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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
The first part of this week’s Gospel (Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23), has the pharisees asking Jesus about why the disciples do not follow the regulations regarding the washing of their hands. Whilst this specific regulation is quite topical at the moment, in the context of Jesus’ times it was more a question around why regulations were or were not important. Jesus’ answer was that what was in a person’s heart determined whether they were good people or not. Our beliefs and actions should be based on the values of love and community that is held basic to our Christian faith. Our actions of caring for one another spring from what is in our heart and how this might be translated into action. How we act to those around us, particularly in times of need should reflect these values of care and concern that come from our hearts.
As many of you would be aware, today the Premier announced a number of new directives with regard to schools and school attendance during the pandemic. These announcements gave specific dates of return to school but were also somewhat dependant on health advice. Every parent/caregiver will receive a letter outlining our understanding of the new directives and the implications of these as far as we can determine. I hope that these letters will go out either today or Monday. As always, I thank all members of our community for the understanding you have shown to the unpredictable nature of our current situation and the way that we are trying to negotiate the best options for the students, staff and all our families. Please know that we will give information as we are able to get sufficient details.
Last Friday, the College held a ‘breathe day’ to enable students and staff to stop for a short moment and catch their breath in regards to school work. This was a recognition of the difficult situation that all are in with remote learning and the challenges in this to keep up to date. I have canvassed a number of our stakeholders to get feedback on how this was used and the potential benefits or disadvantages. The feedback was very strongly in favour of the day and how it gave students an opportunity to catch up on work or take a small moment to de-stress if they were already up to date. Given the latest announcements, it has been decided that a second ‘breathe day’ will occur in week 9 on Monday September 6. On this day, no zooms will occur, no new work will be set and students will not be required to check in at all with their teachers. Given the stress for Year 11 and 12 students, the exception for them will be that their teachers will again be available to be contacted on the day during their normal timetabled lessons for them to ask questions or seek assistance. I ask all members of the community to note this day and again to use it as an opportunity to catch up or ‘breathe’ and possibly allow for silence to be able to hear the message of our God.
As always, a very big thank you to the staff, students and parents for your flexibility and ongoing support during remote learning.
Ite in VeritateMr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
As you would be aware, announcements made by the Premier this week regarding an extension of the lockdown means that remote learning will continue for the remainder of Term 3 and into the beginning of Term 4. As was communicated by Mr Lo Cascio earlier this week, we once again extend our thanks to all our families who are able to keep their children home at this time. By limiting the number of students on site to only those who have no option to stay home, we are helping to keep our students, staff and families as safe as possible.
Due to rescheduling of the Trial HSC Examinations, we have had to reconsider the most appropriate time to host the Year 12 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews. For parents of Year 12 students, please note that these will take place (virtually) on the evening of Thursday September 16 and the morning of Friday September 17. More information regarding these will be circulated next week.
Over the coming weeks, Transport NSW will be contacting students/families who have Opal Cards that are due to expire (they have a lifespan of approximately 5 years). If you are contacted by Transport for NSW requesting updated information, you can be confident that the request is legitimate.
Finally, in consideration of the number of COVID cases that are active in our community at present, I take the opportunity to remind families to please continue following our COVID recording procedures, which include:
- Informing the school immediately if your child is self-isolating or undergoing testing, and informing us of the result as soon as possible.
- Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, ensuring your child is free of symptoms and can present a negative COVID-19 test, before attending the College site for any reason.
All the best for the week ahead.
David Cloran
Assistant Principal
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
First Reading Dt 4:1-2, 6-8 By obeying God, Israel shows wisdom.
Second Reading Jas 1:17-18, 21-22, 27 All truly valuable gifts come from above.
Gospel Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Jesus confronts the Pharisees, who pay only lip service to God.
Historical Context – Pharisees
Pharisees were mostly lay men (i.e. generally not Priests) who were characterised by a strict observance of the Torah as well as an oral tradition of teaching and interpretation.
They believed that the Torah required interpretation – by engaging in this interpretation they participated in God’s ongoing revelation. They also had a strong belief that all Jewish people were called to be a priestly people.
This belief naturally put them at odds with the Priests of the Temple. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the teachings of the Pharisees gained prominence and eventually developed into Rabbinic Judaism that continues today.
Today we take this opportunity to recognise and celebrate the ecological conversion journey of our school community through the awarding of Level 3 Certification from Catholic Earthcare. We the community of Mount Carmel Catholic College have been recognised as a Catholic Earthcare School.
This certificate acknowledges that our school is demonstrating a strong commitment to ecological conversion and dialogue through a documented journey of environmental change actions.
This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the many environmental actions that we engage in at our school and it inspires us all to continue doing what we can to care for our common home.
Mrs Christine Meharg
REC Coordinator
Remote Learning
As we continue with remote learning students are encouraged to establish and maintain structure and routine in their day to support their learning. Maintaining a regular wake up time and morning routine can assist in creating a focused and positive mindset for the day. Following the regular timetable including taking recess and lunch breaks can assist in making the learning activities being set by teachers manageable. Keeping in contact with class teachers is important to maintain the learning partnership between students, parents and teachers.
