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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
In last week’s newsletter, I referred to a second reading quote that suggested we ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’. I suggested that one notion coming from this is that we need to care for ourselves. The Gospel Acclamation for this Sunday takes this quote a step further. It reads; “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). God’s love is boundless and limitless. In asking us to love one another in this way, Jesus is telling us that we should aim to spread His love to those around us. As humans, we acknowledge that we are not perfect, and that unconditional love is difficult for us. In the readings on either side of this acclamation, we are told that the best way of spreading this love is through forgiveness. We are given a clear message that forgiveness is not an option but is a requirement. For humans, forgiveness is not about ignoring something that is wrong, but it is about not holding a grudge. In our dealings with others, we need to aim to love one another as God loves us.
As stated last week, Jasmyne Douangdara was awarded with the Bishop’s Excellence Award for Mount Carmel for 2023. This is a great honour and this week I am able to include a photo. Congratulations again to Jasmyne.
This week the College Captains accompanied by Mrs Pearce (the Year 12 Coordinator) met with the Bishop for one last time. Bishop Brian spoke with the captains from each of our diocesan schools about leadership and their roles as captains. He also asked them to consider the next phase in their lives and how they might carry the things they have learned into their future. Thank you to our captains for their leadership roles in 2023.
On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of being invited to the Mayoral farewell for the Campbelltown delegation of students who will be visiting Koshigaya in Japan. This is a sister city initiative and students needed to apply to be a part of this delegation. Mount Carmel had five students chosen to be in this group. This was the largest contingent from any school and I believe that these students will represent Campbelltown with distinction.
Congratulations on being chosen in this group and thank you for allowing me to share in the mayoral reception.
Next week we will host the farewell celebrations for our HSC class of 2023. Parents have already been invited to the Graduation events and these will also be livestreamed on the day. Thank you in advance to all the staff who will be involved in the farewells and will help to make the last few days memorable for the students. As this will be the last newsletter before the Year 12 students leave the College, I wish them all the best in their lead up to their final exams and congratulate them on their secondary school education.
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
As much as the coming week will have a focus on our departing Year 12’s, I would like to congratulate our Year 11 cohort for the manner in which they have prepared and conducted themselves during their examination period which concludes on Tuesday. Thanks also to our junior year groups for their engagement in a range of pastoral class and year group activities that took place this morning, and to the Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors who planned and supervised the sessions.
Next week will see a range of events take place which will represent another step in saying farewell to our HSC Class of 2023. These will include:
- Farewell Mass and Graduation ceremony rehearsal on Monday afternoon during lesson 5
- Year 12 farewell picnic during sport on Tuesday afternoon, after the final lessons of their HSC course.
- Year 12 and staff BBQ breakfast on Wednesday morning before school.
- Final Mass during lessons 1 & 2 on Wednesday morning, which will include a transition of leadership to our 2024 Student Representative Council from our current leadership team.
- Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday evening commencing at 7pm, following pre-graduation hospitality at 6pm.
We wish our graduating class every success over the coming days and thank all students and staff who are involved in the planning and presentation of the various events.
A reminder that all Year 11 students will have normal classes from Wednesday onwards. All students are to wear full winter uniform on Wednesday to celebrate Mass. Those students who may have PDHPE Practical lessons normally scheduled on this day will have their timetables altered so that there is no need to wear sports uniform on Wednesday.
Considering the past week of poor air quality that we have experienced across Sydney, could I please remind students and carers of the need to ensure that those suffering from Asthma or other respiratory disorders have the appropriate medications with them. The College will be guided by the day to day levels as per NSW Government advice regarding the Air Quality Index and recommended Activity Guide. Media reports and advice from Fire and Rescue NSW would suggest that backburning will continue over the coming weeks and months and circumstances similar to the past week could become regular.
Finally, could all students and carers please be reminded that Spitfire Drive does not have a designated pedestrian crossing. It is essential for students and carers to be patient, especially during the afternoon pick-up when departing the College grounds.
Thank you for your support with these matters.
Mr Simon Huntly
Year 12 Final Lessons and HSC Spring Holiday Classes
Year 12 will conclude lessons on Tuesday 19 September. Students are expected to be utilising these last opportunities for learning with their teachers and peers in preparation for their HSC Examinations which begin on 11 October.
