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Parent-Teacher Interviews:
Building a Community of Connection
In the Gospel, Jesus is constantly shown as someone who prioritizes connection. He listens deeply, walks alongside others, and invests in their growth. Whether speaking with His disciples, welcoming children, or reaching out to the marginalized, Jesus models a way of being that is grounded in love, partnership, and presence.
At Mount Carmel, parent-teacher interviews are more than just academic check-ins—they are an opportunity to reflect Jesus’ way of forming relationships. When parents and teachers come together in these conversations, they mirror Jesus’ commitment to working in communion for the good of each person, especially the young people in our care.
Just as Jesus invited parents to bring their children to Him—saying, "Let the little children come to me" (Mark 10:14)—we too invite families into the educational journey. By being present, listening, and sharing in honest dialogue, we affirm that education is a shared mission. It’s a partnership where teachers bring their professional wisdom, and parents bring their deep knowledge of their children, both seeking what is best for each student in body, mind, and spirit.
Parent involvement reflects God’s presence in the lives of our students. Through collaboration, encouragement, and prayer, we build the kind of supportive, compassionate community that Jesus calls us to create—one where every child knows they are seen, loved, and guided.
With the upcoming Year 7-10 Parent Teacher Student Interviews next week on Monday 30 June, Thursday 3 July and Friday 4 July, here are some suggested thoughtful and effective questions parents may choose to ask to gain meaningful insight into their child's academic progress, behaviour, and engagement.
Academic Performance
- How is my child performing compared to class expectations or standards?
- What are my child’s strengths in this subject?
- Where are they struggling, and why do you think that is?
- Are there any missing assignments or late submissions I should be aware of?
- How can I support their learning at home?
Behaviour and Engagement
- Is my child attentive and engaged in class discussions?
- How do they interact with peers and contribute to group work?
- Do they demonstrate responsibility and independence in managing their work?
Effort and Attitude
- Are they putting in their best effort?
- How do they respond to challenges or setbacks in your class?
- What motivates or excites them about your subject (if anything)?
Communication and Feedback
- How does my child receive and respond to feedback?
- Have they communicated any concerns or challenges to you directly?
- What is the best way for us to stay in touch moving forward?
We look forward to seeing our many parents and students who have booked in to engage with this extremely important communication and connection point with teachers.
Stay safe, keep well, go gently.
Ms Samantha Giles
Acting Principal
As we head towards the end of another successful term of learning, there is certainly no indication that we are winding down towards a break, particularly if the past week is any indication.
We have seen a range of important activities take place which are important for the ongoing spiritual, learning and wellbeing development of students. On Monday, Year groups and Pastoral classes participated in a variety of activities and presentations to enhance the day to day work of the classroom. Staff completed the final stages of writing and proofing Years 7-10 Academic reports, which will be released this Friday. Tuesday Sport saw trials take place for the selection of Term 3 MISA representative teams. Wednesday the annual Year 7 Technology “Smart Farmer” incursion took place and Wednesday evening saw our Creative and Performing Arts students and staff deliver a very successful showcase evening. On Thursday we finalised School Photo catch ups and Year 12 students had the opportunity to spend time with Bishop Brian in what was a very enlightening presentation and Q & A session. Year 10 students also participated in their Year 11 “Subject Selection Marketplace” on Thursday, which is another important stage in the process of choosing their individual course of study for Stage 6. Today has seen more than 80 students and 5 staff attend a Stage 5 Exploring Early Childhood excursion to the University of Wollongong. A lot of time and energy goes into the preparation and presentation of these activities and I thank all staff and students for their contribution and cooperation over the course of the past week.
Next week will see our Year 11 Health and Movement Science students attend and Anatomy Laboratory excursion to the University of Wollongong and Parent/Teacher/Student interviews are being held on Monday and Thursday evening and Friday morning.Again, thanks to all staff and students in anticipation for the success of these various initiatives.
As next Friday will be PTS meetings, there will not be any classes conducted on this day as teachers will be involved in the meetings.Could I take this opportunity to wish all members of our community a peaceful break and again thank everyone for their ongoing support throughout the past term.
