Mt Carmel School - Yass eNewsletter

Principal's Report

Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,

Open Classrooms
A reminder to all families of our Open Classrooms this afternoon between 3:30pm and 5:30pm. Please be mindful that, although your child’s teacher will be in the classroom and is very happy to chat with you, open classrooms are not the appropriate forum for individual parent-teacher interviews. Parents are always welcome to make an individual appointment with their child’s teacher any time they would like to discuss their child’s progress.

Crazy Day for Mission Month
We will be celebrating the last day of term with a mufti day and fundraiser for Mission Month.

Students are invited to bring a gold coin donation and wear something crazy to school. Further details of this event can be found in the Religious Education report.

NSW Children’s Week Art Competition
For those looking for a creative activity to pass some time in the school holidays, the Children’s Week Art Competition could be for you! The Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People together with the NSW Children’s Week Council is inviting entries for the NSW Children’s Week 2025 Art Competition.

Children’s Week runs from 18 October – 26 October 2025, with the theme based on the UNCRC Article 42: Everyone should know about children’s rights. Children and young people are invited to submit a portrait of somebody or a group of people who are a champion of children’s rights. This could be someone they know who has taught them about children’s rights, or it could be someone they admire and have learned about. The competition is open to all children and young people up to the age of 18 living in NSW. Group entries are accepted and encouraged.
For more information, including details about how to enter, go to https://www.acyp.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/childrens-week-art-competition.

A Milestone for Trinity Catholic College
Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Trinity Catholic College Year 12 Graduation Mass and Assembly to recognise an important milestone: 2025 is the first year in which students from Mt Carmel School, having enrolled in Trinity from Year 7, are graduating Year 12. After the closure of Mt Carmel's secondary department at the end of 2014, many families continued to express a desire to support a strong Catholic education in regional NSW and Mrs Gaye McManus, my predecessor as principal of Mt Carmel School, now principal of Trinity Catholic College, responding to this community need, had the vision to create a K-12 pathway for students in the Yass Valley.

With the support of the previous Director of Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn, Ross Fox, a direct bus from Mt Carmel to Trinity was chartered, for a trial period of three years, to gauge community support; the clincher being that if, after the trial period was completed, there were not enough students for the NSW School Student Transport Scheme to formally take on the route, the service would be discontinued. Knowing that this service was only guaranteed for a period of three years, it was an act of faith and courage for those first families and students from Yass to enrol in Trinity. But year by year, as families have experienced and shared what a secondary education at Trinity Catholic College has to offer, from the humble beginnings of 4 students on a minibus in 2019, there will, next year, be two coaches carrying 114 students on the daily journey between Yass and Goulburn. This speaks volumes about the esteem with which Trinity is held, and how much the families of Yass value the option of a strong K-12 pathway in regional NSW.

Louis Green and Grace Miller, Mt Carmel’s first Trinity Year 12 graduates, presented Mrs McManus with the gift of an icon of Our Lady of Mt Carmel as a token of the enduring and important relationship between Mt Carmel School Yass and Trinity Catholic College Goulburn.

Vale David Cassidy
It is with much sadness and with sincere respect that I would like to acknowledge the passing of David Cassidy, husband of Mrs Carol Cassidy and father of Miss Tara Cassidy.

David had a deep and abiding connection with Mt Carmel, with all of his children and many of his grandchildren enrolled at our school. He served on both the School Board and the P&F Committee and, for many years, no Mt Carmel swimming, athletics or cross-country carnival was complete without the distinctive sound of David’s baritone voice echoing across the pool or sports field as our official announcer.

Please join me in praying for Carol, Tara and their family at this difficult time:

Eternal rest grant unto David, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Happy Holidays
Tomorrow, Thursday 25 September, is the last day of Term 3 for students. My sincere thanks to all teachers, students and families for a wonderful and hard-working term. I hope that everyone has a restful and enjoyable holiday break, that all who are travelling return safely home, and that everyone comes back to school refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the school year. Please note that students return for Term 4 on Tuesday 14 October in summer sports uniform.

May God’s peace be in your families,

Michael Green
Principal

Religious Education

Religious Education in the Classroom

Welcome to Week 10! In Religious Education, the Year 5 students are examining how charity calls people to care for the wellbeing of others. Catholic saints embody charity, or caritas, by translating their love for God into active compassion and service for others, following Jesus's example of humility and self-giving. During my classroom visit to Year 5, students shared their insights about the saints they have examined and below are some of their responses.

