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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
This Sunday, in the Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52) Jesus tells the crowd that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure in a field and when someone finds the treasure, they will sell everything they own to ensure that they can buy the field. This gospel directly follows last week where Jesus told of the wheat being sown in the fields. In each of these gospels, the message of a treasure or something of worth being valued and nurtured is evident. This week, the man who finds the treasure expresses great ‘joy’. One interesting point of note is that the treasure was always in the field but was not discovered. In this same way, the love of our God is always present but perhaps we do not see it as the treasure it is. Once we realise this, we have the opportunity to focus on that as a goal. In focussing on God’s love and mercy, we reveal the treasure and can share it with others.
Last Friday we held the Mount Carmel Feast Day Mass. We were fortunate to have a number of guests but unfortunately were not in time to get photos into the newsletter. Our guests included Mr Nathan Heggarty (MLA state member for Leppington) Mr Mr David Olssen (director of CCC), Mr Bede Ritchie (Head of facilities CEDoW) and Cr John Chew from Campbelltown Council (representing the mayor Griess). Thank you to all our guests for your attendance and for taking time to celebrate with our community.
This Sunday the Campbelltown Catholic Club will be hosting their annual Mass and Luncheon. Our College will be represented at the Mass by two of our Year 12 students (Jasmyne Douangdara and Hayden Cannon). The Catholic Club are wonderful supporters of Catholic Education in the MacArthur region and have been great supporters of Mount Carmel. Thank you to Jasmyne and Hayden for participating on our behalf.
Next week our Year 12 students begin their HSC Trial examinations. These are a wonderful opportunity for students to get some valuable practice under exam conditions and some important feedback on their progress so far. I do not wish students luck in exams, as results are based on preparation rather than luck. I will offer our best wishes and prayers to the students that they perform to their best level.
On Tuesday August 15 (week 5) we will be holding our Term 3 P&F meeting. As always, this is held in room I3 (at the top of the turning circle) and begins at 7pm. This term our guest speaker will be Mr David Teuma (ICLT Coordinator). Mr Teuma will be speaking about technology use at the College and in particular Artificial Intelligence. As always, all parents and caregivers are welcome
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
The past two weeks have seen Years 7-10 commence their next semester of learning, Year 11 start their final term of the Preliminary course and Year 12 prepare for their final Assessment period of the HSC with their trial exams being conducted over the next 2 weeks. We wish Year 12 every success with the exams and hope that the experience will provide valuable learning for their preparation for the final exams in Term 4. As much as the focus is on current learning, significant work is also being done in preparation for 2024 and beyond. Years 8 & 9 will also be looking at selecting or reviewing their elective subjects for 2024 and Year 10 are well underway with the process of choosing Stage Six subjects for 2024 and 2025. A huge thanks to all staff involved in these processes and to families and students for their cooperation and support.
Today saw over 70 students from Mount Carmel compete in the Diocesan Athletics carnival at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Mr Webb will provide a report in his Sport section in due course, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Webb, Mr King and Ms Nimac for their work with the participating students and to all competitors who represented the College.
Could I please remind all families of the expectations regarding the wearing of sports uniforms to school. Students are only to wear sports uniform on Tuesdays (our designated sports day) and days that they have PDHPE (Years 7-10 Compulsory), Physical Activity and Sports Studies (Year 9 and 10 Elective) or Sport Lifestyle and Recreation Studies (Year 11 & 12 Elective). Should there be a situation that requires your son or daughter to wear sports uniform on a day other than this, could parents and carers please ensure that they provide a note of explanation in the Student Diary or by email to their respective Pastoral Advisor or Year Coordinator. Students in sports uniform who are also involved in Year 7 & 8 Technology Mandatory, or Stages 5 & 6 Technology classes that require WHS approved footwear (non-athletic footwear) are required to bring the appropriate footwear with them.
Apart from the HSC Trials next week, Year 11 2024 Subject selection interviews will be conducted on Wednesday evening and Mackillop House will be celebrating their founders day with a liturgy next Friday.
