Today as a College community, we celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our parish community celebrated with mass, a procession and fantastic fiesta on Sunday 13 July. I know many of our students and some staff were present on this day to volunteer and/or perform and I wish to thank them for sharing their time and talents with others.

The last section of our feast celebration today involved the rightful recognition of various Mount Carmel community members for their service and contributions to college life. The first of these awards was the College Community Award. The Mount Carmel award is given every year at our Feast Day for a member of the community who espouses the values important to our college. These include being supportive of various members of our community including parents, students and staff. Mr David Campbell, P&F President was recognised as this year’s Community Award recipient.

We also recognised the following staff members for the valuable years of service to our Mount Carmel Community, of whom we are grateful for their dedication, commitment and professionalism:

• 10 Years Service: Ms Nat Abra, Mr Jason Follet and Mrs Diane Poulton
• 20 Years Service: Mr Andre Daniels
• 25 Years Service: Mrs Theresa Moore
• 30 Years Service: Mrs Julie Ellsmore

As a Catholic school under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we are blessed to journey through our educational and spiritual lives guided by one of the most powerful and compassionate figures in our faith: Mary, the Mother of God. Under this particular title, we find not only a rich tradition but a source of strength, virtue, and hope that deeply shapes our school community.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel reminds us of the virtue of faithfulness. In her quiet, steadfast obedience to God's will, Mary shows us what it means to trust even when the path is unclear. As students, teachers, and families, we are called to model that same trust — in our studies, in our challenges, and in our relationships with one another.

Her mantle of protection, symbolized by the Brown Scapular, is a constant reminder that we are never alone. It’s not just a symbol; it’s a spiritual promise that she walks with us, prays for us, and leads us closer to Christ. In the often demanding and fast-paced rhythm of high school life, this maternal care is a deep source of peace and reassurance.

Our Lady is also a model of humility and courage. She said yes to God's plan without fully knowing what it would entail. In our school community, we strive to say our own "yes" — to learning, to serving, and to living out our faith boldly and with conviction.

Being a school under her patronage means more than just carrying her name; it means striving to embody her spirit in all that we do. It means forming not just excellent students, but compassionate, faithful, and resilient young people — just as she was. And it means trusting that, like a loving mother, Mary continues to guide and intercede for each one of us.

As we continue this school year, may we always look to Our Lady of Mount Carmel as our inspiration and protector. May her virtues take root in our hearts and flourish in our daily actions.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Stay safe, keep well, go gently.

Ms Samantha Giles

Acting Principal