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- Principal's Report
- From The Assistant Principal
- From the REC
- Learning and Teaching at the College
- From the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
- The Hermitage at Mittagong
- Last Sunday Mass Online and the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with Bishop Brian
- Year 12 HSC Tuesday Evening Study Session
- Health Advice
- OLMC Varroville - Sacrament of First Holy Communion – Preparation and Reception
- College Sport at Mount Carmel
- Year 12 Medallions
- Studio 5
- Mount Carmel Uniform Shop
- Second Hand Uniform Shop
- CatholicCare Counselling
Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Mount Carmel,
Once again, in last Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 13: 44-52), Jesus speaks in parables. The parables this week revolve around finding a treasure and being determined enough to put all your effort toward gaining it. The treasures that are named are representative of the Kingdom of Heaven. Modern teachings ask us to reflect on the Kingdom not as something far away or in the future, but as a goal for each of us in the here and now. The Kingdom of God is something that we can strive to build around us each and every day by the actions and behaviours we show to those around us. The challenge posed in this parable asks us to consider how much we would sacrifice to gain this exceptional treasure. Each of us has an extraordinary opportunity and responsibility to help build the Kingdom and reflect Jesus’ love to those around us.
We have unfortunately not had many opportunities over the past few months for our students to shine in competition against other schools. This week saw our first interschool competition since before the COVID lockdowns through the Year 7 & 8 MISA debates. This is hopefully the first of a number MISA debates that will occur over the next few months. The unique thing about these debates is that they were held remotely via the internet. A big congratulations to our participating students and a thank you to the Mount Carmel organiser, Ms Cleuskins.
Last week I included a link in the newsletter for parents to provide feedback to the College with regard to our Semester 1 reports and Parent/Teacher/Student meetings. Thank you to the parents who have given this feedback. There is still an opportunity for you to have your say on these by completing the survey through the link here. I encourage you to complete the survey if you have not yet had the chance.
In Week 5 of this term (beginning August 17), our HSC students will begin their Trial exams. This year these are two weeks later than normal. As a College community we are acutely aware of the impacts that COVID has had particularly on our Year 12 students. They have so far missed out on their final Cross Country, their final Athletics Carnival as well as their final Champagnat and OLMC Days just to name a few. I ask all of our community to keep these fine young men and women in their prayers especially over the next three weeks as they prepare for their Trial HSC exams. We certainly wish them the best and I am sure those who have maintained a strong work ethic will be rewarded for their efforts.
Whilst public masses have been resumed over the last few weeks, they still have restricted numbers. Bishop Brian Mascord has continued the 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
Towards the end of Term 2, parents were given the opportunity to grant permission for their son/daughter to be dismissed early from the College on any given day should we be informed of a positive case of COVID19 among an immediate member of our College community. While this pre-approval is not compulsory, we understand that there are many parents whose preference would be to have their son or daughter make their own way home at the earliest opportunity. In the event that a positive case is identified, supervision will certainly be provided for all students who remain on site that day. Should you wish to grant this permission for an earlier departure, please visit the attached link in Compass in order to do so. These responses will remain valid until the end of the current school year unless you were to advise the College in writing prior in order to revoke this permission.
I also take the opportunity to thank those families who are assisting the College in keeping our community safe by ensuring that students that show even the slightest of symptoms are being kept home. As was the case last term, we ask that if your child is being tested for COVID19, that you inform the College as soon as possible once the test has been taken. Once the result is known, we ask that you forward the College a copy of the result so that this information can also be recorded. In accordance with CEO guidelines, please be aware that if any student arrives at school with flu-like symptoms, they will be isolated and a parent will be contacted and requested to collect them immediately. In these instances, a CEO Medical Clearance form will also be given to the student which will need to be completed by a GP prior to their return to the College. Please note that any return to the College following an illness requires a medical/GP clearance and not necessarily a negative COVID19 test. It would be expected that if a GP believed a COVID19 test was necessary, then that would be requested prior to them giving clearance.
While these new processes may at times lead to an inconvenience to our regular routines, I thank all students, staff and parents for their concerted efforts in adhering to them in order to ensure that we are doing all we can to maintain a safe environment here at Mount Carmel.
Mr David CloranAssistant Principal
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Matthew 14:13 - 21 Jesus feeds the 5000
Reflection
Before Jesus meets up with this crowd, he is actually trying to get away and be by himself, because he has just heard about the death of John the Baptiser. But as soon as his boat reaches the shore, thousands of people are waiting there for him.
