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Today as a College community, we celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our parish community celebrated with mass, a procession and fantastic fiesta on Sunday 13 July. I know many of our students and some staff were present on this day to volunteer and/or perform and I wish to thank them for sharing their time and talents with others.
The last section of our feast celebration today involved the rightful recognition of various Mount Carmel community members for their service and contributions to college life. The first of these awards was the College Community Award. The Mount Carmel award is given every year at our Feast Day for a member of the community who espouses the values important to our college. These include being supportive of various members of our community including parents, students and staff. Mr David Campbell, P&F President was recognised as this year’s Community Award recipient.
We also recognised the following staff members for the valuable years of service to our Mount Carmel Community, of whom we are grateful for their dedication, commitment and professionalism:
- 10 Years Service: Ms Nat Abra, Mr Jason Follet and Mrs Diane Poulton
- 20 Years Service: Mr Andre Daniels
- 25 Years Service: Mrs Theresa Moore
- 30 Years Service: Mrs Julie Ellsmore
As a Catholic school under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we are blessed to journey through our educational and spiritual lives guided by one of the most powerful and compassionate figures in our faith: Mary, the Mother of God. Under this particular title, we find not only a rich tradition but a source of strength, virtue, and hope that deeply shapes our school community.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel reminds us of the virtue of faithfulness. In her quiet, steadfast obedience to God's will, Mary shows us what it means to trust even when the path is unclear. As students, teachers, and families, we are called to model that same trust — in our studies, in our challenges, and in our relationships with one another.
Her mantle of protection, symbolized by the Brown Scapular, is a constant reminder that we are never alone. It’s not just a symbol; it’s a spiritual promise that she walks with us, prays for us, and leads us closer to Christ. In the often demanding and fast-paced rhythm of high school life, this maternal care is a deep source of peace and reassurance.
Our Lady is also a model of humility and courage. She said yes to God's plan without fully knowing what it would entail. In our school community, we strive to say our own "yes" — to learning, to serving, and to living out our faith boldly and with conviction.
Being a school under her patronage means more than just carrying her name; it means striving to embody her spirit in all that we do. It means forming not just excellent students, but compassionate, faithful, and resilient young people — just as she was. And it means trusting that, like a loving mother, Mary continues to guide and intercede for each one of us.
As we continue this school year, may we always look to Our Lady of Mount Carmel as our inspiration and protector. May her virtues take root in our hearts and flourish in our daily actions.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Stay safe, keep well, go gently.
Ms Samantha Giles
Acting Principal
Welcome back to the start of Semester 2 and I trust that all students, families and staff had the opportunity to rest and recuperate after a busy first semester. This week has allowed our College to celebrate through liturgy our connections to our Carmelite founders. It provided an opportunity for our community to recognise the contribution of a number of staff for their service to Mount Carmel Catholic College. As we did at the Mass and Awards ceremony earlier today, I would like to thank each of those staff members for their contribution to the College throughout their association, both in terms of supporting learning and also the role modelling that they provide for students and staff with respect to their care and concern for all members of the College.
As we get back into the routine of our third term of learning, the past week has seen a number of activities take place that enhance the learning and wellbeing of our students. Tuesday saw session 1 of the “Youth Aware of Mental Health” (YAM) program for Year 9, conducted by staff from the Catholic Education Office of Wollongong. Thanks to our presenters, to Mr Sullivan for organising the event and for the participation, engagement and cooperation of our student body.
As is often the case at the commencement of each term, there are some matters that students and carers need to be raised with respect to learning and wellbeing. The College has received some concerns about the manner that students are crossing the road in the afternoon when school finishes. Could all students and carers be reminded that there is no designated Pedestrian Crossing on Spitfire Drive or on St Andrews Road and that students need to be vigilant when crossing each of these access routes and take the appropriate care when departing the College in the afternoon.
Also, with respect to Bus travel, could students please remember to use their Opal cards when travelling to and from school each day. We received a reminder from our provider earlier this week, which outlined the following key messages:
- Students must carry their Opal card at all times when using public transport.
- Opal cards should be tapped on and off for every journey.
- Tap-on data helps assess demand and plan reliable school bus services.
