As Term 1 draws to an end tomorrow, we are looking forward to the school coming alive one last time before the term break as students come dressed as book characters to wrap up Book Week. This week, like each week this term, it has been pleasing to see students getting involved in school events and activities, and making the most of the experiences and opportunities presented.
This term the list is exhaustive on what students have had the opportunity to participate in. From whole school athletics and swimming sports, to camps for Year 8 and Year 12 students, retreats, the coin trail, sporting tournaments and trials, to subject specific field trips; the list really could go on. Alongside the extracurricular activities and education outside the classroom, there has been a lot of progress made inside the classroom.
School reports for all students will be sent out tomorrow and this year we have changed our reporting. We ask that you please take time to talk with your daughter about her academic engagement and attitude to learning, particularly in subjects she may find more challenging. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please contact your daughter’s teachers or her Dean. Also note that parent teacher interviews for students in Years 7-11 will take place on Thursday 8 May, with interviews for students in Year 12&13 occurring in Term 3. Information on how to book interviews will be sent out with reports.
As the term ends, we have also bid farewell to some staff. Mrs Yvette Smith, Finance team, left two weeks ago to join the Attendance Services in West Auckland; Mr Matthew Campbell, Science teacher, is departing Carmel to take on a position at Pinehurst; and Mrs Kate Gan, Chinese teacher, who will be on maternity leave. We also farewell Mrs Mary-Anne Benson-Cooper, who has been our school nurse for the last two years, and last week we farewelled Mrs Annie Sadlier, Director of Sport, who departed Carmel after 8½ years as she takes up the Director of Sport at St Peter’s, Epsom, in Term 2.
The final farewell that we have made this week has been to Mrs Lianne Florance, from our Administration support team. Lianne is an old girl, having attended Carmel as a student, who returned and has gone on to provide 21 years of service to the college. Lianne has played an integral part in so much of the ‘behind the scenes’ work that has kept the college humming. From being involved in the booking of events, such as the school ball and graduation ceremonies along with professional learning for staff, to administering permission slips, the planning and preparation for academic prize givings, which includes printing of certificates and engraving of cups, Lianne has also maintained the website, the various IT platforms we use, and of course the publication of the weekly newsletter and other media publications – this ‘summary’ of what Lianne has developed and undertaken is nowhere near complete.
Lianne, we thank you for all you have done during your time at Carmel. Your care and attention to detail that has been required to ensure our college runs smoothly has truly been greatly appreciated. We know that your leaving will create some gaps as you effortlessly went about your work and there will be things that happened because of what you did that we are unaware of. You are an example of the well known saying ‘once a Carmel girl always a Carmel girl’ and you are a shining lamp that has given light to all around. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you, thank you, thank you.
It is also important to highlight that yesterday, 9 April, was the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the Mercy Sisters to New Zealand. Last weekend a number of staff and students attended a celebration mass at the Cathedral to acknowledge this significant anniversary. Below is a message from one of the Sisters, Sr Mary Neven;
A very happy 175 anniversary today as we remember those courageous pioneer women, sisters of mercy, who braved the oceans to begin their service of mercy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Have a wonderful day, a wonderful anniversary year and thank you for taking your mercy hearts into our world as you stand on the shoulders of Cecilia Maher and the early Sisters of Mercy. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, protect and bless each one of you.
As we continue on our Lenten journey, on Tuesday evening students from Carmel and Rosmini came together at St Joseph’s Church for the Stations of the Cross. It was a wonderful student-led production that retold the story of Jesus’ self-giving love in order to open our hearts to what is already given to us. The performance also included students involved in the orchestra and choir. To all of the staff and students, from Rosmini and Carmel, who planned, played or performed, thank you.
Finally, as we enter the term break, I encourage and challenge all of our students to find a balance between rest and recuperation, preparation and self-improvement. Yes, our students need to have a break, but they also need to ensure that each day they are doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity, at least 30 minutes of reading, and unplugging from devices at least 30 minutes before bed to ensure they return to school reinvigorated, refreshed and ready to make the most of the continuing opportunities the College has to offer.