Year 11 Assessment Week
Year 11 Assessment Week will be running from 9 - 16 September. Due to the current remote learning circumstances, we will not be conducting traditional Year 11 Preliminary Examinations. Teachers have been working diligently to develop assessment tasks that will suit the needs of their subjects and that will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills at the end of their Year 11 courses. The schedule and assessment notifications have been made available to students.
Year 12 PTS Interviews
At this stage of Year 12 the PTS interviews provide a valuable opportunity for teachers to provide feedback, advice and strategies to assist students in making their final preparations for the HSC. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Bookings for these interviews can be made via the parent Compass portal and will be open from next week.
NESA COVID Advice
The advice from NESA is frequently updated on their website: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/covid-19/coronavirus-advice
Ms Chardy Miller
Acting Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As the Premier has now confirmed that the current circumstances regarding remote learning will remain in place well into term 4, it reinforces the importance of the need to maintain a sense of calm and normality, whilst at the same time appreciating the challenges that confront many individuals and families within our community.
As such, we have continued to incorporate a range of pastoral care and wellbeing activities this morning. These included:
Year 12 - Trial exams continue
Year 11 - SRC Information
Year 10 - Pastoral check-ins
Year 9 - A range of class based activities which included Zooms, games, mindfulness and wellbeing activities
Year 8 - Reflection on gratitude, recognition of student merits, wellbeing survey, careers activity and class quiz
Year 7 - Self-esteem, Self-care and Mental Health tips, Pastoral check-ins.
Thanks to Year Coordinators, Assistant Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors for their ongoing work in preparing and providing resources and support for these initiatives to occur.
Over the past few weeks a number of links to mental health resources have been provided as a means of supporting individuals and families. Below are a number of these links which might be of assistance to those experiencing difficulty during this time.
CatholicCare Covid-19 Wellbeing Packs
CEDOW Portal - Supporting your child's wellbeing
Self care during times of uncertainty
Elevate Education
The final webinar for Term 3 is happening on Wednesday 1 September at 7pm.
You can register by clicking here.
Topic: The Exam Homestretch: how your child should approach exam preparation and what they should be doing
The webinar is run live online from 7pm – 8pm where the presenter will share Elevate’s key research and skills, and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly.
Should you have questions or would like to contact Elevate directly, their details are listed below.
Phone: 1300 667 945
Email: auscoaching@elevateeducation.com
https://au.elevateeducation.com
https://www.facebook.com/ElevateEd/
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
This week we celebrate Book Week with the theme 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'. In lockdown, the possibility of ‘moving about’ and connecting with others through books, makes the act of reading all the more beneficial. C.S. Lewis suggests we read 'to know that we are not alone.' Now, as we face isolation due to COVID-19, a book allows us to go somewhere with someone and to see with their eyes, imagine with their imaginations, and feel with their hearts. I have attached a Book Week Challenge Ms Young has organised for her classes this week. There are some very good ideas here for remote learning.
Mrs Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
Get Active at Home
The Office of Sport has compiled resources to help you find suitable ways to safely exercise in and around your home during the COVID-19 outbreak. The following page will be updated regularly with new information to keep you and your family active: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/sector-covid-19-resources-library/get-active-at-home
Tuesday Recreational Sport - Reminder
During remote learning, students are reminded to ensure that they access the Sport Memo that is posted to Compass each Tuesday morning. This will include a range of physical activity options that will be important in supporting student wellbeing during this time.
Sport Cancellations
At this stage, all MISA, Diocesan, NSWCCC and NSW All Schools sporting events have been cancelled/postponed. Please refer to the follow links for regular updates:
Diocesan Sport - Postponed and Cancelled Events
All cancellations and postponements are announcements on the following site
https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/diocesan-sport-news/
NSWCCC Sport - Postponed and Cancelled Events
All cancellations and postponements are announcements on the following site https://csnsw.sport/covid-19/21-sport-cancellations-update
Due to the extended lockdown and the ever changing COVID-19 situation further events will continue to be monitored and updates will be provided via the College Newsletter.
NSWCCC Sport Registrations
A reminder that students and their parents are responsible for monitoring the closing dates of NSWCCC Sport Registrations. Information regarding upcoming events can be accessed via https://csnsw.sport/events
NSWCCC is a pathway suitable for students playing a representative level of their sport outside of school. For instructions on how to register go to - https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents
NSWCCC Sport Registrations 2021:
- Individual Registrations for the following sports to attend a NSWCCC Selection - AFL, Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Diving, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Softball, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo
- Registrations for the following sports is through a Diocesan/Association Selection - Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Swimming, Touch, Rugby League
Representative Pathways
- MISA Website https://www.misaonline.org.au/
- Diocesan Sport News - Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/diocesan-sport-news/?ref=quicklinks
- NSWCCC/CSNSW Sport News - Higher level MacKillop and CCC trials and events status can be monitored at https://csnsw.sport/news
- School Sport Australia Sport News. More School Sport Australia information can be found at http://www.schoolsportaustralia.edu.au/
For the most up to date information regarding NSWCCC events collow CSNSW Sport on social media:
Ms Sarah Bowen
Acting Sports Coordinator
bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au