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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
“If there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Jesus Christ”. (Phil 4:4-7).
As we approach Christmas and our attention turns to celebration we can give thanks for a year where growth has occurred in ways that we never imagined. It is always a point of hope to know that God looks after us and will help us to get through whatever may be presented. As in the quote above from this Sunday, the peace of God will be given when we need it. We must remember that this does not necessarily mean we will get what we want, but may get what we need. This peace of Jesus Christ guides and strengthens us and remains with us on our journey.
This week I would like to announce a number of staffing changes that will take place at the end of this year.
We farewell two staff who are retiring; Ms Christine Hogarth who has been at Mount Carmel for 22 years working as a support staff member in our student services. Ms Kathleen Phillips has worked in our book room and been with us for 17 years. Both Ms Hogarth and Ms Phillips will be enjoying some well-deserved family time.
Two permanent staff are moving to promotions positions at other schools. Mr Igor Pletikosa has been appointed to Christian Brothers Lewisham and will be moving to the role of Religious Education Coordinator. Ms Sarah Bowen will be moving to St Clare’s College Waverley as a House Coordinator.
Five staff are moving on following the conclusion of their temporary contracts; Ms White will be moving to Chevalier College, Ms Whitworth will be moving to De La Salle, Mr Kawa is moving to St Gregory’s College, Ms Jeffries is going to Marcellin College and Ms Hulme to Magdalene.
I would like to thank all of these staff for their dedication and work during their time at Mount Carmel. They have all made valuable and positive contributions to our community and we wish then all the best in their new endeavours. I will announce the new staff joining us next year at the start of 2022.
Next Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning we will be holding our usual Parent/Teacher/Student meetings via zoom. These are a valuable opportunity to discuss any concerns that parents may have or to raise any questions about how your child might improve. Whilst it may appear too late in the year to make any changes, this can be a good way to review what has occurred in order to begin with a positive mindset in 2022.
As this is the last full week of the year, this will be the last newsletter for 2021. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all students, parents and staff for the work that has occurred during this tumultuous year. There have been many disruptions but with an optimistic view, there have been enormous opportunities for growth. I have personally gained great energy from the many students who have taken the opportunity to say hello to me in the yard and the staff who are constantly asking themselves and their colleagues how they can support students for better results. Thank you for all your efforts
On behalf of the Mount Carmel staff, I wish you all a happy and holy Christmas break filled with the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas.
Ite in VeritateMr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
As we prepare to conclude another school year, I take the opportunity this week to thank the many parents and friends of the College for your support throughout the past year. Despite the challenges that we have faced, I have been grateful for the ongoing support that we have received, particularly in relation to the constantly evolving COVID-19 directives that we have been required to implement for the entirety of Semester Two. I hope that the partnerships that have been developed over the past year, go from strength to strength in the new year as we continue to work towards a common goal of a well-rounded education for our students.
As has been communicated earlier in the week, we have had to make a number of significant changes to our anticipated plans for next week's concluding events. Whilst the End of Year Mass is always a highlight of our liturgical year, it was not possible to coordinate this school-wide event under the current directives. In saying that, I look forward to celebrating the Eucharist with our Year 11 cohort this coming Monday and then participating in our award ceremonies with Years 7-10 throughout the day on Tuesday.
I also remind parents that bookings for the two parent/teacher/student interview sessions next week close this coming Monday morning at 10am. Parents are certainly encouraged to make an appointment to speak with your children(s) teachers at either the Tuesday evening session (between 4-8pm) or the Wednesday morning session (between 9am and 12pm).
Finally, I wish all our students and families a very safe, happy and merry Christmas. I look forward to seeing you all in 2022 after a very well-deserved holiday break.
With thanks for your continued support,
David Cloran
Assistant Principal
For so many of us, Christmas is a time of joy, laughter, indulgence and spending quality time with our loved ones. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. For example, people who live in nursing homes and suffer from dementia may not be afforded these beautiful experiences at this time of the year.
In our double RCS lesson, Year 8 Pearl worked diligently to create beautiful Christmas cards. The recipients of these cards are indeed the residents of a local nursing home.
As we, the disciples of Christ, are His hands and feet on this earth, it is a great privilege that we may be able to bring a glimmer of cheer to those less fortunate.
