Mr Stephen Adair

Principal 

This week, we celebrated teachers and the exciting work they've done this semester with their classes. It was a great opportunity to hear about the diverse methods teachers use to make learning relevant, meaningful, and engaging. Through these innovative approaches, teachers are not only achieving our college goals—such as fostering a sense of belonging, engaging pedagogy, and strengthening home-school partnerships—but are also equipping students with essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving that will serve them throughout their lives.

Here is a small sample of the learning experiences shared by teachers:

• Ms Julie Edwards highlighted how she has used technology to gamify Japanese and increase participation in class, encouraging students to think critically and collaborate in real time as they solve linguistic challenges together.
• Mr Simon Thomas explained how he has implemented new ways of teaching mathematics to deepen students' understanding. This approach has also enhanced their problem-solving skills and strengthened their ability to work collaboratively as they tackle complex concepts in groups.
• Ms Georgia Handley improved student engagement in English by setting her classroom up as a crime scene and deputising students as detectives to discover who killed Sherlock Holmes. This creative method not only made learning fun but also fostered investigative thinking and teamwork among her students.
• Mrs Debbie Hooper-Lees and the science team showcased the excellent solar models that year 7 students completed to demonstrate their learning this term, a project that required students to apply scientific reasoning, collaborate with peers, and present their findings with confidence.

As you review the school term with your child, I hope you are able to celebrate their successes as well. I encourage all parents to make time to join us at our student, parent and teacher conferences to discuss your child’s learning. Additionally, consider setting aside time each week to review homework together, ask your child to explain new concepts in their own words, or engage in educational activities at home that align with what they are learning in school. These small actions can make a big difference in supporting your child’s academic growth and enthusiasm for learning.

God bless,

Mr Reuben Chalmers

Deputy Chalmers

As we come to the end of another busy and meaningful term at Carmel College, we take a moment to pause in gratitude and prayer.

Loving God,

As we finish this term, we give thanks for the journey — for the learning, the friendships, and the moments of quiet grace that have shaped our days. Like Mary, help us to treasure these things in our hearts, and to listen for Your voice in the silence.

Like the Carmelites, may we find You in stillness and simplicity. Like Marcellin Champagnat, may we act with courage, humility, and a heart for others.

Bless our students, families, and staff with rest and renewal these holidays.
Keep us safe and bring us back ready to let our light shine again.

Amen.

Game Changers in Action – $1000 Raised and More to Come!

Our Game Changers have been leading the way in generosity and service this term, with a number of exciting initiatives across all year levels—and some incredible results already!

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Game Changers at the Athletics Carnival on Thursday! Between the Year 11 & 12 sausage sizzle and the Year 7 & 8 bake sale, we raised almost $1000 in just one day — all going directly to support The Carmel Chop, our school’s outreach program for people in need.

It was a fantastic effort from students and staff, and we’re so proud of the way our young leaders stepped up to serve with energy and heart.

Thanks to your kindness, our Year 9 & 10 Game Changers were able to send off blankets, noodles, and toiletries to support Rosies – Friends on the Street last Friday evening.

We are also grateful for the support of one of our Religion and Ethics classes, who prepared sandwiches and care packs to be shared with Rosies patrons that night. It’s these acts of quiet service that remind us how small actions can make a big impact.

We’re still collecting donations for Rosies near Student Reception—so if you’re able to contribute, please do! Every little bit helps someone doing it tough.

Our Game Changers are also running the annual Shoe Drive, collecting good quality, second-hand shoes to be donated through Rebel Sport’s recycling program. These shoes will either be responsibly recycled or passed on to people who need them most.

So far, Champagnat House is in the lead—but we’d love to see the other Houses rise to the challenge! Every donated pair earns House points, and we’re collecting until Friday 25 July (Term 3, Week 2).

Now is a great time to clean out the closet over the holidays and bring in any pairs that no longer fit or are no longer worn.

Carmel students join the national effort to help Make-A-Wish come true

Some of our Carmel students, are making a meaningful difference this month by taking part in the Hungry Jack’s 2025 Wishmaker campaign, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

These students, who all work at Hungry Jack’s, are helping their stores raise funds throughout June to support life-changing wishes for critically ill children across Australia. The goal this year is to raise $2.5 million, with every donation going directly toward granting wishes that bring hope, strength, and joy to children and their families during incredibly tough times.

