Good afternoon everyone,

As we commence 2022 I would like to share some information that is currently included in our College Diary and is important in terms of establishing norms and providing support for our students. The challenges of the past  2 years have reinforced greatly that we should take nothing for granted, whilst at the same time, displaying the great sense of cooperation, community, care and resilience that exists within Mount Carmel.

Having said that, it is also important to recognise that there are certain things that we can undertake that will foster even further our common goals with respect to Learning and Wellbeing. Firstly, the Pastoral Care foundations that we are built on here at the College. These pillars are fundamental to our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing programs and stress the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach to education. It is these themes that will be integrated into our Pastoral Care program over the coming year that will provide opportunity for group and individual challenge and growth.  

Secondly, the importance of maintaining a high standard of application and presentation as part of our broader community. Late last year, letters were sent out by each of our respective Year Coordinators outlining some of the expectations regarding uniform and grooming, among other things. Could I please remind students and carers of the expectations regarding hair, as outlined below:

Hair – Girls

• Hair must be tidy and neither grown nor groomed in an extreme or exaggerated fashion. Hair needs to be well brushed, combed and tidy. Extremes of cut, dyeing/foils, gels, mousse, sprays and steps must not be used.
  
• Hair must be of a natural colour and in such a condition that it does not invite comment
  
• Ribbons (cardinal red, navy blue or white) are to be used to tie back hair longer than collar length
  
• No patterns or lines are to be shaved into the scalp or eyebrows
  
• Hair should not obscure the face. No fancy clips or hair accessories.

Hair – Boys

• Hair must be of a natural colour, tidy and neither grown nor groomed in an extreme or exaggerated fashion
  
• The following are not allowed – steps, undercutting, dyeing, layering, colour variations, gels, too long (over collar and/or ears), obscuring the face or eyebrows, or too short. Hair may not be tied up (e.g. pony tail)
  
• Extremes of cut, dyeing, gels, mousse and sprays must not be used
  
• Nothing below a #2 gauge/blade (unless a medical condition exists) is acceptable and no patterns or lines are to be shaved into the scalp or eyebrows. Changes in length should be blended
  
• Hair must be in such a condition that it does not invite comment
  
• All boys must be clean-shaven.

Lastly, it is important that each individual student accepts responsibility for their own level of wellbeing. The SEEEDSS program provides a scaffold for the awareness and implementation of a variety of strategies and skills that we can all apply to monitor and adapt behaviours that can influence our individual and collective wellbeing. Again, this program will be part of each Year Groups Pastoral Care and Wellbeing throughout 2022.

Each of these matters are explained in more detail in the Student Diaries. Please feel free to discuss these with your son or daughter, or contact their respective Year Coordinator for further information.

Elevate Education
In conjunction with presentations to Years 8 & 11 later this year, Elevate has provided access to a range of webinars throughout the year for teachers, parents and carers. The first Webinar for the year is next Wednesday.

• February 9 - Motivation and the role of parental praise and goals.

Each seminar commences at 7pm. Registration is essential and free for parents of Mount Carmel Catholic College. You can register by clicking here.

Each webinar runs live on-line for an hour where the presenter will share Elevate’s key research and skills and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly. Should you have any questions or would like to contact Elevate directly, their details are listed below.

Thanks in anticipation of your support throughout 2022.

Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator