From the Deputy Principal

Uniform Committee Update

The Uniform Committee has investigated in-depth options for the College uniform and as many parents/carers would be aware we have now transitioned to the revised winter uniform and a modified style/fabric for the summer uniform. However, this group has not disbanded and the Committee has still been discussing issues raised by students. Students within the Secondary College in particular, have provided feedback to the Committee that both the current formal winter and summer uniform restricts their involvement in physical activities and reinforces gender stereotyping.

The College Uniform Committee has therefore decided to offer an alternative formal uniform for students in Years 2 - 10, giving them the OPTION to wear trousers with the College shirt. We reaffirm that this is an option for students, and they may choose to continue wearing a dress and winter skirt. Additionally, this brings Mount Carmel in line with legislative requirements in providing options, for the choice of non-gender specific items.  Social expectations have changed since the 1950’s, and female nurses, teachers and police officers all have choices in their uniform options as dresses or skirts are seen largely as impractical.  We want it to be the students' choice. 

Trousers are therefore, considered part of the formal uniform, representing an alternative for those students wishing to purchase them.  The trousers are now available for purchase at the College Uniform Shop, through special order so that we can gauge popularity and uptake.  The cost on the trousers will be $50 and will take approximately 2 weeks for delivery.

It is also important to note that from the beginning of 2020, the navy protective apron (pinnie) will no longer be part of the Primary uniform and art smocks will be used for art-based activities.  There has been a  substantial increase in the production cost of the pinnies which the College feels may make it cost-prohibitive for families.

Sun Hats

From Monday 2 September, all students will be required to wear a hat at recess and lunchtime and for all other outdoor activities. 

In order for our College to be “Sun Smart”, the preferred style of hats for sun protection is the College bucket hat, which can be purchased from the College Uniform Shop.  This is available in a reversible style with house colours inside and plain navy on the outside, in a range of sizes and at a cost of $15. 

For the remainder of 2019, the College cap will also be permitted to be worn, however the cap is being phased out for general use.  From Term 1, 2020 the cap will only be permitted for approved sporting activities and not for general outdoor use. Notwithstanding the phasing out period, students who currently have a College cap are strongly encouraged to wear either the bucket hat or boater as these ‘sun safe’ hats protect the face, neck and ears when outside. Students without a hat will be required to remain in the shade.

A new College Sun Protection Policy will soon be finalised and will be available for families on the College website. The recommendation from the Cancer Council of Tasmania is that sun protection measures in Tasmanian schools should be implemented from the beginning of September until the end of the school year and then from the beginning of the school year until the end of April. 

Celebration Evening

Our 2019 College Celebration Evening will take place on the evening of Tuesday, 10 December at Wrest Point Convention Centre.  Students will be commencing choir and dance rehearsals later this term and the night promises to be a wonderful celebration of our College year and a fitting way to farewell our Year 10 students onto their senior secondary education. 

Attendance at the Mount Carmel Celebration Evening is compulsory for all students in Years 4 – 10.  If there are exceptional circumstances that will prevent a student from attending Celebration Evening, please indicate this in writing to Mrs Fiona Nolan.

Students Leaving School Due to Illness

As the year unfolds, the number of students reporting to the College sick-bay during the day has increased and it seems timely to remind parents and students of the procedures to be followed in the event of students needing to leave the College during the day because they are unwell.

Students must let a teacher know if they are unwell and they will be given permission via a note in their Communication Log, to report to the College Office.  From there, if parents need to be contacted to collect students from school, Administration staff will make contact with parents/carers and arrange for students to be supervised in the College sick bay until they arrive.

Students are not to use their mobile phone to contact parents to collect them from school and we would very much appreciate it if parents could insist that students follow the correct procedure. Circumventing communication with teachers and Administration staff by contacting parents directly can leave College staff unaware that a student is unwell and cause confusion when parents arrive to collect a student who is still in class. 

Mrs Lyndal Tewes

Deputy Principal