Primary News

Year 6 Stepping Up 

As the weeks start to race by we are starting to turn our attention to our students transitioning into the next grade.  For our Year 6 students this is both an exciting time but also a time of being a little unsure.  Conversations within the class are being had, walks around the secondary area have been planned and small group interactions have been on the agenda. As a parent, your support and encouragement are crucial during this transition and below are just some ways that will assist in making the adjustment as smooth as possible. 

1. Ensure you attend the Welcome BBQ on Thursday 28 November as this is a great chance to meet Secondary staff.
2. Encourage independence as Term 1, 2025 progresses by helping your child develop skills like managing their timetable and completing homework independently. Gradually stepping back allows them to gain confidence in their abilities.
3. Create a consistent daily routine that balances schoolwork, leisure, and sleep. A well-structured routine helps reduce stress and enhances time management.
4. Open communication is a key no matter what year your child is in and it is important to listen without judgement and offer reassurance. Let them know it’s normal to feel nervous and that things will get easier with time.
5. Stay involved with the College through attending events, ensuring you schedule a time when Learning Conferences are held or help by managing or coaching a sporting team. Also staying informed about the school’s expectations and policies will help you guide your child effectively.
6. Our Year 6 students have come from a very tight group of 52 with only a few staff to support them with some friendships being the same since Kinder.  Supporting new friendships and welcoming others into what maybe an already established friendship is important.
7. Celebrate the small wins throughout the year acknowledging their efforts and achievements, such as adapting to a new schedule or overcoming a fear. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and motivation.

Kinder Transition Days

This week we will host the third of our Kinder Transition sessions with students and their parents who are joining us in Kinder in 2025 attending.  These sessions have allowed our families to become familiar with the environment, assisted in socialisation with the 2025 classmates and provided our parents with a chance to meet other parents and hear the story of Mount Carmel College Kinder.  

A huge thanks must go to our Kinder Team who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes in getting these up and running and to those staff who have contributed in a speaking role such as Daisy Parsell our College Counsellor, Lynda Hudson our Director Of Wellbeing and Mrs Kate Murphy who is a staff member and a Kinder parent.  

Last week was extra special as we were blessed with the presence of Mrs Norma Cooper who was the first ever Kinder teacher.  She delighted our new parents with stories of how the Kinder was established and some of the things they did, not quite 30 years ago.

Celebration Evening 

This week I spoke to the Year 6 students and Mrs Himson spoke to the Year 5 students about Celebration Evening, which will be held on Thursday 5 December at Wrest Point. During our discussion I reminded students about the importance of checking their summer uniform for length, and the cleanliness of both the uniform and the blazer.  We also spoke about what socks to wear, appropriate jewellery and having polished shoes.  If your daughter requires her dress to be altered due to it being too short or a blazer to be dry cleaned she can wear her PE uniform to school until it is done; a note in the planner or email to the class teacher is sufficient.  

How are we tracking?

At the start of the term I highlighted what was coming up and below I have done it again but you will notice that we have been able to delete some things.