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Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Mount Carmel,
Over the last few weeks I have been continuing my own spiritual reflections by contemplating the readings of the day or a number of other reflections from Catholic and Marist organisations. It does not cease to amaze me how many of these speak of the need to stay calm and to allow the safety and care of Jesus to carry us into the future. As I have said previously, this is not a naïve attitude where we don’t do anything and just let fate take its course. On the contrary, it is about doing what we can to improve our world and the lives of those around us and enables us to be released by the knowledge that we can do no more than our best. I am constantly reminded of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s quote:
“Do all you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God”.
Over the last few weeks and even months, as a community we have needed to live by these words. Our staff and students and families, have been doing as much as they can in an extremely difficult environment. This workload has often been difficult and has caused great stress and anxiety. Today I have sent two letters to all parents and one of these to our students outlining our transition back to face to face learning for weeks 3 and 4 of term.
The second of these letters included our reasoning and specific details of the students’ return in weeks 3 & 4. I have included a summary below:
|
Monday |
Tuesday (Friday Timetable) |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday (Tuesday Timetable) |
|
|
Year 12 |
All |
All |
All |
All |
All |
|
Year 11 |
Murray & Howard |
MacKillop & Avila |
Howard & Murray |
Avila & Mackillop |
Nil |
|
Years 7-10 |
Murray |
MacKillop |
Howard |
Avila |
Nil |
Further in this newsletter, Mr Cloran has outlined the major safety procedures that we have put in place so far and we will continue to evaluate and improve these as further health advice becomes available.
As a result of the impacts of COVID – 19, we have had to re-evaluate some of the evenings and meetings that would normally take place. Whilst our advice is that much of the social distancing for children at school does not apply, the directives are still in place for adults. For this reason, our Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student meetings will be postponed. As always parents have an opportunity to contact your child’s teachers at any time with questions or concerns. We will look to provide an opportunity for parents to book phone meetings where necessary. In all situations, I ask parents and students to understand that staff also have commitments to their own families and whilst they are happy to respond to emails, the College expectation is that during the week, they will respond within 24 hours. Students in particular who email a staff member in the evening should not, as a matter of course, expect a response straight away.
Unfortunately, our Parents and Friends’ meetings will also need to be cancelled for term 2. I am extremely grateful for the regular parents who attend these and offer advice and encouragement. I am happy for all parents to email me or the College with suggestions, questions or even congratulations if you think we have done well.
Our Year 7, 2021 interviews are currently taking place for non-sibling applicants. This is as a result of the fact that these interviews for the first time need to be conducted via telephone or zoom. Once again, I thank all parents for your understanding and our intention is to make contact with siblings’ parents over this term. There will be no disadvantage to sibling families as a result of this process.
As some of you would be aware, Ms Nadine Barnes has commenced her Parental Leave at the start of this term. I have the pleasure of announcing that Mr Andrew Rees has been appointed as the Year 8 Coordinator for the period of her leave. We also welcome Ms Adri-Joan Geuking-Cohausz (RE) and Ms Sarah Cahill (HSIE) onto our staff for the remainder of the year and into the start of 2021. I congratulate all of these staff on their appointments.
As a result of Coronavirus restrictions, public masses have been cancelled around the country Bishop Brian Mascord has launched a YouTube channel where the faithful can watch him celebrate mass with us, and on our behalf. The link to this mass is here. Please log into this site each weekend and join Bishop Brian online for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
It was a return to term unlike any other this week as students woke to resume their learning from an entirely online environment. While the directives from the NSW Government have been that online learning is to be the sole method of curriculum delivery in the coming days and weeks, as you are now aware, we are anticipating more and more students attending the College from the beginning of Week 3.
As has been mentioned by various government agencies in recent weeks, it is important that steps are taken to ensure students and staff are safe, as well as feel safe. To this end, I would like to let our community know of the steps that we are taking in order to increase hygiene and social distancing measures across the College in preparation for an increase in the number of students returning to the the College in the coming weeks:
- Inviting a quarter of all junior students (Years 7-10) onto the site at any given time
- Inviting a half of Year 11 students onto the site at any given time
- Increasing the frequency of cleaning for high-touch areas (door handles, photocopiers, computers, taps etc).
- Extra hand sanitisation stations around the College (students are also encouraged to bring their own)
- Increased supplies of protective equipment such as face masks and plastic gloves
- Preventing the use of bubblers (water bottle refill stations are still available)
- Limiting the number of canteen lines to ensure adequate room between each
- Banning the use of high-contact sporting equipment until further notice (including basketballs and footballs)
- Setting up classrooms to ensure students are separated as much as reasonably possible
- Contactless sign in for all staff and visitors
- Strict protocols are in place to track signs and symptoms of Covid-19 among our student and teacher bodies.
