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Earlier today, during our scheduled fortnightly Pastoral meeting time, year groups participated in a variety of presentations and activities that support the faith, learning and wellbeing of our students. These included:
- Year 12 - pastoral class trivia competition
- Year 10 - a short year meeting before pastoral class activity of writing a letter to themselves relating to career goals, future hopes etc.
- Year 9 - year meeting to address relevant group issues and present awards to students for their positive contribution to their Pastoral classes.
- Year 8 - presentation centred around RUOK day resources and the responsible use of technology
- Year 7 - pastoral class activities centred on respect, conflict resolution and emotional regulation.
Thanks to our year groups for their engagement in a range of pastoral class and year group activities that took place this morning, and to the Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors who planned and supervised the sessions.
The past week also saw a range of co curricular activities occur that are designed to complement the day to day learning that takes place in the classroom. These included:
- All week - Prelim Exams continued for Year 11
- Tuesday - Year 9 Emerald English Parent Night
- Wednesday evening - Marist Super Connect
- Thursday - Diocesan Primary Schools Basketball Refereeing (Yr 9 & 10 Pass students)
- 7-10 Tracking Reports being finalised for release next week.
Thanks to all students and staff involved in the planning and participation of these initiatives.
As much as the coming week will have a focus on our departing Year 12’s, I would like to congratulate our Year 11 cohort for the manner in which they have prepared and conducted themselves during their examination period which concludes on Tuesday. Next week will see a range of events take place which will represent another step in saying farewell to our HSC Class of 2024. These will include:
- Farewell Mass and Graduation ceremony rehearsal on Tuesday during lessons 3 & 4
- Year 12 farewell picnic during sport on Tuesday afternoon, after the final lessons of their HSC course.
- Year 12 and staff BBQ breakfast on Wednesday morning before school.
- Final Mass during lessons 1 & 2 on Wednesday morning, which will include a transition of leadership to our 2025 Student Representative Council from our current leadership team.
- Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday evening commencing at 7pm, following pre-graduation hospitality at 6pm.
We wish our graduating class every success over the coming days and thank all students and staff who are involved in the planning and presentation of the various events.
A reminder that all Year 11 students will have normal classes from Wednesday onwards. All students are to wear full winter uniform on Wednesday to celebrate Mass. Those students who may have PDHPE Practical lessons normally scheduled on this day will have their timetables altered so that there is no need to wear sports uniform on Wednesday. Summer uniform is allowed to be worn from the commencement of Term 4.
As always, thank you for your support and cooperation with your child’s learning and wellbeing. Please contact the Front Office or your respective Year Coordinator, Pastoral Advisor or Classroom teacher.
Mr Simon Huntly
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
First Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
The wicked put God to the test.
Second Reading: James 3:16 - 4:3
Wisdom versuses jealously and strife.
Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37
Jesus teaches that to rank first, disciplies must serve all
World Day of Peace: 21 September 2024
Inspired by the prayer of St Francis of Assisi
There is a great deal of pain and anger in the world at the present moment; let us be inspired by the following prayer. Let our words and actions help to improve our immediate surroundings. And let the ripples of peace spread forward.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Upcoming Feast Day St Vincent de Paul
Mrs Christine Meharg
Year 11 Preliminary Examinations
The Year 11 Preliminary Examinations will take place between Friday 13 September - Tuesday 24 September. Students are reminded that they are expected to be at the College 30 mins prior to the start time of each examination.
The College wishes Year 11 all the best in their examinations.
HSC Spring Holiday Classes
Year 12 students have today received the schedule of study sessions that will be available to them during their study break. Students are encouraged to take up as many opportunities as possible to work with their teachers and peers as they make their final preparations for their HSC examinations.