What do you think Jesus’ immediate thoughts are upon seeing this huge crowd?
Why do you think the disciples suggest to him that he make all the people go away to find something to eat?
Why do you think Jesus insists that the crowds be fed and not be turned away?
The disciples start with only five loaves and two fish. Five thousand people are there, not counting the women and children. Yet everyone eats their fill, and the leftovers fill twelve baskets.
What is your attitude about leftovers? Do you see leftovers as an aged meal whose flavours have had more time to blend and improve? Or do you see leftovers as food that should have been thrown away?
If you were poor and hadn’t eaten a meal for two days, would your attitude toward leftovers be different? If so, how?
YEARS 7 - 10 SEMESTER 1 ACADEMIC AWARDS 2020
This morning we celebrated the achievements and successes of a number of Year 7-10 students.
Firstly, we acknowledged those students who consistently apply themselves to their learning; in every lesson, every day, every week, each term. These students received an academic effort award which recognises the importance of application to schoolwork and study.
ACADEMIC EFFORT AWARDS
Year 7
Carlos Brown, Peppa Crowe, Nadera Faasoa, Jennifer Gomez, Sean Hornilla, Angelina Jino, Caitlin Kilcar, Lauryna Malaesilia, Mikayla McDade, Katrina Morelos, Cassandra Nicolasora, Azura Pereira, Valentino Portillo, Isaac Ramos, Emma Ransom, Bernice Sailago, Andrei Christian Senorin, Adorn Shaji George, Bea Sualibios, Renee Sundaram, Elijah Tran, Lara Vegan, Zahie Wahhab.
Year 8
Rihanna Alsalihy, Tyrone Austin, Mia Bakulic, Shivraj Bhanot, Keanna Bocarro, Zoe Charadia, Edward Dsouza, Alyssa Eccles, Lexie Garcia, Hiraya Getigan, Azrael Huang, Esha Jadhav, Magdalena Kawa, Janita Leota-Brown, Noah Nasreddine, Jacob Ramos, Alyssa Rattanathip, Matias Rennert, Jemma Riordan, Gloria Rivadeneira Pino, Asin Shaji George, Liam Tannoury, Samarah Tolley, Sebastian Tupas, Charlise Zabat.
YEAR 9
Marissa Albanese, Abigail Amurao, Wilson Asuit, Max Bakulic, Cynthia Basco, Merryn Clarke, Mescha Di Franco, Maddison Gascoine, Jessica Littlewood, Tiam-Li Mackenzie, Hailee Meurant, Mia Nakad, Fiona Nguyen, Xavier Ring, Emma Searle, Simon Sebastian, Kynan Summers, Nathan Thomas, Kaya Tolley, Kenith Van, Miriam Warwick-Smith.
Year 10
Christian Bagadiong, Tahlia Bell, Sara Bhambak, Gelya Bocarro, Julia Dove, Dylan D'Souza, Gabriel Garcia, Llewellyn Govender, Rachel Hill, Matthew Hines, Eseta Malaesilia, Daniela Miletic, Jack Miller, Jeremiah Myatt-Kane, Gia Singh, Jezal Taie, Matilda Tamasese-Faasoa, Don Thevhan Thewarapperuma, Charlotte Vakayil, Kieran Walker, Parham Zamani Sadeh.
To gain an Academic Achievement award means that the student has applied themselves with diligence and shown commitment to their study across the entire Semester. They have consistently achieved at an A level in both formal assessment tasks and informal class work and tasks. This level of achievement is underpinned by hours of dedication to study, hard work and most of all commitment.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Year 7
Ethan Attenborough, Sophie Connolly, Solange Hidalgo, Ryan Holmes, Angelina Jino, Melissa Lun, Lauryna Malaesilia, Katrina Morelos, Azura Pereira, Valentino Portillo, Isaac Ramos, Emma Ransom, Aidan Rojas, Andrei Christian Senorin, Bea Sualibios, Elijah Tran, Zahie Wahhab.
Year 8
Sabina Celiz, Eward Dsouza, Alexander Dutfield, Lexie Garcia, Hiraya Getigan, Skylah Gilbang, Paige Haubenwallner, Janita Leota-Brown, Noah Nasreddine, Jacob Ramos, Matias Rennert, Gloria Rivadeneira Pino, Liam Tannoury.
