Thomas Carr College

The BeaconVolume 14, Issue 2: February 24, 2010.

CRICOS Provider No: 01968BGeneral Enquiries: 8734 2444Student Absences: 8734 2400

Fee & Account Enquiries: 8734 2453 Email: tcc@thomascarr.vic.edu.au

www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au

Calendar of Events

February 26: School PhotosMarch 5: Swimming CarnivalMarch 26: End of Term1; 1.10pm dismissalApril 12 to 15: EasterApril 13: Students begin Term 2 (winter uniform)

PrayerLoving God you are closer to us than the air we breathe. When we forget, remind us of your presence. As we enter this sacred season of Lent let us listen deeply and attentively to your voice. Remind us

to seek justice. Lead us inward as we seek you in contrite heart.Remind us that you are our hope. Encourage us to go into the world as living reminders of your mercy and love. We ask this in the name

of Jesus who leads us on the Lenten journeyAmen

From the Acting Principal: It has been a privilege to meet so many parents at our recent series of Information Evenings. Our students are excited about the chal-lenges ahead and were thrilled to be able to introduce their parents to their Homeroom teachers. Open communication is extremely impor-tant as we all work towards providing the best support that we can for each student as they strive to pursue academic excellence. Thank your to Mr Dent, Mr Oliver, Mrs Stewart, Mr Hall, Ms Mishima, Mr Morse, Ms Argus, Ms Lovell, the Homeroom teachers and all staff in attendance. Without the hard work of our staff these events would not be a success. Thank you also to all parents who completed the questionaries as we explore our Vision and Mission Statement.

Our staff have expressed a keen desire to work collegiately in order to improve lesson delivery and ensure our cur-riculum is innovative and relevant. Each teacher is part of a Research Action Learning Team (RALT). These teams will explore a range of topics including Student Engagement, Team Teaching, Interdisciplinary Learning, Tiered Instruction, eLearning, Inquiry Learning, VCE Outcomes, VELS Outcomes, Applied Learning, Socio-emotional Skills, Extension Tasks, Student Engagement and Community Engagement. Staff are committed to working together in these Profes-sional Learning teams in order to improve student outcomes.

During our Opening Mass on February 11, our Year 12 Leaders were presented with their portfolio badges. These stu-dents will make every effort to undertake their specific duties as servant leaders with pride and will endeavour to build upon the hard work of our previous leaders. Congratulations to:College Captains: Sam Lavery and Madeleine Farfalla College Vice Captains: Tim Eccles and Leah AucielloCommunication: Sarah Barry and Rohan Waring Social Justice: Rachel Cassar and Molly AshcroftEvents: Tanika Mackay and Samuel Martinez Environment: Daniela SrbinovskiLiturgy: Nancy Gomes and Michael Oakes

Australian Catholics have welcomed the wonderful news that Mary Mackillop will become Australia’s first saint. Mary dedicated her life to making education accessible and serving the poor. She was a champion of social justice and was beatified in 1995. The formal canonisation will take place on October 17 in Rome. St Mary of the Cross, as she may be known, was born in Fitzroy in 1842. She founded the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866 and her work in education was of benefit to many. Our 2010 College theme, Wehave set our hope on the living God’ (1 Tim 4:10) also finds a connection with the spirit of Blessed Mary Mackillop. “Wherever we are, whoever we are, whatever we do, we are called to relieve suffering and bring hope.”

Thank you to Fr Greg Bourke for leading us in our Ash Wednesday liturgy on February 17. Thank you also to our Direc-tor of Religious Education, Ms Berardinelli, for her organisation. The students reflected on the true meaning of Lent and considered their obligations during this Lenten season.

Mrs Vera TreloarActing Principal

Christian Leadership?

It is time to elect a world leader, and yours is the deciding vote. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates: Candidate A associates with crooked politicians, consults with astrologers, is severely disabled, chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day. Candidate B was kicked out of office twice, slept till noon, used drugs at University, is an undiagnosed manic depressive and drinks a bottle of whisky every day. Candidate C is a decorated war hero, vegetar-ian, doesn’t smoke nor drink and has never had an extra marital affair. Who would you choose? Candidate A is Franklin Roosevelt. Candidate B is Winston Churchill. Candidate C is Adolf Hitler. Sometimes the best candidate on paper is the worst leader in reality. Thank goodness Jesus did not hire a management consultancy to help him recruit his earliest disciples. On paper Peter, James and John would not have got past expressing interest in the job. Jesus recognised, however, that they had the three things necessary for Christian leadership: faith, hope and love. Not that they had it im-mediately. We know they constantly misunderstood Jesus. They made promises they did not keep and they abandoned Jesus when the going got tough. But they had one thing that nearly all great leaders have in their formation: a mentor who knows they are not perfect, forgives their limitations, tells them the truth, brings them back to their true message and inspires them by what he says and how he lives. This is true Christian Leader.