TERM 3 |
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| Week 10 |
Year 11 23/09/2024: 11 Chemistry, Physics, Society & Culture 24/09/2024: 11 Food Technology, Ancient History, Mathematics Ext 1 Year 9 Year 9 Computing Technology -See assessment notification for specific date Year 9 Catholic Studies -See assessment notification for specific date Year 8 Year 8 PDHPE -See assessment notification for specific date Year 8 Catholic Studies- See assessment notification for specific date Year 8 Languages - See assessment notification for specific date |
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Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Curriculum Administration
Western Sydney University
Driver Safety Program
Western Sydney University is partnering with the Think of the FIVE – Arrive ALIVE organisation to develop a young road driver safety campaign as part of a research project. Part of this project involves having discussions with young people aged 12-24 years from Wollondilly, as well as their parents/carers and other adults from the area with an interest in the road safety of young people in the area. It is really important to have input and feedback on the Think of the FIVE – Arrive ALIVE ideas to make sure the campaign makes sense, is catchy enough, and it targets the driving safety issues that young people, and those around them, in the Wollondilly area and surrounding suburbs face.
What if I require further information?
Please contact Kayle Jaye or Freya MacMillan should you wish to discuss the research further before deciding whether to participate.
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Kayle Jaye Research Project Officer K.Jaye@westernsydney.edu.au |
Freya MacMillan Lead Investigator f.macmillan@westernsydney.edu.au |
Supporting your Child during the School Holidays
As we approach the holiday period, it’s important to consider how we can best support our children during this time to ensure they are refreshed and ready for the term ahead. The holidays are a valuable opportunity for students to step away from their academic routines and focus on fun, relaxation, and renewal.
Here are some tips to help your child make the most of their break:
- Encourage Active Play and Exploration
School holidays offer the perfect chance for children to engage in unstructured play. Encourage them to spend time outdoors, whether it’s playing sports, exploring nature, or just running around with friends. Physical activity not only supports their physical health but also boosts mood and energy levels.
- Balance Screen Time with Other Activities
With more free time, it can be tempting for children to spend hours in front of screens. Help them strike a balance by incorporating a variety of activities. Reading a good book, working on a craft project, or playing a musical instrument can offer enrichment while also allowing for downtime.
- Create Space for Relaxation
Just as adults need a break from the hustle and bustle of life, children also benefit from having time to relax. Consider creating a calm environment at home where your child can unwind—whether it’s by doing yoga, meditating, or simply enjoying quiet time. These moments of rest are crucial for recharging mentally and emotionally.
- Encourage Social Interaction
School holidays can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation for some children. Make plans to connect with family and friends to keep their social interactions vibrant. Whether it’s a casual playdate, a family outing, or even a holiday camp, these activities foster positive connections and help maintain a sense of community.
- Set Goals for the Term Ahead
Towards the end of the holidays, it can be helpful to start setting some simple goals for the upcoming term. Encourage your child to reflect on their past accomplishments and consider what they would like to achieve in the next term. This can provide a sense of purpose and excitement as they head back to school.
- Nurture Emotional Wellbeing
School holidays are an ideal time to check in with your child’s emotional wellbeing. Make time for family conversations, allowing your child to express their thoughts and feelings. Offering them a listening ear and a sense of security can greatly enhance their resilience and emotional balance.
By encouraging a mix of fun, relaxation, and renewal, we can help our children return to school feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Reminder
Compass Parent Alerts - Toilet Pass
Last week we informed you of a new process we are implementing at the College through Compass, aimed at keeping you informed about your child’s wellbeing during school hours. Starting next term, parents will receive an email notification whenever their child requests a toilet pass to leave class.
This notification is purely informational and designed to help you monitor the frequency of your child’s requests to access the bathroom during lessons. We understand that students may occasionally need to leave class, but this process allows parents to be aware if it becomes a recurring pattern that may need further attention.
Please note that this is not intended to restrict students' access to the bathroom but rather to support parents in keeping an eye on their children's habits. If you notice frequent notifications, we encourage you to discuss this with your child and, if necessary, reach out to the College for further support.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to ensure the wellbeing and success of our students.
Mrs Theresa Moore Miss Rebecca Toogood
Acting Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Coordinator
Umberto Eco argues that ‘to survive you must tell stories’ and in the telling, the writer enters the ‘great enduring conversation about what it means to be human.’ Through using language to compose their own stories and respond to those of others in the English classroom, our young people find a unique space to learn, to grow, to make meaning and to deepen their understanding of self and others.
As teachers, our hope is that all our students become capable, enthusiastic and confident writers. After all, writing is the critical medium for thinking and making sense of experience. When we write, we write ourselves into meaning, discovering ideas and generating insights. Every act of writing is potentially an act of creation.
