Carmel College, Thornlands

Carmel College is a co-educational Catholic secondary college situated in Thornlands, Redland City in Queensland, Australia. Established in 1993 under Brisbane Catholic Education, the college is the only Catholic secondary college in the Redland City area.[1]

Carmel College
Location
20 Ziegenfusz Road, Thornlands, Queensland

Australia
Coordinates27°33′56.3″S 153°16′01.3″E
Information
School typeCatholic, secondary
Motto"Let Your Light Shine"
Established2 February 1993; opened 24 July 1993
FounderFaye Conley
PrincipalStephen Adair
Staff131
Grades7-12
Enrolment1250
HousesAvila, Champagnat, Mackillop, Polding, Romero
Colour(s)White, navy and maroon    
Song"Let Your Light Shine"
Websitewww.carmelcollege.qld.edu.au

As of 2020, 99 teachers and 32 non-teaching staff were working at the college with over 1230 students enrolled over years 7 to 12.[2][3] Across these enrolments, 45% were male and 55% were female, with 3% of the total student population being of Indigenous background. In 2019, the college received an average of 91% attendance across the school year, with over 67% of students receiving an attendance rate of over 90%. In addition to this, 172 Year 12 students received a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) in 2019.[3]

History
Conceptual Drawing of Carmel College (1992)
Masterplan Drawing of Carmel College (1992)

Carmel College, established in 1993 by Brisbane Catholic Education, is a Catholic secondary school located in the Redlands area.[4] The school's foundation principal, Faye Conley, played a significant role in its establishment, overseeing the scouting of the location and construction of the initial buildings, with a total cost of $2.1 million.[4][5]

The school opened its doors on 2 February 1993, with an initial enrollment of 80 students and 11 staff members, housed in four buildings.[6] A blessing and opening ceremony took place on 24 July 1993, attended by representatives from the Queensland Government, Redland City Council, Brisbane Catholic Education, as well as staff, students, and parents.[7][4]

Throughout its history, Carmel College has undergone various expansions and developments. In 2006, Faye Conley retired, and Berenice McLellan succeeded her as principal. In 2010, the school underwent a significant expansion of its facilities. Tragically, on 20 December 2011, the College library suffered severe damage in an arson attack, resulting in a loss of books, textbooks, and computers. However, the staff worked diligently to replenish the lost items for the following year.[8][9]

On 20 December 2011, the College library was burnt down in a suspected arson attack from gasoline spillage in a nearby locker.[10] This took a great loss to the college's library, learning support facilities and counselling rooms as well as the entire book collection, two-thirds of the textbooks needed for the next year and five computers housed in the library.[11] All four library staff spent the remainder of the Christmas holidays replacing lost items and were able to replenish around 90% of the textbooks for 2012.[10]

In early 2012, the student population was around 830.[11]

On 20 July 2012, Carmel College celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, marking the College's 20th anniversary. The large-scale ceremony and mass hosted at the school was led by Archbishop Mark Coleridge.

At the beginning of the 2015 school year, the student population was 1125 students.[12]

In July 2015, Carmel College hosted the 2015 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) Carnival. The carnival was held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall, as the scale of the event was unable to be held at the school.[13]

On 25 August 2015, the college opened the brand new $3.1 million library. In addition to this, a new home economics building, science building extension and renovations to the former cooking rooms to make way for a renovated visual art facility were also built and opened. This $5.7 million expansion of the school's facilities were made to help cater to the new Year 7 students.[12]

On 20 July, 2017, the College celebrated its 25th Foundation Day, marking the College's 25th anniversary. Foundation Principal Faye Conley, Quandamooka elder Aunty Joan Hendriks and past students actor Lincoln Lewis, Queensland Firebirds player Jemma Mi Mi and local doctor Amy Heales attended the celebrations.[14]

In September 2017, the construction of stage one of the new H Block Senior Learning Facilities began.[15] This was completed in October 2019, which included the demolition of the tuck-shop building and construction of a new one and the construction of a new staff car park. This marked the completion of the 2-year multi-stage construction of the new H Block complex.