Parents are reminded that when picking up their son or daughter from school to do so in a safe manner. If a parent ob-serves poor behaviour or judgement from another driver we would expect them to respond in a courteous manner being aware of so many students in the vacinity. Our College sees parents as well as staff and students as role models. We thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Mr Graeme DentActing Deputy Principal

Acting Deputy Principal

Applications for Year 7, 2011.

Applications for Year 7, 2011 are now open.Enrolment Information Packs are available from the

College Administration during office hours.

Please note an application must be lodged for siblings of current students. Siblings are not automatically enrolled at the College.

Applications close on Friday 26th February, 2010.For further enquiries please contact the Registrar

on 8734 2409 or 8734 2444

The following stock has now arrived in the Uniform Shop:• PE Polo Tops• Socks: Long Grey and White Anklet - sizes 2-8• Grey Trousers

The Thomas Carr College Uniform Shop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.15am to 4.00pm. For as-sistance please call on 9749 5969 Ms Karen Dineen

Uniform Shop

Lent is a time for change for the Church. We turn to ashes and repentance as we enter the spirit of this Lenten season. For forty days, Christians will try to become better followers of Jesus. We also want to become more generous and thoughtful towards each other within our families, our school community and wider community. Lent is also a time when we remember those in need. This is where the Caritas Project Compassion Lenten Appeal begins…

‘Blueprint for a better world’ is this year’s theme for Project Compassion which is inspired by the Millennium Development Goals. Also known as the MDGs, they are the eight life changing goals to halve world poverty by 2015. With 1 billion people still living in extreme poverty, we must become aware of the sufferings of humanity, and put our compassion and faith into action.

Through Lent, we will support Project Compassion with our fundraising initiatives and kind donations. This is where our Project Compassion boxes in our Homerooms and around the College will assist us. Our donations can implement life changing projects and more importantly assist those who live in Haiti.

Already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has become even more destitute. Thousands are feared dead after a 7.0 magnitude quake rocked Haiti on January 12 2010. It was the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished coun-try in more than 200 years. The tremor struck 15km south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. Many homes and schools were destroyed, as well as the United Nations’ five story headquarters in Port-au-Prince and the presidential palace.

Caritas Australia is not only about raising money, but educating and encouraging our Australian community to stand in soli-darity with people who live in poverty.

As we embark on own special Lenten journey, let us truly reflect on who we are and who God is calling us to be in today’s world.

Ms Anne BerardinelliDirector of Religious Education

Religious Education News

Senior School Information NightThe Senior School Information on Tuesday February 16 was a success and I thank you for your attendance. The Senior School Handbook was given out and contains a great deal of information to assist families in supporting their son or daugh-ter. Parents were able to meet the Homeroom teacher of their son or daughter.

Senior School PeriodicalsThe periodicals are due to be recorded soon. This is an early warning scheme in which teachers record if a student is not working with an ‘N’ and a ‘D’ if they are having difficulty. The results are then entered by the student in their diary and parents can view them when you sign the diary weekly. If students record three or more ‘N’s and ‘Ds’ then the Homeroom teacher or Year Level Co-ordinator shall phone the parents to discuss the situation. Please contact me if you have any questions in relation to the periodicals.

Mr Graeme DentHead of Senior School

Senior School News

2010 Welcome eveningsOn February 11 and 18 we welcomed our Middle School families to the College for 2010. These evenings provided the op-portunity for our parents, students and staff to communicate and continue to develop positive relationships. Our students performed exceptionally on both evenings and were a credit to themselves, their families and the College. The Year level Co-ordinators, Homeroom teachers and subjects teachers also deserve a huge round of applause for their effort in organis-ing such magnificent evenings. I would like to thank all students and parents for their support of the College.

Online HomeworkOnline Homework is back in 2010 for all Middle School classes. To access homework published for your child, visit the Thomas Carr College website (www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au) and scroll down the left hand frame to click on ‘Homework’ under the ‘Middle School’ heading. Click on ‘My Homework’, then the relevant link for your son/daughter’s year level and Homeroom. Should you or your son/daughter require clarification about any homework published, there is a email hyperlink to the relevant teacher next to each piece of published homework.

