Filter Content
- Principal Report
- Religious Education
- Sport News
- Principal Awards
- Coordinator Awards
- 1EK's Excursion to Woolworths
- Peer Support Week 9
- Uniform Shop
- Playgroup on Tomorrow
- Yass March Against Climate Change
- Saplings - Young People Playing Australian Music
- Yass Little Learners - Before & After School Care
- 2019 Yass Touch Football- Register Now
- Yass Junior Cricket - Register Now
- Yass Netball Summer Slam - Register Now
- Yass Gymnastics - October School Holiday Program
- Spinifex Tennis Holiday Program
- Yass NRL Holiday Clinic
- 2019 Harden Kite Festival
Open Classroom Evening
Open Classrooms are happening this afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30pm. You are warmly invited to come with your child to visit their classroom and share in the wonderful work that they have been doing this term. Although an Open Classroom is not the appropriate forum for a Parent-Teacher Interview, parents are always welcome to make an individual appointment any time they would like to discus their child’s progress.
Uniform
New girls’ uniform items are now in stock and can be ordered at the Uniform Shop or via Qkr. A gentle reminder to all about the importance of wearing the correct school uniform. I am aware that there are challenges for parents of senior students who have outgrown old uniforms and are moving on to High School soon; I invite anyone experiencing such problems to speak with me directly.
Children’s Music Workshops
Last weekend 17 students participated in the Junior Fleadh music and dance workshops as part of the Irish and Celtic Music Festival and performed in a wonderful concert in the Lovat Chapel. This weekend there is another musical opportunity: the Bush Music Club runs a children’s group called the Saplings, and children interested in Australian folk music who play an acoustic instrument are invited to attend a free musical session on Sunday 22 September from 1:30 to 4:00pm. There is a flier with more information at the end of this newsletter.
Stage 3 Camp
My sincere thanks go out to Mrs Mel Allan, Mr Warren Ziebowski, Mrs Mandy Leahy, Mrs Jan Harvey, Ms Katrina Grace and Mrs Kassie Miller for taking time away from their own lives and families to attend camp with our Year 5 and 6 students. The camp was a wonderful experience, filled with fun, adventure and supported opportunities for students and teachers alike to step outside their comfort zones. I’m sure that most, if not all, of our campers slept soundly on Friday night.
Walkathon
At this Friday’s assembly the SRC will launch the 2019 Mt Carmel Walkathon, to be held on Friday 18 October, Week 1 next term. Sponsorship forms and notes seeking volunteers for a range of jobs on the day will be sent home this week; we are always grateful to those who can help us out on days such as this. Our fundraising efforts this year will go towards refurbishment of the Infants’ playground.
May God’s peace be in your families,
GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-32
The tax collectors and sinners, however, were all crowding round to listen to him, and the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' So he told them this parable:
'Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost." In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance. 'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, I have found the drachma I lost." In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.' Then he said, 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, let me have the share of the estate that will come to me." So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery. 'When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch; so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating but no one would let him have them. Then he came to his senses and said, "How many of my father's hired men have all the food they want and more, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired men." So he left the place and went back to his father. 'While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him. Then his son said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we will celebrate by having a feast, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found." And they began to celebrate. 'Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. The servant told him, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf we had been fattening because he has got him back safe and sound." He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out and began to urge him to come in; but he retorted to his father, "All these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed any orders of yours, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property -- he and his loose women -- you kill the calf we had been fattening." 'The father said, "My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found."
REFLECTION
Today the Pharisees continue their criticism of Jesus. They are upset and angry that he not only welcomes sinners but that he also has the audacity to actually sit down at table and eat with them. How dare he do this! And as always, Jesus is able to read the minds and the hearts of the Pharisees.
However, Jesus decides to respond to their unspoken criticism in a roundabout way. As he often does, Jesus tells them a parable. Today’s parable is the familiar Prodigal Son parable. We know that the father in the story had two sons. The youngest son came and asked his father for his inheritance. The father agreed to his request and he divided all that he had and gave his second son his fair share. This son immediately took his inheritance and left. He had wanderlust and wanted to see the wonders of the world.
On the other hand, the eldest son was extremely responsible. He was very obedient to his father and he managed the estate. He was dutiful and was a good steward of all that was in his charge, including the servants and the temporalities. The eldest son was faithful to his father and to his duties.
The youngest son went off and squandered his inheritance on loose living. However, after the money ran out he actually had to tend swine for a period of time as he had no real skills. His life consisted of drudgery and hard and dirty work as he cared for another farmer’s swine.
Finally, the younger son came to his senses. He decided to return home. It was his hunger and poverty that brought him to his senses. He had nothing to eat. He was so hungry that he thought about eating what the swine were eating. He knew that his father’s servants were well fed. And if he worked for his father, at least he would have food to eat and a roof over his head.
However, he also realized that he would have to ask his father for forgiveness. He knew that he had received his share of his inheritance; therefore, his father owed him nothing. However, if he could work for his father, at least he would have food to eat and a place to live. So the youngest son began his journey home.
Imagine that you are the youngest son who is returning home. What thoughts are going through your mind? Are you planning what you will say to your father? How high is your anxiety level? What is your greatest fear? And yet, what do you have to lose? Your life is in shambles and if needed, you will accept whatever is given to you, no matter how menial it might be. Your pride has to be left behind.
