Dear Parents, Teachers and Students, 


Student Leadership
This Friday 17 November, nominations close for Year 5 students who are seeking formal leadership positions in 2023; that is, School Captains, Vice-Captains, House Captains and SRC Representatives. At Mt Carmel, our student leaders are appointed, not elected, and the process begins with students completing a nomination form addressing a selection criteria. Next Thursday 23 November, we will hold an assembly at 11:30am for the nominees to present their speeches to the school; parents are warmly invited to attend. The final step in the selection process will be Leadership interviews on Monday 27 November.


Stage 1 Swimming Program
This Friday 17 November we will be holding our one-day intensive Stage 1 swimming program. Students in Years 1 and 2 will be travelling to the Gunghalin Leisure Centre by bus to participate in a levelled AustSwim swimming lesson, a water safety lesson, and some fun and games in the water play area. Students will need to wear their swimmers under their sports uniform, for a quick change at the start of the day, and bring a towel, swim goggles, dry underwear, a plastic bag to put wet items in, and a packed recess, lunch and drink bottle – students will not be permitted to use the Leisure Centre’s canteen facilities. Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.


End-of-Year Events
Now that we have passed the mid-term hump and are on the downhill run to Christmas, we are excited to be able to invite families to join us in our end-of-year celebrations. Because Christmas is on a Monday this year, Advent does not start until Week 9, and 1AH will lead us in a Prayer Assembly at 9am on Monday morning, 4 December. In Week 10, KAA and KJG will join to lead our prayer for the second week of Advent at 9am on Monday 11 December.

Our whole-school Christmas Concert will be held on Friday 8 December, Week 9, at 12pm under the shade-cloth featuring a Nativity play and a range of traditional and modern Christmas performances. At 9am on Wednesday 13 December, we will have a Year 3-5 awards assembly to recognise the efforts and achievements of our Primary students; parents will be notified in advance if their child will be receiving an award and are welcome to attend. Thursday 14 December is the last day of attendance for Year 6 students, and we will be holding our Graduation Mass at 9:30am in St Augustine’s Church, with Year 6 awards being presented in the church at the conclusion of Mass. After Recess, at 11:30am, we will hold our traditional Farewell Assembly to wish our School Leaders well for their journey to High School. A separate letter with details of Year 6 events will be sent to families next week.

All of these events are listed on our school calendar, which can be found on our website at https://www.mtcarmel.nsw.edu.au/calendar.


School Fee Discounts for Students with Siblings Attending a Systemic Catholic Secondary School
The Catholic Education Commission offers a variety of tuition discounts based on the number of children in a family enrolled in a Systemic Catholic School, including a 50% discount to the primary tuition fee if a student has a sibling enrolled in a Systemic Secondary School. Further in this newsletter is a form with details of the discounts and an application, which must be submitted annually. Affected families are asked to complete and submit the sibling discount form by Friday 1 December.


Free Parenting Courses
Parents and carers are offered access to free online parenting courses developed in Australian by the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, thanks to Australian Government funding. 
Triple-P offers specific programs and online resources, assisting with the everyday challenges parents and carers face raising calm, resilient and happy children.

To find out more, go to https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/triple-p/.


Call for Tenders for Creative Services
The Catholic Education Office is establishing a panel of suppliers of creative services. Suppliers with relevant capability and capacity are welcome to submit a tender in these categories:

• Photography
• Videography
• Copywriting
• Speech writing
• Graphic design

The request for tenders is advertised on the CECG website under the Tenders tab on the homepage, and was advertised in The Canberra Times on Saturday 4 November 2023. Tenders must be received by the closing time on 27 November 2023. Contracts would be finalised in January 2024.
Suppliers can seek more information by emailing tenders@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Link to tender: https://cg.catholic.edu.au/tenders/.


Vinnies Youth Programs
The St Vincent de Paul Society runs a variety of youth programs designed to provide assistance and respite young people who are dealing with complex family situations. A brochure outlining the St Nick’s, St Joe’s and VINES programs is attached to this newsletter. If your family or someone you now may benefit from participating in one of these programs, please contact the school office for assistance with a referral.


May God’s peace be in your families, 

Michael Green
Principal

Religious Education in the Classroom
Welcome to Week 6! Mt Carmel School implements the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International (CSYMI) Four-Phase model for student formation and ministry and our Year 6 students form Mt Carmel’s Youth Ministry team. 

A snapshot of the implementation of CSYMI at Mt Carmel School:  

• Initial Journey with Jesus retreat
• Classroom Journey with Jesus sessions
• Daily Prayer using the Daily Talks with God and Thursday prayer in our school’s chapel led by Year 6 students
• Weekly activities focusing on Connection, Proclamation, Response
• Participation in the Religious Life of Mt Carmel School
• Planning and delivering mini faith retreats for our younger students 

Last week, Year 6 students led mini faith retreats for Kindergarten students. 

Student Feedback of CSYMI

Mila: The prayer journal has greatly improved my prayer experience with God.

Emma: It helps me come closer to God and my life.

Milly: It has helped me think about the person I would like to be and try to live more like Jesus.

Preston: I am learning about God and his life story.

Riley: It helps bring both classes together to learn about Religion and help the younger students.

Harry: Helps me grow my relationship with God.



Religious Life of Mt Carmel School

Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies News
Last week, Sharkie from the Vinnies Canberra School Team visited Mt Carmel School to talk about the role of Vinnies in our community and to launch the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and each classroom has been provided with a basket for donations. At the end of the term, we will be delivering all donations to the St Augustine’s Conference, Yass, of St Vincent de Paul. 