In 2018, Stephen Adair, former head of secondary at Emmaus College, Jimboomba,[16] succeeded Brian Eastaughffe as principal of the College, as he moved to the role of principal at Clairvaux MacKillop College.[17]

Carmel College administration building under construction (2020)
Carmel College administration building under construction (2020)

In late 2019 to early 2020, the original administration building was demolished for the construction of a new, double-storey admin building, which was completed in January 2021.[18]

From the 20 April to the 23 May 2020, and on several other occasions through 2021 and 2022, students participated in remote online learning due to the directions in regards to the COVID-19 global pandemic.[19]

In 2022, the College celebrated its 30th Foundation Day, marking its 30th anniversary. The enrolment at this time was around 1250 students. [3]

Culture

Namesake

The college derives its name from Mount Carmel, a place with religious significance in Christianity.[20]

The college logo consists of a crimson oval with the image of a lighthouse on the inside. This oval represents the security of family and faith. The lighthouse is located on a green hill representing Mount Carmel, showing that students should be a beacon for others through leading by example in faith. In the top left corner, the glowing yellow cross represents Jesus, the focus of Catholic life. The stars on either side of oval represent the light the shines upon us, with the college motto "Let Your Light Shine" inscribed upon the bottom.[21]

Catholic identity

The College has a strong Catholic identity within its Carmelite and Marist traditions. This is reflective of the College's dual-charisms, Carmelite and Marist.[20]

Rituals and ceremonies

As Carmel College observes a proud Catholic history, the college holds many annual masses and liturgies in celebration of certain events.

  • At the beginning of each year, the college holds its annual Opening School Mass and Commissioning of College Leaders at the Chandler Theatre in the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler. During this ceremony, the college is opened for the year, followed by the Year 12 cohort receiving their senior ties and the college Leaders receiving their special senior blazers.
  • At the end of the first term there is an Easter Liturgy and art performance recounting the Easter story and the final days of Jesus.
  • On the week of ANZAC Day, there is an ANZAC Day Liturgy held, paying great reverence to the eternal ANZAC tradition and commemorating all fallen in combat. Veterans, service personnel of the Defence Force and RSL representatives attend the ceremony as well as cadets from local areas. Speeches are observed from those close to the cause.
  • In the first week of the third term, the annual Foundation Day celebration takes place. This is followed by a market stalls event in the noon and the "Carmel's Got Talent" talent contest in the afternoon.
  • Each year, the college holds its annual academic and spots awards ceremonies.
  • In the Year 12's final week, a graduation ceremony is held in attendance of parents and staff.

Co-curricular activities

Carmel College offers co-curricular activities, which are divided into sport, arts and social justice categories.

Sport
Carmel College Swimming Carnival held at the Brisbane Aquatics Centre at the Sleeman Sports Complex, Carina (5.2.2020)
Carmel College Swimming Carnival held at the Brisbane Aquatics Centre at the Sleeman Sports Complex, Carina (5.2.2020)

Every year, the college holds the inter-house athletics, swimming and cross-country carnivals.

  • The college holds its swimming carnival at the Brisbane Aquatics Centre at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler in the first weeks of the year.
  • The college holds its annual cross-country carnival.
  • The college athletics carnival is held over the course of two days at the conclusion of the second school term.

The college participates in several inter-school sporting activities at the local and state levels.

  • SECA - South East Colleges Association Sport
  • QISSN - Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball
  • Queensland All Schools Touch Football
  • ADP - Athlete Development Program[22]
  • Bayside Districts
  • Metropolitan East School Sport[23]

The Arts

Arts Co-Curricular is the centralised arts program at Carmel College. It contains all areas of music, drama, dance, visual art, public speaking and debating.

Biennially, the college presents a large scale stage performance of a musical of choice.[24] These are hosted in are years that end in even numbers. These musicals are performed at external venues, including the Redland Performing Arts Centre in Cleveland, with some of the previously hosted musicals including "Annie" (2018),[25] "Peter Pan" (2016),[26] "Oliver" (2012),[27] "Sherwoodstock" (2008)[28] "Back to the 80's" (2006)[29] and "Little Shop of Horrors" (2004).[30] These shows are labelled as "astonishing", "exceptionally professional" and "thoroughly enjoyable" by the audience.[26] The college presented "High School Musical: On Stage!" in June 2022 at the Redland Performing Arts Centre.[31]

The college participates in the following special events;

  • Queensland Debating Union
  • Rostrum Voice of Youth
  • Lions Youth of the Year
  • The United Nations Youth Security Council Competition
  • Optiminds [32]