Mr Simon Huntly
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Friday 27 June
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a celebration for Christ’ deep, personal love for each of us. It focuses on Jesus’ physical heart, a symbol of his enduring love and the emotional and spiritual sufferings He endured for humanity.
The image of His heart, wounded yet burning with love, reminds us that Jesus gave everything, even His life, so we might know the fullness of God’s mercy and compassion.
This feast invites us to draw closer to the heart of Jesus, to trust in His love, to show kindness to others, and to find peace in His presence. It’s a reminder that God’s love is not distant, but tender, faithful, and near to us in every moment.
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Feast of St Peter & St Paul - Sunday 29 June
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The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul celebrates two great leaders of the early Church. Though very different, Peter, a humble fisherman, and Paul, a former persecutor, both were transformed by Christ and became bold witnesses of the Gospel. They are celebrated together because they represent the unity and mission of the Church; Peter leading the Jewish Christians, and Paul bringing the message to the Gentiles. Their lives remind us that God uses all people, with different gifts and stories, to build His Church. Like them, we are called to live with courage, faith, and a heart open to God’s call. At mass on Sunday, the first reading focuses on the Lord recusing Peter from Herod whilst the second reading is Paul’s letter to Timothy, ready for the Day of the Lord. |
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How to Encourage Peace inour Society Today?
| As a Carmelite school, we are encouraged by the legacy of St Teresa of Avila and St Therese of Lisieux to consider our actions. They both sought to encourage peaceful relationships with others but also with oneself through the relationship they had with God. | |
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St Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582)
Teresa was a Carmelite nun who sought to renew the Order, which she felt had grown too relaxed. She founded the Discalced Carmelites ("discalced" meaning barefoot, symbolising simplicity and poverty), returning to a life of prayer, silence, and detachment from worldly things. |
St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897)
Thérèse entered the Carmel of Lisieux at age 15. Though she never left the convent, her simple, humble approach to holiness known as the “Little Way” became famous worldwide. Through her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Thérèse taught that holiness is found in doing small things with great love. Her childlike trust and deep love of God made her one of the most beloved saints and a model of Carmelite spirituality lived out in daily life. |
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Mrs Kristina Borg
Acting REC
Year 11 2026 Course Selection
Course Market Day
Year 10 students attended the Course Market Day on Thursday where expert teachers presented mini lessons on the various HSC courses offered for next year. Students attended 8 different sessions throughout the day where they took notes and asked questions to help them discern their future pathways.
KLA Coordinator Conversations for Course approval
Where a student needs to seek approval from a KLA Coordinator for a course they wish to do, they must do this prior to the Course Selection Interview on 6th August. Year 10 students are asked to check the document shared via google classroom for the times that KLA Coordinators are available.
Course Selection Interview Bookings - Wednesday 6 August
Bookings will open on Monday of Week 10 (30 June) for the Year 11 2026 Course Selection Interviews on 6 August. Parents and Students of Year 10, please ensure that you are available for this date. If you cannot attend on this date, please contact Ms Miller (millerc06@dow.catholic.edu.au) to organise an alternate meeting time.
At this interview students will be lodging their course selection preferences, so it is crucial that they are prepared and bring with them their course selection form and any non recommendation letters that they have been issued.
YEAR 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews provide an opportunity for parents/carers and students to meet with class teachers to review academic progress and discuss areas for growth. This conversation provides an opportunity for valuable feedback and enables parents/carers to ask questions to support students as they progress through their secondary education.
Bookings are now open. The times and dates of the conferences in Week 10 are:
- Monday 30 June - 4-8pm at the College in S Block
- Thursday 3 July - 4-8pm at the College in S Block
- Friday 4 July - 8:30am -12:30pm via Zoom
The interviews will be held in S Block with teachers located with their primary KLA. The elevator will be available to assist with movement between floors in addition to the internal and external stairwells.
Should you decide to do the interviews via Zoom, it is highly advisable that you access/open your Zoom app to ensure that you have the most up-to-date version prior 4 of July.
