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)