Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,


Seeking Feedback - School Fete
At a recent Parish Pastoral Council meeting, Father Peter has proposed that we consider the possibility of a Parish-School Fete as a means of strengthening our sense of community. The Mt Carmel School Community Council has offered in-principle support for this idea but recognises that it cannot be successfully achieved without wider community support and sufficient parents who are prepared to be part of an organising committee. I invite all parents to consider this proposition and complete the attached form, to provide the Community Council with further information before a commitment can be made. The form will be open for responses until next Friday, 30 May.

Please fill out this form - Mt Carmel School Fete Committee - Expression of Interest


School Uniform
It has been noted recently, by both staff and parents, that there seems to have been a lapse in the standard of adherence to our school uniform policy. 

One of the principal aims behind school uniforms is to promote a sense of unity and belonging among students. When everyone is dressed the same, social divisions are minimised and a more level playing field is established. Ultimately, this contributes to a more positive school culture and a stronger sense of community. It is an important part of our identity. Attached to this newsletter is a copy of our Uniform Policy, for your reference, and I would appreciate families’ support in ensuring that it is followed.


Reconciliation Week
Next week is National Reconciliation Week, and this year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Year 5 and 6 Camps
Last week, Year 5 had a fabulous two nights away a Warrambui. It is always wonderful to spend time with students in an environment away from school, where they get to participate in a range of activities that develop their character and leadership skills in a way that the classroom cannot match. It is often the case that, before going on their first school camp, students experience some level of anxiety about being away from home, trying new activities and eating different foods, and this year was no exception. I am very proud to report, however, that all these worries were overcome and the camp was a great success and, importantly, the teachers all had a good night’s sleep each night! My sincere thanks to Ms Grace and Mrs Leahy, who gave up two nights with their own families so that our students could experience school camp, and to Mrs Luckie and Mr Martens, who joined us during the day.

And now that the Year 5 camp is done, we have the Year 6 camp coming up in Week 6. This time in two weeks we will be off to Narrabeen, to the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation. Again, this will be a wonderful experience, that is only possible because of the commitment of our dedicated staff.


Cross-Country
Well done to all who participated in last Friday's Archdiocesan Cross Country at Stromlo Forest Park. Special congratulations to Samuel Logue and Zoey Mitchell, who have qualified for the upcoming MacKillop Carnival in Sydney.


Athletics Carnival
Our 3-6 Athletics Carnival will be held, weather permitting, next Friday 30 May (Week 5) at Victoria Park. Primary students who are running in the 800m event will need to be at Victoria Park by 9am; all others will start the day at school and walk to and from the carnival with their class. Spectators and parent-helpers will be welcome to attend, please see the link in the Sports News if you would like to volunteer on the day.

The canteen will be running at the carnival, with assorted snacks options and a sausage sizzle for lunch (the sausage sizzle will be the only hot-food item available and dietary needs will be catered for). All items will be cash-sales only, so your child will need to bring money to purchase any snack or lunch items. The canteen will not be open for lunch or recess orders at school.


2026 Enrolments 
Our enrolment drive for 2026 has begun. If you have a pre-school child ready for Kindergarten, it’s time to enrol now. Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn has an online enrolment form, which can be accessed by clicking the link below. An interview will be organised once the enrolment application is received. If your friends have a child starting in Kindergarten next year, please encourage them to consider Mt Carmel as an option for their children’s education. Today we held the first day of our Open Day Tours and have more to come tomorrow, along with a School Showcase Evening in the Lacey Library at 6pm. The tours and showcase evening are largely run by Year 6 students, who are wonderful ambassadors for our school. The fact that so many students are prepared to volunteer their time in the evening to help promote our school speaks volumes about the pride and community spirit that is felt by our students. My sincere thanks to all our wonderful volunteers.

To book a tour or to RSVP for the Showcase evening, go to https://forms.gle/SLYm3hswhVixHQwW6.

Enrol Now: (https://enrolments.mtcarmel.nsw.edu.au/nsw-schools/start).


Vinnies CEO Sleepout
In Week 8 I will be joining a team of Catholic Principals from our Archdiocese in support of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. On Thursday 19 June, I will be sleeping rough at the Museum of Australian Democracy, at Old Parliament House, to help raise funds and awareness for the vital work Vinnies does in our region supporting individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Whether because of cost of living pressures, the experience of domestic and family violence, mental health concerns, addiction, or any number of other causes, the problem of homelessness is a terrible one; and although it is less visible in regional areas than in the metropolitan centres, families in our own community will be relying on Vinnies this winter for support.