Hungry Jacks are encouraging customers to purchase donation stars in-store or through the Hungry Jack’s app, with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Australia. The campaign runs until June 30, so there’s still time to get involved! If you're visiting Hungry Jack’s, be sure to support our Carmel students’ efforts and help brighten the lives of children facing serious illness!  It is wonderful to see our students get involved in causes that make a real difference. For more information and to donate, please visit Hungry Jack's Make-A-Wish.

Mrs Erin Hardy

Assistant Principal-Religious Education

As we head into the break for school holidays, the Pastoral Team want to wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable time. Some parents and caregivers will not of course get a holiday break but hopefully the students will help out around the house as well as have some fun outings and downtime which is not always appreciated in our busy lives. It is good for our brains to reflect on not only the good things but the mistakes we’ve made and what we have learned from them. As report cards are being delivered, students need to celebrate the achievement from doing one’s best but also see errors in exams and disappointing marks as a way of improving after getting the feedback. This also helps with building confidence through resilience.

I came across this interesting article from Selena Bartlett, a professor of neuroscience at QUT. 

Top 5 Foundations for Healthy Brain and Child Development (0–18 years)

Attachment and Safety (0–18 months)

• Prioritise bonding, physical affection, eye contact, and consistent caregiving.
• Love, hugs, and a safe environment are essential to wire the brain for trust and connection.

Will and Authority (18 months–3 years)

• Respect toddlers’ emerging independence while setting firm boundaries.
• Let them try things on their own, even if frustrating, and allow space for tantrums. This builds frustration tolerance and emotional regulation.

Autonomy and Independence (3–5 years)

• Encourage self-help skills like dressing, zipping coats, and managing tasks.
• Let children take risks and experience challenge—don’t over-index on safety.
• Social-emotional learning and confidence emerge from doing, not avoiding struggle.

Confidence and Competence (5–12 years)

• Confidence grows by overcoming hard things—not from trophies or rewards.
• Avoid constant praise and incentives; instead, promote perseverance and self-worth through effort and resilience.

Identity Development (12–18 years)

• A secure sense of self is built on the foundation of earlier stages.
• Without real-world confidence, teens look to social media influencers to tell them who they are.
• This can lead to distorted identity formation and vulnerability to mental health trends online.

Key Insight
Modern parenting often prioritises convenience and safety over challenge and growth. But kids need opportunities to struggle, try, fail, and try again to build the emotional muscles they’ll need for life. “We’re putting 3-year-olds on iPads but not letting them zip up their coats.” 

Extract from: Bartlett, S. Neuroscientist, Professor, author, speaker, educator and host of the Thriving Minds podcast. Adolescence & Authority: What the Netflix Series Gets Right About Our Kids, Nicole Runyon, Psychotherapist, parent coach, Author Free to Fly. [Online] Available at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/episodes/16923238-episode-195-adolescence-authority-what-the-netflix-series-gets-right-about-our-kids-nicole-runyon-psychotherapist-parent-coach-author-free-to-fly. [Accessed 27 June 2025].

I hope this is helpful and provides some food for thought. We in the Pastoral Team are here to support students who make mistakes. While sometimes we have to implement serious consequences, we do so knowing that it is better for students to learn from their mistakes now in their teenage years rather than face more concerning consequences and issues in later life.

Take care, and we look forward to a great Term 3 when we return all refreshed.

Ms Jacqueline Weidman

Assistant Principal Student Wellbeing

Term Two Success!

I’d like to congratulate all of our students in years 10-12 for a successful Semester of learning here at Carmel.  From academic success to activating Pathways, our Consistent Commitment to Learning has ensured the success of all of our Senior Students at Carmel.

Year 10 Subject Expo and SET Planning

It’s been wonderful to talk with parents and students of Year 10 to discuss their Senior Schooling pathways for 2026 and beyond. Thank you to all of our dedicated parents for ensuring their learners best success by engaging with our SET Planning process. Our pathways team here at Carmel has had an overwhelming interest in all things SET-Planning and in response, Mrs Tamara Thomas and I will be running a Q&A session alongside our scheduled Term 3 Parent Teacher Conferences on the first Tuesday of Term 3. We will be available during the evening to answer any final questions you may have around subject choices, pathway options and what to expect during your scheduled SET Plan conversations on Tuesday 22 July.

WHEN:    Tuesday 15 July

WHERE:  Spero04 (Classroom opposite the Civitas canteen area)

TIME:      Drop in anytime between 3.30pm and 5.30pm

ONLINE: If you can’t make the Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences feel free to connect with us on Teams for an online session from 5.30pm – 6.00pm (a link will be emailed to all parents).

