A Word from the Principal

‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for Us’

As we anticipate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this Friday, I want to share some reflections on the profound significance of this day for our school community. The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Simon Stock in 1251, during which she entrusted him with the Scapular of Mount Carmel. This scapular has since become a powerful symbol of Mary's protection and devotion.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds a special place in the hearts of many, especially within the Carmelite Order. Her message to St. Simon Stock was one of peace, promise, and protection, emphasising the importance of living a life devoted to prayer, humility, and service.  In our school community, the values embodied by Our Lady of Mount Carmel—faith, devotion, and a commitment to spiritual growth—are at the core of our educational mission. We strive to instil these values in our students, encouraging them to seek Mary's guidance and protection in their daily lives. The Feast Day is an opportunity for us to come together as a community, celebrate our faith, and reflect on these guiding principles. To honour this special occasion, we have planned a series of events that will allow our students, staff, and families to engage deeply with the spirit of the feast. 

The day will begin with a special Mass at 9 a.m. in the Cahill Centre, celebrated by our local parish priest Father Shammi Perera. This Mass will be a whole College gathering for prayer and thanksgiving, where we will ask for Our Lady's intercession and blessings for our College, families and wider community. Following the Mass, students will participate in a range of fun activities and share a meal together. I encourage all families to reflect on this celebration, as it is a chance to strengthen our bonds as a faith community and to honour Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Let us embrace her message, seeking her intercession in our lives and striving to live out the values of love, humility, and service that she exemplifies. 

Thank you and Renewal Leave

As you may be aware, I have been on Long Service and Renewal Leave for the past couple of months and have only returned these past two weeks.  This leave was time to refresh, reconnect, travel and spend time with my family.  Highlights range from a visit to the Cathedral in Seville - Spain to visiting Venice with my family.   I take this opportunity to thank Mrs Lyndal Tewes, Ms. Lynda Hudson and Ms. Melanie Sluyters for stepping into new leadership positions whilst I was on renewal leave for most of this term, as a College we appreciate their hard work and dedication to ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

Capital Works Update 

It is with great pleasure I can announce we have gone to tender and hope to commence demolition and building next term.  We look forward to sharing regular updates, photos and a breaking the ground ceremony with you all soon.

Reports and Learning Conversations

As you may be aware, mid-year reports will be released this week.  This is a perfect opportunity to take some time and sit with your child to explore areas of growth, set goals and discuss learning over the first half of the year.  I would particularly like to thank teaching and administration staff for their hard work in ensuring students and families have a snapshot of learning in Semester 1.  I encourage families to make meetings with staff if they have any questions or concerns, it is essential we work in partnership to ensure we are best meeting the needs of every child. 

Enrolments

Please be reminded that places are filling fast for Kindergarten and Year 7 in 2025.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in an enrolment, please ask them to contact the College as soon as possible before classes are oversubscribed.

Mount Carmel Community Group - A Call Out

We are seeking interested family members who would like to be involved in establishing and promoting a Mount Carmel Community group.  This is not a Parents and Friends group but rather an opt in and out group the College can contact and reach out  to at different times.  It is a group based on connections and community building rather than fundraising.  For example if we have a call out for a family in need, we might have a few families who could make a meal, another example could be a forum of parents called for consultation in change in College processes or procedures.  Families could be involved once a year or more often, depending on their availability.  It would also be an opportunity to promote College family skills and businesses.  If you would like to be a part of this set up committee, please contact me via email ready to meet in Term 3.

Holidays 

Finally I wish everyone a safe and happy winter break.  I hope there is time for frosty breaths, hot chocolate, snowy walks and muddy puddles.  I hope there is time for sleep-ins, warm heaters and hot dinners together.  I hope it is a time to rest, recuperate, reconnect and be ready for an exciting term commencing in two weeks.  Stay safe and take care.