As always, thank you for your support and cooperation with your child’s learning and wellbeing. Please contact the Front Office or your respective Year Coordinator, Pastoral Advisor or Classroom teacher.
A final reminder that CEDoW and the College seek your consent to use material created by your child/ren for the purpose of learning and education, and/or promoting the school, CEDoW or Catholic school education at state and national levels The final date of consent is 18 August 2023. Please note that failure to consent will not allow students photos to appear in any publication including the College yearbook.
Mr Simon Huntly
‘The Kingdom of heaven is like . . .’ Jesus likens heaven to a hidden treasure, a pearl of great price and a fishing net. In the last image, heaven is described as a grab bag containing a jumble of marine life. The net drags everything in and then the catch is sorted. No rubbish gets into heaven!
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SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A |
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| First Reading | 1 Kings 3:5.7-12 | Solomon is granted an understanding heart |
| Second Reading | Romans 8:28-30 |
God makes all things work for the good of those who love him. |
| Gospel | Matthew 13:44-52 |
Jesus describes the kingdom through images |
We celebrated the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It commemorates when Mary appeared to St Simon at Mount Carmel, Israel, in the mid-13th Century. Our Lady gave him the brown scapular, a symbol that is still worn by Carmelites. This feast is special to us as it's where the College derives its name. Mount Carmel means God’s garden, and what a garden we have - the hills to the east provide us with a place that is green and peaceful. Very much like the spirituality of the Carmelites. There are three elements that we will focus on over the second half of the year - contemplation, community, and service.
Mrs Christine Meharg
The College wishes YR 12 all the best as they commence their final school-based assessments.
The examinations will take place on Monday 31 July - Monday 14 August. Yr 12 will resume regular lessons on Wednesday 16 August, following their Retreat Reconnector Day on Tuesday 15 August.
Students are reminded to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time of their exams. If students have morning and afternoon examinations, they are not permitted to leave the College between examinations. Students are welcome to stay after an examination to study in the Library or arrive earlier in the day to study before an afternoon examination. In these instances students will be required to sign in at the Library and remain in this space to study. On days students do not have a scheduled examination they are welcome to attend the Library to study. A reminder that they can only sign in and out of the Library once during the school day.
To also assist students with their preparations and study, the College Library will be open on additional evenings (3:30-6:30pm) during Week 3 and 4. A schedule of these times has been shared with Yr 12 students. Please note that the additional evenings are only for Yr 12 students. Yr 10 and 11 students continue to be welcome to attend Senior Study on Tuesdays.
If, for any reason, students are ill or cannot attend the examination because of an accident or misadventure, you must contact the College to inform Mrs Pearce, Mr Lozelle, Ms Miller and Miss Toogood as soon as possible. The general rule is that the student is to attend the examination if possible, unless there is significant medical advice not to do so. If a student does miss an examination, they must follow the College Illness/Misadventure process. Miss Toogood or Ms Miller will be in contact with students to make arrangements for missed examinations.
Year 11 2023 Subject Selection
The next phase is the Subject Selection Interviews on 2 August. Students and parents/guardians will meet with a KLA Coordinator or Year Coordinator who will discuss the selections students wish to make and will ensure that their pattern of study is suitable for their intended pathway beyond school. If you are unable to attend interviews on this date, please contact Ms Miller to make an alternate arrangement for a time and date, before 2 August. Students are required to bring their Subject Selection form to the interview.
Stage 5 Elective Course Selection
This week we have begun the process of Elective Subject Selection for Yr 9 and Yr 10 2024. All information regarding elective selection will be communicated to students via the Stage 5 Electives Selections Google Classroom. All students currently in Yr 8 and 9 should ensure that they have joined this Google Classroom.
The following are key dates for the Stage 5 Electives Selection process:
11 August 2023: Elective Launch Presentations and Handbook
Students will be sent a series of videos via the Stage 5 2023 Elective Selections Google Classroom explaining the electives on offer and the options available. Students are encouraged to seek advice from KLA Coordinators and subject specialists if they have any questions regarding any of the electives explained within these videos.
