Mount Carmel Catholic College Varroville eNewsletter

Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Mount Carmel,

The Responsorial psalm from last weekend’s masses was the phrase:

“Go out to all the world and tell the Good News”.

As with many of the readings or responses from mass each weekend, there are often things that may speak to us or be relevant in our life during the following week. This may be one way that the Holy Spirit talks to us or guides us in our day. For Mount Carmel as a College, this message became relevant via discussions and opportunities that occurred during this week. From the Year 12 Conversation with the Bishop, to the Staff Development Day on Pastoral Care and wellbeing of our students to the Live festival, members of our College engage with each other and the wider community to ensure that we share the Good News. Each of these events is crucial to spreading the message of Christ.

On Tuesday our Year 12 students attended the Conversation with the Bishop. This is an annual event where students are given the opportunity to meet with Bishop Brian Mascord and discuss with him current issues. The Conversations are broken into regions with each meeting hosting three or four schools. This is a great opportunity for the students to not only meet with our bishop, but also to listen to the Catholic perspective on issues that may be important to them that they may not hear elsewhere. From all reports, our students engaged positively in this meeting and shone with their knowledge and ability to articulate their thoughts. I congratulate them for this and also their teachers who have contributed their knowledge and experience and also provided the environment for these students to shine. This meeting exhibits our philosophy of being a Christ-centred community that promotes opportunities for excellence.

Tuesday also saw the formal start of the HSC exam period at Mount Carmel with the marking of the Industrial Technology major works. As always, many of our students contributed enormous levels of effort and a solid workload to present great works. I am sure there was also many a late hour toward the end where catch up or final detail was added. For the students who put regular work into their submission, the final outcome will be much more rewarding and reflect their overall abilities. I remind all the students that this regular work can develop into routines and habits which will set them up for success later in life. All students are again encouraged to build these habits as early as possible.

Wednesday evening also saw the presentation of the electives evening for our Year 8 students. This evening is an important start to the process for choosing electives for Years 9 and 10 and helping them to develop an interest beyond compulsory subjects. I thank the staff and KLA Coordinators for their presence on the night and the work that goes into ensuring a variety of options for our students. A very big thank you to Ms Tolomeo for her overall organisation of this process and her experience and detail on the evening. I am sure our students will now have much to consider in making their decisions.

On Friday we held our Term 3 Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day). The focus of this day was on Pastoral Care and Wellbeing within the College and how this enhances the overall development of our students. This also contributes to improved learning. The opportunity for us to devote an entire day as a whole staff to these processes and discussion is invaluable and whilst I recognise this may be a change of routine for many parents, I thank you for your support.

Friday also saw over 50 students and 4 staff attend the ‘Live’ festival held at Wollongong Entertainment centre. This is a great opportunity for our senior students to build on their own faith development and spirituality. Our students participated in this with great enthusiasm and I was extremely impressed with the numbers and attitudes of the students, given that they sacrificed a pupil free day in order to attend. This is truly a testament to the Christ-centred approach of the community and the opportunities that our students are given and take. Congratulations to the staff in attendance (Ms Toogood, Mr Pletikosa, Ms Miller and Mr Barbera) but especially to Ms Toogood for her ongoing promotion and support of Youth Ministry in the College.

Ite in Veritate

Mr Steve Lo Cascio

Principal

Dear Parents and Friends,

Year 12 Creative and Performing Arts, Technology and Applied Studies students will be holding an Exhibition of their practical works. The occasion will be Monday 2 September, from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

The evening will begin at 6.30pm with Music performances in the Champagnat Centre. After the performances, parents and friends are welcome to move to J Block to view the Visual Arts Bodies of Work. Finally, there is an opportunity to view the Design and Technology and Industrial Technology - Timber projects in the library.

Hope you can join us to celebrate the students’ talent and hard work.

Roxanne Lillis, CAPA Coordinator Deb Fyfe, TAS Coordinator

On Wednesday 28 August, the annual Year 9 MISA Youth of the Year public speaking competition was once again hosted by Mount Carmel Catholic College. Each year, two competitors are selected from the Year 9 cohort of each participating school. All of this year’s competitors were of the highest calibre, and each demonstrated a comprehensive and extensive understanding of current contemporary issues facing modern society.

It was an enriching, enlightening and highly motivating experience as we were surrounded by such like-minded, knowledgeable and articulate young people who courageously shared their thoughts, ideas and beliefs; making insightful commentary on a number of environmental, social, cultural and religious concerns facing our modern world.

