Mr Stephen Adair

Principal 

Term 1 Parent Forum is Tuesday, 4 March, at 6pm - The presentation is on Cyber Safety and Security by ThinkUKnow. We welcome all parents/carers from our Carmel Community and extend and invitation to parents/carers from local schools to attend.

For information about ThinkUKnow, please visit ThinkUKnow

Strengthening our connections with parents, we continue to foster supportive and collaborative relationships.  I would like to take this opportunity to outline our communication policy and emphasise the importance of resolving issues at the source and early.

Carmel College's Communication Policy

At Carmel College, our communication is guided by the principles of Respect, Justice, Responsibility, Forgiveness, and Integrity. We place a strong emphasis on maintaining positive and productive communication to foster good relationships between students, staff, and parents. Our Chain of Care and Concern approach ensures that issues are addressed at the most appropriate level, starting at the lowest possible level before escalating if necessary. All members of our community are expected to engage respectfully and constructively in all forms of communication.

When issues arise, it is crucial to address them at the source and as early as possible. This approach helps prevent the escalation of problems and promotes a more harmonious environment for everyone involved. By resolving issues early, we can ensure that our students receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

Also, I understand that when issues arise, it can be tempting to consider moving a student to a different class or environment. However, it is often more beneficial to teach the child skills to deal with the situation and develop resilience. Here are some reasons why this approach is advantageous:

• Building Resilience: By facing and overcoming challenges, students develop resilience. This is a crucial life skill that will help them navigate future difficulties both in and out of school. Learning to cope with adversity builds their confidence and emotional strength.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Teaching students how to address and resolve issues equips them with valuable problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for their academic success and personal growth. It encourages them to think critically and find constructive solutions.
• Long-Term Benefits: While moving a student might provide temporary relief, it does not address the underlying issues. By teaching coping strategies and resilience, we are preparing students for long-term success. They learn to handle conflicts and challenges independently, which is beneficial throughout their lives.
• Positive Relationships: Encouraging students to work through issues helps them build positive relationships with their peers and teachers. It fosters a sense of community and teaches them the importance of communication and empathy.
• Empowerment: When students are given the tools to manage their own challenges, they feel empowered. This sense of empowerment can lead to increased motivation and engagement in their education.

In summary, while moving a student might seem like an immediate solution, teaching them to deal with challenges and develop resilience offers far greater benefits. It prepares them for future success and helps them become well-rounded individuals.

God Bless,

Mr Reuben Chalmers

Deputy Principal

Walking Together: Building Community at Carmel

As we settle into the new school year, there’s a strong sense of connection and belonging at Carmel College. Whether it’s welcoming new students, supporting one another in learning, or embracing our ‘Journey of Hope’, it is important to remember that we don’t walk this path alone.

This year, as we embrace the Jubilee theme Pilgrims of Hope, we are called to walk together in faith, kindness, and service—not just as individuals but as a community.

The start of the school year brings fresh opportunities to connect and build our Carmel Community. Our Year 7 students have begun their high school journey with excitement, and their buddies and teachers have played a key role in making sure they feel supported. Across all year levels, students have been settling into their learning, setting personal goals, and strengthening friendships that will shape their experience at Carmel.

Faith in Action: Our Commitment to Service

At the heart of Carmel College is a commitment to serving others. Already, students have been engaging in Marist Game Changers, preparing for visits to Cleveland Gardens, and signing up for Rosies Outreach—each of these initiatives helping to build a spirit of compassion.  We are now expanding our Marist Game Changers group to include Years 7,8, 9 &10. 

Our Lenten journey is also about to begin, and with Ash Wednesday approaching, we are invited to reflect on how we can be a source of hope in our community. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply being there for someone in need. To mark the beginning of Lent and Project Compassion, our Year 12 Ministry Leaders will join other schools from around Brisbane as they head in to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Mark Coleridge at St Stephen’s Cathedral on Tuesday 4 March.  Our Ash Wednesday liturgy will take place on Wednesday 5 March at 9am in Civitas.  We invite our Carmel families to join us for this important event in the liturgical calendar.