Finally I ask all parents to further support us by ensuring that your son or daughter is kept home when displaying any sign or symptom of being unwell, no matter how minor these symptoms may appear. I thank you all for your ongoing support of the College as we, together, continue to navigate the challenges that this situation has presented us with.
Best wishes,
David Cloran
Assistant Principal
Mass Readings
Sunday 4th Sunday of Easter
First Reading Acts 2:14, 36 - 41
Three Thousand are baptised at Peters urging
Second Reading 1 Peter 2: 20 - 25
Christ delivered himself up to us free from sin
The Gospel John 10: 1- 10
Jesus the sheepgate
Reflection on the Gospel
REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart
Jesus is the front door. Anyone else sneaking around, climbing fences, going through the back door, or doing anything in secret means trouble. Be upfront, do what you do in broad daylight, and it is usually the right thing. You are proud of what you do when it is the right thing. If you are sneaking because you do not want to get caught, you are probably doing something wrong! Doing the right thing brings abundant life! Doing wrong things can hurt your ability to enjoy life abundantly.
What is ‘abundant life’ or ‘life to the full’? Do you think you can get it through Jesus? Do you think you can get it sneaking around, trying back doors, and climbing over fences? Why or why not?
Sheep pretty much follow the crowd. Not too many sheep are ‘individuals’. Being an individual is fine, especially when the crowd is not a good bunch to follow. But following the crowd can be fine too, especially when the crowd is a fine crowd and is doing good things.
Are you usually an individual? Or do you prefer to follow the crowd? Give an example of when you have been either an individual or a crowd follower.
How can you tell if someone who wants you to follow them is really following the way of Jesus?
Term 2 Marist Charisms
The order of the characteristics for the Monday Morning Reflections at the College are:
Wk 1 Family Spirit
Wk 2 In the Way of Mary - to connect to Mother's Day 10 May
Wk 3 Presence
Wk 4 Love of Work
Wk 5 Simplicity
What does this characteristic - In the Way of Mary mean?
Mary is for us the perfect model of the Marist educator, as she was for Marcellin. Mary’s was a journey of faith, just like ours. She urges us to do whatever Jesus tells us. Mary has continued to carry out her mission of mother and educator within the Christian community, giving witness to God’s solidarity with people in their needs and sufferings. All members of our community are inspired to imitate her tenderness, strength, and devotion in faith.
A Marist Prayer with Mary at the Centre. It might be a prayer for you this week.
Mary, we come to you as our Mother to tell you how grateful we are to God for having called us to be little brothers and sisters of Mary and for having you, the first and perfect disciple of Jesus, as our Model. Mary, we want to make your Magnificat our own prayer. And so we ask you to help us come to a greater understanding of God’s love in our lives and to recognise that all is gift, that all comes from love, and that we are to follow Jesus in incarnating this love, in being brothers and sisters to all with a special love for the young and the most neglected
You are our Ordinary Resource and we ask you to pray for us, and with us, so that we may continue to grow to be: – brothers and sisters of radiant hope, convinced of the active presence of the Spirit calling all men and women to be co-creators of a new and better world; – brothers and sisters of listening and discerning hearts, constantly seeking the Father’s will; – brothers and sisters of audacity, who have not lost the passion of their lives! Marist Apostles who are ready to proclaim Jesus and his Gospel with heart on fire with love. Help us to be brothers and sisters to all those we meet on life’s journey, to be present to people as you were, with listening and compassionate hearts. Accept our love, dear Mother, as we ask that, by your example and by your intercession, Christ may become the centre of our lives.
Mrs Christine Meharg
REC Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
The adoption of the compulsory roll marking procedure throughout the first week of the term has been relatively smooth. Thanks to all students and families for your cooperation with this process. A reminder that students need to respond to the Google form no later than 2pm each day in order to be marked present. If there are any issues regarding this process please contact your son or daughters Pastoral Advisor, Year Coordinator or the Front Office.
As the COVID-19 landscape is continually changing, particularly with regards to the easing of various measures that have been in place for the past month or so, it is important for all of us to keep up to speed with the latest information. As each of the States and Territories are operating in different ways, the following link to the NSW Government Website is one way of ensuring that the most accurate and up-to-date information for NSW is available https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
As has been the case during our time of remote learning, many of us are confronted with a variety of challenges relating to Remote Learning. It is important that communication between home and the College is maintained as a means of support for all student learning and your wellbeing. Alternatively, a variety of assistance lines, as previously shared in emails and newsletters are available for you.
