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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. When we think of Pentecost, we often picture the image of the apostles sitting crowded in a room with flames hovering gently over their heads. The flame is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and comes to rest on each person on the room. The apostles are then given the confidence to go out into their community and preach. Their preaching is understood by all listening regardless of their own language.
Each time I hear this story, I am reminded of the cartoon symbol of a light bulb appearing over someone’s head when they have a good idea. I also recall the look of excitement that appears on a child’s face when they finally understand something that a teacher has been explaining. In putting all of this together, when we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives, this can give us confidence to go out and help spread the good news of Jesus. When others see our actions and hear our message, it is easier for them to understand and incorporate the same values and practices into their own lives. Are we able to be the flame or light bulb for those around us?
On Thursday, over 50 members of our community gathered in the chapel at lunchtime to participate in a prayer session involving the singing of the Our Father in Aramaic. This was a lovely reflective event and it was heartening to see so many people voluntarily spend time in prayer. Thank you to our two students who lead this prayer.
At last week’s College assembly, I spoke with the students about the two religious charisms upon which Mount Carmel is founded. These charisms, Marist and Discalced Carmelites, share similar ideas around the values of silence, solitude simplicity and presence. I spoke of these in terms stopping and taking time to breathe and allow the Holy Spirit an opportunity to enter into our lives and speak to our hearts. As we reach the halfway mark in term 2, it is timely that all students stop and take time to consider how they are performing in their studies. This opportunity to stop and think enables not only looking backward on where they have come from but also looking forward into where they are going. In taking time to stop and breathe, this also helps to maintain calmness and to consider how we might bounce back from disappointments. As this year’s College theme is around building resilience, now is a perfect time to build before the term runs out.
In this respect, our Year 11s attended their Parent/Teacher/Student meetings on Wednesday evening. It was pleasing to see so many of these students and parents grasp the opportunity to discuss successes and areas for growth. The feedback given to students is invaluable and certainly provides the opportunity for growth. Thank you to all parents, students and staff for actively participating in our Year 11s’ education.
Today was the College Athletics Carnival. We have not had this for two years and whilst this newsletter was written before the conclusion of the day, the benefits of this as a community building event is invaluable. It is also extremely important that the students and staff have an opportunity to interact outside of the formal classroom setting. Once again, thank you to the staff who ensure the day runs smoothly and the students for your involvement.
As you would be aware following communication earlier this week, a fraudulent email regarding a pupil free day was distributed to our Year 9 students on Monday. We have been working closely with the Catholic Education Office around this and the way that it was distributed. I appreciated the number of parents who contacted myself or staff from the College to verify the information in the email. Please remember that if you have any concerns about communications from the College, you are encouraged to check with the appropriate person or Year Coordinator or the College itself.
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
Principal
At the College assembly last week, I reminded students of the busy nature of this time of year. In our junior years, Year 7 and 9 were in the midst of NAPLAN examinations, while Years 8 and 10 were commencing the subject selection process that will determine their patterns of study for the next two years and, significantly for Year 10, their subjects for the HSC in 2023. In our senior school, our Year 11 students have now reached the halfway point of their preliminary course and are entering a significant period of assessment, while our Year 12 cohort are now just 30 full school days away from the commencement of their Trial HSC Examinations.
The busy nature of this time of year is compounded by a number of events that are taking place outside the classroom across the second half of Term 2. In addition to our athletics carnival held today, a pupil free day will be held on Friday 4 June, Champagnat Day on Friday 11 June, a public holiday on Monday 14 June and Parent-Teacher Interviews on Friday 25 June. In the coming weeks, students will also be bringing home their order envelopes for our College Photo Day which will be held on Thursday 17 June. In addition to these college-wide events, we also have a number of year-based events and excursions which are all anticipated to further support the academic, spiritual, pastoral and organisational aspects of College life.
Finally, while the recent restrictions regarding the wearing of face masks on public transport have now been lifted, a reminder regarding our ongoing COVID19 recording procedures for all families, which include:
- Keeping your child home when they are unwell, even with very mild symptoms.
