As we welcome our Year 12 students back from their much anticipated Senior Retreat today, we needn’t look too far ahead to be reminded any further of the fact that we are continuing our return to normality following a long period of interruptions and cancelled events as a result of the pandemic. Of particular significance, I draw your attention to a range of major events that we have coming up in the weeks ahead:

• Year 7 & 9 NAPLAN (11th-13th May)
• Howard Day (13th May) 
• College Athletics Carnival (20th May
• Year 11 PTS Interviews (25th May)
• Staff Spirituality Day (27th)
• Year 7 Zoo Excursion (2 June)
• Live Event at MCCC (3rd June)
• Year 7 & 8 Brainstorm Productions Incursion (3rd June)
• Year 11 2023 Subject Launch (3rd June)
• Year 10 Science Incursion (6th June)
• Year 10 & 12 MACE Excursion (9th June)
• Champagnat Day (10th June)
• Queens Birthday (13th June)
• Year 8 RE/HSIE Events (15th & 16th June)
• Year 7 TAS Incursion (22nd June)
• College Photo Day (23rd June)
• Year 7 Encounter Day (24th June)
• Year 10 Immunisation Day (30th June)
• 7-10 PTS Interviews (27th & 30th June, 1st July) 

Such significant events make for a busy term, however they each play a role in the ongoing development of our students. Further information about these key events will be distributed closer to each date, including any relevant updates should the COVID situation change throughout the course of the term. 

Earlier today, all students were issued with an additional box of Rapid Antigen Tests to use should they be experiencing any symptoms. As you may also recall from previous communications, these tests may also be used if students are a household contact of a positive case where they are required to test before coming to school each day. This is in addition to the following COVID-safe guidelines for Term 2 which stipulate that household close contacts who have no symptoms may continue to attend school in line with the following requirements:

• The school is notified that they are intending to return under this provision
• Secondary students who are close contacts must wear a mask indoors except when eating or exercising
• Once staff or secondary students have completed their 7-day isolation period, they should wear a mask for an additional 3 days (for days 8 to 10)

Please note that students who test positive for COVID-19, or who are unwell or showing COVID-19 symptoms, must continue to isolate at home.

All the best for the week ahead,

Mr David Cloran

Assistant Principal

The contemporary American writer, Paul Auster, speaks passionately about the connection between reading and writing. ‘I can’t imagine anyone becoming a writer who wasn’t a voracious reader as an adolescent. A true reader understands that books are a world unto themselves – and that the world is richer and more interesting than any one we’ve travelled in before. I think that turns young men and women into writers – the happiness you discover living in books.’ Stephen King, another contemporary American writer, supports Auster’s view on the rich interplay between reading and writing when he says, ‘If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.’

Mount Carmel has been committed to developing a community of writers for some time now. In 2016, the English faculty established a writing club which soon grew to include teachers from all subject areas as well as some of our ancillary staff. Every first Thursday of the month, after school, we would drive up to the Carmelite Retreat Centre on St Andrews Rd, and sit and write for one, sometimes two, or on a couple of occasions, three hours. Our writing was often guided by a stimulus from a piece of literature, a particular painting, or a prayer. At other times we would sit quietly in that beautiful space overlooking the rural landscape, and simply journal.

When COVID-19 and lockdown curtailed our writing sessions at the Retreat Centre, we improvised with sessions at home. At a particular time of day, many of our staff would respond to a prompt and sit and write. This concept of a professional learning community working collectively for a specific goal, was wonderfully fruitful. Throughout the remote learning period, many English classes set up writing clubs of their own. Their mantra was to ‘keep the appointment’. This commitment to writing – and writing often – gave birth to yet another mantra which still reverberates today: ‘I am a writer!’ So, when Paul Auster and Stephen King speak about writers needing to be enthusiastic readers, that includes all of us at Mount Carmel.

Mrs Clare Murphy

English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach

Good afternoon everyone,

Week Two has again been a productive one with respect to Pastoral Care and Wellbeing. Year 12 have spent the past three days attending their annual Retreat at Tallong and Katoomba, which was postponed from early Term Four last year due to lockdown restrictions. Many thanks to all staff who assisted with organisation, delivery of sessions and supervision, as well as to Year 12 for their enthusiasm and participation throughout the duration of the Retreat.