The competition consisted of a short interview, followed by a 3 minute speech on any topic which the speaker deemed relevant and topical in the climate of today’s society. The topic I selected was ‘what we owe to each other’, while Jasmine spoke on the topic of ‘expectations’. The adjudicators consisted of three Toastmasters, interviewing each student as well as adjudicating the speeches. The speakers awarded first, second and third place were equally deserving, as they demonstrated a thorough command of language and were able to gain, and retain, the audience’s attention; a vital component to the art of public speaking.

MISA Youth of the Year is a great opportunity to practice good public speaking and communication skills, as well as have the chance to refine your manner of speaking, and focus on the finer details, such as facial expression, intonation, and gesturing.

A big thank you to Jaiden Legaspi for his mentorship and assistance in helping us to prepare for MISA Youth of the Year, especially in giving up his time to give us advice and feedback. We would also like to thank Mr Pletikosa for his support and guidance over the past two months as we prepared ourselves, and in providing us with the opportunity to enhance our own public speaking skills by coordinating this event.

It was a great honour and privilege to represent the College for MISA Youth of the Year 2019!

If you are interested in partaking in public speaking and debating within the College, come join the Oratory Society, which meets during sport on Tuesdays, or email Mr Pletikosa!

Gabriel Garcia & Jasmine King

2019 MISA Youth of the Year Competitors

Young People need to aim high and to know that their community support them. Our children are our most valuable resource and, all too often, their academic achievements can be neglected. We want to encourage learning and to reward as many students as possible.

To this end, I am asking for donations towards the Year 12 Academic Medallions. The cost of each medallion is $40.00 or three for $100.00. If you wish to donate towards a particular subject, please contact Trish Mooney on 9603 3000 or email info@mcccdow.catholic.edu.au.

Monday 12 August - Friday 18 August was National Science Week where the theme this year was “ Destination Moon” in recognition of the 50th anniversary since man first landed on the Moon.

Many students helped celebrate Science week by visiting the science labs and engaging in a range of science activities.

These activities included

Teacher demonstrations
Space/moon documentaries
Science quizzes

Congratulations to all students who won the following quiz prizes - Geyser tubes (diet coke and mentos explosion), handballs and canteen vouchers.

On Thursday 22 August, Year 11 Biology and Investigating Science students travelled to Bicentennial Park Field Studies Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

Students completed mandatory fieldwork for the Year 11 Biology topic ‘Ecosystem Dynamics’ and Investigating Science ‘Working Scientifically skills’. The first-hand investigations that the students were engaged in, covered many of the mandatory fieldwork activities listed in the syllabus for these areas.

Students :

applied real world problem solving and critical thinking
explored validity and reliability in investigations (and science)
utilised several sampling techniques
learnt about specific ecosystems and niches
learnt about local Aboriginal Science

Congratulations to all students on representing our College with distinction, and for applying themselves to their learning in what was very cold and windy conditions.

Hugsomeone.pdf

Below are some general policies that the College enforces in regards to sport.

Student sport groups on Compass: Students are asked to check their Compass for their sport group allocation. This is now ‘locked in’ and unfortunately can not be changed as selections and changes are now closed. It is important that students attend the correct sport group to ensure that they are accounted for and supervised for the afternoon of sport. If they attend the incorrect group they will be marked as ‘absent’ from the group where they are supposed to be and this will affect their attendance record. Please make sure you are attending the correct group each week.

Also as mentioned at previous assemblies and meetings please ignore the large sport description on your Compass page (according to this every student is in Fit HQ and this is an error) . Refer to the code below this description for your sport allocation. If you have any questions please see Mrs Pontin at the Sports Office.

Leave from venue notes: A reminder that if students wish to leave from a venue they need to supply the Sport Coordinator. Notes can be signed at the sports office before, and up until, recess on Tuesday. A sample note is included below.

Date

To Whom it May Concern,

I (parent / guardian name) give permission for my son / daughter (child’s name) to not return to the College at the conclusion of sport this afternoon.

Kind Regards,

(Parent / Guardian signature)

(Contact Number)

Any other notes on Tuesdays: If you are sick, injured or can’t participate in sport on a Tuesday you must have a signed note from your parent/guardian detailing the reason for non-participation. You must bring this note to Mrs Pontin (Sport Coordinator) during recess on Tuesday so an alternate plan can be arranged for you during sport time.

