Mr Stephen Adair

Principal 

As we end Term 1, I’d like to share with you the remarkable work our staff have been doing, exploring innovative educational concepts that will shape the future of the college. This term we removed traditional staff meetings and created future schooling committees that researched aspects of education that can improve student learning.  I have given a brief overview of each area below.

Pedagogical Frameworks

Staff have been delving into diverse pedagogical frameworks to enhance our teaching methodologies. By focusing on evidence-based practices, we aim to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences that cater to the unique needs and potential of every student.

Wellbeing and a Sense of Belonging

The wellbeing of our students is paramount. Our staff have been investigating strategies to foster a strong sense of community and belonging within our school. We believe that a supportive and inclusive environment is essential for the holistic development of our students, and this sense of belonging should extend to our parents and past families as well. 

Pesonalised Learning

Teachers explored ways to personalise learning to better meet the diverse needs of students. Through customised learning pathways, we can recognise and nurture the unique strengths, interests, and pace of each learner. This approach empowers students to take ownership of their educational journey, fostering a sense of autonomy and intrinsic motivation. Personalised learning not only addresses individual learning needs but also encourages deeper engagement with the curriculum, promoting lifelong learning skills and enhancing overall academic performance.

Integrating AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise the way we teach and learn. We are exploring how AI can be seamlessly integrated into our curriculum to personalise and enhance learning experiences.

Technology Platforms for Learning

Teachers investigated advanced technology platforms that support tailored educational experiences. These platforms can empower our teachers to track student progress in real-time, provide timely feedback, and adapt instruction to address specific learning gaps.

Open Learning Concepts and Flexible Schooling Structures

Open learning concepts and flexible schooling structures can accommodate the diverse needs and aspirations of our student body. By reimagining traditional classroom settings and embracing flexible learning environments, we can provide students with greater autonomy and opportunities for self-directed learning.

In Term 2, our staff will be focused on contextualising these innovative concepts for our Carmel community. We are enthusiastic about the possibilities that lie ahead and are committed to ensuring our school is a leader in educational excellence.  Stay tuned for more updates on our future schooling project.

God Bless,

Mr Reuben Chalmers

Deputy Principal

Easter and Caritas Fundraising: A Term of Generosity

As we moved through Lent and into the Easter season, it was great to see our school community come together to support Caritas and raise money for people in need. Each House took a different approach, and it’s been fantastic to watch the creativity and energy on display.

• Polding House hosted a Breakfast BBQ, kicking off the day with bacon and egg rolls and raising funds at the same time.
• Champagnat House ran a coin collection challenge, with PC groups competing to see who could bring in the most coins—every cent counted!
• Avila House focused on giving in more ways than one, collecting jumpers to donate as well as money for Caritas.
• MacKillop House held a Sausage Sizzle and face painting, which was a hit with students across all year levels.
• Romero House also ran a Sausage Sizzle, adding a bake sale into the mix that brought in a great crowd (and some very tasty treats).

Although Caritas fundraising officially wraps up in May, we’ve already seen some amazing contributions. A full update on the total amount raised will be shared next term.

Thanks to everyone who got involved—whether you donated, helped out, or just showed up to support your House. It’s been a real team effort and a great example of putting our values into action.

Looking Ahead to Holy Week and Easter

As we come to the end of Term 1, we also prepare to enter Holy Week—a sacred time in our faith that leads us to Easter Sunday. It’s a week that invites us to slow down, reflect, and remember the journey Jesus took through suffering, sacrifice, and finally, new life.

On Friday morning, our school community gathered for a special Easter Liturgy, led by our Year 12 Drama students & Ministry Leaders who brought the Stations of the Cross to life. Each station reflected the real emotions and challenges of Jesus’ final moments—but also the quiet strength and hope that ran through the whole story. This liturgy was made even more special with a beautiful dance from some of our talented dance students to the song, ‘I am Barabbas’, and Carmel Chorum’s rendition of the song ‘Only Hope’.

At the heart of Holy Week is hope:

• Hope through suffering – that even when things are painful, we’re not alone.
• Hope in never giving up – that courage and kindness still matter, even when it's hard.
• Hope in waiting – that light will come, even if we can't see it yet.
• Hope in the resurrection – that love is stronger than death.

One Gospel moment that captures this beautifully is when the risen Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. At first, she doesn’t recognise him. But when he gently says her name—“Mary”—she knows it’s him. That personal encounter reminds us that Jesus sees each of us.