Mrs Erin Hardy

Assistant Principal-Religious Education

Carmel College recently hosted with the support of Murri Ministry, a significant event to commemorate the Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. Joining people across Australia, we reflected on the pain endured by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters and reaffirmed our commitment to acknowledging the trauma caused by past policies of forced child removal and assimilation. 

We had the honour of welcoming First Nations and Torres Strait Islander peoples, along with representatives from thirteen Catholic schools, to share this meaningful day. The event began with a traditional smoking ceremony, a sacred cultural practice symbolising cleansing, protection, and connection to Country. After Aunty Sonja Carmichael did the Welcome to Country, Elders were presented with beautiful handmade corsages created by students from All Hallows’ School. 

Our First Nations students performed a traditional dance, showcasing their pride and connection to their heritage. The event continued with a procession of native flora, with one student from each school participating. This symbolised fostering a sense of belonging and community, our connection to Country, honouring our ancestral spirits, and our cultural continuity, where we preserve and pass on cultural traditions and knowledge to younger generations. 

Students participated in the liturgy and spoke beautifully, adding a reflective and meaningful moment to the morning. Moving speeches by Aunty Pauline Hannam, grandmother of past student Lila, and Eric Ellis from Brisbane Catholic Education were highlights of the day, shedding light on the impact of the Stolen Generations through their moving personal experiences. 

Following the liturgy, our guests enjoyed a lovely morning tea hosted by our hospitality students. The special menu featured food inspired by native flavors. 

All the school students participated in a cultural ‘Dance Off,’ impressing everyone with their eagerness to perform. As a sign of gratitude, our guests were presented with a native plant from Quandamooka Country to take back to their Country. The event was a beautiful celebration of respect, unity, and cultural connection, bringing together participating schools and members of the wider community. 

Ms Terri Edwards

First Nations Support Teacher

The senior formal aboard the YOT on the Brisbane River was a resounding success, marking a significant milestone as students embarked on their final year of schooling. The evening was filled with elegance, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

As the sun set over Brisbane, students arrived in their finest attire, ready to celebrate this special occasion. The YOT, with its luxurious setting and stunning views of the river, provided the perfect backdrop for the evening's festivities. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone eager to make the most of this milestone event.

As the night drew to a close, students left the YOT with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the future. It was not just a celebration, but a reminder of the strong bonds and shared experiences that will carry them through their final year and beyond.

On Monday, 17 February 2025, our Year 11 Ancient History students were treated to an enriching and hands-on incursion led by the esteemed Dr Serena Love, an archaeologist and the founder of 4 Corners Heritage. Dr Love, accompanied by an associate, conducted a captivating workshop that allowed our students to step into the shoes of an archaeologist.

During the workshop, students had the unique opportunity to engage in practical activities at a mini-archaeological site. They meticulously uncovered artefacts, documented their findings, and analysed the historical significance of their discoveries. This hands-on approach provided students with a tangible understanding of the meticulous work that goes into archaeological excavations.

In addition to the interactive workshop, Dr Love shared fascinating insights from her extensive career. She recounted her experiences on archaeological projects in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, and Turkey, offering our students a glimpse into the exciting and diverse world of archaeology. Dr Love's passion for her work was evident as she spoke about her collaborations with First Nations Australian Communities on various projects across Australia.

Students learned how someone's economic status could be identified by the materials of the objects they were using. They discovered that even fragments of ceramic plates can reveal a wealth of information about the people who used them. The workshop highlighted the way that research and archaeology work together to interpret the past, showcasing the high demand for archaeologists in Australia. Dr Love also emphasised the diverse pathways that the field of archaeology offers, inspiring many students to consider future careers in this fascinating discipline.

