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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
“My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognise what is best”. Phil 1: 3 - 6
As often occurs, there is a phrase or sentence in the Gospel readings for a particular week that resonates with something that is happening in our own context. The quote above is in the second reading this Sunday and is from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians. As I was considering what was happening at Mount Carmel at the end of this week and the start of next, the most obvious events were the farewell and formal for the Year 12, 2021 cohort. This group leaves us without the usual fanfare and formalities of a graduation or assembly. I realise that I have mentioned this in a number of newsletters, and this is because of the disappointment that our community bears for these students. The message this week, however, certainly highlights the wish that we send with these fine young women and men. A month or so ago, we gave them a page in their portfolios that listed the qualities that we hope they have developed as members of our community. These qualities might be summed up in the above quote. The notion that they should bear a love for others that is aimed at improving themselves and their own growth and perception for what is best is fundamental to their future. Whilst I have never presented this particular quote as something to aim for, it is perhaps the best gift we can wish for them. To Year 12, 2021, congratulations and best wishes.
Today our new College captains met via zoom with Bishop Brian Mascord. This meeting replaced the usual in-face meeting that the bishop has with the various school captains from around the diocese at the end of each year. The bishop listened to the vision that these students had for their own schools and shared his idea of leadership at the local level. Our College Captains represented Mount Carmel with great passion and were a credit to each of us.
For parents of Year 7 – 10 students, you will receive access to your child’s academic report at the end of next week. These reports have been written from observations and interactions of the teachers with your child over the past two terms. The interactions were obviously affected by remote learning which, whilst it appears so long ago, only finished some five weeks back. Please take some time to discuss with your child what they expect to see in their reports as self-evaluation can be a very powerful tool. Please ask them to be open and honest in their discussions as they should be able to predict most of what will appear on their reports.
As always, a very big thank you to the staff, students and parents for your flexibility and ongoing support during the year.
Ite in VeritateMr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
Earlier this week we opened bookings for this year's final Parent/Teacher/Student interview sessions. As has been outlined, the restrictions currently placed on having parents onsite and the requirements for schools to avoid cohort mixing, has meant these sessions on the evening of Tuesday 14 December and Wednesday 15 December, will all be held via Zoom. Bookings are open now and will close at 10am on Monday 13 December.
As I have mentioned in previous weeks, we have plans in place for a range of events that we would like to see take place in Week 11 as we typically would at this time of year. These include our End of Year Mass and various academic, pastoral and sporting awards ceremonies. Unfortunately, the ban on cohort mixing and gatherings of students indoors is proving quite challenging. We will monitor the evolving health directives closely over the coming days and look to confirm our plans by the end of next week.
With the threat of COVID-19 still looming in the community, I take the opportunity to remind families of the isolation requirements should a member of your household be identified as a contact of a confirmed case. At the outset, however, NSW Health guidelines remain the ultimate authority on isolation requirements if you are identified as a close contact. If a student is identified as a close contact, NSW Health would normally stipulate a timeframe that they are to remain away from school, and a negative PCR test is required at the end of the isolation period and prior to their return to school. If a student resides in the same household as an identified close contact (parent, sibling, etc), they are still permitted to attend school on the proviso that they are not experiencing any symptoms themselves. The one current exception is if a person is in isolation as a result of a potential Omicron variant exposure, in which case, all household members of that person need to isolate.
Finally, I once again take the opportunity to remind families to please continue following our COVID recording procedures that have been in place for most of the pandemic, 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.
With thanks for your continued support,
David Cloran
Assistant Principal
First Reading Bar 5:1-9
Take off your robe of mourning, put on the splendour of glory.
Second Reading Phil 1:3-6, 8-11
He who has begun the good work in you will bring it to completion.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
Gospel Lk 3:1 - 6
John the Baptist proclaims a baptism of repentance.
How is your preparation going for Christmas?
Advent is a reminder that there is light in the world, especially when things are starting to look a little bleak.
I hope that there is light where you are at the present moment.
Mrs Christine Meharg
HSC Minimum Standards
Students need reading, writing and numeracy for everyday life after school. This is why students in NSW are supported to meet a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to receive the HSC.