Bookings for all interview dates will close in Compass on Monday 30th June at 12:00 pm.
To support the discussions at these meetings, Year 7 -10 Semester 1 Reports will be available via Compass on the afternoon of Friday 27th June.
If you have any questions or require assistance in booking interviews or resetting your Compass password, please phone the College to 02 9603 3000 or send an email to Mrs Rina Domingo domingor01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Minimum Standards Testing
On Wednesday of Week 10, Year 10 will be completing their second attempt at the NESA HSC Minimum Standards Tests. This is a requirement for their successful attainment of the Higher School Certificate in 2027. Students will need to ensure that they have a fully charged device for these tests. Students who are unsuccessful in attaining the Level 3 minimum standard, will be given opportunities to resit these tests throughout the next two years. Results of the tests will be available to students via their NESA Students Online account.
Trial HSC Exam Timetable
Year 12 have received their Trial HSC Exam timetable this week. The exam block is from Monday 4-18 August. The College wishes students all the best with their preparations for their final school based assessments.
Winter Holiday HSC Classes
To continue to support Year 12 in maximising their learning opportunities, some courses will be offering HSC Holiday classes. Students have been issued with the schedule and it will also appear on their Compass timetable.
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TERM 2 |
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| Week 10 |
Year 12 01/07/2025 History Extension 02/07/2025 Studies of Religion II 02/07/2025 Music 1 02/07/2025 Mathematics Extension 1 03/07/2025 Studies in Catholic Thought 03/07/2025 Society & Culture Year 11 01/07/2025 Legal Studies 02/07/2025 Studies of Religion II 03/07/2025 Physics |
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TERM 3 |
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| Week 2 |
Year 11 01/08/2025 Society & Culture |
Ms Chardy Miller & Mr Jay Hagan
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Curriculum Administration
Year 7 & 8 Students Engage with "Verbal Combat" Anti-Bullying Program
Last Friday, our Year 7 and 8 students had the privilege of participating in Verbal Combat, an engaging and thought-provoking performance by Brainstorm Productions. The program uses dynamic storytelling to explore critical issues surrounding bullying and cyberbullying, equipping students with practical strategies to foster positive relationships and build resilience.
The performance shed light on several essential themes, including:
- Bullying and Cyberbullying – Highlighting the impact of hurtful words and actions, both online and offline, and the importance of empathy.
- Digital Citizenship – Encouraging students to use technology responsibly and respectfully.
- Legal Consequences – Raising awareness of how harmful online behavior can lead to serious legal implications.
- Social Media and Digital Reputation – Helping students understand how their online actions shape their digital footprint and reputation.
- Group Dynamics and Exclusion – Addressing the pain of being left out and the importance of inclusivity.
- Bystanders and Upstanders – Empowering students to take positive action when they witness bullying, both in-person and online.
- Privacy and Online Safety – Emphasising the value of safeguarding personal information in the digital world.
Through its relatable characters and impactful scenarios, Verbal Combat encouraged students to reflect on their role in creating a safe and supportive school community. They left the session equipped with tools to navigate social challenges, foster respectful relationships, and handle online interactions thoughtfully and safely.
At Mount Carmel Catholic College, we are committed to providing opportunities like these to nurture our students' understanding of important social issues and to promote a culture of respect and kindness.
School Holiday Activities
The upcoming school holidays are a fantastic opportunity for students to explore new interests, build skills, and have fun! We’ve curated a range of engaging activities for families to consider. Whether your child is into sports, arts, or community service, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few activities that have been shared with the College.
- NAIDOC week falls on the first week of school holidays 6–13 July Check out how your local community is celebrating here
- NSW Office of Sport – FREE Holiday Break Camps : NSW Office of Sport for more information on School Holiday Programs;
- Free Youth Basketball Program;
- Free JMC Academy Acting Workshop:
- Comedy Programs for Teens
- Free Stars within All abilities Dance Program for 12-25 year olds
- Free Tennis Program for 12-25 year olds
Swimming between the digital flags: helping young Australians navigate social media’s dangerous currents
The relationship between social media and children’s mental health is one of the most important conversations of our time. That's why, from mid-December, the Australian Government will require certain social media services to take steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts.
