And just like that, week 5 of Term 2 draws to a close.  Over the past fortnight there have been many things happening in and around the college.  In week 3, Year 8 had a wonderful, despite it being a bit wet, camp at Finlay Park on Lake Karapiro, and last week saw our college community come together during bully free week.  The week concluded with a fantastic parent event on Friday, with Beats by Bingo, coordinated by the wonderful PTFA.

Conversations and education around bullying are important and align with our Mercy values of Respect and Courage.  Respect for human dignity, and in this instance, helping students to learn to act in a way that ensures others do not feel bullied.  We hope through the activities of this week our students gained the Courage to stand up and do the right thing, stop rumours, be an upstander, and tell a trusted adult if they are or see someone being bullied. 

The focus of last week’s bully free week was aimed at helping our young woman to notice and be an upstander to bullying.  Our student leaders created a range of activities that were used during Atawhai time that focused on kindness by looking at what rumours are and how to determine what action could be taken when students hear things about others.  On Friday the school was veiled in pink and over $2,000 was raised from the mufti day and stalls that will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation.

Beats by Bingo was an extremely entertaining and successful evening that the team of dedicated and hard working parents in our PTFA put on for the parent community.  Well over $10,000 was raised and it was fantastic that over 180 parents and caregivers could all come together in the school hall for a great night of music and bingo.  To all of our generous sponsors who donated gifts for raffles, silent auction items and other such things, thank you.  Your contribution was truly astounding and greatly appreciated.  And to our team on the PTFA, thank you, thank you, thank you.  Your time that you give so freely to raise funds for the college appears limitless, although we know this isn’t the case, so on behalf of the college I would like to thank you and hope you all know how much we greatly appreciate your support and hard work.

I would like to draw your attention to the BOT Excellence Award.  In 2022 the Carmel College Board of Trustees introduced this annual award with the idea that the recipients of this award will have brought honour to themselves and also to Carmel College through their achievements. 

The inaugural award was presented at the senior prizegiving to past student, Grace Stratton in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the area of Disability Advocacy in Business.  When young women attend Carmel College our vision is that she will receive an education with opportunities that will see her empowered to challenge and shape the future.  Our hope is that she will live by our Mercy values whereby she is compassionate and respectful, where she will seek justice for others and herself, and where she will have the courage to pursue her ambitions.  This award therefore recognises and acknowledges our young women who have embraced and live by our Mercy values.

The Board is calling for nominations for the 2023 BOT Excellence Award and, therefore, invites any member of our community to nominate a past student or staff (current or past) member who they believe is deserving of this prestigious award.

 Eligibility Criteria 

• Attendance at Carmel College for at least one full academic year.
• The nominee must have attained a notable degree of prominence through professional endeavour, research, volunteerism, and involvement within the local or global community.
• Special consideration will be given to those who demonstrate significant initiative by starting innovative service projects, research, businesses or other original enterprises.
• Received recognition by professional organisations for significant professional contributions, discoveries, or creative work through honours, awards, and/or media attention.
• Serves as an outstanding role model for alumni, current and future Carmel College students.
• Excluded from consideration: prior recipients, current trustees, or current selection committee members.

Nominations close on Monday, 11 September 2023.

 If you would like to nominate someone please fill in the nomination form HERE.