Our College motto is Fortes in Fide (strong in faith), and this epitomises our educational approach.
As a Catholic school and in the charism of the Sisters of Charity we are proud of and celebrate the Catholic tradition to which we belong and emphasise the gospel values of love, integrity, respect, commitment, forgiveness, hope and compassion.
There is a place for all at Mount Carmel – whether they be believers, searchers, or non-believers – and the Primary Religious Education and Secondary Theology & Spirituality programs accommodate this range of perspectives and backgrounds. These programs are devised in response to the Good News for Living framework, a living document that grapples with ‘mystery, life, faith and love’.
In discerning their own faith response, students are encouraged to appreciate and respect the beliefs and expressions of faith of others.
In a world of constant and rapid change, where it sometimes seems the ground is shifting all the time, the gospel values provide a guide for life when exploring “matters of profound importance.”
College Crest
Our crest represents our school’s values, spirit, and shared identity. It has significant symbolism.
The cross is symbolic of our Christian faith, and the crown of eternal life.
At the centre of the Crest is the College coat of arms, with the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel represented by the seven stars above the Mount Carmel College logo.
Under the coat of arms is a scroll with the College motto “Fortes in Fide” which means strong in faith.
College Houses
Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in Israel considered as a symbol of fertility and beauty. According to the Bible, a small cloud brought life-giving rain to the mountain after a very long drought. In Hebrew, the word “Karmel” means ‘garden’.
It is here where early Christian hermits lived and prayed in honour of Mary in the 12th century, building a chapel and monastery on top of Mount Carmel in 1263. These hermits later formed the Carmelite Order, placing the Virgin Mary at the centre of their spiritual life. Over time, devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel spread throughout the world, especially through the wearing of the Brown Scapular, which became a sign of faith, protection and commitment to Christ. The Carmelite Rule is to “Live a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ – how, pure in heart and stout in conscience, he must be unswerving in the service of his Master”. A commitment to living a life in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
Carmel House honours the values of faith, courage, service and a strong spiritual life. Students are encouraged to grow in resilience, support once another and strive to live with purpose, compassion and strength in their everyday lives. The Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated annually on 16 July, however as this falls during the term break, we celebrate on the final day of Term Two every year.
Our Lady of Loreto refers to the Holy House of Loreto in Italy, which tradition says is the House where Mary lived in Nazareth and where the Annunciation occurred – when the Angel Gabriel announced she would be the mother of Jesus.
According to ancient tradition, the Holy House arrived by sky or sea on the hill of Loreto in the late 1200s and has since become a place of great devotion and pilgrimage. It is the first shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Popes have always held the Shrine of Loreto in special esteem and it is under their direct authority and protection.
Our Lady of Loreto is the patron Saint of aviation and travellers.
Loreto House honours the values of home, family and belonging as well as trust in God and courage in times of change. Students are reminded of the importance of faith, service and welcoming others, helping to create a strong and caring school community. Loreto Feast Day is celebrated on 10 December.
Bernadette Soubirous was a young unwell girl from a poor family in Lourdes, France who is best known for the visions of Mary she experienced in 1858 near a grotto by the river.
During these apparitions, Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception and asked Bernadette to encourage people to pray, seek forgiveness and to recite the Rosary. A spring of water emerged at the site, which many believe has healing properties. In 1862, the Catholic Church officially recognised the apparitions, and Lourdes has since become one of the world’s most important places of pilgrimage.
Although she was sickly, uneducated and often doubted by others, including her family, Bernadette remained humble, honest and courageous. She never sought attention or reward and always stayed true to what she believed was right. Later in life, she became a nun and lived a life of quiet service to others. Saint Bernadette is the patron Saint of people who are persecuted or ridiculed for their faith.
Lourdes House honours the values of faith, courage, humility and compassion, encouraging students to stand strong in what is right and to care for others, especially in times of challenge. We celebrate the Lourdes Feast Day on 11 February, marking the day when Bernadette first experienced the vision of Mary.