My personal goal is to raise $4000 for this important cause this year. If you are in a position to help, please consider going to https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/michaelgreen/act to make a donation.

Michael Green
Principal

Religious Education in the Classroom
Kindergarten students are learning about storytelling and how it is a way to express messages about people’s faith and their relationship with God. During my visit to KBlue and KGold the students explored different bibles. We identified the bible as a sacred text that includes a range of stories that are important to believers.

K Blue

K Gold

Religious Life of Mt Carmel School
Mother’s Day Prayer Service 
Thank you to Miss Battye and 2 Blue for preparing and leading a beautiful prayer service. All mums felt very special on the day.

Welcome Pope Leo XIV
On Sunday the Catholic Church welcomed a new Pope and shepherd - Pope Leo XIV. We join together in praying for our new Pope as he continues the legacy of Pope Francis.

Faithful God
You guide us on the path of life and your
goodness is our constant companion.
Be with our new Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV, in his
service of the Church.
Fill him with the power of your Spirit, the peace of
your presence and the compassion of Christ.
May he walk with you, in wisdom and humility,
and lead us, together with all God’s people to
embody your love for the world

Amen  

Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel
Whilst I was in Rome, my family and I had the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel before it was closed to prepare for the conclave. The galleries and rooms leading to the Sistine Chapel are decorated with frescoes, Roman and Greek antiquities, which influenced the frescoes created by Michelangelo Buonarroti in the Sistine Chapel. The tour started at the museum of Pio Clementino and after 2.5 hours we finished in the Sistine Chapel. I felt blessed to be standing in the Sistine Chapel just days before the Papal conclave to elect the new pope, Pope Leo XIV.

Below are a few photos of the tour and the images of the Sistine Chapel have been used from this site https://www.thesistinechapel.org/ because cameras were prohibited.  

The Last Judgement frescoe above the altar.

Examples of a few statues that influenced the Last Judgement frescoe.

Keys to the Kingdom Frescoe
Jesus gives the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" to Peter in a symbolic act representing authority and leadership, Matthew 16:19. The keys of heaven or keys of Saint Peter are seen as a symbol of papal authority and are seen on papal coats of arms and those of the Holy See and Vatican City State (Vatican, 2025).Z

St Augustine’s Parish News

Please pray for the children as they prepare for their First Holy Communion.

Hannah Maher
Eleena Mattappallil
Charlotte Osborne
Oliver Irwin
Cody Drage
George Pidgeon
Lachlan Black
Chella Macdonald
Evelyn Platt
Eve Davis
Mikayla Clements
Elsa Baptiste
Harrington Roser
Alex Warhurst
Giorgia Cavazzoni Pederzini
Lachlan Inkster

Lord Jesus, 

Bless all the children preparing to receive Holy Communion for the first time.

May that day be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they will turn to you for comfort, guidance and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

May their hands, extended in anticipation of your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.

Amen

Children's Liturgy

Children are invited to attend Children’s Liturgy every second and fourth Sunday of the month. 

Wishing you all a lovely and peaceful week.

Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator

Mt Carmel Athletics Carnival
Our athletics carnival is booked-in for Friday 30th May at Victoria Park. Over the next few weeks, students will be practising basic athletics skills and techniques during their sport sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays. The high jump event will be conducted at school prior to the carnival once the students have had a chance to practise. We will require lots of parental assistance for the carnival, if you are free on the day and would like to help out, please complete the Google form using the link below to register your interest. All Primary students (3-6) will be automatically registered for all events. If you know your child will not be present on the day or is unable to participate for any reason, please let me know on the Google form using the link below. If your child is in Year 2 and is 8 or turning 8 and you wish them to participate in the Primary carnival, please complete the Google form using the link below. Due to the rain forecast for this Friday, I have decided to move the 1500m event to Tuesday 27th May. If you have already registered your child for the event, there is no need to do so again, the sign-up sheet is the same. Students who have registered will walk down to Victoria Park with me after lunch to run the event. The 1500m event is an open event so only 3 boys and 3 girls are selected from the school to represent Mt Carmel at Northern Region. Therefore, it is recommended for upper primary students. If you would like your child to participate in this event, please complete the Google form using the link below.

To be a parent helper at the carnival, click here.

If your child will be absent or unable to participate in the carnival, click here.

If your child is in Year 2 and you would like them to participate in the primary carnival, click here.

If you would like to register your child for the 1500m event, click here.


