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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
This Sunday’s first reading (Isaiah 56:1.6-7) begins with the phrase;
“Thus says the Lord: Have a care for justice, act with integrity”.
In our everyday life, we are often faced with challenges that require decisions that might easily go in a number of directions. In deciding one way, we will offend or hurt someone but if we decide another way, a different person or group will feel injured. Sometimes, it may be easy to follow the popular path even though we know it is wrong. Students will face peer pressure that may place them in this situation. As a Principal, I will sometimes be called to make decisions that I know will upset or offend. The yardstick that I return to is the quote above. If our decisions are based in justice and we remain true to our beliefs, we have acted with integrity. This will often be the best we can do and it is reassuring to know that this path is reflected in the values of Jesus.
Our Year 12 students completed their Trial HSC exams on Monday. These progressed well and the students will receive valuable feedback over the next few weeks that will help them build toward their final exams. As with all assessment, I encourage the students to use these as a growth opportunity to help determine where they can improve. As we have spoken about over the past year, our focus is not on what we can’t do, but on what we can do in order to achieve. Following the trials, the Year 12 students then completed a half day retreat reconnector on Tuesday. This was a welcome change from the pressure of the last few weeks and was well received by the students. Thank you to all staff involved with the exams, marking and the reconnector.
Last Tuesday, our P&F gathered for our Term 3 meeting. It was nice to see a few new faces and have the opportunity to answer questions from the group. Our guest speaker was Mr David Teuma (ICLT Coordinator) who delivered a presentation about technology use at the College and in particular Artificial Intelligence. Mr Teuma was invited to give the same presentation to the MISA Principals at our scheduled term 3 meeting on Thursday. Both the parents and the Principals were very interested in the approach being promoted at the College where we are looking for ways to embrace AI for the benefit of learning. We all acknowledge that this is very early in the use of AI and there is much to be done, but we are fortunate to have Mr Teuma who is passionate about technology as a way to improve learning.
On Wednesday evening, we held the Stage 5 subject selection information evening for our current Year 8 students. Whilst we were competing with another popular football event, we had a very good attendance and ensured we were complete with plenty of time. Thank you to the staff who gave their time to assist and to Ms Miller and Ms Toogood for their organisation and guidance.
Today our Term 3 Staff Development Pupil Free day was focussed on Wellbeing and Pastoral Care. It was a very positive learning opportunity for all the staff and we hope will lead to stronger relationship building with the students in the classrooms. Again, I recognise the disruption that these days might cause, and I thank all parents and students for your support.
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
The Staff Development Day earlier today provided an opportunity for staff to engage in some important activities and learning centred around Relationships, Purpose, Building Culture and managing challenging situations. We thank our guest presenters, Mr Tim Perkins from CutThrough Coaching, and staff from the Catholic Education Office for their assistance with the preparation and delivery of the sessions throughout the day.
The past week has seen us welcome Year 12 back to normal lessons after the completion of their HSC Trial exams. Year 11 continue to work towards the completion of the Preliminary course of study and beginning to prepare for their preliminary exams in Week 9 as well as their leadership opportunities for 2024.
The next week will continue to see a range of important activities occur that complement the learning and wellbeing of students. These will include:
- HSC Industrial Technology Practical marking - Tuesday
- Yr 11 Investigating Science and Biology Excursion- Wednesday
- Yr 9 PASS Wheelchair Incursion - Wednesday
- Yr 10 BStreet Smart PDHPE Excursion - Thursday
- Yr 11 Pre- Preliminary Exam Assembly - Friday
Thanks to all staff and students for their support with preparation and participation in these initiatives. As always, should you have any questions or suggestions about how we can continue to support your son` or daughter with their learning or wellbeing, please contact your son or daughter’s Pastoral Advisor, Year Coordinator or the Front Office staff.
Mr Simon Huntly
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Mass of day with Lectionary and Missal texts of Sunday Ord Time 20 Yr A |
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| First Reading | Isaiah 56:1.6-7 | The Lord's justice is about to be revealed. |
| Second Reading | Romans 11:13-15. 29-32 | God's gifts are irrevocable. |
| Gospel | Matthew 15:21-28 | A cananite woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter. |
Yr 11 Leadership Day
Yr 12 Retreat Reconnector
Mrs Christine Meharg
Stage 5 2024 Electives Selection
Students in Yr 8 and 9 now been emailed a link and instructions on how to make their selections
A video is also posted to the Electives Selection google classroom which explains how to complete the online form. Selections close on 28 August 2023 at 9:00am.
Year 12 Final Weeks in the Classroom
Students in Year 12 are fast approaching the end of their formal lessons at the College. These last few weeks are crucial in consolidating their learning, receiving feedback from their teachers and working collaboratively to maximise their efforts. Attendance in class is therefore an essential component of accessing the support they need from their teachers and each other. Each of the subject teachers are running seminars on specific topics, workshops on exam skills, offering practice questions and strategies for improvement. During the Spring Holiday Break some subject workshops will be offered, as well as “Exam Experience” sessions, where students will be able to come and complete an exam paper under exam conditions.
