“This is my Son, the chosen one. Listen to Him.” (Luke 9:28-36).

When many of us were young, we preferred to get simple instructions from adults that helped us to figure out what we needed to do and when we needed to do it. This would help us not to get into trouble and enabled us to live a simple but happy lifestyle. As an older man, I still like people to say things simply and clearly so that I don’t get side-tracked or misunderstand their purpose. In Sunday’s reading, God does this for us. God the father/creator, gives us a simple message regarding the Son; “Listen to Him”. Whilst the instruction is simple, complying is not necessarily easy. The message is not around being aware of what has been said, it is about a conscious decision to stop, listen, consider, understand and act on the message. Our College motto ‘Walk in Truth’, is about acting on the message of God, since Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life”. When we walk in truth, we are walking in the way of Christ and are truly listening to Him. 

Today we held our Term 1 Staff Development Day and focused on how we use data to improve student learning. These professional development days allow us an opportunity to gather as a staff and to reflect on our practices with the intention of improving what and how we deliver to students to assist their learning. The opportunity to gather as a whole staff is an important way that we promote the opportunities for excellence that we can provide for our students. The day situated in the middle of the term also provides a much-needed breathing space for our students who in many cases have been working very hard following the disrupted year in 2021. Once again, I thank parents for your understanding that staff professional development is essential for improved teaching and appreciate the disruptions that this may cause.

On Tuesday we held our Parents and Friends AGM and first meeting of 2022. I thank the outgoing P&F executive for all the support and feedback that they gave us during the past 12 months. Elections were held for the new executive, and I am pleased to announce the following roles:

Vice President: Ms. Andrea Galea,

Secretary: Ms. Stephanie Ellam,

Diocesan delegate: Ms Andrea Galea.

At the meeting, we were not able to fill the position of President or treasurer so these will be offered again at the next meeting on May 24. I congratulate these parents and thank them for accepting these vital roles.

On March 23 and 24, we will be hosting a number of visitors who are coming onsite to conduct our 5 yearly Cyclic Review. This review was scheduled to happen in October last year but was not possible due to the lockdown orders. The review is an opportunity for the College to test our assumptions regarding what we do and how we do it and enables us to access outside experts to help find areas that might become our focus for improvement. There is sometimes the opportunity for some parents to meet with the panel and answer questions around our vision and processes. If you would like to meet with this panel, please contact the College office on 9603 3000 by Tuesday next week with your availability. Once we have a timetable established, we will make contact with some parents to organise a meeting time.

As we move into week 7 of the term, I remind any parents who are considering enrolment for year 7 for 2023 that we are now accepting these applications. As previously stated, the completed enrolment forms are due to be returned by 2pm on Friday April 8 (the last day of Term 1). If you are aware of anyone else who is considering lodging an application at Mount Carmel, please let them know of this date.

Ite in Veritate