Here’s a simple prayer to carry into Holy Week:

God of hope,
In our struggles and questions,
Help us to remember your presence.
As we walk through Holy Week,
Fill our hearts with the light of Easter joy.
May we be people of hope,
In our words, our choices, and our care for others.
Amen.

Wishing all Carmel families a peaceful Holy Week and a joyful Easter. May this season remind us that there is always hope—no matter where we are on the journey.

Mrs Erin Hardy

Assistant Principal-Religious Education

I am sure we have all heard the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”. It is a phrase that many of us may have had repeated to us by our parents in childhood. This phrase though, is dated and wrong. At assembly this week, I spoke to students about the power of words and how they can lift us up but also be used to put us down.

When thinking about what I would say to students, I was inspired by my own principal when I was in high school. At an assembly, Mr Lalor told us, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can crush my spirit”. I repeated this same message to Carmel College students on Thursday and reminded them that we are an inclusive Catholic college that upholds the innate dignity of each person in our community. Every time we make a derogatory comment or threaten someone’s safety and wellbeing, we fail to uphold our College Pillars of Respect and Positive Relationships. Words and comments designed to humiliate or degrade others are not tolerated or accepted in our community.

My message to students also branched out into the online space, which I addressed in the previous edition of the newsletter. Online spaces unfortunately provide an avenue where identities can be masked and people can become what is termed a “keyboard warrior”. Students were reminded that they also represented Carmel College when they are online and that their interactions with others should be based on our College Pillars of Respect and Positive Relationships.

As we end the first quarter of the school year, I encourage you to sit down with your child and go through their report card – identifying areas of strength and areas that need improvement, based on the Carmel Committed Learner Criteria of Respect, Resilience, Diligence and Positive Relationships. It might also be worth encouraging your child to reflect on these commitments they made in their enrolment interview:

• Wearing their uniform well and with pride
• Turning up to school on time and ready to learn
• Going to class and working hard
• Getting involved in school life
• Being kind and welcoming to others
• Upholding our values

Ask your student to identify one area in which they are going well, as well as having a focus for growth in Term 2.

I wish you and your families are restful Easter Break.

Mr Liam Lunney

Acting Assistant Principal: Student Wellbeing 

Term One Wrap-up

Our Senior students at Carmel have demonstrated the pillars across multiple aspects of college life and I am so impressed to see them developing as Consistent Committed Learners. I wish all of our Year 10 – 12 students a restful break and congratulate them on a successful term of learning that required resilience and flexibility in the face of many unique challenges. Well done to all of our Senior students at Carmel!

Term One Progress Reports

A reminder that, all Carmel students will receive a Term 1 progress report based on judgements around our Consistent Committed Learner Qualities Matrix. These judgements will give insights around Carmel students attitudes and behaviours towards their learning.

While academic results aren’t included for our 7-12 learners, I would encourage all families to talk with your students about their results. Remember – you can access these reports from The Learning Dashboard. Ensure you are not trying to access Academic Reports as this is the archive for our old Student Reporting System.

Year 12 Examination Block

Congratulations to all our Year 12 learners who successfully completed their Unit 3 Senior Examination block. I’m happy to report that our Year 12s tackled their exams with confidence, resilience and diligence and their behaviour was impeccable.

QCAA MYQCE PORTAL – Years 11 and 12

All Years 11 and 12 students need to register for the QCAA MyQCE online portal, as a key resource to check subject enrolments and results, track progress towards the QCE, view final subject results, and download official statements and certificates (once eligible).

Students can register for the portal via the link: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/your-qce-pathway/student-portal-and-learning-account

Once registered for the portal, students will see the following features inside:

• My Details — where you can check your personal details
• My Learning Account — where you can view your subject and course enrolments, check your QCE eligibility and access your results and Senior Education profile (SEP) once eligible
• My Timetable — where you will see your external assessment timetable (for General subjects)
• My AARA — where you can view the status of access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA)
• My Online Learning — where you can complete the QCAA academic integrity course and print a certificate of completion.

Year 10 Pathways

Next term, our Year 10 learners will begin the process of the Senior Education and Training Plan which will see them choosing their subjects and pathways for Years 11 & 12.  I encourage all Year 10s over the holidays to start thinking of their future pathways, passions and talents so that we can ensure all of our Year 10s are equipped with the skills to make these important decisions.  

If you’d like to engage in conversations with your learners and are looking for additional resources, my best recommendation would be to visit the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) website to learn about all things Senior Secondary schooling and the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). A guide to parents and carers is available here:

QCE Guide for Parents & Carers

For a quick overview of what the QCE is all about, feel free to visit the link below:

A Quick Guide to the QCE System

Ms Cher Williams

Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching Senior Years

On Thursday 3 April, the Year 12 Aviation class from Carmel College embarked on an exciting excursion to Brisbane Airport. The bus tour provided students with an in-depth look at the airport's current infrastructure projects, expansion plans, and general operations.

