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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
This week’s Gospel (Matthew 23: 1-12) once again reminds us of the concept of servant leadership and equality amongst people. It follows from the readings last week where Jesus was challenged in an attempt to trick Him into making a political statement. Jesus’ criticism this week of the scribes and pharisees is not a reflection of their authority or guidance but is a question of their application. His message continually comes through that we must treat people with equal dignity and ensure that all are looked after and cared for. This notion compels us to continually think of those who may be less powerful or on the margins and consider how we, as a whole community, might cater for them. This definitely does not have an easy or simplistic answer but it should continue to be the basis for discernment and decision making. As I have stated in previous newsletters, the opening to the Gospel of St John – “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God” (Sophos – wisdom) needs to sit with us in all that we do.
My apologies to all members of our community for the last-minute closure of the College last Tuesday. As you would now know, we became aware around 7 am that we had a total loss of power to the site following a severe storm during the early hours of the morning. We followed initial procedures to try to ascertain the length of time we would be without power and were told to prepare to be in blackout until 4pm. When we realised we would be without internet, servers, compass, air conditioning, lighting, emergency notifications (bells, sirens, alarms etc) and students would not be able to access Google classroom or any digital texts, the decision was taken to protect their learning and safety with the notification to parents. We even had difficulty opening the front gates and the students who remained at school told us that it was very difficult to use the toilets in the dark. This was not a decision taken lightly and one that I would not envisage likely to happen too often. Thank you for your flexibility on Tuesday and your understanding for an unusual event.
Next Friday and the following Monday the staff will be working on the new NESA syllabuses that will come into effect over the next few years. These planning days are allowed in each school to assist teachers in the development of meaningful programs as the new syllabuses are launched. Whilst each school is free to determine where they are best located, we have taken the approach that having them together in the middle of term four is not only the most appropriate for staff, but it also gives students an opportunity to stop and take a breath in the middle of a draining term. We will evaluate this timing after the event but if it proves opportune, we will place the same days onto next year’s calendar. With enough notice, families may also look to use this as a long weekend leading into the Christmas and end of year seasons.
Next Tuesday evening, November 7, we will be holding our final P&F meeting for 2024. As always, this is an opportunity to hear what has been happening at the College and become involved in discussions. The meeting will occur in room I3 (at the turning circle) and will begin at 7pm. I encourage parents to attend and be part of this meeting.
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
As we head towards the middle of our final term for 2023, rather than slow down, the rhythm of a school tends to accelerate somewhat at this time of the year. Although this may not be the case for our graduating class of 2023, who have finished their HSC Exams and are now contemplating post school life and preparing for their Formal in 2 weeks time and the release of HSC results on 15 December. We wish our Year 12’s every success for the future. For the rest of the student population, they are currently in the process of finishing off their final assessment tasks for the year, staff are busy marking and writing reports, along with planning for 2024.
Despite the significant interruption on Tuesday with the cancellation of classes, the remainder of the week proceeded relatively unscathed as Yrs 7 & 8 conducted PAT testing as a means of getting a quick gauge on their progress in Literacy and Numeracy and Year 12 took part in their Retreat. I would like to thank all staff and students for their involvement in these activities and to the Mount Carmel Community for their support and understanding with respect to the blackout on Tuesday.
The next week will also feature a range of learning and wellbeing initiatives which are listed below:
- Year 9 YAM Mental Health presentations on Tuesday (first of 3 consecutive weeks)
- Lesson Swap Wednesday to Friday A in lieu of Staff PD Day. Pastoral Assemblies on Wednesday Period 1 for years 7, 8,10 & 11
- Year 9 YourChoicez Respectful Relationships presentation on Wednesday
- Staff Resuscitation Training over next 3 weeks commences on Tuesday afternoon after school
- Staff Development Days Friday 10 and Monday 13.
Thanks to all staff and students for their anticipated involvement in the planning, preparation and participation in these activities. Thanks also to our parents and carers who are making alternative supervision arrangements on the staff development days so that all staff can participate in this worthwhile professional development opportunity.