- eheadspace - 1800 650 890, 9am-1am AEST, 7 days a week
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue Support Service - 1300 22 4636
Your ongoing support during these unusual times is much appreciated.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
Students continue to engage with remote learning, and hence it is important that students are accessing GOOGLE classrooms, completing assigned work, engaging with their teachers and attending ZOOM lessons where applicable.
Subject Selection - 2021
Planning for subject selection processes to occur remotely has begun. This will most likely be done through a GOOGLE classroom platform that will enable the communication of all information to students and parents. Further information regarding this will be shared in the forthcoming weeks.
HSC TRIAL EXAMINATIONS
The HSC Trial examinations will commence on Monday 17 August (week 5) and Conclude on Monday 31 August (Week 5). The College Examination Timetable will be shared with Year 12 students next week.
NESA UPDATES (29 April 2020)
The Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams are going ahead in 2020.
NESA will release the HSC written exam timetable by 15 May (Week 3, Term 2).
Students will receive their HSC results in mid-December.
Education authorities are working together to ensure a pathway to university for Year 12 students.
Key dates and deadlines currently listed on the NESA website are subject to change due to the COVID-19 outbreak. NESA will continue to update you with exceptions and changes to relevant deadlines.
Advice to students
These tips will help you, whatever further changes may be made to the HSC:
- Focus on right now
- Keep learning, keep submitting your assessments and listen to your teachers.
- Look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home.
- Reach out to family, friends and your teachers if you need to.
- Go to UAC COVID-19 updatesfor information about entering university in 2021.
School-based HSC assessment
Schools must follow social distancing requirements when planning or undertaking school-based assessment tasks.
NESA’s principles of assessment continue to apply. Wherever possible, school-based assessment will continue to be:
- based on a range of syllabus outcomes
- based on measures made throughout the HSC course
- informed by the components identified in the assessment and reporting documents for each of the syllabuses
- inclusive of and accessible for all students.
Authenticity of student work
Students have an obligation to maintain honesty and integrity when:
- completing assessment tasks, exams and submitted works
- acknowledging any part of work that was written, created or developed by someone else, such as any material from other sources and work undertaken by others.
This section of the HSC Rules and Procedures Guide provides a summary on maintaining honesty and integrity, and understanding malpractice.
Language oral exams
Students should continue studying for the language oral exams and completing school-based assessments.
Practical exams
The due dates have been extended and teachers will provide the final mark for the following components of the 2020 HSC practical exams:
- Design and Technology: Major Design Project (Product)
- Industrial Technology: Major Project (Product)
- Visual Arts: Body of Work
Ms Judith Tolomeo
Curriculum Coordinator
Remote Learning continues to be a challenge for a lot of students so it is important that we try to differentiate for all. Two students living in the same household will each have their own routine and their own challenges. The one commonality is that their is not only an increase in the amount of screen time involved in their learning but the opportunity to access the internet. At Mount Carmel student access is governed by the structures and restrictions that are placed upon the College by the DOW firewall. It is important to ensure that students are using the internet at home appropriately and that you have appropriate checks in place to ensure this, in particular in regards to the distractions of social media platforms and streaming networks. Not to say that these are inappropriate, because they do play a vital role especially during this pandemic, but they can be a distraction to learning.
In light of COVID-19 all sport at the College has either been cancelled or suspended until further notice. This includes College recreational sport, MISA, Diocesan, CCC, All Schools and School Sport Australia events. More specific information will be communicated to everyone as the current situation continues to develop.
As communicated in an earlier edition of the newsletter, the following College sporting events have been cancelled:
- College Athletics Carnival
- College Cross Country Carnival
- Marist Basketball
- Marist Netball
- Diocesan Rugby League selection trials
- Diocesan Boys & Girls Football (U13’s and Yrs 7-9 / Yrs 7-10 Pathway)
- Term 2 MISA competition
- Diocesan Boys & Girls Football (Opens)
- Diocesan Cross Country carnival
- Diocesan Boys & Girls Volleyball carnival
- Diocesan Boys & Girls Hockey carnival
You would now notice that the Diocesan Volleyball and Hockey carnivals have both been added to the ‘cancelled’ list. This decision was made in the break and communicated to all sports coordinators at a zoom meeting earlier this week.
