Mercy News - 25 February 2022
-
Prayer
-
Message from Our Principal
-
RE & Identity
-
Deputy Principal
-
Director of Student Engagement & Wellbeing
-
School Psychologists
-
Community Notices: Recording a Parent Notifed Absence on PAM
-
Community Notices: Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV)
-
Year 7
-
Year 8
-
Year 9
-
Mathematics
-
Sport: SCSA Breakfast
-
Languages- Indonesian
-
Careers @ Mercy
-
Performing Arts
-
Fawkner Marketplace 2022
Prayer
Today is my Day!
Today is the day I put aside all that worried or upset me yesterday.
Today is the day I say no to any past hurts or disappointments.
Today is the day I say yes to the fullness of life.
Today is the day I see that I can do more, be more, live more.
Today is the day I see in myself all the qualities I need to be happy, to be fulfilled, to try in all that I undertake.
Today my world is hopeful.
Today I am the master of my own life.
Today I set about to accomplish great things.
Today I offer God all my inspiration, my qualities and capabilities, my joy, my hope and my love.
Today is my Day!
Catherine McAuley pray for us.
Message from Our Principal
Dear Mercy Community,
“What a person says comes from what is in the heart.”
Isn’t it easy to be judgmental of others? So often we think our way is the right way and sometimes we don’t understand why other people do or say things. It’s important that we don’t judge people because we can never really understand their thoughts or the reasons behind their actions. As we prepare for the Season of Lent this Sunday’s Gospel from Luke (Luke 6: 39-45) gives us a lot to reflect on. Jesus tells the people to be careful about who they follow, and to make sure that they are on a good path.
So often, here at Mercy Coburg, we share advice of the importance of choosing your friends carefully and making wise/right decisions. However, Jesus’ main message to the people in Luke’s Gospel is not to judge others. God asks us to accept people as they are, and to recognise that we all have faults of our own. Rather than criticizing other people, Jesus reminds us to work on our own hearts so that we can say and do good things.
That’s why school life is so wonderful. It allows us with so many opportunities to be involved with others without being judgmental – to simply accept others for who they are.
This week’s House Swimming Carnival is such an example. Such events allow people to be involved without judgement of win, lose or draw. Our students and staff had a competitive and fun day. Congratulations to Marian House for winning the House Championship. The House System is an integral part of school life at Mercy college and all students and staff belong to a House. Each House is led by a House Captain who forms part of the Student Executive. The House Captains, along with House Leaders at Years 7-11 are responsible for fostering House spirit and participation in many activities throughout the year. Our House system enables a greater sense of community connection to peers and the College including our 57-year history.
Another example was our 2021 Night of Excellence. Last week we came together to celebrate in person and virtually to recognise the Mercy students in 2021 who embraced what our College offers and made the most of the opportunities presented to them. These students from across all levels of the College dedicated themselves to learning and improving. When they came across a challenge they didn’t give up or give in. They worked harder and they worked smarter. When they were stuck, they asked for help. All of these skills are the hallmarks of great learners: a positive attitude, a willingness to make mistakes and the courage to reflect and grow.
Now that’s being non-judgmental. Imagine making mistakes and rather than being punished, you were supported to be able to improve!
As I mentioned in my introduction, Luke’s Gospel also includes to make sure you are on a good path.
Last week we also had the opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate four staff of Mercy College for their 10 years of dedicated service to our community – what a wonderful good path they have been on!
- Simone Biancalani-Education Support Officer
- Kellie Firth- Learning Diversity Leader
- Anne Girolami-Head of information Services
- Liliana Venville-Education Support Officer
I look forward to continuing to celebrate throughout the year all our community achievements and so much more.
Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God.
Lila McInerney
College Principal
RE & Identity
Love God, Love Neighbour: A Lenten Reflection
As we enter the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday on 2nd March, we are called to an unending demonstration of love through our commitment to the Gospel message of ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbour as yourself.’ To love God wholly and totally (with one’s heart, soul, and mind) and to love one’s neighbour are the greatest commandments of all. These two are inseparable.
