At Carmel we strive to embody the words of Catherine McAuley, who inspires us to be “a shining lamp giving light to all around,” and the support and encouragement that our young women experience is at the heart of what it means to be part of our community. Last week we saw this come to life as the college celebrated Culture Week. It was fantastic to see so many cultures represented and honoured, particularly in Wednesday’s spectacular concert. It was wonderful to see such strong attendance, especially following the disruption of industrial strike action. To our parents and whānau who have imparted their culture and values to their daughters, we extend our deepest thanks. The young women who performed proudly showcased their diverse heritage, and in this collective expression their individuality was not only celebrated but their performances also strengthened and enriched our Carmel community.
Alongside this, it has been Winter Tournament Week, and it has been pleasing to see so many of our young women competing across a wide range of sports. We look forward to hearing the final results at the end of the week and also wish our Year 7–8 students all the very best as they prepare to compete at the AIMS Games in Tauranga next week.
I also remind families that the proposed NCEA qualification changes are currently open for consultation until 15 September 2025, with a proposed rollout of new qualifications between 2028 and 2030, aligned with the updated curriculum. Anyone is welcome to make a submission, and links to the full consultation material, along with specific information for parents and caregivers, are included below.
Here is a link to all the consultation information and documentation.
Here is a link to the specific information document for parents/caregivers.
Voting for our Board of Trustees parent representatives is also well underway and closes on September 10. Further information can be found in the accompanying article.
Finally, I would like to wish every success to those students sitting the Common Assessment Activities next week, as well as to our senior students whose practice exams begin on Wednesday. At assembly, I shared the words of our 2023 Academic Leaders, Kate Sluyter and Jules Torres: “It’s very easy to compare our successes to each other but it’s important to remember that we are all on our own journey because each and every one of us is shaped by our unique experiences and circumstances. Not getting an award at prize giving doesn’t mean you’re not smart, and a grade doesn’t determine your worth. Success is subjective and is influenced by your personal goals so we shouldn’t let other people control what we deem successful.”
I hope these words serve as a reminder to us all that each young woman is pursuing her own pathway towards personal excellence, and that while we accompany them on this journey, what they often need most from us is our unwavering support and encouragement so that when they enter their exams they feel prepared, calm, and confident.
