A Word from the Principal

God who listens, 

open our hearts to hear the gentle invitation of those without a voice; 

placeless and dispossessed of all that was theirs, 

instead of anger, revenge or blame, 

they offer in their open hand absurd generosity, 

an act of transformational forgiveness­ from the centre of their being to ours: 

May we sense the integrity of country speaking to country, body to body; 

and find within ourselves the humility to accept and journey together, 

to become our nation’s better future, 

resolving our colonial memory, Australia’s original sin.

As Jesus gave his body for ours, 

help us to receive and pass on this gift of new life, 

for his name’s sake. Amen.

(Glenn Loughrey 2023)

Our Catholic faith calls us to reflect deeply on our values and principles. It is with this spirit of contemplation and compassion that I encourage you to consider carefully your vote in the upcoming referendum.

“Just as the churches strongly supported the 1967 referendum, we hope that Catholics, along with other people of faith, will support the Yes campaign … We, NATSICC, feel that the referendum is too important to fail. The consequences for our people and the whole nation would be devastating.”

The statement, launched on 17 August by Bishop Vincent Long of Parramatta, foregrounds the views of NATSICC, and then gives a reply from the ACBC. The bishops, in their reply, said they “will not tell Catholics or their fellow Australians how to vote in the referendum” but instead encourage people to seek out information from indigenous people.

“Those who propose the referendum do not seek to divide our country, and none of us should accept divisive behaviour during the referendum campaign,” the bishops’ reply reads.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, president of the ACBC, said the heart of the statement was “a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples” after “much listening.”

The Archbishop said indigenous people needed to be “welcomed from the margins into the centre, so that they can lead the discussions about change and implementation about actions, to bring about healing and justice.”

“Change is necessary if the hope and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are to be realised. We can be at the forefront of a new era in Australia’s public life,” he said.

Our faith teaches us to embrace the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, and this referendum presents us with an opportunity to reflect this belief in our actions. Many bishops, echoing the Pope's message of inclusivity and love, have expressed support for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum, emphasizing the importance of a more inclusive and accepting society. 

At its core, the 'Yes' vote advocates for policies that promote social justice, equality, and the wellbeing of all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized and oppressed, to extend a helping hand to those in need, and to create a society where all are treated with dignity and respect. By voting 'Yes,' we embrace a vision of a more inclusive and compassionate society, one that reflects the values of love, understanding, and acceptance that lie at the heart of our Catholic teachings. It is an opportunity to foster dialogue, understanding, and unity among our diverse communities. Let us remember the words of Pope Francis, who said, "A society grows strong, grows in goodness, grows in beauty, if it is built on the foundation of relations between people that are fully human."

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/social-justice-statement-calls-for-indigenous-new-engagement/

Communication

As staff we have been working closely with our students; sharing our clear, high expectations and the many ways in which we can support every student in our Mount Carmel family.  I encourage families to take the time to talk to your daughter or son about expectations, positive behaviour support strategies and the importance of reaching out if there are any issues.  I continue to reiterate to students and families that we cannot help unless we know - please feel free to email or make a meeting to discuss any concerns with teachers, Head of House Staff or the Leadership Team including myself.  Supports may range from scaffolding academic success to social media concerns; our approach will be to work in partnership with students and families to solve any issues.

Early Years Centre

Our revitalised Early Year Centre for 3-4 year olds will officially be open on Monday 16 October!  Limited places are available this year, with enrolments starting to come in for 2024.  Feel free to contact the office for an application pack or meet with Jasmin, Michelle and the team for a tour.  I also take this opportunity to remind families that the gates from Nelson Road will now be locked for safety reasons, therefore there is no access to the College grounds via these entrances.

End of Term 

As we draw to the end of a busy term, I would like to thank all students, staff and families for their continued support and contributions. There has been much to celebrate this term in every facet of the school and I congratulate every student for their commitment, hard work and care for those around them. I encourage every family to rest and recuperate these holidays as we head towards a busy final term for 2023.  Please take care, be safe and I look forward to hearing about your holiday adventures when we return on Tuesday 17 October.