Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

This week’s Gospel (Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32), contains the parable that is often called the ‘prodigal son’, the ‘lost son’ or the ‘forgiving father’. In this parable, one son leaves his home and squanders his wealth and then returns asking for forgiveness. The father forgives him without hesitation and celebrates his return. Whilst I am sure the main meaning of the gospel is not about our own families, depending on whether we identify with the father or son, or the obedient brother for that matter, the parable contains important messages about the relationships that we have with those around us. These relationships may sometimes become strained or may even be taken for granted. They may consume our every thought or may be far from our mind. In each case, we are reminded that the love of our Father in heaven is always there and ready to forgive. All we need to do is ask.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen COVID related absences common throughout the College. These absences are regularly reported back to you through letters that are distributed at the end of most days. Whilst it is easy to become complacent by the number of these that have been sent, I ask that you are vigilant in watching for symptoms in your child and ensuring that they are careful in their interactions with others. I strongly encourage all students and staff to wear masks when they cannot physically distance and reiterate the expectation that hand sanitiser is regularly used. I remind all parents and students that masks are still compulsory on buses and this is not negotiable. I have also asked staff to be prepared to post work that can be completed independently if we get to the point where we have insufficient staff to run classes and need to merge classes or combine students for supervision. Should this be the case on a large scale, I will inform parents directly with as much warning as possible. I ask for your understanding and support if we make the difficult decision to combine year groups on particular days. If required, this will be done on a rotation basis and only as a last resort.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, we hosted a number of visitors who came to the College to conduct our 5 yearly Cyclic Review. The panel met with the College Leadership Team where we explained our journey since the last review and the things we have addressed. This included working on our college master building plan, the changes to pastoral classes and report structures as well as our own school improvement practices and focusses on feedback and differentiation for students. We discussed the development of the student hub (in the library) and the changes to our network infrastructure and our website, just to name a few things. The review panel then met with various groups of students, staff and a few of our parents who we are grateful for giving of their time. The panel also had access to surveys of parents, students and staff that were conducted last year (when the original review was planned) and data from our past HSC and NAPLAN results and Annual School Reports. A huge thank you to all who were involved.

The review panel gave us a brief summary before the final report is issued in a few weeks. Their feedback hinged on the positive community spirit that exists at Mount Carmel and the strength of relationships and concern that is apparent between staff and students, students and students, and staff and staff. These relationships are built out of the idea of community and family spirit and are an important characteristic of what we do. The final recommendations that will be delivered will contribute toward our next School Improvement Goals that will be focussed on from 2023 to 2026.

As we move into week 9 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

Mr Steve Lo Cascio

Principal