On February 26 this year, we gathered as a College community in the Champagnat Centre here at Mount Carmel to mark Ash Wednesday and the commencement of Lent. Little did we know that on that morning, we would be gathering as a College for the last time in just over 9 months. Earlier today, after 275 days where COVID-19 directives prevented us from large gatherings, we were able to come together as a College community as we officially inducted the 2021 Student Representative Council into their respective roles and responsibilities. Following this ceremony, the entire Year 12 2021 cohort recited the the College Year 12 Pledge having now been issued with their Year 12 badges for 2021. The assembly concluded with the presentation of the 2020 Year 11 Awards which marked the end of their Preliminary Course. My sincere congratulations are extended towards the entire cohort and it is my hope that the level of application, enthusiasm and focus continues into next year. 

I also commend the Year 10 students and their teachers who engaged so impressively with the recent Year 10 Gender Program which took place on Monday and Tuesday this week. Students spent the two days involved in a range of activities and workshops from a number of nationally recognised presenters, as well as from Police, representatives from the Catholic Education Office and the teaching staff at Mt Carmel. The feedback received from students was overwhelmingly positive, as was the feedback we received from the staff who coordinated the day. My particular thanks to Ms Bowen and Mr Harrison and Mr Huntly for their tireless work in putting such a valuable and engaging program together. 

Finally, we remain grateful for the ongoing support that we have received from families despite the challenges we have faced this year, and offer a reminder of the three simple ways that parents can help support a safe environment here at Mt Carmel:

• Keeping your children home when they are unwell, even with very mild symptoms.
• Informing the school immediately if your child is self-isolating or undergoing testing and informing us of the result as soon as possible.
• Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, ensuring your child is free of symptoms AND can present a negative COVID-19 test, which must be sighted by the College, before they return to school.

Mr David Cloran