TUESDAY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY NOTICES

If students do not participate in the MISA sport program they are involved in the college’s Tuesday Recreational Sport program. This program offers students the opportunity to be active in a variety of different sports / activities either at school or in the local community. Students in Year 7 rotate with their house group through 4 different activities (a different activity each term). All other grades have the opportunity to elect what sport program they would like to participate in each term. This choice gives students the responsibility to be active according to their own interests, likes and strengths.

All Tuesday Recreational Sport groups have now been finalised and added to the timetable and NO CHANGES CAN BE MADE - unfortunately students who did not take the time to complete their sport choices last year (Years 8-11) have been placed into an appropriate sport group for each term. Please check the relevant sports noticeboard and compass for your sport group in preparation for Week 2. As outlined in earlier editions of the newsletter there is a technical issue with compass and for some unknown reason all students sport is described as Sport: Fit HQ (or something else). Please ignore this description and refer to the code below this or check the sports noticeboards. If you have any questions please see Mrs Pontin or your Pastoral Adviser for clarification.

MC Sporting Stars - Jordan Brunt (Yr 11)

Jordan Brunt (Yr 11) is a talented basketballer who has recently travelled to New Caledonia to compete as part of the Samoan U17’s Basketball Team at the FIBA Oceania Basketball Championships. We are ecstatic to learn that Jordan and his team had a successful trip, bring home the bronze medal! Jordan played well throughout the tournament and managed to sneak in some skilful ‘dunks’ against Guam and New Caledonia.

The whole experience has been an eye-opening one for Jordan. He has expressed how grateful and fortunate he was to have this opportunity and to play in his first International tournament at just 17. Jordan made some life-long friends, not only from his Samoan team, but from other countries such as Tahiti, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.

Well done Jordan and we look forward to watching you develop and grow as a representative basketballer moving forward.

(Photo by FIBA Oceania)

(Jordan holding his bronze medal. Photo courtesy of Tricia Brunt)

Mrs Tara Pontin (College Sport Coordinator)

Read Less

ROUND 5 RESULTS - Tuesday 27 August 2019

SPORT	OPPOSITION	RESULT	MVP
YRS 10-12 BOYS INDOOR CRICKET	Magdalene	MAG WIN 84-6	-
YRS 7-8 BOYS SOCCER	Magdalene	MCCC WIN 3-0	Luke Isaaka
YRS 9-10 BOYS SOCCER	Magdalene	MAG WIN 5-2	Zaine El Ayoubi
YRS 7-9 GIRLS SOCCER	Magdalene	MAG WIN 2-0	Jazlynn Klarich
YRS 10-12 BOYS AFL	Magdalene	MCCC WIN 47-2	Jabriel Kalache
YRS 10-12 GIRLS AFL	Magdalene	MCCC WIN 22-13	Leilani Olaaiga
U15’S BOYS RUGBY LEAGUE	Good Samaritan	GSCC WIN 16-14	-
YRS 10-12 GIRLS SOFTBALL	Macarthur Anglican	MAS WIN 10-2	Stephanie Hibbert
YRS 7-8 GIRLS NETBALL	Magdalene	MCCC WIN 29-8	Leisl Hopoate
YRS 9-10 GIRLS NETBALL	Magdalene	MAG WIN 25-16	Abbey Smith

Information for all MISA students is below.

ROUND 6 DRAWS / INFORMATION - TUESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER (Week 7)

SPORT	POSITION AT THE END OF THE ROUND GAMES	OPPOSITION	VENUE	TRANSPORT INFORMATION
SEMI FINALS (GIRLS)
YRS 10-12 GIRLS SOFTBALL	3RD (playing for a spot in the grand final)	ST PATRICKS	COWPASTURE RESERVE, CAMDEN	MINI BUS - Please meet outside the front office at 12:35pm.
YRS 7-8 GIRLS NETBALL	2ND (playing for a spot in the grand final)	ST BENEDICTS	CORONATION PARK, MINTO	BUS - Please meet outside the sports office at 12:35pm.
YRS 9-10 GIRLS NETBALL	4TH (playing for a spot in the grand final)	ST BENEDICTS	CORONATION PARK, MINTO	BUS - Please meet outside the sports office at 12:35pm.
YRS 7-9 GIRLS SOCCER	3RD (playing for a spot in the grand final)	ST PATRICKS	KOORINGA RESERVE, VARROVILLE	WALK - Please meet on the oval steps at 12:35pm.
YRS 10-12 GIRLS AFL	2ND (playing for a spot in the grand final)	ST PATRICKS	KOORINGA RESERVE, VARROVILLE	WALK - Please meet on the oval steps at 12:35pm.

