The past week has again seen our College community engage in a multitude of Learning and Wellbeing activities. A group of senior students and staff attended a live recording of Q&A on Monday night at the ABC Studios at Ultimo. On Wednesday night Mr Teuma hosted a parent Information Communications Learning Technology, Years 7 & 9 sat their NAPLAN exams for 2024 from Wednesday to Friday, Year 8 participated in Elevate Education’s annual study skills presentations earlier today, not to mention the ongoing routine of learning and assessment. Thanks to all staff and students who assisted with the organisation, presentation and participation in these activities.

Next week will see another flurry of activity with NAPLAN finishing up on Monday with a catchup day, our College Captains taking part on a Zoom meeting with Bishop Brian on Wednesday, our College hosting approximately 130 students at a Marist “Super Connect” event on Wednesday afternoon and evening, Mrs Murphy hosting a parent Literacy Night at 6.30pm on Wednesday night, a whole school celebration of Harmony Day on Friday afternoon and staff continuing to finalise reports for Year 11 and commencing half-yearly reporting for our HSC class of 2024. Again, thanks to all staff, students, parents and carers for the preparation and participation in these upcoming events.

These activities are all part of our holistic approach to student learning and wellbeing. Activities aside, there are matters that arise from time to time that require particular attention. One specific issue involves the use of Energy and Caffeinated drinks. These drinks are not recommended for sale and supply at school canteens by the NSW Department of Education because of the potential harm that excessive amounts may cause children and young adults. As such, we strongly advise students, parents and carers to be informed of the effects and potential risks associated with the use of such products and to not bring them onto school property.  Please click on the following link  NSW Health - Energy and Caffeine Drinks Fact Sheet should you require any information regarding this particular matter. 

As always,  thank you for your ongoing support with the Learning, Wellbeing and Faith development of our students. Please do not hesitate to contact the Office or your son or daughters respective Pastoral Advisor or Year Coordinator should you have any questions or require support.

Mr Simon Huntly

Last week I spoke about the D.E.A.R. reading program – a pastoral initiative where the entire school drops everything and reads for twenty minutes of a Wednesday morning.  I walked around the school last week and this week, and was thrilled to see Maths teachers, Science teachers, History teachers and PE teachers sitting or standing with a book in their hand and reading in silence. The stillness was mesmerising.

The second part of the program began this week with forty-five Year 10 students meeting with half the Year 7 cohort to talk, to share, and to think about books. The other half of the Year 7 cohort will work with these same Year 10 students in the second semester. In preparation for their participation in the reading program, I asked the Year 10s to complete a metacognitive survey about their own reading history and experiences. The word ‘metacognition’ is defined as the process of thinking about thinking. I wanted to assist the Year 10 reading participants to think about how they read. What is happening as they read? What struggles are they encountering and what connections are they making.  My intention here is to encourage these students to reflect upon and evaluate their own reading routines and capacities in the hope of activating the reading capabilities of our younger students.

All formal education – and indeed daily living – involves the act of reading: the ability to decode, interpret, respond to, and make meaning from a range of texts. Years of research have shaped our understanding of the very crucial act of reading. We have come to understand that reading is an active process of making meaning from signs and systems of signs. Words act upon and shape the reader and the reader acts upon and shapes the meaning of the words. We know also that different kinds of reading make different kinds of demands on the reader, and that one thing young readers need to learn is to adjust their reading to the demands of the text. 

Reading is therefore significantly more than a mechanical process involving the decoding of words on a page. It is a thinking process where we establish understanding from the cues in the text made up of letter-sound combinations, word order systems, and the meaning of language.

While teachers undoubtedly want students to read for pleasure, they also want them to engage in critical thinking, metacognition, and dialogue, as well as using writing to extend and to justify personal interpretations. Our D.E.A.R. program will see our Year 7 and 10 students reading for pleasure, engaging in critical thinking, metacognition, and dialogue, and most certainly extending and justifying their personal interpretations by writing.

