The View

From the Deputy Principal

COVID-19

When stress is heightened — which it is for all of us right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic — children and adolescents become aware of it and they try to locate the source of the stress. It is important to both acknowledge their concerns and be open to discussing them.  The best advice from experts is to talk to children and adolescents to make sense of the consequences of COVID-19 and helping them to organize their thoughts and feelings is the best approach.

 

As a first step, ask your child what they know about COVID-19 or what they have heard about it. If they don’t seem too concerned, you do not need to have an in-depth conversation about it. You can simply reinforce the importance of handwashing and letting you know if they are feeling unwell.

 

However, if your child voices worry or concern about COVID-19, you can correct any misinformation and provide them with emotional support.  The following resource is suited to Primary aged students https://www.unicef.org.au/blog/news-and-insights/march-2020/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-coronavirus

Additionally, the Australian Psychological Society has written the following article at maintaining your mental health during social isolation which is suited to older students.

 

COVID-19 Isolation.pdf

Bus Concerns

We are very fortunate at Mount Carmel to have a number of excellent bus services that provide for safe and convenient transport to and from school and generally we can rely on our students to behave in a safe and courteous fashion on buses.  However, from time to time students and/or parents raise concerns about bus travel to and from school. Where these concerns relate to the behaviour of Mount Carmel students on buses, you are encouraged to contact any of the Heads of House or myself and parents/carers can be assured that these concerns will be followed up.  All Mount Carmel Students sign a commitment to the Agreement in support of Safer Transport, which appears in the Student Planner and any behaviour on buses that does not comply with these expectations will be addressed.

 

Where concern is expressed about the bus service itself, you are also very welcome to contact the College.  Your concerns may relate to safety issues such as a lack of seats available for students on buses or the inconvenience of routes or timetables. Any issues brought to our attention at the College will be conveyed to bus operators and a satisfactory outcome will be sought.  If you do have a concern of this nature I strongly recommend that you also make direct contact with the bus service provider as the importance of the issue is emphasised when a number of voices raise the same concerns.

 

If you do have concerns about student bus travel to and from the College of a morning or afternoon, you are welcome to phone me at the College or make contact via email.

Winter Uniform

All students are to be in full Winter Uniform on the first day of Term 2. It is, therefore, timely to remind parents and students to give some attention to ensuring winter uniforms are ready over the next few weeks. 

The full details about the Winter Uniform are published in the College Planner, pages 16, 17 & 18 however, a few key reminders:

  • All students should be in the revised uniform from Term 2, 2020 the transition period has now expired the only year group given an exemption to this are the students in the Year 10 cohort.
  • The College polar vest is no longer part of the College Uniform at any year level.  Those girls in the winter uniform can purchase the knitted vest to be worn as an additional layer with either the College cardigan or jumper.
  • Navy stockings are to be worn with the winter uniform not socks from Year 6 -10.
  • Please note that sunhats are optional in Term 2. 
  • Secondary students are permitted to wear their full College tracksuit in Term 2 and 3 when your daughter has two periods (minimum) of sport-related lesson eg: double HPE lesson, Dance, Sports Science or SME.
  • Winter trousers are now available as an alternative to the winter tunic and skirt and are to be worn with the long sleeve chambray short and tie.  Trousers are a made-to-order item through the Uniform Shop.

 

Lyndal Tewes

Deputy Principal