- Informing the school immediately if your child is self-isolating or undergoing testing, and informing us of the result as soon as possible.
- Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, ensuring your child is free of symptoms and can present a negative COVID-19 test, before they return to school.
All the best for the week ahead,
David Cloran
Assistant Principal
Pentecost Sunday
Ist Reading Acts 2:1-11 The spirit comes to the Apostles as tongues of fire
2nd Reading 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 Be guided by the Spirit
Gospel Jn 20: 19 - 23 The Spirit will guide the Apostles to all truth
- 18 June – Year 7-10 Academic Reports available to parents (COMPASS)
- 21 June – Year 7-10 PTS Interviews
- 24 June - Year 7-10 PTS Interviews
- 25 June - Year 7-10 PTS Interviews
Minimum Standards testing
Year 10 will complete Minimum Standards Testing on Friday 28 May during Periods 1-3.
Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations
All students have received the Trial HSC examination schedule this week. Details regarding processes, procedures and security period will be shared next week.
Year 11 2022 Subject Selection
|
14 May |
Year 11 2022: Google Classroom page available |
|
21 May |
Year 11 2022: Subject Selection Booklet Available Online |
|
10 June |
Year 11 2022: Subject Launch |
|
10 June |
Year 11 2022: Subject Market Selections Open (4pm) |
|
14 June |
Year 11 2022: Eligibility Forms Generated |
|
16 June |
Year 11 2022: Information Night (ONLINE) |
|
17 June |
Year 11 2022: Subject Market |
|
21 June |
Year 11 2022: Eligibility Forms Distributed |
|
28 July |
Year 11 2022: Subject Selection Interviews |
|
3 September |
Year 11 2022: Successful Subjects distributed to students |
NESA NEWS…
The NSW Government Response (PDF, 629KB) to the NSW Curriculum Review outlines an ambitious program for streamlining and strengthening what is taught in our schools over the next four years.
For more information visit:
https://nswcurriculumreform.nesa.nsw.edu.au/home/homePageContent/view
Ms Judith Tolomeo
Curriculum Coordinator
Good afternoon everyone,
As we enter the midway point of the term, it is again that time of the year where Semester One assessment tasks, results and reporting become a focus. The end of this term will see every student in Years Seven through to Ten receive a report which will be reflective of their contribution and application to learning, as well as their academic performance over the first half of the year.
The summative feedback that students are given in these reports, and the formative feedback that occurs within classrooms and on individual assessment tasks, is important for their ongoing learning and integral in the development of a Growth Mindset, a concept that is fundamental to improving learning and other aspects of our life.
Professor Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, found that we all have different beliefs about the underlying nature of ability. Children (and adults!) with a growth mindset believe that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, persistence, trying different strategies and learning from mistakes.
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” (Dweck, 2015) https://www.renaissance.com/edwords/growth-mindset/
Below are some links to some resources that are shared with our staff and students to assist with the ongoing promotion of Growth Mindset as part of our everyday conversation around o=iur learning.
Mr Simon Huntly
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinator
“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one” - St Teresa of Calcutta.
Last Friday, Wilson and I, along with our other Year 10 peers were given a fantastic opportunity to help with the new initiative titled, ‘The Well’. Its name is derived from the passage (John 4) in which Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman by a well, asking her for a drink of water. The reasoning behind this initiative was so we could help support the youth within the Reiby Juvenile Detention Centre through fundraising enough money to help them walk out of there with a backpack on their back, instead of a rubbish bag to hold their belongings.
As Jesus did within the passage, we associated with a marginalised group of people, breaking down social barriers and instead helped them. In order to fundraise the money, we sold juice from ‘The Well’. The Juvie Juice fundraiser was a hit as people ‘poured’ in to buy the mystery juice that was selling for the low price of $2. The juice sold out by the end of lunch therefore not only displaying that the advertisements worked, but also showing the great support that the Mount Carmel community offers to people in need, following the Carmelite pillars that our school is built around. It really inspired us and our peers to help the helpless without selfish thought of a reward and instead continue this practice for the benefit of others, not ourselves.