5 Green: How can you relate to Carlo Acutis, our first millennial teenage saint?

Franklin: Carlo loved playing soccer and video games and that is what I like to do too.

Benji: I liked how Carlo preached about God through the internet and he was like us.

George: Carlo had the same interests as myself, he liked to play soccer and video games. He is inspiring because he was young and he did good things.

Zoey: He did good things in a short time. I can relate to him helping the poor because I do it too as a member of our school’s Mini Vinnies team.

5 Red: How did your chosen saint inspire you?

Gabe: I chose St. Francis of Assisi because he received the stigmata, which means he bore the marks of the crucified Christ in his hands, his feet, and in his side.

Ivy: I chose St. Vincent de Paul because he inspired the establishment of St. Vincent de Paul society and I am a member of Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies team.

Cooper: I chose St. Euthymius the Great because he preferred calm environments and solitude.

Jake: I chose St. Maximilian Kolbe because his name was in the book, The Grandest Bookshop in the World, which we read in class and I liked.

Huckson: I chose St. John of Capistrano because he studied law but he was then called by God to serve people in need.

Religious Life of Mt Carmel School

Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies News
Crazy Day Fundraiser Event - Socktober 2025 - Zambia

Mt Carmel School’s Mini Vinnies Team is organising a fundraiser to support Catholic Mission on Thursday 25 September. Students are invited to wear crazy clothes and accessories, and bring in a gold coin donation.

This year we are raising awareness and funds for communities in Zambia, to help ensure children have access to food and education, giving them the chance to build a brighter future.

Prayer

Dear Creator God, create in us a new sense of solidarity with the poor.

Give us the courage to reach out to the excluded, the energy to walk with the lost
and the words to encourage the lonely.

May we pour out our lives in service.

Unite us in faith, hope and love as we pray together.

Send your Holy Spirit to inspire and sustain us in our mission.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

St Augustine’s Parish News

Congratulations to the confirmandi who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday! A big thank you to the Sacramental Team for preparing this special event and the parents guiding their children through their faith journey. An extended thank you to Mt Carmel School’s teachers and music ministry.

A Multicultural Mass
A Multicultural Mass will be held in St Augustine’s Church on Sunday 28 September. Please contact the Parish Office to find out how you can be involved on this special day.

Wishing you all a restful and fabulous holiday with your family.

Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator

Sports News

MacKillop Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Zoey Mitchell, Jack Maher and Mabel Adie who participated in the MacKillop Athletics Championships in Sydney today.

Todd Woodbridge Cup
Congratulations to the Stage 2 Mt Carmel teams who participated in the Todd Woodbridge Cup last Friday. The students performed really well and had lots of fun representing the school.

Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival 2025
Our school will be participating in the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival next term. The format of the day will be a gala day with schools playing in a round-robin competition.

Date: Friday 24 October 2025 (Friday Week 2, Term 4)

Venue: Boorowa Showgrounds, Ballyryan Road, Boorowa.

Transportation: By private car.

Cost: $5.00 per student to cover team registration.

There will be a canteen operating at the fields and qualified First Aid trained people will be present during the day. All players will compete in their Mt Carmel sport uniform.

The Touch teams will consist of 10 players per team (7 on the field) and the Netball teams will consist of 10 players per team (7 on the field and maximum 3 boys per team). Students will compete in their year groups from Year 2 to Year 6.

It is an expectation that all Year 2-6 students attend the event. Teachers have organised students into mixed year-level teams according to their preferred sport. Although it is an expectation that students attend, if you know your child will be absent on the day, please let their class teacher know so that they can plan accordingly. We will require referees and coaches for the day, if you are able to assist, please fill out the Google form below.

Boorowa Touch and Netball Google form

Payment of $5 to cover registrations can now be made through Compass

Sports Trials
Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Boys and Girls Cricket Trials 2026
Date: Friday 31st October 2025
Time: 9:30am sign on for 10:00am Start
Venue: Taylor Park - Queanbeyan
Registration: Registration is through the CSNSW Sport Website; https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents

Boys AFL 2026
The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn are looking to enter their own team (not combined with Wollongong) for the 2026 MacKillop Trials. They are looking for Expressions of Interest for trialling for the 2026 Canberra Goulburn Team. This pathway is for Boys only who are currently in Years 3, 4 or 5 (Girls have their own pathway) and will be held very early in Term 1 2026. If you are interested, please fill out the form: AFL expressions of interest 2026

Girls Rugby League
U12’s Girls interested in trying out for the Mackillop Rugby League team in 2026 are invited to attend a Development Day and Selection Trials in Wollongong in October. Please see flyer for details.

