As Week 3 comes to a close, the winter sports season is now underway. We hope opening games have been a positive experience for our students. Where results may not have gone your way, we encourage a focus on the small improvements that can make a meaningful difference in the next match. Participation in team sport offers valuable opportunities to develop resilience, commitment, and collaboration, skills that extend well beyond the field.

We also look forward to celebrating the Year 13 Carmel College School Ball tomorrow evening at the Ellerslie Convention Centre. This is a significant milestone in our students’ final year, and we are excited for them to share in a memorable and special occasion with their peers. It promises to be a wonderful evening, with students and staff looking their best and enjoying the venue, decorations, food, and music along with plenty of dancing.

Our sincere thanks to the Ball Committee for their time, organisation, and dedication in preparing this event. We appreciate the effort that has gone into ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and memorable evening for all involved.

Last week saw the conclusion of our parent–teacher interviews. Across the two evenings, we had strong overall participation, and it was equally pleasing that student attendance during the school day remained steady at 90%. We are aware that some students may have questioned the value of attending for a shortened day, so thank you to all whānau who ensured their daughters were present for their learning.

Engagement in the interviews was particularly strong in the junior school, with Year 7 (84%) and Year 8 (81%) showing the highest levels of participation. From Year 9 onwards, participation gradually decreases:
Year 9: 71%
Year 10: 60%
Year 11: 53%
Year 12: 43%
Year 13: 27%

This pattern reflects a common trend, with senior students becoming more independent in managing their learning and commitments. However, if you have any concerns about your daughter’s achievement, engagement, or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact her Dean.

To those who were able to attend, thank you for your ongoing support in strengthening these important connections between home and school.

At assembly on Wednesday, Mr Graham Atkinson spoke about next week’s focus on one of our school values, Tika- Justice. Below is what Mr Atkinson said;

Next week sees us focus on Tika, Justice for the week. 

One of the most important ways we practice Tika is by being an upstander, not a bystander and showing we Stand Up to Bullying. Bullying is the opposite of justice because it’s when someone decides that another person’s feelings or safety don’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you do or say something to someone’s face, behind their back or online; how you communicate with each other matters. 

Our core mercy value, Tika, involves 

• • Every person in this room has the right to feel safe, the right to learn, and the right to be themselves without fear. Justice means protecting those rights for everyone, not just our friends.
  • Sometimes, we get it wrong. We might say something hurtful or stay silent when we should have spoken. Part of Tika is owning those moments, and importantly, making it right.
  • Equity means giving everyone what they need to succeed. Justice isn’t always about treating everyone the same; it’s about making sure no one is left behind because of who they are.

And it is great that we get to be reminded of them next week. The challenge I put before all of you, though, once we come to the end of next week and through the coming weeks this term, and it is a long one this year, we must still find a way to remember these core values. 

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui
Be strong, be courageous, be of good heart 

Because justice isn’t just something we talk about. It’s something we live every day.

Next week, we look forward to the activities our senior leaders have arranged to acknowledge Tika (justice), and we are especially excited to see students dressed in the theme of justice.

Finally, this week we also farewell Ms Rosanna Fouhy from our Carmel community. After nearly 10 years at Carmel College, Rosanna is leaving to take up the position of Principal at Marcellin College.

While staff have shared many words of thanks and best wishes, I also want to acknowledge the heartfelt tribute from our Head Girls, Kirra and Leighton, which they shared at assembly. Their words were a powerful reminder of the impact of educational leadership and the difference made in the lives of our young people. It is a privilege to hear directly from students about that impact, and a fitting reflection of Rosanna’s time at Carmel. We recognise the importance and privilege of Rosanna’s leadership in shaping and guiding our community over many years, and we sincerely thank her for the positive and lasting impact she has made across our school community.

Below is what our students shared:

We (Leighton and Kirra) would like to speak on behalf of the student body to acknowledge and thank Ms Fouhy for the lasting impact she has had on all of us.

Ms Fouhy has given so much to this school, particularly through her passionate leadership of Catholic Charism. She has worked hard to strengthen the faith of our community and to ensure that the values of kindness, service, and compassion are not just spoken about, but lived every day. She is a true example of a Mercy Woman. 

As the leader of student leadership, Ms Fouhy has been a constant source of support and mentorship not only for our leadership team this year but for the many student leadership teams that have gone before us. She has challenged students to step up, lead with confidence, and develop leadership skills. She has a strong belief in young women and has inspired many student leaders to believe in themselves, empowering them to lead with confidence and purpose.

As you all know Ms Fouhy demonstrates elegance in everything that she does. Her influence has spread to our appearance in her deep commitment to our school uniform and the pride it represents. Ms Fouhy is a driving force behind how we look everyday by designing the uniform with meticulous detail right down to the very last hair ribbon.  She consistently encourages students to wear our uniform with pride and respect, reminding us that it represents both our individual identity and our wider school community. Thank you Ms Fouhy for the beautiful way we show up as Carmel girls. We can’t wait to see how spruced up Marcellin will become. 

What many people may not always see is just how much work Ms Fouhy has put into every area of school life. Behind the scenes, she has dedicated countless hours, endless effort, and genuine care to making this school the best it can be. Her exceptional teaching has inspired and challenged students to achieve their best. We have heard many comments from students taught by Ms Fouhy about how much they will miss being part of her classes.

Ms Fouhy, we can not possibly begin to thank you for everything you have done for Carmel College. Thank you for your leadership, your dedication, and the example you have set for us all.

We wish you every success in your new role as principal. You will be deeply missed, and we are truly grateful for the impact you have made.

Thank you, Ms Fouhy.