Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,


Year 6 Camp
This week I am joining the Year 6 teachers and students on their school camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation in Narrabeen. I’m very grateful for the dedication of Mrs Glover and Mrs Field, who are giving up their family time so that our students can experience this wonderful opportunity.


Athletics Carnival
Last Friday’s Athletics Carnival was a tremendous success, and the weather–after a cold and foggy start–turned out to be magnificent! My sincere thanks to all the parents who helped in any capacity, to the Trinity Catholic College volunteers and, of course, to the Mt Carmel School teaching staff across both Primary and Infants. We will have our presentation assembly to announce place-getters and age champions on Tuesday 17 June.

The Northern Region Athletics Carnival will be held in Goulburn on Friday 20 June, Week 8. Congratulations and best of luck to all the talented athletes who will be representing Mt Carmel School at this event.


Sports Uniform Change of Days
Gecko Sports will be running lacrosse clinics at Mt Carmel for Primary classes on Thursdays for the remainder of this term.

Even though this does not affect Infants classes, to avoid confusion for families, we will swap Friday's sports uniform day to Thursday for everyone for the remainder of this term. So, starting this week, all classes will wear their sports uniform on Tuesdays and Thursdays and their academic uniform on all other days.

We will return to normal uniform expectations from the beginning of Term 3.


Year 3 and 4 Excursions to Lanyon Homestead
This Friday, Year 3 will be travelling by bus into Canberra to visit the historic Lanyon Homestead, as part of their History unit. Year 4 will attend the same excursion next Wednesday. Students have been asked to wear their sports uniform for these events and need to bring a water bottle, recess and lunch.


Wild West Daytime Disco
Next Friday 13 June, the SRC will be hosting a Daytime Disco at school, with a Wild West theme. It’s a mufti day, so students are invited to shake the dust off their best cowboy/cowgirl gear and get ready for some boot-scootin’. The K-2 Disco will be at recess, 3-6 at lunch time. Entry is free, but the SRC will be running a canteen, so bring some money if you’d like to buy a treat for recess or lunch.

2026 Enrolments 
My sincere thanks to the Year 6 students who led the school tours for our Open Days and manned the various displays at our School Showcase Evening. I received a great amount of positive feedback from parents about how confident, well-mannered and knowledgeable our senior students were. You truly are the best ambassadors for Mt Carmel School, and the fact that so many are prepared to volunteer their time outside of school hours to help promote Mt Carmel School to families considering enrolment speaks volumes about the pride and community spirit that is felt by our students.

Enrolments are still open, and I am commencing enrolment interviews next week, so 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.

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.

Yass Repertory Society Performances
The Yass Rep is performing its production of three one-act plays in the PAC. Opening night was last weekend, but there are shows on for the next two Friday and Saturday evenings, including a matinee performance this Saturday 7 June. Tickets can be booked via the Yass Valley Information Centre; see the attached flyer for details.

Michael Green
Principal

Religious Education in the Classroom
Year 5’s Religious Education unit examines how the sacraments strengthen and nourish believers to live spirit filled lives. 5 Red started the unit with the provocation of looking at how invisible forces compare to God’s love and kindness. 

What is forgiveness important to you?
Esther: Forgiving makes you feel relief because you are moving forward.
Jake: Forgiveness makes me feel good and positive.

How do you know God is there for you?
Logan: You can’t see him but you can feel him and you know it is real.
Cecilia: God always takes care of us, he doesn’t let things go wrong and he is there for us. 

5 Green revisited the Sacrament of Reconciliation and used their knowledge to write prayers of forgiveness. 

Religious Life of Mt Carmel School
Our Lady, Help of Christians Prayer Service
Thank you to Ms Jenkins and 1 Green for preparing and leading us in a reverent and beautiful prayer service.

Youth Ministry
Mt Carmel’s Youth Ministry team is learning how to use scripture to teach its message through drama. So far, students have dramatised the Good Samaritan, The Lost Son and Adam and Eve’s First Sin.

Commissioning Ceremony
Congratulations to Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies team for taking the pledge to help people in need and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Social Justice Workshop
On Thursday 29 May, Year 3-6 students participated in Social Justice workshops focusing on homelessness and the importance of the Winter Appeal for our Yass community. The workshop links in with the Catholic Social Teachings and meanings behind why we advocate for social justice, putting values into action and making it highly relevant, relatable and practical for students. 

Vinnies Winter Appeal
Mt Carmel’s Mini Vinnies launched the Vinnies Winter Appeal and each classroom has been provided with a basket for donations. At the end of the term, we will be delivering them 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:

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
William Walsh

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 peaceful week.

Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator

Mt Carmel Athletics Carnival
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our carnival on Friday. Parents, teachers, students and volunteers from Trinity, all combined to put on a great carnival, well done! Good luck to those moving on to the next level to represent Mt Carmel at the Northern Region athletics carnival in Week 8. Ribbons and medallions for the carnival will be presented on Tuesday, Week 8 (17/6/25). A full table of results will be published prior to the presentation.

1500m
The 1500m event will be held next Thursday, 12/6/25. We will head down to Victoria Park straight after lunch to run the event. Just a reminder that the 1500m event is an open event and only two boys and two girls from the entire school will be selected. I will reopen registrations for the event for anyone wishing to register who has not already done so. Please do not register again if you have already.

