Our return to school has been one of positivity and I would like to thank all students and carers for the manner in which we have commenced our final term of learning. Mr Lo Cascio has included a section in his article about the ongoing construction and renovations taking place on the site and I would particularly like to express our gratitude for the mature, responsible and cooperative way that students have negotiated the alterations and disruptions that have been occurring, and will continue to do so at various times over the next 9 weeks, as a result of our building works.

Building works aside, the past week has also seen some other significant events take place. Year 12 commenced the HSC Exams on Wednesday and we wish them every success for the coming weeks. Year 11 students are in the process of receiving results and feedback from their Preliminary exams as they prepare to embark on their own journey through the Higher School Certificate over the coming 12 months. Students and carers of Year 11 are reminded that Reports will be released on Monday 24 October and the Year 12 2024 HSC Information Night is scheduled for the evening of Monday 30th October. This week also saw teams represent the College in the Years 7-9 Diocesan Cricket tournament on Wednesday and our 14 years Boys and Years 7-9 Girls participate in the Diocesan AFL Gala Day today. Our Years 7-11 Basketball teams will take part in the Diocesan Carnival on Monday October 16. I thank all competitors, coaches and managers for their contribution over the past week and wish our teams every success on Monday.

Earlier this morning our Years 7 to 11 cohorts engaged in a range of Pastoral activities. These ranged from former Socceroo Paul Wade speaking to Year 11 about goal-setting, resilience and motivation to Year 10 addressing Gender specific issues, Year 9 looking at growth and fixed mindsets, Year 8 creating videos on Respect and Year 7 looking at strategies that they can adopt to promote personal health and wellbeing. Thanks to all Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors for preparing, presenting and supervising these activities.

Over the last few weeks, you may have heard that the NSW government has banned mobile phones in Department schools. The expectations at Mount Carmel have not changed from the past few years as our procedures have largely been effective. I ask all parents and students to ensure you are familiar with our expectations and support us in this so that we do not need to take a harder line on this. As a reminder, there is an expectation that phones will not be used between the first bell at 8:40 and the end of the day at 3:15 unless permission is given by a staff member. Should parents or students need to contact each other, please do this through the College office. Students who use their phones without permission will have them confiscated and placed at student services until the end of the day (as per page 14 of the College Diary).

As always, thanks for your ongoing support with all matters relating to Learning and Wellbeing. Please contact your son or daughter’s respective Year Coordinator or Pastoral Advisor should you have any questions or concerns.

Mr Simon Huntly

Term 3 proved to be a whirlwind of excitement for the Science faculty as we ventured into a realm of discovery and innovation. The crescendo of this term's scientific journey was undeniably Science week, an event held last term that left us all in awe of the budding young scientists here at Mount Carmel.

Our Year 7 to 10 students embarked on a captivating exploration of this year's Science Week theme: ‘Innovation - Powering the Future Generations’. With paper and 3V DC motors in hand, they set to work crafting their own windmills, harnessing the power of the wind through the gentle whirring of a fan. This spirited endeavour quickly transformed into a spirited competition, as groups competed to design a windmill that could generate the highest voltage. The creativity and ingenuity displayed were nothing short of inspiring.

The windmill challenge was just the beginning. In addition to this, students enthusiastically engaged in year group challenges that brought out the best in their scientific prowess.

Our Year 7 students reached for the stars, showcasing their balancing skills in a contest to construct the tallest rock tower, earning themselves the title of true ‘rockstars’ in the process. Meanwhile, Year 8 got down and messy, concocting the stretchiest, strongest slime in a gooey, hands-on experience that left them thoroughly ‘slimed’!

Year 9 students faced with the daunting task of building the tallest tower out of nothing but newspaper, rose to the occasion with determination. Their structures, put to the test against the unrelenting force of a fan, stood tall and proud, a testament to their engineering mettle.

Year 10 students took on the challenge of designing a catapult device to launch ping pong balls to the longest distances possible. The real twist, however, was the necessity for their teammates to skilfully catch the airborne projectiles in a cup, adding a thrilling element of coordination and strategy.

Year 11 and 12 students embraced the ‘bubbling world of chemistry’ with zeal. Armed with scientific expertise, they concocted the perfect bubble solution, leading to a symphony of bubbles dancing through the air. The challenge? To waft their creations through a hula hoop stationed an impressive 3 metres away.

Of course, no challenge is complete without due recognition. Prizes were awarded to the winning teams, but the true victory lay in the knowledge, experience, and camaraderie gained throughout the week. A huge thank you goes out to Mrs Tran, whose organisational prowess brought this extravaganza to life. Science week proved to be not only an educational venture, but a celebration of the boundless potential and creativity within each and everyone of our students. We look forward to more scientific adventures this term. Best wishes to our Yr 12 science students for their HSC exams!

A culture covered in courtesy, revelling in respect, and swimming in solidarity. Campbelltown Koshigaya Sister Cities Association, next year celebrating their 40th anniversary, invites 15 students between the ages of 14 and 18 to experience 12 nights during the school holidays surrounded by life and the reality of Japan. As one of the selected students following an interview process, I, alongside seemingly random people who soon became close friends, attended 12 orientation sessions learning about language, culture and respect, and social interactions, had the privilege of broadening my travel horizons. Mount Carmel was the highest represented school in the delegation, with students attending; Erica Tax (Year 8), Chelsea Herborn (Year 9), Lucy Powell, Olivia Judd (Year 10) joining myself and 10 other students from various schools in the Campbelltown area.

The experience itself was amazing! We began the adventure by visiting a Cup Noodle Museum and the Imperial Palace on the first day, then Campbelltown Park, a junior high school and Campbelltown Forest of Wild Birds in Koshigaya. The group made ice-cream, were welcomed to dinner by the Koshigaya Mayor, then visited Mt Fuji on Day 4 and had an overnight stay at a hotel nearby. The weekend was spent with host families, enjoying the bustling streets of Shibuya, or a morning run with the family, I watched my host sister play Japanese handball (a really engaging sport!), visited the local Shinto Shrine, and made my own Japanese rice cake topped with soy sauce. Week 2 entailed a primary and a preschool visit, tea ceremony, Nikko National Park, Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa and, finally, Disneyland. Each event was filled with excitement and personal fulfilment, with the unreal sensation of being in an unfamiliar, overseas location without family or otherwise close friends.

With all people making their way home safely, albeit exhausted, we celebrated our many memories and positive connections of both Australian and Japanese cultures and ways of living. Everyone interacted and made lifelong friends, encountered everyday life in an overseas country, and achieved no sleep on either plane trip! All fun! If there is one key aspect of what I have learned in this opportunity, it would be the imperative need to accept all adventure, and to never look back. I am heavily grateful for all the people in my life who made this trip possible and recognise such vital doors which have been opened travel in the future.

By Onyx Holmes, Year 10

New Bus Operator

From Sunday, 8 October 2023, the bus services provider currently operating as Busabout and Interline will change their name to Transit Systems NSW SW Pty Ltd.

There will be no change for students with an existing SSTS School Opal card. Transport for NSW will update these student entitlements to be listed under the new operator, Transit Systems NSW SW Pty Ltd.

For new SSTS School Opal card applications, students, parents or guardians will need to nominate Transit Systems NSW SW Pty Ltd as their bus operator.

If you have any questions or concerns, please submit your enquiry via transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback/fares-concessions-tickets-feedback