Our Year 11 students were incredibly fortunate to have such an experience, and they found Dr Love's session both informative and inspiring. The incursion not only deepened their appreciation for ancient history but also ignited a curiosity about the past and the role of archaeology in uncovering it.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr Serena Love and 4 Corners Heritage for providing our students with this unforgettable learning experience.

Mrs Diana Platt

Learning & Teaching Leader- Humanities & Business

It’s hard to believe that we’re at the end of Week 4 already! The past month has been a blur of activity at Carmel and this is set to continue for the rest of Term 1!

Assessment Calendar

I emailed the community earlier this week to advise that the assessment calendar is now live on the Student Portal. Students can access their assessment calendar to see the due dates for all assessments. These are also included on task sheets and in the Assignments section in Teams. Please contact teachers directly for questions about these. I also included two planning templates for due dates and home study time. These are useful as visual reminders and for accountability – when we share our goals and planning, we’re more likely to stick to it. The fridge is a great place to display these if you can.

PAT and NAPLAN Tests

We have commenced our diagnostic PAT (Progressive Achievement Test) process with PAT-R (Comprehension) for all Year 7-10 students this week. They will undertake PAT-M (Maths) next week. These tests provide immediate actionable data for teachers to respond to student needs. Core Class teachers are meeting today and next week to determine how to adapt teaching for their classes.

NAPLAN commences on Wednesday 12 March for all Year 7 and 9 students. Please refer to our NAPLAN schedule below. Students will require their charged laptop and headphones (wired) for these tests. We will conduct a practice NAPLAN test in Week 6 to help students become familiar with the process and to ensure that their devices are working correctly.

Reading

It has been wonderful to see so many PC groups visiting the Library to borrow books already. We have also rolled out the ReadTheory website to students this week to enable additional practice of this vital skill. Students will do ReadTheory in PC once per week and can earn House Points for their work.

One of the best ways to develop a reading culture is to discuss our reading with others. I encourage you to share what you’re reading with your child/ren this week!

Mr Frank Turtle
Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching (Years 7-9)

Last Thursday, 13 February, the Year 9 and 10 drama classes had the privilege of attending Zen Zen Zo's physical theatre workshop. Zen Zen Zo is a Brisbane-based physical theatre company at the forefront of contemporary performance and training in Australia, whose works have been showcased at national and international festivals.  The students learned new improvisation and movement skills to apply to their own unit of work and assessment this term.  

Ms Ellie Kershaw

Academic Staff

This week on ABC, there was an excellent episode of the series “Role of a Lifetime”. It dealt superbly with the issue of smartphones and our teenagers, especially as they start high school. Some of the scenarios resonated with me as the Pastoral team deal with the fallout of some of these issues.

I highly recommend watching this as it has some great information for parents as there are experts giving their opinions on how to help young people deal with the social media world.

Series 1 Episode 1 (on ABC IView)

Duration: 45 minutes 36 seconds45m

At the Maliks, 10-year-old Jack wants a smartphone, but Mum and Dad are stalling. In the real world, Kate meets cognitive neuroscientist Mark Williams, who believes smartphones are sapping kids' ability to pay attention. 

Also, it would be very valuable as we work in partnership with our parents and carers for you to continue to have discussions with your children about how we interact with other people – friends and those we do not know well – who are from diverse backgrounds or those whose ideas differ from ours. Our pillars of Positive Relationships and Respect are what helps build an inclusive community here at Carmel. Even if we don’t agree with others, there are respectful ways of interacting and getting our point across.

All the best to everyone as we enter assessment time. Encourage students to seek support early with organisation and easing any exam/assignment stress.

I hope the next two weeks go well.

Ms Jacqueline Weidman

Assistant Principal- Student Wellbeing

Headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

Headspace Capalaba Centre offers a range of services to young people living in the Redlands and surrounding areas.