 The SET Plan

As a parent or carer, there are many ways you can join this conversation so that come SET Planning time, you and your learner are well equipped to navigate these important decisions and discussions. 

1. Discuss the upcoming semester one report to determine strengths of your learner.
2. Engage with our pathways hub to access up to date information, calendar items and short activities that will assist your learner in deciding their path forward. https://carmelcollegepathways.com/
3. Visit QTAC to learn when specific institutions are hosting their University Open days.
4. Engage in conversation with your learner to determine their strengths, passions and skills and encourage them to discover what career and pathway options might allow them to thrive with these things in mind. QUT and UQ have great supporting resources to assist you in having these conversations.

Term Three – Senior Academic Mentoring

A reminder that Term 3 will provide opportunities for our Year 12s to meet with their PC teachers for a second round of academic mentoring that will capture IA2s and 3s. Our Pathways Team will also be working with our Year 12s to discuss next steps post schooling and ensure that students have all of the tools to equip them for success beyond Carmel.

This will also see the first round of academic mentoring for our Year 11 students who will be reflecting with PC teachers on their Unit 1 results and steps to keep the momentum going. Year 11s have been incredibly reflective, and I’ve seen a number of subject changes come through that will support continued Year 11 success on their Senior Pathways. Well done, Year 11!

Ms Cher Williams

Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching Years 10-12

Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching 7-9

Semester 1 Reports for all students are now available via the Learning Dashboard, which can be accessed via the Parent Portal or through the BCE Connect mobile app.

Additional information about accessing reports, and the judgements included in your child’s report has been sent via email today.

We ask that all families take time over the holidays to review and reflect on these reports, which present an opportunity to understand what students have done well in and where they can continue to focus efforts for Semester 2.

The second round of Student-Parent-Teacher conferences for the year will be held on Tuesday, 15 July from 3:30pm-6:00pm in Civitas.

These are an important opportunity to connect with teachers and collaboratively discuss student learning and progress. 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.

Bookings will open at 3.00pm today, Friday 27 June and will close 2 days before the interview date.

For these S-P-T 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:

• Click here to access the Carmel College booking system.
• 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

Open Days/Scholarships   

Year 11 and 12 students are encouraged to attend Open Days for TAFE, universities, or colleges that they might be considering attending after they finish school. University open days offer a firsthand experience of campus life. Students get the chance to explore the university grounds, visit facilities, and see where they might be spending the next few years of their lives. This can be incredibly helpful in determining whether a particular university feels like the right fit for them.

Open days provide an excellent opportunity for students to interact with faculty members and current students. They can ask questions, seek advice, and gain insights into the academic programs and courses offered. This direct interaction can help them understand the teaching styles and academic expectations of the university.

Many universities also offer a range of scholarships, and open days are a great way to explore these options.

SET Plan meetings   

SET planning meetings will take place on Tuesday 22 July.   On Day 1 of Term 3, Year 10 students will print out their selections from SSO.  Students will bring the printed the subject selections to the SET plan meeting.    At this meeting we will discuss the selections before finalising subjects for 2026.

TAFE applications

TAFE application for 2026 will open on Monday 21 July. Apply here.

When you apply you will need the course code, your students LUI number and their USI (Unique Student Identifier).

Mrs Katie Coggins

Pathways Leader

Year 11 Biology – Microbiology

Year 11 Biology students embarked on an eye-opening journey into the battle against microbes! They unleashed antibiotics on bacterial cultures and watched as clear zones of inhibition revealed the power of antimicrobials in action. With precise lab techniques and sharp focus—including sterilisation and careful handling of agar plates—they gained valuable hands-on experience in advanced microbiology.

Year 10 Chemistry - Double Displacement Experiment

Our Year 10 students dove into the exciting world of chemistry with a hands-on double displacement experiment! They watched in amazement as two compounds swapped ions, creating new substances right before their eyes. Sometimes a solid precipitate appeared, bubbles of gas formed, or a neutralisation reaction took place — each reaction revealing the incredible ways molecules interact and transform.

Year 10 – Chemistry – Metal Carbonates

Year 10 Chemistry students explored the reactions of different metal carbonates with acids. Using different carbonate powders, they observed bubbling and fizzing as carbon dioxide gas was released, turning simple powders into a captivating chemical show! By comparing the reactions of each metal carbonate, students discovered how different metals affect the speed and intensity of the reaction, deepening their understanding of chemical properties and gas formation in real time.

