Primary News

 "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” 

As we come to the close of 2025, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for making this year truly remarkable. Your dedication, resilience, and spirit of community have been nothing short of inspiring.

To our students: You have shown tremendous growth, curiosity, and kindness this year. Watching you learn, support one another, and embrace challenges has been a privilege. You are the heart of our College community.

To our parents and families: Your partnership, support, and trust mean everything to us. Thank you for working and walking alongside us to create an environment where every child can flourish.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we are reminded of the profound gift of Jesus’ birth. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6). As a Catholic, the incarnation reminds us that God chose to enter our world with humility and love, bringing hope and light to all people. May the Christ Child inspire us to live with greater compassion, faith, and joy in the year ahead.

I wish you all a joyful and reflective Christmas filled with peace, rest, and precious moments with loved ones. May you also enjoy a happy and safe summer holiday as you recharge and create wonderful memories.

Thank you once again for an amazing 2025. I look forward to welcoming you back refreshed and ready for all that 2026 will bring.

A Night of Christmas Joy at Holy Spirit Church and the College

Our Kinder to Year 2 students brought the Christmas story to life on Monday evening with a beautiful nativity retelling at Holy Spirit Church. The children's heartfelt performance reminded us all of the true meaning of Christmas, filling the church with wonder and joy.

After the Nativity, our excited students made their way back to school, where they joined Years 3 and 4 students for an evening of festive carols and dancing. The waving at the public and the spirited chatter amongst our youngest as they made their way back to the school was exuberant.  As we gathered as a community the College grounds came alive with music, laughter, and the spirit of the season as families came together under what at times was threatening skies and the occasional gust of wind. 

It was a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is truly about, being able to be with family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate and create lasting memories. The warmth and joy radiating from our Kinder - Year 4 community made it an evening none of us will soon forget.

A huge thank you to all our dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to make this special event happen. A special acknowledgement of Miss Jess Thatcher, Mrs Libby Piesse, Ms Jess Trost and Ms Dorothy Lincoln, whose extra efforts helped create such a magical evening for our students, families and wider College community. 

I think you will agree it was a wonderful way to celebrate the season together!

Celebration Evening 

Last week we gathered as staff with the Year 5 - 10 students to recognise and celebrate our Year 10 students as they graduated from the College as well as showcase just a snippet of what life is like across the school.  The evening was also a chance to honour award recipients from Years 5 - Year 10.  From a Primary perspective I would like to congratulate the following students:

• Bonnie Lyon - Old Scholars Spirit of Pride Award

• Olive Hall - Mevyn Clyde Quinn Award.  Awarded to a student in Year 6 who demonstrates excellent sporting behaviour.  This student displays effort and determination across the Primary years, participates in both individual and team sports and makes a worthy contribution to the College. 

• Mia Halliday - Claire Edwards Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Primary School of a number of years

• Willow Nally - Mount Carmel College Charism Award

It is also important to recognise Olive Hall and Bella Seeber Peattie for their magnificent words. They spoke with grace and a deep love for the College, especially the Primary school.  

Year 6 Final Assembly 

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who celebrated with family and friends their very last Primary gathering last Monday where they showcased their talents, their stories of Primary and their dreams for Secondary.  Thank you to both Year 6 teachers but especially Mrs Katie Fazackerley for their work behind the scenes putting the afternoon together, as well as Ms Jess Trost, Mr Gary Hoggard and Ms Dorothy Lincoln.

Step Up Day 

Last Tuesday our Primary community made a change as students ventured to their 2026 classes and had a chance to be with their new class with new teachers, new classmates, and sometimes even a new classroom.   Step Up Day for our Primary students at Mount Carmel College is so important as it gives all the chance to explore, connect and prepare with huge benefits for students and teachers alike. 

For many students, the unknown can be a source of considerable stress. Who will my teacher be? Will I know anyone in my class? Where will my new classroom be located? Our Step Up Day answered all these questions and more and hopefully transformed anxiety into anticipation. Now in February when students walk through the door on their first day of the new school year, they're entering familiar territory rather than venturing into the unknown.

The day was also an opportunity for us as a College to welcome Mr Callum Brown and Mrs Tammy Mason to the Primary, it was an absolute thrill to have them there as they start their journey in Year 6 and Year 3 respectively.  Finally thank you to all the staff who contributed to making Step Up Day one to remember.

New Kinder Teacher 

Last week we appointed Mrs Kate Duffy as the new Kinder teacher to work alongside Ms Nicola Smith until Mrs Jasmin Reynolds returns in Term 4,  Kate will be in Kinder or Thursday and Fridays whilst Nicola will be teaching Monday -  Wednesday.  Please join me in welcoming Kate to the College.

Significant Dates for Term 1 2026

• Book Drop - Friday 6 February - further details to come early in 2026
• ELC - Year 6 will commence on Tuesday 10 February 
• Primary Swimming Carnival - Tuesday 17 February
• ELC - Year 6 Information Evening - Tuesday 24 February
• Primary Formal Photos - Thursday 26 February