First Reading 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23

After seventy years, the Israelites are released to rebuild the temple.

Second Reading Eph 2:4-10

Salvation is not earned but a gift from God

Gospel Jn 3:14-21 

Jesus converses with Nicodemus

Currently, in the sacred space of the College administration block, there are three main items, the Year 7 candle, the term hope, and an image the represents the Emmaus story.

Lent is about Hope. After a period of 40 days of reflection, and having less and doing more, that the hope and excitement that Easter brings is enjoyed and shared by many.

The Year 7 Candle is present so that we keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they settle into the new world of high school.

Finally the image of the Emmaus story. Found only in Luke (24:13-35) This story underpins the Religious Education curriculum, and very much the learning and teaching approach of many teachers. This story has four movements; 

• Jesus came up and walked with them; meet them, the students where they are at, making sense of  what is known;
• Jesus listening their story; so students are able to gain access to knowledge,
• The two recognising the Risen Jesus Christ; celebrating new knowledge and awareness; and finally 
• An opportunity to respond, a chance to set out and use this knowledge somewhere new

The Emmaus story is all about Easter Sunday, and the joy that is experienced at this pivotal time of the Church calendar.

Murray House Liturgy

The Murray House gathered together in the Champagnat Centre today, to celebrate their patron, Bishop William Murray. 

He was the second Bishop of the Wollongong Diocese.

He worked with much energy in this role for 21 years before retiring.

He was responsible for the just and fair treatment of all 

and was a pioneer for many Centacare services which currently exist in our Catholic community today.

We received advice from Bishop Murray in shortening our  school motto to “Ite in veritate”…”Walk in Truth”.

The scripture theme for the liturgy was the Good Samaritan. Bishop Murray's life is an excellent example of someone who lived out the values of the story. He 

encountered people who were in need of help, and he provided help to them.

As part of the liturgy, students wrote a commitment of how they can also be a Good Samaritan. 

A Murray house daisy chain was created and form part of the Chapel prayer space.

The students of Murray house are blessed to have such a wonderful patron!

Mrs Christine Meharg

Religious Education Coordinator

• 12 March – Yr 11 Tracking Reports Available to parents (COMPASS)
• 26 March – Yr 12 Academic Reports Available to parents (COMPASS)
• 31 March – Yr 12 PTS Interviews
• 1 April – 7-10 Tracking Reports Available to parents (COMPASS)

CURRICULUM MATTERS...

CLASS GROUPINGS 7-10

Ability groupings at the college are flexible because we constantly monitor student progress and will move the learning environment appropriately for those students identified as needing such. PAT Testing Data, Best Start (Yr 7) Data, and teacher feedback will be used as a part of a review process in the next few weeks to ensure all students are in the best learning environment for their learning needs as we commence Term 2. This may mean that some students will move groupings or classes, and hence parents will be notified at the end of the Term if this is occurring.

PAT TESTING – Year 7-10

Week 8

Wednesday 17 March - Year 10

PAT SCIENCE TEST - TBC

P3 - PAT MATHS TEST

P4 -  PAT READING TEST

Thursday 18 March - Year 9

P1- PAT SCIENCE TEST

P2 - PAT MATHS TEST

P5 - PAT READING TEST

Friday 19 March - Year 8

P2- PAT MATHS TEST

P3 - PAT SCIENCE TEST

P4 - PAT READING TEST

Week 9 

Monday 22 March - Year 7

P2 - PAT MATHS TEST

P3 - PAT READING TEST

P4 - PAT SCIENCE TEST

MINIMUM STANDARDS

Year 11/12 students who not yet met Minimum Standards will complete testing in the last few weeks of this term during Sport (Study)

Watch this space… for Numeracy updates

Ms Judith Tolomeo

Curriculum Coordinator

Good afternoon everyone,

Earlier this week Year 8 attended presentations by David and Katie Kobler from YourChoicez. The 90 minute presentations were Gender specific, with David addressing the boys group and Katie the girls. The theme of the day was titled “Who we are” and covered areas that were common to both groups and some that were applicable to a particular group. 

