Dear Carmel College Community,

As I sat down to write the final newsletter piece for this most remarkable of years, I went back and read what I wrote in the very first newsletter of the year. I wrote then about the sense of hope that the commencement of a new year brings. One of the lines was, “Yes there will be struggles and adversity but overall the pervasive sense  of hope is almost palpable – and it is wonderful”. Little did I have any idea at the time (February 7) of the struggles and adversity that our Carmel community would face this year.  However I am glad and humbled that through it all, hope prevailed.  It is this hope that we carry into the holidays and will have renewed by the Christmas Season.  At Christmas as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, we join in the hope that Mary and Joseph and all new parents feel when a baby is born.  In the infant, we see possibility, renewal, joy, acceptance and so many more things that lead us to go beyond ourselves.  We glimpse the divine. 

The Carmel family has been strong this year and the support shown by our community has helped all maintain hope. Our students, staff, parents and partners have all gone over and above in 2020 and have every right to be proud of their achievements. 

If you have had a tough year, I pray that this Christmas Season will restore your supply of hope.  I leave you with this quote from Isaiah which I think sums up 2020 best of all - “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31.

NEXT STEP SURVEY

Each year the Queensland Government surveys all Year 12 school leavers from March next year.  We receive a report from this survey which provides valuable data on our students’ destinations post school.  As this has been going for some time, it gives us good longitudinal data that we can use to inform our strategic planning.  I ask all Year 12 students to keep a look out for this survey next year.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Next week we will be mailing home a “Fridge Page” which contains all the important dates for the holidays and the start of next year.  Please keep an eye out for it and keep it handy for reference over the holidays.

Have a happy and holy Christmas and may 2021 be filled with the peace, joy and hope of the new born Christ.

God bless

Mr Stephen Adair
College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

As this is the last newsletter for 2020 I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your readership and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. In Christ, we celebrate: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Year 12 Graduation Liturgy

Within the last week our Year 12s graduated at Chandler Theatre, and celebrated a final liturgy with their parents. The continued practice of students giving a scroll to their parents was well received. The scroll contained an individual message from their son or daughter regarding their Carmel College journey. The students also received a candle which symbolised letting their ‘light shine brightly’. 

Years 10 and 11 Liturgy 

Led by Ms Neuendorf and Mr Nielsen, students were engaged in the theme of "God's Care” last Friday 20 Novmber. United in faith, students reflected on their past year and were anointed with oil symbolising their collaborative focus as a cohort and their unity of faith in the Catholic tradition.

Years 7, 8 and 9 Liturgy

On 3 December, the students will gather in faith celebrating the theme "Together As One" within the context of our Catholic tradition. As we celebrate our dual charism, Carmelite and Marist, the students will listen to scripture where they will hear Jesus teaching his disciples that whenever two or more people gather in his name, he is present among them.

Of note, as we approach Christmas we are mindful of the importance of Advent preceding Christmas.

ADVENT

One of the most common words we hear in, around and about Advent is ‘waiting’. Why? What are we waiting for? Our world surrounds us with the message that there are many things to do and a great many things to buy before Christmas. 

Advent is an important season within the Church’s Liturgical calendar which marks the time of spiritual preparation by the faithful before Christmas. It emphasises the coming of Christ. This year it commences on Sunday 29 November, the closest to the Feast of St Andrew the Apostle and ends on Thursday 24 December, and spans four Sundays and four weeks preparation.

Within our Catholic tradition, important symbols that capture the essence of Advent are an evergreen wreath, signifying Christ coming to us by giving us new life through His passion, death and resurrection. The candles placed within the wreath acknowledge the light of Christ not only in the world, but also in our hearts. One candle is lit each Sunday until all four candles are lit. Three candles are purple (symbolising penance, preparation and sacrifice), with the fourth being a rose colour for Gaudete Sunday, the beginning of the third week in Advent.  Sometimes a fifth white candle is lit on Christmas Day.

