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361 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, Tasmania. Postal: PO Box 217, Sandy Bay, 7006
p: 03 6216 7900 fax: 03 6216 7999 e: [email protected] w: www.mountcarmel.tas.edu.au
Issue 16
4th June, 2015
A WORD FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear members of the Mount Carmel College community,
“With our thoughts we create the world”
Do you ever wonder how our young people fit so much into their lives? 6 ½
hours of school 5 days per week plus travel time; co-curricular participation in
sporting teams and clubs; community involvement; part time work for some;
chores at home; socialisation; hobbies….and of course, homework! And what
about parents, most of whom have their own work or home responsibilities,
and also usually a role in commuting their children from one event to another,
ensuring they are fed, their clothes washed, etc. Not only do they sometimes
feel like they need their own Personal Assistant, but it can often become
exhausting. Modern lives are “busy”, aren’t they?
I have formed a personal dislike of the “busy” word. When we tell others and
ourselves that we are “busy” (or “it’s crazy/hectic/I haven’t had time to
scratch myself, etc”), it seems to suggest that we are overwhelmed and
spreading ourselves thin, that there is just too much to get done, and perhaps
it can’t all be accomplished, at least not to the standard we might want to
achieve. For those of us who are role models - and that is most of us - how we
manage the pace of life can have a very real flow-on impact to those young
people in our lives. If they constantly see us racing the clock and tapping our
fingers to speed up whatever it is that we are hurrying to do, existing on not
enough sleep to cram more in, surely we are reinforcing the glorification of a
“busy” existence. I wonder if re-thinking and re-authoring that “busy” word
might be a good beginning for not only a bit more sanity in our own lives, but
a powerful way to encourage our children to slow down and be present to the
people they are with, and what they are doing.
The word “mindfulness” is getting a lot of press at the moment. From my
readings and consideration of this concept, I have been encouraged to work
on the notion of “being present” in whatever task I am focused on, whatever
person I am interacting with. It’s not so much about “managing time” but
managing myself, because after all, we all have the same 24 hours in every
day. It doesn’t mean that we have to do less, in fact with some time out for
mindfulness or reflection, we might even achieve more, but it should mean
that we will be empowered to allocate time for the important issues. And
perhaps, on occasion, learning to say, “My focus is on this project right now so
I won’t be able to…” is not such a bad thing.
If you feel your life is getting “crazy busy” and you can see the same patterns
emerging in the lives of the young people around you, I urge you to join me in
eliminating the “busy” word and replacing it with “being present” and focused
on the things that are really important.
God’s blessings for the week ahead,
Susan Ryan
Principal
UPCOMING DATES
JUNE
Monday, 8th
Tuesday, 9th
Thursday, 11th
Friday, 12th
Thursday, 18th
Monday, 22nd
Tuesday, 23rd
Wednesday, 24th
Thursday, 25th
Tuesday, 30th
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
SSATIS Cross Country
Year 10 Drama Performance
STCPSSA Primary Cross Country
Year 10 Staying Safe Forum
Junior SSATIS Cross Country
Primary Reports Posted (K-Gr 5)
Middle School Reports Posted
(Gr 6 – Yr 8)
Senior School Reports Posted
(Yr 9 & 10)
Kindergarten Open Afternoon
1.30pm – 2.45pm
Parent Teacher Day (Student
Free Day)
JULY
Friday, 3rd
Monday, 20th
Tuesday, 21st
Mount Carmel Day Celebrations
Term 2 Concludes
Student Free Day
Term 3 Commences
Security Camera
To provide a deterrent to vandalism and
theft at the College a security camera has
been installed to monitor the main
thoroughfare outside the College library. A
sign to indicate that the premises are
monitored by video surveillance has also
been put in place. Images will only be
accessible to personnel who have been
explicitly authorised by the Principal.
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
College Planner, iPads and Cyber Identity
A timely reminder to parents that your daughter’s planner should be checked weekly in regards to homework and signed.