Some of the services offered at the Centre include support regarding:

• Physical & sexual health
• Mental health
• Alcohol & other drugs and
• Work & study groups

What happens when you refer a young person?

Once a referral is received, the young person will get a call within a week. During that call, a time is scheduled for the young person to have an intake discussion with one of the clinicians. This can be over the phone or face-to-face.

What are our current wait times? (as at February 2025)

Following the intake discussion, depending on the level of service that best meets the young person’s needs, they will be booked for appointments within 1-3 months.

**Please note that wait times may vary from week to week – please contact the centre for the latest update.

How to make a referral?

1. Self referral: A young person can self refer by calling or emailing the centre or dropping into the centre.
2. Friends or family: A young person's friend or family member can also refer them.

For further information about their services, including location and opening times, please visit the website - headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/capalaba/ 

or call 1300 851 274 or visit them at 1/29-37 Moreton Bay Road, Capalaba, Queensland 4157.

Ms Michelle Sams

Guidance Counsellor

Carmel College offers morning training for students and staff. Morning training is all inclusive and open to participation of all ages and fitness levels. Our training schedule is as follows:

Monday – Walk/Jog/Run

Tuesday – Gym (strength programming)

Wednesday – Walk/Jog/Run

Thursday - Gym (Conditioning – HIIT style workout)

Morning training begins Monday 16 February. Starts at 7am to 7.40am. Students need to bring a towel and water bottle.

Any questions or queries, please email dion.king@carmelcollege.qld.edu.au.

Mr Dion King

Athlete Development Program Leader

Welcome to the Arts Co-Curricular Program at Carmel College.  All our private lessons and ensembles have begun and all our staff are very excited for the year ahead of us.  Please keep an eye out for the Arts Co weekly timetable, which can be found in the fortnightly newsletters, in PC rooms, at Student reception and Student Wellbeing.

All Private Instrumental, Vocal, Dance and Visual Art lessons as underway and some real success stories are happening, this year we have the most Arts opportunities for Carmel College students we have ever had, and our numbers are very high in all programs we offer.  The Art staff are very excited for what 2025 hold for the Arts in our new amazing Civitas.  If your student is enrolled in the Arts extra-curricular program, you will receive emails from the respected teacher regarding times and days of lessons and all other communication regularly, please keep an eye on your emails for this.  Please refer to the Arts Co weekly timetable below for more information.

Does your student want to join an Arts Co Ensemble or take private instrumental, vocal, dance or visual art lessons?  If so, we offer many different styles of the Arts to our students.  Please fill out the Expression of Interest form and send this to Julia.Spargo@carmelcollege.qld.edu.au for processing.  Students are welcome all year round.

Mrs Julia Spargo

Arts Co-Curricular Program Leader

Love Your Library

Week 3 was ‘QLD School Library Week’ at Carmel, we celebrate it as ‘Love Your Library’ week.  To spread the library love we had a lolly guessing competition.  Congratulations to Lachlan in Year 10 for correctly guessing that there were 99 lollies in the jar.

SORA

Sora is an invaluable tool for students, providing access to a vast digital library of eBooks and audiobooks. It supports diverse learning needs by offering a range of reading materials that cater to different interests and reading levels. Our SORA access is easy for students, they just need their student number to login. There are a wide range of magazines, eBooks and audiobooks.

URGENT: Third-Party Data Permission

Parents and caregivers would have received two slips regarding permission for student data.  In Slip 1, Provider 8 was for Campion, our new digital textbook platform.

There are multiple students who do not have access to the digital textbook platform because consent was not provided, or the section was left blank.  We have sent emails home to parents and caregivers of the relevant students as a reminder.

The Campion details are:
Name of Provider:  Campion

Purpose of Use: Campion Education provides educational resources and digital content including digital textbooks. The Campion MyConnect platform provides access to digital resources and content from a range of publishers in Australia.

