Having completed our first six weeks of the year we are now well and truly back into a routine of providing a range of activities that promote opportunities for students to engage and excel. This week alone an extensive range of initiatives took place that are designed to support learning and extend students beyond the classroom.

On Monday, Year 8 students participated in gender specific presentations by Yourchoicez titled “Connections that Count”. The presentations allow students to gain insight into how their online choices can affect their friendships and current or future relationships. If you would like to investigate a little more of what Yourchoicez is about, feel free to click on the link yourchoicez.com.au.

Year 11 tracking reports are now being finalised and prepared for distribution over the coming weeks which will provide a snapshot of student learning over the first part of the year. Year 12 Hospitality students took part in excursions on Wednesday and Thursday to support the attainment of competencies for their VET accreditation. On Thursday, our Years 10, 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attend a Diocesan cultural and careers day at Kiama. Thursday saw 33 boys attend the Diocesan Touch selection trials in Wollongong and earlier today our College Swimming team took part in the Diocesan Carnival at Corrimal.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of our week was the Year 7 2024 Information Night on Wednesday which Mr Lo Cascio has referred to. Over 50 of our students assisted with tours and presentations throughout the evening, along with the contribution from our staff who worked in their KLA teams to set up displays to provide prospective students and families a snapshot of what life at Mount Carmel entails. A huge thanks goes out to all staff and students for their participation, enthusiasm and cooperation with the past week, which has certainly resembled what school looked like prior to the Pandemic.

Speaking of the Pandemic, RAT kits were distributed to all students who requested one over the past couple of weeks. The school still has a supply available, should any family require an additional kit, please contact the Front Office. Whilst Covid-19 is still certainly no longer a news headline, NSW is still averaging over 1000 new cases a day and the College still has a role to play in supporting those who may be at risk.

Mr Simon Huntly