If you have children in Year 5 or 6 who are interested in trialling for Canberra Goulburn sporting teams, please check the following website regularly for upcoming events:

November Trials - Primary Cricket (for 2026), Basketball - Boys and Girls (for 2026),
Tennis - Boys and Girls (for 2026)

https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar

Ted Dunstan
Sports Coordinator

Lacey Library News

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the following students who have recently completed the 2025 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Nate Mattappallil
Charlotte Aksenov
Abigail Morris
Sophie Aksenov
Oliver Drake
Josie Mattappallil
Charlie Butt
Elisabeth Morris
Olivia Aksenov
Madison McGurk
Lily Butt
Abby Hillman

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge has now concluded. Congratulations to the 48 students who completed the challenge in 2025. All certificates will be presented in Term 4.

Mt Carmel Awards - Week 8 & 9

Congratulations to the recipients of the Week 8 Mt Carmel Awards.
These awards were handed out last Friday, 19 September, at morning assembly.

K Blue Isabell Moss Jasmine Worboys	K Gold James Jol Oren Barker
1 Green Mia Smith Anna Leighton Acacia Aniversario	1 Red Luca Davis Rigel Barker
2 Blue Mia Brown Rosella Jones Oliver Drake	2 Gold Brooke Powell Poppy Sargent Olivia Christensen William Gillies Jayden Regan
3 Green Claudia Klemmer Charlie Butt	3 Red Camille Walker Nate Verma
4 Blue Zoey Watson Ivy Worboys	4 Gold Scott Tome William Walsh
5 Green Stella Grant Zoey Mitchell Claire Coster Evelyn Morris Jack Maher	5 Red Neva Welsh Ezra Whimpress Rowan Kelly-Clark
6 Blue Lily Butt Hugh McPherson	6 Gold Kalon Vu Conor Guiney Harrington Roser

Congratulations to the recipients of the Week 9 Mt Carmel Awards.
These awards will be handed out tomorrow, Thursday 25 September, at morning assembly.

K Blue Elle McRae Beau Tome	K Gold Marley Eade Leo Bush Milton Matthews
1 Green Ruby Kim Lucy Ward	1 Red Frankie Morris Charlotte Kunneke
2 Blue Scarlett Klemmer Toby Reardon Logan Hodgson	2 Gold 2 Gold Students
3 Green Rafaela Tapia-Jeffrey Eli Driver	3 Red Charlie Jol Cooper Sadlowski
4 Blue Delilah Inglis Violet Richardson Hudson Mackay Isaac Reynders	4 Gold Harriet Powell George Pidgeon
5 Green Billy Field Franklin Pitt George Douglas	5 Red Logan Johnson Jake MacDonald
6 Blue Chevie Stansfield Xavier Arnold	6 Gold Amelia Hooper Dylan O'Reilly

Year 2 Gift Making Fun!

Year 4 Meet Baby Chicks!

Year 4 were thrilled to meet Delilah's baby chicks and hear all about them! Of course, everyone thought they should be named Mr Proud, Mr Percival & Mr Ponder!

Year 4 Learning About Measurement in Maths

やきそば - Yakisoba (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles)

This term in Japanese, we made Yakisoba noodles. Yakisoba is a classic Japanese stir-fried noodle dish that’s seasoned with a sweet and savory sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce. Use any proteins you like—pork, chicken, shrimp, or calamari. For vegetarians, just swap it with tofu or shiitake mushrooms.

Servings: 3

Ingredients For the Yakisoba Sauce

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce (use vegan Worcestershire sauce for vegan)
4 tsp oyster sauce (use Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce for shellfish allergies or vegetarian)
4 tsp ketchup
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp sugar (plus more, to taste)

For the Yakisoba

350grams streaky bacon
½ onion (5 oz, 142 g)
4 inches carrot (3.5 oz, 100 g)
¼ head green cabbage (small 200g)
2 green onions/scallions
2 tbsp neutral oil (plus more, if needed)
3 servings yakisoba noodles (thin hokkein)
freshly ground black pepper
⅓ cup yakisoba sauce (plus more, to taste; from the recipe above)

Instructions

Gather all the ingredients.