The girls covered issues such as:

• Pressure in relationships
• What is beauty?
• Consent
• Harassment and coercion
• Cyber Safety and Sexting - and the role played by Perpetrators, victims and bystanders.
• Seeking help and support.

The boys presentation focused on:

• Peer pressure
• Consent and harassment
• Empathy and sympathy in relationships
• Sexting and Cyber Safety

Mount Carmel thanks David And Katie for their time and expertise in presenting what is very important wellbeing information to our students. For more information about their work, click the following link yourchoicez.com.au.

As you may have been aware, Elevate Education has been providing access to a series of webinars throughout the term. A replay of the most recent one on Technology is now available, and bookings are being taken for their last presentation on Note Taking Strategies. Links to both presentations are provided below.

The next webinar is on Wednesday 24 March, and covers  Note Making Strategies – how to favour understanding over rote. You can register for that by clicking on the link above.

Webinar replay- from Wednesday March 10

Watch the Tech webinar here.

Today we met in House groups for the first time this term. Murray celebrated a liturgy as today is their fundraising day for Project Compassion. The remaining houses began preparation for the upcoming College Cross-country. Thank you to all students and staff who helped organise these activities.

Next week sees Year 7 attend their annual Camp.  Group 1 will depart the College on Wednesday Morning, return Thursday afternoon and have school based presentations on Friday. Group 2 will have school based presentations on Wednesday and depart for Teen Ranch on Thursday for a Friday return. Many thanks to the Year Seven Pastoral Team for their preparation and time in organising and attending the Camp. We wish all staff and Year Seven the very best over the upcoming week.

Thanks again to all parents and carers for your ongoing support of our pastoral Care, Wellbeing and Learning initiatives that we undertake here at Mount Carmel. It is greatly appreciated.

Mr Simon Huntly

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator

Last week I suggested four excellent books for Year 7 and Year 8 students to read. This week I will explore two more books suitable for Years 9 and 10. The book I have selected for Year 10 is my absolute favourite. 

John Marsden’s Tomorrow When the War Began is the first of a series which has been extremely popular with Year 9 students. This suspenseful adventure story narrates the response of a group of adolescents to the invasion of their country. Ellie and her friends return from a camping trip in the bush only to find their families have been taken prisoner and their country overrun. From evading the enemy, they turn to attacking them. In the process, each of the characters undergoes significant changes. The descriptions of place and incident are compelling. I have read all seven books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. This exciting book ends with the following: ‘Humans do such terrible things to each other that sometimes my brain tells me they must be evil. But my heart isn’t convinced.’ 

The 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a magnificent book and ideal for Year 10 students. It powerfully explores universal concerns such as truth, courage, compassion and 'the simple hell people give to other people'. I have read this text more than ten times and each time I discover new and profound insights.

According to the Library of Congress’ ‘Survey of Lifetime Reading Habits’, To Kill A Mockingbird is second only to the Bible in being most often cited as making a difference in people’s lives. The story is set in a small town in Alabama during the Depression. Although Maycomb is a fictitious place, based on Harper Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, it establishes itself as a microcosm of American society in the 1930s. Although this insular community focuses solely on its own problems of poverty and unemployment, it is on the eve of major change, both from within and from outside its world.   

On one level, To Kill A Mockingbird is a story about growing up. This rite of passage story shows how two children come to a deeper understanding of their world and the people around them. The reader sees an adult world and serious adult situations, through the eyes of children. In the book’s main character – Atticus Finch – the reader finds an utterly decent man. Atticus is a model of humanity who displays wisdom, integrity, dignity and humility. He is both gentle and strong and effectively shows that these two qualities are not mutually exclusive. One of the main messages communicated to the reader is that basic human connectedness has the power to override everything else. This is captured in Atticus’ words to his daughter, Scout – ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it’. This is a passionate plea for compassion and understanding, which are the basis of all morality and true wisdom. 