Because God is love we are asked to love. From God’s love, mercy and compassion follow. But loving God and loving one’s neighbour are vague concepts unless they are concrete actions and shared not only with our loved ones but with those who need it.
Loving God is abstract unless it leads us to serving our community. Our community may mean our family and friends, our school community or our parish community. But this also needs to be extended to those in our world who might need of our service. To love is to serve. To serve lovingly our brothers and sisters, especially those who are in need in our midst expresses the authentic love of God.
As we approach the Lenten season, let us contemplate: Are we good neighbours? How do we share our time, talents and gifts with our community? How are we involved in building our community? How can we serve others who are in need?
This year the theme for Project Compassion is ‘For all Future Generations’. The theme reminds us that what we do today can have an impact For All Future Generations. This message invites us to put our compassion into action. We can make a difference today, For All Future Generations.
This Lent, Mercy College will be the love of God in action and service by FUNDRAISING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. This will involve the school community to
- Act charitably : Collect funds using your Project Compassion donation box and other fundraising events
- Raise awareness: Help others understand the issues that people experiencing extreme poverty are faced with.
- Act in solidarity: Actions that promote empathy and understanding of social issues and concerns
- Act for Social Justice: Take social justice actions to address underlying issues and create lasting change. These actions could focus on participation, care for creation, peace, sustainability, inclusion and justice.
The theme of Project Compassion ‘For All Future Generations’ reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now.
We look forward to working with the Mercy community on our Project Compassion campaign as we commit to the Gospel message ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbour as yourself.’
Deputy Principal
At Mercy College, we are committed to fostering a culture of excellence and creating a learning environment that allows all students to excel across all their subjects. To create this environment, we believe it is important that there are clear expectations relating to academic progress and achievement as well as behaviour and attendance.
In establishing clear expectations relating to student learning, we are equally committed to providing feedback on the progress and growth every student is making throughout the school year. In addition to this, it is important for schools to establish a shared understanding of what student progress looks like for every individual learner.
Learner Expectation Reports and Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are key elements in providing such feedback and provides an opportunity for parents to work in partnership with their daughter’s teachers in developing a shared understanding of what student progress looks like for their daughter.
Learner Expectation Reports
Learner Expectation Reports will be available to all families as of Friday 25 February via the Parent Access Module (PAM).
Learner Expectation Reports are designed to provide feedback on a range of areas related to your daughter’s learning, study habits and overall progress. These reports provide feedback on your daughter’s progress and form the basis for discussion at the upcoming VCE/VCAL Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences to be held on Monday 28 February.
Families will receive further correspondence outlining how to access their daughter’s Learner Expectation Report and information regarding the VCE/VCAL Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences.
In the meantime, we encourage your daughter to continue to the apply herself to the best of her ability across all her subjects and look forward to discussing your daughter’s progress with you.
Grading Scale
During 2021 the College undertook a review of the ‘Grading Scale’ used to make judgments on student assessment. As a result a new ‘Grading Scale’ will be used for all Year 7-10 assessment in 2022. The table below outlines how letter grades will be allocated based on percentage results.
Grade Percentage
A+ | 95-100 |
A | 85-94 |
B+ | 80-84 |
B | 70-79 |
C+ | 65-69 |
C | 60-64 |
D | 55-59 |
D+ | 50-54 |
E+ | 45-49 |
E | 40-44 |
UG | 0-39 |
Nick Ambrozy
Deputy Principal
Director of Student Engagement & Wellbeing
School Leaders in 2022
Student leadership opportunities are offered to encourage students to grow their skills as leaders and shape them as people of reference among their peers, families and community. The skills they develop and the experiences in which they engage also provide them with invaluable learnings that may eventually be applied in future jobs.
Each Homeroom at Mercy College appoints a Mission Leader and a Student Voice Leader.