Prior to our next Newsletter, there will be a number of significant events that will take place to support a range of learning and wellbeing initiatives. These include:
- Year 9 YAM will continue during weeks 2 and 3
- HSC Trial exams will commence on Monday 4 August
- Year 11 2026 Course selection Interviews will be held on Wednesday 6 August
- Year 11 Studies of Religion excursion on Wednesday 6 August
- Year 9 YourChoicez Respectful Relationships presentations on Wednesday 6 August
- Year 10 PDHPE BeStreetSmart Road Safety excursion on Thursday 7 August
- Year 11 Leadership Day on Friday 8 August
Thank you to all staff involved for their contribution to the planning and supervision of each of these activities.
As always, thank you for your support and cooperation with your child’s learning and wellbeing and in particular, the smooth return to school over the past week.
Mr Simon Huntly
This year, the Church has encouraged all Catholics to be pilgrims and to visit special places, one of which is Mary Mackillop Place. It's an easy train ride there, nice grounds, and a small church. I encourage each of you to make the time to visit and be a "pilgrim of hope".
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Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
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First Reading: Genesis 18:20-32 Abraham intercedes on behalf of Sodom.
Second Reading Colossians 2:12-14 God pardoned our sins through the death of Christ.
Gospel Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches the disciples to pray. |
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Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
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First Reading Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 All things are vanity.
Second Reading Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 Set your heart on the greater things. Gospel Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich man with a good harvest.
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Mrs Christine Merharg
Welcome to Term 3!
Term 3 is an exciting time of the year for learning. For students in Year 7-10, they enter the second semester of the year and have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback they received in their Semester 1 Academic Reports to set themselves learning goals for the remainder of the year. Students in Years 11 and 12 both enter their final term of their courses. Year 11 will have Preliminary Exams to prepare for at the end of the term, Year 12 will undertake their Trial Examinations in the coming weeks, and continue to prepare for their HSC examinations. Year 10 will also be making their Course selections for Year 11 2026 and students in Years 8 and 9 will be making Elective Selections for next year.
Especially for seniors, Term 3 is an opportunity for students to prioritise their learning and use their organisational skills to ensure that their learning is at the forefront of how they spend their time. Small adjustments in their study and revision habits can lead to improvement and momentum towards maximising their learning opportunities.
YEAR 11 2026 Course Selection
Course Selection Interview Bookings - Wednesday 6 August
Bookings will close on Friday 1 August for the Year 11 2026 Course Selection Interviews on 6 August. Parents and Students of Year 10, please ensure that you are available for this date. If you cannot attend on this date, please contact Ms Miller (millerc06@dow.catholic.edu.au) to organise an alternate meeting time.
At this interview, students will be lodging their course selection preferences, so they must be prepared and bring with them their course selection form and any non recommendation letters that they have been issued.
TRIAL HSC EXAMS
Week 3, 4 & Monday Week 5
The Trial exam block is from Monday 4 August to Monday 18 August. The College wishes students all the best with their preparations for their final school-based assessments. These exams will take place in the Champagnat Centre and A Block. Students and Parents/Carers have received additional information regarding the trials, via Compass today.
STAGE 5 2026 ELECTIVE SELECTION 2026
Information Evening - Wednesday 20 August
Students in Year 8 will be expected to attend the Elective Selection Information Evening on Wednesday, 20 August (Week 5, Term 3) with a parent/carer. From 6:15, KLA Coordinators and Elective teachers will be available in S Block to answer any questions that students may have about courses. From 7pm the main presentation will commence in the Champagnat Centre regarding Elective Selection requirements and College processes. Students from Year 9 are also welcome, especially to the portion of the evening where teachers are available for questions about courses. Students will be receiving the Elective Selection Handbook in Week 3, which outlines the electives that will be offered.
PISA TESTING
Mount Carmel has been selected to participate in PISA testing this year. PISA testing is a compulsory event that all schools in Australia may be selected to participate in, and the results are used to inform and evaluate education policy in Australia and around the world. Approximately 25 students aged 15 have been selected to participate, which will occur on Friday 15th August. These students and their guardians will be contacted directly, all other students and classes will be unaffected. Further information regarding PISA testing can be found here: https://www.acer.org/au/pisa
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TERM 3 |
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| Week 2 |
Year 11 01/08/2025 Society & Culture |
| Week 4 |
Year 9 See notification for date Catholic Studies |
Ms Chardy Miller & Mr Jay Hagan
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Curriculum Administration
Welcome Back to Term 3
Thank you to all students and families for ensuring a smooth return, with a high standard of uniform and grooming observed across the College.
This term promises to be an exciting one, filled with rich learning experiences and a continued focus on student wellbeing. From academic challenges to pastoral initiatives, there are many opportunities for growth and engagement this term.