Your daughter’s iPad is foremost an educational tool that has been purchased by you for this reason and your daughter should
be able to show you all the applications and content on their iPad. The internet allows students a platform for researching
a wealth of free information; the validity of such sources are discussed frequently in our lessons, but, inherent with this is the
opportunity for this to be used as a platform to harass and stalk others. Recently students and parents had the opportunity
to listen to our visiting guest speaker, Susan McLean, discuss the possible pitfalls of creating false cyber identifies or indeed
posting images or content that is undesirable. The federal government website http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/ is a good
resource for providing young people with advice on protecting their privacy. The checking of You Tube for any entries that
your daughter may have posted and discussing cyber safety is an important part of raising a responsible digital citizen. These
issues are discussed in our Wellbeing lessons but working in partnership with parents is our best course of action in preventing
unnecessary hurt or harm.
Additionally, Brainstorm Productions will be visiting the College on Tuesday 16 June with the show ‘Cyberia’ for Grade 6, Year
7 and 8 students. This is an interactive performance which will discuss strategies to stop cyber bullying and encourage respect,
empathy and resilience.
Mid-Year Reports and Parent Teacher Day (Student Free Day) 30 June
Both Primary and Secondary teachers are currently preparing mid-year reports to give parents a clear indication of their
children’s progress in all learning areas. Primary School reports (Kindergarten – Grade 5) will be sent home on 22 June, Middle
School reports (Grade 6 – Year 8) on 23 June and Senior School reports (Year 9 – Year 10) on 24 June. Included in this week’s
Bulletin is an article from Michael Grose which gives some insights into focusing on your child’s strengths first before looking
at areas that need improvement as reports can be an anxious time for many students. Ask for their opinion about how they
performed and discuss their concerns.
Parent Teacher Day (Student Free Day) 30 June will commence at 11.00am and conclude at 8.00pm. This provides an
opportunity to discuss your child’s report with the teacher. Students from Grade 5 – Year 10 are encouraged to attend these
appointments. The College will continue with the online scheduling program for parent bookings and more details regarding
this will be included with your child’s report.
Year 10 Staying Safe Forum
The purpose of the evening is to provide some information and create discussion on the following topics:
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Safe Partying
Consequences of Risk Taking Behaviour
Illicit Drugs
Binge Drinking
Road Safety in Relation to Drugs & Alcohol
Reasons for Taking Drugs
Year 10 Parents and Carers are invited to attend the 2015 Staying Safe Forum to be conducted in the College Hall on Thursday,
18 June from 7.00pm to 8.45pm.
This is a compulsory event for all Year 10 students and contributes to their Health assessment. It also provides a fantastic
opportunity to prompt discussion between you and your daughter, receive some relevant information from a panel of guests
and allow you to ask questions.
Transition from Secondary School to College
Yesterday, our Year 10 students had their introductory visit to Guilford Young College to hear about the enrolment and
counselling process and senior secondary life at GYC. This is an important time for Year 10 students to focus on the direction
of their future education. The step from Year 10 to 11 is a significant one in the life of any student and in the coming months
there are several opportunities to make this transition as smooth as possible. Secondary Learning Conferences, Pathways
Expo, Guest Speakers and Information Sessions all provide opportunities for students to discuss with adults the choices they
are making. I encourage all parents to attend the Information Sessions and continue supporting their daughters with their
future pathways.
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL cont.
Secondary Winter Lunch Time Activities and Winter Uniform
With the recent refurbishment of the College Undercroft area, this area is now carpeted with some great furniture for
secondary students. This is a sheltered and protected place for secondary students to sit and eat at recess and lunch time
on those chilly winter days. The College has also investigated several lunch time activities and options for secondary students.
These will be offered in the coming months and will comprise of activities intended to help students to warm up, get active
and invest in mindfulness, together with service activities for the community.
Recently, however, there has been a spate of some secondary students wearing “hoodie” type tops as an additional layer
with the College HPE uniform. A reminder that these items are not part of the College uniform and should not be worn.
Parental support in ensuring that your daughter is not leaving home with this additional item on would be greatly appreciated
by College staff. The College rugby top or College polar fleece vest may be worn with the sports uniform under the College
spray jacket if additional warmth is needed.
