A big welcome back to Term 4.  Although the term break may now feel like a distant memory, it is great to see students and staff back at school and reconnecting with their friends, peers and colleagues as we quickly fall back into routine.  As we were reminded of in Term 3’s Mental Health Awareness Week, these strong connections and relationships are so important for our students, staff and everyone’s wellbeing.

On this note of connections and community, our PTFA is also working extremely hard in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Market which will be held at Carmel on Saturday 23 November. There will be over 50 stalls participating in the event, and while this is a great opportunity to start or complete some Christmas shopping, importantly, it is here where our community can come together and enjoy music, food, crafts and each other’s company. 

The work the PTFA team is doing to make this event a success highlights the strength our community has to come together and ensure that our students have the opportunities to develop and grow during their secondary education in a positive, comfortable and safe learning environment. 

Every term in a school year is a busy one, but during Term 4 the school environment is abuzz as students have chosen options for the following year and are excited about new opportunities; students working towards their NCEA qualifications are completing internal assessments, crunching their credit and rank score calculations and preparing for their external examinations.  On top of this, celebrations and acknowledgements are being arranged and are beginning to take place with breakfasts, lunches, assemblies and prizegiving all well underway. 

A Term 4 broadcast was sent out on Friday 11 October highlighting key dates and reminders.  If you did not receive this via email, please check and update your contact details.  The broadcast can be viewed HERE.

To our senior students, we wish them well in their preparations for their final NCEA examinations, but ask that as parents you are aware that your daughter may need support with her organisation, prioritisation and overall time management as she balances her extracurricular activities and academic responsibilities.  Please, have ‘check in’ conversations and if you or your daughter need support or guidance from the college in this regard, reach out. 

To our junior students I would like to remind them that through their participation in school, by being involved in various activities and opportunities, they will develop the skills and attributes to be equipped and empowered to pursue their own personal excellence, and will be prepared to challenge and shape their futures.  So, please encourage your daughter to make the most of this final term of 2024.

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