Dear Carmel College Community,

The last two weeks has certainly been eventful! To be honest I am not sure of the correct adjective to use… Across our Carmel Family, people’s experience of Cyclone Alfred was highly variable, ranging from basically nothing to sustaining significant damage and living without power for ten days.  I hope that life is slowing returning to normal for those who were adversely affected. 

Last week, along with some other staff, we attended a professional learning opportunity on the Carmelite Charism.  Central to the Carmelite Charism are the virtues of Prayer, Community and Service.  One aspect we looked at was the notion of ‘making space’ for God in our lives as a form a prayer.  This is a wonderful concept and we can make space in a whole range of ways – time in silence, literally making space to allow someone to merge in traffic, taking time to listen to the thoughts of our young people, sharing an afternoon ‘lemonade’ with a partner.  There are many ways we can make space and connect with each other and thereby with God who is made manifest in the human person.  This year at Carmel we have instituted a reflective minute at the end of PC in the mornings to make space for God. As we progress through this season of Lent let us consider how we can make space for God in our daily lives.

Child Youth Risk Management Strategy

At Carmel, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student at our College. The Child Youth Risk Management Strategy lays out comprehensive measures designed to protect our young people. This strategy includes staff recruitment, training, and clear policies on reporting and managing risks. We strive to create a supportive and secure environment where every student can thrive. I invite all parents to review this important document, which is readily accessible on our college website. Your involvement and awareness are crucial in maintaining a safe community for our children.

Traffic

As everyone is aware, traffic at the school at peak times can be busy. Please take note of the following processes:-

• If you are dropping off or picking up, please use the pickup zone in the lower carpark. Parents are not permitted to enter the top carpark between 8:20am and 8:50am and 2:30pm – 3:30pm.
• To ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the afternoons, I remind all drivers that Doull Place is Left Turn Only between 3:00pm and 3:30pm.
• Learner drivers are not permitted to drive on school grounds between 8:00am and 3:30pm.
• For safety reasons please do not call your child across roads. All students are to cross roads at the designated crossing on Ziegenfusz Road or where staff are supervising on Doull Place.
• Please do not do U Turns on Doull Place. This affects traffic flow and is a dangerous practice for pedestrians.

I ask that all parents driving near the school or in surrounding streets be mindful of the need to be careful to keep our students safe and ensure the safety and amenity of residents.

If possible have your child wait an extra 10 minutes and pick them up at 3:15pm.  Traffic is thinning then and is usually mostly all gone by 3:20pm.

Attendance

As you are aware we have a major focus on attendance this year.  We have been improving with our current attendance rate being 66.4% at 90% or better attendance.  The Year 7s are our shining stars with the only grade to meet the 80% goal at this time (81.6% at or above 90%). 

Interestingly many student are just below 90% (in the 88/89% range) and if they attend every day between now and the holidays many more will creep up over 90%. 

We have a number of ‘unexplained’ absences and we need to account for everybody all of the time.  I ask parents to please ensure you are recording absences in the system via the portal or BCE connect app.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

God bless.