Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Mount Carmel, 

The Gospel reading from this past week is often referred to as the “Feeding of the 5000” which was taken from Luke’s account of Jesus’ feeding of the masses from five loaves and two fish. We are told of the disciples approaching Jesus and asking that he send the thousands that had gathered to see him, back to their towns to source their own food for the evening. Rejecting this request, Jesus instructed his disciples to collect the loaves and fish from a young man in the crowd before spreading it among his followers to the point where each were satisfied. In addition to this miracle being further evidence of the earthly presence of God among us, it is also seen as evidence of God’s promise to provide us with all that is required in order to sustain us. Significantly, for a College community such as ours, the fact that the loaves and fish were supplied from one young man among the thousands of followers, we are also reminded of the significant contribution that our young people have to make towards our College, our local community and the broader Church in general. 

As you would be aware, this coming week will see a number of opportunities provided for Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews to take place, in addition to the distribution of the Semester One reports. Once again, I would encourage all parents to make themselves available on either Monday or Thursday evening, or Friday morning in order to meet with your child’s teachers to discuss their report, reflect on Semester One and to set a course of action for the second half of the year. The PTS/Conference bookings can be made now via the parent portal on Compass. 

This coming Thursday, a number of Mt Carmel students will join Miss Donellan, Miss Bowen and Mr Rees as they depart on our 2019 Thailand Immersion. As has been the case in previous years, it is hoped that this experience will be as equally rewarding for our students, as well as for the young people within the communities that they will be working with. I thank all the parents and friends of the College who attended our fund-raising trivia night last week and particularly thank the teachers who are travelling with our students in order for them to receive such a valuable experience. We look forward to receiving their updates and hearing of their travels upon their return. 

Finally this week, I would like to congratulate a number of our junior students who were recognised this week by the Catholic Education Office after their artworks were selected to appear in an art display at the head office in Wollongong. Director of Schools, Mr Peter Turner, passed on his personal congratulations and expression of thanks to these fine young artists from Mt Carmel. I particularly acknowledge three Year 8 students Merryn Clarke, Daniela Miletic and Max Bakulic, in addition to Leilani Masilungan from Year 9. 

David Cloran

Acting Principal