“My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognise what is best”. Phil 1: 3 - 6

As often occurs, there is a phrase or sentence in the Gospel readings for a particular week that resonates with something that is happening in our own context. The quote above is in the second reading this Sunday and is from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians. As I was considering what was happening at Mount Carmel at the end of this week and the start of next, the most obvious events were the farewell and formal for the Year 12, 2021 cohort. This group leaves us without the usual fanfare and formalities of a graduation or assembly. I realise that I have mentioned this in a number of newsletters, and this is because of the disappointment that our community bears for these students. The message this week, however, certainly highlights the wish that we send with these fine young women and men. A month or so ago, we gave them a page in their portfolios that listed the qualities that we hope they have developed as members of our community. These qualities might be summed up in the above quote. The notion that they should bear a love for others that is aimed at improving themselves and their own growth and perception for what is best is fundamental to their future. Whilst I have never presented this particular quote as something to aim for, it is perhaps the best gift we can wish for them. To Year 12, 2021, congratulations and best wishes.

Today our new College captains met via zoom with Bishop Brian Mascord. This meeting replaced the usual in-face meeting that the bishop has with the various school captains from around the diocese at the end of each year. The bishop listened to the vision that these students had for their own schools and shared his idea of leadership at the local level. Our College Captains represented Mount Carmel with great passion and were a credit to each of us.

For parents of Year 7 – 10 students, you will receive access to your child’s academic report at the end of next week. These reports have been written from observations and interactions of the teachers with your child over the past two terms. The interactions were obviously affected by remote learning which, whilst it appears so long ago, only finished some five weeks back. Please take some time to discuss with your child what they expect to see in their reports as self-evaluation can be a very powerful tool. Please ask them to be open and honest in their discussions as they should be able to predict most of what will appear on their reports. 

As always, a very big thank you to the staff, students and parents for your flexibility and ongoing support during the year.