Over the past few weeks students in Year 10 and Year 11 have been attempting the Minimum Standards Tests. Students need to achieve Level 3 or 4 in short online reading, writing and numeracy tests of skills for everyday life to show they meet the HSC minimum standard.This means that students who demonstrate the standard have the skills to do things like:
- follow safety instructions in equipment manuals,
- understand a mobile phone plan,
- write a job application and
- create a personal weekly budget.
Students have multiple attempts over the course of Year 10 -12 to demonstrate the minimum standard in reading, writing and numeracy. When results are released via their Students Online account, students are encouraged to read the report that highlights their areas of strength and where improvement is needed to meet the standard.
Ms Chardy Miller
Acting Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As we enter the final weeks of 2021, planning for 2022 is well under way across a range of areas. This extends to the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing of all students. The past 2 days have seen 2 significant events take place which will rollover into next year.
Yesterday, a small group of Year 8 students who volunteered to be part of a 5 year Mental Health study being conducted by the Black Dog Institute finally commenced their involvement in the study. These students, along with over 150 other schools, will complete surveys at school about their health and wellbeing until they are in Year 12. Their responses to the surveys will help the research team to better understand the mental health issues of young people. Thanks to Mr Barbera who has kindly volunteered to be the supervisor of this study.
Earlier today, Year 9 students gave video presentations as part of their candidature for House Captaincy in 2022. Thanks to Year Coordinators, Assistant Year Coordinators and PA’s who assisted with the presentation of House Captaincy speeches earlier today and the collation of student voting. Despite the disrupted nature of our year, it is encouraging to see that a number of our current Year Nine students are still willing to assume leadership positions. We wish our candidates every success but also thank them for their willingness to pursue these opportunities when they arise.
As always, thanks to all members of the Mount Carmel community for your support and cooperation over the past 4 terms.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
Payment of 2021 School Fees
The latest school fee statements have been forwarded to families via email from the Catholic Education Office.
Please ensure all remaining 2021 school fees are paid to the College by Tuesday 14 December 2021.
If you are experiencing difficulty finalising your account please contact the Finance Team immediately via mccc-finance@dow.catholic.edu.au or alternatively call the College on 9603 300. All communications are confidential.
Please note, we are unable to accept any cash payments at the College after Tuesday 14 December 2021.
Payment of School Fees by Instalment – Current Families
Current families can elect to pay their school fees by regular instalments. If you would like to update or change your instalments for 2022, please complete Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available here.
Once complete please return by email to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the College Office.
Request to Pay by Instalment Forms will need to be returned by Wednesday 15 December 2021.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school.
2022 Recreational Sport Permission Notes
During Week 8 Sport Permission notes were distributed to all students. Please ensure that this note is returned ASAP as it is essential in order for students to participate to travel off-site to the various venues that the College utilises for school sport.
Tuesday Recreational Sport
Sport will continue to take place on a Tuesday afternoon. Students are to continue monitoring Compass for the sport schedule each week. During Week 9 students in Years 9 and 10 will be dismissed 10 minutes early (2:35PM) on Tuesday.
2022 Recreational Tuesday Sport
All students have now been assigned to a sport group for 2022. Some students have requested changes to their group. Please keep in mind that whilst every effort is made to accommodate student requests that this is not always possible. Each option provides a range of sporting opportunities that take place both on and off-site and with the support of instructors/teachers. In addition to recreational sport, students are also able to trial to a MISA representative team. Trials for 2022 Term 1 MISA sports will occur during Week 1. 2022 Sport permission notes will also be distributed to the whole school next week and will need to be returned to each student's pastoral advisor.
Sporting Success
As we enter the trial season over the coming months, many students are busily training and preparing for representative sporting trials. If your daughter or son has been successful in gaining selection into a representative team or has experience success in the sporting realm then please email bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au as we would love to share this success with the College community.
TERM 4 SPORT CANCELLATIONS
Due to the impact of COVID-19 across New South Wales, the School Sport Unit and CSNSW Sport has regrettably made the decision to cancel all NSWCCC, MacKillop, Polding, NSWPSSA, and NSW All Schools events on the revised term four calendar: https://csnsw.sport/covid-19/2021-full-list-of-cancelled/-postponed-events-due-to-covid-19
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
Ms Sarah Bowen
Acting Sports Coordinator
bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au