Winter weight tights can also be purchased at the College Uniform Shop if extra warmth is needed to warm up those chilly
toes, but socks should not be worn as an extra layer of warmth underneath stockings with the formal winter uniform.
Drop off and pick up times
A reminder to parents that the drop off time for all students in 8.20am. Child care is provided at the College for any students
who require care prior to this time. For primary students the pick-up time is 3.00pm with duty provided in the playground
until the bell is rung at 3.20pm. School concludes at 3.25pm for all secondary students.
Parent Contact Details and Student Health Information
If you have recently changed any of your contact details or if there is information about your child’s health that we need to
be aware of (e.g. allergies), please inform the College Office so that our records can be updated.
Lyndal Tewes
Deputy Principal
GYC PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS
Parent Information Evenings for 2016 enrolments at GUILFORD YOUNG COLLEGE will be held at the Hobart
Campus, Barrack Street, this week on Thursday 4 June, at 7:30pm. Parents of current Year 10 students in
any Catholic, Independent or Government school or college are invited to attend one of the meetings.
For further information please contact Mrs Rose Stevens by phoning 62384367.
STUDENT FREE DAY
Outside School Hours Care will provide care for
students on TUESDAY, 30th JUNE as it is a STUDENT
FREE DAY. Please use the attached enrolment
form to ensure your child is booked in. The theme
for the day is Fantasy Dress with games and a
movie.
Lunch will be provided but please bring a plate of
your favourite food to share. Please do not send
food that contains nut products.
Anne Haward
OSHC Co-ordinator
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION - PRIMARY
Last Sunday was the feast of Pentecost. If you happened to visit Holy Spirit Church last weekend you would have seen on the
surrounding walls a host of red cardboard flames made by our Grade 4/5 classes. These flames symbolised the day when
‘tongues as of fire’ fell upon the disciples and the church received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost, our real mission begins. We reinforce our determination to live our baptismal calling! We, who are already
baptised, renew our commitment today to give witness to the wonders that the Spirit of God has done in our world!
Pentecost presents us with an opportunity to consider how we are living each day. Are we relying on the power of God’s
spirit? Are we an open channel for the Spirit’s gifts? Are we attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are the fruits of the
spirit (love, joy, peace, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, patience, self-control and kindness) growing in our lives?
The Grade 4/5 students in Religious Education have focused on Pentecost and have produced some wonderful work in this
area. They have created ‘Popplets’, to show their understanding of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
May we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to provide many fruits in our relationships with one another.
Ida Saracino
Director of Mission /Head of Religious Education - Primary
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
By Eleanor - Grade 4/5 Navy (Left)
By Rebekah – Grade 4/5 Navy (below)
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Mid-year reports and beyond
Teachers are currently collecting and collating student assessment information and beginning to write mid-year reports. This
will be the focus for teachers in the next three weeks.
On receipt of your daughter’s report, it is hoped that students will take particular notice of any recommendations for
improving their learning outcomes within various subjects for Semester Two. It is also hoped that these mid-year reports
can help inform students of future learning pathways, particularly for those students in their last year or two at Mount
Carmel.
Year 9 students should now be starting to consider what elective subjects might be appropriate for them to study in Year 10.
Both Year 9 and Year 10 students should be reflecting on the range of courses that maybe appropriate for them beyond their
time at Mount Carmel including students’ subject interests and passions. Students may need to also be thinking about what
they may need in order to be prepared for their future pathway i.e. specific pre-requisites or general expectations of prior
knowledge, skills, habits, attitudes or predispositions.
There will be information and notifications in relation to subject course selections provided over the coming weeks. Students
are urged to keep up to date with the news provided in the Daily Admin notices and weekly Bulletins and ensure that they
take advantage of any sessions and other forms of support provided such as course counselling and conversations with their
subject teachers.
Kevin Lindorff
Director of Teaching and Learning
VOLUNTEERS - WWC
All volunteers at Mount Carmel College involved in coaching,
managing or supervising sporting teams should now have their
Working with Children Check in place. (Registration was
required by 1 April 2015). If you do not have your Working
with Children Registration in place and you are involved with a
sports team, or if there is any chance that you will be involved
with a team this year, please register immediately.
