Carmel College

Carmel College's Principal Sarah Kemble.

Meet Carmel College’s new Principal

As an ‘old girl’ I am extremely thankful for my secondary education at Carmel College and the leadership opportunities I enjoyed in my time as a student.

I flourished in a school where core Mercy values are central and these undeniably shaped and empowered me to become the person I am today. Since leaving Carmel College and beginning my teaching career I have been extremely fortunate to have taught in a number of different school communities, where I have been able to develop as an educational leader, and now have been entrusted to lead the school community of Carmel College.

A school is a place where not only textbook knowledge is received to gain the qualifications that determine whether or not students, and arguably schools, are academic and therefore successful, but also where they play a much larger part in providing the basis for a student's future. I have discussed with colleagues the analogy of schools providing and supporting students being like a stepping stone. The role of a school is to ensure that the stone our students step from out of secondary education is as high, balanced and as wide as it can be. We are not the end point for the student, for their education, for their development, but we are responsible for assisting, developing, educating and ensuring that our part in their journey allows them to sit up above the water, giving them the best platform from which to step into their future.

As the first term of being Principal of Carmel College is coming to end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Carmel College community; the students, staff, whānau and wider community members for welcoming me. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead a community that is unified and dedicated in its support of our young women as we work towards ensuring that when a young woman leaves Carmel she is empowered through her Catholic education in the Mercy tradition to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God while pursuing her personal excellence and with the confidence to challenge and shape her future.

Meet the Principal Q&A with Bernadine Oliver Kirby.

Carmel’s recent sporting achievements

The first two weeks of September saw 100+ students representing Carmel College at the Year 9 to 13 Winter Sports Tournament across New Zealand and the Year 7/8 AIMS Games in Mount Maunganui.

We are a small school, often competing against schools three times our size, yet we punch above our weight time and time again; a testament to the students, coaches, managers, parents and volunteers who represent our school both on and off the pitch, court or arena.

We are a small school, often competing against schools three times our size, yet we punch above our weight time and time again…

Basketball

The U15 basketball team had an outstanding season, placing first in both the North Harbour competition and the College Sport Auckland Championships. From these local competitions, the team competed in the New Zealand Basketball Northern Premierships where they placed second after losing to Westlake Girls in the final match.

Equestrian

Congratulations to the rapidly expanding Carmel equestrian team who won the Overall Arena Eventing Championship at the inaugural North Island Equestrian Champs.

Football 1st Xl

The Carmel 1st Xl football team had an unbeaten run in the North Harbour Competition up to the final. The final was against Orewa College and at 4-4 full-time, the match went into penalty shootouts, with Carmel losing 3-4. It was a spectacular final match for them. At the Division 3 Kathy Seaward tournament, the team placed fifth which was the highest placing since 2013 for Carmel.

Gymnastics

The small Carmel gymnastics team is consistently performing at high levels. At the Year 7/8 North Harbour Zone day, Carmel was awarded the bronze medal for the all-round team.

Hockey 1st Xl

Our hockey team had one of the most successful tournaments in Carmel’s history, beating local school Rangitoto College in the final 1-0 to win the 2022 Chica Gilmer Trophy. They are to be promoted to the National tier 1 and 2 tournament for 2023.

Netball Premier

A very competitive week for the Senior Netball team, playing 10 games across the five days, narrowly missing out on the top eight in the Upper North Island Tournament. The team placed 13th in Div 1 out of 116 teams, after winning their final match against Rangitoto and ending the week as the highest-ranked North Harbour team for the year.

Waterpolo AIMS Games

After winning a bronze medal at the New Zealand Waterpolo Winterfest Tournament in B grade, the Year 7/8 Waterpolo team backed it up with a bronze medal at the AIMS Games in the Girls grade; after a hard-fought final match for the team, they won 5-3 against Mount Maunganui Intermediate.