16 August 2023: Stage 5 2024 Information Night
From 6:30pm, KLA Coordinators and specialist teachers will be available in the Champagnat Centre to answer questions regarding the electives that they have on offer. At 7:00pm, members of the College Leadership Team will present information regarding the process of selecting electives for 2024. For students who are currently in Year 8, attendance at the Information Night is fundamental to ensuring that an informed decision is made when nominating their elective selections for 2024. Students in Year 9 are encouraged to attend however given their familiarity with the process (having completed it in Year 8 2022), attendance is not required. Students are expected to attend the information night in their full College winter uniform.
17 August 2023: Elective Form Opens
At approximately 4:00pm, students will be emailed a link and instructions on how to make their selections. A video will also be released explaining this process.
28 August 2023: Selections close at 9:00am
If you have any questions regarding any of the above dates or events, please contact the College via an email to info@mcccdow.catholic.edu.au or a phone call to (02) 9603 3000.
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TERM 3 |
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Week 3 |
Year 12 Trial HSC examinations |
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Week 4 |
Year 12 Trial HSC examinations |
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Week 5 |
Mon - Last day of Trial HSC exams Work Studies: 16/08/23 |
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Ms Chardy Miller & Ms Rebecca Toogood
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Acting Curriculum Administration
As we begin to settle into Term 3, I take this moment to update you on some important announcements and remind you of some aspects of our College uniform policy.
Over the coming two weeks our Year 12 students will be undertaking the Trial HSC Examinations. The Pastoral Team has been working closely with our College Counsellors to create resources that will support students during this time. I would like to thank Mrs Clarissa Pearce, and our College Counsellors Emma Rijono and Pina Zerafa, for their hard work in creating a presentation and resource for the students to use to help care for their health and wellbeing during this time. Parents and carers please take a moment to discuss the resource with your child.
This term will also see Year 11 undertake the Preliminary HSC Examinations and Year 7 -10 involved in further assessments opportunities. Please see further information below regarding what students can do and what parents/carers can do during these times to support positive health and wellbeing of our students. If students have any concerns leading up to or during these assessment periods, please talk to your child about their concerns and communicate with your child’s Pastoral Advisor, Year Coordinator, or myself.
It is essential that we maintain a positive and professional learning environment for all our students. A reminder that all students are required to wear the correct College uniform every day. The uniform and grooming policies are outlined in the College Student Diary and were discussed with parents/carers during your child’s enrolment interview.
The College sports uniform, which is worn on Tuesday and on designated PDHPE practical lesson days, includes the College trackpants, shorts, socks, polo and jacket.
Black long sleeve t-shirts worn under the College polo are not permitted. Hoodies, sweatshirts, and logo jumpers are also not part of the college uniform. If your child is cold, the college jumper is to be worn underneath the zipped-up college sports jacket. Extra warmth can be provided through singlets, short sleeve t-shirts, or thermals worn underneath the College polo shirt that cannot be seen. Appropriate runners or cross trainers with arch support are also required.
Your cooperation in ensuring that your child adheres to these guidelines is greatly appreciated.
Have a great weekend,
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mrs Theresa Moore
Coping with Exam Stress
During exam and assessment periods, students can sometimes feel stressed and overwhelmed.
Here are some tips for young people and parents/carers to work together to manage stress and build coping strategies.
Year 12 Preparing for Your HSC booklet
School College counsellors, Pina and Emma, have created a booklet for Yr 12 students as they approach the HSC trials and HSC exams.
It includes coping strategies for managing stress, building a growth mindset and maintaining overall wellbeing.
Stay safe and well,
Emma & Pina, College Counsellors
Elevate Education Parent Seminars
Year after year, parents tell us that their children start the new term motivated to be more organised, study harder and get better grades. And that new-found motivation almost always fades away only a few weeks after the first day back.
So, what can you do to get – and keep – your child motivated this term?