During the upcoming holiday break, a number of subjects will be holding study and revision sessions. The schedule for these learning opportunities will be distributed to students via the Year 12 google classroom.
Year 7 -10 Tracking Reports
On Friday 22 September the Year 7-10 Tracking reports will be released via Compass, after 3:30pm. This report will capture a snapshot of how students have progressed so far in the second semester of the year. These reports are designed to provide feedback to assist students with monitoring how they are progressing with their academic achievement and academic effort learning goals in each subject.
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TERM 3 |
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Week 10 |
Year 11 Preliminary Exams Year 10 PDHPE Year 8 Catholic Studies Languages |
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Ms Chardy Miller & Ms Rebecca Toogood
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Acting Curriculum Administration
“R U OK?” Day & Supporting Healthy Parent -Teen Relationships
The relationships between parents and their teenagers often face numerous challenges. Balancing academic demands, extracurricular activities, and the ever-evolving digital landscape can create gaps in communication and understanding. This week we observed “R U OK?” Day. It is essential to emphasise the significance of nurturing strong connections between parents and their adolescents.
“R U OK?” Day, which is observed on the second Thursday of September every year, reminds us of the power of a simple question: "Are you okay?" This question holds immense importance, especially for teenagers navigating the complexities of adolescence. It provides an opportunity for open and honest dialogue about emotions, struggles, and mental wellbeing.
One of the key aspects of “R U OK?” Day is its focus on promoting mental health awareness and support. Adolescence is a time of significant emotional development, and teenagers often grapple with feelings of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Building a strong parent-teen relationship can be a protective factor in a young person's life, helping them cope with these challenges more effectively.
Adolescents who feel comfortable talking to their parents are more likely to share their thoughts, concerns, and problems. By creating open communication, it builds trust and helps parents understand their teenager's perspective. Adolescents need a safe and supportive environment where they can express their emotions without judgment. Parents who are emotionally available can provide this crucial support. As parents we play a significant role in modelling healthy behaviours and coping mechanisms. By demonstrating effective communication and problem-solving, we can teach our teenagers valuable life skills. Strong parent-teen relationships can help teenagers develop resilience, enabling them to bounce back from setbacks and handle stressors more effectively.
So, how can parents strengthen their relationships with their teenagers?
Active Listening: Pay close attention to your teenager's thoughts and feelings. Show genuine interest in what they have to say, even if you don't fully understand or agree.
Empathy: Try to see things from your teenager's perspective and validate their emotions. Avoid dismissing their feelings as trivial or irrational.
Quality Time: Dedicate quality time to spend together, whether it's through shared hobbies, meals, or family outings. These moments help build bonds and create lasting memories.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear and reasonable boundaries, ensuring that your teenager knows your expectations while respecting their need for autonomy.
Seek Professional Help: If you notice persistent signs of mental health struggles, don't hesitate to seek professional guidance from external providers or counsellors. We are supported by Catholic Care Counselling services here at the college.
Together, we can create a supportive and caring community that empowers our young people to thrive. Remember, it's not just about asking “R U OK?” one day a year but about fostering a culture of open dialogue and support every day.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mrs Theresa Moore
Upcoming Parent Webinars
Body Confident Children & Teens
Tuesday 17 October (AEDT) plus question time: 7-8pm
Information and practical tips for parents of primary and secondary-age children on how to promote positive body image in the home. Topics covered include:
- Body image influences
- The role of body image in problematic eating and exercise behaviours
- How to positively role model
- Responding to appearance talk and appearance-teasing
- What to do if concerned.
Please note there is a cost of $15 associated with this webinar.
Getting the Most out of Gaming
19 October 2023 12.30pm (AEDT)
Our research shows that 56% of children aged 8 to 17 have played an online game with others. As parents and carers, how can we ensure they have fun and stay safe? Join our free 45-minute webinar, Getting the most out of gaming. Tailored for parents or carers of children aged 7 to 14, the webinar will cover:
- Benefits of gaming and boosting in-game experiences
- Essential safety and privacy settings
- Promoting balanced gaming
- Addressing online risks and dealing with in-game bullying.
Let's empower young people for safe online gaming experiences!
Growing good Men:
Father & Teenage Son Weekend Experience
20-22 October 2023 Cataract Scout Camp Appin
One of the most important influences in the lives of men is the relationship they had with their father or significant father figure. The encouragement and affirmation that this relationship could, and should, provide is a key ingredient for how young men view themselves and embrace their gifts as they take their place in the world.
