Last Friday we had our first PTFA twilight Christmas market at the college, following the previous three years where the market was held on Saturday. Although the weather again tried to dampen things, the evening was an outstanding success. The Christmas market was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, and importantly it also featured many local school and church choirs who filled the air with their joyous Christmas carols. The lower court and surrounding lawn was transformed into a magical environment that buzzed with Christmas joy and cheer as people perused the stalls and enjoyed the festive vibes.

The Christmas market was made possible by our amazing school PTFA. Whilst a small team always looking to welcome new members, the vision, time, passion and dedication ensured this event was a huge success. I know each of you have other commitments, but you made this event a priority for our students and our community. Thank you. The college truly appreciates all you have done and the continuing work that the PTFA does to support and provide opportunities for our students. 

To our students and staff who also contributed, thank you. From joy jars to goods in the cake stalls, thank you, and a big thank you to all those who donated goods for the raffles. Our college appreciates and values your support.

This week our Year 11 students have been sitting their exams, marking the completion of their final week at school for 2025. We have been incredibly impressed with the way they have approached their learning this year, staying focused on their progress and achievement despite not being assessed against NCEA Level 1.

Prizegiving for Year 11 students will take place on Wednesday 3 December. Prizewinners and their parents and caregivers will be notified by email, and all students and whānau are warmly invited to join us in celebrating their academic success.

The week ahead will be busy for our students in Year 7-10 with Year 10 camp and a range of other exciting activities planned. I encourage all students to participate and make the most of the many opportunities that our staff have organised. It is in taking part that they develop the skills and attributes to be equipped and empowered to pursue their personal excellence, where they will develop and will be prepared to challenge and shape the future, whilst being a young woman of Mercy who acts justly, loves tenderly and walk humbly with our God.

Finally, our education sector continues to be in the spotlight with ongoing changes. Recently, you may be aware that the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No. 2), currently progressing through Parliament, proposes removing provisions related to Te Tiriti o Waitangi from the Education and Training Act 2020. In particular, the Bill seeks to remove the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti, including ensuring that policies, local curriculum, and teaching reflect local tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori.

In our Carmel College community Matua and Whaea Kelly remind us that ‘every time we honour, protect, and actively participate in the principles of Te Tiriti, we strengthen our partnership with tangata whenua. And now, we invite you to continue that journey with perseverance — to stay engaged, keep learning, and grow together as a community.

At Carmel College, we remain dedicated to offering staff, students, and families meaningful opportunities to deepen their understanding of te ao Māori. Through Mihi Whakatau, Pōwhiri, Poutama Reo, Kapa Haka, whānau hui, and many other initiatives, we aim to support authentic learning and genuine connection.

Our focus is to provide a quality Catholic education that upholds our Mercy values while respecting tangata whenua — the first peoples of this land — and honouring the responsibilities we hold as treaty partners.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou for walking this path with us. Together, we can continue to nurture a community where te reo, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori are valued and celebrated.’

Below is an extract from the New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) outlining their support for ongoing advocacy by our school leaders and boards to continue working closely with iwi and hapū. Their message reinforces the importance of pursuing equitable education outcomes and ensuring that ākonga are able to fully participate and flourish in New Zealand society.

Catholic education in New Zealand has a long history of support for tangata whenua and for the inclusion of tikanga and te reo within the culture and practice of our schools. Despite the passage of the current Bill through parliament, NZCEO encourages our Catholic school boards to continue to give effect to Te Tiriti as an essential component of our special character responsibilities. A strong focus on the principles of Catholic social teaching including human dignity, subsidiarity, preferential option for the poor and the common good guide our approach to embedding Te Tiriti in Catholic schools will allow ākonga and their whānau to flourish and reach their full human potential.

NZCEO is advocating to our school boards and staff to continue our mission by:

• • Committing to educate for a deeper understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the implications of this for tangata-te-tiriti.
  • Committing to learning and teaching about our local Māori and pakehā history
  • Recognising Māori as tangata whenua, embedding the principles of partnership and participation, taking part in authentic consultation with the local Māori community, and working to resolve any barriers to partnership and participation
  • Working to develop a community understanding of Te Ao Māori and communicating this with all ākonga
  • Working to develop an understanding of Māori wairua/spirituality and incorporating tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and karakia/prayer into the daily life of the school
  • Building relationships with Māori whānau, so they feel valued in the school.
  • Paying particular attention to developing an understanding of the cultural background of every Māori ākonga to honour the identity, knowledge, and values of each student and their whānau

As we navigate changes together, it is important to remember who we are as a community. Carmel College is, first and foremost, a place shaped by our Mercy values and grounded in our Catholic faith. These guide the decisions we make, the way we treat one another, and the way we uphold the dignity of every person entrusted to our care.

In times of uncertainty or public debate, our commitment remains steady: to act justly, to love with compassion, and to walk gently alongside all members of our community. This includes honouring the stories, language, and richness of te ao Māori, and continuing to uphold the partnerships that have strengthened our school for generations.

As people of faith, we are called to do what is right, not because it is required of us, but because it reflects who we are. Our Mercy charism reminds us that standing with and for others, especially in the pursuit of equity and inclusion, is part of our mission. We will continue to uphold these principles with integrity, humility, and respect.