Welcome to our 2025 academic school year, and a big welcome to our 208 students, their parents, caregivers and whānau who are new to our learning community.

Of our 208 new students, 183 students have come from 48 schools across New Zealand with 24 students being the only students from their primary school.  We also have welcomed 25 international students from China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Last year we farewelled the following staff at the end of 2024:

• Mrs Sandy Ashenden, Year 7 teacher who has held many responsibilities within the intermediate department.  Sandy retired from full time teaching after 37 years of teaching service at Carmel College. 
• Mrs Rowena Bullock, Digital Technology teacher.  Rowena retired after 11 years of teaching service at Carmel College.
• Ms Sarah Hickey, Technology teacher.  Sarah taught at Carmel for 2 years and has moved to Long Bay College to teach Food Technology.
• Mrs Sarah Menizes, Cecilia Maher dean, Religious Education and Art teacher.  Sarah has decided to explore other pathways and we wish her all the very best.
• Ms Olivia Thomas, Year 8 teacher.  Olivia taught at Carmel during Terms 3&4 and will continue her teaching at Marlborough Primary School.
• Miss Lisa Emmanuel, French teacher and Campus Minister.  Lisa has moved to Sydney, Australia to continue her teaching career.
• Mr Glen Child, Head of Music.  Glen has taken leave and moved to Sydney, Australia with his family.
• Mrs Robyn Hunn, Head of Technology.  Robyn and her husband welcomed their daughter in December and is on maternity leave this year.

This year we welcomed:

• Ms Hayley Barker, Acting HOD Music.  Hayley joins us from St Kentigerns, having previously taught at Westlake Boys High School.
• Mrs Carolynn Tepou, Technology.  Carolynn joins us from Northcote Intermediate.
• Mr Haochen Jiang, Technology.  Haochen joins us having trained at Carmel in Digital Technology.
• Mrs Melanie Dillague, Technology.  Melanie joins us following teaching Art.
• Ms Jean-Marie Turanga, Social Sciences.  Jean-Marie joins us from Taupo, having taught previously at Baradene College.   
• Miss Lucy Anderson, English.  Lucy joins us from Westlake Boys High School.
• Mr Neil Harris, Maths.  Neil joins us from Westlake Boys High School, and has taught previously at Rangitoto College, Orewa College and St Mary’s College.
• Mrs Kate Dunn, Year 7.  Kate joins us following returning to teaching.

We have also welcomed back:

• Miss Cielo Baylon, joins us in Year 7. 
• Miss Ishana-Lee Nui who recently graduated from Carmel College joins us in the Learning Support team.
• Mrs Rosie Shanks, SENCO, who has returned from a wonderful 6 months on leave.

It is important to recognise that each of our students has come from a different background, have their own perspective, individual outlook and approach based on things like where they were born and grew up, who makes up their family, their friends, what they like to do with their time, and many other factors.  But as we come together in this new academic year, we come together as the community of Carmel College, which includes our students along with you, our parents, caregivers and whanau.

We know that there is something really special about being a part of the Carmel community as we have a connection to each other in our community because of our faith, and this is what makes our school special and unique.  It is our strength as it forms the strong base of our school culture.

In the coming weeks, once NCEA results are finalised, we will be having our Scholar’s assembly.  However, it is important to acknowledge the 2024 NCEA results as they currently stand.  92% of our NCEA Level 1 students gained this qualification, with 28% of the year group achieving NCEA Level 1 with Excellence, and a further 54% gained it with Merit.  98% of our Level 2 students gained this qualification, with 43% of the year group achieving NCEA Level 2 with Excellence, and a further 32% gained it with Merit.  93% of our Level 3 students gained this qualification, with 28% of the year group achieving NCEA Level 3 with Excellence, and a further 40% gained it with Merit.  85% of Level 3 students were also awarded with University Entrance.

These results sit well above National percentages and other schools in the same equity index band, and the students are to be congratulated on their academic achievements in a year that saw many impacted by further disruptions.  When analysing our 2024 NCEA results there remains a clear and undeniable link between consistent attendance and academic success.  If our young women come to school regularly they achieve academic success, and while we appreciate the challenges that some students face, the college strongly encourages parents and caregivers to make attendance a priority.  Should you or your daughter require any support, please do not hesitate to contact the college.

A new year, for some a new school, and this brings new challenges and opportunities.

At Carmel we want education to open opportunities and pathways for your daughter, we want to see her leave empowered to challenge and shape her future whilst being a woman who lives by our Mercy values whereby they are compassionate and respectful, where they seek justice for others and herself, and where they have the courage to pursue their ambitions.

For your daughter to be the best she can be, and to get the most from her time here at school, we ask that you continue to encourage and support her to participate and contribute as much as she can each day.  There will be challenges, there will be some ups and downs along the way.  Please never hesitate to reach out to your daughter’s dean as the first point of contact if you have any queries or concerns.

At this point, I would like to remind you all that students’ phones are to be off and in their bags, throughout the whole school day.  If you need to contact your daughter during the school day, you can either email her using your daughter’s school email address or leave a message at Reception to be delivered.

While many of us were hopefully enjoying a break over the holidays, a team of support staff remained working on site, completing a number of property projects.  These include a new roof on the Carmel main block, exterior painting of the Carmel and staffroom blocks, the interior refurbishment of the staffroom which was damaged from cyclone Gabrielle is nearly complete, the Science chemstore refurbishment is underway and the labyrinth is in the final stages of been revitalised following landscaping work.

To Grant Julius and Brenda Pheh, who with the support of Kamal Mitchell, Jake Officer, Karen Mitchell and our Board’s property committee, we thank you for the care and attention you have provided to ensure that our school is maintained to a high standard that is safe, clean and welcoming and contributes to a positive learning environment.

I encourage our students to stop and reflect on the work and changes, not only to take time to appreciate the work, but also to recognise that our Carmel community is more than just what happens in the classroom.  There are a lot of people who work very hard behind the scenes to ensure we enjoy the privilege of our school environment.

As our school year begins and as our young women return, we need to challenge them to be the best they can be, and to make the most of their time at the college.  From the classroom to providing service to others in the wider community, from the arts and cultural stages to the sports courts and fields, our young women need to make the most of each day.  The call to challenge comes from Catherine McAuley, to do the ordinary extraordinarily well.  

We wish all in our community the very best, and we ask for God’s blessing on a successful year.