Year 12 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
Wednesday 6 September
Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews provide an opportunity for parents, students and teachers to meet with their class teachers to review academic progress and discuss areas for growth. This conversation provides parents and students with valuable feedback and enables them to ask questions to support their child as they near the completion of their High School Certificate. Interviews for Year 12 2023 are being held on Wednesday September 6 between 4pm and 8pm in the Champagnat Centre. Further to the upcoming interviews, please note that Academic Reports will be distributed at the Graduation Ceremony and will be made available via Compass in Week 10. Bookings will open this week via the Compass Parent Portal.
Year 11 Preliminary Examinations
The Year 11 Preliminary Examinations will take place between Monday 11 September to Tuesday 19 September. Regular lessons will resume on Wednesday 20 September. Students will receive the examination timetable on Friday 25 August.
Year 11 students are encouraged to make the most of the learning opportunities that this examination period can provide. This is an important time for them to exercise their focus on their learning goals and execute strategies to study and revise and work out what best works for them in preparing for examinations. Students are encouraged to continue to work with their teachers on revision, practise questions and to seek feedback. The Library is open on Tuesday afternoons between 3:30 to 6:00pm, should students wish to utilise this space to study.
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TERM 3 |
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Week 6 |
Year 11 21/08/2023: 11 Visual Design 24/08/2023: 11 IPT Year 10 21/08/2023: 10 Food Tech (200hr) 24/08/2023: 10 Food Tech (100hr Year 9 IST Food Technology |
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Week 7 |
Year 11 28/08/2023: 11 Visual Arts 28/08/2023: 11 Photography,Video & Digital Imaging |
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Ms Chardy Miller & Ms Rebecca Toogood
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Acting Curriculum Administration
Promoting and Fostering Safe Environments;
Supporting our children to be an upstander
In a world where compassion and empathy are vital, Mount Carmel Catholic College remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an environment that values respect, responsibility, and safety for all its members. As a cornerstone of our Pastoral Care, we encourage parents to actively participate in promoting upstander behaviour, standing up against violence and bullying, ensuring the wellbeing of our students.
Being an upstander involves more than just witnessing incidents; it's about taking action. Our college community firmly believes that every individual possesses the power to make a positive impact. To become effective upstanders, we can follow these simple yet impactful steps:
- Educate your child about the signs of bullying and violence. Awareness is the first step towards intervention.
- Foster a safe space at home where your child feels comfortable discussing their experiences. Regular conversations can help detect any signs of distress early on.
- Demonstrate empathy and respect in your interactions. Children learn by observing, and your actions will shape their attitudes towards others.
- Equip your child with conflict resolution skills. Help them understand the importance of seeking help from a trusted adult if they witness bullying or violence.
- Engage with the college's pastoral care initiatives.
At Mount Carmel Catholic College, our parent support network plays an integral role in cultivating a culture of upstanders. By collaborating with the college, parents can contribute to the creation of a safe environment where students feel empowered to intervene when witnessing violence or bullying.
Let us unite in our commitment to developing compassionate, confident, and responsible individuals. As parents and educators, we can shape a future where upstanders take a stand against cruelty, and kindness prevails. Together, we can ensure that every student at Mount Carmel Catholic College experiences the warmth of a supportive community, ready to uplift and protect one another.
Remember, being an upstander is not just an action; it's a reflection of our shared values.
Mrs Theresa Moore
Acting Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Coordinator
From Our Catholic Care Counsellors
Child protection week is coming up in early September. The Senior practitioners from the SSFP team (School, Student and Family Program) have put together several parent presentations to support the theme 'Where we start matters'.
Please see attached flyer information for presentations being held during child protection week which are relevant for secondary school students. These presentations are open to all parents at CEDoW schools. Parents are welcome to attend more than one presentation.
Mount Carmel is hosting the Supporting Teens with Friendships presentation on 7th September from 7-8pm. Please click here to register.
St Francis College, Edmondson Park, is hosting the Supporting Your Child to Develop Resilience presentation on 5th September 6.30-7.30pm (suitable for students in both primary and secondary. Please click here to register.
Around the Grounds
In the latest edition of our school sports newsletter, we recap an eventful week marked by a spirited quest for excellence. Amidst this the focus was directed towards the NSWCCC Netball School Based Competition, where our talented athletes showcased their prowess on the Netball court, embodying the spirit of teamwork and determination. Additionally, the week saw the greens come alive with the MISA Golf Championship, where our golfers displayed their precision and skill, adding an extra layer of excitement to our sports calendar. We also saw round 4 of MISA get underway with only one round left in week 6 before semi finals. Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring achievements from our dedicated students in the realm of sports!
Our CCC Netball Team
This year we entered an Open Team into the Championship Division for the CCC Netball Carnival. Well done to the girls who won three games in their pool against McCarthy College, Tamworth, Marist Sisters’ College, Woolwich and Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney. Sadly, we were extremely disappointed walking away with a loss (by 3) for our final game of the day against St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour, however, this is just a testament to the passion that was alive throughout the entirety of the day. This team is evidence that the netball culture at Mount Carmel is alive and thriving. Watch this space next year because after this team tackles Dio, Marist and MISA in 2024 they will be unstoppable. Well done girls!
