Dear Parents & Whanau,

Welcome to Week 3 of the first term of the 2021 school year.

Thank you for the wonderful way in which you have supported our school students and staff through COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and 2. It was certainly unexpected, however this is a reminder that we can change levels at the end of any day.

We are pleased to be entering COVID-19 Alert Level 1 at midnight tonight. This will see you being able to accompany your children into school in the mornings and collect them from the quad area at the end of the school day at 2:50pm.

The school programme will return to normal beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23rd, which will see students having their breaks at the usual times. Teachers will remind students of the appropriate hygiene behaviours:

• Wash hands with soap & water for 20 seconds when visiting the bathroom
• Wash hands/hand sanitize before eating
• Hand sanitize entering and exiting the learning spaces
• Cough/sneeze into elbows

In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health guidelines, please keep your child at home if they are unwell, particularly if they are displaying respiratory symptoms:

• New or worsening cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing

Please contact your GP or the Healthline – 0800 358 5453.

Thank you for your support in helping keep your whanau, school and the wider community well.

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• The Diocesan Mission Map
• Library
• First Reconciliation Lessons
• School Prayers
• Carmel College Pre-Enrolment Evening

Take care. Stay safe. Keep scanning.

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Principal

The Diocesan Mission Map is the guideline for the communities of faith – communities that make up the Diocese to guide them in building a strong and authentic mission focused Christian community. It listens to the signs of the times and spreads the message of Christ in words and deeds.

Through the Diocesan Mission Map, Bishop Patrick Dunn and Bishop Michael Gielen urge all the baptised in the diocese to follow Pope Francis’ call to reach out beyond their parish, ethnic community and school boundaries to bring the good news and the love of Jesus to all. Particularly through:

• Strengthening our Catholic communities for missionary discipleship 
• Building up the spirituality of our young people
• Care for the poor

Over the coming weeks, we will share more about the Mission Map through the Principal’s Message.

Later this week, our new library will be open to the students. It is now located in the block on the front field – the end room closest to the Admin Building. The “old” library space is now a learning space for HG12. Over the next couple weeks, the home groups will be visiting the library.

If your child is participating in this sacramental programme, parents (not children) are invited to the first session this Wednesday, 24th February. It is being held at the church in the Flanagan Lounge and begins at 6:30pm.

This coming Sunday, 28th February, the children participating in this sacramental programmed will be presented at the 10:30am Mass. Please keep them in your prayers.

All parents and whanau are welcome to join the students and staff for school prayers, Friday 26th February beginning at 8:50am in the hall.

Families of prospective students for Year 7 to 9 in 2022 are invited to attend the Pre-Enrolment Evening on Thursday, February 25th from 4:30-6:30pm.

School tours will be departing at 4:30pm, 5:00pm and 5;30pm; with a staff & student presentation at 5:30pm.

Please see the Carmel College website for further details, www.carmel.school.nz.