As Christmas draws near, the lighting of each candle brings more light into the darkness, where the light of Christ burns stronger and brighter. This progression of the lighting of candles is in preparation for Christ’s birth.

Scripture passage:

Mark 13:33-37

“Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey; when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Scripture Reflection:

We reflect on Mark’s Gospel during Advent:

Are we awake or are we asleep? If we are awake, we are aware of our own lives and ready to accept our own weaknesses and struggles and ready to change our lives. Then we are being watchful and are awake. Jesus tells us to stay awake and be alert to the poor, the outcast, the lonely, the despised, and the marginalised.

We get distracted by so many things? Our every act of kindness and love and every act of self-sacrifice for another is a small step in welcoming Jesus into our midst and of being awake.

Advent gives us a message of hope and faith. When Jesus came, Jesus helped people to continue to hope in God. Jesus helped the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the poor had the Good News preached to them. Jesus taught people that as children of God nothing could separate them from the love of promise.

catholicaustralia.com.au

CHRISTMAS

Advent, being the period of waiting and preparation concludes with the feast of Christmas, on 25 December.

As we exchange Christmas presents this year with love and kindness, let us be reminded of how God gave us the gift of His Son and that Jesus Christ gave us the greatest gift of all, that of eternal life. 

The angel prophetically announced to the shepherds, Luke 2:10-14 “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Saviour has been born for you who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  

“In Jesus, the Most High made Himself tiny, so that we might love Him” (Pope Francis 2019).

With wishes and prayers for a blessed Christmas and New Year.

May our Light always shine!

Yours in faith

Mrs Krystyna Baldwin
Assistant Principal - Religious Education

Years 10 and 11 Curriculum

All Year 10 and 11 students worked well throughout the assessment period in Week 8 and were focused and prepared for their final examinations. The assessment period provided a strong opportunity for Year 10 students to prepare for Senior Assessment processes and for Year 11 students to complete their first Internal Assessment instruments for Unit 3.

Students in Years 10 and 11 are also to be congratulated for their resilient and diligent approach to learning throughout 2020. Significantly, the period of Alternate Educational Provisions due to COVID-19 posed many substantive challenges for students in adapting to an online learning environment at home. However, Senior students rose to the challenge and returned to successfully complete studies across their suite of General, Applied, and Vocational Education and Training subjects throughout the remainder of the year. Congratulations to all students for their determination, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning throughout 2020.

2021 Student Timetables

Year 8 and 9 student's ‘Get Set’ and Year 10 students Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning has now been processed. Any student who required a subject change from their initial preferences has also been contacted. Students final subject selections for 2021 will be reflected on their student timetables which will be provided during the initial week of school in January. If any student has questions or concerns regarding their 2021 subject selections, they need to contact Mrs Tamara Thomas (Pathways Leader) at the College.

Years 7-10 Semester Two SRS Reporting

You will receive your child’s student report at the end of this term and we wish to draw your attention to important aspects of our assessment and reporting practices that will be reflected in the achievement grades. 

These student reports are ‘snapshots’ of each student’s learning at this time, based on evidence from a range of assessments in Term 3 and Term 4.  The reports are an important element of our reporting and communication practices and rely strongly on dialogue between teachers, students and parents.  If we work closely together, there should be no real surprises in your child’s report. 

Teachers, parents and students all share responsibility for learning. It is, therefore, important that you discuss the report with your child and also plan what learning goals will be set for 2021. We remain hopeful that 2021 will be a year of calm, consistency and uninterrupted schooling for all our students.

The Learning and Teaching Team would like to wish all students and their families a blessed and restful Christmas. We look forward to welcoming all members of the Carmel community to begin the New Year in 2021.