Semester 2 Reports
Today all students in Years 7 - 10 will have electronic access to their Semester 2 Academic Report. This report can be obtained through the Compass portal. This report is a record of the progress students have made in each course throughout the last two terms of 2021. Each report has a number of common elements.
The pastoral report identifies a student's contributions to the school and pastoral class in general. This is followed by a subject report for each course a student has completed in Semester 2.
For each subject there is a course grade, which is an overall judgement on the progress of the student in that subject. The common grade scale located on the first page of the report provides some basic information on what each grade represents. This grade scale can also be applied to each of the outcomes listed for each subject.
Subject outcomes are a summary of the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes (what a student can do) devised or endorsed by NESA for each subject. The level achieved for each outcome area reflects a particular teacher’s assessment of the student’s level of development in that outcome area at the time of the report. It is a measure of all the work completed in class and through formal assessment tasks that contribute to achieving that outcome grade.
The learning profile section outlines how well a student has applied themselves to their studies and should provide an indication of their commitment to learning during the second semester. Each teacher has also provided a comment that highlights what your child is doing well and identifies a targeted area for growth and improvement.
The Parent/Student/Teacher interviews being held via zoom on Tuesday 14 December from 4pm-8pm and Wednesday 15 December from 9am-12pm, are an ideal opportunity to discuss student’s progress in each course and explore ways of improving in 2022. Bookings for these interviews can be made via Compass.
If you have any questions about the report, feel free to contact the Pastoral Advisor or class teacher.
Ms Chardy Miller
Acting Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As we enter the final week of the year, our Pastoral Care teams have been busy continuing with opportunities for our students to engage in a range of Pastoral Care, Learning and Wellbeing activities. This week, and today in particular has seen the following events take place:
- Tuesday - Year 11 Elevate Education HSC preparation Day
- Thursday and Friday- Years 10 Elevate Careers Transition Program (Thursday) and school-based activities including a Liturgy, Stage 6 workshops and presentations and team building activities (Friday).
Today (Friday) - Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 Pastoral Activities
- Year 11 - CEDoW Vaping Resource
- Year 9 - “Riddle me a Maths Puzzle” Pastoral Class competition
- Year 8 - “Christmas Carnivale” Pastoral Class activities
- Year 7 - Individual Pastoral Class based Christmas activities.
As communicated earlier in the week by Mr Lo Cascio, next Monday and Tuesday will see our last days for all year groups.
Year 11 Awards and Mass on Monday during periods 1 and 2. This will be their last day for the year.
Years 7-10 Awards, Activities and Trivia on Tuesday throughout the day on a rotational basis. The conclusion of the day will be at 2.45pm.
As we prepare for our break, please ensure that upon our return in 2022 that students are compliant with the College’s Uniform and Grooming expectations. These are outlined in the link below.
Uniform and Grooming Expectations for 2022
Finally, on behalf of the Pastoral and Wellbeing team (our Year Coordinators, Assistant Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors), thanks to all families and students for your cooperation and support throughout what has been a challenging year. May each and every member of our community have a happy, safe and holy Christmas.
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.
2022 Recreational Tuesday Sport
All students have now been assigned to a sports 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. We would love to hear of any student who has made representative teams or achieved great results in individual events. As we collate these, they will appear in the newsletter throughout Term 1.
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
As the year draws to a close I would like to wish all students and their families a very Merry Christmas. I would also like to congratulate all students for their sporting success throughout this year along with their participation in College recreational sport.
As we enter Summer I encourage all students to take this opportunity to find a balance between relaxation and preparing for their sporting trials in the New Year. In 2022 I will be taking up another opportunity in the role of House Dean at St Clare's College, Waverley. I would like to thank all students and their families for the support that they have shown over the past two years whilst I have been in the role of Sports Coordinator.
I am very pleased to announce that Mrs Breanna Jones will be the Sports Coordinator in 2022. Mrs Jones is a talented baseball player having represented Australia in baseball however she also has extensive experience across a range of representative sports both as a player and in officiating roles. If you have any questions relating to sport in the New Year please email jonesb13@dow.catholic.edu.au
Ms Sarah Bowen
Acting Sports Coordinator
bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au