I take the opportunity this week to welcome many of you to our new digital edition of the Mount Carmel Catholic College newsletter via SZapp. It is hoped that over the past few weeks, parents and students have had the opportunity to download SZapp in order to take advantage of the new and interactive opportunities that this software provides in the delivery of our College newsletter. We will continue to provide the newsletter via Skoolbag over the next few weeks, though encourage you to download SZapp via the app store or Google Play as it will soon become the exclusive source for our College newsletter. It is hoped that as the weeks unfold, this new platform will allow us to deliver a more interactive, dynamic and user-friendly source of information regarding all the events taking place at the College. As always, feedback is most welcome via the Contact Us button on the main menu on SZapp.

Last Sunday’s Gospel reading recounted a brief exchange between Christ and His disciples where he likened them to his flock. Despite the brevity of this exchange, the message he proclaimed held great promise for all His followers - that being the promise of eternal life. This promise was one that held great significance for our College community this week as a large number of students and staff prepared to gather at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Camden, in order to farewell former Mt Carmel student, teacher and House Coordinator, Mrs Peta Willard, who passed away last week following her battle with an aggressive form of cancer. The impact that Mrs Willard had on the Mt Carmel community, particularly on the many friends and colleagues that she worked with, and the countless students that she supported over the years, cannot be underestimated. The number of staff and students that were in attendance at her funeral today, is a testament to the person that she was and the legacy that she has left here at the College. I also thank the many parents and friends of the College for their prayers and messages of support during this difficult time, as well as for your understanding and flexibility following the variations to our regular scheduled lessons that has taken place today.

Our monthly P&F meeting was held earlier this week and I thank our College Counsellor Mrs Sue Livingstone who presented to those present on the great work and support that is provided to our students via our Catholic Care Counsellors on a daily basis. I also take the opportunity to invite any interested parents to attend our next P&F meeting which will be held on Tuesday 11th June from 7pm.

This coming Wednesday (May 22) will see the first Parent Technology Bootcamp being held at the College from 7pm. This evening is open to all parents and is intended to provide an insight in to how our students use technology here at school, in addition to providing attendees with a number of practical strategies for keeping young people safe online while at home. Further information including RSVP details appear below.

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the 26 students from Year 11 and 12 who will be participating in the 2019 Mt Carmel P&F Community Service Ball which will be held at the Campbelltown Catholic Club tomorrow night. In order to participate in this event, each student has made a significant contribution towards a range of community services projects over the last 6 months and this evening is shaping to be a worthy recognition of their commitment towards those less fortunate than themselves. I particularly acknowledge the work of Mrs Theresa Moore, Mrs Clarissa Pearce, the P&F and all the staff who have worked so closely with these students in the lead up to this significant event.

Finally this week, I would like to wish our College Principal, Steve Lo Cascio a speedy recovery from surgery earlier this week and assure him of our ongoing thoughts and prayers. I remind our parents that in his absence, I will assume the position of Acting Principal, Mr Simon Huntly will move into the Acting Assistant Principal role and Miss Breanna Donnellan will move into the Acting Year 7 Coordinator role.

Mr David Cloran

Acting Principal