British writer Doris Lessing captures the significance of writing and stories in our lives in the following: The storyteller is deep inside every one of us… Let us suppose our world is ravaged by war… Let us suppose floods wash through our cities and the seas rise. The storyteller will be there, for it is our imaginations which shape us, keep us, create us… It is our stories that will recreate us, when we are torn, hurt, even destroyed. It is the storyteller, the dream-maker, that is our phoenix, that represents us at our best, and at our most creative.’
With advances in neuroscience, educators are gaining valuable information about the role of writing in cognitive development and the benefits involved in the processes of writing. Expressive writing such as story writing and journaling has been shown to reduce stress by 60%. Writing for fifteen minutes, three times a week, is said to improve sleep and have positive effects on mental health. Regular expressive writing is linked to improved immune function, mood and general wellbeing. These findings support Lessing’s view of the power of writing and urge us to allow the storyteller ‘deep inside’ each of our young people to find its expression.
Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
Around the Grounds
It has been a quieter week of sport at the College, with MISA trials for Term 4 taking place on Tuesday. We saw a fantastic turnout of students eager to earn a spot on their respective teams, which highlights the depth of sporting talent we have across all grades.
For those who may not have been selected this time, we encourage you to try again next year. Your participation is key in pushing everyone to improve and grow as athletes.
As we move into the new term, we say farewell to our Year 12 students, who will no longer be representing Mount Carmel in sport. We would like to sincerely thank them for their dedication and contributions to the college’s sporting life over the past six years. Their efforts have helped shape our sporting culture and inspired many younger students to excel.
Mount Carmel will be competing in the following sports next term:
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7-9 Boys Oz Tag 7-9 Girls Oz Tag 10-11 Mixed Frisbee 7-9 Boys AFL 7-9 Girls AFL |
7-9 Boys Indoor Cricket 7-9 Girls Softball 10-11 Boys Volleyball 10-11 Girls Volleyball |
NSWCCC Athletics Success
On Monday 16 September, in addition to the trials, the NSWCCC Athletics event was held at Homebush. We proudly sent six students to compete in this elite competition, with some truly outstanding performances.
Ethan Littlewood achieved remarkable results, finishing:
- 2nd in the 1500m with a time of 4:15.61
- 1st in the 800m with a time of 2:00.40
Izach Saalea Morgan also delivered exceptional results, securing:
- 2nd in shot put with a throw of 13.18m
- 1st in javelin with a throw of 37.75m
We extend a big congratulations to all our other competitors, who put on strong displays but narrowly missed out on podium finishes. These athletes include Daniel Lill, Patrick Grant, Cale Greach, Deric Abraham, and Jayden Kurniawan.
Well done to all our competitors for their incredible efforts and representing our school with pride!
24 September; Invitation Only MISA Trials
16 October; Diocesan Boys Cricket
18 October; Diocesan AFL
21 October; Diocesan Basketball
As always, students are encouraged to sign up and trial for representative teams. Below you will find registration links for both our DIO and NSWCCC events. If you require any further information please visit the Diocese of Wollongong sports here.
Representative Pathways
| MISA Website | https:/wwwwmisaonlineeorgg.au/ |
| Diocesan Sport News | Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed here |
| NSW CCC/CSNSW Sport News | Higher level CCC trials and events status can be monitored here. |
| School Sport Australia Sport News | More School Sport Australia information can be found here |
A weekend experience for fathers and their teenage sons.
One of the most important influences in the lives of men is the relationship they had with their father or significant father figure. The encouragement and affirmation that this relationship could, and should, provide, is a key ingredient for how young men view themselves and embrace their faith and gifts as they take their place in the world.
Growing Good Men is an experientially-based program which encourages and enables fathers and sons to strengthen their relationship and to explore important issues of growing into manhood. It is designed for fathers and their adolescent sons aged 12 to 17 years (school years between 7 and 11).
Please see letter regarding School Opal Card use and the importance of tapping on and off every time.
Transit Systems school bus route timetable is available via this link. Contact phone number is 8118 7102. This timetable now in includes the Willowdale transit routes.
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!