The Mission Leaders work together to enhance the faith journey of the students in the College. These students take on a key role in class, year level and whole school activities and build knowledge and respect for prayer, liturgy, Eucharist and social justice.
Student Voice is designed to help promote school spirit and leadership among students. The Student Voice Leaders provides a democratic forum in which students can address school related issues which affect their lives at school.
Each Senior Homeroom also has a Transition Officer. This leadership role works with the Careers Counsellors to provide students with information relating to post-secondary courses, careers information and requirements for those next steps beyond Mercy College.
Thank you to all the students that submitted applications and congratulations to the students appointed to roles for 2022.
Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish. Sam Walton
School Psychologists
We hope that students have had a positive start to the school year. As school psychologists we are grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the wellbeing and learning of students in 2022 and we would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to those who are not familiar with us, and provide some information on our roles at Mercy College.
Who are we?
We (Jo and Rachel) are registered psychologists. We are also Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrars, which means that we have specialised training in educational practices and child and adolescent development.
What is our role?
While we do know many students personally, we do not know all students. However we aim to support the wellbeing of all students in the Mercy college community, and we do this in lots of ways.
- We provide support across all year levels and to all students through whole school approaches to wellbeing and by providing professional learning opportunities to teachers.
- We provide support to specific groups of students. This may be through targeted group programs, or through the class and year level workshops which focus on issues which are developmentally relevant.
- We provide individualised support to students through 1:1 counselling and through working with parents/guardians, teachers and other professionals to support individual student needs.
How does counselling work?
We know that Secondary School can present a variety of challenges and sometimes students need some extra support. Students request counselling sessions for lots of different reasons. We can support students if they are feeling sad or anxious, dealing with some challenges with friends or family, or having a hard time at school. If we are not the right person to help with a particular issue, we will support students to get connected to someone else who can help. Initially, in counselling we will spend some time getting to know the student and provide the opportunity for the student to feel comfortable with us as well. When the student is ready, we will work together on some of the challenges they have been facing. We might talk or do activities which support the student to develop the skills to manage their emotions, work through their difficulties, and improve their wellbeing. Together, we might plan some things for the student to try between sessions which may also help.
Will parents or teachers know what was talked about in counselling sessions?
Generally, what students tell us in counselling sessions is private. However, if we have safety concerns we are not able to keep this information private. If this happens, where possible we will talk to the student first, and plan together who we will share our concerns with and how this occurs. Sometimes students also give us permission to talk to another adult, like a parent or teacher, about some things that have been discussed in session.
How can students book a session?
To access our support, students can let a trusted teacher, their year level coordinator, or Ms Folino know. If the student feels comfortable they can share what they would like support with, or they can just let the teacher know that they are having a hard time. The student will then be given a consent form and once that is signed, we can arrange a time to meet. Sometimes it is not possible to book an appointment straight away, but if the student urgently needs some support we encourage them to please let their teacher know that.
We encourage students to come and say hello if they see us around at school and to ask us any questions they might have.
Jo Banks, Psychologist
Rachel Calalesina, Psychologist
Community Notices: Recording a Parent Notifed Absence on PAM
Recording a Parent Notified Absence on PAM
Recording a Parent Notified Absence on PAM
Parents and Guardians are reminded that you are able to use PAM to record a student absence for daily or multiple days. Please ensure the absence is recorded before 9:30pm to avoid a SMS absence alert being generated. If further assistance is required please call the College on 9319-9299
Community Notices: Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV)
Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) has a critical role to play in the Victorian Catholic education landscape, providing opportunities for parents of children in Catholic schools to provide their perspective on various areas in education that impact families and students.Partnerships between parents/guardians and Catholic places of learning are vital. You may want to subscribe.
LATESTNEWSLETER:https://vcspb.schoolzineplus.com/streamnews?nid=17
SUBSCRIBE:https://vcspb.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe
WEBSITE:http://cspv.catholic.edu.au/about-us/
Year 7
All of the Year 7s were presented with their House badge by their Level Leader, Ms. Purcell. They will wear this on their blazer throughout their time at Mercy College.