In the absence of many staff, pastoral care sessions went ahead for the remaining groups this morning as usual. An overview of activities is located below:

• Year Seven - Smart Goals activities in pastoral classes
• Year Eight - Making Jesus Real activities in pastoral classes
• Year Nine - Year Assembly which included Dolly’s Dream Cyberbullying presentation, uniform reminders, an overview of upcoming events and NAPLAN requirements
• Year Ten - Private study and assessment task preparation
• Year Eleven - Year Assembly which included a Mother’s Day prayer, High Intensity Student Study Skills modules 5 & 6, upcoming Year 12 Leadership overview and commencement of Year 12 Jersey planning.

Again, thanks to all staff and students for their preparation and assistance with these activities earlier today.

Uniform reminders

Jewellery and makeup regulations for girls

• No jewellery except a watch. No wrist bands or rings are to be worn
• Earrings gold or silver studs (maximum diameter 5mm) for those with pierced ears are permitted (only one set of earrings allowed and they are to be worn in the lower lobe). Thin, plain gold or silver sleeper earrings of no more than 10mm diameter may also be worn. No clear studs to be worn. No facial piercings are permitted
• Wearing a silver or gold neck chain with a Christian religious symbol is permitted provided it is not showing over the uniform
• No nail polish, acrylic nails or makeup to be worn. Nails to be kept trimmed to a suitable length. False eyelashes or eyelash extensions are not permitted.

Jewellery regulations for boys

• No jewellery except a watch. No wrist bands to be worn
• No body piercings or earrings to be worn (including clear studs)
• Wearing a silver or gold neck chain with a Christian religious symbol is permitted provided it is not showing.

Blazers and ties - to be worn to and from school each day by all students.

Sports Uniform - only to be worn on Thursdays or when students have designated practical lessons for PDHPE (years 7-10) or PASS (years 9 & 10) and Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies (years 11 & 12) electives. This includes the College Sports Jacket.

Appropriate runners or cross-training sport shoes with arch support must be worn with the College sports uniform. Students are not permitted to wear canvas or leather shoes with a flat sole (e.g.Converse or Volleys), skate shoes and/or slip-ons.

Specific uniform details are contained on pages 17-19 of the Junior and Senior Student Diary.

As per usual, thank you for your ongoing support with your son/daughter’s learning and wellbeing.

Mr Simon Huntly

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator

The latest school fee statements have been forwarded to families via email from the Catholic Education Office.

Families who have not re-entered into an instalment plan and have fees overdue may also have received an overdue reminder letter from CEO. If you have since paid the outstanding amount, no further action is required. If you are unable to pay the overdue amount please make contact with the Finance Team.

Please be aware that payment agreements from 2021 are not automatically rolled over to this year.

The College fully understands that in the current climate many families are under financial pressure, please remember we are here to help.  Please email the school via mccc-finance@dow.catholic.edu.au or alternatively call the College finance office on 9603 3000, all communication is confidential.

Mount Carmel Second Hand Uniform Shop sells pre-owned College uniforms at less than half the cost of new uniforms. 

You can bring your child's uniforms to the shop when they no longer fit or you no longer need them (Uniforms must be clean and in good condition. Blazers must be dry cleaned). The Second-hand Uniform shop will sell the uniforms on your behalf, and after they sell the P & F Committee will transfer the money to your nominated bank account.  The P & F will keep 10% of all sales.  You are also able to donate the uniforms and then the P & F will benefit from 100% of the sales.  

The uniform shop is open from 2.30 - 4pm on the days listed below, usually the first Monday of each month.  The shop will next be open on Monday 21 March 2022. The shop is run by parent volunteers to raise money for the P & F Committee and to help families of the school with low-cost uniforms. 

If any parent wishes to volunteer in the Second-hand Uniform Shop please contact the school office.

Term 2 2022

Monday 6 June

Term 3 2022

Monday 1 August

Monday 5 September

Term 4 2022

Monday 7 November

Monday 5 December

Cash only - no EFTPOS facilities

To register, please click here