SHINE VOL. 1 ED. 1 SEPTEMBER 2015

THOMAS CARR COLLEGE ALUMINI MAGAZINE

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Welcome to the first edition of Shine, a magazine dedicated to our Old Collegians. I hope this magazine provides you with interesting news, events and other happenings at our College.

The College may have grown considerably since you attended here, and through this publication I would like to reacquaint you with our new initiatives, our innovative buildings, our masterplan for the future, our Country Campus program and profiles of past and present staff. I will endeavour to keep all alumni up to date with events and information of reunion celebrations, which I warmly encourage you to attend.

The College is fast approaching its 20th year and plans are underway for celebrating this milestone in 2016. It is sure to be a significant celebration for many.

I hope you enjoy this first edition of Shine and look forward to seeing you in the future.

Dr Andrew Watson Principal

WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dr Andrew Watson

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PAUL D’ASTOLI AND BRUCE RUNNALLS

Paul was the founding Principal of the College. He took up his appointment in late 1996, just before the College opened and remained for 10 years, completing his term at the end of 2006. Paul came to Thomas Carr College from Nazareth College, Noble Park North which he also established. Paul had three key priorities for Thomas Carr. First that it be a Catholic College in the best sense of the term. Second that it be at the cutting edge of information technology. Third that it adopt an international perspective in educating the students who would enrol.

Paul assembled a teaching team which, from the very beginning at the temporary site at Tarneit Road, worked tirelessly to implement these priorities.

Paul was a most energetic Principal who combined the skills of an entrepreneur, builder and educationalist. Beginning with a vacant patch of land, he developed the trajectory which has continued to the present and which has resulted in the flourishing College we have today. His dreams, and the dreams of the founders have certainly become a reality.

‘Paul was a most energetic Principal who combined the skills of an entrepreneur, builder and educationalist.’

‘Bruce is remembered for his commitment to the students and for the clarity of his educational vision.’

Bruce was Principal from 2007 to 2010. Bruce came to Thomas Carr after a successful principal ship at Catholic Regional College, Sydenham which is a Years 11 and 12 College. Bruce was delighted to be appointed to a College where he could accompany students during their full secondary education from Years 7 to 12.

Sadly illness was to curtail Bruce’ time as Principal and consequently the opportunities he had to implement his vision for the College. Early in his principals hip, he became ill with melanoma and was forced to take significant time off for treatment.

Unfortunately he did not recover and tendered his resignation in 2010.

Although only Principal for a short time, Bruce is remembered for his commitment to the students and for the clarity of his educational vision. Staff who worked at the College with him remember him with great affection. May he rest in peace.

Mr Paul D’Astoli Principal 1996-2006

Mr Bruce Runnalls Principal 2007-2010

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Thomas Carr College began in 1997 with 72 Year 7 students, situated on a temporary site in Tarneit Road. Classes began in portables, with donated equipment being the only materials available for the staff and students. A great relationship between the staff and students emerged that could only be developed in such a small community. These 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 one of the well known and prominent Colleges in the western suburbs. This shows in our enrolment numbers – the College can now boast 1,200 students.

Staff and students moved to our permanent site in 1998. We are now surrounded by state of the art buildings and well thought out gardens, as well many passive recreation areas.

As we grew, so did our reputation. Thomas Carr College became known not only as a school with dedicated staff and talented students, but as a force to be reckoned with in the arenas of sport, debating and public speaking.

We have also been increasing our presence in the international market. We have sister school relationships with several schools across Asia. The College regularly hosts visits from these international schools throughout the school year.

HISTORY

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Our facilities over the last couple of years have increased, with state of the art buildings like the Bruce Runnalls Middle Years Centre. This was completed in 2013 and named in honour of the College’s second principal. The Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend Denis Hart DD, blessed and officially opened the Centre on 6 March 2014. The Centre accommodates Years 7 and 8 students and provides the necessary infrastructure and facilities to

ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary school. The Centre’s design enables flexible and innovative approaches to learning and teaching. We are very proud of this Centre. It provides a welcoming and stimulating space for contemporary learning that is perfect for engaging young minds – a 21st building for 21st century learners.

OUR FACILITIES

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OUR FACILITIESAlso, in 2014, we took possession of the former Good Samaritan Convent in Coragulac, near Colac. It has been renovated and transformed into a bright and vibrant residential campus for our Year 7 camps and our Year 9 Program.