Some years ago now, I was asked to write a review of my favourite film. I have decided to include extracts from this in order to show my love for the Mockingbird story. 

“I’m sure, for many teachers and many more students, this selection would come as no surprise. When I sat down to write this review, I actually found myself struggling to find the words to explain my choice. Rather than focusing on the usual film techniques and the thematic concerns of the text – a response typical of an English teacher’s perspective – I decided to speak from the heart and try to convey to you the passion I have for this film and the magnificent novel from which it was adapted.

Two words come to mind when I think of my favourite film – Atticus Finch – voted number one in the American Film Institute’s category of heroes. Gregory Peck won an Oscar for his brilliant performance as the Southern lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape in this film version of the 1960 novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 

I am reminded as I write here of the 2003 Mount Carmel Athletics Carnival. As I eagerly arrived at the venue and was enthusiastically setting up my position outside the toilets – yes, I was given the important task of toilet duty back then also – a group of my Year 10 students came running up to me with the urgent cry ‘Miss, Atticus is dead!’ That morning they had heard the news announcing the death of Gregory Peck. Throughout the day, subsequent students from my current Year 10 class, and others in Years 11 and 12, were sharing their memories of Atticus and the world of Mockingbird. That day was a poignant reminder of the power of literature and the privileged position teachers have as educators of young people. 

In Atticus Finch, we encounter simple goodness.  His passionate and heartfelt speech to the jury is a famous moment in the story. It appears almost uncut in the film adaptation, a sign of its importance. It is here that one of Harper Lee’s central ideas – justice – finds its clearest expression. Atticus’ whole philosophy of life is about honesty and justice. It is what he instils in his children, and what he practises professionally. One of the most memorable scenes of the film is the aftermath of the trial. Atticus has lost, but has fought courageously, and, as he gathers his papers and leaves the courtroom, African Americans in the gallery rise and silently salute him. There is no clapping and the music score does not intrusively demand that we understand that this is an important moment. While the style is subdued, the emotional power of the story works magnificently. 

When Gregory Peck was initially approached to play the role of Atticus, he read Harper Lee’s book and could hardly wait until the morning to call and say ‘yes’. He said he felt a close identification with the characters, the story, the social problems and the special relationship between the father and his children. He said it was ‘something I had to do’. Harper Lee made one of her rare public appearances at the Academy Awards in 1962 and presented Gregory Peck with a gold fob watch which had belonged to her father. She and Gregory Peck remained exceptionally close friends in the ensuing years and it was Brock Peters, the man who played Tom Robinson in the film, who gave the eulogy at Gregory Peck’s funeral. The actor who played the role of the white lawyer and the actor who played the role of the innocent black man convicted of rape, became best friends after the experience of Mockingbird. The triumph of the film is undoubtedly that it managed to effectively capture the soul of Harper Lee’s book and, like the novel, powerfully touch the lives of all who experience it.  

I will leave you with three questions posed by the film’s scriptwriter Horton Foote in the ‘Making Of’ documentary entitled Fearful Symmetry: 

Where is Atticus Finch today?

Where are his successors?

Where on earth, if at all, would he flourish?”

Mrs Clare Murphy

English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach

On Wednesday 10 March, Year 10 went to Cronulla by bus for an excursion to the beach! Half of us started in Wanda and the other half started in South Cronulla. We were there to investigate coastal management strategies and experience some hands- on practical geography. We took in all the scenery while eating recess and pondering the eventful day ahead. Unfortunately, there was no swimming involved but lots of information was gathered that will assist us in preparing for the upcoming assessment task.

In South Cronulla, we counted the wave breaks, constructed a field sketch, and identified the many forms of erosion occurring naturally and by humans. Walking up towards Wanda, we saw the Seabee Wall and considered the importance of this management strategy. With sand levels in our shoes rising we continued trekking down towards Wanda to take a break at the park.

