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Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Mount Carmel,
With Christmas only a few weeks away, we are asked as part of our Advent Season to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth two millennia ago gave us an opportunity to develop a personal relationship with God. Jesus coming to earth in human form changed the way that we understood the God of the Old Testament and enabled us to build a connection with a creator who cares for us. As we look to the celebration of Christmas, let us not forget the love and care that God has shown us and look to reflect that for those around us. On behalf of the Mount Carmel College staff, I wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and holiday break.
As this is the last newsletter for 2019, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the parents and students for your participation and support of our community over the past 12 months. Mount Carmel has continued to go from strength to strength and this is a result of students setting clear goals which are supported by professional staff who have high expectations. Thank you.
Ten of our Year 10 students and two staff attended the ACYF in Perth during this week. Their experience was once in a lifetime and will hopefully help to develop the depth of their spirituality for years to come. Congratulations to these students who volunteered for this experience and to the staff who gave of their time to supervise students both day and night.
On Tuesday afternoon, the College held our annual Sports Awards Assembly. Once again, I was proud of the many student achievements and the number of competitions our students won or were placed highly in. Congratulations to these students and also to the staff who have assisted them throughout the year. A special thanks to Mrs Pontin who works tirelessly to provide numerous and varied sporting opportunities for our representatives and our non-competitive sportspeople.
Toward the end of January, the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux and her parents St. Marie-Azélie Guérin Martin and St. Louis Martin will be visiting Our Lady of Mount Carmel and surrounding parishes. It is not often that we get an opportunity to venerate the physical presence of a saint and they will form part of our start of year College Mass in 2020. Prior to that date, the relics will be in OLMC church for adoration. I encourage students and their families to visit the parishes where the relics will be visiting to take the opportunity to pray.
In the last newsletter, we said farewell to a number of staff who are leaving Mount Carmel at the end of the year. Their contribution to the College over many years (especially Mrs Payne and Mrs McIntosh) have been an invaluable asset that has helped our community to thrive and grow. We are blessed to have had them as members of our community. We are now in a position to announce a number of new staff who will be joining us or moving into permanent roles in 2020. Appointed to permanent roles at Mount Carmel are Miss Breanna Donnellan (PDHPE) and Mr Joseph Estephan (Maths). Returning into temporary appointments are Mr Roj Dalisay (Maths) and Mr Marco Barbera (HSIE/RE). Our new appointments for 2020 include Ms Shiela Antal (English), Ms Jenny Nguyen (English), Ms Josephine Jefferies (RE/HSIE), Mrs Ingy Mikhail (SSO-Finance), Mrs Belinda Brooks (Canteen) and Mrs Samantha Cook (SSSO – job share). There will be two further staff announced at the start of 2020. I welcome all of these new staff to the Mount Carmel family and look forward to working with them in 2020.
Once again, I wish you all a holy and restful Christmas break.
Ite in VeritateMr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL, VARROVILLE
Christmas Eve 6:00 pm (pageant from 5:30pm)
Christmas Day 9:00 am
Reconciliation Friday, 20 December (2nd Rite), 7:30 pm
HOLY FAMILY, INGLEBURN
Christmas Eve 6.00pm (Youth Mass), 9.00pm
Christmas Day Midnight & 9.00am
Reconciliation 14 December, 11am & 4.30pm (1st Rite)
21 December, 11am & 4.30pm (1st Rite),
HOLY TRINITY, MINTO
Christmas Eve 6.30pm (outdoor Mass)
Christmas Day 9.00am
MARY IMMACULATE, EAGLE VALE
Christmas Eve 5.30pm (Children’s Mass), 7.30pm (Family Mass)
Christmas Day Midnight, 9am
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, CAMPBELLTOWN
Christmas Eve 6.00pm (under the school COLA), 9.00pm
Christmas Day 8.30am, 10.30am
Reconciliation 18 December – 10.30am (1st Rite)
18 December, 7.00pm (2nd Rite)
19 December, 10.30am (1st Rite)
20 December, 9.30am (1st Rite)
ST THOMAS MORE, RUSE
Christmas Eve 6.00pm (pageant & carols from 5.30pm)
Christmas Day Midnight (carols from 11.30pm)
Reconciliation 24 December, 10am (1st Rite)
ST MARY MACKILLOP, ORAN PARK
Christmas Eve 6pm (under large covered area at St Justin’s School. Bring rug / chair), 8.30pm
Christmas Day 8.00am (Oran Park), 8.00am (Leppington)
Reconciliation 5 December – 7.00pm (2nd Rite)
The Academy Access Award provides a way for the University to continue to support our local community by recognising and supporting exceptional students from Greater Western Sydney. The Award focuses on year 11 students whom have achieved exceptional academic results and have displayed strong leadership qualities and involvement within their school or community.