Pastoral system

Carmel College's pastoral care system is based on the value and individualism of each student. This is based upon the college's mission, ensuring that all students are encouraged in their spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social development.[33]

House system

Carmel College has five distinctive house groups, of which, students become part of for their time at the college. These houses compete against each other during inter-house athletics, swimming and cross-country events, as well as supplying a powerful community for all students to be a member of. Each group is represented by a colour, symbol, house motto, slogan and a house patron; who usually aligns with the college's mission and vision, and those who have made a contribution to social justice.[34]

House System
House Name House Patron Colour Symbol House Motto Marist Pillar House Song
Avila St Teresa of Avila   White The Light "Have courage for whatever comes: everything lies in that." Simplicity "Our God Will Reign"
Champagnat St Marcellin Champagnat   Gold The Cross "Make Jesus known and loved." In the Way of Mary "The Power of Your Love" (Geoff Bullock)
MacKillop St Mary of the Cross MacKillop   Green The Vine "Never see a need without doing something about it." Family Spirit "Shine, Jesus, Shine" (Graham Kendrick)
Polding Archbishop John Bede Polding   Blue The Water "Use all the gentleness and compassion for those in need." Love of Work "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" (John Ezzy, Daniel Grul, Steve McPherson)
Romero St Oscar Romero   Red The Word "Aspire not to have more, but to be more."[35] Presence[35] "Go Make a Difference" (Steve Angrisano)[36]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Annual School Reporting - 2016" (PDF). 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. "School Profile of Carmel College, Thornlands, QLD". ACARA. 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. "Carmel College Opening Ceremony 24th July 1993". 1993. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021.
  5. "Carmel College marks 25 years". Redland City Bulletin. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  6. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  7. "Carmel College First Day 2nd February 1993 Professional Production". 1993. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021.
  8. "Carmel celebrates 20-year milestone". Bayside Bulletin. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  9. "2008 Mandatory Reporting" (PDF). 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2009.
  10. Ng, Emilie (3 September 2015). "Catholic School's New Library Rises from the Ashes". The Catholic Leader. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  11. "Fire Destroys Carmel College Library". The Catholic Leader. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  12. Uhlmann, Lyn (25 August 2015). "Carmel College expands its learning facilities with $5.7m in new buildings". Redland City Bulletin. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  13. Uhlmann, Lyn (1 July 2015). "Firebirds join Carmel for netball carnival opening". Redland City Bulletin. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  14. "Star pupils back at Carmel College". Redland City Bulletin. 26 July 2017.
  15. "Carmel College Thornlands Annual Report 2018" (PDF). 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  16. Bayly, Georgina (7 February 2017). "Emmaus' college captains ready for roles". Jimboomba Times. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  17. "Principal's Welcome". Clairvaux MacKillop College. 2020. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  18. "New Administration Building – Carmel College, Thornlands". 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  19. Carmel College (21 April 2020). "Alternate Provisions for Learning - School Technical Support". Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  20. "About us". Carmel College. 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  21. Carmel College Student Planner. Carmel College. 2020. pp. College Logo.
  22. "ADP Athletic Development Program". Carmel College. 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  23. "District Sport, Bayside". Metropolitan East School Sport. 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  24. Carmel College (2006). "2006 Annual Report Participation and Performance of Students" (PDF). Carmel College. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  25. "Carmel College presents Annie at RPAC on May 25 and 26". Redland City Bulletin. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  26. Carmel College (2016). "Carmel College community shines in Peter Pan". Carmel College. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  27. "Extra Curicular". Carmel College. 2012. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  28. "Cultural". Carmel College. 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  29. "NEWSLETTER NO 11 - 7th April 2006" (PDF). 7 April 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 May 2006.
  30. "Cultural". Carmel College. 2006. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  31. "2022 College Musical". Facebook.
  32. "Public Speaking and Debating". Carmel College. 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  33. "Pastoral Care". Carmel College. 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  34. "House System". Carmel College. 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  35. "House system". Carmel College. 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  36. Carmel College: Book of Prayers. 2019. pp. Carmel Culture in Song.
  37. "Jemma Mi Mi - Queensland Firebirds". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  38. "Alumni". Facebook.
  39. Crick, Jordan (4 November 2019). "Mount Cotton swimmer Paige Leonhardt on path to second Paralympics following strong showing at INAS Global Games". Redland City Bulletin. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
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