Canberra Goulburn Cross-Country
Congratulations to: Samuel Logue and Zoey Mitchell who will be representing the Canberra Goulburn Team to compete at the MacKillop Cross Country Championships in Sydney on Wednesday 11 June. Good luck to you both, we can’t wait to hear how you go in Sydney.

Canberra Goulburn (Primary) Touch Football Trials (Boys and Girls) - for 2025
Congratulations to Lachlan Inkster who made it into the Canberra Goulburn Touch Football team and will compete at the Mackillop trials on June 13 in Wagga.


Canberra Goulburn (Primary) Rugby Union Trials
Date:   Tuesday 28th May 2024
Location: Southwell Park
Address:  Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham, 2603, ACT
Time:  10:00am - 2:00pm
Cost: $20
Registration: Registration is through the CSNSW Sport Website;
https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents.

Ted Dunstan
Sports Coordinator

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

Scott Tome
Beau Tome
Harper Vukojevic
Logan Hodgson
Ryan Tome
Scott Tome

The 2025 PRC has been extended to allow additional time for challenge completion.
It now closes to students on Friday 19 September 2025 (Week 9, Term 3)

Book Covering
Thank you to Maree Miller for covering some books for the library. Your help is greatly appreciated.

National Simultaneous Storytime
Today the students of Mt Carmel participated in the National Simultaneous Storytime. At 12 o’clock, along with over 2 million other students across Australia,  we paused our day to  watch an online reading of The Truck Cat written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. 

Link to watch the story with your family - Video of Sally Rippen reading the book

Kind regards,
Natalie Broers
Teacher Librarian

Congratulations to the recipients of the Week 2 Mt Carmel Awards.
These awards were handed out last Friday, 16 May, at morning assembly.

K Blue Jasmin Worboys Emilia Goulding Cody O'Mara	K Gold Stevie Eldridge Hugo Julian Mitchell McGrath
1 Green Olivia Logue Isabella Hayden Acacia Aniversario	1 Red Naomi Mathew Charlotte Kunneke
2 Blue Felix Inglis Halle Davaris Billie Taylor Logan Hodgson	2 Gold Winnie Smith Eliza Henshall Josephine Mattappallil
3 Green Adelaide Honan Claudia Klemmer Hennessey Rankin	3 Red Elsie Townsend Rosalind Clark Benny Shoring
4 Blue Mackenzie Arnold Isaac Reynders	4 Gold Madison McGurk Scott Tome Ashton Dorris
5 Green Sophie Donoghue Jack Maher	5 Red Richard Jol Ezra Whimpress
6 Blue Andria Rogin Rory Doyle Paul Coady	6 Gold Amelia Hooper Mikayla Black Molly-Ann Howarth Louis Arnold

Congratulations to the recipients of the Week 3 Mt Carmel Awards.
These awards will be handed out this Friday, 23 May, at morning assembly.

K Blue Gigi Heckendorf William Maher Louie Hackett	K Gold Leo Bush milton Matthews
1 Green Lillian Drybrugh Amelia Berekoven	1 Red Elyse Carter Abigail Morriss
2 Blue Mila Boyton Franki Aniversario Willem Kunneke	2 Gold Ally Wren Olivia Christensen Edward Dryburgh
3 Green Elisabeth Morris Chevy Leahy Nicholas DaDeppo	3 Red Evie Mitchell Ethan Kim Harrison Cunynghame
4 Blue Cody Drage Lachlan Miller Blake Eldridge	4 Gold Alan McRae George Pidgeon Harvey Matthews
5 Green Isabelle Davis Benji Carroll GeorgeDouglas	5 Red Jessica Hardy Gabriel Dunstan
6 Blue Poppy Smith Chevie Stansfield Fletcher Lees Benjamin Webster Hugh McPherson	6 Gold Mikayla Black Macy Camilleri Molly-Ann Howarth Lachlan Walker Harrington Roser

The Clothing Pool will be open again next Thursday, 29 May.  

Opening Hours
Opening Hours: 2.30pm-3.30pm. 
Location: in the Uniform Shop room, next to the Music Room.

If you have any money outstanding for thr Clothing Pool, we do ask that this is dropped at the Front Office as soon as possible.
Payment is via cash only. 

Any profit made from the clothing pool will be directly donated to the Vinnies Food appeal generally held twice a year.

If you have any questions, please contact Liz on lizdadeppo@gmail.com.

Register for the FREE event here: http://www.bit.ly/MFR2025