This week, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant outlined how Australia plans to take this bold action forward, in a speech delivered at the National Press Club.
Here's what parents need to know right now:
- It’s not a ban, it’s a delay. We’re giving kids more time to build digital skills and resilience before facing the pressures of social media.
- The responsibility lies with the platform. There are no penalties for children or parents—only for platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts.
- You’re not alone. eSafety offers trusted resources for parents and carers, educators, young people and kids. We’ve got the flags, the swimming lessons, and the safety tips to help you support your kids. And our protective powers in areas such as cyberbullying and image-based abuse will still be there to help if things go wrong.
Australia is building a culture of online safety—just like we’ve done on our beaches. Because the internet, like the ocean, is not going away – and our kids are already dipping their toes in. To stay up to date on social media age restrictions, visit eSafety.gov.au.
Wishing Our College Community a Safe and Restful Holiday
As we approach the end of Term 2, we would like to wish all students and their families a safe, enjoyable, and well-deserved school holiday break. We hope this time allows for rest, reflection, and quality moments with loved ones.
A reminder that all students are expected to return in Term 3 (Monday 21 July) in full College winter uniform, adhering to the College’s grooming policy. This ensures we maintain the high standards and sense of pride that represent our school community.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another productive term of learning and growth.
As part of our ongoing association with Elevate Education, next week’s Webinar has a focus on exam preparation. Please click on the link below to register for this presentation.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact your son or daughter’s pastoral advisor, year coordinator or the front office should you have any concerns or needs relating to their learning or wellbeing.
Mrs Theresa Moore & Mrs Clarissa Pearce
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Coordinators
Around the Grounds
Term 4 has been a very busy term with a lot of events crammed into 10 weeks. During week 9 we had our Diocesan Volleyball and Hockey teams compete in their respective championships showing some impressive results. Unfortunately the Diocesan Volleyball Championships were impacted by a power outage and was cancelled on the day. We also had our Boys and Girls Diocesan Hockey teams compete at the Narellan Sports Hub. It was a tough day for our teams with our boys failing to score a single goal on the day. Nevertheless they represented the college with pride.
Week 8 also saw the conclusion of MISA for term 2. We managed to secure the girls 11-12 years Netball trophy for a second consecutive year. We also had two teams lose their grand finals including our senior boys rugby league team and junior basketball team. It was still a very successful term with Mount Carmel still leading in the overall MISA championship due to consistent seasons from all MISA teams in term 1 and 2. Next week we turn our eyes to term 3 with trials being held for the following teams.
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- 10-12 years girls softball
- Under 15 years boys league
- 10-12 years boys AFL
- 10-12 years girls AFL
- 9-10 years girls netball
- 7-8 years girls netball
- 7-9 years girls soccer
- 7-8 years boys soccer
- 9-10 years boys soccer
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Athletics Carnival
The College held its annual athletics carnival on Monday, which was an enjoyable day filled with house spirit, competition, and personal bests. The carnival is ongoing, with the Javelin event scheduled for week 9 to help determine which house will be crowned Athletics Carnival Champions. A huge thank you to everyone who was present on the day and helped contribute to a successful event, despite the weather doing its best to cool down a hot day of competition. Special thanks to the staff who all contributed to the carnival by providing coaching, officiating events, encouraging participation, and promoting house spirit. I thank you all for your efforts. The winning house and age champions will be announced in the coming weeks and students will be celebrated at our college assembly in week 2 of next term.
