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Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent which is the season where we prepare for the events of Holy Week and the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Just as we prepare for the birth of Christ at the end of the year, we are now in preparation for the celebrations and memorials that we experience 40 days after Ash Wednesday with the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. At our whole school liturgy we reflected on the significance of this time and how we are called to reflect on our own lives, particularly in terms of personal sacrifice and the contribution that we can each make to improve the lives of others. This year’s Project Compassion Launch, which coincided with our Liturgy, calls us to “Go further together”, a plea for supporting the empowerment of communities in countries such as the Philippines, Malawi and Samoa. To help shape a better future for individuals, families and communities.
This Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 1:12-15 reflects on Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, the temptations of Satan and the guidance and support that he received from Angels. Upon his return to Galilee, following the arrest of John, Jesus proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As with our own Lenten experience, we too are challenged by a wide range of temptations, and are asked to repent, live out the Good News and take actions that will support those in need. We can do this through the support of our local parishes during this important time, through our contributions to Project Compassion and by our interactions with those we encounter on a daily basis.
Further to our Liturgical celebration, Thursday evening saw our annual Year 7 "Meet and Greet" night. This was an opportunity for students, families and staff to meet and put some faces to names. Presentations by Year 7 Pastoral Advisors, a video message from Mr Withnall and some words from our College Leadership team were able to provide some valuable insights into what Year 7 at Mount Carmel has looked like for the first three weeks of the year and what is expected to be encountered over the coming weeks and months. The presentations were followed by some light refreshments, which allowed all members of our community to spend some time getting to know one another. I thank all students, families and staff for their attendance and participation in the evening, which is another example of our Community building focus for 2024.
As Mr Lo Cascio mentioned last week, there are a couple of important dates coming up. These are:
- Thursday 22 February, College Commencement Mass 9.15am; Parent's and Carer's invited.
- Tuesday 27 February, we will be holding the Parents and Friend’s AGM. This will commence at 7pm in room I3 (just off the car park).
- Pupil Free/Staff Development Day - Friday 1 March
- Year 7 2025 Info Night - Wednesday 6 March at 6.15pm.
Finally, earlier this week a new footpath and entry was completed on the St. Andrew’s Road side of the main entry gate to the College. This will allow those accessing the grounds by foot from St. Andrew’s Road a much safer passage onto the property than was previously available. Thanks to all students, families and staff for their cooperation with what has been a very positive and smooth start to our new year.
Mr Simon Huntly
As we begin to settle into the 2024 school routine, I congratulate the students on the way they have engaged in the opportunities that have been offered both in and outside of the classroom. There has been great energy, life and vibrancy in many facets of College life, and students have exemplified what it means to be a Mount Carmel student.
This week we saw the launch of Project Compassion. Through Project Compassion we are given the opportunity to support those in need by contributing our loose change. Working together as a community we are able to raise funds that will support people who are experiencing significant difficulties in their lives. Project Compassion is also an opportunity to raise awareness about important issues, and a chance for our community to take part in a social justice action. Everyone who contributes is empowered and able to stand in solidarity, with the communities we serve and those who benefit from our actions. I encourage students to consider during this Lenten period how they may be able to give a little for someone to gain a lot. Our College goal is to raise $5000 for those in need.
On Wednesday we celebrated as a community the start of the Lenten period with Ash Wednesday. Thank you to Mrs Kristina Borg, Miss Jenny Nguyen, and all the students involved in the preparation, organisation and presentation of the Ash Wednesday Liturgy. It was wonderful to gather as a community and I congratulate the students for their reverence and participation in the liturgy.
On Thursday evening we welcomed our newest members to the College community, our Year 7 students, their parents and carers at the annual Year 7 Meet and Greet evening. This event allowed for an opportunity to connect face-to-face with our Mount Carmel families, allowing us to forge meaningful relationships —a crucial step towards fostering continuous positive communication and support throughout the entirety of 2024. There was amazing hospitality provided at the end of the evening to the families who attended. A big thank you to Mrs Trimarchi, Mr Daniels, and Mrs Cox for their work here. A great evening working towards fulfilling a sense of community and belonging. Thank you to all who attended this event.