To Make the Sauce (yields ⅓ cup, 80 ml)

Whisk together all the ingredients for the Yakisoba Sauce: ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce, 4 tsp oyster sauce, 4 tsp ketchup, 2 tsp soy sauce, and 2 tsp sugar. Set it aside.
To Prepare the Ingredients
Cut bacon into slices
Cut ½ onion into ¼-inch (6-mm) slices.
Cut 4 inches carrot into 2-inch slabs. Then, cut them into julienne strips 2 inches (5 cm) long.
Remove the core from ¼ head green cabbage. First, cut the cabbage wedge into slices 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Then, cut the slices into bite-sized pieces.
Chop 2 green onions/scallions into 2-inch (5-cm) pieces. Cut any thick, white parts of the green onions in half lengthwise.

To Cook the Yakisoba

To the hot griddle, add bacon and separate the chunks into a single layer. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
Stir-fry until the bacon is no longer pink.
Next, add the onion slices to the griddle. Stir to cook for 1–2 minutes, separating the onion layers as you stir-fry.
Add the carrots and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Add the cabbage. Cook until almost tender.
Lastly, add the green onions and cook for 1 minute.
Put the yakisoba noodles on top of the protein and vegetables on the griddle. Then, drizzle ⅓ cup yakisoba sauce on the noodles. Taste the noodles and add more sauce, if desired.
With a pair of tongs, toss to combine the noodles with the sauce and other ingredients. Keep an eye on the noodles as they may stick to the skillet/wok. When the sauce is well distributed and the noodles are warmed through, transfer the yakisoba to individual plates.

いただきます. Enjoy!

Mrs Kassie Miller
Japanese Teacher

Source: Just One Cookbook

Year 4 Storm Boy Art

5 Green Drama

Year 5/6 Earthquakes Unit in Science

In today’s digital world, children are online more than ever - whether it's for schoolwork, socialising, or entertainment. While the internet offers many opportunities, it also comes with risks like cyberbullying and inappropriate content. As parents and carers, it's crucial to equip our children with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely.

What Is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying involves using digital platforms such as social media, gaming apps, or messaging services to harass, intimidate, or harm others. It can take many forms, including:

Sending hurtful or threatening messages
Spreading rumours or lies
Sharing embarrassing photos or videos
Excluding someone from online groups or activities

Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can occur 24/7 and reach a child even when they're at home, making it particularly distressing.

Signs Your Child Might Be Affected
Children may not always speak up about being bullied online. Look out for signs such as:

Sudden withdrawal from online activities or school
Unexplained emotional distress or anxiety
Avoidance of certain devices or apps
Decline in academic performance
Changes in sleep patterns or appetite

If you notice any of these signs, it's important to have an open and supportive conversation with your child. Try saying something like:

"I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a bit down lately, especially after you’ve been online. Is there anything going on that you’d like to talk about? I’m here to listen, not to get you in trouble."

Let your child know they’re not alone, they won’t lose their devices for being honest, and that you're there to help. Keeping the tone calm, curious, and supportive helps open the door for ongoing conversations.

What Can You Do to Help?
There are several steps you can take to support your child and promote online safety:

Open Communication: Regularly talk to your child about their online experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns without fear of punishment.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules about internet use, including time limits and appropriate content.
Educate About Privacy: Teach your child the importance of keeping personal information private and being cautious about what they share online.
Monitor Online Activity: Use parental controls and regularly review the apps and websites your child accesses.
Be a Role Model: Demonstrate respectful and responsible online behaviour.

Free Online Safety Resources and Courses
To further support you, here are some free online safety courses and resources available:

eSafety Commissioner: Offers free webinars and resources for parents and carers to help children stay safer online. Upcoming webinars include topics on cyberbullying and online drama. Learn more and register here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
NSPCC (UK): Provides a free online safety virtual workshop for parents and carers, covering risks and benefits children face online and strategies to keep them safe. Watch the workshop on YouTube: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/free-online-safety-group-workshops/
ChildSafe Australia: Offers online child safety training tailored for individuals, providing essential knowledge and strategies to protect children in diverse settings. Explore their courses here: https://www.childsafe.org.au/courses/online-training/
eSafeKids: Strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting parents, carers, and educators to talk with children about protective behaviours, body safety, and online safety. Visit their website here: https://www.esafekids.com.au/

We're Here to Help
Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email at amelie.nicholson@mccg.org.au or through completion of a referral using the following link: https://mccg.my.site.com/housing/s/school-referral-form.

