“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”.

1 Samuel 16:7 

Over the last few weeks, and in weeks to come, we have seen many reports of the impact of Coronavirus on people and their behaviour. When we are placed in times of stress, many of us will react in ways that are not necessarily our ‘normal’ behaviour. These behaviours can be channelled for the good of others or toward panic and negativity. The quote above from this Sunday’s first reading, reminds us that we are better than what people might see on the outside. What we have in our heart is who we are and we should be true to this, for the Lord “looks at the heart”. We are each encouraged over the next weeks and months to stay true to our heart and develop it with values based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

At the start of this week, I sent a letter via Compass email links to parents outlining the Mount Carmel Catholic College response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This letter outlined some of the things we have done in terms of the postponement or cancelling of events and changes to routines. As I am sure you will understand, much of the current advice is fluid and will possibly change at short notice. Even within the current week, we have further taken the decision to postpone the College musical (set down for the first week of next term) and suspend sport on a Tuesday afternoon until further notice. As with all our decisions, current advice from the government, Health department, Diocese of Wollongong and Catholic Schools NSW is taken into account. Whilst these decisions will disappoint some members of our community, I am sure there is a recognition of the importance of the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. The Diocese of Wollongong has developed a general information site which will be regularly updated. To access this site, please click on the following link:

www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19

 On Thursday, there were a number of further decisions that have been made to help curb potential transmission amongst the students. Students have been informed of these in class meetings on Friday.

From Monday:

• students will not be permitted to bring sporting equipment to use at school during breaks (no basketball, touch, handball etc) and no playing of these games at school. 
• They have been reminded of the hands off rule and the expectations around social distancing.
• The College gym will be closed and students are encouraged to go to the oval during breaks so they can get fresh air and sunlight.
• Teachers have been asked as far as rooms allow, to separate desks. Double door entrances to blocks are to remain open during the whole day to avoid students needing to push them open. In most cases, students will go straight to rooms without lining up and then will enter classrooms as they arrive.
• Students have been reminded that they are to bring their own stationery (no sharing of pens etc).
• For bus lines, students are to spread themselves across the entire Quad and up into the Year 10 area to ensure they have more space to spread out.
• Students are encouraged to bring bottles to school rather than drinking from the bubblers.
• There will be decisions made on an individual basis regarding potential risks in practical classes. Where these risks are deemed too great, the classes will be changed to theory or amended to ensure correct risk mitigation is applied.

In each case, these directives are aimed at reducing contact with others or with surfaces that may harbour a virus. As we are given new advice, this will be incorporated into any action plans. I thank the students, parents and staff for your ongoing understanding.

Throughout this current situation, I ask that you hold onto the thoughts of St Mary of the Cross McKillop who reminds us: 

“Do all you can with the means at your disposal, and calmly leave the rest to God”. 

Ite in Veritate

Mr Steve Lo Cascio