Mathletics and Spellodrome – Year 7 and 8 studentsSoftware licences for two online software programs, Mathletics and Spellodrome, have been purchased by the College for each student in Year 7 and 8 this year. The aim is for students to use these programs to improve their numeracy and spelling performance. Curriculum materials in Maths and English classes have been modified to integrate these programs. The programs are interactive and rewards focussed; they have competitive features that link students to others students from around the world. Your child will already have received a unique username and password that allows him/her to log in to each of the sites when he/she is online. We ask for your support in this initiative, as students need to log in at home a number of times per week to complete set activities. Mathletics and Spellodrome will also be used regularly during class time. Websites: www.mathletics.com and www.spellodrome.com

Middle School Homework ClubThe Middle School Homework Club is up and running. Students from Years 7 to 9 can attend each week on a Wednesday afternoon from 3:40pm to 4:30pm. Afternoon tea is provided. All that is required is a signed Student Dairy and the Homework Club sticker/permission form which is located in the insider front cover. A number of teaching and support staff are on duty each week; students have access to computers and the full Information Centre catalogue.

Mr Drew OliverHead of Middle School

Middle School News

Year 7 & 8 Choir: This is a new group in 2010. Any student in Year 7 or 8 is welcome to be part of the choir which will sing a variety of styles and types of music. Rehearsals are on Monday lunchtimes in D23 (Music Department) at 1.20pm.

Music Lesson Timetables: All music lessons have been timetabled and are posted on the internet and the Music notice boards. Parents are reminded that it is the students’ responsibility to attend lessons and to notify Mrs Knurek of any changes due to excursions, tests, etc 2 days prior to the scheduled lesson. Any parent who wishes their child to begin lessons must complete a Lesson Application Form (available from the Music Department, the College website and/or the front Administra-tion Office) and return it to Mrs Knurek by March 20. Term 2 timetables will be posted in the last week of this term.

Mrs Margaret KnurekHead of Music

Music Department

ACS Sport 2010Welcome to the start of a new year in ACS Sport, a year that brings new changes and a sense of anticipation for all Thomas Carr College teams. I would like to welcome our newest team members from Year 7 and wish them luck as they represent the College for the very first time. This week was the beginning of the new season for Years 8 and 9, and the continuation of the summer season for Senior sport (the results have been posted on our website). Last year Thomas Carr College was very successful in its finals campaign, we should be proud of our achievement and strive for future success this year.

New Year, New Challenges This year sees the introduction of some new initiatives in ACS sport. One of the new changes sees the introduction of Senior As and Bs. In previous years, Senior Sport was broken into a single Year 10 team and combined Year 11 and 12 teams. The new changes mean that we now need to select our best players from Years 10 to 12 to play in the Senior A team. This change will drive the level of competition higher and increase the honour of being selected to represent Thomas Carr College. To help with team selection it is imperative that we have our best team available on the day. If a student knows they are going to be absent prior to a game, they must notify Mr Tsui Po on the Monday of the game and obtain an ACS Approved Absence. This will ensure that the best team will be available for the Senior competition. ACS absence approvals will not be given on game day. Congratulations to all our Senior team members and good luck as the battle to represent the As, heats up amongst the three year levels. Don’t forget anyone can make the A’s so practice and develop your skills as teams do change.

This year also sees the introduction of the ACS vs BAS sports Carnival. This is the first time the ACS All Stars (the best players from the ACS) will challenge a rival sports association from Ballarat. The Summer carnival will be hosted by Westbourne on April 15, with at least one ACS All Star from each team coming from Thomas Carr College. This is an-other example of our high level of achievement within the ACS.

House Sports CarnivalsThe House Swimming carnival is coming up on March 5. I’d like to welcome our three new Heads of House Mr Ryan (Maynooth), Mr Butty (Galway) and Ms White (Moylough) as well as season campaigner Mr Scaddan (Westport). Con-gratulations to last years champions Maynooth with their clean sweep in Swimming, Cross Country and Athletic Carni-vals. It was their fantastic participation rate that saw them to victory and a shining example of how important it is for every student to become involved in the House sports competition. Please remember that all Sport carnivals are compulsory school events and House tops and House hats must be worn.