Warmly,
Amelie Nicholson
Student and Family Counsellor

Individual Drum kit lessons

Available during class time with qualified tutor Gerard Noonan.

Vacancies available for term 4; contact 0408622819 if interested.

Red Cross Lifeblood - 25 to 27 September

Lifeblood.pdf

Yass Railway Museum Picnic Day - 28 September

Yass Gymnastics - School Holiday Program

Spinifex Tennis - Colourball Clinic

Yass Valley Cricket Association - Cricket Blast

WWCB_National_Flyer.pdf

Yass Junior Cricket - Summer 2025/2026

Junior_Cricket.pdf

Questacon Science Circus - Yass Pop-Up

1-2 October - Yass High School
Tickets here: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=QUESTYAS25
The Questacon Science Circus is rolling into Yass for two days only with a FREE pop-up science centre experience like no other! 

Come along to Yass High School on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 October from 10 am – 3 pm.

With a variety of hands-on exhibits and spectacular science shows, the Science Circus pop-up is a fantastic STEM experience for the whole family. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to ignite your curiosity!  

Things to know

This is a FREE event, but bookings are essential

Tickets will be available on Ticketek prior to the event.

Suitable for all ages and families

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Most people spend 1–2 hours at our pop-up

To protect our venue’s floor, please wear non-marking shoes (e.g. no stiletto heels)

Contact ScienceCircus@Questacon.edu.au or 0466 922 801 for accessibility or other enquiries.

School Holiday Activities - Gunning & Crookwell Libraries

RSL and Schools - Remember ANZAC Art Competition

The Yass RSL sub-Branch is excited to share the opportunity for your students to participate in the RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition.

All NSW-based primary and secondary schools are invited to submit a maximum of two artworks for judging by a panel consisting of representatives from the NSW Department of Education, Art Gallery of NSW, RSL NSW and the Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence.

The two winning pieces of artwork will be featured on the cover of the 2026 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Service program. All finalists will receive a certificate and medal, and their artwork will be displayed at the Anzac Memorial from 26 March to 30 April 2026.

The competition closes to schools on 31 October 2025, and finalists will be announced and notified on 14 November 2025.

RSL_Art_Comp_Brochure.pdf

Yass Landcare - Children’s Art Competition

Yass Landcare is excited to invite Mt Carmel students to take part in our Children’s Art Competition for 2025!

This year’s theme is “Reptiles and Amphibians” – encouraging children to explore the fascinating frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles that play an important role in our local ecosystems.

Details:

Prizes: Thanks to the generous support of Wildbark – Mulligans Flat Centre and the Canberra Reptile Zoo, winners will receive free tickets and more special prizes.
Display: All submitted artworks will be displayed in Yass, most likely at the Yass Library, prior to judging – giving the community the chance to enjoy and celebrate the children’s creativity.
Eligibility: Open to children of all ages in the Yass area.
Entries Close & Judging Dates: Entries close 28 November and Judging and presentations will be on the 6 December.

This is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to learn more about reptiles and amphibians, showcase their creativity, and connect with our natural environment.

Landcare_Poster_Art_Comp_2025_2.pdf

Holiday Happenings

Newsletter_Advert.pdf

22 Sep	Week 10 22 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

25 Sep	World Mission Month: Crazy Day Fundraiser All day

26 Sep	Pupil-Free Day All day

27 Sep	Term 3 Holidays 27 Sep 2025 - 12 Oct 2025

28 Sep	Multicultural Mass - St Augustine's Church 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

29 Sep	Police Remembrance Day 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

13 Oct	Pupil-Free Day All day

14 Oct	Week 1 14 Oct 2025 - 17 Oct 2025

17 Oct	Parish Mass Celebration - Year 4 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

20 Oct	Week 2 20 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

22 Oct	Kindergarten Orientation 1 All day

24 Oct	Boorowa Touch & Netball Carnival All day

TERM 3 WEEK 10 2025