Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,


Mt Carmel Day
We had a lovely celebration of Mt Carmel Day yesterday, with Mass for the Feast of the Assumption in the middle of the day. Congratulations to Mrs Karakotas on the organisation of a successful day, and thanks to Ms Grace, Mrs Harvey, Mrs Swadling and Mrs Shoring for organising our rotation activities, and to all the Mt Carmel School Staff and students for their enthusiastic participation.


National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
This Friday is the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, and Mt Carmel will be joining schools across the nation to say no to bullying. 
The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says: Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. 

Schools are complex social environments, and interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings are not unusual. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include: 

• mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)
• not liking someone or a single act of social rejection 
• one-off acts of meanness or spite 
• isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

However, it is still very important that when such situations occur, they are addressed and resolved promptly. If your child is experiencing adverse social interactions at school, please let their classroom teacher know immediately so that appropriate steps can be taken before any situation escalates.

Attached to this newsletter is a factsheet for Primary School Students about bullying, that you may wish to discuss with your child. And as always, students and parents are welcome to have a personal discussion with me if they have any concerns about a problem at school.


Book Week
Book Week is next week and our Library will soon be transformed with fabulous class displays about this year’s short-listed books. This year we will be having our Book Week Parade on Wednesday 23 August at 12:30pm under the playground shadecloth. Our annual dress-up parade is a firm favourite on the school’s social calendar; parents and other relatives are warmly invited to attend and then browse the magnificent displays in the Library. The school will be providing a sausage sizzle lunch for students on the day of the parade and we are seeking volunteers who may be able to assist. If you are able to help out, please use the link below to volunteer, or email natalie.broers@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Book Week - BBQ Volunteer Form


Student Representatives
In the coming week we have a number of students representing our school in some different endeavours. Tonight Lucy Miller will be speaking at the Rostrum Public Speaking Finals in Harrison. Best of luck, also, to Imogen Maher, Landon Glover, Lucy Miller, Xavier Doyle, Macy Camilleri, Abby Hillman, Madeline Caldow and Aria Hodgson, who will be travelling to Queanbeyan on Friday to compete in the Northern Region Public Speaking competition, and to Alan McRae, Mabel Adie, Riley Mitchell, Henry Gooley, Archie Gooley, Archer Regan, Emmett Crocker, Spencer Crocker, Jacob Osborne, Esther Payne, Sidney Luckie, David Watson, Reese Flynn and Connor Hackett who will be travelling to the AIS in Canberra to participate in the Archdiocesan Athletics carnival.


Yass Touch Football Gala Day
Next Tuesday, Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be participating in a local Touch Football Gala Day at Walker Park. Teams have been organised at school, and students will walk to Walker Park with their class after morning assembly. Regular sports uniform should be worn, and appropriate recess and lunch, including a water bottle, should be packed for the day. Students are also encouraged to wear their school hat and apply sunscreen. Everyone will be back at school in time for the usual end of the school day.


CWA Poster Competition
The CWA Poster Competition is open again, and this year’s country of focus is Australia! There are three different classifications of entry that students can participate in:

• Colouring-in Competition (Kindergarten and Year 1) – there are two options to choose from, either a kangaroo or an emu, which can be printed from this newsletter or collected from the school office;
• Poster (all ages) – to be completed on a large sheet or cardboard, containing pictures and information about “My Australian Home”;
• Postcard (all ages) – to be completed on an A4 page, promoting an event or feature of the local area, a template/design guide can be found in this newsletter.

All entries need to be clearly labelled on the back with the school, class and name of the entrant. Entries will be collected from the school office on the Tuesday 10 October, which is the first day of Term 4. Students may choose to keep the competition aside for a school holiday project, but late entries will not be accepted. We therefore encourage interested students to complete their entry and drop it to the school office by the end of this term.


Family Event with Andrew Fuller
Catholic School Parents Canberra and Goulburn are offering a free Family Event with renowned pshychologist Andrew Fuller, being hosted at St John Paul II College on Tuesday 5 September at 6pm. There is an option for live streaming for parents and carers that are unable to attend in-person. The event aims to brings families from across the Archdiocese together and give them practical ways they can support their child in their learning. A flier with registration information can be found at the end of this newsletter.


Altar Servers
The parish is still recruiting Altar Servers to serve at Mass on Sunday mornings. Serving on the altar helps children to become more engaged with the Mass and to better understand its rituals. It is also a great way to encourage our children to become active citizens, with a positive attitude towards community service.

