The 2024 academic school year is now complete. Yesterday we acknowledged and celebrated our students in Years 7 to 10 for their academic achievements. Although not all students were recognised, each and every student should be very proud of what they have achieved this year. To our students, thank you for striving for your personal academic excellence, for being a part of and contributing to our school community.
Yesterday we also farewelled a very special person in our community, Mrs Sandy Ashenden. Sandy retired from full time teaching at Carmel, something that she has done for 37 years at Carmel. At the prizegiving Sandy shared some wonderful stories and memories, and a lesson about facing your fears. I know that when I thanked Sandy for the hugely positive impact she has had on the 100s, if not 1000s of young women’s lives during her career at Carmel, I spoke on behalf of our community, as her service and commitment to Carmel is truly phenomenal. Whilst we said our goodbyes, we know that Sandy will be back around school as a reliever and that she subscribed long ago to ‘once a Carmel girl, always a Carmel girl’.
Yesterday we also farewelled from our teaching staff, Mrs Rowena Bullock, Mrs Sarah Menzies, Miss Sarah Hickey, Ms Lisa Emmanuel, Ms Olivia Thomas, Ms Cielo Baylon, and wished Mr Glen Child all the best as he takes leave and travels to Sydney for a year with his family, and wished Mrs Robyn Hunn all the best who is on maternity leave for 2025.
To our parents, caregivers, whānau and other members of our community who have supported us this year, thank you. Thank you for your trust and the partnership that we continue to develop as together we guide and support our young woman through their secondary school years, and all this entails.
I wish you all a safe and restful summer break and Christmas, and as we exchange gifts and share festive meals, let us not forget the true gifts of the season – love, kindness, and compassion. May the spirit of Christmas infuse our community with joy and goodwill, creating lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Mercy Prayer: God of Many Names
E te Atua God of Mercy,
God of many names, God of each human heart,
we are people of many backgrounds,
Talents and place…We are united in
Mercy by your spirit and a tradition born
In a house in Dublin, now spread to
The outer reaches of the earth and
The inner recesses of the heart.
As Whānau Mercy in spirit and story
We commit ourselves to preserving the best
Of the past, fostering the best for the future.
May Catherine’s original vision
And the wairua of our founders inspire
Us today; not ot do what they did then,
But to be where they would be if they
Were here now standing in our shoes.
We thank you for the gifts of time
Given, insights and abundant wisdom
Shared at this table.
Bless us as we leave our gathering
With your gift of peace and a safe
Return to our home and whānau.
Amen