Mr Simon Huntly
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MASS OF THE DAY WITH LECTIONARY & MISSAL TEXTS OF SUNDAY ORD TIME 31 YEAR A |
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| First Reading | Malchi 1:14-2:2. 8-10 |
One God created us all, is Father to us all. |
| Second Reading | 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9. 13 |
Paul thanked God that their preaching was well received. |
| Gospel |
Matthew 23:1-12 |
Those who humble themselves shall be exalted. |
Mrs Christine Meharg
HSC Exams Conclude
The HSC year of 2023 has now concluded. Students are reminded to ensure that they can access their Students Online account to receive their HSC results. We look forward to celebrating their achievements on the 14 December.
If students still have items that have been borrowed from the College, they will need to return these, as soon as possible, to conclude their sign out process.
Progressive Achievement Testing (PAT)
PAT has been designed to provide schools with feedback on student achievement over a period of time. This informs learning and teaching through identifying areas of strength and growth.
Students will complete their Progressive Achievement Testing (PAT) on the following dates:
Years 9 & 10 - Monday 6 November
HSC Minimum Standards Tests
Students in Yr 10 and 11 who have not yet attained the minimum standard in the reading, writing or numeracy tests will be provided with another opportunity to attempt in the next fortnight. Students should check their emails for information from Ms Toogood or Ms Miller regarding when these tests will be scheduled.
Course Confirmations for 2024
During the next week students from Years 8, 9 and 10 will receive their elective course confirmations for 2024. Year 10 will receive a letter and Years 8 and 9 will be notified by email.
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TERM 4 |
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Week 5 |
Year 9 Geography Catholic Studies Year 8 Catholic Studies Year 7 Geography Music |
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| Week 6
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Year 9 Mathematics Year 8 Visual Arts |
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Ms Chardy Miller & Ms Rebecca Toogood
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Acting Curriculum Administration
In 2008, the author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, was asked to give the prestigious commencement speech at Harvard University. I viewed this address again recently and was moved by Rowling’s powerful message – a message which is highly relevant today. Her presentation passionately captures the importance of two things: the ‘benefits of failure’ and the ‘crucial importance of imagination’.
Rowling speaks personally about the inevitability of failure, stating how it is impossible to live without failing at something, ‘unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all’. In that case, she suggests, ‘you fail by default.’ Failure taught Rowling many things she could not have learned any other way. She describes this knowledge – although painfully acquired – as ‘true gift’ and says it has been worth more than any qualification she has ever achieved.
Rowling’s second point – the crucial importance of imagination – resonates powerfully. She describes the imagination as that ‘uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not’, calling it ‘the fount of all invention and innovation’. She argues that the imagination’s most transformative and revelatory capacity is its power to ‘enable us to empathise with others whose experiences we have never shared’. This notion of empathy is particularly critical for us all today.
‘Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s places.’ Yet Rowling concedes that many people prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all and choose to remain comfortably within the confines of their own limited experience. She suggests that this choice to live in narrow spaces brings its own terrors. ‘I think the wilfully unimaginative see more monsters. I think they are more often afraid.’ The most challenging remark made by Rowling posits that those who choose not to empathise with others, enable real monsters to flourish.
Rowling quotes the Greek author Plutarch, ‘What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality’. This brings me back to the importance and the power of reading. I’ll let the writer Maya Angelou capture reading’s magic: ‘When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.’
Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
SCHOOL FEES
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2024 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office.
On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2024 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
It is a requirement of CEO for us to advertise this for at least 3 weeks.
Year 7 2024 - Future Students
The Year 7 2024 Orientation Day will be held on Friday 1 December 2023. There will be a Year 7 Parent information night being held on Wednesday 29 November 2023 commencing at 7.00pm. Information packages and further information will be posted in the coming weeks. Please highlight these dates on your calendar.
The Rainer Uniform shop is located under the administration building at the foot of the stairs between the basketball courts and main building. The Uniform shop opens every Monday (8am-2.00pm), Wednesday (8.00am4.00pm and Thursday (8.00am-2.00pm). Please refer attached flyer ‘s advising fitting appointments along with contact information, price lists and trading times. The Uniform Shop will be open during the upcoming school holidays for those that wish to book for uniform fittings. Please see attached flyer with contact information and opening times.
School Student Travel 2024
2024 school travel applications are now open. Please click here for information from Transport for NSW.
Marsden Law Group
Fisher's Ghost Fun Run
Whether you are a competitive runner, or just wanting to enjoy a fun walk with family and friends, you'll have until 10am to complete either the 5km or 10km race. Registrations are now open and close on Wednesday 8 November 2023. To register, please click here