What does ‘remote’ College sport look like at Mount Carmel in Term 2 (at this stage)?
Planning has taken place at both a College and Diocesan level to ensure that our students are given valuable and safe options to not only be physically active, but to also engage in meaningful sport opportunities.
Strategies that will have been implemented at the beginning of Term 2 include (but are not limited to):
- Google classroom pages (Stage 4, Stage 5 and Stage 6) that students will join giving them access to a ‘Sports Hub - Resource Centre’. This platform will offer students various opportunities that will allow them to consider and invest time into their own health (and potentially the health of those at home). The sites are broken into sport, fitness / exercise, fun and the chill, out zone offering students a variety of options to meet their physical activity and health needs.
Sport Site Links can only be accessed via the students google suite as they have all been given the appropriate permissions to ensure online safety and appropriate use. Links are located below:
Years 7 - 8 Site
https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/stage-4-sport-site-mccc/home
Years 9 - 10 Site
https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/stage-5-sport-site-mccc/home
Years 11 - 12 Site
https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/stage6sportsitemccc/home
- College sport challenges that encourage movement, healthy competition, house spirit and fun. For example, trick shot challenges, March in May initiative etc.
What is likely to follow in the coming weeks:
- Physical activity classes (yoga, pilates, dance, Zumba etc) facilitated by external instructors that will be hosted via the Zoom platform.
- More points based activities that will contribute to ‘House Cup’ tallies.
- Staff vs Students challenges that will be uploaded to the ‘Sports Hub - Resource Centres’.
- Structured training sessions run via the zoom app and other recording platforms.
These strategies will continue to evolve throughout the coming weeks (as does the COVID-19 situation) and will be advertised to all students and parents / guardians.
Some exciting and ‘different’ sporting opportunities for you to get involved in!
TIPS TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF DURING THESE UNUSUAL TIMES
As we are all very aware, these past 5-6 weeks have been extremely exhausting - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and socially. We have constantly been challenged with the many spontaneous changes and decisions that have been made regarding the health and safety of our community in light of the COVID-19 situation.
Below are a few simple tips to keep yourself, and your loved ones, healthy, safe and happy during the Easter break.
TIP #1 - Follow the simple health advice to protect yourself and those around you.
TIP #2 - Put some time aside to be mindful and present.
TIP #3 - Incorporate some physical activity into each day.
NB: Don’t forget to remember our social distancing rules.
TIP #4 - Stay connected with family and friends.
NB: Don’t forget to remember our social distancing rules.
DIOCESAN SPORT NEWS
More information regarding decisions around Diocesan sporting events and COVID-19 can be found at Sport News.
NSWCCC / CSNSW SPORT NEWS
As of Wednesday 1 March 2020 (6:00pm), the following CSNSW Sport events have been cancelled (including but not limited to):
Secondary School Sport (Years 7 - 12)
Term 1
Monday March 16 – NSWCCC Water Polo Selections
Monday March 16 – NSW All Schools 15 Years Cricket Selections
Tuesday 17 – Thursday 19 March – NSW All Schools U19 Years Cricket Selections
Sunday 22 - Wednesday 25 March - School Sport Australia Triathlon
Monday 23 March – NSWCCC Hockey Selections
Monday 23 March – Tuesday 24 March – NSW All Schools Tennis
Tuesday 24 March – NSWCCC Baseball Selections
Wednesday 25 March - SICC Rugby League Selections
Monday 30 March – NSWCCC Golf Selections
Tuesday 31 March – NSWCCC Swimming & Diving Championships
Wednesday 1 April - Northern Country Rugby League Selections
Wednesday 1 April - Western Country Rugby League Selections
Wednesday 8 April – NSWCCC Touch Selections
Wednesday 8 April – NSW All Schools Baseball Selections
Monday 13 - Thursday 16 April - NSW All Schools Sailing Championships
Monday 13 - Friday 17 April - NSW v QLD Cricket Exchange
Monday 20 - Wednesday 22 April - NSWCCC Girls Rugby League Development Camp
Term 2
Sunday 26 April - Sunday 3 May - School Sport Australia Baseball
Sunday 26 April - Friday 1 May - NSW v QLD 15 Years Cricket Exchange
Wednesday 29 April - NSWCCC Australian Football Boys Selections
Thursday 30 April – NSW All Schools 16 Years Volleyball Selections