A special mention to our Year 12 students as they begin their final term of high school. We wish them every success as they approach this important milestone with focus, determination, and pride.
Attendance - CEDoW Policy
Daily school attendance is vital for every student’s academic success, personal development, and sense of belonging. Each day missed is a lost opportunity for learning and connection. Parents play a critical role in supporting this by ensuring their child attends school every day, on time, and ready to engage. Consistent attendance builds strong habits and sets students up for long-term achievement.
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) schools, in partnership with families, are responsible for encouraging and supporting the regular attendance of students at school. Under the Education Act 1990 (NSW), it is the duty of a parent of a child of compulsory school-age to cause the child to be enrolled at and to attend a government school, or a registered non-government school, or to be registered for home schooling.
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From the CEDoW Policy Responsiibilities of Parents |
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Under the Education Act 1990 (NSW), it is the duty of a parent of a child of compulsory school-age to cause the child: (a) to be enrolled at, and to attend, a government school or a registered non-government school; or (b) to be registered for home schooling with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and to receive instruction in accordance with the conditions to which the registration is subject. |
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Parents are responsible for: (a) communicating to the school any concerns they have identified in relation to their child’s pattern of attendance; (b) working in partnership with the school to plan and implement strategies to support their child’s regular attendance at school; (c) promptly, and within seven calendar days, explaining to the school any absence of their child from school. For the avoidance of doubt, the explanation must be provided to the school within seven calendar days of the first day of any period of absence; (d) providing to the school reasonable advance notice of any extended absence for their child; (e) providing to the school reasonable advance notice when seeking an exemption from enrolment or exemption from attendance for their child; (f) promptly providing to the school any documentation required by the school in relation to attendance or enrolment. |
BAKE SALE - Year 12 Fundraiser
A big thank you to all students and families for supporting the recent Year 12 Bake Sale. It was a great success, with plenty of delicious treats and an enthusiastic crowd eager to support our senior students. The stall was buzzing with activity as students lined up to purchase cupcakes, slices, and other sweet delights. The funds raised will go towards Year 12 graduation celebrations and other end-of-year events. We truly appreciate the generosity and community spirit shown by everyone involved. Well done to our Year 12 students for their efforts in organising and running the event!
Teens & Screens
In today’s hyperconnected world, screens are an unavoidable part of teenage life. From social media and streaming to gaming and schoolwork, technology plays a central role in how young people learn, communicate and unwind. However, while the digital world brings many benefits, growing evidence highlights its impact on adolescent mental health.
Constant connectivity can fuel anxiety, disrupt sleep, reduce attention spans, and contribute to negative self-image—particularly through social media. Teenagers are at a stage of development where identity, self-worth and peer relationships are particularly vulnerable. Endless scrolling, fear of missing out (FOMO), cyberbullying, and exposure to unrealistic portrayals of life can take a toll on their emotional wellbeing.
While it’s not realistic—or productive—to remove screens entirely, there are meaningful steps parents can take to support their child in navigating the online world. By approaching technology use with curiosity, consistency and compassion, parents can help their teenagers build a healthier relationship with screens—and foster the resilience they need to thrive both online and offline.
The Black Dog Institute has a wealth of resources to support parents in navigating this area. Please see click the link to a recorded webinar. Refer to this flyer for 9 parent strategies to help you support your teen in an online world.
Mrs Theresa Moore & Mrs Clarissa Pearce
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Coordinators
Around the Grounds
Welcome back to sport for Term 3! We have an exciting term with many of our best athletes going on to represent the college either the Wollongong Diocesan or in NSWCCC events. This is a great reflection of the offered pathways within our Diocesan giving our students the opportunity to move into representative teams. In week 5 our College athletics team will meet at Campbelltown Stadium to compete in the 2025 Diocesan Athletics Carnival Championship. This again is a great opportunity for students to excel and move onto an even bigger stage. Congratulations and good luck to all our students who are competing on the day.
Across the previous two terms, our school has had the privilege of participating in various prestigious events, including the Macarthur Independent Schools Association (MISA).While MCCC isn't winning in any category we are the overall leaders in the MISA championship. With Term 3 MISA sports beginning Tuesday week 2 we hope our teams can continue their success in the following term 3 MISA sports:
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7-8 years girls netball 7-9 years girls soccer 7-8 years boys soccer 9-10 years boys soccer 9-10 years girls netball |
10-12 years boys indoor cricket 10-12 years girls softball Under 15 years boys league 10-12 years boys AFL 10-12 years girls AFL |
Bill Turner Cup
At the end of Term 1 the boys’ Bill Turner Cup team competed against St Gregory’s College for Round 1 of the competition. The team started slow but quickly found cohesion, utilising a terrific passing game to create multiple opportunities in front of goal. The team fought well against a late fight back from St Gregs to win 3-2.