From the comfort of the bus, students also had the opportunity to see the Domestic Terminal, the International Terminal, the freight and logistics area, and the aviation education and training facilities.

The highlights of the tour for the students were undoubtedly the Plane Spotters area, where they had the chance to observe aircraft up close and see what they had learnt in the classroom in action. The Kingsford Smith Memorial which included the famous southern Cross aircraft was also a highlight, as the students had the chance to observe aircraft up close and learn about the history of aviation.

Overall, the excursion was a fantastic educational experience, providing the students with valuable insights into the workings of a major airport and the aviation industry.

Mr Troy Coggins

Academic Staff

Our Year 10 History students had the incredible opportunity to visit the University of Queensland's RD Milns Antiquity Museum, where they participated in a tour and workshops focused on ancient Egypt. They had the chance to handle authentic Egyptian artefacts and even got to mummify a dummy! It was an amazing hands-on archaeological experience for them, and they also got a taste of the university environment.

Mrs Diana Platt

Learning and Teaching Leader – Humanities & Business

Term 1 Reports

Our Term 1 report cards have been released on the Learning Dashboard today and an email with instructions to access has also been sent home. These reports do not include subject assessment results as these are still continuing. However, they present a perfect opportunity to reflect with your child on the demonstration of our Carmel Committed Learner Qualities and to set some goals ready for Term 2!

Assessment Absences and Special Provisions

All students should be familiar with the process for absences for assessment and how to apply for special provisions if eligible. This information is available in the Student Handbook and via the Assessment Policies and Procedures on the Parent Portal.

Families are reminded that holidays during term time are not grounds for special provisions. Students will need to submit assessment on or before the due date (including via Teams while they are away). In some cases, this can make it difficult for students to present their best work. Where assessment is not submitted, teachers will use any evidence that is available, including class work and drafts, to determine a result against the Achievement Standard. Missing assessment altogether leads to less reliable results and reporting of student achievement. We ask that holidays during school terms are avoided to ensure continuity of learning.

Subject Changes

Years 8 and 9 are the time for students to explore our subject offerings at Carmel through their elective classes. While it is important that they make the best possible choices the first time to minimise changes and to access the full curriculum, we know that some changes are inevitable. Where students have found that they are not enjoying a subject, it is possible to request a subject change. Forms are available from Student Reception and must be signed by parents. Please note that some changes may not be possible depending on class sizes and other timetabling constraints. 

Reading

On Tuesdays in Term 1, students have been developing their reading skills using the ReadTheory platform. Congratulations to all students who have been so involved in this to boost their abilities and particularly to Romero House who have notched up an incredible 3113 Knowledge Points. All points will translate to House Points for the Carmel Cup. Let’s see if they can be beaten in Term 2!

We have also set a goal to have over 5000 fiction and non fiction books borrowed from the library in 2025. We are delighted that we’ve already passed 1500 books for Term 1 and encourage everyone to keep reading over the Easter break.

Student Diary

The last fortnight has been huge for our Year 7 students with their Connection Days at Kindilan and HASS excursions to the Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre! More about these events is included later in the newsletter.

Although not a Year 7-9 class, I ventured down to Spero block earlier this week to visit Mrs Draycott’s Year 10 Food Technologies class. They needed some taste testers for their ice cream flavours and I felt it was important to be of service! I was impressed with the variety of flavours and mix-ins and very happy to provide feedback as part of the design process. Well done to all involved!

Mr Frank Turtle

Acting Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching (Years 7-9)

As Term 1 comes to an end, I wish to congratulate all Year 7 Design and Technology students for their eagerness and accomplishments in designing and creating decorative photo frames. The students took advantage of 3D printing, laser cutting, and various design techniques. Below are examples of the fine work from some of our students.

Mr Tony Hurley

Learning and Teaching Leader – Design & Technology

During Week 8, our Year 7 students had the opportunity to attend Ngutana-Lui, Brisbane Catholic Education’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre, based in Inala. This visit provided a unique chance for our students, along with their teachers, to increase their awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and spiritualities.

During their visit, our students participated in four engaging activities: Aboriginal Song and dance, dot paintings, Dreamtime stories, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural experiences. Each activity was thoughtfully designed to immerse the students in the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

It was a memorable day for everyone involved, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow through such meaningful experiences. We look forward to incorporating the knowledge and insights gained from this visit into our learning in HASS and English that we will continue in Term 2.

