Welcome to our 2026 academic school year, and a big welcome to our 221 students, their parents, caregivers and whānau who are new to our learning community.

This year, 194 of our new students have come from 47 schools across Aotearoa New Zealand, and for 26 of those students, they are the only ones from their school joining Carmel this year. We also warmly welcome 27 new international students from Argentina, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand, some who are joining us for a term, others for the full school year.

At the end of 2025, we farewelled the following staff members, thanking them for their dedicated service to the Carmel College community:

• Mrs Anne-Marie Davis, who served Carmel for 32 years as a Mathematics teacher, Dean, and Academic Tracker. Anne-Marie was also a former student of the College, and her daughter attended Carmel as well.
• Ms Deebie Bauer, who retired after 31 years of service as part of our administration support team.
• Mrs Bev Pantry, who served the College for 27 years as a Physics teacher and Head of Department – Science.
• Mrs Barbara Blair, who retired after 12 years supporting students in the Learning Support department.
• Mrs Jayasheree Nair, who retired after 9½ years of service in the Mathematics department.
• Mrs Katharina Stockhaus-White, who joined the Social Sciences department during 2025.

We also warmly welcomed the following staff to Carmel College this year:

• Mrs Morag Devlaminckx – Science (Head of Department)
• Mrs Maria Fouhy – Religious Education
• Mrs Deliah Reuben – English
• Mrs Maja Siminac – Social Sciences
• Miss Jingyi Li – Mathematics
• Mr Jimmy Piad – Mathematics
• Mr Hongtian Wang – Technology and Mathematics
• Mrs Rebecca Shaw – Sport
• Mr Myung Joon Kim – Trainee Teacher, Music
• Ms Alice Joon Bi – Trainee Teacher, Art

In the coming weeks, once NCEA results are finalised, we will be having our Scholar’s assembly. However, it is important to acknowledge the 2025 provisional NCEA results as they currently stand.

• Literacy attainment across Years 11–13 sits at 100%, with numeracy at 92% in Year 11 and 99% in Years 12–13.
• 99% of students achieved NCEA Level 2, with 32% gaining Excellence and 42% Merit.
• 95% achieved NCEA Level 3, with 32% gaining Excellence and 37% Merit.
• 92% of Level 3 students gained University Entrance.

These results sit well above national averages and comparable schools, and our students are to be congratulated on their achievements. Our analysis of the 2025 results continues to show a clear and consistent link between regular attendance and academic success. In line with Ministry of Education requirements, Carmel College is implementing an Attendance Management Plan aligned with national expectations and the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) framework, which outlines how we will monitor attendance, respond early to concerns, and work in partnership with whānau to support students. Key expectations and supports will be published on our website shortly.

A new year, for some a new school, and this brings new challenges and opportunities.

At Carmel we want education to open opportunities and pathways for your daughter, we want to see her leave empowered to challenge and shape her future whilst being a woman who lives by our Mercy values whereby they are compassionate and respectful, where they seek justice for others and herself, and where they have the courage to pursue their ambitions.

To help your daughter make the most of her time at Carmel, we ask for your ongoing support in encouraging her to engage fully in her learning and school life each day. While there will  inevitably be challenges and moments of uncertainty along the way, and these are a normal part of growth, your daughter’s dean is the first point of contact should you have any questions or concerns.

At times, your daughter may find herself in classes without close friends, which can feel daunting. Stepping into unfamiliar spaces takes courage, particularly for young people. While friendships remain important, the classroom is first and foremost a place for learning, personal responsibility, and mutual respect. Through these experiences, students develop confidence, independence, and the skills to work positively with others.

Your daughter is never alone at Carmel. She is supported by a caring community that wants her to feel safe, included, and successful, and she will continue to build new connections and friendships as she moves through the year.

At this point, I would like to remind you all that students’ phones are to be off and in their bags, throughout the whole school day. If you need to contact your daughter during the school day, you can either email them using your daughter’s school email address or leave a message at Reception to be delivered.

While many of us were hopefully enjoying a break over the holidays, a team of support staff remained working on site, completing a number of property projects. To Mr Darryn Stevens and Mrs Brenda Pheh, who with the support of Mr Kamal Mitchell, Jake Officier, Tarqin Tepou, Mrs Karen Mitchell and our board’s property committee, we thank you for the care and attention you have provided to ensure that our school is maintained to a high standard that is safe, clean and welcoming and contributes to a positive learning environment.

As our school year begins, and as our young women return we need to challenge them to be the best they can be, and to make the most of their time at the College. From the classroom to providing service to others in the wider community, from the arts and cultural stages to the sports courts and fields our young women need to make the most of each day. The call to challenge comes from Catherine McAuley, to do the ordinary extraordinarily well.

We wish all in our community the very best, and we ask for God’s blessing on a successful year.