Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the gift of storytelling, a sacred way to share our experiences, hopes, and faith with one another. You, the greatest storyteller of all, have woven Your love and grace into the fabric of our lives, guiding us through every chapter.

We ask Your blessing upon all who share their stories - the spoken, the written, the sung, and the lived. May their words and actions reflect Your truth and goodness. Inspire them to speak with courage and kindness, and to listen with open hearts to the stories of others.

Just as Jesus used parables to reveal the mysteries of Your Kingdom, help us, Lord, to be storytellers of hope, compassion, and faith. May our stories bring light to the world, draw others closer to You, and build a community rooted in love and understanding.

Grant us the wisdom to know that our stories, no matter how small or simple, are part of Your greater story unfolding each day. May we always seek to glorify You in all that we share.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.

At Mount Carmel Catholic College, we are part of a community rich in history, values, and faith. Our identity is deeply rooted in the Gospel, and one of the most powerful ways we express who we are is through the art of storytelling.

In Scripture, storytelling plays a vital role in conveying God’s message. Jesus, our greatest teacher, often taught through parables—stories that made divine truths accessible to all. In Matthew 13:34, we read, “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” This highlights the importance of storytelling in shaping our understanding of faith, life, and ourselves.

At Mount Carmel, we encourage our students to be storytellers in their own right. Whether through written words, art, music, or actions, sharing our stories allows us to connect with one another and the wider world. Each student, teacher, and staff member brings a unique narrative shaped by their experiences, their dreams, and their faith. It is in the sharing of these stories that we build a stronger, more compassionate community.

St. Paul reminds us of the power of our personal testimony in 2 Corinthians 3:3: "You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." Each story shared at Mount Carmel is like a letter from Christ, revealing the presence of God at work in our lives.

By sharing our stories, we also carry on the tradition of those who came before us—those who built our school and shaped its values. We honour their legacy by continuing to tell the story of Mount Carmel, rooted in faith and commitment to the Gospel. When we listen to each other's stories, we not only learn but grow in empathy, understanding, and unity.

As we journey through this school year, let us all be mindful of the stories we carry within us. Let us share them with confidence and love, knowing that our stories—like the stories of the saints and prophets—have the power to inspire, heal, and transform. In the words of Psalm 107:2, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story."

At Mount Carmel Catholic College, storytelling is not just about the past; it’s about shaping our future together in faith, love, and service. Let us continue to share, listen, and celebrate the stories that define who we are as a school community.

Capital Works Update

As I am sure you are aware, our building project has commenced! With both houses demolished and removal underway we will keep you updated with images and messages. Thank you for supporting the quick changes and moves we have had to make for the Early Learning Centre students, staff and families and driveway areas.

Year 10 Formal

On Saturday night we celebrated the first of our Year 10 celebrations, their Leavers Dinner, focusing on recognising the legacy they will leave. A night of fun, meal sharing and memory making, I take this opportunity to thank the students for their legacy and their families who supported a special night.

Arts Evening

In a little over a week we will be celebrating our Annual Arts evening. An opportunity for every student to share their gifts in a variety of ways, we look forward to sharing this special evening with you all. We have a range of performing stages and displays, food trucks and gathering spaces ready for a special community evening. A shout out especially to students who have been preparing their pieces and staff who have been planning, displaying and finishing items, thank you for ensuring this night will be special.

Right to Disconnect

With recent legislation in place, Mount Carmel College has been working with staff to ensure we place their wellbeing and right to disconnect from work as a priority. Together, staff have committed to being open to email communication on their working days, between the times of 7.00am and 6.00pm during term time and a commitment to responding to families within 48 hours of receiving an email. Staff will also place an automatic out of office reminder signature on their emails, which is particularly helpful in communicating the availability of part time staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank families for supporting staff as they maintain a healthy work/life balance.

The View

Courage | Compassion | Justice

Issue 13 · 29 Aug 2024

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