Ms Wendy Anderson

Academic Staff

Last week’s Year 7 Connection Days at PGL Kindilan provided an excellent opportunity for our students to develop teamwork, communication, and community spirit. The students had a fantastic time participating in various activities such as raft building, canoeing, flying fox and team building challenges. It was wonderful to see students challenging themselves and making new connections with classmates and teachers. Overall, the Kindilan Connection Day was a successful and enjoyable experience for our Year 7 students. It was a great way to end a very busy first term of high school.

Ms Kelly Gough

Year 7 Transition Leader

On Wednesday 26 March, Carmel College was abuzz with excitement as students and parents gathered for an exhilarating esports tournament featuring the popular game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their gaming skills and for the community to come together in support of their favourite players.

The tournament saw intense competition, with students from all houses battling it out for the top spot. After a series of thrilling matches, it was Levi H from Romero house who emerged victorious, claiming the title of champion. Levi's impressive skills with Bowser kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the tournament.

Cameron H, also from Romero house, put up a strong fight and secured the runner-up position. Cameron's performance was commendable, and the final match between Levi and Cameron was a highlight of the event, demonstrating the high level of skill and sportsmanship among the participants.

Congratulations to Levi and Cameron for their outstanding achievements, and a big thank you to all the participants who made this event a memorable success. We look forward to more exciting esports events in the future!

Mr Sean Freeburn

Academic Staff

What we offer – With most groups/ensembles coming at NO cost to our families

All Private Instrumental, Vocal, Dance, and Visual Art lessons are underway, and we are already seeing some real success stories. This year, we have the most Arts opportunities for Carmel College students that we have ever had, and our numbers are very high in all programs we offer. The Art staff are very excited for what 2025 holds for the Arts. If your student is enrolled in the Arts extra-curricular program, you will receive emails from their 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.

Arts Co-Curricular Program Leader

On Tuesday 1 April, our Year 10, 11, and 12 Dance Curriculum students had the incredible opportunity to participate in an incursion with esteemed guest artist Vanessa Friscia.

The workshop focused on expanding students' movement vocabulary through improvisation, using four key concepts: throw, catch, push, and pull. Through these dynamic exercises, students explored new ways to move through the space, enhancing their creativity and physical expression.

The engagement and enthusiasm from all students were exceptional, and their respectful approach to the workshop was a testament to their passion for dance. They embraced the challenges set by Vanessa and gained valuable insights that will support their choreographic development.

Looking ahead to Term 2, students will apply these new skills to their choreographic tasks, using their experiences from the workshop to craft original movement sequences.

We can’t wait to see how their creativity unfolds!

Miss Hailee Speck

Learning and Teaching Leader – The Arts

This term, our Year 7 Dance classes had the privilege of taking part in an Indigenous Dance Workshop with Matt Burns. They listened about the Quandamooka peoples stories from Stradbroke Island and their histories. They learned about the animals, their totems, their ceremonies and so much more. The students were so respectful in their interactions with Mr Burns and we thank him for continuing his connection with Carmel College Dance for so many years. Well done Year 7 students!

Miss Hailee Speck

Learning and Teaching Leader – The Arts

ID Cards

Years 7, 9  and 11 students were able to come and collect their ID cards in Week 9 and Week 10.  New students in Year 8, 10 and 12 were also able to collect their cards this week.

Some students may not have been able to receive one as they were absent or unable to have their photo taken during the scheduled professional school photo session. These students will need to come to the library in full school uniform next term to have their photo taken.  I will then be able to issue them with their new ID card.

A reminder that the ID cards are valid for two years, students receive a new ID card in Year 7, 9 and 11.

Students who misplace their ID card can purchase a new one by paying $10 at Reception or Student Reception and bringing the receipt up to the library.

Kid’s Lit Quiz competition

The Kid’s Lit Quiz competition took place on Wednesday 2 April at Moreton Bay College.  Our Year 7 team competed against 11 other schools and whilst we didn’t place, it is always a fun morning out.

Overdue Library Resources

There are still 100+ overdue library resources at the end of this term.  Students and parents/caregivers have been emailed reminder notices throughout Term 1, at the end of Term 1 and will be emailed again when we return for Term 2. Students who had resources due back on or before Friday 7March will be charged for this on the Term 2 school fees. 

Pets Caught Reading Challenge

Our annual ‘Pets Caught Reading Challenge’ takes place over the Easter holidays.  We invite students to snap a photo of their pets reading.  The more creative the better, as long as the pets are safe!  What books will your pets be caught reading?  We can’t wait to see what students can come up with.  Thank you to the students who have already submitted their photos.