The scholarship recipient for 2019 goes to Mia Asuit.
10 Year 10 students had the privilege of attending Perth for ACYF which began each day with an early communal breakfast, and getting prepared for each day. Preparation for the festival involved a beach trip to City Beach where we got to swim in the Indian Ocean for the first time, icebreakers and trivia, formation speeches by Seth Harsh, a Mass at Subiaco and mingling with other pilgrims from Newman College. The festival days involved a 2km walk to the convention centre. Upon arriving, we had our first plenary of the day which involved great worship music, guest speakers, prayer and worship insights. Just a small insight into the festival is evident in this reflection of Day 2:
"Awaiting the plenary, there was an air of excitement, having an understanding and prior experience of the plenary’s ecstatic nature. Day 2’s plenary began with a bang, with attendees invited on stage to have a dance battle to classics like Bohemian Rhapsody. We then had watched, listened and danced to the musical items of Joe Melendrez – who really resonated with and hyped up the youthful audience with his rapping and insightful lyrics–, Emma Fradd, Father Rob Galea, and the SAGA who had the whole pavilion singing gracefully and then jumping up and down to their various performances. We also had the opportunity to listen to an astute speaker, Grace Forrest from Walk Free, who spoke about modern slavery and conscious consumerism, and a Priest and nun pair that articulated their spiritual experience. All experiences within the plenary were incredible and evoked a sense of both togetherness, and encounter."
"After the plenary we went to our meeting spot near the expo to discuss further plans, but not long before Ms Toogood and some students broke out in a dance battle, mirroring the one earlier in the plenary! We then went to an activity run by Newman College called ‘Caring for the forgotten’ where we had the chance to make Christmas cards for others, which encapsulated the notion of scripture John 13:34, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another”, and the care Jesus demonstrates to have for the less fortunate. We then had lunch and enjoyed the spectacular live music from Seth Harsh and Fiesita Mataele where a majority of the Wollongong Diocese showed up, reinforcing the notion of support and belonging. We then went to Katie Prejean McGrady’s talk, ‘Mary Queen of Heaven’ which gave us insight into Mother Mary’s nature and sacrifices, showing why and how we should grow to be “in the way of Mary” which linked back to our school Mount Carmel’s core Marist beliefs."
"After this, we went to the wellbeing area, where we observed Aboriginal and Catholic artworks, reflected, prayed, and journaled on our experiences and daily scripture. We then took some time to relax a bit more, going to a different section of the wellbeing area where we partook in projects regarding arts and crafts, in creating paper baubles for a Christmas tree, and writing on canvas what about the Holy Spirit moves us. Later, we took on the challenge of attempting to complete a thousand piece puzzle set. Keyword, attempt. Nonetheless, it was a time for fun and to wind-down from which we went outside for some fresh air and to experience some more live music."
"We then explored the expo and merch area, then went over to Father Michel Remery’s talk on “Tweeting with GOD: How to be a Christian online and offline?”, where we discussed enabling dialogue and finding spirituality. This was the last session before the evening plenary."
"The evening plenary was a truly touching experience, where we were lucky enough to score (kind of) front seats! The plenary began with a fun game of karaoke where we belted to the song ‘Horses’ and ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. Joe Melendrez then performed again, hyping up the crowd. The SAGA and some students then performed, taking the plenary in a more calmer direction. Katie Prejean McGrady then gave an anecdotal keynote contemplating who Jesus was. Steve Angrisano then shared some of his experiences and provided some marvellous music, followed by a duet by Joe Melendrez and Father Rob Galea. The plenary then commenced into a more spiritual session, where we had a phenomenal session of Eucharistic Adoration lead by Bishop Brian Mascord of Wollongong and students from the Wollongong Diocese. This adoration, amongst the other aspects of the session, was profoundly felt by many, where we had the opportunity to reflect, contemplate, and give thanks in prayer."