Year 8
On a Thursday B lunchtime in order for students to mingle and get to know other students in the Year level activities are offered to the Year 8 students. This week was “board game Thursday”. Students decided to work on a puzzle with Mrs McNamara and Mrs Daniele. There was lovely conversation as they all got to know each other whilst eating lunch and working on the puzzle…they look forward to completing it by the end of the year! Other activities that will be offered are origami , just dance, karaoke, charades etc…..the initiative has been received with enthusiasm by staff and students.
Year 9
As part of the year 9 Outdoor Education elective subject students are learning to ride Mountain bikes. Over the next 3 weeks they will learn how to ride safely, develop awareness and understanding of the mountain bike and along with it have lots of fun!
Mathematics
Maths Help 7-10
Maths Help is on every Wednesday during lunchtime in C 1.04. There is a different Maths teacher on duty every week who can help you.
Come along with your lunch and your friends to get help or just to get your homework done.
Be there or be square!
Sport: SCSA Breakfast
Our Sport and House Captains had the opportunity to attend a Sports Leaders Breakfast at MSAC. Guest speaker Jelena Dokic, detailed the struggles of being a refugee in two countries, dealing with poverty and the physical and emotional abuse she encountered over her 20 year career as a professional tennis player. Hearing Jelena’s story of perseverance and courage was truly inspiring for all of our Student Leaders.
Languages- Indonesian
Selamat datang! - Welcome!
Welcome to another year of learning bahasa Indonesia!
Students throughout Years 7-9, have all reflected on the importance of learning another language/s. Some ideas discussed were that learning a language can:
- Open the door to many career possibilities
- Enhance your English language skills and general cognitive abilities
- Help you to reflect on your own cultural identity
- Potentially increase your ATAR score
Students also explored through visuals and discussions, the specific benefits of learning Indonesian. Here are just a few:
- Indonesia has the fourth largest population in the world
- Indonesia is the most resource-rich country in Southeast Asia and its trillion dollar economy is growing at a faster rate than that of Australia’s
- Geographically, Indonesia is one of our closest neighbours
- Mercy College has an established partnership with a school located on the island of Java
As the year progresses and students continue learning more bahasa, it is hoped that they will discover many more reasons why learning Indonesian is important for their life today and for their future.
Ayo! Mari kita belajar bahasa Indonesia! - Let’s go! Let’s study Indonesian!
Bu (Ms) Moore
Careers @ Mercy
Victorian Careers Show 2022 and the VCE and Careers Expo 2022
Given the disruptive chaos that COVID-19 forced on VCE students in 2020 and 2021 you may like to take advantage of the opportunity for students to get information about their options for the future at either the Victorian Careers Show in May and/or the VCE and Careers Expo in April.
At these events students will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from business and tertiary providers.
See attached flyers for the Seminar Programs and Exhibitor List Brochures
Year 10 Work Experience
Each year level at Mercy College participates in a compulsory activity during one week in the Academic Year - Activities Week. The week is aimed at assisting the students’ social, emotional and spiritual development and also allows the ‘fostering of personal growth’
The scheduling of these activities during this one week minimises disruption to the learning-teaching program throughout the year. All students from Years 7 through to 12 and all Mercy College teaching staff will be involved in Activities Week.
In 2022, all Year 10 students will undertake a Work Experience Program during Activities Week. Work Experience Placement will be across the full week with the student’s placement to begin on Monday 2 May to Friday 6 May.
The aim of work experience is for students to have an experience an authentic work environment. As part of their ‘world of work’, students should be able to, on completion of their work placement reflect upon strategies they have developed for their personal and interpersonal learning in the following areas:
- Building positive work relationships
- Working cooperatively with others in teams in a work setting
- Managing personal learning including;
- Taking responsibility for the completion of set tasks
- Time management skills including completing tasks in a set period and time allocation
throughout their work day.