Our upcoming parent webinar on motivating your child aims to answer just that - we’ll provide you with some easy-to-implement strategies to help get your child motivated for the term ahea
How to Get (and Keep) your Child Motiivated
Wednesday 2 August; 6.30pm-7.30pm AEST
With time for a live Q&A
Register here for free
Around the Grounds
Another busy start to the term with a lot happening around the school. MISA round one was played on Tuesday with Mount Carmel having some strong results from the variety of sports. These are outlined below with our MVP’s getting credit for their strong displays in their sports. In addition we also have a team of 60 students heading to Diocesan Athletics Championships on Friday 28 July. We wish all our students good luck in theory events and keep our fingers crossed to have some selected to represent the Wollongong team at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships later this term. We also have an exciting in school tournament coming later in the term with a Year 12 VS Teachers competition to help bring the community together for their final weeks of time here at Mount Carmel. A lot of exciting sports related content is coming up which is perfect time alongside our Matildas going for glory in the World Cup.
On Friday 21 July both Monique and Ethan represented MCCC and the NSWCCC Cross country team at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships at Eastern Creek. Both performed very well with Monique coming 11th and Ethan 27th in the state for their age divisions. This is a wonderful achievement that takes a lot of hard work and effort in training.
Well done to both of these gifted students.
Thank You
A big thank you to the 15 year 10 PASS students who volunteered to help in the running of the St Andrews Public Primary Athletics Carnival on Friday 21 July. Below is an email sent by one of the staff members from the school congratulating the students on their help on the day.
Good afternoon Mr Webb,
I would just like to start off by saying how amazing the students from Mount Carmel Cristian College were! All students helped run a variety of events at our Primary Athletics Carnival. The students demonstrated enthusiasm, dedication and a willingness to support not only the teachers and staff at St Andrews, but also encouraged our students within their events. Just this afternoon, I received many compliments about the students and their work ethic.
I am so beyond grateful for their assistance and MCCC for allowing them to participate today. I did take a few photos of the students so I could share them with MCCC. Please find them attached below.
MISA - Term 3 Round 1
| SPORT | RESULT | MVP | Short Report |
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Softball 10-12 Girls Mr Withnall |
VS SPT Loss 2-1 |
Alyssa Eccles |
Despite a close loss we walk away with a moral victory. The girls demonstrated fantastic sportswomanship and teamwork, continuing to embody the true MCCC spirit. Our fielding was exceptional and our batting showed signs of dominance. St Pat's clearly showed they knew what they were doing, keeping us scoreless in the first innings and taking some great catches. Not to be outdone, Maria De Lima Goncalves Fernandes De Mota took a brilliant catch to run a double play combined with Alisha Phillips. Our sole run coming from Alyssa Eccles after some nifty base running. Overall, lots of positives to take away despite not taking the win. |
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Netball 7-8 Girls Ms Jefferys |
VS MACC Loss 28-6 |
Georgia Metekingi |
Our 7- 8 team maintained high spirits during a difficult game. It was great to see the girls walk off the court with a smile and an optimistic attitude towards their next game. |
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Netball 9-10 Girls Mrs Armour |
VS MACC Win 36-13 |
Taylah Faiai | This team is known for their effective teamwork and impressive skills on the court. Whilst it took a quarter to find some rhythm, they quickly began to dominate the court resulting in a confident win. Our MVP this week is Taylah Faiai who can adapt her game to suit any position on the court. |
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Indoor Cricket 10-12 Boys Mr O’Connell |
VS JTCC Loss 73-55 |
Jake Darr | The team started the game two players short with a few absences on the day, but this didn’t deter the boys from coming out strong with a solid batting total of 55 runs. JTCC produced a solid reply with some impressive batting by a number of boys. MCCC came away with a loss but should be proud of the spirit that they had throughout the game especially being two players short. Well done to Jake Darr on a magnificent batting and bowling performance. |
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Soccer 7-9 Girls Miss Heath |
VS MAS 5-0 Win |