ROUND 6 (BOYS)
SPORT	OPPOSITION	VENUE	TRANSPORT INFORMATION
YRS 9-10 BOYS SOCCER	NO GAME	-	-
YRS 7-8 BOYS SOCCER	JOHN THERRY	KOORINGA RESERVE, VARROVILLE	WALK - Please meet on the oval steps at 12:35pm.
U15’s BOYS RUGBY LEAGUE	JOHN THERRY	ESCHOL PARK FOOTBALL FIELD	BUS - Please meet outside the sports office at 12:35pm.
YRS 10-12 BOYS AFL	JOHN THERRY	MONARCH RESERVE, MACQUARIE FIELDS	BUS - Please meet outside the sports office at 12:35pm.
YRS 10-12 BOYS INDOOR CRICKET	JOHN THERRY	NATIONAL INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE	BUS - Please meet outside the sports office at 12:35pm.

Any questions please see Mrs Pontin at the sports office on Monday.

Mrs Tara Pontin (College Sport Coordinator)

Read Less

Mount Carmel is a part of the Diocese of Wollongong so we compete in Diocesan Sporting events throughout the college year. At these events / carnivals, schools from the Diocese of Wollongong come together to compete for points towards the Vince Villa Trophy that is awarded to the Champion School at the end of the college year. Mount Carmel historically performs well at these Diocesan events and last year finished a close 3rd place overall in the Vince Villa Trophy.

Below is information for the upcoming Diocesan events in Term 3:

Further info on these events: http://www.dow.catholic.edu.au

CCC EVENTS - TERM 3

Sport / Team	Trial Date / Day / Time	Carnival Date /s
CCC Football Knockout Semi Finals	Notes are due back BEFORE Tuesday 3 September.	Tuesday 3 September (Week 7)

NSWCCC YEARS 7-10 FOOTBALL TEAM

Good luck to our Years 7-10 Boys Football team in their semi-final match against Marist College Eastwood next Tuesday. We hope you take away the win and get to play in the grand final match!!!! Good luck.

NOMINATIONS – APPLICATION PROCESS

(To self-nominate and get approved for these events, students need to be competing at a representative level in their chosen sport).

Please refer to the information sheet provided by the Sports Coordinator for the process for individual student nominations for trials for NSWCCC events. All trial closing dates will be advertised in the newsletter and in the student weekly sport update emails. Students can register for events at any time.

Further info on these events: www.csss.nsw.edu.au/nswccc-home.aspx

Mrs Tara Pontin (College Sport Coordinator)

Read Less

For all Parents/Carers

Learn to promote positive and respectful parent-teen relationships.

Focus on the big issues and challenges when managing conflict and connecting with teens.

4 x 2 hour sessions held weekly. Cost: $60

Thursdays 5, 12, 19, 26 September, 10am-12pm

Venue: CatholicCare, 35A Cordeaux St, Campbelltown Phone: 4254 9395

Facilitator: Sue Livingstone, our Mount Carmel Group Worker

CONGRATULATIONS to our 13C and Grad D teams who both won their Grand Final games last Saturday 24 August, taking out the 2019 PREMIERSHIP in their respective grades!!!!!!

13C’s defeated East 39 – 21
Grad D’s defeated Flames 33 – 30

Well done to all the players, their coaches, and supporting families and friends. A fantastic result for a small club, which has a big heart!

Summer night competition starts on 24 September 2019 for 10 weeks until 26 November 2019.

Junior games will be played at 7.15pm and Seniors at 8.15pm. Registrations need to be completed by 6 September 2019. Fees are:

Current Players (already registered in 2019): Senior $75.00 Junior (10-17 years) $60.00
New Players (not registered as a player in 2019): Senior $90.00 Junior (10-17 years) $75.00

For more information contact Cathy Baird 0413 496 919 or Jeanette Sirec 0412 427 546.

21 Nov	Year 11 U-Turn the Wheel All day

27 Nov	Year 7 2025 Parent Information Night 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

29 Nov	Year 7 2025 Orientation Day All day

17 Dec	Students Final School Day All day

17 Dec	End of Year Mass and Awards All day

20 Dec	Term 4 Concludes All day

Year	Total
2023	$244.40
2024	$207.30