Students can email their photos to Mrs Finden or submit a form via this link.  Voting will take place in Term 2 to determine our three winners.

Mrs Jessica Finden

Teacher Librarian

Follow us at carmelcollege_library for all your library news!

Year 12

Pathways are hoping all of your studies are going well.  As we look to Term 2 and 3 we have a number of events and open days to be aware of.

Brisbane’s Careers and Employment Expo is on June 12-14.   Entry is free.   For more information, click the link.

QCAA have a list of university open days which is regularly updated.  It is recommended you visit any universities/colleges that you are looking to apply at later in the year. The list can be found here.

Griffith University’s Countdown to Uni webinar on Tuesday, 29 April, from 7-8pm is designed for Year 11 and 12 students and their parents or guardians. This free online session will guide you through everything you need to know to prepare for university life at Griffith. RSVP here:

Year 11

If you are looking to change any subjects for Unit 2 (end of Term 2), please come and have a chat with Mrs Coggins in Pathways.

Year 10

Save the Date!   The Carmel Careers Expo will be held on Tuesday 10 June.    This is a great opportunity to seek out ideas and inspiration for your senior pathway.    

Year 9

We are excited to see what the Year 9’s produce for their Flipped Careers expo on Monday 19May.

If anyone needs any assistance with pathways, subject selection or work experience, please come by the Pathways office and have a chat.

Mrs Katie Coggins

Pathways Program Leader

Our first round of Student-Parent-Teacher conferences for the year will be held on Wednesday, 23 April and Tuesday, 29 April from 3:30-6:00pm in Civitas.

These are an important opportunity to connect with teachers and collaboratively discuss student learning, especially in light of the upcoming Term 1 reports which will be available from Friday, 4 April.

It is especially important to book an interview with any staff who have requested one via report cards.

Conferences will be of 10 minutes duration. Students are expected to attend these conferences as it is important that their voice is part of the conversation.

The booking platform is now open and will close 2 days before each interview date.

For these conferences, we use an online booking system called Booked – the system was previously named Parent Teacher On-Line (PTO), Booked has the same functionality as PTO.

Using this system, you will be able to book the conference times that suit you best.

Follow the below steps to gain access to the system:

• Use this link to access the Carmel College booking system:
  https://bookings.parentteacheronline.com.au?school=7xnsa
• Click “Obtain PIN/Password”.
• Enter the email address that is registered with Carmel College.
• Login information will be emailed to you.
• Full instructions are provided to you after log in.

Please note the following points:

• When you log on, the system displays only your own child/children.
• You will only see time slots that are available at the time you are using the system. As time slots are booked for teachers, those time slots are no longer displayed as available. PTO prevents double booking of teachers or parents/guardians.
• To ensure as many parents can meet with us as possible, parents are only able to book one time slot per teacher. Teachers will be able to discuss multiple subjects during each conference if needed.
• When you have made all the bookings you require, you can download or email a report of your bookings in time order for printing.
• Other parents may be making bookings while you are using the system. It is possible, although unlikely, that a time slot is displayed to you as available but is then booked by another parent shortly afterwards. If you then attempt to book this time slot, it will not be available, and a message will be displayed to indicate this.
• If you encounter any problems using PTO, please contact the school office by phone on 3488 7777, or by email to sthornlands@bne.catholic.edu.au

We are thrilled to announce that students from Nara Ikuei High School, Japan, will be visiting Carmel College in Term 3. During their stay, they will share their knowledge of Japanese language and culture with our students while also learning about our great Aussie lifestyle and improving their English skills.We are looking for families that would like to open their homes to our Japanese guests. If you are interested in hosting a student, please review the documents below and reach out to Mrs Ward or Ms Edwards for more information. Let's make this cultural exchange a memorable experience for everyone involved!

Dear Carmel Community,

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.

The 2025 Volunteer Tuckshop Roster for Term 2 is outlined below:

Mrs Belinda Greaves

Tuckshop Convenor

The top carpark through gate 3 is not to be used for parent pick-up or drop-off between 8:00am and 9:00am and from 3:00pm to 3:30pm.  We have noticed a few people doing U Turns in Doull Place.  Please avoid this as it disrupts traffic flow and can be very dangerous – especially if people mount the footpath.  Please have your child wait at the drop off zone and circulate through.  If possible, delay your pick up for 10 or 15 minutes.  Pick up from 3:15pm is much smoother.

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.