Servers must have received the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Anyone from Year 4 and up would be most welcome to participate in this important role. Training will be provided during school hours and at Mass by the Liturgy committee and experienced servers. Please return the commitment slip (attached to this newsletter or collected from the front office) if your child would like to help with this special job.


Irish and Celtic Music Festival Children’s Workshops
On 17-18 September, as part of the Yass Irish and Celtic Music Festival, Mt Carmel will be hosting the Junior Fleadh. 

Fleadh (pronounced flah) is a Celtic word that means festival, and it is a chance for students who are interested in Irish music to come and join in free instrumental and dance workshops, culminating in a concert to showcase what the children have learned; all experience levels are welcome. More information and an RSVP link can be found further in this newsletter.


Departing Students
Schools are required to record destination schools for all departing students. We ask that all families of Year 6 students inform us as soon as possible of the high school your child will be attending. In the Forms & Documents tile on the school website is a Year 7 2024 Destination eForm, or you can use the link below to access the form directly. We also request that any K-5 families moving from Mt Carmel at the end of this year send Mr Green an email (michael.green@cg.catholic.edu.au) as soon as possible indicating your intentions along with your destination. Much of this term is spent preparing for next year and our student numbers need to be accurate. Thank you for assisting us with this information gathering. 

https://mtcarmelsyass.schoolzineplus.com/form/17

May God’s peace be in your families, 

Michael Green
Principal

Religious Education in the Classroom
Welcome to Week 5! Year 6 students are examining the history of Judaism and its rich heritage of law, culture and traditions which have influenced beliefs in the multicultural world we live in today. Students will identify key elements of the High Holy Days (e.g. themes, messages, rituals) and make connections between the practices of the High Holy Days and the faith life of believers. 

Last Thursday, students visited the Jewish Community in Forrest, ACT, to listen to a presentation on Judaism and explore the Jewish synagogue and museum. It was an amazing learning experience for teachers and students. Thank you to David and Adele for hosting us.

Religious Life of Mt Carmel School

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary and Mt Carmel Day Celebrations
Mt Carmel School celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary and the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt Carmel with a Mass on Tuesday 15 August 2023, at St Augustine’s Church. Students participated in Mt Carmel Day activities and enjoyed a special cupcake for recess. We all had a great day!

Mt Carmel Day Mass

Mt Carmel Day Activities

Prayer 

Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us, sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies News
Wear a Beanie Fundraiser 2023
Mini Vinnies is running a fundraiser on Friday 18 August to support our local St Augustine’s Conference. Mt Carmel School students are invited to wear a beanie and donate a gold coin. 

St Augustine’s Parish News

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is held at Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays

of the month. All children are invited to be part of the activities centred around the particular weekend’s Gospel.

Parish Mass
Click on this link for further details http://staug-yass.org.au/wp/sacraments/.



Have a lovely week!
Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator

Love One Another

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” John 15:12

Archdiocesan Athletics Carnival
Good luck to Alan McRae, Mabel Adie, Riley Mitchell, Henry Gooley, Archie Gooley, Archer Regan, Emmett Crocker, Spencer Crocker, Esther Payne, Sidney Luckie, David Watson and Connor Hackett who will be travelling to the AIS in Canberra to participate in the Archdiocesan Athletics carnival on Tuesday 22 August.


Touch Football Gala Day
NSW Touch is holding a gala day in Yass on Tuesday 22 August at Walker Park. All students in years 3-6 will be participating. Teachers will split classes into girls, boys and mixed teams for the day. It is a non-competitive, fun and free event for all students in Yass and surrounds. All students need to do is turn-up on the day in their normal sports uniform. If your child is unable to participate, please let myself or their class teacher know.


Todd Woodbridge Cup
What is the Todd Woodbridge Cup?
The Todd Woodbridge Cup is a primary school competition for stage 2 (years 3 and 4) that uses modified equipment, numeric scoring and mixed gender teams. 

The competition commences with school zone events followed by regional playoffs (term 3) and finally a state final that is held at Sydney Olympic Park each year (term 4).

The Todd Woodbridge Cup will be held at the Hume Tennis Club Yass on 30/08/2023. If you are in Year 3 or 4 and would like to enter the event, please use the link below to register.