Kind regards,

Mr James Taylor  
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching (10-12)  

Ms Nadia Galetto  
Assistant Principal - Administration  

MS Leree Mazzer 
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching (7-9)  

Congratulations for making it through to the end of the school year. This year has been very challenging and I wish you all the best for a peaceful Christmas break. The students have had the unwavering support and guidance of a group of excellent Pastoral Care teachers who have shown compassion, understanding and professionalism. Being a Pastoral Care teacher for Year 7 is one of the most exhausting while rewarding roles in the College. Please join with me in thanking the Pastoral Care team for 2020.

Avila – Mr Tom Fisher and Mr Lachlan Reilly

Champagnat – Mrs Natalie Falvey and Mrs Allison Draycott

MacKillop – Ms Tessa Maras and Ms Louise Wilson

Polding – Mrs Diana Heymans and Ms Elizabeth Harrington

                                            Romero – Ms Hayley Fletcher

                                            and Mrs Marcelle D’Castro

End of Year Celebrations

Year 7, 8 and 9 will celebrate the end of the year together in liturgy on Thursday morning, then will depart to Dreamworld for the day. Students can wear their sport uniform and will need to bring their water bottle and sunscreen. Food can be brought or purchased on the day. Students will be checking in with their PC teacher at designated times and a set location throughout the day. Please note the following details:

• Students are to wear their sports uniform, sport cap, apply sun cream and bring water bottles.
• Bring school bag or duffel bag.
• Do not bring school laptops.
• Students will have access to Dreamworld and Whitewater World.  Students do not have to go to Whitewater World. If students do attend Whitewater World, they need to bring sensible togs/boardies, rashie and towel. No rashie, no slides.  Inappropriate swimwear is not permitted. Food can be brought or purchased.
• Dreamworld passes need to be brought on the day for entry (for students with passes).
• Departure is betweem 2.00pm-2.15pm to return by 3.00pm for normal pick up time. 

Thank you for your patience, support and collaboration this year as we have worked through some challenging times. I wish you all the best for 2021.

Ms Jodie Peeters
Pastoral Leader - Year 7

Final Day of School – 2020

Thursday 3 December is our final day of school for 2020.  As you know, we have our Dreamworld excursion planned.  Students should arrive at the College at normal time in the morning.  Year 7, 8 and 9 will have their End of Year Liturgy from 8:40am to 9:10am. We will then board buses and travel to Dreamworld, arriving by approximately 10am.  Please note the following details:

• Students are to wear their sports uniform, sport cap, apply sun cream and bring water bottles.
• Bring school bag or duffel bag.
• Do not bring school laptops.
• Students will have access to Dreamworld and Whitewater World.  Students do not have to go to Whitewater World. If students do attend Whitewater World, they need to bring sensible togs/boardies, rashie and towel. No rashie, no slides.  Inappropriate swimwear is not permitted. Food can be brought or purchased.
• Dreamworld passes need to be brought on the day for entry (for students with passes).
• Departure is betweem 2.00pm-2.15pm to return by 3.00pm for normal pick up time. 

We look forward to a fantastic final day.  Students should be on their best behaviour, upholding our College Pillars at all times.  If students are not displaying their best behaviour, parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child from Dreamworld.  Students will be able to move about the theme park with their friends throughout the day and will have regular check-ins with their PC Teacher at set times. 

End of Year Messages

• All Year 8 students are required to return their library books to Mr Ogden over the next couple of days.
• Students will be keeping their laptops and locks over the holiday period. It is important that these items are stored somewhere safely and returned at the commencement of 2021.
• On Wednesday 2 December we will have the Year 8 Mass. We will be looking forward to celebrating our Catholic Faith as a whole co-hort for the final time in 2020.    
• Student Leadership Roles for Year 9 in 2021 are still being finalised and students will be advised as soon as the process is complete.