New Coaches for 2010We welcome a number of new coaches to the program and hope that they enjoy their time with us and impart their sport-ing knowledge on our students. They include ex students Brodie McDowell (Hockey), Hayley Toohey (Softball) and Lilly Nheu (Softball) as well as new staff members including Ms Pertini, Mr Butty and Ms Bradshaw.

Appropriate Footwear StandardsEveryone knows that when exercising or playing sport it is important to warm up, wear the appropriate clothes and keep hydrated. What many people fail to realise is the importance of the correct footwear. Due to the nature of our PE classes, the ACS sports program and the Alternative sports program, the College insists footwear standards are maintained in order to minimise the potential harm casued to your child’s body. It is imperative that all students are wearing the approved footwear from the beginning of Term 2. Students have been notified of these changes during their PE classes and by their ACS coach. On the next page is a guideline to follow regarding selecting appropriate and supportive footwear.

Mr Louis Tsui PoHead of Sport

Sports Page

The Health Centre Nurses welcome all students back to school and hope you enjoy a healthy and safe 2010.

The Health Centre will be staffed on a Monday and Friday from 9.00am-3.00pm and a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.00am-4.00pm

The School Immunization Program for 2010 commenced on Monday February 22. Year 7 males will be offered: Round 1 (Feb 22) - Hep B (1st dose) and Chickenpox Round 2 (June 2) Round 3 (Oct 15) - Hep B (2nd dose) Year 7 females will be offered: Round 1 - Hep B (1st), Chickenpox and Gardasil (1st) Round 2 - Gardasil (2nd) Round 3 - Hep B (2nd) and Gardasil (3rd) Year 10 males and females will be offered: Round 1 - Boostix (Diptheria,Tetanus,Pertussis)

A reminder to all students that if you are unwell you must report to the Health Centre before calling your parents to go home. The nursing staff will assess your needs and call parents when required. Students should not call parents directly to go home.

Please find below excerps from the College’s Asthma Management and Anaphylaxis Policies. The full Policies are available on the Col-lege website. Do not hesitate to call the Health Centre on 8734 2413 if you have any questions.

Mr Paul Standley and Ms Jacinta BlytheCollege Nurses

Asthma Management Policy (excerpt)Policy StatementThomas Carr College is an Asthma Friendly School; one that adopts and is working towards strategies that actively support the whole school community in the management of asthma. As a school we are aware that a number of students may be affected by asthma, either as a pre-existing condition, or for the first time. School staff have a “duty of care” towards their students. It is important that school staff be aware of asthma, its symptoms and triggers and most importantly, the management of asthma especially an asthma emergency in the school environment.

Policy GuidelinesAsthma is a condition that affects the air tubes of the lungs. In a person with asthma, the air tubes are more sensitive than normal. When the sensitive air tubes are exposed to a ‘trigger factor’ they overreact, resulting in an asthma attack. A variety of different ‘trigger factors’ may lead to an asthma attack (for example, colds/flu/chest infections, exercise, pollens, dust, dust mites, temperature change, or cigarette smoke) and these triggers vary from person to person. During an asthma attack the airways narrow making it difficult to breathe. The narrowing is caused by constriction of the muscle in the walls of the airways, swelling of the lining layer of the airways, and excessive production of mucus.

There are four main groups of asthma medications: relievers, preventers, symptom controllers and combination medications. A reliever opens up the airways by relaxing the bronchial muscle and is used to relieve an asthma attack. Preventers, symptom controllers and combination medications do not relieve an asthma attack and are not usually used at school.

Asthmatic students are reminded to carry their reliever medication all the times.

Anaphylaxis Management Policy (excerpt)Policy StatementThomas Carr College is committed to providing, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment for students who are at risk of anaphylaxis. The College is also committed to the provision of competent and prompt emergency care to ensure the health and optimum outcome of all staff, students or visitors who may experience an anaphylactic reaction, whether on or off school premises. The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who are at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens) and prevention of exposure to these triggers.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. Although allergic reactions are common in children, severe life-threatening reactions are uncommon and deaths are rare. However, deaths have occurred and anaphylaxis must therefore be regarded as a medical emergency. Common causes are foods (peanuts, tree nuts-hazelnuts, cashews and almonds, egg, cow’s milk, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish), insect stings (particularly bee stings), medications, latex and anaesthesia. Anaphylaxis is treated with adrenaline, which is given as an injection (EpiPen) into the muscle of the outer mid-thigh. When a student is prescribed an EpiPen they usually are given two: one for school and one for out of school.

