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- Year 12 Medallions
- Year 12 HSC Tuesday Evening Study Session
- Studio 5
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- The Hermitage at Mittagong
Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Mount Carmel,
“For from Him and through Him and for Him all things exist” Romans 11:36
This statement from last Week’s first reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans establishes one of the basic truths of Christianity. This is the idea that all gifts are created by God, shared by God and should be used to give honour back to God. When we look at each of our talents as gifts, this idea gives us clear direction regarding our responsibility to ensure these talents are used for the glory of God. We can ask ourselves what we are good at and how this gift might be used to improve the lives of those around us. Earlier this week, our Year 11 students undertook their leadership day during which I challenged each of them to step up and take control of their learning and become leaders within the College. In doing this, they were asked to consider their gifts as individuals and as a group. They will now look to choose leaders from amongst themselves to take on formal leadership roles. All students however, are asked to lead. For those in lower year groups, they are asked to use their talents, whatever they might be, for the glory of God and the benefit of those around them.
On Wednesday two of our students, Jessica Littlewood and Wilson Asuit, participated in the MISA Youth of the Year competition. This is one of the few competitions that has been able to continue during the COVID crisis and so these two have a fairly unique distinction of representing Mount Carmel in interschool competition during term 3. The competition was held over Zoom with members of the Quota club acting as judges. Both students represented with distinction and pride in presenting a speech and attending an interview. The judges complemented all entrants and named Jessica as the winner of this competition. As MISA involves some 18 schools, this is a very impressive result. Congratulations to both Jess and Wilson. MISA will be aiming to run the Year 10 public speaking and chess competitions over Zoom as well. We wish our future representatives all the best.
Last week each parent was emailed a letter from the Catholic Education Office regarding my upcoming appraisal. This appraisal occurs for each principal in our diocese every three or four years and is aimed at gaining feedback on their performance in leading their school. Once again, I encourage parents to complete the survey and thank you in anticipation of providing this valuable and welcome feedback. If you have not already done so, you are able to access the survey through the link HERE. This survey will close next Friday September 4.
Over the past few months, Bishop Brian had been celebrating Sunday Mass and livestreaming it. This stopped a few weeks ago, however, Bishop Brian has decided to reintroduce these online masses. These will be returning from this Sunday and can be accessed here.
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
As our community continues to respond and accommodate the ever-changing challenges posed by the pandemic, I remind our parents and students of a significant change to the CEO guidelines that were communicated last week.
Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, students and staff are required to be free of symptoms AND present a negative COVID-19 test, which must be sighted by the school, before they can return to school.
Previously, students who were unwell have been required to submit a “medical clearance” before returning to school. The requirement is now that a “negative COVID-19 test” needs to be submitted in addition to being free of any symptoms. I sincerely thank our parent community who have been so vigilant in terms of keeping their children home if they have even the mildest of symptoms and informing the College as soon as a COVID-19 test is conducted and again once the result is known. It is this vigilant approach that we must all adhere to in order to support the health and wellbeing of all members of our College community.
Please note that as of this coming Monday (31 August), following advice from the Catholic Education Office, any parent who is required to attend the College office, will also be required to sign in upon their arrival and leave a contact number if their visit lasts for more than two minutes. This includes parents who are dropping off forms or other items, as well as parents who are collecting their children throughout the school day. As I have mentioned previously, we are conscious that this new process may not always be convenient, however, our priority at this time will always remain the ongoing safety and health of our students, staff and school community. To this end, I once again take the opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing support as we continually adapt and respond to this ever-changing situation.
Mr David CloranAssistant Principal
30 August 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading Jer 20:7-9 Despite discouragement, God’s word burns in Jeremiahs’s heart
Second Reading Rom 12:1-2 Offer yourself as a living sacrifice
REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSA
The gospel does not say that Jesus will gallantly step forward, take suffering upon himself, and thus demonstrate his power. Instead, his fate will be a demonstration of his vulnerability. He will be taken forcibly and will suffer at the hands of others. He will do this willingly, but not as a volunteer. Jesus will be a victim. This picture of Jesus carries implications for discipleship. Whoever follows him must follow him to the cross. If we participate in his success, we must also share in his shame. Disciples have a choice to follow or not to follow, but if they choose in his favour they must be ready for suffering and humiliation.
Paul exhorts us to reject the standards of the world. This is a very difficult path to follow, especially when it seems that those who conform to this age prosper. Following Christ can place barriers between ourselves and others. If we no longer share their values and their interests, we may feel alienated. Suffering is bound to invade our ministerial lives as well. We must remember that Jesus’ message antagonised many people in his day. Those who proclaim the same message in their own contexts must be prepared for a similar reaction.
After witnessing the marvellous feats that Jesus accomplished, we discover that he is going to suffer and be put to death. How can this be? With Peter we protest. With Jeremiah we wonder: Have we been duped? The realisation that we too will have to suffer becomes a crucial test of our faith.
Mrs Christine Meharg
YEAR 12 THSC TRIAL EXAMINATIONS
Examinations conclude Monday 31 August. All Year 12 students will return to normal classes on Tuesday 1 Septemebr.
YEAR 12 PTS INTERVIEWS
Yr 12 PTS Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 9 September. Due to current restrictions, Interviews will occur via ZOOM. Bookings will be made through COMPASS.
YEAR 9/10 2021 SUBJECT SELECTION
Selections to be submitted online by August 28.
YEAR 11 EXAMINATIONS
All Year 11 students have today received information, including the FINAL Examination Timetable. Please ensure your son/daughter is aware of the processes and expectations regarding such.