The Good Samaritan Country Campus recently hosted an Open House to celebrate its first anniversary. Mass was held at St Brendan’s Church (next door) and was celebrated by Fr Jude Pirotta. This was followed by afternoon tea in the refurbished convent. The community of Coragulac was invited to celebrate, along with staff, parents and students of the College. It provided an excellent opportunity for all to have a tour of our very special country campus.

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OUR FACILITIESOur College Chapel now provides us with a dedicated sacred space at the centre of the College. The Chapel celebrates the memory of our patron, Archbishop Thomas Carr, with a history depicted by unique stained glass windows. The Chapel is a modern expression of the Second Vatican Council and enriches our prayer services and celebration of the Eucharist. It has moveable furniture that can be arranged to make the space suitable for a wide range of faith-related purposes.

Our ‘Old Collegians’ are welcome to visit and use the Chapel for celebrations of the sacraments (e.g. weddings, baptisms, reconciliation).

Our purpose built Trade Training Centre houses the latest equipment to deliver to our students and the Wyndham community a Certificate Course in Building and Construction, incorporating furniture making, carpentry and bricklaying. Accredited Plumbing courses will be offered in 2016.

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Thomas Carr College is still a relatively new school, celebrating our 20th year in 2016, but we have a heritage that goes back in time 169 years.

We refer here to our patron, Thomas Carr, from his birth on May 10, 1831 in Moylough, County Galway, Ireland, to his establishment of the Parish of Werribee in 1906, and his eventual death in Melbourne on May 6, 1917.

We are very proud to have Archbishop Thomas Carr as our patron. The College celebrates this with Mass and Thomas Carr Day activities every year.

 

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

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Anthony Diamond Manager: Good Samaritan Campus

Many of you may remember Mr Diamond. His roles at Thomas Carr College have been varied over the last 16 years. Starting out in 2000 as the Head of ‘Studies of Society and Environment’ and teaching History and Geography, he then moved on to a number of other leadership positions, including Year Level Coordinator, VCE Coordinator and Head of Middle School. In 2014, Anthony completed a Masters of Educational Management with first class honours, at the University of Melbourne.

As Head of Middle School, Anthony was a member of the Year 9 Curriculum Review Panel, which led to the establishment of the College’s Country Campus.

Anthony is currently the Manager of the Good Samaritan Campus at Coragulac, where his experience is utilised in designing curriculum programs focused on the concepts of sustainability, community service and outdoor education. His new role often has him and his team, along with up to 28 students from Year 9, participating in mountain bike riding and bushwalking in places such as the Great Otway National Park and Red Rock Volcanic Reserve. Anthony’s passion for environmental awareness and community service is reflected in the work the students are involved with at the Good Samaritan Campus. For example, in 2015, students are working closely with the local community to re-vegetate areas of the Red Rock Volcanic Reserve and Lake Corangamite.

Anthony is never sure where his educational life journey is going to take him next. He maintains that the current role is one of the most challenging and enjoyable roles he has ever had in education.

WHO IS SHINING TODAY?

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The College has an annual staff dinner. It provides the opportunity to recognise staff who have contributed 10 years of dedicated service to the College and to present the Thomas Carr Staff Award. This year also saw the introduction of the first Luceat Lux Vestra teaching scholarship to a member of our teaching staff. The scholarship provides the recipient with $5,000 to assist with undertaking some significant professional learning during the course of 2016 and being able to contribute significantly to the continued improvement in the learning and teaching programs at the College.

Thomas Carr Staff AwardEach year, College staff are asked to nominate a member of staff who they believed live out the College Vision and Mission statement. The criteria for the successful recipient is someone who has demonstrated and displayed the following qualities during the past 12 months:

• A commitment to the Catholic identity of the College

• Engendered school spirit

• Involvement in the co-curricular life of the College

• Engagement in the life of the College above and beyond normal expectations

• A professional approach to all aspects of College life.

Dr Andrew Watson was very pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Thomas Carr College Staff Award was Ms Margie White.

Luceat Lux Vestra Teaching ScholarshipThis year the College introduced the Luceat Lux Vestra teacher scholarship. The term translates to ‘let your light shine’ and this is something that we encourage both our staff and students to do.

This scholarship has been created as the College acknowledges that great teaching is far more than just classroom performance. It is the ability to consistently create situations in which effective learning occurs.

