Dear Parents, Teachers and Students, 

Welcome Back to Mt Carmel for Term 3
I would like to extend a very warm welcome back for Term 3 to all students, families and staff. I trust that the two-week break provided an opportunity to refresh and unwind, and that all are now ready to take on the challenges of a new term. It’s been lovely catching up with students on the playground and hearing about their holiday break.


COVID-19 Update
Following the school holidays, when many in our community have travelled, it is very important that COVID-19 guidelines be carefully followed. A letter detailing ongoing precautions was sent to families via SZapp on Monday afternoon; it is attached to this newsletter for your information.


Mt Carmel Day
Given the increase in COVID-19 cases across the state, the decision has been made to postpone our Mt Carmel Day celebrations that were scheduled for this Friday. I will let everyone know as soon as a new date has been set.


Community Council Nominations
Mt Carmel School is a vibrant welcoming community where parental involvement and engagement is sought and valued. Research shows that the more active parents are within a school, the better the school climate and the better the student outcomes.
The Community Council is a group of people charged with the responsibility of working with the Principal, Parish Priest and staff to provide leadership to our school. They meet twice a term on a Thursday evening in Weeks Three and Eight.

Our school is seeking to renew and encourage membership of this important Council. If you would like to become a member of the Council, nomination forms will be sent home next Monday and must be returned to the front office by Friday 14 August (Week 4). You must have your nomination endorsed by another current parent of Mt Carmel School (other than your spouse/partner). We are seeking three parents to nominate; if more than three parents nominate, an election will be held.

Our school has achieved so much during its long history. We do however need to harness the support of as many parents as possible to achieve even greater things in the future. Please consider nominating as a member of the Council and in doing so make a contribution and share your talents. Thank you for your support.


NCCD
Attached to this newsletter is information about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the NCCD. The process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.


School Counsellor
CatholicCare has informed us that a new school counsellor has been allocated and will commence at Mt Carmel after Week 3. Sharma Hampson is a social worker with many years’ experience in child and family roles as well as experience in child and adolescent mental health. She is warm and friendly and will be a wonderful addition to our school.

Yass SPIN Pyjama Day
Next Friday, in support of the Yass SPIN (Supporting People In Need) Foundation, we will be holding a Pyjama Day.

Come to school in your favourite snuggly PJs and bring a gold coin donation to support this important local charity.

May God’s peace be in your families,

Michael Green
Principal