Year 9
Marissa Albanese, Abigail Amurao, Wilson Asuit, Cynthia Basco, Merryn Clarke, Jasmyne Douangdara, Maricel Fennessey, Liah Kilcar, Jessica Littlewood, Leilani Masilungan, Zachary Peters, Emma Searle, Rianne Sundaram, Kaya Tolley, Kenith Van.
Year 10
Tahlia Bell, Dylan D'Souza, Joshua Frost, Gabriel Garcia, Llewellyn Govende, Jasmine King, Eseta Malaesilia, Jack Miller, Jeremiah Myatt-Kane, Gia Singh, Matilda Tamasese-Faasoa, Parham Zamani Sadeh.
To gain an Academic Excellence award means that the student has applied themselves with diligence and shown commitment to their study across the entire Semester. They have consistently achieved at an A level in both formal assessment tasks and informal class work and tasks. They have achieved both an academic effort and academic achievement award. These students EXEMPLIFY a Mount Carmel student and are worthy of the highest accolades.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Year 7
Angelina Jino, Lauryna Malaesilia, Katrina Morelos, Azura Pereira, Valentino Portillo, Isaac Ramos, Emma Ransom, Andrei Christian Senorin, Bea Sualibios, Elijah Tran, Zahie Wahhab.
Year 8
Edward Dsouza, Lexie Garcia. Hiraya Getigan, Janita Leota-Brown, Noah Nasreddine, Jacob Ramos, Matias Rennert, Gloria Rivadeneira Pino, Liam Tannoury.
Year 9
Marissa Albanese, Abigail Amurao, Wilson Asuit, Cynthia Basco, Merryn Clarke, Jessica Littlewood, Emma Searle, Kaya Tolley, Kenith Van.
Year 10
Tahlia Bell, Dylan D'Souza, Gabriel Garcia, Llewellyn Govender, Eseta Malaesilia, Jack Miller, Jeremiah Myatt-Kane, Gia Singh, Matilda Tamasese-Faasoa.
Ms Judith Tolomeo
Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
The relationship between Wellbeing (Pastoral Care) and Learning is one that, in the past, has often been viewed through separate lenses. That is, that Learning and Pastoral Care (or Wellbeing) are independent of one another. Thankfully, this ideology has changed over recent years where schools and systems now become increasingly aware of the importance that individual wellbeing has on each individual’s capacity to learn (and vice versa) from day to day, semester to semester and year to year.
As such, the relationship between each of these spheres of personal development and growth at Mount Carmel is becoming more interrelated. The morning Pastoral Classes and regular Year Assemblies reflect this in the initiatives and themes that are presented and discussed at various times. Over the past week for example, topics such as Growth Mindset, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Careers planning, Subject selections, Trial HSC preparation, Semester One learning reflection and Semester Two goal setting are just some of the activities that have occurred at different times across each of the respective year groups.
The relationship between Wellbeing and Learning was highlighted this morning at extended Pastoral Time, where students were recognised for their academic performance and work ethic from Semester One. These awards were determined by the academic grades and work related outcomes that students received on their Semester One reports. Ms Tolomeo has provided a list of all award recipients in the Curriculum section of this newsletter. I would like to extend congratulations to all students who received awards this morning and to the Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors who were charged with the responsibility of presenting these awards in the absence of our normal College Assembly. A similar presentation of Champagnat Community Service Awards will take place in Week 4. Below are some images of Year 7 students who received awards earlier today.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
HERMITAGE GIFT SHOP
The Hermitage has a wide range of Religious items, crucifixes, spiritual books, journals, cards and many gift ideas. You can view what we have available on our website by clicking on the shop icon (www.thehermitage.org.au) . You can order and pay on line.
PRIVATE RETREATS
Our facilities are available for those seeking some time out for reflection & prayer. We have cottages & Villas available plus accompaniment for those seeking this. Bookings can be made via the booking form on our website. You have the options of self-catered or catered for meals.
BRUNCH & MORNING TEA: NEW!
In August we are offering a Brunch & Morning tea on the weekends of August 22 & 23 and August 29 & 30 9am – 2pm. Booking is essential to ensure a place is available. Ring our office on 4872 1911 during business hours 9am – 4pm to reserve a place.
ENJOY A WEEKEND IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS!
