Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi nui atawhai.

‘Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence’. (Pope Francis)

As we come to the end of another challenging school term, it is appropriate that we take time for gratitude. While there are many, many people who have made a significant contribution to enabling us to look forward to the next term with confidence, I would like to single out two particular staff groups: the Pastoral Care Team and the Heads Of Departments.

The Pastoral Care Team have tirelessly supported many students and their whanau who have found this time particularly difficult. They have checked in with the girls, responded to their needs and ensured they have access to the resources that they need to enable them to positively engage in their learning. They have gone above and beyond – giving so much of their time so selflessly to care for our students.

The Heads Of Departments have had to respond, and keep responding, to this evolving academic year. The ongoing changes by NZQA to the academic calendar and assessment regime have meant that they have had to lead their staff in making considerable adjustments to their programmes of learning. Always, always, they have kept the focus on students’ wellbeing and their learning. They have had to balance the tension between providing learning programmes that ensure the students can still gain the credentials for admission to their future, tertiary courses and making sure the learning and accompanying assessment does not overwhelm the learners. The additional time commitment has been considerable and again, they give of themselves so generously.

A sincere thank you to the entire Carmel learning community for all of their contributions to supporting our learners.

We are all looking forward to the upcoming term break to relax and refresh.

“Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” –A.A. Milne

“How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward.” –Spanish Proverb