This week I was fortunate to get to Year 8 camp at Finlay Park on Wednesday.  Our Year 8 students were having a wonderful time participating in a number of activities which saw them try and attempt new activities and challenges.  What was particularly pleasing to see was the respect and encouragement students gave one another to have confidence and courage to try new activities, and to overcome their fears.  It is through trying new things, failing and trying again that sees our young women develop resilience and confidence in who they are and their abilities.

As we look forward to hearing the stories next week about Year 8 camp, on Monday we will farewell our Year 12 students who are heading to Tongariro for the week.  This camp is a well established camp that has been part of Carmel’s Year 12 programme for many many years.  During the week, Year 12 students will have their retreat and will have the opportunity to head into the field to gather data, for example Biology, Geography and History subjects.  Next Wednesday it is planned that over 80 students will complete the Tongariro Crossing.  We hope the weather is fine and that those making the crossing have a safe and wonderful experience on one of New Zealand’s great one day walks.   

At this point I would like to acknowledge and thank all those who have been involved in the planning and running of these camps.  There is a huge amount of work that goes into the planning of camps from the bookings, budgets, transportation, parent helpers, police vetting and of course the planning around health and safety, to ensure our young women can experience a wide range of challenging activities.  Thank you to all involved for creating and supporting these opportunities for our young women to participate in.  It truly is during these experiences that they grow and will develop into the empowered young women who will challenge and shape their future that we seek to support here at Carmel College.

Yesterday and today we held two pre-enrolment school tours which saw a significant number of families come through the school.  Our student leaders spoke and then led tours around the school. The purpose of these pre-enrolment tours was to invite potential new students and their families into the school to learn about what we do and who we are as a learning community. 

Please note that our enrolments for 2026 close on Friday 21 March as our school roll continues to face pressure.  If you or anyone you know have any questions regarding enrolment at Carmel, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Meurant, admin@carmel.school.nz.

In closing, I would like to share a reflection as we are reminded that the work of those in our community is given and shared through their call to Mercy, which is central to our community’s values and what makes our community what it is, as we strive to empower our young women to challenge and shape their future.

May you meet mercy each day:

In the light of your heart, at the hands of loved ones, 

In the eyes of the stranger and the needy

And if by chance you do not first meet it,

Then search your heart for it, listen patiently for word of it,

And it will tap you on the shoulder,

A quiet surprise, a small gesture, the tender look,

Given and received in the encounters of your day.

Mary Wickham rsm