Year 10 ACYF pilgrims
A wonderful collaboration between secondary and primary school!
Year 8 Drama students from Mount Carmel College that have just completed a Speaking Skills course with Mrs Fitzgerald, were able to showcase their skills at Holy Family school, Ingleburn on Thursday, 12 December.
The students in Year 1 received (with great excitement), a drama performance advocating the use of excellence in voice work! The students in Year 8 were exemplary representatives of our College and their behaviour and attitude was to be commended!
This opportunity is one that encompasses building inter-school connections and also encourages students to strive for excellence in performance beyond the classroom and within the community.
Well done to: Marcus Capobianchi, Trevor Smits, Jerome and Dilano Egodawatte, Augustine Tie, Angel Foster, Shya Paul, Stephanie Wearne, Hannah Bojkovski & Jules -Manuel Vergara.
Mrs Fitzgerald
Well that’s a wrap! What a whirlwind the year 2019 has been. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry and Safe Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy your holiday break - rejuvenate, relax, spend time with loved ones and enjoy the beautiful outdoors with friends and family. I look forward to working with each and every one of you again next year in the realm of sport. See you in 2020!
TUESDAY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY NOTICES
All 2020 recreational sports groups are now ‘locked in’ and finalised. Many students took up the opportunity this week to make a change to their group - thank you for being so organised and proactive because unfortunately no changes can be made next year.
I look forward to launching the 2020 program with you all.
ANNUAL MCCC SPORTS AWARDS - Tuesday 10th December 2019 (Week 9)
On Tuesday 10th of December we hosted the annual Sports Awards ceremony. This ceremony was a celebration of sport here at the College and this was shared with not only the College community (staff and students) but the wider community, as many parents / carers and family members came along to support and congratulate our award winners.
We were fortunate to have special guests Mrs Deborah Littlewood, our MISA convener, and Sydney Swifts player, Sophie Halpin, attend our awards afternoon.
Sophie shared many of her pearls of wisdom with us in a short interview about her journey in sport conducted by Miss Bowen. This offered students and staff alike some useful tips regarding a plan B, qualities of a dedicated and committed athlete and tips on how to manage your time and juggle multiple commitments. I would like to again thank Sophie for taking time out of her busy schedule to be with us for the afternoon and to take photos with some of our Sydney Swifts fans afterwards.
All in all, the afternoon was a fitting way to close the 2019 sport year at the College. Thank you again to all of the staff who presented our students with awards, assisted with set up on the day or were involved in the ceremony in some capacity.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NSW SPORT UPDATES
(formerly known as Catholic Schools Sport Services)
The new portal is up and running and information regarding sporting events / opportunities for our students and how to register for upcoming trials etc can be found via the following link:
ALL PARENTS / CARERS WILL NEED TO CREATE A NEW NETid ACCOUNT.
NOMINATIONS – APPLICATION PROCESS
As always, students trialling for these teams must be playing at a representative level outside of school. If you need assistance with this registration process please ask Mrs Pontin via email (pontint01@dow.catholic.edu.au) and she will be able to assist you.
Nominations are now open for all 2020 sports. Sports that have an approaching closing date include:
Opens Boys and Girls Softball - closing date 7 February 2020
Triathlon (Team and Individual) - closing date 19 February 2020
Any student who require assistance nominating for the following sports please see Mrs Pontin ASAP.
MCCC College Sporting Stars - WATCH THIS SPACE!
If you have recently competed at a representative level in your chosen sport we want to hear about it! Email Mrs Pontin at pontint01@dow.catholic.edu.au to share your sporting success stories.
Mrs Tara Pontin (College Sport Coordinator)
The Relics of much loved Carmelite Saint, St Therese of Lisieux plus her parents, St’s Louis and Zelie Martin are coming to Australia for a national tour in 2020. They are coming to Varroville for a visit from 22 January until 1 February, when the official tour begins. The relics will be in the parish church at Our Lady of Mt Carmel, from Saturday 25 January until Tuesday 28 January, for public veneration and all are most warmly invited to attend. The attached poster shows the dates and time for Mass.