In conclusion, 'The Well' was a great initiative to volunteer for because it brought together the community of Mount Carmel to help another marginalised group of people out of a difficult situation as firm believers of the Catholic faith.
Craig Llorando & Wilson Asuit
Last week I included a quote from one of my favourite contemporary poets, Mary Oliver. She likened the reading of a good poem to ‘stepping into a rowboat with a stranger at the oars.’ After inviting parents, teachers and students to use Grace Roodenrys’ poem on climate grief and hope to compose a new text, I was thrilled to see that our principal, Mr Lo Cascio, along with parents, teachers and students, did just that. A number of students also provided feedback on the experience. I have included a selection of poems and comments below. Now, step into that rowboat…
Text 1
Flowers Bloom,
This miracle itself,
Garden wide, kind, shimmering
Freedom, life, language
pointed to beauty
Magnolias glisten
Love, a name for hope
Trusting, tender, promised.
Stephen Lo Cascio
Text 2
I watched the flowers bloom,
on my magnolia tree.
How many left?
Beating wings, wide,
promised freedom,
promised life
Pointed to beauty.
It’s difficult,
in a world that winces at itself.
Beauty that has its eyes shut,
In the magnolias,
Something I love …
I was promised so much more than this.
Kynan Summers (Year 10)
Text 3
Memories…fragments of my childhood
return to me one gush of wind at a time
just as the leaves of the tree drifted towards me,
spontaneously floating among the distant air, yet drawn to me in a profound way,
each painting a clearer picture of the past.
I remember it distinctly
my Father’s magnolia tree,
a large mass, sprouting upwards from the fertile soil below,
a mesmerising spectacle,
a natural phenomenon,
reaching out its welcoming arms
For me to touch, for me to hold.
Magnolia flowers, the nurturing hands of nature,
hold within them the milk of human kindness,
the undying love and compassion
for which my Father not only had for this tree,
But for me.
Mrs Tania Kane (parent)
Text 4
Flowers bloom,
weathered.
How many might be left?
The world, the future
an endless garden,
babbling, shimmering.
Still, nothing.
It’s difficult, now
mute.
Eyes sealed shut.
I think,
I hope,
I promise.
Ms Monique Young (English teacher)
Student feedback
‘I found the writing activity engaging and fun. It felt like the main obstacle when writing, which is finding good words, was eliminated and that made the experience extremely enjoyable.’ Emma Searle (Year 10)
‘In recent lessons, our class has been introduced to a new style of creative writing: using pre-existing poems to create our own. I would like to say how pleased I am with it. At first, I was wary. However, after creating two poems I have noticed that the process is far easier than I expected, and I seem to be creating poems at a faster pace each time. With the words I am unfamiliar with, I have been able to expand my vocabulary and integrate the language into a work of my own. The task itself is enjoyable and allows me to express my ideas with the words at my fingertips. As someone who struggles to put thoughts into cohesive sentences, I found this task to be beneficial.’ Maricel Fennessey (Year 10)
‘We recently completed a creative writing activity in class. It involved taking a pre-existing poem and using its words to create our own piece. This activity encouraged us to manipulate structure, punctuation and tone. After our recent creative writing assessment task, this was a less stressful activity that maintained a certain degree of creative thinking. It was quite enjoyable and I look forward to doing similar activities in the future!’
Jasmyne Douangdara (Year 10)
‘The activity was useful as it made me more attentive to the words on the page.’
Weesayo Fajardo (Year 12)
‘The borrowing of words was helpful and challenging. It helped me generate ideas and manipulate language. It encouraged me to think and to grapple with concepts and consider how they specifically related to me.’ Maria Louise Baccay (Year 12)
‘I thought this activity was useful as it allowed me to play with words and to see the many messages or emotions I could incorporate into my own creation. I noticed that even a single word could completely alter the mood or core of the poem and that was interesting to see.’