Year 12
Hailee Meurant
Year 11
Leisl Hopoate, Krystal Borello, Janita Leota Brown, Gemma Olling & Isabella Ashcroft
Year 10
Sienna Wagstaff, Taylah Faiai, Sienna Finn & Rebecca Barnes
Year 9
Isabella Nakasenh
Umpire - Charlotte Carney
MISA - Term 3 Round 3
| SPORT | RESULT | MVP | Short Report |
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Softball 10-12 Girls Mr Withnall |
VS STP Loss 9-2 |
Leira Hornilla |
A valiant effort once again thwarted by silly, costly errors and some terrific fielding by our opponents. We batted well but it went against us when we couldn't get it over the infield. Our fielding effort was not quite up to snuff either, but we continue to strive for improvement. Our MVP, Leira, was unfortunately subbed off when she was hit by a powerful blow. In the chaos, though, we did manage to hold up runners in scoring positions. As always, the positivity and enthusiasm from the girls is unrivalled. |
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Netball 7-8 Girls Ms Jefferys |
VS MAG Loss 23-6 |
Miyah Meurant | The girls started out strong showing potential in the first quarter in being the better team. However did not come through with a win this week. The opposing side getting ahead with being opportunistic. |
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Indoor Cricket 10-12 Boys Mr O’Connell |
VS JTCC Loss 104-51 |
Zane Brooke |
The boys played to the best of their ability against a strong JTCC team. Only fielding 7 players made it difficult to create a strong performance. Jake Darr and Joshua Dennis both put in gargantuan batting performances and Abdul Khan displayed illustrious fielding prowess. Nevertheless the most outstanding performance of the match must go to the one and only Zane Brooks who was one ball away from a distinguished hatrick in the dying moments of the match. A semi finals berth for MCCC looks imminent as the season comes down to the wire. Let’s hope for a good result next week to confirm that semi final position. |
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Soccer 7-9 Girls Miss Heath |
VS THAC Win 1-0 |
Charlie Yule | There were plenty of skills and passing patterns on show which lead to another win (1-0). This places the girls in a fantastic position for finals. |
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Soccer 7-8 Boys Mr King |
VS THAC Loss 3-2 |
Shou Ye | The boys were unfortunate to go down 3-2 in what was a game of very mixed emotions. After conceding a goal early off a free kick and some sloppy defending, the boys managed to claw their way back and level the score with a nicely timed finish by Isaiah Nakasenh. Thomas Hassall’s main striker caused many problems for our defence with his blistering pace and composure in front of goal. From 3-1 down with twelve minutes remaining the boys looked in trouble, yet in true MCCC fighting spirit, the team lifted with a number of raids into the box thanks to Tadhg Healy and Vincent Brancati. Debutant Tennyson King reduced the deficit with a banger from thirty yards, yet despite many attempts on goal the boys just couldn’t find the equaliser. A special mention to Shou Ye for best on field performance who gave everything in what was a very physical encounter. |
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Soccer 9-10 Boys Mr Teuma |
VS THAC Win 4-2 |
Riley Keith | Despite an early goal for MCCC, it was a lackluster start to the game. With the opposition not taking the game seriously, the boys were given full warning not to take on the game easy. After a disappointing effort in the first half, the second half was a vast improvement and credit to the team for turning their effort levels around to achieve a 4-2 win. There were plenty more opportunities to put a few more goals away, but our shots went straight into the goalkeepers arms. A good result in the end puts us steady into the finals in a few weeks. |
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AFL 10-12 Boys Mr Hunty |
VS MAG Loss 21-12 |
DeAngelo Finau |
The boys put in a valiant effort as they battled in a heavily contested match between Magdalene. The half time score showed the tight nature of the match with a 14-12 scoreline. Unfortunately we struggled in the second half failing to score as we committed numbers forward leaving our defence exposed. Onto 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 |
Young People need to aim high and to know that their community support them. Our children are our most valuable resource and, all too often, their academic achievements can be neglected. We do encourage learning and reward relevant students.
If you would like to donate towards the Year 12 Academic Medallions, the cost of each medallion is $40.00 or three for $100.00. If you wish to donate towards a particular subject, please visit our office or contact us on 9603 3000 to pay over the phone.
Studio 5 HSC Studies
Mount Carmel Netball Club has had a great 2023 winter season. Our three teams all qualified for the semi finals that were played last Saturday at the Minto netball courts complex.
We are very proud of our 14’s team who played so well on the day, never giving up, but sadly were defeated by Emerald Hills Ravens. Our Grads team played a competitive match against Bluejays and finished with a loss to the Minor Premiers but will be back this Saturday to play against Glenquarie All Stars at 12.10pm competing for a place in the grand final.
Our Senior team had a great win and earned their place in the grand final to be played at 3.00pm on Saturday 26th August.
The girls would love to have support from the College community so everyone is invited to come down to the courts to cheer them on.