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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
- Youth Ministry Leadership Day
- From the Finance Office
- Mount Carmel Uniform Shop
- Second Hand Uniform Shop
- CatholicCare Counselling
- School Opal Cards Expiring
- Mount Carmel Netball Club
Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
Welcome to our final newsletter for 2020.
Over the past year we have certainly seen an opportunity for growth that we had not envisaged 12 months ago. The improvements in student outcomes were developed in an uncertain environment that necessitated many changes to what we did and why we did them. Each of these things was a result of circumstances beyond our control but in many cases have resulted in processes that we could control and which are better than previous. Of course there were also things that we would have liked to have done better and some things that will return to the way we did them as soon as we are able.
In contrast to all this turmoil, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff for their focus on students and in completing their roles even in times of adversity Their commitment and passion for their roles was a great comfort to many students. I would like also to thank the students for their flexibility in moving and swinging as new directives came through and we tried new ways of managing tasks. I would also like to thank parents and families for your understanding that what was normal no longer existed and we worked within limiting constraints.
Most of all, I would like to thank God for the Hope that comes as a strong basis to our faith. We often hear the phrase “thank God” when people are relieved that something has gone their way, however, an important part of our personal relationship with God, relies on the knowledge that we are vulnerable and much of our world is out of our control. As a faith community, recognising this is an important step to accepting that we sometimes make mistakes and that God’s love will support us through the consequences of these mistakes.
“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest”. Oscar Romero
On Tuesday we celebrate our last day with Mass. We have only had one other opportunity this year to celebrate the Eucharist as a community and this is an essential part of what we do. Unfortunately, we are unable to have guests at this mass as a result of restrictions on numbers but I am sure the students will value the opportunity to come together as a community. The mass will be followed by a shortened Year 7 – 10 academic awards distribution and a fun end to the year. This is a compulsory school day. Further details on the last week will appear later in this newsletter.
As this year draws to a close we farewell a small number of staff who have resigned to move to other schools or whose appointments have come to an end. A large thank you to Mr Kripal, Ms Cahill, Ms Calka, Ms Cleuskins and Ms Geuking-Cohausz. Thank you for your time and efforts at Mount Carmel and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Next year we welcome ten new staff who will join us at the start of the year. We will announce those joining us at the start of the new year.
On one final note, in your preparations for 2021, please note that we have amended the College uniform policy slightly to allow for sport shoes to be coloured. This is an attempt to keep costs for parents down as I am aware it has become increasingly difficult to get predominantly white shoes for a reasonable price. There are still requirements around safety (eg no slip-ons, volleys etc) and these are outlined in a letter which will be sent via email from the Year Coordinators early next week.
I wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and pray that you have a safe and relaxing break spent with family and friends.
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
As the term draws to a close, so too does a year that has seen more challenges than any of us could have foreseen only 10 months ago. I take the opportunity this week to simply extend my sincere gratitude to all members of the Mount Carmel community for the support that we have received through the challenges that 2020 has presented. We have ultimately been successful in providing a safe and healthy environment and that is in no small part to the wonderful support that we have had from our students, teachers, parents and friends of the College.
One of the greatest disappointments of 2020 has been the extremely limited opportunities that we have had to gather as a broad College community, including having our parents join us on site for various celebrations throughout the year. It is our hope that if directives continue the trend they have traced in recent months that these will be overturned in the not too distant future.
Over the last few weeks have spent a lot of time and energy planning for 2021, optimistic about the events that we anticipate will be able to proceed. Of course, there remains the possibility that matters beyond our control will alter these plans however, as we have attempted to do throughout the year, we will certainly keep you updated.
Finally, I take the opportunity to remind all families that school resumes for students in Years 7, 11 and 12 on Thursday 28 January, and for all other students on Friday 29 January.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, safe and prosperous holiday period.
Mr David Cloran
Assistant Principal
First Reading Is 61:1-2, 10-11 Isaiah proclaims the goodness of the Lord.
Second Reading 1 Thes 5:16-24 Rejoice and pray always.
Gospel Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 The priests and Levites question John's identity.
REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSA
Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy. The joy of this Sunday comes both from the message of the readings and from the anticipation that Christmas is nearing. As described in the Isaian passage, the Messiah is the one imbued with the spirit and with the power of the prophet, the one who will fulfill the promises of God. It becomes obvious in the Gospel that the Messiah is the one proclaimed by the Baptist. John cleared a path for the coming of the anointed one, and from that time on the lives of believers have been the pathway through which the Messiah has entered the world.
- 14 December - 7-10 Academic Reports available to parents (COMPASS)
- 15 December - 4pm-8pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom
- 16 December - 8:30am- 12pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom
- 18 December - HSC results released (ATAR released at 9am)
Year 10 Alternate Week
|
Day |
Activity |
Details |
|
Monday 14 |
Year 10 Pastoral / Recreational day |
P1-P6 |
PTS Interviews
Interviews will be held as follows:
- Tuesday 15 December: 4pm-8pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom (from home or school)
- Wednesday 16 December: 8:30am- 12pm - PTS Interviews via Zoom (from home or school)
HSC ATAR BBQ – 18 December
Yr 12 students and all staff are invited to attend the College on Friday 18 December @ 10:30am for a BBQ in celebration of the 2020 HSC results.
