Dear Carmel College Community,

Last week, we celebrated with the Catholic communities across the world to welcome Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.  The new Pope’s election followed mass media coverage and engagement from around the world.  We saw numerous interviews in St Peter’s Square with both faithful and tourists who all spoke about the moment in history that was being played out.  The movie 'Conclave' saw an uptick in viewings and the media was quick to report on the 800 year old process. 

I am struck by the contrast that we saw in the Pope’s election with the current operations of the modern world.  Modern times see us live in a fluid state of change where we are constantly pursuing ‘more’.  We are bombarded with advertising, which conveys the basic message is that we are ‘not enough’. It suggests that we will be better people if we use a particular shampoo or drive a specific type of car, and that we will be more content if we have more stuff or do more things. The Pope’s election however contrasts this.  The timeless unchanging process reminds us of the value of tradition and  how things don’t need to change to be better.  The conclave operates on the belief in the Spirit of God to lead us to the better. The conclave suggests that we don’t need new, or more, or better. It says that we are enough as we are and that if we give ourselves over to God, as Mary did, that we too can be more.  We too can be bearers of Christ to others.  We too can bring grace and hope to the lives of those around us.

Term 2 Parent Forum

This term, we are focussing on directions for our three year strategic plan 2026 – 2028.  For the Parent Forum this term, we would appreciate parent input on the programs that we currently run, such as Become Education, Future Anything, Year 8 and Year 11 Camps, Subject Selection Processes, Future Schooling Themes.  We would also appreciate any input on other programs you might like to see.  As we are planning for the next three years, the forum will be highly relevant for Years 7, 8 and 9 Parents. We would love to see as many as possible join us from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday 27 May. 

Staffing

Next week, Ms Dee Horton is taking some well earned Long Service Leave until the end of Term 3.  We wish Dee all the best for her break and welcome Mr Malcolm Sheward as Acting Business Manager. 

We are currently advertising for teachers of Music, Religious Education and Humanities, as Ms Laura Hooper is taking Parental Leave in Semester 2 and Ms Alexandra Foord is leaving us at the end of Term 2.  We are also advertising for a School Operations Leader following Mr Turtle’s appointment as Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching. 

Have a wonderful fortnight.