All other volunteers, such as those involved in parent help,
learn to swim, canteen etc. must have Registration in place by
1 October 2015. To ensure that your application is processed
by 1 October, you must submit your application prior to 20
August 2015. (Please note: If you do not have a valid Police
Check in place you must register immediately.)
We very much appreciate your generosity in volunteering to
assist the College community. Thank you for taking the time to
obtain your WWC registration.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
School Crossing Patrol Officers
Calling for Volunteers
The College would like to appoint two volunteer School
Crossing Patrol Officers to share the job of patrolling our
Quorn Street pedestrian crossing before and after school.
The Officers will be responsible for requiring drivers to
stop at the Quorn Street crossing to allow our students,
their families and other pedestrians to cross the road
safely. Full training will be provided.
If you are interested and would like to find out more,
please contact the College’s Compliance Officer, Rachael
Willis, by phoning 6216 7900.
How do I apply for a WWC Check and Number?
1. Complete the online application form. This is available from the website:
http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/working_with_children.
2. Print the ‘Application Receipt’ which is generated when the Application has been completed in full. (If you do not have
access to a printer, record the reference number and take that to a Service Tasmania Shop).
3. Take the ‘Application Receipt’ to a Service Tasmania Shop, pay the prescribed fee ($17.76 for three years) have your photo
taken and have your identity confirmed. You will need to provide 100 points of identification. A Driver’s Licence is 100 points.
4. The Tasmanian Department of Justice will assess and process Applications and issue the appropriate Assessment Notice
and Working with Children Card directly to the applicant.
5. Once your card is received, please bring it to the College Office for copying, in order for your registration to be recorded.
Please refer to http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/ working with children for more details on how to apply or contact the College
Office.
PRIMARY
HOCKEY
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
PRIMARY DEBATING
Primary Debating
The second round of Primary Debating was held at Taroona Primary School. The topic was ‘Space Exploration is a Waste
of Money’. Once again, our teams were prepared, articulate and persuasive.
Here are the results:
Mount Carmel 2 drew with Taroona 4
Mount Carmel 1 defeated Collegiate 5
Mount Carmel 6 defeated Taroona 2
Mount Carmel 4 defeated Fahan 3
Mount Carmel 3 defeated Hutchins 1
Mount Carmel 5 defeated Collegiate 1
PRIMARY HOCKEY
Hockey Report from Saturday
Open Primary Gold
Great game of hockey played by all team members of 5/6 Gold. A big thank you to Eleanor Cooney for playing for a short
team. The girls were defeated by Friends 1-nil. Strong second half defending and team work. Well done girls.
Open Primary Navy
Mount Carmel Navy played Mount Carmel White on a very windy Saturday morning. Dark clouds on the mountain and the
threat of rain wasn’t enough to deter the girls from putting in yet another full strength effort for 50 minutes. In the first
half they were bunching up a bit more than usual; Nina positioned herself in the right spot up front, at one stage forcing a
short corner which resulted in a goal. The girls were 3-0 in front at half time. Bridget spent the whole game in a new position
as left halfback and her confidence soared with some encouraging words and guidance from her teammates. In the second
half, Bridget worked the ball all the way up the field from the halfway line to Samantha who scored a goal. Teamwork and
support such as this has defined this team and their rising respect for each other is to be admired. The team worked hard
and won 6-0, and a special mention goes to Samantha who scored 3 of those. Well done girls.
Results from Saturday, 30th May
Hookin2 Hockey
Mount Carmel Gold defeated Collegiate 10-0
Half Field
Mount Carmel Gold defeated Friends
Open Primary
Mount Carmel Gold lost to Friends 0-1
Mount Carmel White lost to Mount Carmel Navy 0-6
NO GAMES THIS SATURDAY DUE TO THE LONG WEEKEND
State Under 12 Hockey Team
Last Tuesday the State Under 12 Team was announced and we were lucky enough to have five girls selected for the team
and another as a train-on. Congratulations to Lilly Ansell, Lauren Canning, Maisy Sansom, Tessa King and Sarah WilsonHaffenden. Also well done to Felicity Wilson-Haffenden who was picked as a train-on for this team. The girls will head to
sunny Western Australia in August to compete and I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the very best.
