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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
- College Sport at Mount Carmel
- From the Finance Office
- School Opal Cards Expiring
- Mount Carmel Uniform Shop
- Second Hand Uniform Shop
- CatholicCare Counselling
Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
Last week we entered the church’s season of Advent. This is the period of preparation for the birth of Jesus which we celebrate at Christmas. When we prepare for any celebration whether it be religious or secular, we will often find ourselves cleaning the space, planning the event and the hospitality that is attached as well as ensuring our guests feel welcome. Preparing for the arrival of Christ into our lives at Christmas should involve the same preparation but on a spiritual level. Ensuring our focus is free of clutter, our hearts are prepared for the love that Jesus brings and that He is welcomed into our hearts are an essential part of the preparation (Advent) season. In the first reading last week, there is a small line at the end which states:
“We are the clay, you the potter, we are all the work of your hand”. Isaiah 64:8.
In beginning our preparation and in the continual process of welcoming Jesus into our lives, how have we allowed ourselves to be moulded into Christ’s messenger on earth? This may be a simple way to reflect and prepare for the celebration of His coming.
Last week, we were informed that two students had been nominated for ArtExpress for their major works in Visual Arts. This week, we have been notified by NESA that two other students have been nominated for ‘Shape’ which is the exhibition of the best HSC works in Design and Technology. Whilst I am not at liberty at the moment to name these students, we are once again very proud of the work that has been contributed by our Class of 2020 and this continues the great success of this cohort. We will inform the community of further results as they come to hand.
Last Tuesday we distributed to each student at the College a pin to mark the Campbelltown 200 year anniversary. It was on December 1, 1820 that Governor Macquarie founded Campbelltown. We were privileged that our students were able to join in this celebration even as it was scaled back dramatically due to COVID. We have also been given some lilies that we hope to plant in the labyrinth garden once it is established. Thank you to Campbelltown Council for enabling us to be a small part of this celebration.
On Friday, our Year 7, 2021 students were able to come onsite for an orientation day. Whilst this was a very different day (again due to COVID restrictions), it did give the students a view of all their new peers and they were able to meet some of their teachers. We were also able to begin the process of introducing our newest members into what our community is about. Thank you to the staff and to the new students for their enthusiasm and efforts in making a limited orientation day such a success.
Over the past few months, Bishop Brian has been celebrating Sunday Mass and livestreaming it. These Masses each Sunday and can be accessed here.
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
As we enter into the final two weeks of the school year, I take the opportunity to draw your attention once again to a number of events that we have coming up over the next two weeks.
Commencing this coming Tuesday, Year 10 students will engage in a week of activities that have been designed to support their transition into Stage 6 next year. This program includes a HSC Symposium Day where they will engage with the content of their Year 11 courses, a NESA update that will familiarise them with the processes required of all HSC students, and the completion of the NESA mandated All My Own Work modules which further familiarises the cohort with the demands of HSC assessment work. Other days will focus on spirituality and leadership in readiness for their commencement as seniors in 2021.
Following the relaxing of COVID-19 directives in recent weeks, the College will be celebrating our End of Year Mass on the morning of Tuesday 15th December in the Champagnat Centre. Given the restrictions on gathering sizes that have been applied throughout most of this year that forced the cancellation of our Champagnat Day and OLMC Mass, we are certainly looking forward to this occasion.
Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are being held on Tuesday evening (15th December) and Wednesday morning (16th December) via Zoom. Booking details have now been distributed to all parents should you wish to discuss your child’s progress throughout the past year and to set a course of action for the year ahead.
Early next week we will be distributing the 2020 College Yearbook. This publication provides a wonderful overview of what has been a most unique year. Significantly, despite the challenges and restrictions that we have encountered throughout 2020, in reading this year's edition, I was still amazed by how much has been achieved in such challenging circumstances. I particularly acknowledge all the staff members who have contributed towards the yearbook and most significantly, to Mrs Sylvia Ranftl who was responsible for collating each of the articles and images from this year and bringing them together into such a valuable keepsake for the 2020 year.
Finally, as you may be aware, NSW Health have released draft guidelines with regards to the anticipated COVID-19 directives that will be in place from the beginning of 2021. While these directives are subject to change over the course of the next two months, please be assured that we will communicate any confirmed changes to these restrictions as soon as they are known.
Mr David Cloran
Assistant Principal
Second Sunday of Advent
1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it
2nd Reading: 2Peter:3:8-14 We are waiting for the new heavens and the new earth
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 A voice cries in the wilderness: prepare a way for the Lord
The first Advent wreath appeared in Germany in 1839, the evergreen reminds us of life(its winter in the northern hemisphere) and the circle reminds us of God's unending love.
The second candle of the Advent wreath is called the Bethlehem candle. It symbolises faith and reminds us about the experience of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem.
Two Gospels REFLECTION by Fr Michael Tate
John immersed, baptised, his followers in water, symbolising the washing away of the sins of the past. But he could not empower people by drenching them in the dynamic life of God. John anticipates ‘Someone’ (not named!) who does have the power to inundate, baptise, people with the Holy Spirit.
From the heading of St Mark’s Gospel, we know that that ‘Someone’ is ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God’ who came to flood our lives with that Divine Power which can effect a completely new future for humanity.
That is why St Mark took the term ‘gospel’ (good news) which was used on inscriptions announcing an Emperor’s birth or victory, and used it to describe his inspired rendering of the mission of Jesus Christ, which was to inaugurate the ‘Kingdom of God’, overcoming the pretensions of all Emperors of any kind throughout history.
