Welcome back to term 4.

In Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 17: 11–19), Jesus heals ten men with leprosy. After they were healed, one returned praising God and thanked Jesus. Jesus asks where are the other nine? 

We sometimes need to be reminded that through our lives we are given gifts from God that we might take for granted. These gifts might be a great talent or skill, or perhaps the smile or offer of assistance from someone just when we most need it. Do we stop and thank God for that gift or do we get on with our lives like the ‘other nine’? As teachers, we are often blessed by the interaction of our students when we walk through the College and see the smiles and the welcoming greetings. We are blessed by our colleagues when they offer direction and assistance. We are blessed by the parents of our students when they offer support and encouragement. I thank God for these gifts of light and life that shine within our community. 

On Thursday our Year 12 students began their Higher School Certificate examinations. This is the culmination of 13 years of study and for many, their effort and positive attitude will be rewarded by their results. As I have said on a number of occasions during this year, I am sure that some of these students will benefit greatly from the good habits around study and homework that they have built over the years. I encourage all of our students once again to develop good habits of their own. As one last preparation for the HSC, 18 classes were conducted by the staff for the Year 12 students during this past holiday. I am once again proud and encouraged by the extra time that the Mount Carmel staff contribute to the learning and success of the students. Thank you to those who volunteered their holiday time to work with these young women and men. 

On Tuesday evening our Year 11 students commenced their journey into the HSC with their HSC information night. At this evening, they were presented with a range of information about assessment, the procedures of the HSC and an explanation of the HSC and ATAR processes. This information is vital in preparing the students and I thank Ms Tolomeo for her efforts and work in combining this information in a clear and easily understood  presentation. The next phase of this will be the HSC symposium which occurs on Monday and Tuesday of next week. On these days, the students will run through a series of workshops that will help them develop processes that will assist in them undertaking the HSC. 

At the end of next week, these same students will participate in their Senior Retreat. This is an opportunity for them to stop and reflect on where they are heading without the interruptions of their normal routine. These Retreats will take place in three separate venues in tranquil settings and involve students considering their goals in the context of their faith. They are guided by a number of staff and will have the opportunity to celebrate a liturgy with visiting priests. Once again I thank the staff who sacrifice time with their own families to help run these retreats. 

On Friday we celebrated Avila Day. This was the last of our House celebrations for 2019 and follows the feast day of St Teresa of Avila on Tuesday. Given this feast, I would like to reprint a prayer from St Teresa that was given to me on Tuesday by the Avila House. It is a useful reflection at busy times in our lives: 

“Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God never changes. Patience obtains everything. God alone is enough.”