Clare Murphy

English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach

Term one has been a whirlwind of excitement for our budding scientists at Mount Carmel Catholic College as they delved into various branches of Science. We have also welcomed two new teachers, Mr Siamando and Miss Fishburn, to the Science Faculty.  Here's a glimpse into what our students and teachers have been up to this term.

Our Year 7 students have seamlessly transitioned into the laboratory environment, eagerly immersing themselves in the world of scientific equipment and laboratory rules. Among their accomplishments, they have mastered the art of lighting the Bunsen burner, a necessity for any aspiring scientist. We're delighted to announce that they have received their Bunsen learner licences, marking a significant milestone in their scientific journey. In Year 8, students have embarked on an exciting journey into the realm of chemical reactions. Through hands-on experiments and observations, they are enhancing  their skills of conducting experiments and crafting detailed scientific reports. This foundational knowledge will serve as a solid base for their future explorations in chemistry.

Meanwhile, our Year 9 students have been captivated by the complexities of the nervous system. Using models and simulations, they have dived deep into the world of neurons, gaining a deeper understanding of how our brains function and communicate with the rest of our bodies. Year 10 students are racing ahead as they learn about  the principles of speed, velocity, and acceleration. By applying Newton's Laws to real-world scenarios, such as car safety features, they are connecting theoretical concepts with practical applications.

Year 12 Investigating Science Excursion

The Year 12 Investigating Science students had a unique opportunity to visit the nuclear reactor facility at ANSTO, Lucas Heights. During this eye-opening excursion, they gained first-hand insights into the world of radioactive isotopes and their indispensable role in medicine and industry. The excursion addressed the nuclear-related components of Module 6: Technologies and Module 8: Science and Society, of the HSC Investigating Science Course.

Science Teachers Engaging Future Scientists

Our dedicated science teachers took great pleasure in showcasing our science labs to our future Year 7 students during the Open Night. Hands-on activities such as chromatography sparked curiosity, while experiments with dry ice illuminated the fascinating world of chemical reactions.

Mr Bates thrilled everyone with the ‘hair-raising’ Van de Graaf generator, while Mr Hagan provided a window into the microscopic world of protists from our local pond. Thank you to our Year 11 student helpers Nessa, Nadera and Zoyal, who volunteered to assist the science teachers during the Open Night. They truly showed their fantastic scientific skills!

Year 11 Music - Encore Excursion

On Monday, 4 March, the senior music class had the opportunity to be a part of the audience at Encore. Encore showcases the best HSC music performances from the previous year where students are chosen to perform at the Sydney Opera House to showcase their performances or compositions that they have worked on as a part of their HSC final exams. This opportunity inspired us as students to learn about stage presence, dynamics and how to captivate audiences through music. 

The variety of performances included the genres of classical, pop, jazz, rock and musical theatre as well as uncommon instruments like the Guzheng, Marimba and Accordion. During the show, there was a student who inspired us all. While playing a piece he composed on bass guitar he encountered some technical difficulties but this did not stop him. He continued to perform with a smile on his face in true showmanship. 

Mount Carmel's music class is full of talented students who have a range of musical talents that belong on the Encore stage. We are very excited for our opportunity in 2025!

- Azura Pereira - Year 11

Brother Clarence Foundation

Since November 1991 the Brother Clarence Foundation has distributed  $128,660  to 344 families who have benefitted from some assistance. An invitation is extended to anyone interested in making a donation to the Foundation to contact Gary at gcharlton@optusnet.com.au or the Secretary, Therese Barrington at brotherclarencefoundation@gmail.com   

Easter Retreat & Youth Mission

Details for the Youth Mission team who come into the schools, do retreats and work this kids , please click here

Mount Carmel School Bus Routes

Transit Systems (formerly Interline) school bus route timetable is available via this link. Contact phone number is 8118 7102. Please be advised that Bus Route for Willowdale is currently missing from this updated document.

Busabout school bus route timetable has not changed and is available via this link. Contct phone number is 4631 4200.

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

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.