Over the past three weeks there have been many events held that have recognised and celebrated many of our senior students who have now left and have begun their NCEA examinations. From sports to music awards, to functions celebrating our graduating Māori and Pacific students all events have been a wonderful acknowledgement of the contribution so many of our young women have made during their year, and time at Carmel College.
Last week we began with our academic prize giving on Tuesday evening where seniors students in Year 12 and 13 were recognised and celebrated for their academic success in 2025, followed by our Thanksgiving mass on Thursday. This was a lovely Mass which included our leaving Year 13 students performing the school haka, with the morning ending with the school forming a guard of honour from the school gym to the school gates that our leavers walked through. As we neared the end of last week the focus moved to welcoming our new Carmel students and their whānau who will join our College community in 2026.
I wish to acknowledge and thank the huge team at the College who have worked to ensure that all of these events were successful in not only celebrating and recognising our students, but in that they allowed us to bring together and acknowledge our wider community of parents, families and friends who have supported our young woman. So to the team at the College, who there really are too many to name individually, thank you for all of your time and support, it was noticed and appreciated. Thank you.
Over the weekend, after weeks of training both together and individually, 39 staff members took on the bridge, completing either the half marathon or the 11km traverse. It was a fantastic experience for all involved and a wonderful celebration of teamwork, commitment, and perseverance. Congratulations to everyone who took part for representing Carmel with such enthusiasm and spirit, and for showing our young women the importance of setting goals, challenging themselves, and following through with determination and positivity.
With our senior students now on study leave and only coming into the College for exams or tutorials, the school grounds may feel quieter. However, there is still plenty happening for our Year 7–11 students. Year 11 exams begin on Friday, 14 November, Year 10 camp preparations are well underway, and planning continues for Activity Week for students in Years 7–9. While the academic year may feel nearly complete, it is important that we support our young women to finish the year well, living out our core Mercy value of respect, whakaute.
Following Monday’s practice fire evacuation, Mrs Anna O’Farrell led an assembly on our value of respect. She reminded students not only of the importance of this value, but also of the ways we demonstrate it from wearing our uniform correctly, to the way we interact with each other and our teachers, and how we care for our environment. To view the PowerPoint shared in the assembly, please click here.
In just over a week we also have a key PTFA event taking place, The PTFA Christmas Market on Friday, 14 November. While this will be the fourth Christmas market, and one that promises to be a wonderful event for the whole community, please note that the market is a twilight market being held from 4.30-8.30pm on Friday. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed by donating goods to help make this market a success and a huge thank you to the PTFA volunteers who have been working behind the scenes and who have a busy week ahead in the lead up to the market. We hope to see many of you at the market which provides an opportunity to come together to celebrate the festive season, support local vendors, and enjoy the holiday spirit.