HSC Key Dates:
- 18 December - HSC results released (ATAR release date TBC)
- 18 December – HSC BBQ – 10:30am
Ms Judith Tolomeo
Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As we come to the final week of our year, there are a couple of important pieces of information that we would like to make parents, carers and students aware of. Firstly, earlier this week, a webinar for schools was conducted by Mr Paul Dillon, a highly respected presenter, educator and researcher of drug education in Australia. Paul’s presentation was specifically targeting the latest facts and myths associated with Vaping. As we have mentioned occasionally throughout the year, there is an ever increasing level of use by young people and some serious concerns relating to risk, harm and safety associated with the use of vaping apparatus. If you would like some more information regarding this particular issue, along with other alcohol and drug related and resources, please go to www.darta.net.au.
Secondly, there has been an amendment to the requirement for sports shoes for 2021, which recognises the difficulty associated with the purchase of predominantly white sports shoes. As such, from 2021, the expectation for sports shoes will be as follows:
Appropriate runners or cross-training sports shoes with arch support must be worn with the College sports uniform. Students are not permitted to wear canvas or leather shoes with a flat sole (eg. Converse or Volleys), skate-shoes and/or slip ons.
The need for “predominantly white” will no longer apply to sports footwear. It is hoped that this change will make things a little easier for students and families with respect to the purchase of appropriate footwear for sporting activities.
Finally, on behalf of the Pastoral and Wellbeing team (our Year Coordinators, Assistant Year Coordinators and Pastoral Advisors), thanks to all families and students for your cooperation and support throughout what has been a challenging year. May each and every member of our community have a happy, safe and holy Christmas.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
Sport 2021
Over the past two weeks students have selected their sport preferences for 2021 by completing an online form. Forms are currently being 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. We are planning for a full and normal sporting year in 2021 and are hopeful that we can get back into our regular program.
2020 NSW All Schools Athletics Championships
The NSW All Schools Track and Field Championships were held at Homebush from the 03/12/2020 to 06/12/2020. I am thrilled to announce that we had a number of students from our College competing in the events. Congratulations to the students below being eligible to compete at this level in their respective sports:
Girls 200m 14 years
Girls 100m 14 years
*unable to compete due to injury
Boys Shot Put - 16 years. Result: 5th
Boys Discus Throw - 16 years. Result: 6th
Boys Javelin - 16 years. Result: 6th
Boys 1500m 13 years. Result: 34th
Girls 3000m 15 years. Result: 8th
Boys Shot Put 3kg 13 years
Boys Discus Throw - 13 years
Term 4 MISA Most Valuable Player Awards
Today at our College assembly a number of students were recognised as MVP’s of their respective MISA team. These students were recognised by their coaches as displaying not only a high level of skill and talent in their respective sports but also impressive sportsmanship both on and off the field/court. Congratulations to the following students:
|
Team |
MISA MVP |
|
Years 7 - 8 Oztag Boys |
Blake Bolwell |
|
Years 7 - 8 Oztag Girls |
Leisel Hopoate |
|
Years 7 - 8 MISA Softball Girls |
Alisha Philip |
|
Years 7 - 8 MISA AFL Girls |
Skylah Gilbang |
|
Years 7 - 8 MISA AFL Boys |
Codie Eldridge |
|
Years 9 - 10 Mixed Frisbee |
Allyse Keating and Joshua Habidge |
|
Years 9 - 10 MISA Volleyball Girls |
Paula Zabellero |
|
Years 9 - 10 MISA Volleyball Boys |
Toby Curry |
|
Years 9 - 10 MISA Cricket Boys |
Blake Whitehead |
- 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)
“Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.”
Esther 4:14
On Thursday 10 December, the 2021 Youth Ministry Leaders and Carmelite Mission Captains undertook a whole-day program facilitated by Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong, in an effort to cultivate a mindset of effective and inspirational leadership centred around encountering the whole person of Jesus Christ.
As Youth Ministry Leaders for 2021, we endeavour to work together collaboratively and proactively to ‘be the face of service’ at Mount Carmel. Achieving this requires the skills of effective communication, hospitality, confidence and creativity, which we were all challenged to not only develop, but refine throughout the day through presentations, small group discussions and live music, all of which allowed us to intimately experience the grace of God and realise our potential for good in the College community and beyond.
Ministry is an inherent aspect of any Catholic, Christ-centred community. In his letter to the Romans, St Paul reminds us that in sharing the Good News, we enrich and empower our neighbour through the power of authentic, transformative faith: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16).
As the name Youth Ministry Leader implies, the position is inherently counter-cultural as it brings with it a religious association distinct from other leadership positions. A Youth Ministry Leader nurtures a perspective informed by a religious worldview that propels us, as a community, towards a more profound appreciation of Christ’s love. Through this experience, we have been inspired and encouraged to live up to the legacy of the 2020 Youth Ministry Leaders and work towards bringing about a culture of unapologetic faith within our College community.
We have also been able to contemplate and evaluate our understanding of ourselves, our faith and the notion of leadership from a holistic perspective. In many ways, the day opened our hearts and minds to the call of service, enkindling within us the drive, courage and passion to “walk by faith, not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7), and entrust God with the many challenges of leadership. We remain confident that ultimately, the Holy Spirit might work within us, humbling us to serve others with dignity, compassion and a sense of moral responsibility.
We would like to extend our special thanks to Mr Pletikosa for organising the day and providing us with an opportunity to encounter our faith, so that we can better serve our College community in 2021.
Gabriel Garcia
2021 Youth Ministry Leader
As part of the College end of year process, no cash can be accepted in the Office on 15 and 16 December 2020.
The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open on the following days.
Term 1 2021
- Wednesday 27 January 9am - 11.30am
- Monday 1 February - 2.30pm - 4pm
- Monday 1 March - 2.30pm - 4pm
- Monday 29 March 2.30pm - 4pm
Cash only - no EFTPOS facilities.
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.