Year 9 Chemistry – Acids and Bases

This week, our Year 9 students became real scientists as they explored the colourful world of acids and bases! Using indicators like litmus, phenolphthalein, methyl orange, and bromothymol blue, they tested a variety of substances to discover their pH. With each dramatic colour change—from red to blue or yellow to pink—they uncovered whether a material was acidic, neutral, or basic. It was a hands-on, eye-opening experiment that brought chemistry to life!

Year 7 Biology – Prawn Dissection

Year 7 students dissected prawns to explore their fascinating anatomy! With careful hands, they uncovered the hidden world of muscles, legs, and gills, all while the fresh, briny smell of the prawn scent lingered in the air. This hands-on exploration sparked curiosity and brought biology to life in a truly unforgettable way!

In 7.2 Religion, students explored the lives of the early Christians, learning about their courage, challenges, and faith under persecution. They studied how the Nicene Creed was formed as a unifying statement of belief and reflected on its meaning today. Each student selected a line from the Creed that resonated with them and brought it to life through a thoughtful clay sculpture. Ms Judy Di Mauro's lesson encouraged students to consider how ancient beliefs still speak to their own lives—reminding them that faith, identity, and perseverance remain as relevant today as they were in the early Church. 

Mrs Erin Hardy

Assistant Principal- Religious Education

Year 8 History students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Medieval History thanks to a visit from Ms Robertson, Carmel College's Teaching and Learning Leader for Learning Enhancement. With a passion for history, Ms Robertson brought an impressive collection of Medieval clothing and armour for students to explore. They tried on dresses, shoes, capes, hoods, bags, as well as replica chainmail and plate armour. This experience complemented their studies on Medieval Europe, including the Crusades, the Black Death, and the Feudal system. Ms Robertson's visit was highly engaging and will hopefully be a memorable experience for the students. Hands-on experiences like this enhance learning and keep history alive in the classroom!

Ms Gemma-Louise Fergusson

Last week, Carmel College held its second interhouse esports tournament of 2025, and once again, the excitement was palpable. Approximately twenty students gathered to compete in the classic game Halo 3, showcasing their skills and house pride in a series of intense matchups.

After a thrilling final round, Parker W from Avila House emerged as the tournament champion, with Ethan St from Champagnat House finishing as the well-fought runner-up. Both players demonstrated outstanding gameplay and sportsmanship throughout the event.

This tournament not only highlighted the growing enthusiasm for esports at Carmel but also strengthened the spirit of friendly competition among houses. Looking ahead, students are gearing up for SECA Esports next term, where Carmel College will go head-to-head with other BCE schools in what promises to be a series of exciting interschool showdowns.

Mr Sean Freeburn

Academic Staff

Mid Semester Performance

Thank you to all the Staff and students involved in making the 2025 Mid Semester Performance such a success.  This event is always a highlight for our Solo and small group Vocal/Instrumental students and their families.  A big thank you to Mr Jayden Hayward, Mrs Deb Harris and Mrs Rachel Lax for always supporting the Arts Co events.

Buy Your Tickets Now for Arts Gala - A Window Into Our World

Don’t miss this special event and support our talented students! We look forward to seeing you there!

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

Write a Book in a Day competition

The fundraising initiative for The Kids’ Cancer Project – Write a Book in a Day competition is up and running.

Carmel is entering five teams into the competition, which takes place on Tuesday, 19 August.

If you would like to donate, please find the links to each of the teams below:

Year 7: https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=315

Year 8: https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=316

Year 9: https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=317

Year 10: https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=318

Year 11: https://writeabookinaday.com/teams/?id=319

Term 3 in the library

Term 3 is the library’s busiest term with a wide variety of competitions and activities on offer.

The following events will be taking place:

Week 2 – Week 8: Carmel Reading Challenge

Week 4 – Readers’ Cup 9/10 competition

Week 6 – Book Week and Write a Book in a Day competition

Week 10 – Dress Up Day + Assembly

More details to come next term.

Final Reminder – Overdue Resources

Students and parents/caregivers will have received a final reminder for any outstanding library resources.  Resources that were due back in April and May will be added to school fees if not returned the first week back of Term 3.  Students have received multiple reminders via email and through morning notices.

Mrs Jessica Finden

Teacher Librarian

Follow us at carmelcollege_library for all your library news!

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 3 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.