Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

Since an early age I can recall the story in this week’s first reading (Exodus 3;1-8, 13-15) where Moses stumbles upon a burning bush that is not consumed by the fire. As a young boy the idea fascinated me, but it was not until many years later that one other small phrase caught my interest. About halfway through this reading God says to Moses “Take off your shoes for the place on which you stand is holy ground’. Whilst studying for my Master of Religious Education, my lecturer asked us to consider that wherever we stand is that place of holy ground. Moses was not in a place that was any more sacred than any other, but the ground upon which we walk is always holy. With this approach, we are obliged to consider wherever we walk as being sacred. This may help us to change our attitude and thinking ensuring that we tread carefully and respectfully and care for what is around us, both people and environment. 

Last week our Year 7 and 9 students completed the NAPLAN assessments. As a community, Mount Carmel does not focus specifically on these as stand-alone tasks because they are designed to give feedback on the general level of a student’s literacy and numeracy skills. The data that will be provided back to the College will assist us in developing plans and programs to help us support student growth. The assessment results are also used as a predictor of HSC achievement and enable us to put into place extra support where appropriate. This process was very smooth last week. Congratulations to the students who sat these assessments and contributed their solid effort. Thanks to Mr Hagan and Ms Miller, our technical support, Mr Grana and Mr Matthews as well as the staff who gave up preparation lessons to help deliver the assessments.

On Thursday, our College Captains and Vice Captains attended a zoom with Bishop Brian. This zoom was a follow on from the retreat that they attended last year with leaders from secondary schools across the diocese. The bishop was very interested in their plans and progress and will meet with them again in a few months.

Over the past few months, the College Leadership Team have been refining and developing the current focus for our School Improvement Plan. As you may be aware from previous newsletters, our plan is broken into yearly plans and for the past three years these have focussed on building community and reinforcing a culture of learning. We are at a point in the plan where improvement in wellbeing is reflected in data such as improved attendance rates, increased involvement in clubs and reduced behavioural concerns across the College. Whilst we will continue to work on these areas, the specific focus for this year has switched to the second goal. We will be working toward the goal that ‘Students know and embrace high expectations, which enhance engagement leading to learning gains and growth’. Over the next 9 months, staff will be focussing on High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) to make small but regular improvements. We will detail how we do this in coming newsletters and as always, I value your feedback.

As we move toward the last few weeks of term, a reminder that we are now accepting enrolment applications for Year 7, 2026. The deadline for these to be submitted is the last day of this term, Friday April 11. If you have a child in year 6 or know someone who is considering an application to Mount Carmel, please be aware of this date and let them know.