MISA - Grand Finals
| Sport | Result | MVP | Short Report |
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Basketball Years 7-9 Girls HOBR |
Win 27-20 vs BAC |
Syhvonne Bulamu | The MCCC Junior Girls Basketball team faced Broughton Anglican College in a thrilling 3rd position play-off. Both teams brought high energy and determination, making it a tough and exciting game from start to finish. MCCC fought hard and came away with a well-earned 27-20 win, securing 3rd place in the competition. A big congratulations to Shyvonne Bulamu, who was named MVP for her consistent effort and determination, not only in this game but throughout the entire term. Well done, girls! |
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Basketball Years 7-9 Boys RODC
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Draw 45-All vs JTCC |
George Vatuvei | MCCC came out strong and pushed to an early lead. Unfortunately, we dropped our guard and had a number of turnovers at the end of the first half that let JT back into the game. The second half proved just as frustrating and JT had pushed out to an 11 point lead with 3 minutes to go. The Mount Carmel boys never gave up though, and with enthusiastic support from the sidelines, MCCC pushed back to be only 2 points behind with 30 seconds to go. With a mammoth effort and very calm free throws taken by Christos under enormous pressure, we ended the game tied. Credit must go to the team for not giving up and pushing to the end to get a good result against a tough opponent. |
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Ultimate Frisbee 7-9 Mixed KAWR |
Win 10-5 vs BAC |
Antonia Vidovic |
The team put together a very solid performance today with a convincing win of 10-5. The whole team contributed to today’s victory which secured 3rd place overall which is a much improved result from our early season predictions. A special mention to Antonia Vidovic who scored twice to provide us with a buffer moving into the later stages of the game. Congratulations to all and I hope that there is a sense of pride and achievement moving forward into next year. |
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Indoor Cricket 10-12 Girls SULJ |
Loss 47-45 vs STC |
Eva Grados & Gloria Ryan | The girls were pumped coming off a win last week with stand-in super coach Mr Sullivan and were keen to get back to back wins to finish off the season. The girls bowled and batted exceptionally well with some stellar performances from Eva Grados and Gloria Ryan. Unfortunately the girls were 2 runs short and weren’t able to get the win. Thankyou for a great season girls, especially to the year 12 girls who have dedicated their time and effort to the love of cricket. For some of you that has been your whole time at Mount Carmel. All the best with your future cricket endeavours. |
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Netball Years 11-12 Girls PONT |
 Win 27-23; MVP The Entire Team Heading into the grand final as the determined underdogs, our girls faced a tough challenge—Magdalene, a strong team we hadn’t yet beaten. With a recent loss to them still fresh, the girls stepped onto the court with grit, heart, and a fierce determination to bring the trophy home to MCCC. From the very first whistle, they gave it everything—contesting every pass, applying relentless pressure across the court, chasing every rebound, and hunting down intercepts. Although Magdalene came out strong and took an early lead, our girls fought back with passion and purpose, taking the lead by the third quarter. Midway through the game, we faced a setback as one of our standout defenders, Lauren, suffered a serious knee injury. But instead of faltering, the team rallied. They dug even deeper, playing with courage and unity—not just for themselves and MCCC, but for Lauren, whose spirit continued to drive them forward. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard reflected their incredible effort—a well-deserved 4-goal victory and the title of Years 11/12 MISA Netball Champions for 2025 was ours once again! Congratulations, girls. Coaching you this term has been an absolute joy, and I couldn’t be prouder. Wishing you all the very best in everything ahead!  |
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Hockey Years 7-9 Boys ELID
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Draw 0-0 vs MAS |
The Whole Team |
The boys were ready for their 3rd place game against a more experienced team. It was our best game with an open end to end game. Dylan Jacobs made some crucial saves to prevent their short corners being converted. Oscar was dominant at centre back and even stepped up and dribbled the ball out of trouble on multiple occasions. The most impressive team display of work ethics and sportsmanship and a great way to finish the season. Great job everyone! |
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Rugby Leage Open Boys CAML |
Loss 30-1 vs JTCC |
Mateo Andrews Pelesasa Andrews Mitchell Carney Preston Gallant Braxton O'Donoghue Liam Seale & Seirasa Smith |