In the coming week the College will again see a number of significant events and activities that promote learning and growth, and build upon our sense of community. On Thursday at 9:15am, we will celebrate the College Commencement Mass. We warmly welcome parents and carers to join us as we celebrate the start of the 2024 school year and officially welcome our newest students, families and staff to the Mount Carmel Community. On Friday we will hold the annual College Swimming Carnival. This is a competitors only event and we look forward to some fantastic results in the pool. Friday morning period one we will host Year Assemblies continuing our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing program.
Traffic around the College & Bus Safety Week
19 to 25 February
To ensure the safety of our students on College grounds especially during the peak periods of morning arrival and afternoon departures, parents are asked to adhere to the following:
- Students are to be dropped off in the parent car park, which is immediately on the left after entering the College gates, or on Spitfire Drive.
- No parent is to drop off students in the bus turning circle between 7:30am and 8:40am.
- Cars are not to turn right out of the College driveway between 3:15 pm and 4:00pm. Turn left and use the round-a-bout.
- Remain aware, be vigilant, and drive slowly while on and around school grounds.
Key messages for families for Bus Safety Week –
- Families have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads.
- Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road.
- Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop.
- Remind your children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road
- Talk to your children about Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road:
- Stop one step back from the kerb – Look continuously both ways
- Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic
- Think whether it is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across.
For more information visit: Transport NSW Be Bus Aware.
Thank you to all staff who were involved in the numerous events and activities that took place this week. Thank you to the parents and carers for your continued support of your children and the College.
Mrs Theresea Moore
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FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B |
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| First Reading | Genesis 9:8-15 |
God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants. |
| Responsorial Psalm | Ps 24:4-9. R. see v.10 |
Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant. |
| Second Reading | 1 Peter 3:18-22 |
As life was saved by the ark, so are our lives saved in Baptism. |
| Gospel Acclamation |
Matthew 4:4 |
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! |
| Gospel |
Mark 1:12-15 |
After forty days in the desert, Jesus proclaims the reign of God. |
LENTEN PENANCE
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday all who have completed their 18th year and have not yet begun their 60th year are bound to fast and abstinence. All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain from meat.
PASCHAL PRECEPT
Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This is to be done between Ash Wednesday (11 February) and Trinity Sunday (26 May) unless for a good reason it is done at another time during the year.
All the faithful are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year.
Mrs Christine Meharg
Assessment Handbooks
Year 12, Year 11 and Year 10 have now received their 2024 Assessment Handbooks. Students and parents are encouraged to read these carefully to ensure that College and NESA Assessment Policies and Procedures are followed and due dates for formal assessment tasks are met.
Assessment Tasks:
Principal’s Approved Leave & College Representation
With a number of students representing the College for external sport or other events in coming weeks, please remember that all hand in tasks must be submitted by the due date and time. If students miss an in-class task, they are expected to pre-organise a change of date to complete the task during the first available opportunity. This can be organised well in advance following the Request to Reschedule a Task process. If an absence is due to a planned holiday, the Principal’s Approved Leave form must first be completed. Any impacted students should visit either Ms Miller or Mr Teuma to commence this process ahead of time.
Change of Course RequestsPlease note that Friday February 23rd will be the last opportunity for students to submit any Change of Course forms to Mr Teuma. If you are unsure about your child’s request, please do not hesitate to contact the College to discuss. Significant changes to their pattern of study will be brought to your attention prior to the Change of Course form being approved and processed.
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TERM 1 |
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| Week 5 |
Year 12 28/02/2024: 12 English Ext |
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| Week 6 |
Year 7 Technology (See assessment notification for specific date) Year 10 04/03/2024: 10 PASS (100 & 200hr) Year 11 06/03/2024: 11 Mathematics Standard 1 06/03/2024: 11 Mathematics Standard 2 06/03/2024: 11 Mathematics Advanced 07/03/2024: 11 SLR 2 07/03/2024: 11 Investigating Science Year 12 07/03/2024: 12 Physics |
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Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Curriculum Administration
Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday
An excellent attitude towards the commencement of Lent was observed about the College as students were provided with a pikelet for Shrove Tuesday and asked to consider how they are going to prepare for the season of Lent this year. This was followed by a positive experience of the Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Students have also been allowed to join a community for personal growth and goal setting during the season of Lent called 40. Students are welcome to join the program at any point, the team met together at Recess in G1 on Wednesdays. It is a great opportunity to make new friends, make some personal, spiritual and academic targets for this term and strive towards them together.