Thursday 30 April - NSWCCC Australian Football Girls Selections
Friday 1 May – NSW All Schools 16 Years Girls Hockey Selections
Saturday 2 - Saturday 9 May - School Sport Australia Tennis 18 Years & Under
Monday 4 May - NSWCCC Rugby U18 Boys Selections
Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 May - NSWCCC Rugby U16 Boys Selections
Tuesday 5 May - NSWCCC Girls Rugby 7’s Selections
Tuesday 5 May – NSWCCC Netball 15 Years Selections
Wednesday 6 May – NSWCCC Netball Open Selections
Wednesday 6 May – Southern Country Rugby League Selections
Friday 8 May – NSW All Schools Swimming & Diving
Saturday 9 - Saturday 16 May - School Sport Australia Softball 17 Years & Under
Monday 18 May – NSWCCC Basketball Selections
Thursday 21 – Friday 22 May – NSWCCC Rugby League Selections
Friday 22nd May – NSW All Schools 15 Years Netball Selections
Saturday 23 – Tuesday 26 May – NSW All Schools Canoeing Championships
Wednesday 27 May – NSWCCC 16 Years Football Selections
Friday 29 – Saturday 30th May – NSWCCC Rugby Camp
Sunday 31 May, Tuesday 2 June, Wednesday 3 June, Sunday 14 June, Friday 26 – Sunday 28 June – NSW All Schools Rugby
Monday 1 June – NSWCCC Tennis Championships
Monday 1 June – NSW All Schools Basketball Selections
Monday 1 June – NSW All Schools Australian Football Girls Selections
Tuesday 2 June – NSW All Schools Australian Football Boys Selections
Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 June – NSWCCC Football Selections
Friday 5 June – NSW All Schools Volleyball Tri-Series
Tuesday 9 – Friday 12 June – NSW All Schools 16 Years Hockey Boys Selections
Friday 12 June - NSWCCC Cross Country Championships
Monday 22 June – NSW All Schools Hockey Tri-Series
Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 June – NSW All Schools Football
Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 June – NSWCCC Open Basketball Championships
Monday 22 – Friday 26 June – NSW All Schools Golf
Thursday 25 – Friday 26 June – NSW All Schools Girls Rugby 7’s Selections
Saturday 4 – Friday 10 July – ASSRL Rugby League Championships
Monday 6 July – Saturday 11 July – NSWCCC Country Rugby League Camp
Term 3
Saturday 18 – Friday 24 July – School Sport Australia 15 Years & Under Netball Championships
Saturday 1 – Saturday 8 August – School Sport Australia 16 Years & Under Hockey Championships
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August – School Sport Australia Swimming Championships
Saturday 8 - Saturday 15 August - School Sport Australia 14 Years & Under Australian Football Championships
Saturday 15 - Saturday 21 August - School Sport Australia 18 Years & Under Basketball Championships
Saturday 15 – Saturday 21 August – School Sport Australia 15 Years & Under Volleyball Championships
Friday 21 – Monday 24 August – School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships
Sunday 23 – Friday 28 August – School Sport Australia 18 Years & Under Golf
Friday 31 August – NSWCCC 15 Years Touch Camp
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 August – NSW All Schools 15 Years Touch
Sunday 13 – Friday 18 September – School Sport Australia 16 Years & Under Boys, 18 Years & Under Girls Football Championships
Term 4
Saturday 1 – Friday 6 November – School Sport Australia Touch Championships
Saturday 21 – Friday 27 November – School Sport Australia Diving Championships
CSNSW Sport is working closely with all Diocesan and Association Representatives to ensure all information is current and available to parents.
Refunds:
- Each Diocese has their own process for actioning refunds. Please be patient as we work through these. Any questions should be directed to the contact details found on the top of your invoice.
- Students who have been selected in a Polding / MacKillop / NSWCCC team will be contacted directly to organise refunds and discuss uniform options. The CSNSW Sport store has been closed, for now no merchandise can be purchased until further notice.
Please continue to monitor the CSNSW sport website for updates and the most current information regarding cancelled events. Information can be found at Welcome to Catholic Schools Sports Services | CSNSW Sport Portal.
SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA SPORT NEWS
Understandably, this decision will likely have a flow on effect for all sporting events (Diocesan, CCC etc) moving forward in 2020. Information will be communicated as the situation continues to develop and unfold.
More School Sport Australia information can be found at School Sport Australia - Education through school sport.
Mrs Tara Pontin
(College Sport Coordinator)
Opening days for Term 1, 2020
- Monday 4 May - 2.30pm - 4pm
Please note that there are no EFTPOS facilities. Cash or cheques only.