HSC
Key dates and deadlines 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.
https://www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/covid-19/coronavirus-advice/hsc
TERM 3
- 17 August - HSC TRIAL exams commence
- 31 August - HSC TRIAL exams finish
- 2 September - Security period CSSA Trial exams
- 16 September - FINAL HSC marks to CC (Changed)
- 23 September - FINAL HSC marks to NESA (Changed)
TERM 4
- 20 October - HSC Exams commence
- 11 November - HSC exams finish
- 18 December - HSC results released (ATAR release date TBC)
HSC Examination Timetable available on NESA website
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/key-dates-exam-timetables
Ms Judith Tolomeo
Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As we enter the second part of the term, the work of our pastoral teams continue each week to support the learning and wellbeing of all students. An overview of the various initiatives that occurred earlier today and are listed below.
Year 7 - Respectful relationships with a focus on gender based issues.
Year 8 - College expectations, relationships and Covid update.
Year 9 - Commenced their “Introduction to Careers” program, with a focus on Employability and registering Tax File Numbers.
Year 10 - A mix of personal organisation, assessment task preparation, garden beautification and personal wellbeing.
Year 11 - Preparation for Preliminary Examinations.
Year 12 - Final HSC Trial Examinations.
As mentioned two weeks ago in this section, the issue relating to students contacting carers before informing members of staff when they are ill is still causing some problems for our Front Office staff. Please be reminded that students are to inform their Classroom Teacher, Year Coordinator or Student Services if they are feeling unwell before making any contact with carers. No student will be denied the right of contacting a loved one when they are sick. There are structures in place to ensure that the College is supporting them and it is important that the appropriate processes of communication with home, attendance at sick bay and signing out at the Office are followed.
The world of technology and social media is an ever changing landscape, with students having innumerable options regarding games, apps and social networking platforms and new platforms entering the market on a regular basis. One site that has recently been released is called Omegle, which is a free social media site that allows people to communicate with people anonymously. We strongly advise students and carers to be cautious of using this site without doing appropriate cyber research and checking in detail the terms and conditions of use. For information regarding this site, as well as the wider range of applications, please access the following link https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
Recreational Sport
This week marked mid-term rotations for many sport groups in Years 8 - 10 whilst Year 7 continues to engage in AFL or Team Sports/Fitness for the remainder of the term. Leading into the Preliminary exam period most Year 11 students will move to study on a Tuesday for both periods. The sport schedule is pinned to the Compass dashboard each week in which students and staff have access to. Adjustments have had to occur for some groups as we are not yet using buses to travel off-site for sport.
MISA Skill-Development Term 3
MISA Teams will continue refining their skills through small-sided games and skill-based drills within a competitive environment. The new directive that “students must remain with their relevant cohort (class, year group or stage) to limit the mixing of students between cohort groups” has resulted in the following changes to MISA groupings. These groupings have been communicated to students and are reflected in the sports schedule.
Sun Safety
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia. More than 434, 000 people are treated for one or more non-melanoma cancers in Australia each year and more than 11,500 people are treated for melanomas. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in teh world. It is so important that students and staff are protecting their skin from UV-rays by wearing the College hat and applying sunscreen. A sunscreen station is available outside the sports office on a Tuesday for Sport. Students are encouraged to utilise this station and to use sanitiser before and after.
Below are 5 tips from the Cancer Council.
As you may be aware there has been a clear increase in restrictions from the NSW Government and this has resulted in additional directives from CEDoW. CEDoW directives which are now in place for the remainder of term 3 were communicated to parents via a letter that was sent earlier in the week.
CEDoW Directives relating to sport
Contact sports remain suspended.
- Students will continue engaging in skill-based drills and small-sided modified games for all contact sports.
Students must remain within their relevant cohort (class, year group, or stage) to limit the mixing of students between cohort groups.
- Students will remain within year groups for all recreational sports
- MISA sporting groups have been split into stages
- Some MISA groups have been collapsed and these students will return to their recreational groups (this includes Year 10 AFL students, Years 10 - 12 Softball and Years 10 - 12 Cricket).
External providers essential to the delivery of the sport or physical activity are permitted.
- External providers such as fitness instructors and coaches will continue to be utilised to enhance the sporting program of the College
- External providers have provided a COVID-safe plan
- All visitors have read and signed the CEDoW COVID paperwork prior to conducting each session.
The use of local external venues and facilities (including external sporting grounds, pools, recreational facilities and community facilities) where the school has exclusive use are permitted in line with venue protocols and COVID safety plans.
- The vast majority of students will remain on-site. The exception to this is MISA Soccer, MISA AFL and power walking groups who will use Kooringa Reserve.
- The paddocks behind the College (Cross Country track) will be utilised in coming weeks.
In addition to the requirements above, sporting equipment continues to regularly be cleaned before and after Tuesday activities. Students are encouraged to continue utilising the hand-sanitizer stations found around the College both before and after activity. Students are to continue respecting social distancing between themselves and adults (teachers / instructors that support the College’s sport program).
Sports Detention and Non-Participation
If a student is unable to participate in sport on a Tuesday they must provide a note to the Sports Coordinator at recess on the day that they cannot participate. This will provide the opportunity for discussion and for an alternative plan to be put into place for the afternoon. In most cases, students will attend either their group or another group as decided upon by the Sports Coordinator and will adopt another role such as scoring, timekeeping or refereeing. This is of course dependent on the reason for non-participation.
Changing Sport Groups
If a student would like to negotiate changing sport groups they must email Ms Bowen prior to Tuesday stating their name, current sport group, the group they are seeking to change into and a reason for needing to change. This is not guaranteed but will be negotiated on a case by case basis.
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.
Please note: all Term 3 Diocesan sporting events have been cancelled.
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)
The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open from 2.30pm - 4pm on the following days.
Term 3
- 7 September
Term 4
- 12 October
- 2 November
- 7 December
Cash only - no EFTPOS facilities.
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.
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.
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!