The Hermitage has two comfortable cottages set in a peaceful, relaxing and scenic environment. The Hermitage is located in the Southern Highlands, 75 minutes south of Sydney. These self-contained cottages are ideal for a family get away. If you are considering a weekend away why not stay in one of our cottages at the Hermitage? The weekend rate of $340 (2 people) includes all linen. To make a booking complete a booking enquiry form on the Hermitage web site. We look forward to welcoming you to the Southern Highlands!
But this is not the last you will see from us! We will be broadcasting a special liturgy on Saturday 8 August for the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (see below) and Bishop Brian and the clergy from Lumen Christi Catholic Parishes will be back livestreaming online Masses from the freshly renewed St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Wollongong when it re-opens at the end of August (see below).
Don't forget that you can also participate in one or more of the many online Masses livestreamed throughout the diocese. Check out our diocesan website for all the links.
At 10am AEST on Saturday 8 August, we will be broadcasting a special liturgy to celebrate the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with Bishop Brian and the Sisters of St Joseph. It will be a wonderful occasion to come together to pray, sing and reflect on the life of Australia's only canonised saint. As per usual, the liturgy will be broadcast on our usual channels: YouTube, Facebook and the diocesan website.
This opportunity is supervised by 2 HSC staff each Tuesday. We also have extra staff who make themselves available each week to assist with student requests.
We highly recommend that your child attend and make the most of this opportunity to help them reach their HSC goals.
A friendly reminder regarding Student Absences.
It is a requirement of the College to notify the Health Authorities if a student is absent with any of the following illnesses.
- COVID-19
- Chicken Pox
- Measles
- Mumps
- Whooping Cough
- Head Lice
- Influenza A
- Swine Flu
Please contact the College office ASAP if your child is diagnosed with any of the above illnesses/conditions.
Thank you
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish-Varroville, being aware of the existing COVID-19 global health crisis, are inviting you to continue the Sacramental journey of your child towards initiation into the Catholic Church. We will be facilitating a series of sessions in preparation for the reception of First Holy Communion (FHC), in a Covid-19 safe manner.
As a Catholic community we appreciate the reception of this sacrament is a very special occasion for your family, the parish and especially for your child. Being united with Jesus in a new and special way by receiving Him in Holy Eucharist for the very first time is of great importance and is eagerly anticipated by children. We are therefore excited to advise:
1. FHC ‘Preparatory’ sessions will be run on 3 x Saturdays from 3:30pm to 5:15pm on 29 August, 5 September and 12 September
2. First Holy Communion celebration to occur on all x3 Masses during the weekend of 19 & 20 of September
Dates for your considerations and actions below:
|
15 August |
Registration Cut-off date. Strictly enforced |
Parents to complete registration form and hand over to the Parish office by the 15 August. Forms available on the Parish website. Registration fee is $25 |
|
24 August |
Registration acceptance confirmed |
Parents will receive confirmation email from Parish between 24-28August |
|
29 August |
1st Lesson |
Inside the Parish Church |
|
5 September |
2nd Lesson |
Inside the Parish Church |
|
12 September |
3rd Lesson |
Inside the Parish Church |
|
19 September |
FHC Celebration |
6pm Mass (Saturday) |
|
20 September |
FHC Celebration |
Options available 9:30am and 5:30 pm (Sunday) |
Please Note: These dates and occurrences are subject to COVID-19 developments. Any change will be advised via email asap.
Who is Eligible:
Children who are in Year 3 or above and have already received their Sacrament of Reconciliation. Provision is made for older children.
Parents, as you are the first teachers of Faith for your children, we believe you are best placed to make the assessment regarding your child’s readiness to take this next step in their Faith journey.
Important information for your attention and consideration:
As the help and support from parents will be crucial for this journey to be fruitful for all and particularly for the child, please take note of the following ways your partnership with the Parish will be necessary and appreciated:
As Covid-19 restriction need to remain in place, your cooperation to follow directions at all times will be required.
- Complete registration by 15 August
- Attend all sessions (Please see table above for details)
- One parent to attend each session with your child. No extra members allowed to attend as we need to stay within approved in-door limits
- Parent commitment to work at home with child as per planned lesson guidelines provided each week and attending Mass with child where possible to assist their formation
- Be aware that Family attendance/numbers at the ceremony will be limited depending on total numbers
We look forward to assisting you and your child on this Faith journey. We hope it will be a time for growing in faith, discipleship – knowing, loving and serving Jesus in all aspects of our lives. We encourage you to contact the Parish Office on 9603 7373 if you have any further queries.