The conferring of this scholarship is a recognition of expert knowledge, exemplary practice, continuous improvement and commitment to meet the needs of the learners. It will provide teaching staff with an opportunity to undertake further professional learning to advance their skills and to continue to develop their craft as an educator.

Dr Watson was pleased to announce the inaugural winner of this scholarship for 2015 is Mr Alex Guedes.

STAFF RECOGNISED FOR SERVICE TO THE COLLEGE

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10 Years of Service AwardsThis year the College recognised eight members of the faculty who have dedicated 10 years of service to the College.

Dr Watson presented each of the following with an award and thanked them for their dedication and hardwork: Mr Andrew Weir, Mrs Shirley Dagmang, Ms Cecile Pitpit, Mrs Andrea Spagnolo, Mrs Georgie Wilson, Mrs Monica Morrissy, Mrs Carolyn King, Ms Anne Berardinelli.

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Our College Captains in the early years did an excellent job representing the school. This tradition of leadership has now been expanded and our College Captains and SRC today all have specific role descriptions and responsibilities. They undertake leadership instruction during their time at the College, which is excellent grounding for other responsibilities in the future. House Captains are also responsible for encouraging House spirit and a range of activities throughout the year, from debating teams, public speaking and sport.

Our past ambassadors have contributed to Thomas Carr College and this is very much appreciated. We hope that our Alumni will continue a close relationship with the College and that we will be richer for their contribution.

Please keep the College up to date with your details to ensure that you don’t miss any future events.

College Captains2002 Dane Carruthers Stefanie Di Sante

2003 James Fitzgerald Meri Stojcevski

2004 Joshua Ryan Sarah Murphy

2005 Ray Vincent Buenaventura Johannah Fitzgerald

2006 Geoffrey Dunienville Amy Flemming

2007 Luke Falkai Samantha Blade

2008 Joshua Magee Hailey Dumesny

2009 Cameron Nicol Ashleigh Wright

2010 Madelyn Farfalla Samuel Lavery

2011 Adam Patten Chantel Mastos

2012 Dominic Kumosz Rebecca Dumesny

2013 Isaac Lobo Alicia waring

2014 Abby McDonald Nicholas Parrella

2015 Julius Torres Jacquieline O’Brien

Above (L-R): Abby McDonald, Nicholas Parrella, Jacqueline O’Brien and Julius Torres

Right: 2005 Year 12 Leadership Team Back row (L-R): Sarah King, Lachlan Hord, Travis Waring, Adam Briscoe, Beau Hillier, Samira Fares, Cara Morrissy Middle row: Helen Banger (Year 12 Co-ordinator), Laura Hawkins, Kristina Covacci, Jason Butty, Darren Lewis, Natalie Vizzini, Gayle Fry (Director of Students) Front row: Asher Podolak, Melissa Carr, Ray Vincent-Beunaventura, Paul D’Astoli (Principal), Steven O’Connor (Deputy Principal), Johanna Fitzgerald, Genna Riggs.

COLLEGE CAPTAINS PAST AND PRESENT

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

2016 REUNIONS

2016 OPEN DAY

10 Year Reunion Friday September 9

1 Year Reunion Thursday November 24

Would you like a tour of the College? Visit us on OPEN DAY in 2016 Sunday October 23 1.00pm to 4.00pm

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PREVIOUS 10 YEAR REUNIONSThis is our fourth consecutive year of One Year and 10 Year Reunions and we are very happy that the momentum is building and gaining support each year.

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Thomas Carr College is excited to launch its inaugural alumni magazine, Shine, to bring news to the re-established alumni now known as the Thomas Carr College ‘Old Collegians’. We want to re-connect with as many ‘Old Collegians’ as possible, to strengthen our network with past students, parents and staff of the College.

We invite you to join our Facebook page and visit our College website to remain part of this community. Importantly, please register your current contact details to stay up to date with coming events.

This is your alumni association. It can provide you with social and professional networking opportunities, together with avenues to give back to the College via mentoring or sponsorship/philanthropic giving programs.

Tell us how you would like to be involved. Together we can create an alumni community that recognises the contributions of past students and enables the College to build a foundation for future generations.

We hope you have enjoyed this first edition of Shine.

Dr Andrew Watson Principal

WE WANT YOU!

35 Thomas Carr Drive, Tarneit, Victoria, Australia, 3029

T +61 3 8734 2444 F +61 3 9748 4388

CRICOS 01968B www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au

THEY WILL SHINE