Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

Welcome to our final newsletter for 2020. 

Over the past year we have certainly seen an opportunity for growth that we had not envisaged 12 months ago. The improvements in student outcomes were developed in an uncertain environment that necessitated many changes to what we did and why we did them. Each of these things was a result of circumstances beyond our control but in many cases have resulted in processes that we could control and which are better than previous. Of course there were also things that we would have liked to have done better and some things that will return to the way we did them as soon as we are able. 

In contrast to all this turmoil, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff for their focus on students and in completing their roles even in times of adversity Their commitment and passion for their roles was a great comfort to many students. I would like also to thank the students for their flexibility in moving and swinging as new directives came through and we tried new ways of managing tasks. I would also like to thank parents and families for your understanding that what was normal no longer existed and we worked within limiting constraints. 

Most of all, I would like to thank God for the Hope that comes as a strong basis to our faith. We often hear the phrase “thank God” when people are relieved that something has gone their way, however, an important part of our personal relationship with God, relies on the knowledge that we are vulnerable and much of our world is out of our control. As a faith community, recognising this is an important step to accepting that we sometimes make mistakes and that God’s love will support us through the consequences of these mistakes. 

“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest”. Oscar Romero

On Tuesday we celebrate our last day with Mass. We have only had one other opportunity this year to celebrate the Eucharist as a community and this is an essential part of what we do. Unfortunately, we are unable to have guests at this mass as a result of restrictions on numbers but I am sure the students will value the opportunity to come together as a community. The mass will be followed by a shortened Year 7 – 10 academic awards distribution and a fun end to the year. This is a compulsory school day. Further details on the last week will appear later in this newsletter.

As this year draws to a close we farewell a small number of staff who have resigned to move to other schools or whose appointments have come to an end. A large thank you to Mr Kripal, Ms Cahill, Ms Calka, Ms Cleuskins and Ms Geuking-Cohausz. Thank you for your time and efforts at Mount Carmel and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Next year we welcome ten new staff who will join us at the start of the year. We will announce those joining us at the start of the new year.

On one final note, in your preparations for 2021, please note that we have amended the College uniform policy slightly to allow for sport shoes to be coloured. This is an attempt to keep costs for parents down as I am aware it has become increasingly difficult to get predominantly white shoes for a reasonable price. There are still requirements around safety (eg no slip-ons, volleys etc) and these are outlined in a letter which will be sent via email from the Year Coordinators early next week. 

I wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and pray that you have a safe and relaxing break spent with family and friends.

Mr Steve Lo Cascio