Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,

Northern Region Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the 36 students who represented Mt Carmel at last Thursday’s Northern Region Swimming Carnival. The level of competition was very high, as was the level of camaraderie, not only within the school but between schools as well. Thanks to Mr Dunstan for coordinating such a successful event, and also to the many parent volunteers who helped out in various roles on the day. A particular thanks to Deb Donaldson and Donna Wullaert, who worked tirelessly all day keeping the carnival management computer system running. Congratulations to Stella Pack, Georgina Collins, Brooke Reardon, Preston Sargent, Milly Shannon, Mabel Adie, Riley Mitchell, Xavier Doyle, Emily Ryan, Grace Ryan and Imogen Maher, who have all been selected to represent the Northern Region at the Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival next Tuesday 7 March in Queanbeyan. 


Book Fair
Last Friday’s Book Fair was a great success! It was a beautiful day for morning tea in the Library Courtyard and it was lovely that so many grandparents and other family members were able to attend. My particular thanks to Tanya McPherson, Claire Pholi, Liz Da Deppo, Belinda Reynolds, Alejandra Tapia and Cassie and Simon Streatfeild, whose assistance helped to make the Book Fair so successful, and congratulations to Mrs Broers and Mrs Patmore.

Community Council
Mt Carmel School 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. We are seeking to renew and encourage membership of this important body and will shortly be sending out nomination forms in a Compass notification. If you would like to become a member of the Council, please complete the nomination form and return it to the front office. You must have your nomination endorsed by another current parent of Mt Carmel School (other than you spouse/partner). We require three parents to nominate. If more than three parents nominate, an election will be held.

Harmony Week Incursion
Next Thursday we will be hosting an exciting incursion–ZimboyZ, an African acrobatic troupe–in preparation for Harmony Week, which occurs later in March. Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds; it’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​ The cost of the incursion will be $6.60 per student and can be paid via Qkr or in cash.

Free Parenting Webinar - Anxiety and Resilience
The Council of Catholic School Parents is hosting a free webinar, led by Dr Justin Coulson PhD, on the important topic of Anxiety and Resilience. The webinar will be held on Wednesday29 March at 7:00pm. Use the QR code below to register, or see the flier attached to this newsletter.

Kinder Rest Days
The first few weeks of school have flown! A reminder that this Wednesday is the last of our Kinder Rest Days and Kindergarten students will commence full weeks from 6 March, Week 6. There will doubtless be many very tired little people by the end of next week.


Archdiocesan Catholic Leaders’ Retreat
Next week I will be away the the Archdiocesan Director's Day and Catholic Leaders’ Retreat. Mrs Jan Harvey will be Acting Principal in my absence.

May God’s peace be in your families, 

Religious Education in the Classroom
Welcome to Week 5! Year 1’s Religious Education unit of work focuses on people living in communities and making relationships. Students have examined the term community and have created art reflecting their class community. 

1AH Class Community

1KG Class Community

Mercy Chapel Visit
Kindergarten students missed out on receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, due to their rest day, but visited our school’s chapel, Mercy Chapel, on Thursday 23 February. Mrs Karakotas placed ashes, in the form of a cross, on students’ foreheads using these words: Make right choices and love one another.

Gospel 

Luke 4:1-13

Reflection 
During Lent we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We are called to make an inward personal journey, to undertake an interior investigation that we sometimes avoid because of a fast-paced life that can have us constantly preoccupied with others, family, work, etc. Lent is a season for renewed prayer and seeing within; an opportunity to confront and seek forgiveness, to examine the times when have given into temptation and to return to the arms of God’s love, mercy and light (© Catholic Leaders Formation Network 2022).

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

Gecko Sports
Our final session of Gecko Sport for years 4 - 6 scheduled for this Thursday, 2 March, has unfortunately been postponed to a later date. Therefore, sport days for years 4 - 6 will return to Tuesday and Friday starting this week. 


Swimming Carnival
Age Champion medallions and winning house shield will be announced tomorrow, Thursday 2 March at morning assembly.

