Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi atawhai nui.
Requirements keep changing but events here at school are still happening – so that is great news.
This week, we have been able to celebrate with our Year 8 students, their sponsors and their whānau at our two Sacramental Masses, as they received their First Eucharist and Confirmation. Bishop Michael presided over the afternoon one and Father Marchellino presided over the morning Mass. These liturgies were recorded for members of the family who were unable to attend to share virtually. We also live streamed our Ash Wednesday liturgy – as our Year 8 students socially distanced in the hall and the other students watched from their Atawhai classes. A huge thank you for this organisation to Rosanna Fouhy, Sister Anna and our very own digital live streaming whiz, Glen Child.
Last week, recognised our scholars from last year with another live streamed event from the hall. Congratulations to all of these students who applied themselves so diligently to their studies. Thank you to Karen Mitchell for making this happen.
We also were able to hold a version of our Meet the Deans, Atawhai and Year 7 CLG teachers, again in a virtual format. At least parents were able to put a face to a name and to find out a little more about how we do things at Carmel. Thank you to Siobhan Harrod, Anna O’Farrell and the rest of the pastoral team.
As well as all of these events, the Sports Department continues to innovate and adapt – they have been providing after school intra-school sporting opportunities and the Sports Council have excelled in creating a variety of games and activities for all students to participate in during the school day. Thanks to Annie Sadlier, Claire Magness and the Sports Council students. The organised summer sports continue and we are achieving great results: the Touch Rugby team is currently sitting 4th in the Auckland competition, Volleyball is 2nd equal and the Equestrian team travelled south over the weekend to claim 1st overall in the Show Jumping North Island competition. Congratulations to all these teams.
As we enter into the season of Lent, let us remember Pope Francis’ prayer about how we can fast for Lent:
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope
Fast from worries and trust in God.