Website: https://www.campion.com.au/

Privacy Policy: https://www.campion.com.au/privacy-policy/

Terms of Use: https://www.campion.com.au/terms-conditions/

Personal information collected:  First Name, Last Name, BCE Email, Year, School Name, Country/State

Data Hosting: Onshore

Redlands Library – Borrowing

Carmel College has an account with Redland Libraries, and we can borrow resources that aren’t on our catalogue.  If students are after a particular book, we can see if Redland Library has it and then put it on reserve and collect when available.

Library Instagram

The library has its very own Instagram account which shows all the amazing activities we have on offer, as well as upcoming competition.  We also share new resources and book reviews.

Follow us at carmelcollege_library for all your library news!

Mrs Jessica Finden

Teacher Librarian

During the school year, Carmel College may take photos of your child as part of their schooling journey. We intend to publish an array of images in our annual yearbook, which will be published in hardcopy only and available to Carmel College families.

As noted in the 2025 BCE Annual School Photo Parent Slip, PC class photos and extra-curricular groups (arts, sport, library, debating, etc) will be included in the publication.

If you do not wish for your child to be published in the 2025 yearbook, please advise us by emailing carmelcollegeevents@bne.catholic.edu.au.

The Logan City Council provides the School Immunisation Program each year.

Please refer to the attached Click Consent Protect Flyer to register your child by using the online platform which has streamlined the process, making it quicker and easier for you to consent or decline participation for your child in the School Immunisation Program. 

If you have any questions or require assistance to complete the online consent form, please contact Logan City Council’s Immunisation team on 3412 4039 or email immunisation@logan.qld.gov.au

Discover the unique learning environment at Carmel College by joining us for a personal tour of our Catholic Co-educational Secondary College in Thornlands. We are committed to fostering learning through determination, creativity, and enthusiasm within the Catholic tradition, providing the perfect setting for your child to let their light shine!

• Thursday, 27 March 2025
• 9am- 11am
• Carmel College- 20 Ziegenfusz Road, Thornlands 4164

To secure your spot for the Open Day, please register online by visiting https://www.trybooking.com/CYLFP

What to Expect:

• Explore our state-of-the-art facilities
• Meet dedicated educators who are passionate about student success
• Learn about our diverse academic and extracurricular offerings
• Experience the warm and inclusive atmosphere of Carmel College

We can't wait to welcome you and look forward to showcasing the difference that Carmel College can make in your child's educational journey.

For more information:

• visit www.carmelcollege.qld.edu.au
• call us on 07 3488 7777
• email enrolments@carmelcollege.qld.edu.au

Dear Carmel Community

Our local sushi supplier of thirteen years has ceased trading, prompting the search for a new supplier. We found one from the Gold Coast, but after a little over a week, it became apparent that the sushi was not a success.

We have partnered with a new company called Big Crunch to supply our sushi. After taste testing their products, we found their sushi to be more in line with what we’re accustomed to. With any luck, this will help boost our sushi sales. Big Crunch offers a variety of sushi flavors, sushi munch boxes, Vietnamese rice paper rolls, healthy dips and snacks, and sushi salad cups. I plan to gradually introduce these new items as we gain more confidence in their products

Thank you for your patience and will have the sushi online ordering updated as the new lines are introduced.  

We are looking for parents who can volunteer at our Tuckshop for 2-3 hours either fortnightly or monthly. If you're interested in lending a hand, please reach out to our Tuckshop Convenor, Mrs Belinda Greaves, by emailing sthotuckshop@carmelcollege.qld.edu.au.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

The 2025 Volunteer Tuckshop Roster for Term 1 is outlined below:

Mrs Belinda Greaves

Tuckshop Convenor

Copyright in some materials appearing in the Carmel College Newsletter is owned by third parties and should not be used or reproduced without the authority of the third party. The links to websites or web pages are for information purposes only.

To the extent that such third-party materials are not owned by BCE, we accept no responsibility for such content.