Thank you – Year 8 PC Teachers

We have been lucky this year to have such a dedicated and committed team of Year 8 Pastoral Care Teachers.  I want to take this opportunity to say a personal thank you to Mrs Naomi Lindeberg, Mr Rorie Jackson, Mr Ben Wittkopp, Mr Josh Beattie, Mrs Louanne O’Connor, Mr Aaron O’Sullivan, Miss Angela Miles, Mr Mark Bartier, Mrs Rachel Lax, Mr Joseph Eastgate and Mr Ben Deak.  These PC teachers have supported Year 8 through such a challenging year and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with each and every Year 8 PC Teacher. 

Star Student Winners – Term 4

A huge congratulations to our Year 8 Star Student winners for Term 4, 2020.  These students have demonstrated that they are able to uphold the Four College Pillars of Respect, Diligence, Positive Relationships and Resilience.  The star students will be awarded a special certificate to recognize their positive contributions to our classrooms and the Carmel Community. 

Term 4 Star Student Winners 2020:

A huge congratulations to all our Star Students for Term 4.  You have worked very hard and you deserve to have your efforts recognised! 

Best wishes for your holidays – We made it!

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s educational journey.  It has been a privilege working with this group of Year 8 students.  This has been a difficult year and our Year 8 students have shown some real resilience and strength in terms of navigating their way through a pandemic, a huge construction site at the school and a busy year academically.  I look forward to seeing them in Year 9 and supporting them further at Carmel College in the furture.  I would like to leave you with a prayer for December. 

Image taken from: https://www.womansday.com/life/g24281476/best-christmas-prayer/

Ms Theresa Baker
Pastoral Leader – Year 8

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are all aware of the extraordinary challenges we have faced together in 2020. To our Year 10’s credit they have shown resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles. As I write, Year 10 are completing their final exams. School reports with final grades will be shared in the first week of the holidays via the parent portal. You will receive an email when these are available. During the exam block, our Year 10s have been responsibly signing in and out, applying themselves to the task at hand, and generally demonstrating the qualities we expect to see in Carmel seniors. Well done, Year 10, you have come through a difficult year with flying colours.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Year 10 Pastoral Care Teachers for their dedication this year:

• Thank you, Ms. Anne Smith and Ms. Sharon Thompson – 10A1
• Thank you, Ms Leann Macpherson and Ms Alison Swaby – 10A2
• Thank you, Ms. Ranui Harmer – 10C1.
• Thank you, Mr. Geoff Sockhill – 10C2.
• Thank you, Ms. Jenna Pleash – 10M1.
• Thank you, Ms. Diana Platt – 10M2.
• Thank you, Ms. Josephine Grigg – 10P1.
• Thank you, Mr. Simon Thomas and Mr. Ben Deak – 10P2.
• Thank you, Ms. Hailee Speck – 10R1.
• Thank you, Ms. Niki Taylor – 10R2.

Congratulations again, Year 10, on your successful support of Backpack Swags for the Homeless. There are people sleeping more safely in the Redlands thanks to your fundraising efforts this term.

Congratulations too on all the College Award recipients, too numerous to mention. I am sure there are family members who are very proud of your achievements.

Our cohort is now looking forward to a well-deserved break. I wish every student a safe and enjoyable break with family and friends.

Looking ahead to next year, I am very confident in the leadership qualities of this group and I know they will make a valuable contribution to their Houses and the vertical organisation of PCs.

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a happy New Year,

Mr John Nielsen
Pastoral Leader - Year 10

Laptops

We wish to advise families of our procedures for the end of year and start of year regarding laptops.

This year, the majority of Carmel College students will retain their laptop over the Christmas break. Only students in Year 9 (Year 10, 2021) need to return their laptops as they are due for replacement. On Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 January, 2021, these Year 10 students and their families are invited to collect their laptops prior to school returning.

Year 7 students will be welcomed to the College again with our comprehensive Digital Bootcamp. Information around this will be provided early in the new school year.