When a student is off campus for a camp/excursion, they will carry their ‘out of school’ EpiPen and ASCIA Action Plan for the duration of time. This also applies to ACS days. The College is not responsible for ensuring students have their EpiPens with them while off campus.

Health Centre Update

Upcoming Events2010 Engineering Expo by Engineering Australia, March 25 2010, 2pm to 7pm; Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Register Now: www.engineeringexpo.org.au

General Information• Tax File Number: You will require a TFN for either further study or employment. The process is much easier while a current student at Thomas Carr College• Career News Newletter: This monthly news letter is a useful resource for career updates and information. The first edition is available now and can be found on the Thomas Carr College website under Careers.• Name change: The ENTER (Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank) is no longer used and has been replaced with the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank).• UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test): This test is used specifically to assist with the selection of students into medicine, dentistry and health science degree programs at undergraduate level at the Universities listed on the following website: http://umatweb.acer.edu.au Registration open April 2010 and testing is Wednesday July 28 2010. • ISAT – International Student Admission Test. See website for dates & locations: http://isat.edu.au

Year 12 Information• Career Interviews Choices can be made much easier when it is an informed choice and understanding pathway options can be vital towards your career goal. So book your appointment for your Career Interview now. Pathway support is provided for: - Further Education: University, TAFE or private providers - Apprenticeships /Traineeships - Employment - GAP Year - SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) - Scholarships - VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) - HECS/FEE Help - Open Days - Expos I look forward to meeting you all individually and providing career support and assistance throughout 2010. An appointment sheet is my door in the Friendship Centre. See you then.

Ms Debbie GrayCareers Department

Year 10 Work ExperienceThe Year 10s would really appreciate your help in assisting them in finding a work experience employer. So if you could please ask your family and friends if they are willing to take on a work experience student for a week that would be fantastic. The work experience dates are June 21 to 25. Industries we particularly need help with are:- Trades (electrical, plumbing and carpentry)- Architecture- Design- PhotographyAny assistance would be great. The process is that the student is required to contact the employer so you would not be guaranteeing a placement for the student, merely providing a contact.

Mrs Felicity FoxCareers Department

Careers Department

STUDY AT ADFA IN 2011The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) provides the training and education

for the future leaders of the Navy, Army and Air Force. Combining military and

leadership training with a recognised undergraduate degree from the University

of New South Wales (UNSW), the key benefi ts of studying at ADFA include:

• Being paid to study

• Degree from UNSW in Arts, Business, Engineering, Science or Technology

• No HELP debt (previously known as HECS)

• Lowest student-to-teacher ratio for an Australian university

• Free health care and subsidised accommodation

• Guaranteed career in the Navy, Army or Air Force

To fi nd out more about ADFA attend the next information session:

To book your seat call 13 19 01. Parents and friends are welcome to attend.

For further information call 13 19 01 or visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/adfa

Wednesday 24th February, 2010 at 6:30pm,

Defence Force Recruiting, Level 14, 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Accidnt Protection for Studentes

Every day there are accidents involving children. To assist parents with the costs associated with those accidents, the Catholic Education Office, in association with Catholic Church Insurances (CCI) Limited, have developed the SchoolCare Children’s Accident Insurance Program.

Thomas Carr College is pleased to be a part of this program. Students are covered for College camps, College sport (including ACS sport out of school hours, as long as they are organised by the school), Work Experience, travelling to and from the College or school activities. It also includes any activity organised or authorised by the College.

These are all limited to specific amounts per accident; specific amounts are detailed in the table of benefits, which is available upon request.

Should your child have an accident, the information below will be of assistance. Please cut out this information and keep it on your fridge or in a handy place.

YOUR CHILD IS PROTECTED BY A SCHOOLCARE ACCIDENT POLICY

NAME OF SCHOOL: Thomas Carr College

POLICY NUMBER: 03 PAE 116133

POLICY TYPE: School Activities Only – Basic

INFORMATION: If you have any questions please call the SchoolCare Accident Help Line on 1300 138 498

MAKE A CLAIM:You can print a claim form and the policy wording from www.ccinsurances.com.au. The school will need to endorse the claim form prior to it being submitted. You will need a Doctor or Dentist’s Certificate and copies of accounts or invoices for any claimable expenses.

CCI SchoolCare cannot pay for any Medicare service including the Medicare Gap.