We could pause for a moment to thank God for the Good News of our being baptised with water in the ‘Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’
Mrs Christine Meharg
Learning and Teaching at the College…
- 14th December - 7-10 Academic Reports available to parents (COMPASS)
- 15th December - 4pm-8pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom
- 16th December - 8:30am- 12pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom
- 18th December - HSC results released (ATAR released at 9am)
Year 10 Alternate Week
|
Day |
Activity |
Details |
|
Tuesday 8th Dec |
Spirituality / retreat day |
P1-P4 |
|
Wednesday 9th Dec |
Academic Symposium |
P1-P6 |
|
Thursday 10th |
Assessment / NESA / Curriculum AMOW |
P1-P2 P3-P6 |
|
Friday 11th |
Yr 11 2021 Leadership day |
P2-P6 |
|
Monday 14th |
Yr 10 Pastoral / Recreational day |
P1-P6 |
PTS Interviews
Interviews will be held as follows:
Tuesday 15th December: 4pm-8pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom (from home or school)
Wednesday 16th December: 8:30am- 12pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom (from home or school)
HSC ATAR BBQ – 18th December
Yr 12 students and all staff are invited to attend the College on Friday 18th December @ 10:30am for a BBQ in celebration of the 2020 HSC results.
HSC Key Dates:
18th December - HSC results released (ATAR release date TBC)
18th December – HSC BBQ – 10:30am
Ms Judith Tolomeo
Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As we enter the final 2 weeks of our year, the past seven days have been busy in terms of preparation and planning for the remaining days and for the commencement of 2021.
From a Pastoral Care and Wellbeing perspective, a number of programs and events have been conducted or will be undertaken over the next week. These include:
- Year 6 into Year 7 Orientation Day - in action as this report is being written. In excess of 210 new students were involved in a range of activities including Language and Writing testing, Cooking, Forensic Science, School tour, Sausage Sizzle and Games. Many thanks to the staff and Year 9 & 10 students who assisted with the day.
- Year 10 2021 Leadership speeches and voting for House leadership positions. Congratulations to all students who nominated and prepared for this significant event. The decision to nominate for leadership shows great courage and a passion for our College. Good luck to all nominees in their leadership journey.
- Year 10 alternative program for Week 9 - Thanks to all staff who have volunteered to develop an alternative program for Year 10 that will serve both as a reflection on their past year, but as importantly, an opportunity to focus on the next phase of their life and academic endeavours. The last week for Year 10 will provide Spiritual, Academic, Careers and Leadership presentations and symposiums.
As always, the success of initiatives such as these can only be determined by the collaboration of staff, students and carers. As always, you continued support with the care and wellbeing of your sons and daughters is greatly appreciated.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
This week students selected their sport preferences for 2021 by completing an online form. Forms will be reviewed and student options will appear on their Compass timetable in the new year. Thank you to all students who have completed their options in such a timely manner. We are fortunate to be able to provide students with a wide variety of options.
Recreational Sport
Week 9 marks our final week of sport for the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our students for their continued flexibility and participation in sport throughout 2020. I would also like to thank the staff, instructors and venues that we have been able to utilise throughout the year. Our staff and providers are pivotal to offering the variety of programs that we have available. I encourage students to consider how they plan to be active throughout the school holidays and set a goal of trying a new form of physical activity.
MISA Results Week 8 - Finals
Week 8 marked our final week of MISA. I am incredibly pleased to announce that our teams performed exceptionally well. Below is an overview of the results and MVP’s for our finals match. Congratulations to our players and coaches. In particular congratulations to both of our Volleyball teams who finished 1st overall! Exceptional.
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
9 - 10 Girls Volleyball |
MAG |
2 - 0 |
OPAC |
Entire team |
1st |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
9 - 10 Boys Volleyball |
John Therry |
2 - 0 |
MCCC |
Entire team |
1st |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
7-8 Girls Oz Tag |
STP |
6 - 3 |
STP |
Leisl Hopoate Tahlia-Jade Yule |
2nd |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
7 - 8 Girls AFL |
STP |
38 - 12 |
STP |
Gemma Olling Susanna Fellows |
2nd |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
9 - 10 Mixed Frisbee |
John Therry |
19 - 10 |
JT |
DeAngelo Finau Allyse Keating |
2nd |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
Years 9 - 10 Boys Indoor Cricket |
SBCC |
55 - 42 |
SBCC |
Blake Whitehead |
2nd |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
7-8 Boys Oztag |
Magdalene |
10 - 3 |
MCCC |
Blake Bolwell |
3rd |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
7 - 8 Boys AFL |
SBCC |
66 - 6 |
MCCC |
Campbell Bateman Harry Hopgood |
3rd |
|
Sport |
Opposition |
Result |
Winning Team |
Most Valuable Player |
Overall Results |
|
7 - 8 Girls Softball |
SBCC |
4 - 7 |
St Benedicts |
Hannah Casey Alisha Philip |
4th |
- 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
- NSWCCC / CSNSW SPORT NEWS
Higher level MacKillop and CCC trials and events status can be monitored at https://csnsw.sport/news/events-suspended
- SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA SPORT NEWS
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)
School Fee Statements have been emailed to all families for November 2020. Please ensure your school fee payments are finalised by Friday, 4 December 2020. Should your family be experiencing financial hardship, please make contact with the school finance office.
If you have a fee credit and have no children attending Mount Carmel in 2021, please email mikhaili01@dow.catholic.edu.au to request a refund including your bank account details BSB and account number.
For families that have fee credit and their children are attending Mount Carmel in 2021 the fee credit will be applied toward next year’s school fees.
From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.
These are cards for students who will be in Years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which haven’t been replaced in the last five years.
Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.
If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by December 1, 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address that they currently have on file.
The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open on the following days.
Term 4
- 7 December 2.30pm - 4pm
Term 1 2021
- Wednesday 27 January 9am - 12noon