Alissiah Marmont | A dominant performance from all players, with only one sub. It was great to see a variety of skill and precision displayed by players to kick start the competition with a 5 nil win. Well done girls, bring on round 2! |
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Soccer 7-8 Boys Mr King |
VS BAC Win 1-0 |
Petar Spyropoulos | The boys had a very physical encounter with BAC today and were fortunate to kick off their season with a 1 nil win. Despite having many opportunities to score in the first half and some blistering runs down the wing by both Izral Marmont and Sean Phommasaeng-Hoang, the boys just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. Isaiah Nakasenh came agonisingly close with a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper but was brought down from behind in a nasty tackle just outside the box, giving the referee no choice but to send the BAC player off. The second half proved to be victorious for the homeside with some key substitutions and positional changes made. The MCCC boys dug deep with the goal eventually coming from Petar Spyropoulos who chipped the goalkeeper, clipping the underside of the crossbar to score. The work rate from both Valentino Spano and Petar Spyropoulos was exceptional today. Congratulations to all the boys on an inspiring first up win. Bring on Magdalene Catholic College in round 2. |
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Soccer 9-10 Boys Mr Berkeley |
VS MAS Win 3-1 |
Harry Peeters | A dominating performance from all the players. Despite a confusing goal that we scored in the first few minutes, we conceded a goal shortly before half time. Aside from this lack of focus the led to a goal, the team displayed a really strong performance. The second half started much stronger than when the half finished, and aside from some tired legs, the boys maintained high amounts of possession. Special mention to Harry Peeters for putting in a really solid performance, being a really strong force to be reckoned with and winning a lot of one-on-one battles. Another special mention to Jayden for a wonder strike outside the box that finished in the top corner. This match should bring on some strong confidence for next week. |
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AFL 10-12 Girls Mrs Abra |
VS JTCC Win39-8 |
Timara Semaia Hailee Meurant |
With no substitutions, a novice team with some of our girls never having played AFL before, the odds were against us. Hailee & Timara led our girls with vengeance and the team soon followed. Having an amazing team of gifted sportswomen, MCCC were victorious in our first game of AFL for the season with a convincing score of 39-8 against JT. Soccer, netball, oz tag and of course AFL skills were on display and were easily transferred into our game today. Congratulations girls, you were amazing. Bring that beautiful spirit every week and we will always be winners! |
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AFL 10-12 Boys Mr Kawa |
VS JTCC Loss 89-15 |
Ryan Locke |
JTCC came out of the gates with blistering speed and skill and took an early lead with consolidating goals in the first half. Our boys put up a valiant effort when trying to compete but the expertise of this slick JTCC side proved to be dominating in this match up. Congratulations to all the boys with their effort and we look forward to next week. |
Again a very busy term for sport with a lot of events occurring throughout the term. As always, students are encouraged to sign up and trial for representative teams. Below you will find registration links for both our DIO and NSWCCC events. If you require any further information please visit the Diocese of Wollongong sports here.
Registrations are Now Open for 2023
Please refer to attached 2023_Registration.pdf
Representative Pathways
| MISA Website | https:/wwwwmisaonlineeorgg.au/ |
| Diocesan Sport News | Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed here |
| NSW CCC/CSNSW Sport News | Higher level CCC trials and events status can be monitored here. |
| School Sport Australia Sport News | More School Sport Australia information can be found here |
Over the course of weeks 8 and 9 of Term 2, students were asked via email and in homeroom by their teachers to install the Zscaler app on their laptop. Staff installed the app in Term 1.
The deployment of the Zscaler app is a Diocesan initiative and a requirement for the College network in order to ensure the necessary level of security is offered for staff and students whilst connecting to the internet on-site at the College.
The Zscaler app controls and blocks dangerous network traffic whilst web-browsing and protects users from vulnerabilities on their laptops that could lead to data leaks or viruses.
The Zscaler app is only active when the device is used at the College and can be removed by the ICLT department when students leave the College or the laptop is no longer used for school purposes.