Sonali Singh (Year 12)
‘I found this activity useful as it got me to think creatively and reconstruct words into my own personal piece. It was also helpful in providing ideas and fresh insights which can further evoke creativity in other areas of my work.’ Alexis Tyrrell (Year 12)
Keep reading and keep writing!
Mrs Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
Recreational Sport
This week is the final week before midterm rotations of sport activities occur. Students are to continue monitoring the sport schedule for key changes and information relating to their sport.
MISA Sport
This week we were fortunate that the rain held off long enough (just) for MISA games to take place. Students are reminded that although the College provides uniforms for most sports, this uniform must be returned to their coach before they leave the venue. Students are not to take items home with them unless specifically directed to do so by the Sports Coordinator.
Round 4 MISA Results
|
Sport |
Division |
Gender |
Versing |
Score |
Result |
MVP |
|
Basketball |
Years |
Girls |
Macarthur Adventist College |
22-16 |
Win |
Jemma Riordan |
|
Indoor Cricket |
Years 10-12 |
Girls |
Bye |
|||
|
Netball |
Years 11-12 |
Girls |
Macarthur Adventist College |
32-8 |
Win |
Shekinah Semaia |
|
Soccer |
Years 10-12 |
Girls |
Bye |
|||
|
Ultimate Frisbee |
Years |
Mixed |
Bye |
|||
|
Rugby League |
Division 1 |
Senior |
John Therry |
26-0 |
Win |
Justin Gilbang |
|
Basketball |
Years |
Boys |
Macarthur Adventist College |
31-10 |
Win |
Mario Aoun |
|
Soccer |
Years 11-12 |
Boys |
Macarthur Adventist College |
11-0 |
Win |
Michael Binny |
|
Softball |
Years 10-12 |
Boys |
John Therry |
13-7 |
Loss |
Khye Poulton & Kurt Enders |
|
Hockey |
Years |
Boys |
Macarthur Adventist College |
0-0 |
Draw |
Isaac Robinson |
|
Gender |
Sport |
Versing |
Meeting Time |
Meeting Location |
Location |
|
GIRLS |
7-9 Girls Basketball |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Minto Basketball Stadium |
|
11/12 Girls Netball |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Coronation Park, Minto |
|
|
10-12 Girls Soccer |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Kooringa Reserve, Raby |
|
|
10-12 Girls Indoor Cricket |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
National Indoor Sports, Campbelltown |
|
|
Mixed |
7-9 Mixed Frisbee |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Victoria Park, Minto |
|
BOYS |
Senior Rugby League |
All Saints Catholic College |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Liverpool Catholic Club |
|
7-9 Boys Basketball |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Minto Basketball Stadium |
|
|
11/12 Boys Soccer |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Kooringa Reserve, Raby |
|
|
10-12 Boys Softball |
Magdalene |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Cowpasture Reserve, Camden |
|
|
7-9 Boys Hockey |
John Therry |
12:40PM |
Outside the sports office |
Macarthur Regional Hockey Complex, Narellan |
NSWCCC Sport Registrations
A reminder that students and their parents are responsible for monitoring the closing dates of NSWCCC Sport Registrations. Information regarding upcoming events can be accessed via https://csnsw.sport/events
NSWCCC is a pathway suitable for students playing a representative level of their sport outside of school. For instructions on how to register go to - https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents
NSWCCC Sport Registrations 2021:
- 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
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/
For the most up to date information regarding NSWCCC events collow CSNSW Sport on social media:
Miss Sarah Bowen
(Acting College Sport Coordinator - bowens01@dow.catholic.edu.au)
The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open on the following days.
Term 2 2021
- 7 June - 2.30pm - 4pm
Cash only - no EFTPOS facilities.
Results 15 May 2021
14B's defeated Bluejays 27 - 13
14A's defeated St Thomas More 40 - 12
15's defeated by Varroville 17 - 44
Grad B's defeated by Ingleburn 22 - 31
Division 8 defeated by Lyrebirds 22 - 29