Primary News

 “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke1:42) 

At Mount Carmel College Mary is more than the name that we call ourselves or is on the sign at the front of the College, Mary is the heart of who we are. She is the mother who watches over every student, teacher, and family who walks through our door.  Just as she said "Yes" to God with humility and trust, we ask her to help us say "Yes" to; to kindness, to learning, to growing closer to her Son, Jesus. Her presence reminds us that our school is not just a place to learn, but a place built on faith and love.

As a community, we turn to Mary not because she replaces God, but because she leads us to Him. She teaches us patience, quiet strength, and unwavering faith.  Every prayer said in her name, every child who learns beneath her image, becomes part of her story and she becomes part of ours. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is not just our College's name; she is our mother, our model, and our constant companion on the journey of faith.

On Sunday 15 August the Catholic church honoured Mary's Assumption into Heaven, a solemn reminder that Our Lady was taken body and soul into eternal glory. At the Feast of the Assumption Mass  in 2022 at the Vatican, Pope Francis reminded us that “Every time we recite this prayer, so beautiful and familiar, we do as Elizabeth did: we greet Mary and we bless her, because she brings Jesus to us.”

Mount Carmel College Silent Auction

• Are you an owner of a small or large business?  

• Would you like to make a donation to our Silent Auction?  

• Would you like to get your business name known across the College and wider community as well as support your daughter’s College?

   

If the answer is yes to one or all of these questions above, we need your help!  

As you would be aware last year we ran a highly successful Silent Auction in the hope of getting the College Hall upgrade. And although it was a huge success we were unable to raise enough so we will be running our auction again for 2026.  

Every contribution, big or small, will help make a difference. Please contact Caroline Jager via email: caroline.jager@mountcarmel.tas.edu.au for more information.

Enrichment Opportunities 

We are extremely proud of the many and varied enrichment opportunities we offer within the Primary and it is clear that students embrace a wonderful range of these and their enthusiasm and effort deserve real recognition. Recently we have had students take part in the off site LEO program at St Virgil’s College and sat the ICAS assessments.  

Whether tackling LEO's extension activities or working through the rigorous problem-solving required in ICAS, these students demonstrated curiosity, resilience and a genuine love of learning. Their willingness to push themselves academically, often outside the regular classroom curriculum, reflects fantastic personal growth and sets a wonderful example for their peers.

Looking ahead, excitement is building as the Tournament of Minds and the Maths Relay draw closer.  Students preparing for these events are putting in valuable time refining their teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills, whether devising ingenious solutions for TOM challenges or sharpening their speed and accuracy for the Maths Relay. 

It is also important to note the staff involvement for these opportunities with a special thanks to Mrs Catherine Jetson and Ms Nicola Smith.

A Visit From Terrapin 

Mount Carmel was buzzing with excitement last week as the acclaimed touring company Terrapin arrived at the College to present their latest production, Space Neighbours, to an enthusiastic audience of staff and Prep to Year 6 students.  I am unsure who was more excited.  

The performance transformed the familiar space of the hall into a vivid cosmic setting complete with imaginative sets, playful puppetry, and an original score that had even some of our older students bouncing in their seats. The laughter was contagious. 

ThinkUKnow Program - Keeping Our Students Cyber Safe

Last week our school welcomed the ‘ThinkUKnow’ Cyber Safety program, delivered by Sergeant Rachel Fellows from Tasmania Police, to students in Years 1, 2, 5 and 6.  This is a national, evidence-based safety program run in partnership between the Australian Federal Police and Tasmania Police.  

Our younger students in Years 1 and 2 took part in an age appropriate session focused on the basics of staying safe online such as keeping personal information private, understanding that not everyone online is who they say they are, and knowing who to talk to if something online makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable.  What was concerning, and I would like to highlight to families, was the number of students in Year 1 and 2 who volunteered that they either have access to such apps as Tik Tok or have participated in many Tik Toks with their older siblings or cousins.

Our Years 5 and 6 students explored more in-depth topics, including responsible online behaviour, protecting their digital reputation, recognising and avoiding online risks, and how and where to seek help if they ever need it.

Feedback from staff and students was overwhelmingly positive, and it was fantastic to see Sgt Fellows engage our students in real world examples and practical, easy to remember strategies. Programs like ‘ThinkUKnow’ are a valuable reminder that cyber safety is a shared responsibility between home and school, and I along with the Primary staff encourage families to continue these conversations at home.

A Few Reminders

Below are just a few reminders to help you to plan your calendars.

Book Week Assembly and Parade - Thursday 27 August

Any parents/guardians attending please be seated in the mezzanine area by 9:15am. Please be mindful that you are not to take any photos or videos during the Book Week Assembly which includes the parade but you will have an opportunity afterwards if you would like to do so.

Red Nose Day - Friday 28 August 

Students are encouraged to wear as much or as little red to raise awareness of SIDS and Red Nose Day. Years 5 and 6 students are to only wear red accessories in their hair as they are playing the STCPSSA rosters that afternoon.

Maths Relay - Sunday 30 August 

For those participating, information will be sent home in the coming days. 

Father’s Day Breakfast - Tuesday 1 September 

Bookings can be made via the Qkr app and close on Thursday 27 August.

Arts Festival and Silent Auction - Friday 11 September 

The College will be buzzing on this date from 3:30pm until 7:00pm for the ELC - Year 10 Arts Festival.  Information is being sent home via email and on our socials.

Tournament of Minds - Saturday 12 September 

Our TOM teams will compete at the State Final for Tournament of Minds at Hobart City High - Ogilvie Campus .  Further details will follow in the coming weeks once scheduling has been finalised by the organising committee for TOM.

Year 6 Canberra Trip - Monday 14 September - Friday 18 September

Please ensure that the summer uniform has been checked and if it no longer fits or the length is not appropriate and can not be taken down please make contact with Branna Magill at the Uniform Shop about purchasing another one.

All spending money (no more than $130) needs to be handed into Student Services no later than Tuesday 1 September.

All medication to be in ‘Webster Paks’ and handed to Student Services by Friday 4 September so that they can do a check against information provided by you.

Primary School Musical - Wednesday 16 September 

More information will be coming out to families in regard this but it involves students from Years 1 - 5. You are encouraged to add this to your calendar.  

ELC - Year 6 Footy Colours Day - Thursday 24 September 

Students will be encouraged to wear their favourite guernsey and bring a gold coin to donate.  Further information to be sent home soon.

2027 Kinder Transition Days

Excitement is brewing as we begin our transition program for our 2027 Kindergarten students.  They will be in site Friday 18 and 25 September and Friday 30 October

Primary Athletics Carnival - Thursday 1 October 

Our ELC - Year 6 students will be heading to the Domain Athletics Centre for our House Athletics Carnival on the above date.  Information will be sent home in the coming weeks.