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Carmel College
Foundation Sisters of the Mt Carmel Convent (from left): Sisters Cordelia, Alacoque and Marguerite, March 1922.
An artists impression of the original Shakespear villa.
Sr Anna and Mia Harvey on the front porch of the newly renovated convent. An artists impression of the restored Carmel Convent.
Restoration of the Carmel College Convent
The recent restoration of this heritage building has been a reminder of Carmel College’s history. The building will be used for special projects at the College and will include a visual display of the history of the Villa/Convent.
Our History
While some might link the history of Carmel College to the opening in 1957, the beginnings of our school stretch back to 1827, when the first school in the Mercy tradition opened in Dublin, Ireland. Carmel College is part of a network of hundreds of primary and secondary schools and universities, in over 20 countries, established by the Sisters of Mercy.
So, what connects these schools? In 1827 Catherine McAuley, an Irish Catholic woman who had inherited a fortune (the equivalent of about NZ$8 million today), chose to use her wealth to alleviate the needs of poor women and children in Dublin. She built a house that she named the House of Mercy, started a school and provided shelter for homeless women or women in vulnerable situations. While she, and the women who joined her in this work, met the temporary needs of the women, their goal was to give them skills so that they could be independent and escape the cycle of poverty that was prevalent at the time.
A few years later, Catherine McAuley started the Sisters of Mercy, a religious congregation who felt called to serve those in need and create a climate where the potential of women could be attained. A cholera pandemic led the Sisters into nursing and healthcare, and social work was another area in which the Sisters were involved. It was not long before Bishops around the world were asking Catherine to send Sisters to their countries to serve.
In 1849, Bishop Pompallier, the first Catholic Bishop of New Zealand, asked Sisters to come to New Zealand, particularly to respond to the call of the Māori women for Wāhine Tapu - holy women. The Sisters accepted the invitation, and in April 1850, Sisters arrived in Auckland.
Meanwhile, the area around Lake Pupuke was beginning to be farmed, with Thomas and Mary Poynton the first Pākeha family to farm by the lake. Their daughter Catherine married Michael Shea, and they farmed the area on which Carmel College now sits. In 1884 the Sheas sold part of the property to William and Harriet Shakespear. The Shakespears built the villa that has recently been restored and lived in it until 1922 when they sold it to the Sisters of Mercy, who had previously purchased the other piece of land from the Sheas.
Shortly after the first community of Sisters moved into the newly named Mt Carmel Convent, they welcomed boarders, and by 1925 a small school of 13 students had opened under the headteacher, Sr M. Dymphna. The Sisters taught music and cared for elderly or convalescent women in the Convent until the College opened in 1957.
Mercy Chaplain
Carmel College is fortunate still to have a Sister of Mercy on the staff. Sr Anna Nicholls is the Mercy Chaplain at the College. One of our student leaders, Mia Harvey, interviewed Sr Anna about her role at Carmel College.
Mia: How long have you been a Sister of Mercy?
Sr Anna: I began my journey with the Sisters of Mercy in 1998 and made final vows in 2007.
Mia: You call yourself a Sister; is that the same as a nun?
Sr Anna: Actually, it is slightly different; nuns take different vows and are generally enclosed in a convent. Sisters are more likely to be found ministering in the community. Today there are almost 5000 Sisters of Mercy around the world.
Mia: Why do you not dress like the Sisters who first started the College in a habit?
Sr Anna: From the late 1960s, Sisters started to dress in ordinary clothes as a reminder that we are just like other people! However, you will see that I wear a Mercy Cross pendant and a silver ring that I received when I made my final vows – it is like a wedding ring!
Mia: Have you always taught at Carmel College?
Sr Anna: No, I have had a variety of experiences teaching at other Mercy schools, including St Mary’s Colleges in both Wellington and Auckland, Villa Maria College in Christchurch, Paul VI College in Samoa as well as most recently working in Dublin as the Head of Heritage and Spirituality for Mercy International Association.
Mia: What is your role at Carmel now?
Sr Anna: I have opportunities to go into every class in the school and work with students to explore our Mercy history and Carmel story, particularly what it means to be a Mercy woman today. Carmel has five mercy values that we focus on, but values are only significant if we strive to live them daily, so part of my role is to support the students and staff in exploring how they can live out these values.
Mia: What makes Carmel College special for you?
Sr Anna: I love working at Carmel College because of the positive attitude of the staff and students. Many Carmel past pupils will say that the Sisters always told them that girls could do anything. I think this is still the case, and our students are encouraged and supported to achieve whatever dreams they aspire to. Another aspect that makes Carmel unique is the attitude toward service; our students are actively engaged in helping others, and I am so proud of the ways that they express Mercy through their actions. It really is a privilege for me to be part of this community.
CARMEL COLLEGE
Our Vision
Empowering young women through a Catholic education in the Mercy tradition to pursue personal excellence and to be prepared to challenge and shape the future.
Catherine McAuley
Enrolment Applications for Year 7 to Year 9 in 2022 are welcomed.
For all enrolment applications and enquiries please contact Mrs Deborah Goudie or call (09) 486 1132 ext 704
Address: 108 Shakespeare Road, Milford, Auckland Email: admin@carmel.school.nz Website: www.carmel.school.nz