JLW Southern Team
Congratulations to the following girls who were selected to take part in the June Long Weekend Intra State Competition to
be held at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre: Lilly Ansell, Maisy Sansom and Felicity Wilson-Haffenden. The train-ons for this
carnival were Tessa King and Sarah Wilson Haffenden. We wish them a fantastic tournament and every success as they
take on teams from the north of the state.
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
Machines
We have some outstanding Visual Art students here at Mount Carmel, guided by Mrs Di Buddle. Six of these students
have been successful in their application to attend *MACHINES: a foundation program in Visual Art run through the
University of Tasmania. They are Millicent Pattinson, Julia De Souza, Elisha Williams, Bethany Tewes, Zoe d’Orey and
Madeleine Fasnacht. The course is worth 12.5 credit points toward a Bachelor of General Studies Degree and the
description is as follows:
Over the course of an intensive 4-day workshop, run between 16-19 June, students will learn traditional crafts and skills
in collaboration with 3 Indonesian Master puppet makers. *MACHINES participants will work collaboratively to
experiment with diverse materials and approaches under the instruction of the Master puppeteers, TCotA staff John Vella
and Lucy Bleach, and local puppeteer/artist Tristan Stowards, towards developing diverse masks and headdresses to be
worn in the ogoh-ogoh procession for Dark Mofo on Sunday June 21.
*MACHINES 2015 will encourage students to take risks, invent, respond, think on their feet and actively engage. The new
*MACHINES program is designed to activate students' potential to create, have fun and feel confident to explore what
artworks could be. In addition, *MACHINES 2015 will provide exciting platforms to engage with new skills, events and
cultures.
It is a wonderful opportunity for all involved. We wish them well in their study and look forward to seeing their creations
in the Dark MoFo procession later in the month.
Dave McNamara
Head of Department – The Arts
FROM THE SPORTS ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Term 3 Sports
Term 3 Sport Sign up is now open online. With only a small number of sports offered in term three, it would be great to
get a strong amount of signups this term. Below is a list of the sports we have on offer:
Secondary
Teams
Comments
SSATIS Basketball
Year 7 & 8
Wednesdays. From 19 August to 28 October
Year 9 & 10
Mondays. From 17 August to 26 October
1st Grade (versus Y11/12)
Thursdays. From 20 August to 19 October
Rowing
In conjunction with Sandy
Pre-season training starts July/Aug, commencing with
Bay Rowing Club
midweek gym and Saturday morning rowing. Season
includes morning trainings and weekend rowing.
Primary
JSSATIS Basketball
Year 3/4 and 5/6
Thursdays. From 6 August – 24 September
To sign up for any of these teams, and register your interest to Coach, Manage or Umpire please visit:
http://mountcarmel.tas.edu.au/sport-activity-sign-up/.
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
Water Polo
Mount Carmel College has entered three teams in the School Water Polo competition, played on a Friday evening at the
Hobart Aquatic Centre through Term 2 and 3. We have a Year 5/6 team in the Primary Schools mixed roster, a Year 7/8 Girls
and a Year 9/10 Girls team.
The girls are just a few weeks into their roster and are having great fun in the water. They all train on a Tuesday night and
are showing some great improvement. The Year 7/8s have had a couple of big wins against St Mary’s and Mackillop. The
Year 9/10s are working hard and hope the first win is just around the corner.
Special thanks to past students Ellena Mitchelmore and Shannon Peebles who are coaching the Grade 5/6 girls and Phoebe
McCormack who is coaching the Year 9/10 girls. Also, thank you to Year 10 Students Brooke McDermott and Charlotte Sutton
who are coaching the Year 7/8 Girls, and all the parents and family members that are helping out with scoring.