Northern Region Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to all those students who proudly represented Mt Carmel at the Northern Region swimming carnival on Thursday last week. A massive thank you goes out to Donna Wullaert and Deb Donaldson who kindly and generously volunteered to run the Meet Manager program for the day which is easily the most difficult and stressful job at the carnival. We are extremely grateful to them for giving up their time to assist, especially considering their own kids have moved on to high school now. Thanks again Deb and Donna! Thank you also to all the teachers and parents who assisted at the carnival, the day would not go ahead without your support.


Canberra Goulburn Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the following students who will represent Northern Region at the Canberra Goulburn Carnival in Queanbeyan next Tuesday 7 Match: Stella Pack, Georgina Collins, Brooke Reardon, Preston Sargent, Amelia Shannon, Mabel Adie, Riley Mitchell, Xavier Doyle, Emily Ryan, Grace Ryan and Imogen Maher.


Summer Trials for Year 5 and 6 students
Registrations are currently open for the following sports’ trials:

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Rugby League Trials 
Date: Tuesday 14th March 2023 
Venue: Southwell Park, Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham, ACT 
Time: U11’s – 9:00am – 12 noon      Opens – 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Nominations Due: Monday 6 th March

Register at: https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/nominations.


Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Netball Trials/Championships
Date: Tuesday 14th March 2023 
Venue: Southwell Park, Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham ACT 
Time: Depends on the number of entries 
Cost: Individual entries for Netball $10.00 per student to be paid via the CSNSW Website on registration. If a school team is entered the cost per student will be advised by your school.

Register at: https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/nominations.

Mt Carmel will be entering a team/teams in the event, let me know via the Google form below if your child is participating so I can work out numbers.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wdSYPcgYP-a2FwvEZb1CTHpuEclnxfQd-5dyFyChtc8/edit

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 Coordinator Awards. Awards are handed out at morning lines each Thursday.

Scholastic Book Fair and Grandparents and Older Friends Morning Tea
The Scholastic Book Fair and Grandparents and Older Friends Morning Tea was held last Friday in the Lacey Library. It was a wonderful day for our school community with many families taking the opportunity to buy books, enjoy a fantastic morning tea, and spend some nice time together.

There were many helpers who enabled the day to be so successful. Thank you to Tanya McPherson, Claire Pholi, Liz DaDeppo and Belinda Reynolds for coordinating the sale of books. The morning tea parent helpers were also very busy and a big thank you goes to Cassie Streatfeild and Alejandra Tapia for setting up and restocking the morning tea tables. Thank you also to Simon Streatfeild for making the hot drinks.

Thank you to all the families who donated food for the morning tea. There was an amazing selection of food and your generosity is greatly appreciated.

The Year 5 Library Monitors were excellent helpers before, during and after the fair. Many visitors to our school were impressed by their confidence, maturity and friendliness. Thank you Library Monitors for your help.

A special thank you to Lynne Patmore, for her guidance and support before, during and after the Book Fair. 

Thank you to the staff of Mt Carmel, for your support before the fair, and for allowing interruptions in your school day.

A very big thank you to everyone who bought books at the Book Fair. We had excellent sales which will allow for many wonderful books to be purchased for the Lacey Library collection.

It was lovely to be part of the 2023 Book Fair and I hope you all had an enjoyable time.


Book Donation
Thank you to Atticus Gilchrist and his family for the book donation made to the school library.


Morning Tea containers and plates
All of the containers with names have been returned to families, however, we have a small number of plates in the front office to collect after the Grandparents Morning Tea. Please call into the office to collect your items.


Kind regards,
Natalie Broers
Teacher Librarian

3ML observe their lunchbox items and discuss the journey of the the food!

The parish will offer the sacraments of First Reconciliation (Year 3), First Eucharist (Year 4) and Confirmation (Year 6) in 2023.

For details including timetables please click here, or contact the Sacramental Team via email on sacramentalteamyass@gmail.com.

A wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet our students and attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.

 We are enrolling now for 2024 and beyond!

 Please visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for our Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!

Have you ever thought about playing guitar?
Spaces are now avalable for 2023. Fill in the below form and drop back to the office to secure your place with Den.

Has your child ever thought about learning piano?
Margaret Hanson teaches lessons from the school Monday to Friday during school terms.
Please contact Margaret on 0407 285 420 if you have any questions or would like to secure a space for your child this year.