1500m registration

Northern Region Athletics Carnival
The following squad has been selected to represent Mt Carmel at the Northern Region athletics carnival on Friday Week 8 (20/6/25)

Mt Carmel Northern Region Athletics Squad 2025

Information regarding the event will be sent to participants via Compass next week.

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.

Ted Dunstan
Sports Coordinator

Lacey Library News

Book Covering

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

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025

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

Nova Irwin
Oliver Irwin

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)

Kind regards,
Natalie Broers
Teacher Librarian

Congratulations to the recipients of the Week 4 Mt Carmel Awards.
These awards were handed out last Thursday, 29 May, at morning assembly.

K Blue Beau Tome Angus Watson	K Gold Marley Eade Wil O'Brien Gus Coster
1 Green Ruby Kim Anna Leighton	1 Red Logan Bennett Hamish Lyons
2 Blue Rosella Jones Scarlett Klemmer Oliver Drake	2 Gold Sophie Gannon Oliver Ryan William Gillies
3 Green Benedicta Barker Eli Driver	3 Red Hugh Davaris River Newman
4 Blue Eve Davis Asher Gorman Dominic Rowland	4 Gold Evelyn Platt Connie Potter Harriet Powell William Walsh George Pidgeon Barney Rainger
5 Green Billy Field Edward Shannon	5 Red Cecilia Candido Pinheiro Logan Johnson
6 Blue Lily Butt Abby Hillman Phoebe Reynolds Lachlan Inkster	6 Gold Zoe Leahy Macy Camilleri

Additional Awards - Fletcher Lees, Milton McDonald, Poppy Smith, Alice Miller, Isla Townsend, Mikayla Black, Mollly-Ann Howarth, Chevie Standfield, Amelia Hooper, Abby Hillman, Macy Camilleri, Lachlan Inskter, Jaxon Field, Ben Webster, Zoe Leahy, Lily Butt, Mabel Adie, Zara McEvoy, Spencer Crocker, Sophie Donoghue and Vincent Da Deppo. 

Congratulations to the recipients of the Week  Mt Carmel Awards.
These awards will be handed out this Friday, 6 June, at morning assembly.

K Blue Svetlana Mulcair Austin Baker	K Gold Rosalie Abbott Tom O'Brien
1 Green Lucy Ward Lydia McDonald Lincoln Goode	1 Red Ivie Denny Naomi Mathew
2 Blue Aurora Irwin Kit McLeod Feliks Bursynski	2 Gold Phoebe Platt Claire Kundolam Finn Mulholland-Brown
3 Green Dane Hewett Hayden Spring	3 Red Zachary Pholi Sasha Ramadan
4 Blue Violet Richardson Hudson Mackay	4 Gold Zoey Watson Harriet Powell Alan McRae Eddy Finnigan
5 Green Zoey Mitchell Madeline Caldow Benji Carroll Edward Shannon	5 Red Esther Nyathi Joshua Salzke
6 Blue Alayla Dorris Riley Pholi Paul Coady Milton McDonald	6 Gold Amelia Hooper Conor Guiney

Year 6 are on their way! Travel safely and enjoy your camp adventure at Narrabeen. 

Dear Families,

Self-esteem is the foundation of a child’s emotional well-being. It shapes how they view themselves, interact with others, and approach challenges in and out of the classroom. At the primary school level, children are forming core beliefs about who they are—and we, as the adults around them, play a key role in nurturing a strong and positive self-image.

Why Does Self-Esteem Matter?

Children with healthy self-esteem:

• Are more willing to try new things
• Handle setbacks with more resilience
• Interact confidently with peers and adults
• Feel proud of what they can do and who they are

The good news is, self-esteem is something we can build together every day.

Simple Techniques to Boost Self-Esteem in the Home and Classroom:

Catch the Good - Make a habit of pointing out effort, kindness, and progress.

“I noticed how you helped your friend with their bag. That was really thoughtful.”

Praise should be specific and focus on effort over outcomes.

Let Them Take the Lead - Offer children chances to make small choices.

“Would you like to read this book or that one?” or “Do you want to set the table or feed the pet tonight?”

Making decisions builds a sense of control and responsibility.

Talk About Mistakes as Learning - Normalise mistakes as part of learning. Share your own small setbacks and how you handled them.

“I forgot my keys today—so I made a list to help me remember next time!”

This helps children understand that failing doesn’t mean ‘I’m bad’—it means ‘I’m growing.’

Set Achievable Goals - Support your child in setting small, reachable goals:

“This week I’m going to practice tying my shoes.”

Celebrate effort and progress, no matter how small.

Model Positive Self-Talk - Children learn how to speak to themselves by listening to the adults around them. Try to avoid harsh self-criticism in front of them, and instead model kindness.

“That was tricky—but I’m proud I didn’t give up.”

Create a Safe Space to Talk - Ask open-ended questions that invite reflection.

“What made you feel proud today?” or “Was there anything that felt tricky?”

Just being heard can make a child feel valued and understood.

Building self-esteem is not about giving constant praise or protecting children from every difficulty—it’s about helping them believe they are capable, worthy, and loved just as they are. Let’s keep working together to create an environment where every child can thrive.

Warmly,
Amelie Nicholson
Student and Family Counsellor

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