SSATIS Cross Country
The SSATIS Cross Country Carnival is on Tuesday 9 June at Pontville. All secondary students have been given the opportunity
to sign up and train for this event. Good luck to the following students who will be participating in the event next week:
U13
U14
Lauren Canning, Alice Sutton, Emily Grzinic, Brooke Abbie Cowen, Chloe Parker, Tahlia Bortignon,
Elkin, Georgia Porter, Samantha Crispin, Eleanor Jordan Paine, Lucy Allwright, Alice Eastwood,
Higginbotham, Kirby Mosenthal
Hannah Cowen, Phoebe Hanek, Carene Alcazar
U15
U16
Alanna Monks, Kimberley Peebles, Mia Lilley, Charlotte Sutton, Alexandra Porter, Sophie Scott,
Madeleine Black, Prue McCormack
Chelsie Auckland, Elisha Williams, Lily-ann Collins,
Ella Teague, Jasmine Mawer-Goss, Tara Jones
Secondary All-Schools Cross Country
This year the Secondary All-Schools Cross Country coincides with Parent Teacher Day, on Tuesday, 30 June, which is a Student
Free Day. The first four competitors in each age group from the SSATIS Cross Country will still be invited to compete in the
All-Schools Cross Country event at Symmons Plains on Tuesday, 30 June, however the College will be unable to transport and
supervise Students at this event. Letters will go home next week to eligible students, with interested families making their
own arrangements to attend.
Karate Representation
Congratulations to Olivia Farrell in Grade 6 who has been selected for the State under 12 Karate team.
MILO Cricket T20 Blast State Final Wild Card
Last term, Mount Carmel competed in Cricket Tasmania’s Milo T20 Blast Primary School Cup Program. Our Grade 5/6 team
which competed in the Southern Final were narrowly defeated by last year’s reigning premiers. The efforts, teamwork and
sportsmanship of all our Grade 4, 5 and 6 girls during the T20 Blast Program both at school and in the State Final, didn’t go
unnoticed, and as a result Mount Carmel College has been awarded a Wild Card entry into the State Final.
The State Final will be held in November at Blundstone Arena and a team from Mount Carmel will compete against other
State Finalists from around the State including Somerset, Spreyton, Exeter, Scotch Oakburn, Corpus Christi, St John’s and
Sacred Heart. The winners of the State Finals will earn the right to represent Tasmania at the National Final on the MCG in
December.
Well done and congratulations to all the girls that were involved in the Program. Cricket Tasmania will come back to the
College in Term 3 to help with our preparation and team selection.
CONTACT DETAILS
Nikki Stuart
Sports Administration Officer
Phone: 62167926
Email: [email protected]
Mount Carmel College
Issue 16, 4th June, 2015
STUDENT FREE DAY
Tuesday 30th June
8:30am to 6:00pm
FANCY DRESS PARTY!!
Come along today dressed in your favourite costume.
There will be prizes for best dressed, most unique costume
and many more. Participate in party games. We will have
party pies and sausage rolls for lunch but please bring
along a plate of your favourite party food to share with
your friends.
(No nut products please)
Cost: $47
Please complete the form overleaf to register your child for care
Student Free Day
Tuesday 30th June 2015
Child’s Name/s: ………………………………………
Age: ……………………
………………………………………
Age: ……………………
………………………………………
Age: ……………………
Mother’s Name: .................................................................
Mobile: ……………………….
Phone Wk:
.................................................................
Phone Home: ...........................
Father’s Name:
.................................................................
Mobile: ……………………….
Phone Wk:
.................................................................
Phone Home: ...........................
Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Emergency Contact Number (while child is in care)
Name: …………………………………………………………………………………….…………
Work Phone:
......................................................
Mobile: .......................................................
Medical Information: (illnesses, allergies and/or food sensitive, medications etc)
.....................................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................................
Reaction/Treatment: ………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Family Doctor: ……………………………………………………………………………………….
I/We have read the attached program. I authorise my child/children to attend any excursions which may be planned for the
Student Free Day. I understand the ratio for childcare on excursions is 1 carer to every 10 children; that the bus company
used is generally Tasmanian Redline coaches or the College Bus and that program details may change due to insufficient
bookings or poor weather. In the event that we cannot be contacted I/we consent to my child/children receiving medical
attention in cases of accidents or sickness during their time in child care.