Thank you for your attention to this letter. God bless you all!
Yours sincerely,
Fr. Shane Kelleher, OCD
Recreational Sport
Students have returned to their original sport group that they had indicated at the beginning of the year. There continues to be adjustments to the yearly schedule due to venue requirements, transportation and temporary closures of some venues. It is hoped that we will be able to use buses for sport again soon however at this stage we will not be utilising buses to visit venues. As a result, students will participate in sport for one period and complete study/homework for one period during the allocated sport time.
The sport schedule is pinned to the Compass dashboard each week in which students and staff have access to. The schedule highlights the cancellations, location and the period in which study/sport is occurring for each sport group. Contact sports continue to be suspended in CEDoW schools until further notice. As a result, students will be participating in skills-based activities and small-sided modified games.
MISA Term 3
During Week 2, advice received from CEDoW leadership has directed that sports that involve contact which include netball, basketball, rugby league, rugby union, AFL and soccer will remain suspended until further notice. This decision will be reviewed regularly by CEDoW leadership.
This week we also received the announcement that MISA has been postponed until further notice. As a result, coaches have determined on a case by case basis to select either a team or squad for Term 3. We have decided to utilise the additional time to develop and refine the skills of successful players in a competitive environment through skills-based activities and small-sided modified games. MISA lists have now been pinned to the window of the sports office for students to view. Please note that players trialling will participate in during sport until further notice. At this stage MISA is going ahead and is scheduled to commence in Week.
Thank you to all students who attended and were involved in MISA trials. As noted in last week's newsletter, I understand that there would be many students disappointed in not being successful in gaining selection into the team that they trialled for. I encourage these students to continue refining their skills, seeking feedback and to not allow an unsuccessful trial deter them from trialling for teams in the future at MCCC.
In many cases, umpires and referees are required for many MISA sports. I encourage any student who is interested in these roles to please speak with me at the sports office or via email.
Safety and Hygiene Considerations
- Students are encouraged to sanitise before and after participating in activities during sport.
- Equipment will continue to be cleaned and wiped both before and after use.
- Students are to respect social distancing between themselves and adults (teachers / instructors that support the College’s sport program)
Below are some general policies that the College enforces in regards to sport.
- Leave from venue notes: A reminder that if students wish to leave a venue they need to supply the Sport Coordinator with a note that is signed prior to departing for sport. 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 cannot participate 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 Ms Bowen so an alternate plan can be arranged for you during sport time. Students who are unable to participate in their sport due to injury are asked, where possible to still attend the event with their group and to assume another role as instructed by the teacher such as timing, scoring or umpiring.
DIOCESAN SPORT NEWS
Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/diocesan-sport-news/?ref=quicklinks
Please note that all Term 3 Diocesan events have been cancelled.
Updates on specific events secondary events can be viewed at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/events-secondary/
Higher level MacKillop and CCC trials and events status can be monitored at https://csnsw.sport/news/events-suspended
In each case a COVID-19 safety plan will be developed inline with normal risk assessment procedures. These events will be subject to existing NSW government restrictions and advice along with CEDoW leadership input.
NSWCCC / CSNSW SPORT NEWS
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.
Miss Sarah Bowen
(Acting College Sport Coordinator - bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
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.
Location
The Mount Carmel Uniform Shop is located at the top end of the School, past the Champagnat Centre.
Please note the following COVID-19 procedures
Ranier requests ordering online prior to collecting from store.
If you are unsure of the size required, purchase your best estimate online. Can be exchanged for free if required (unworn items only).
For online ordering please visit ranier.com.au
For first time users
- Registration requires the student name, number and the College password (mtcar2566).
- Email custservice@ranier.com.au for any problems with registration.
For your safety and ours
- Please observe social distancing advice (at least 1m apart)
- Only 1 family is permitted within the shop at a time
- Please expect longer waiting times
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
______________________________________________________________
Opening Hours (During School Term)
Mon: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Wed: 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Contact:
Ranier Customer Service ranier.com.au/contact 8337 7200
The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open from 2.30pm - 4pm on the following days.
Term 3
- Monday 3 August
- 7 September
Term 4
- 12 October
- 2 November
- 7 December