As we well know, the father had been looking for his son since the day his son had left him. Every day the father went out hoping that he would see his son walking up the road. And up until this day, every day the father had returned home sad, yearning for his son to come home. Day after day the father waited.
Finally the day arrives when the father saw someone coming down the road and realized, it was his youngest son! Luke writes that the father was filled with compassion (and perhaps great joy and happiness). As soon as he saw his son, he ran to him and embraced him. Immediately, the prodigal son knew that he truly was forgiven and he realized how deeply his father loved him.
Today is a good day to place ourselves in the shoes of the prodigal son or the prodigal daughter. At times in our lives, we also have left the home of our God. We have wandered away and perhaps we also have squandered what little we had. How long did we keep our distance from God? Were we afraid that God would never forgive us? Perhaps we thought we did not deserve to be forgiven. And yet, God is always on the watch for us, yearning for us, waiting for us to return home. God will never stop loving us!
Take a few moments and thank God for the steadfast love, care and blessings that God has bestowed on you in your life. Bask for a few moments in this reality. There is no greater gift. God will never leave us! And if (and when) we do leave God for a period of time, God patiently will look for us and wait for us until we return home! Then the celebration for us begins! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator
Todd Woodbridge Cup
Well done to all the students who participated in the Todd Woodbridge Cup last Wednesday. Congratulations to the Mount Carmel team who made it through to the next level of competition next term (date to be confirmed). This team consisted of Lachlan Brown, Digby Connell-Hewlett, Jack Shannon, Rory Swadling, Madelyn Richardson, Georgia Inkster, Lulu Merriman and Annabel Barber.
Years 3-6 Cricket Blast School Cup - Tuesday 24 September
All students will be participating in the Cricket Blast Cup to be held at Walker Park. Students will be walking up after assembly lines and returning to school in time for buses. Please ensure students come to school with their lunch, drink bottle a hat as well as sun protection. We are excited to be a part of this community event!
Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival - Friday 25 October
Thank you to all the parents who have offered to help as coaches/managers. We also require one referee/umpire per team so if you are able to assist or know someone who can (siblings and friends welcome!), please let me know via the front office or e-mail.
Congratulations to Baxter Sicily, Brodie Doyle, Jeremy Bremner and Darcy Gooley who competed at the Mackillop Athletics on Monday 16 September.
Congratulations to the following students who will receive a Principal's Award at this Friday's assembly. The assmbly will be held at 9am in the PAC and presented by 1JR and 4SS.
KJG | KNB |
Ruby Laughton | Amelia Pandoo |
Bonnie Maxwell | Beau Jones |
Benjamin Webster | |
1EK | 1JR |
Georgie Bantock | |
Chloe Corcoran | |
1SS | 2HR |
Chloe Caldow | |
Lucas Marchei | |
2TD | 3LS |
Milly Shannon | Lulu Merriman |
Jesse MacDonald | |
3TC | 4EG |
Audrey Maxwell | Rachel Bensley |
Luca Markota | Yossarian Barker |
4KF | 4SS |
Brock Lenon | Ava Walker |
Rory Swadling | Declan Gourlay |
5/6JH | 5/6MA |
Millie Maher | Catalina Harding |
Olivia McColl | Bensen Smith |
Riley Thompson | Owen Hopwood |
5/6WZ | |
Scarlett Braithwait | |
Lucy Field-Wilson | |
Brodie Doyle |
Congratulations to the recipients of this week's Coordinator Merits, which focused on 'Show Respect'.
KJG Amelie Nagle Kalon Vu |
KNB Amelia Pandoo Isla Townsend |
1EK Jacob Hall Blake Foster |
1JR Xavier Holm Justice-Jay Elliott-Miners |
1SS Amber Watson Samuel Masters |
2HR Ella Johnson Tahlia Hooper |
2TD Grace Ryan Ted Arnold |
3LS Ella Collins Oscar Rainger |
3TC Zara Hillman Georgia Inkster |
4EG Angus Kelly Yossarian Barker |
4KF Anna Samperi Archer Lees |
4SS Declan Gourlay Phillip Gordon |
5/6MA Delanie Brassil Angus Pack |
5/6JH Oliver Hughes Clancy Ritchard |
5/6WZ Maddelin Barker Rachael Widdows |
Merits will be presented at Thursday morning's assembly.
Next week, the focus will be on 'Be Fair'.
The girl's summer uniform optional alternative is now available to purchase. The white sleeve blouse and navy shorts can be found on Qkr or on the order form available from the front office.
The Mt Carmel School Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday afternoon, between 2.30pm– 4.00pm during school terms.
Ordering Options - Uniform orders can be placed online via Qkr! or by order from which can be collected and paid for from the front office.
All Qkr! orders placed before 2pm each Tuesday, will be bundled up and sent home with your child on Wednesday afternoon.
Please note that if the incorrect size/item is ordered or the size selected does not fit correctly, please return the item along with a note regarding changes required to the front office and the correct size/item can be sent home.
Front room of the PAC (off Dutton Street)
$3 for the first child, $1 for each subsequent child
Everyone Welcome