Signed:
.................................................................
Date:
..................................................
Name:
………………………………………………………………………………………
Please forward this booking form to the College office as soon as possible.
For any queries, please phone 6216 7900
KidsMatter and MindMatters Resource Room
Mount Carmel College has established a KidsMatter and MindMatters Resource Room, giving
parents and carers access to magazines, information booklets and a library of books.
KidsMatter is an initiative established for primary school students and families while
MindMatters is a framework for secondary school students and their families. Both initiatives
aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people and is supported and funded
by beyondblue and the Australian Government.
The Resource Room is located within the Primary Music Room and provides an opportunity for
Mount Carmel parents and carers to meet and chat with one another in a welcoming
environment. Simply collect the key from College Reception and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
Pre-school children are welcome, with toys to keep them entertained. As this is a shared
space, they must be supervised at all times.
Opening Hours
Monday
Wednesday
2.30 – 3.30pm
8.30 – 9.30am
Supervised care will be provided for Mount Carmel students during these times.
INSIGHTS
Building parent-school partnerships
WORDS Michael Grose
Reading your
child’s report
Reports can mean anxious times for children. Will my parents be disappointed
or proud? This is the main concern of most children.
Could try harder . . . always does her
best . . . lacks concentration. . . easily
distracted . . . a pleasure to teach . . . Do
these comments, taken from a batch of
student reports sound familiar?
Student reports bring mixed feelings for
parents. Pleasure and pride if they are performing
well but considerable angst when children are not
progressing as you hoped.
Reports can mean anxious times for children
too. Will my parents be disappointed or proud?
This is the main concern of most children. Kids of
all ages take their cues from their parents, so your
reaction to their school report can affect the way
they see themselves as learners and as people.
Before you rip open the sealed
envelope containing the report do a
little self-check to see if you are in the
right frame of mind:
1
Are your expectations for your son
or daughter realistic and in line with
their ability?
Expectations are tricky. If they are too high then
kids can be turned off learning. Too low and there
is nothing to strive for. Pitch your expectations
in line with your child’s abilities. A quick check of
your child’s last report cards may provide you with
a good yardstick.
2 Do you believe that children learn at different rates?
There are slow bloomers, late developers and
steady-as-you-go kids in every classroom, so avoid
comparing your child to siblings, your friends’
children and even yourself when you were a child.
Instead look for individual progress.
3
Are you willing to safeguard your child’s self-esteem rather than deflate it?
Self-confidence is a pre-requisite for learning, so
be prepared to be as positive and encouraging as
possible. School reports come in different formats.
Some are prescriptive while some use grading
systems such as A, B, C, etc. with room for teacher
comments. Regardless of the format school
reports should provide you with an idea of your
child’s progress in all subject areas, their attitude
and social development.
Here are some ideas to consider when
you open your child’s report:
Focus on strengths Do you look for
strengths or weaknesses first? The challenge is
to focus on strengths even if they are not in the
traditional 3Rs or core subjects.
Take into account your child’s effort
and attitude to learning. If the report
indicates that effort is below standard, then you
have something to work on. If your child is putting
in the required effort, then you cannot ask any
more than that, regardless of the grading.
Broaden your focus away from academic
performance to form a picture of your child’s
progress as a member of a social setting. How your
child gets along with his or her peers will influence
his happiness and well-being, as well as give an
indicator to his future. The skills of independence
and co-operation are highly valued by employers
so don’t dismiss these as unimportant.
Take note of student self-assessment
Kids are generally very honest and will give a
realistic assessment of their progress. They are
generally very perceptive so take note of their
opinions.
Discuss the report with your son or
daughter talking about strengths first before
looking at areas that need improvement. Ask for
their opinion about how they performed and
discuss their concerns.
After reports are read and discussed
celebrate your child’s efforts with a
special activity or treat. In this way you
will recognise progress and remind
them that the holidays are just around
the corner when they can forget about
assessment, tests and reports for a while.
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