NZCF North Shore Secondary Chess Competition
On the 17th of June, two teams from the Carmel Chess Club took part in the NZCF North Shore Secondary Chess Competition held at Takapuna Grammar School. It was a six-round tournament and we got to play against multiple teams from different schools. For some girls, it was their first time at a chess competition, so it was a new and challenging experience.
We achieved great results, with Yuna Lim getting Second Best Female Player and Natalia Gonzales getting Fourth Best Female Player. Carmel A team also placed in the top 10.
Overall, we really enjoyed the competition and had a lot of fun. We are looking forward to our next competition, which we will be attending in Term 3.
The Chess Club meets every Wednesday lunchtime in C07, and it is open to all year groups and all skill levels. So come along if you are interested in chess and would like to take part in competitions like these!
– Yuna Lim Chess Club Leader
Above right image: Left – Natalia Gonzales – Fourth Best Girl Player | Right – Yuna Lim – Second Best Female Player
Carmel Students Shine at the 2026 Starlight Talent Showcase! 🎶
We are incredibly proud of our talented Carmel College students who took to the stage at the 2026 North Shore Region Starlight Talent Competition, showcasing their creativity, confidence, and passion for performance.
The annual Starlight Talent Showcase brings together talented students from North Shore parishes and Catholic schools, providing a wonderful opportunity for young performers to share their gifts with the wider community. This year, Carmel students impressed audiences with an amazing variety of performances across vocals, dance, and instrumental music.
Wow Factor Award – Athena Macmac
Athena captivated the audience with her energetic Jazz routine to “Saturday Night” by the Bay City Rollers. She showcased her growing versatility and confidence as a dancer, performing impressive techniques including an aerial and multiple turns. The Wow Factor Award recognises outstanding talent and the most unique performance in the competition.
Our Rising Star Award – Amelia Blessan
Amelia impressed the judges with her powerful vocal performance of “All By Myself” by Celine Dion, demonstrating her incredible voice, confidence, and emotional connection to the song.
We also congratulate our other talented Carmel performers who represented our school with pride:
🥁 Paris Samporna – delivering an energetic drum performance of “First Date” by Blink-182.
🎤 ishowSWAG, Carmel Girl Group – bringing style and energy to the stage with their performance of “Wait a Minute” by Willow.
🎸 Carmel Senior Rock Band – entertaining the audience with their fantastic performances of “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and “Blame It on the Boogie” by The Jackson Five.
A huge congratulations to all of our performers. Your dedication, courage, and willingness to share your talents on stage are a wonderful reflection of the creativity and confidence that thrives within our Carmel community.
Geography Beyond the Classroom: A Day of Data Collection in Devonport
The Level 2 Geographers visited Devonport and the surrounding suburbs on Monday, 27 July to collect data for their research assessment. We are looking at real estate values in the area and the girls carried out questionnaires, interviewed various local estate agents, conducted traffic surveys and assessed environmental factors. A big thank you to Miles Palmer for coming with us and the sun for shining!
Year 10 Market Day Success
This week, our Year 10 Business Studies students recently enjoyed a fantastic Market Day, transforming lunchtime into a vibrant marketplace filled with creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm. Students worked hard to design eye-catching stalls, promote their products, and engage with customers, creating a fun and exciting atmosphere for the school community.
Throughout the project, students put their classroom learning into practice by planning, marketing, and operating their own small businesses. Market Day provided an authentic learning experience, helping students develop valuable skills in teamwork, communication, customer service, financial management, and problem-solving while gaining a greater understanding of entrepreneurship.
As part of the project, students will donate 10% of their profits to a charity chosen by the Year 10 cohort at the end of the year. This initiative reflects our core Mercy value of Care and Service, encouraging students to use their entrepreneurial skills to make a positive contribution to the wider community.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our young entrepreneurs by visiting the stalls and making purchases. Your encouragement helped make the event a wonderful success and gave our students a memorable opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of running a business.
Hosting Hong Kong Exchange Students
One of the highlights of the week was spending time together outside of school. Whether we were playing board games at home or simply chatting about our lives, it was a great way to get to know each other better. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Hong Kong’s culture, hearing about the differences in school life and daily routines, while also discovering how much we had in common.
The exchange was an opportunity to build friendships, share experiences,and gain a broader perspective of life beyond Aotearoa, New Zealand. It was great to see the Hong Kong students embracing everything Carmel had to offer and making the most of their time here.
A sincere thank you to all the staff, host families, and students who contributed to making the exchange such a success. The connections made throughout that week was something that will remain with many of us for years to come.
– Shanel Digges, Year 11
Representing Carmel at National Leadership Camp
During the Term 2 holidays, I had the incredible opportunity to attend The National Leadership Camp run by Burn Bright in Sydney, Australia! This camp was an unforgettable experience that challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, make new connections, and grow as not only a leader, but a person.
The theme for NLC this year was Echo, which encouraged us to think about the impact our words and actions can have on others. Just like how an echo continues long after a sound is made, our leadership can leave a lasting impression on those around us. The theme reminded us that even small things such as acts of kindness and service can create a ripple effect and influence the people we help.
Across four days, I participated in many activities that focused on leadership, teamwork, and resilience. We were encouraged to reflect on our own leadership styles, and discover how we can influence our schools and communities. Additionally, we got to hear from 5 amazing leaders, some talked about the importance of being servant leaders and knowing your values, while others focused on perseverance and looking towards the future. They were all different, but equally eye opening!
One of my highlights of camp was getting to meet so many like-minded people from around New Zealand and Australia. It was amazing to connect with people who shared similar values and a desire to make a difference. I left camp with new friendships, a sense of purpose, and many unforgettable memories.
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend NLC, and would like to thank the staff members who nominated me and supported me throughout this process. It was truly a life changing experience, and one that will stick with me forever! I look forward to applying the skills I learnt and carrying the theme of Echo with me as I grow as a leader. I would highly encourage anyone who is interested in stepping outside their comfort zone, developing leadership skills, and meeting new people to consider National Leadership Camp. It is an experience that challenges you, inspires you, and leaves you with lessons and memories that will last a lifetime.
– Bonnie Davey, Year 10
