A number of weeks ago, Mr Cloran and I attended the Marist Schools Australia Biennial conference. This conference is attended by leadership teams from Marist schools across Australia. One of the guest speakers this year reflected on the way modern society under-values the nature of the transcendent. Transcendence refers to existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level. For Catholics, we more commonly refer to this transcendence as faith in Jesus Christ and the power beyond our everyday lives. At today’s assembly, I asked students to reflect on how they form a connection to something greater than themselves and I suggested this can be done on three different levels. The first is the everyday level that we might almost do without any specific thought. In a school, this is through the prayer at the start of the lesson or the day. The second level is that which involves something more formal such as at Mass or through ceremony. The third level is that which we prepare for and resource to a far deeper level. It may be the deeply spiritual experience that only comes following thoughtful discernment, for example, on a retreat or in a moment of deep contemplation. Like food, the nourishment that comes from this deepest level is the most rewarding but is also the least common. I asked the students to take time in their lives to make this deep connection to God (the transcendent) in order fully appreciate the beauty of the grace of God in our lives.

Today also during our normal Friday assembly rotation, we recognised those students from Years 7 – 10 who have achieved some excellent results. These results were in both high standards of academic grades and for high standards of effort. For many students the effort will lead to a number of ‘A’s, but for some, the effort is the achievement itself. It was gratifying to see so many students receive recognition of their effort, and they are encouraged to continue this focus for Semester 2.

On Tuesday our Year 12 students returned to school following their Trial HSC exams. We always place our Retreat Reconnector on this first day back to enable students to reflect on the positive experience they had whilst on retreats at the start of the year. The students reported that it was a welcome return to school given what they have experienced over the past weeks. I thank Mrs Meharg and the staff for their considerate program for the students.

On Wednesday evening, we hosted our Year 8 students and some Year 9s for their Stage 5 information evening. There was a very good attendance of students and parents, and the evening gave them an opportunity to understand the elective selection process and ask questions of teachers. Thank you to the parents and students who attended and to the staff who organised the evening and were available to share their expertise.

A reminder that Next Friday (26 August) is a Pupil Free Staff Development Day. This day will have a Pastoral focus with the intention of looking at student and staff wellbeing and how we can enhance a sense of belonging within our community. At Mount Carmel, we make a deliberate decision to place these days in the centre of the term to enable both students and staff to have a ‘circuit breaker’ from the normal routines. I trust the students will use this day effectively to take some time to rejuvenate.

Ite in Veritate