The boys all brought plenty of energy to the game and all 20 bought into the 7:30am Captains Run ahead of the Grand Final. Unfortunately today wasn’t our day with our cross town rivals, JTCC proving too strong in what was a very tight contest for most of the game. We were very conservative early on, completing at 85% but were unable to convert this into points. Our defence was solid as it has been all year, only conceding 2 tries in the opening half. The second half saw some more free flowing footy from both sides, and unfortunately alot more defending and yardage sets from the Mount Carmel boys. Our middles along with outside back, Nicholas Lalic, did everything they could to get us on the front foot and into a scoring position. In what was their final MISA Rugby League Game for MCCC, I take this opportunity to sincerely thank our 7 Year 12 students for their leadership, energy and commitment to the team each and every week. We will look to rebuild and go one better in 2026! |
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Football 10-12 Girls HEAS |
Draw 3-3 vs SPC |
Dominique Bzdega | The 3v4 final match ended in a hard-fought draw, with the girls showing great determination and teamwork despite playing another week with just ten players. Their impressive effort in making strong attacking plays capped off the season with a proud and well deserved finish well done, girls! |
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Football 11-12 Boys BERB |
Draw 1-1 vs JTCC |
Marus Furnari |
The boys competed in their 3rd vs 4th final playoff this week, delivering a strong performance in a tightly contested match. Despite going 1-0 down early, the boys showed great determination to fight back and level the score at 1-1. While the game ultimately ended in a draw, their effort, teamwork, and resilience were outstanding. The team should be proud of their achievements throughout the season and the way they represented the College. |
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Rugby League U16 Girls TACR |
Win 28-20 vs SPC |
Fisiilose Feiloakitohi | A great game for the girls today. The team definitely turned up and they were on fire. Their defence was hard and strong and all the girls backed each other up in the tackles. The passion and grit dominated their runs and the St Pat’s couldn’t stop them. Great work today and all season girls. Congratulations on taking 3rd place. |
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Indoor Cricket 10-12 Girls OCOB |
Loss 47-45 vs STP |
Eva Grados & Gloria Ryan |
The girls were pumped coming off a win last week with stand-in super coach Mr Sullivan and were keen to get back to back wins to finish off the season. The girls bowled and batted exceptionally well with some stellar performances from Eva Grados and Gloria Ryan. Unfortunately the girls were 2 runs short and weren’t able to get the win. Thankyou for a great season girls, especially to the year 12 girls who have dedicated their time and effort to the love of cricket. For some of you that has been your whole time at Mount Carmel. All the best with your future cricket endeavours. |
As always, students are encouraged to sign up and trial for representative teams. Below you will find registration links for both our DIO and NSWCCC events. If you require any further information please visit the Diocese of Wollongong sports here.
Representative Pathways
| MISA Website | https:/wwwwmisaonlineeorgg.au/ |
| Diocesan Sport News | Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed here |
| NSW CCC/CSNSW Sport News | Higher level CCC trials and events status can be monitored here. |
| School Sport Australia Sport News | More School Sport Australia information can be found here |
On Friday, the 20 June, both Year 9 and Year 10 Visual Arts classes went to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. There we got to see the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prize winners for 2025, as well as other exhibitions and artworks. These included many paintings, ceramics, sculptures, photographs, interactive works and film. We were able to see and experience many well-known works, such as ‘The Sea Hath its Pearls’, painted in 1897 by William Henry Margetson, and ‘Australian Beach Pattern’ by Charles Meere. One of the interactive works, Hikoko Ito’s Happy Birthday 2U2, was most memorable. The card size and folding was very intuitive, and the design had different patterns to choose from. Not to mention the atmosphere of students and art enthusiasts alike. This exhibit will continue to run until 17 August and it’s a card exchange between people who share the same birthdays through unique postboxes. Many people from our school and others participated on the day, leaving behind a card and taking home someone else’s.
Written by Rhea Singh (Year 10)
New Uniform Supplier
Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Parish Fiesta
It is a condition of the use of a School Opal card that students must tap on and tap off every trip at an Opal Card Reader, when they travel to and from school. Please refer to the Transport for NSW website for further details. We encourage you to talk to your child and remind them to comply with the Transport NSW requirements.