It is important to remember that College-issued laptops remain the property of Carmel College, and they are intended for use by students for their studies. If laptop support is required, please lodge a support request via email support@carmelcollege.qld.edu.au

Ms Naomi Lindeberg
Program Leader – Digital Learning

From the Library

The summer holidays are a wonderful time to catch up on reading all of those books that you may not have had time to read during the school year. There are a number of reading guides released that offer a wide range of choices. Riverbend Books has just released their annual reading guide and they also produce a Kids’ Reading Guide each year filled with suggestions for children of all ages. You can find both of these on their website: https://store.riverbendbooks.com.au/

The Redlands Library, in partnership with the State Library QLD are offering their Summer Reading Club program, which will be starting on December 1 through to January 31. It is open to children from 0-17 and this year the theme is ‘Tales of Wonder’.

Research has shown that reading over the summer holidays helps children develop their literacy potential. Those who don’t read potentially fall into a phenomenon called the ‘summer slide’.

This means that a student who has not read for the 2 months over summer each year, by Year 9, can be up to a year behind their peers who did keep reading.

Parents can join at any Redland Library branch or online from their webpage or the State Library’ webpage.

Happy holiday reading!

Mrs Jessica Finden
Teacher Librarian

Welcome to the Arts Co-Curricula

Student Achievement

Well done to our three Rock Bands and the Contemporary Band for their amazing performances during Week 7.  Each band performed live in front of the College.  Our school bands have spent the year with no competitions and few chances to perform and to see all of these bands perform over the week was a very proud moment for the Arts Co. Each performance was polished and professional!! Well done students, Mr Browne, Miss Stuart and Mr Pannan for their extra efforts in making these performances happen.

Private Instrumental and Vocal lessons:

Private Instrumental and Vocal lessons are still happening and we are always welcoming new students to join.  At the moment these are the private Instrumental/Vocal lessons we are offering students;

• Vocal
• Guitar – Electric, Acoustic and Bass
• Piano
• UkuleleBrass/Woodwind
• Drums
• Strings

If any students would like to learn something new, please fill out the Expression of Interest sheet attached to this newsletter.

Students enrolled in private lessons will receive emails and timetables from their teacher.

Ensemble News: Great News!!! All of the Arts Co Ensembles will commence again in Term 1 2021. The Arts Co invites all students to get involved.  All our teachers running each ensemble bring much professionalism and experiences.

Questions you may have:

How to get involved?

Turn up on the day/time/room and introduce yourself to the teacher

How much dose this group cost?

No cost!!

Do need to supply my own instrument?

Only for flute, strings, woodwind and/or brass. 

The College will let you borrow (during lesson times)

• Guitars – Acoustic and Electric
• Drums
• Piano/Keyboard
• Ukulele

Why should I get involved?

Participation in the Arts Co Ensembles greatly improves:

• innovative and creative thinking in students 
• community involvement within your school 
• school enthusiasm 
• self esteem 
• personal growth 
• relationships with other students 
• understanding of teamwork 
• acceptance of responsibility
• career aspirations

What the Arts Co offers our students at NO EXTRA COST to families

Mrs Julia Spargo
Program Leader - Arts Co-curricular 

From the Finance Department

2021 School Fees

This notification is for those parents who have a Direct Debit payment plan for school fees. As advised, when your payments were set up, there is no longer a  need to complete a new form each year.

We will reset the fees for the incoming year and email you with the amount, frequency, commencement date and final date as requested. Please note if you are using the Credit Card authority option, a new form will be required each year.

All forms including the 2021 Fee Schedule will be available shortly on the College website.

Any queries can be emailed to fees@carmelcollege.,qld.edu.au or telephone Greg Sheather in the Finance Department on 3488 7773

Tuckshop News

To all my Tuckshop volunteers, I would like to wish a very warm Christmas greeting to each and every one of you. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Tuckshop during this term and throughout the year. 

I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and holidays. 

Mrs Belinda Greaves
Tuckshop Convenor

From the Crime Prevention Corner