In the blink of an eye, we have been forced into social isolation, remote learning, working from home and the other restrictions that have been put into place to protect us. It is easy to look at these measures through a negative lens and dwell on the things that have been taken away. My challenge to all reading this is to put a positive spin on things - rather than looking at what has been taken away, identify what new opportunities have been presented. While the ability to eat out at restaurants and cafes has been taken away, the opportunity to have meaningful family discussions around the dinner table while eating a home cooked meal has been presented. While the economy may be struggling, the opportunity to prioritise spending and learn to budget has been presented. While we may be required to socially distance ourselves from friends and family, the opportunity to build resilience and connect in different ways has been presented. While we may no longer be able to participate in organized sport, the opportunity for families to exercise together and discover new hobbies and interests. While schools may be shut down temporarily, the opportunity to learn in an alternative setting has been presented. I am so proud of the way both staff and students have jumped into the LEARNING@HOME setting. Staff have put in a huge effort to make sure that our students are set up in the best possible way to continue their learning with minimal disruption. They have gone above and beyond what is expected to provide the best for our students. I am also extremely proud of the responsibility shown by our students in taking ownership of their learning. In the first few days of online learning, class attendance mirrored that of a ‘normal’ school day. The biggest lesson I have learnt through this pandemic is to not take things for granted. Be thankful every day and make the most of every opportunity to spend time with friends, to play sport, to enjoy restaurant meal and not have to worry about the availability of items at the supermarket. I also challenge you to identify all the opportunities and positives presented to us during this pandemic and to make the most of them. Connect with friends and family, appreciate the time spent with loved ones, learn to cook, do a home workout, save money and most importantly I implore you to remember – we are all in this together.

From the Head of Senior School Mrs Sheridan Recently on social media I received a meme saying “I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event”. It has been a very strange Easter and school holiday period. It is now even “strange” returning to school. LEARNING@HOME is a whole new endeavour for us all. One of the hallmarks of a good education is the ability to adapt and respond to new stimulus and ideas. It has been a wonderful experience to watch my colleagues respond to this great unknown. Many of us have been teaching for a very long time – I have even done a stint teaching at Victoria’s Distance Education – and find these changes and the “new normal” daunting. I am in awe of our young people. They go “okay, this is going to be tough… let’s do it”. This is the “educated person’s” response. It is the response of embracing new information. Yes, our class content is significant and important. Yes, every subject matters. On the ABC’s Q&A this week it was explained that we are teaching more than subject content. We are in the process of teaching resilience and resolve and communication techniques beyond face to face methods and rising beyond adversity. We are teaching our students to work together to resolve problems. We are teaching that sometimes we have to inconvenience ourselves for the benefit of others. This time will be remembered in history – one only needs to look at the global figures which passed 2million diagnosed COVID- 19 cases globally overnight. It will be a

special reflection for us – the parents, the teachers and the students alike – to acknowledge how we made sure we made a difference. How we responded to the challenges faced. In the meantime, let’s get onto MS Teams and SIMON and talk on the phone and engage and learn. Let’s be the person that does rise above the petty adversities and the more significant difficulties. We can do this together and we can be stronger because we are all pulling in the same direction.

LEARNING@HOME Guiding Principles