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Random Acts of Kindness Week Students have been encouraged to share acts of kindness throughout the week of the 11th to 17th of February. This has included daily challenges of expressing gratitude, giving a compliment, sharing something with |
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someone who needs it, donating to Project Compassion, smiling at five new peers and giving a shout-out to peers on the community shout-out notice board. Students embraced the opportunity to spread kindness in their week with enthusiasm and respect for their fellow peers. |
Miss Rebecca Toogood
Acting Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Coordinator
This week the Grattan Institute released its timely report on reading entitled ‘The Reading Guarantee: How to give every child the best chance of success’. Some of the report’s challenging statements deserve consideration: ‘Australia has a reading problem’; ‘A third of our children can’t read proficiently’; ‘the reason most of those students can’t read well enough is that we aren’t teaching them well enough’; and for the vast majority of students, ‘reading failure is unnecessary’.
I am pleased that this issue is receiving such prominence in the media. The extent of the ‘problem’ and its implications need to be acknowledged and addressed by all educational systems and all teachers in all schools – both primary and secondary. A fundamental expectation of an education system is that every child who goes to school will learn how to read. Reading is a foundational skill in and beyond school. Failure to achieve reading proficiency has significant personal costs for children and young people, as well as negative effects on schools, the economy, and society as a whole.
Australia has an unacceptably high number of children and adolescents who fail to reach minimum proficiency standards in reading.According to the 2023 NAPLAN results, about one in three Australian students are not meeting grade-level expectations in reading.At the same time, Australian students are not excelling in reading as they should. According to PISA (the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment), in 2022 only 12 per cent of Australian students were high performers in reading, compared to 22 per cent in Singapore.PISA results also suggest that Australian 15-year-olds’ reading performance has been going backwards over time. Between 2000 and 2018, the average achievement of Year 10 students in Australia fell by about eight months of learning.
The purpose of the Grattan Institute’s report is to improve reading performance. Reading is the essential building block for success in other literacy domains, such as Writing and Spelling, and in other subject areas in the secondary school context such as History, Visual Arts, Maths, and Science. The report suggests the following: there should be a strong focus on phonics-based decoding skills in the early years; students need a knowledge-rich curriculum to build the vocabulary and background knowledge that are critical for successful reading comprehension all through school; and schools need to monitor student progress, so that early interventions can support those students who require additional assistance.
A shared understanding of literacy generally and reading specifically – and its fundamental importance to a student’s ability to learn at school and to engage productively in society – is critical. Mount Carmel teachers are committed to improving the reading proficiency of all students, given its profound impact on student learning and wellbeing.
Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
Miss Nguyen joined Year 12 captains Skylah Gilbang (Social Justice and Environment) and Sabina Celiz (Spirituality) at the diocesan Project Compassion launch hosted by John Therry on Tuesday. Students and staff from all schools in the Wollongong diocese gathered with Bishop Brian Mascord to mark the start of the Lenten season and pledge support for Caritas' fundraising efforts for vulnerable communities worldwide. Bishop Mascord emphasised, “It’s not just about putting money in a box. It’s about giving life.”
Youth Ministry Leaders and Carmelite Captains will collect monetary donations from pastoral classes every week until the end of Lent. This will take place at the beginning and end of the week. For more information, please visit Caritas Australia’s official website for this year’s Project Compassion stories.
Additionally, with the help of Ms Toogood, we will run the ‘40’ Lent Program, providing a safe space for any student to address their temptations with a supportive group, fostering self-awareness and personal growth. Meetings will be held every Wednesday at recess in G1.
Miss Jenny Nguyen
Youth Ministry Leader
Year 7 2025
The College Information Night will be held on Wednesday 6 March 2024 commencing at 6.15pm in the Champagnat Centre followed by a presentation at 7.00pm. Expressions of interest to attend the evening can be made via online portal using this link. We encourage parents to attend the evening prior to completing an enrolment application.
Enrolments 2024 Onwards
The CEDoW has transitioned to a new online enrolment platform, called Funnel, removing the use of all paper forms. Please take note, particularly for sibling applications. The online application form is accessible from the College website.
Social Media – Facebook & Instagram
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Coming soon! Watch this space!
P&F Clothing Pool
The P&F Clothing Pool will be open times for the Year 7 2024 students. Below is the schedule for 2024 opening days and times. Please click below to view the schedule.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Youth Event