Down at Wanda, it was all hands-on fieldwork collecting and comparing sand samples from different areas on the beach and dune system, throwing corks into the waves to see the wave direction and longshore drift, and sketching the vegetation found on the sand dunes. Once we were finished we sat down, collected all our recorded information in the booklets and headed to the buses tired and ready to go home. Thank you again to Ms Miller and all the HSIE teachers who attended and helped organise the day.

Keilani Ormsby, 10E

Face masks 

Students travelling on a bus MUST have a mask to travel on a sport bus. Face masks will no longer be for sale at school. It is expected that students are organised in providing their own mask. 

 Parent, Carers and Spectators

This week we received an update in relation to Parent, Carers and Spectators for all Diocese of Wollongong Pathway sporting events. (reviewed and changed for upcoming events). Parents/carers and spectators are PERMITTED to attend CEDoW Sporting pathway and representative events held at external/outdoor venues from Friday 5th March. The ratio and allowance of spectators/parents will be determined by venues ratio and capacity to maintain appropriate adult social distancing. Parents/carers and spectators will be required to follow the COVID Safe plan and precautions set out by the event coordinator. 

What does this mean for upcoming trials and events? 

Secondary Diocese of Wollongong Rugby League trials - Wednesday 17 March 

Parents are permitted to attend and requested adhere to the following COVID Safe plan for each event:

• 1 parent: 1 student ratio,
• sit/observe trial from designated viewing area 
• maintain appropriate adult social distancing

Secondary Wollongong Football Boys and Girls Carnivals - Friday 19 March 

Parents are permitted to attend and requested adhere to the following COVID Safe plan for each event:

• 1 parent: 1 student ratio
• sit/observe trial from designated viewing area 
• maintain appropriate adult social distancing

Diocesan Football 

Students are to continue monitoring Compass for updates from their coach/Ms Bowen regarding training sessions during Week 8. All students are reminded to collect a note from the sports office or front office.

Sporting Success - NSWCCC Volleyball Trials 

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected into the NSWCCC Volleyball team: 

• Anthony Andrews (Year 11)
• Nathan Quizam (Year 12)
• Villiami Kaufusi (Year 11)
• Michael Bzdega (Year 10) 

This is an outstanding achievement and reflects a high level of skill, determination and work ethic. Students have been busily preparing and training showing a high degree of commitment to skill precision and tactical knowledge of volleyball. We wish the boys the best of luck as they prepare to compete at the 2021 NSW All Schools Tri-Series Tournament.

Sporting Success - National Age Swimming Championships 

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the National Age Swimming Championships: 

• Ava Antala (Year 8)
• Daniel Lill (Year 8) 
• Blake Waugh (Year 11)

We wish the students the best of luck as they prepare to compete at Nationals held on the Gold Coast in April.  

Sporting Success - Paula Zaballero 

Congratulations to Paula Zaballero who competed in the NSW All Schools tournament held at Blacktown International Sports Park on the 8th March. Paula’s NSWCCC team placed 2nd at the tournament. At this tournament, Paula was successful in making the NSW All schools Team. As a result, Paula will represent Mount Carmel Catholic College in WA at the All Schools Tournament in September. Paula has also recently learned she was successful in securing a spot in the U18's Womens NSW State Team for 2021 in addition to making the U17's Aussie Diamonds Team for 2021. Congratulations Paula on such exceptional achievements.

MISA Sport

Round 4 MISA Results 

Sport	Division	Gender	Versing	Score	Winning Team	MVP
Indoor Cricket	Years 7-9	Female	St Patrick’s College	52-58	STP	Keanna Bocarro
Volleyball	Years 7-9	Female	St Patrick’s College	2-1	MCCC	Poinsettia Penn Meliame Feiloakitohi
Hockey	Years 7-9	Female	St Patrick’s College	0-5	STP	Isabelle Villena
Basketball	Years 10-12	Female	St Patrick’s College	23-35	STP	Alexis Brunt  Charmaine Marquinez  Shekinah Semaia Merryn Clarke
Oz Tag	Years 10-12	Female	St Patrick’s College	1-11	STP	Elisha Fry