A cost of $5 per student will be required once nominations have been made.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JmhkyKGzWNp4UNiRaEuHZI06etO-7hqGP_Z0Z_5IzCk/edit

Trials
Please check the C & G website and the Facebook page for information about upcoming events https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar.

Ted Dunstan
Sports Coordinator

Thank you
Thank you to Esther Payne for a donation of books to the library. 

CBCA Book Week 2023
The CBCA Book Week is a celebration of books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. This year’s theme is Read Grow Inspire. There will be various activities for students to enjoy next week, Week 6.

Book Week Parade
The Book Week Parade will be held on Wednesday 23 August. Students are invited to dress up as a book character for the day. The Book Week Parade will commence at 12:30pm.

A sausage sizzle lunch will be provided for the students to celebrate this special day. Dietary requirements will be catered for.

Volunteers Needed
We are seeking volunteers for the BBQ cooking for the sausage sizzle lunch on Wednesday 23 August. We will also need helpers to organise the class boxes for distribution. Cooking and organising will begin at 10am, any volunteers will be able to watch the parade at 12.30pm.

Volunteer Google Form

Open Library
At the conclusion of the parade all visitors are invited to the Lacey Library. Every class will have a display based on one of the CBCA Shortlisted Books to view.

Visiting Author and Illustrator
Next Thursday as part of our Book Week celebrations, we are fortunate to have author Barbie Robinson and illustrator Ian Robertson visiting Mt Carmel. They are an award winning team who have created three books together. All students in Years 3-6 will be attending a presentation by Barbie and Ian about how books come from concept to product, with particular reference to the way their three books were created.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge
The 2023 Challenge is in the final days! Students who are completing the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge have until this Friday.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at natalie.broers@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Congratulations to the following students who have recently completed the challenge for 2023.

Zoe Di Sisto
Hugh McPherson
Ava Leighton
Ekaterina Mulcair
Connor Hackett

Read with Me Wednesday

Term 3 Dates
Premier’s Reading Challenge concludes - Week 5 Friday 18 August
Book Week - Week 6 Monday 21 August - Friday 25 August
Book Week Parade - Week 6 Wednesday 23 August
Author Visit - Sarah Davis-Week 8 Wednesday 6 September

Nat Broers
Teacher Librarian

Congratulations to the recipients of last week's Mt Carmel Awards.
 Awards will now be handed out at morning lines each Friday.

KAA Rosella Jones Eliza Henshall	KJG Franki Aniversario Arabella Merriman Lewis Gianchou
1AH Noah Hamilton Samuel Logue Hayden Spring Mrs Hall	1KG Keziah Mathew Hugh Davaris Adelaide Honan
2LS Zoey Watson Violet Richardson	2SS Oliver Irwin Barney Rainger
3ER Ivy Howarth Jasper Jones George Douglas	3ML Madeline Caldow Rowan Kelly-Clark
4SS Alayla Dorris Jaxon Field Dylan O'Reilly Zoe Leahy	4TD Poppy Smith Benjamin Webster
5AH Chloe Corcoran Xavier Holm Tommy Markota	5KG Rory Welsh Bob O'Brien Heath Wood
6EG Grace Ryan Charlotte Hardy	6JR Mayce Brown Jacob Osborne

All K-6 students will be involved in AFL Clinics in Week 6 and 7 and will require a swap of school uniform for the day.

All students are asked to wear their sport uniforms on Thursday 24 and Thursday 31 August.
Students will then wear their academic uniform on Friday 25 August and Friday 1 September.

If any of these items belongs to your child, please have them collect it from the front office as soon as possible.

The Mt Carmel School Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday afternoon between 2.30pm – 4.00pm during school terms.

Yass Landcare is excited to introduce an educational and interactive event that we believe may interest the young minds at Mt Carmel School. Our Children's Insect Talk, The Good The Bad & The Ugly is designed to captivate children’s curiosity about the fascinating world of insects while fostering a deeper understanding of their importance in our ecosystem.

Event Highlights:

• Engaging presentations on water bugs, bees, pest species and the essential role they play in our environment.
• Hands-on activity: Creating bee hotels to provide a safe haven for these important pollinators.
• Special guest speaker from National Science Week, inspiring students to explore the wonders of science.

Information & Registration Link: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly | Let’s talk about insects

Date: Sunday 20th August 10am-12:30pm

Location: Yass Community Centre