A Word from the Acting Principal

The Season of Advent

This Sunday marks the commencement of the Advent season. Advent celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, into human history.  The challenge is to remember that God is constantly with us and close to us.  The Advent season is one of promise, fulfillment and a time of reflection and in our faith life. The word ‘advent’ is related to the words ‘adventure’ and ‘advance’. It comes from the Latin ad meaning ‘towards’, and venire meaning ‘come’ or ‘arrive’. It certainly does not mean ‘waiting’. On the contrary! It is the opposite kind of act to ‘waiting’. It is the act of coming towards. In one of my walks around the College this week I walked into a Year 7 Theology and Spirituality class focussing on the season of Advent.  The students were engaged with a task designing an individualised Advent calendar where they were focussed on coming closer towards God by writing one good thing they would do or a special prayer they would say for each day of Advent.  Advent reminds us of what is always true: “it is not our love for God, but God’s love for us” that makes the real difference (cf. 1 John 4:10); that changes everything; that gives us meaning and purpose.

Transition

On the minds of many students and their families in recent weeks has been the issue of transition, whether that is in relation to moving from one level to another; from Primary to Secondary school; or in the move to Senior Secondary College. Each new step marks a milestone in a young person’s educational journey and is of significance. Yesterday we hosted new families to the College for our Welcome BBQ and today we farewell our Year 10 students with a Mass, Farewell Assemblies, and Celebration Evening and Dinner tonight. Such occasions allow us to build important connections and to support students in making transition a smooth process. Our goal is to actively engage students in the orientation activities, ensure that they meet key staff members and other students, and, in doing so, enhance their enthusiasm for learning. We know that the development of strong connections is so vitally important in equipping young people with the skills to flourish at school.

I congratulate and commend the 25 current Year 9 students who took the brave step of nominating for a leadership role for 2022. In workshops and meetings with all Year 9 students we have reiterated the message that each and every one of next year’s Year 10 group will actually be a leader – whether they have thought about it, whether they are ready or not. They will be the senior students of Mount Carmel, and as such, will be observed and monitored by every set of eyes from Kinder to Year 9 as living examples of ‘leaders’. While only 16 of this cohort will hold the official title of elected Student Leadership Group, each of the girls will be looked upon to guide others and it will be their privilege and responsibility to do so. We will have announced the Student Leadership Group at the final Year 10 assembly as this article is being disseminated to families. To those who will undoubtedly be disappointed to miss out on an official role, I ask them to not lose sight of the contributions that they will still be able to make. I do encourage our Year 9 students to carefully consider the roles that they will take on in our community next year and I will publish the elected Student Leadership Team for 2022 in the next edition of The View.

College Boater

Over the past few editions of The View newsletter, the College has requested feedback from parents and students with regards to the College uniform and in particular, the Boater.  The College Board has taken all feedback into consideration, and at the last meeting voted on the following resolution that will come into effect from the beginning of the new school year.

In 2022, the College boater will become a discretionary part of the College uniform for students in Year 5 to Year 10.  It will remain a compulsory part of the uniform for students enrolled in Year 1 to Year 4.  The College Board is committed to reviewing the uniform requirements during 2023.

New students to the College (enrolled in Year 5 - Year 10 in 2022), who have purchased a boater, will be able to return it to the College Uniform Shop and receive a full refund.