Dear Carmel College Community,

Growing and developing is a big undertaking and, if done well, is a lifelong project.  During certain times of life, we see more significant growth and change than at other times, but in all, we are always developing and changing.  I believe one of the tricks to life is to realise this and be active in shaping how we grow and develop – taking charge of it and not just ‘letting it happen’. 

It has been said that we are products of our environment, and many philosophers and researchers provide evidence and thinking around this concept.  Pope Francis in his teaching “Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love” states that “certain inclinations develop in childhood and become so deeply rooted that they remain throughout life”.  Childhood and what happens in childhood is widely recognised as strongly formative and the enactment of habit changes later in life can be very hard work – especially when it comes to habits of mind, or the way we think.  It is vital therefore that as parents raising children we “begin with the end in mind” (Covey (1989). 

I always think it is interesting when I see very young children exhibiting behaviours that may be seen as ‘funny’ but are, in fact anti-social, and the adults around them laugh and reinforce the behaviour. I think that behaviour will not be funny when that child is 13!  We need to ensure that the expectations we have for our young people are suitable for a lifetime because evidence suggests that the habits will last them that long. 

As we work with adolescents, we must continually ask ourselves what sort of 25 year old do we want them to be?  We build in them the capacity to take positive action in their own lives, shaping themselves with positive growth and development that leads to good habits for life.  This means skillfully and carefully challenging, calling out, setting boundaries, discussing, ignoring and implementing consequences.  And we must always remember that we are the adults. We are the ones who set the standard.  We must walk the talk with our example because our young people are wonderful imitators and take their lead more from what we do than what we say.

Future Schooling

We are currently on a journey of discovery and planning to establish our strategic plan for 2026 – 2030.  We have been engaging with staff, students and parents throughout Term 4 last year and Term 1 this year, and the following themes have emerged:-

• Strengthening and expanding authentic Inquiry Learning: This might include Project Based Learning, Critical Thinking, and the Explicit Teaching of skills
• Unitised Learning: This involves students selecting units of work rather than progressing through a set menu of linear subjects.  This might include integrated and connected units which focus on themes and concepts which could be drawn from more than one subject domain.
• Personalised Learning and Student Agency where students choose and direct their pathway through school.
• Increased flexibility in timetabling and structures to allow student agency in directing their learning.

We will be developing these concepts and working on a draft implementation plan, and will be seeking feedback later in the year.  If you have any thoughts on the future of schooling at Carmel and what things might look like in 2030, please feel free to send me your ideas via email.

Congratulations

Please join with me in congratulating and acknowledging the fine work of Ms Desiree Anderson, Ms Jacqui Braddon and Mr Trevor Tollis who have been nominated for BCE Excellence awards. 

Thank You

Carmel is a busy place with many activities happening.  In the last fortnight, we have had SECA, Year 8 Camp, Debating, Touch and AFL, Academic excursions, a First Nations workshop with primary students for National Reconciliation Week, as well as lunch time activities and after school tutoring.

None of this happens without the voluntary contribution of our dedicated staff. I encourage all parents and students to warmly and openly acknowledge and thank the staff for their efforts in supporting our young people. Please teach your child that a sincere ‘thank you’ is greatly appreciated.

Have a wonderful fortnight.