Don’t miss this life-changing father and son weekend! Spots are limited to just 25 fathers with their sons aged between 12 and 16 years. This is a unique opportunity for dads and their sons to embark on a quest of discovery with Robert Falzon and the team from menALIVE.
It has been a relatively quiet week in terms of external sports activities, with only our U15's Boys Rugby League team participating in a delayed grand final match. Additionally, we continued the Staff vs. Year 12 games, featuring Basketball, Oz Tag, and Trivia, which took place throughout weeks 8 and 9. In the basketball game held at the Champagnat Centre, the Staff found themselves with a one-game lead after losing 20-16. This gave Year 12 the opportunity to challenge the teachers and potentially tie the series in the deciding match of trivia. However, to the surprise of the Year 12 cohort, the Staff dominated the Oz Tag match with some smart footy, extending the competition to a dead rubber in trivia. The trivia event was a resounding success, with a large portion of the grade participating in these end-of-school festivities. This event served as an excellent opportunity to foster community spirit and bring the cohort together one last time against the staff. A special thanks to our sports captains, Rory and Alexis, who played pivotal roles in organising these events.
Looking ahead to the final week of Term 3, we have scheduled MISA trials on Tuesday for various sports offered to students. These sports include:
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7-9 Boys OZ Tag |
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7-9 Girls OZ Tag |
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10-11 Mixed Frisbee |
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7-9 Boys AFL |
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7-9 Girls AFL |
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7-9 Boys Indoor Cricket |
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7-9 Girls Softball |
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10-11 Boys Volleyball |
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10-11 Girls Volleyball |
This is a great opportunity for our junior grades to maintain the success the college has had in MISA so far this year with Mount Carmel leading the MISA championship. Good luck to all students trialling in their respective teams!
MISA - Term 3 Grand Final
| SPORT | RESULT | Short Report |
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Rugby League U15's Boys Mr |
Grand Final VS JTCC Loss 22-0 |
A valiant effort met its match against a superior opponent in the U15's boys rugby league grand final. We kicked off the game with a bang, showcasing some impressive defensive work. Unfortunately this strength in defence was exposed with JTCC having 80% of possession due to mistakes in attack. We found ourselves in challenging situations on the field, we struggled to maintain our composure. Once our confidence wavered, it became a steep hill to climb back. This lack of composure in attack made it very difficult for MCCC to get back into the game and JTCC ran away with the result. A tough loss after smashing JTCC in the second head to head match. Well done to the boys who tried their hardest and hopefully next year when most of the boys move into the senior team we can bring success back to Mount Carmel. |
| Date | Event |
| 19 September | MISA Trails |
| 11 October | Diocesan Boys Cricket |
| 13 October | Diocesan AFL |
| 16 October | Diocesan Basketball |
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 |
Year 9
This week 5.2 Mathematics, students started learning about Formulae. In this topic, students learn how to solve real world problems and develop critical thinking skills through the use of algebra and equations. Most importantly, they discover and work with real world formulae such as the formulae for area, perimeter, volume and financial mathematics. One of the key skills required to work with formulae is substituting into algebraic expressions. On Monday, 9 Sapphire revised this skill through an engaging activity that utilised dice and some healthy competition between pupils. As featured in the photos, students used dice to obtain a value to substitute into a given algebraic expression, which they would then solve. After repeating this process many times, students added up their individual solutions to see their final total. The student with the highest total in the pair was the winner.
Mrs Stefania Campbell
Year 10
In 5.1 Mathematics, our students are getting into the mix with some trigonometric ratios. Over the last few lessons, we have been reviewing our knowledge of right-angled triangles, including Pythagoras’ theorem, similar triangles and identifying the sides of triangles as opposite a reference angle, adjacent to a reference angle or the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle. Using this information, we’ve been able to form connections between the ratio of the sides and the trigonometric functions: sine, cosine and tangent. Below you’ll be able to see some of our students using these ratios to correctly calculate the length of a missing side.
And finally, as we draw closer to the end of Term 3, the mathematics faculty would like to wish the Year 12 graduating class 2023 of all the best as they head into their HSC examination preparations. We know that they will continue to put in their best effort in order to achieve success over the coming months and into the future.
Adam Withnall, Mathematics Coordinator