In Round 2, the boys took on Clancy Catholic College and got off the mark quickly with two quick goals to take control of the game from the very start. With creativity on the wings and a solid defence in the centre of the park led by Shou Ye, the boys completed a dominant win 5-1. Round 3, we were missing a couple of our more senior players and looked to some of the younger boys to step up for the team. Picnic Point started strong with a very physical game plan but the boys composed themselves and started to move the ball around to turn the game back to our style of play. Some terrific attacking work by Isaiah, Sean, Izral and Deric put us into the next round with a 4-0 win. Round 4 was also the semi-final for the area group and was against a very strong Good Samaritan Catholic College side. Unfortunately, Good Samaritan proved to be the better side on the day. The boys fought hard and put in an amazing effort against some relentless pressure and skillful opponents. The result of a 5-1 loss was not a true reflection of the tight battle it was.
Over the course of the competition, the boys showed amazing heart, great skill and terrific teamwork. They made themselves and the school proud. Congratulations on a great competition.
All Schools Cross Country
Outstanding Effort from Our Senior Runners
The 2025 NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships were held recently, drawing the best young distance runners from across the state. The prestigious event saw fierce competition across multiple age divisions, with individual and team results recorded for boys and girls aged 12 through 18. A multi-class division also provided an inclusive platform for students with disabilities to showcase their athletic talents.
Representing our school in the highly competitive 17 Years Boys and Girls divisions were Zoe Bruce and Ethan Littlewood. Both athletes put in outstanding performances against a deep field of the state’s best runners. Zoe Bruce crossed the line in 33rd place in the 17 Years Girls category — a strong result in a fast-paced and demanding race. Ethan Littlewood also impressed, finishing 25th in the 17 Years Boys event. His placement reflects the effort, discipline, and stamina required to compete at this level.
Congratulations to Zoe and Ethan for their commitment and determination in representing our school with pride on the state stage. We are incredibly proud of their achievements.
Joshua Manson represents Australia in Flag Football
We are incredibly proud to share that one of our own, Josh, recently had the amazing honour of representing Australia in Flag Football at the International Summer Series Cup held in Los Angeles. This marked a historic moment, as it was Australia’s debut appearance in the tournament.
Josh played as a Defensive Back (DB), a key position focused on disrupting the opposition’s offensive strategy, breaking their rhythm, and forcing errors. Competing in the A Division, Australia went head-to-head with elite teams from around the world, including Canada, USA, Korea, and New Zealand.
In their first appearance at this level, the Australian team finished a commendable 6th overall – a fantastic achievement that sets the foundation for future international success.
Josh’s performance was not only a personal highlight but also a proud milestone for Australian Flag Football. He is now preparing for his next challenge – the APAC Tournament to be held in Cronulla this September.
Selena Mifsud - NSWCCC Team
A huge congratulations to Selena, who has been selected to represent the NSWCCC team at the U18s All Schools Championships in Lake Macquarie — an incredible achievement, especially as she is just 13 years old, competing in age groups well above her own.
This selection follows her outstanding performance representing the Wollongong Diocese, where the Girls’ team finished 1st at the NSWCCC Carnival.
Selena also played a key role in the NSW Metro team’s victory at the Emerging Matildas Championships. She continues to impress with her skill, determination, and humility. We are incredibly proud to have such an exceptional talent as part of our school community.
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 |
Year 7 VaccinationsThe new online system requires consent to be provided prior to the schedule Vacinnation date. For those Year 10 students who did not get vaccinated earlier in the year, they can still do so on August 21, which is scheduled for Year 7 students. Year 7 Vaccinations will take place on 21 August Click on the image below to take you to the NSW Health link.  |
for trading information.
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MCCC P&F Clothing Pool
Date:
11 August 2025
Time
2.00pm - 5.00pm
Discount applies to all items
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It is a condition of the use of a School Opal card that students must tap on and tap off every trip at an Opal Card Reader, when they travel to and from school. Please refer to the Transport for NSW website for further details. We encourage you to talk to your child and remind them to comply with the Transport NSW requirements.