Heavenly Father,

We come before You with gratitude for the gift of community.

Thank You for the diverse and unique individuals who come together to form our circle of care and support. Help us to see one another through Your eyes, recognizing the value and worth inherent in every person. Guide us to act with love, patience, and understanding. Let our words be kind and our actions reflect Your grace. Teach us to listen with open hearts and to serve selflessly, just as Jesus served those around Him. Bless our community with unity and peace. When we face disagreements, may we seek resolution with humility and respect. When we encounter challenges, give us the strength to overcome them together, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual aid. We ask for Your wisdom to lead us, Your courage to stand up for what is right, and Your compassion to reach out to those in need. Help us to build a community that mirrors the love and hospitality of Your kingdom, a place where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and loved.

In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

At Mount Carmel College we recognize that community is at the heart of our Catholic identity. It is through our relationships with one another that we grow in faith, support each other in our academic and personal endeavours, and serve the world around us. Our community is a source of strength, inspiration, and joy, reflecting the Gospel values that guide our lives.

Community is not just about being together physically; it is about creating meaningful connections that reflect the love and compassion of Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). This call to love is at the foundation of our community. When we engage with one another in the spirit of love, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. This sense of belonging is crucial for our spiritual, emotional, and academic well-being. By fostering a strong community, we provide a network of care that helps each of us to thrive.

At Mount Carmel College we are blessed with a vibrant community rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. By being active members and working together, we can strengthen our bonds, support one another, and make a positive impact on the world around us. Let us continue to build a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and loved.

A strong community not only survives, but flourishes. It supports those in need, welcomes all, celebrates successes and plans for the future. It empowers every individual, listens deeply and actively serves to strengthen its mission. A strong community is indeed a much-valued and enviable thing. It is with these thoughts that we begin to reflect on our community and how we can continue to strengthen and actively serve to contribute, reflect, grow and welcome. What can each one of us do?

Last newsletter I sent out a call for community members interested in being a part of the College in any small way they could. This group will work together to create a format for our entire community to come together. Not a traditional P&F but rather an opportunity to create a connections group where our staff, students and community can contribute in a small way once or more often as they are able. This group is not about meetings and policies but rather a chance to share skills, make a connection, promote a business, cook a meal or reach out to a College family in need. Thank you to those community members who answered the call and I encourage any others to let me know is they are also interested in strengthening the community here at Mount Carmel College.

Validation Surveys

Last week students, families and staff received an email link with reminders to complete our Validation survey. Validation occurs every five years in every Catholic College and Catholic Primary school across the state. This important evaluation and strategic planning process is a valuable opportunity to reflect on our achievements and identify areas where we can grow and better serve our students, families, and the broader community. I encourage our families to take five five minutes to share their feedback and ensure their voice is a part of our growth for the next five years.

Capital Works Update

We are close to finalising tenders for the ‘Louisa’. Commencing soon, our new Kindergarten, Prep and Parent space will be ready early in 2025! Jump on our website to explore the visual concepts of ‘the mountain to the river’ in our beautiful new space. I will keep you updated each fortnight of our progress and look for our drone shots and time lapse images. The wait has been worth it, with a ‘Breaking of the Ground ceremony’ in the next few weeks.

Social Media and Online Bullying

I remind families if there are any concerns with social media or online bullying to contact the College. We ensure all protocols are followed when incidents are brought to our attention; contacting families, safety commissioners and appropriate support or authorities when required. We also have some excellent resources for parents supporting or limiting students’ social media use if required.

To make a report:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

For guidance/help:

https://kidshelpline.com.au/young-adults

https://www.dollysdream.org.au/get-help

Great parent resources:

https://parents.au.reachout.com/friendships-and-dating/cyberbullying/how-to-deal-with-online-bullying-as-a-parent

https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/behaviour/bullying/about-cyberbullying

The View

Courage | Compassion | Justice

Issue 11 · 01 Aug 2024

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