Round 5 MISA Draw 

Sport	Division	Gender	Versing	Meeting Time	Meeting Location	Location
Indoor Cricket	Years 7-9	Female	BYE	1:05PM	J9	Remain at school
Softball	Years 7-9	Male	Macarthur Adventise College	12:40PM	Outside the sports office	Cowpasture Reserve
Volleyball	Years 7-9	Female	Macarthur Adventise College	1:05PM	Champagnat Centre	Mount Carmel Catholic College
Volleyball	Years 7-9	Male	Macarthur Adventise College	1:05PM
Hockey	Years 7-9	Female	Macarthur Adventise College	12:40PM	Outside the sports office	Macarthur Hockey Complex, Narellan
Basketball	Years 10-12	Female	Macarthur Adventise College	12:40PM	Outside the sports office	Minto Basketball Stadium, Minto
Basketball	Years 10-12	Male	Macarthur Adventise College	12:40PM
Oz Tag	Years 10-12	Female	Macarthur Adventise College	12:40PM	Outside the sports office	Victoria Park, Minto
Oz Tag	Years 10-12	Male	Macarthur Adventise College	12:40PM

2021 College Carnival Dates

What	When
College Cross Country	Thursday 1 April (Term 1, Week 10)	All students
College Athletics Carnival	Friday 21 May (Term 2, Week 5)	All students

2021 College Cross Country 

Stay tuned for updates in next week's newsletter. 

Year 7 and 8 - Fast 5 Netball - Sporting Schools Program 

Mount Carmel Catholic College will be running a Fast 5 Netball Skill Development Program that will be delivered by a Netball NSW School Development Officer and supervised by a College staff member. Fast 5 offers secondary students the opportunity to play netball differently, with only 5 positions on the court and rolling-subs, shorter quarters and multiple scoring zones. The program will involve six sessions held across four weeks. 

Key details can be seen below: 

• Target Year Level: students must be in either Year 7 or 8 to be involved in this program
• State date: Tuesday 16 March, 2021  
• End date: Tuesday 30 March, 2021
• Time: Tuesday: 3:00PM-4:00PM  and Thursday: 3:30PM-4:30PM 
• Participants: To participate in the program, students must return their signed permission note promptly to secure their position in the program (first-come, first served basis). It is expected that when committing to the program you are able to attend all sessions. If there is a high demand, we will look to offer another program at another point in the year. 
• Equipment: school sports uniform

NSWCCC Sport Registrations 

NSWCCC Sport Registrations 2021 for pathway sports opened on 1 February. 

Individual Registrations for the following sports to attend a NSWCCC Selection - AFL, Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Diving, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Softball, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo Registrations for the following sports is through a Diocesan/Association Selection - Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Swimming, Touch, Rugby League

For instructions on how to register go to - https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents 

Term One Individual Nominations Sport Registrations

CLOSING DATES FOR NSWCCC SELECTIONS  TERM ONE

• Water Polo  - Closing date 11 March  Selection 15 March at Ryde
• Triathlon - Closing date 15 March  Selections 30 March at Penrith
• Hockey - Closing date 15 March  Selections 22 March at Moorebank
• Diving – Boys & Girls – 29 March – Close 19 March

For further information visit https://csnsw.sport/

Diocesan Update 

Students are NOT to register for the teams listed below as they need to be selected in the Wollongong Diocesan team prior to any registration. Sports where Diocesan teams are selected and students DO NOT register until they are officially selected in the Diocesan team include: 

• 15's Touch (B&G)
• Opens Touch (B&G
• 15's Rugby League
• Open's Rugby League
• Open Football (B&G
• Swimming
• Cross Country
• Athletics 

Representative Pathways 

• MISA Website https://www.misaonline.org.au/ 
• 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 
• SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA SPORT NEWS

More School Sport Australia information can be found at

http://www.schoolsportaustralia.edu.au/

Miss Sarah Bowen

(Acting College Sport Coordinator -  bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au)