Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

This Sunday’s second reading contains one of the most quoted lines in the New Testament.  “You must love your neighbour as yourself” (Romans 13: 8-10). This is often quoted as part of the ‘new commandment’ and whilst the message of loving our neighbour is clear, there is an equally important message. That is that we must also love ourselves. This is not a command to be self-absorbed or arrogant in our approach, but it does mean that we should respect ourselves and the gift of ourselves that God has given us. How we take care of our bodies, maintain good physical health and mental health is a reflection of how we might ‘love ourselves’. This does not have to be in isolation. We sometimes require a doctor to assist for a physical injury or a psychologist or counsellor for our mental health. Many will often seek the guidance of a spiritual director or priest to assist with spiritual health and friends for emotional and social support. Whichever the purpose, one of our goals should be to ensure that we care for ourselves and in this way are then more easily able to love our neighbour as ourself.

On Monday we announced our Student Representative Council for 2024. This followed an extensive voting and training program where these students worked to develop their skills in leadership. Congratulations to the following students for accepting such a vital role within the Mount Carmel Catholic College community:

Yesterday it was announced that Mr David Cloran has been appointed to the substantive position of Principal at Magdalene. Mr Cloran was the Assistant Principal at Mount Carmel from 2018 until last year and has been Acting Principal at Magdalene this year. On behalf of the Mount Carmel community, I congratulate Mr Cloran and wish him all the best in his new role. Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong will begin the process of recruiting a new Assistant Principal at Mount Carmel over the next few weeks.

I have the pleasure of announcing that we will be joined by two new permanent teachers in the English department at the start of next term. Mr Ashik Romy will join us from St Joseph’s at Albion Park and Mr Andrew Doodson from Chevalier College at Bowral. Mrs Jasmyne Frascella will also join us in PDHPE as a parental leave replacement until the end of this year. Welcome to each of these new staff.

On Wednesday we held the final Parent/Teacher/Student meetings for our current Year 12 students. Thank you to those parents and students who attended and to the staff who gave of their time to meet and make suggestions. Our Year 12 students are encouraged to take the time and advice to ensure they can make the most of their final weeks prior to their HSC exams. 

A reminder that at our last P&F meeting, the P&F decided to change the format of a lucky draw that occurs at the end of each year. For families who have paid their P&F contribution, you will go into a draw to win $200 worth of vouchers for Christmas. There will be $200 won in each year group (ie 6 x $200 draws) and this will occur at the final P&F meeting on November 7. If you have made your contribution to the P&F by the start of that week, you will automatically be in the draws.

Thank you to those who attended our Father’s Day breakfast. We had about 30 people join us and help to celebrate the fathers in our lives. A particular thank you to Mr Daniels, Mrs Trimarchi, Mrs Meharg, Mr Teuma, Mrs Moore, Mr Miranda and Mr Huntly who helped to set up and cook and to Ms Borg who ran the liturgy. This was a lovely opportunity to get parents back onsite and celebrate with us.

Ite in Veritate

Mr Steve Lo Cascio