We are seeking your support to help those less fortunate in our community through generous donations of non-perishable food items. Your generosity and support is most appreciated. St Augustine’s Conference has requested the following items:

Remembrance Day Prayer Service
Thank you to Mrs Shepherd, Mrs Curtois and 4SS for leading a beautiful prayer service.

Prayer and Reflection
Let us be still and ask the Holy Spirit to be with us.

Dear Father,
Be with us as we pray.
Open our ears to hear your Word in the Gospel.
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.

I invite you to participate in a 3 minute prayer reflecting on a Scripture passage. https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/.  

St Augustine’s Parish News

On Sunday 12 November, the Gospel focused on preparing ourselves to be ready for Jesus’ return, even though no one knows when he will be coming. 

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

Enjoy your 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

2024 Trials

Canberra Goulburn Primary Cricket Trials for 2024
Date: 03 Nov 2023
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Students in NSW Schools Years 5 and 6 (and exceptional Year 4) Boys are invited to trial to represent Canberra Goulburn at the MacKillop Trials. Girls are invited to nominate - trial will be held if appropriate numbers, if not they will go straight through to the MacKillop Trials

Registration is through the CSNSW Website: https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents.

Canberra Goulburn/Wollongong Boys AFL Trial Information 2024
Date: Tuesday 20th February 
Time: Arrival: 8:30am Student Registration: 9:00am -9:15am. Trials Commence: 9:20am Conclusion: Approx 1:00 - 1:30pm depending on numbers 
Venue: South Thomas Dalton Park Fairy Meadow (South Fields) 
Uniform: Football attire- mouthguards compulsory.

Registration: Registration is via the CSNSW website - Thursday 30th November 2023
Cost: $15.00 Canteen: Students should bring their own lunch, drinks and snacks. 
Selection: The purpose of the trial is to select a team of up to 22 players to represent the combined Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn and Wollongong at the MacKillop AFL Selection trials. 
CONVENOR: Benjamin Woods Inquiries: Sherree Bush (CEO) Ph: 0409 305 296 Sherree.bush@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Touch Football Trial Information 2024 
Date: Friday 24th November 2023 Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm 
Venue: Southwell Park, Lyneham, ACT 
Registration: Registration is through the CSNSW Sport Website; https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents

Cost: $15.00 per student. Payment is to be made with registration via the CSNSW website. 
Uniform: School Sport Uniform. 
For more information please go to: https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Tennis Trial Information 2024 
Date: Thursday 30th November 2023 
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Belconnen Tennis Club. Halloran Place, Macquarie, ACT 
Registration: Registrations are open on the CSNSW Sport Website –https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar. Please see the Registration Instructions for Parents 2020 

Nominations Close: Friday 24th November 
Cost: $15.00 per student. Will also be through the NSWCSS Website 
Uniform: Tennis Attire or School Sport uniform 
CANTEEN: There is no canteen available. Students are to bring their own lunch and snacks. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY A FULL COURT GAME.

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Basketball Trial Information 2024 
Date: Friday 1st December 2023 
Time: 10am - 2pm 
Venue: Belconnen Basketball & Sports Centre 42 Oatley Court, Belconnen, ACT Registration: Registrations are open on the CSNSW Sport Website – https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar. Please see the Registration Instructions for Parents 

Nominations Close: Friday 24th November Cost: $20.00 per student – Will also be through the CSNSW Website 
Canteen: Students may bring their own lunch and snacks. There is a small canteen facility available and there are shops nearby. 
Uniform: Students are to wear their school sports uniform to the trials as they are representing their school. Students are also required to bring along a water bottle for hydration. 

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

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

KAA Mia Brown Mila Boyton Olivia Christensen Phoebe Platt	KJG Phoebe Mitchell Liam Coster
1AH Ethan Kim Max Hanns	1KG Rosalind Clark Chevy Leahy Harry Agostino
2LS Zoey Watson Charlotte Osborne Alan McRae	2SS Amalia Corcoran Archie Gooley Eddy Finnigan
3ER Claire Coster Isabelle Davis Charley Shoring	3ML Zoey Mitchell Gabriel Dunstan Evelyn Morris Billy Field
4SS Mabel Adie Abby Hillman Molly-Ann Howarth	4TD Ruby Laughton Hugh McPherson
5AH Grace Deer Chloe Caldow Isabelle Pidgeon Tommy Markota	5KG Ellie Carroll Amber Watson Jack Butt Rushad Chowdhury
6EG Bella Nagle Stella Pack Pia de Nanteuil Isabelle Hewlett	6JR Emily Ryan Brooke Reardon Ella Johnson

1KG thoroughly enjoyed their coding lesson with Mrs Luckie in DigiTech this week. 

4TD created beautiful artworks to commemerate Remembrance Day. 

From now until the end of the year, the canteen will be offering a lunch special on Friday's. Keep a look out on Qkr for the weekly special, as there will be limited numbers available each Friday. 

The Double Helix team is part of CSIRO Publishing and has a long-standing reputation for delivering expertly written, fascinating and fun science material for young people. Double Helix magazine is designed to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). They aim to make it an easy, fun read for people, whether they are already interested in science or not.

Double Helix magazine also promotes critical thinking and literacy in school-aged children and teens. Each issue includes hands-on activities, recipes, experiments, comics, puzzles and prizes to win.

Click here to view the Double Helix website to find out more information.

The 2024 subscription is $52 per child and includes 8 magazines thouthgout the year. A invitation has been sent via Compass if you would like to accept and pay for this 2024 subscription. Please click on the Events tab within Compass, to access this opt-in magazine subscription. If you would like to purchase the subscription, please complete the invitation by Thursday 30 November. 

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