Year 11 & 12 students and their external VET subjects
In 2022 we have a number of both VCE and VCAL students who have chosen to include a Vocational Education & Training (VET) subject as part of their senior secondary certificate.
The range of subjects is extensive:
All Day courses:
Certificate II in Animal Studies at Kangan Broadmeadows campus
Certificate II in Building Construction (Carpentry (Parade College)
Certificate III in MakeUp at Kangan Richmond campus
Certificate III in MakeUp at Victoria University/Polytechnic City Flinders campus
Certificate II in Visual Arts at Kangan Broadmeadows campus
Wednesday afternoon courses:
Certificate III Allied Health Assistance at Kangan Essendon Campus
Certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology at Kangan Richmond campus
Certificate III (incorporating units from Cert II) in Community Services at Youth2Industry College South Melbourne
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (partial completion) Melbourne Polytechnic Preston campus
Certificate II in Hospitality (Front of House) at William Angliss City campus
Certificate II in Hospitality Operations (Back of House) at William Angliss City campus
Certificate III in Sport and Recreation at NCAT Preston
Students have chosen their VET courses for a variety of reasons - it could be the start to their future career pathway and/or an area of interest.
VET certificates contribute to the VCE and VCAL certificates. A scored VCE/VET will gain a Study Score to contribute to the student’s ATAR and unscored VCE/VET will contribute an increment of 10% of their lowest Study Score to the aggregate which calculates a student’s ATAR.
Students are reminded that attendance at VET is crucial as each class Wednesday is like a whole week’s worth of their other VCE/VCAl subjects so appointments should not be made on Wednesday’s.
It is essential that BOTH the trainer and Mercy College is notified if a student will be absent from their VET course and upon return a medical certificate and parental note is required.
If students have any issues/difficulty with work and meeting the work deadlines please ensure they contact Ms Harvey or Mrs Hickey immediately so we can assist the student.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Harvey or Mrs Hickey if you have any questions/concerns regarding VET courses.
We wish all the students the very best as they experience learning in a tertiary environment.
University & TAFE Updates:
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Stay in the know
If students would like to receive the latest news about ACU and their events, let them know.
Select the study areas students are most passionate about and they’ll send important updates that suit the student’s interests.
Register now:
Attend an ACU event
The best way to learn more about ACU and their offerings is by registering for ACU events.
Students can explore all available events and activities on the Future Students events webpage, including the Talk with Industry webinars, guided campus visits and more.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
Hansen Scholarship
Applications for the 2023 University of Melbourne’s Hansen Scholarship are open Monday 7 February and will close on Wednesday 9 March 2022.
Open to all Year 12 students applying for an undergraduate degree at Melbourne in 2023, the Hansen Scholarship is one of Melbourne’s flagship scholarships
Hansen Scholars receive accommodation near the Parkville campus for three years, a yearly allowance for living expenses, as well as a tailored program of enrichment including academic orientation, study skills, mentoring and cultural activities.
More details and application information here:
go.unimelb.edu.au/n7ki
And to apply: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/study-with-us/hansen-scholarship-program/how-to-apply
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Monash Information Evening: Webinar
Date: Tuesday 8 March
Time: 6.30 – 8.00pm
Location: online (zoom)
DIscover Monash
For upcoming events and information
Students, parents and friends are invited to attend an Inside Monash Seminar https://www.monash.edu/discover.
At the seminar, students will get the inside story of what it’s really like to study at Monash. They will hear from a current student, a past student and an academic.
School Holiday Tours and receiving information on Studying at Monash
Register your details to receive information about your study options, insights into Monash life and invites to upcoming events relevant to you.
https://www.monash.edu/study/why-choose-monash/events/campus-tours
One-on-one consultations regarding courses at Monash
You can book a one-on-one to discuss general information about studying at Monash University and/or book with a specific faculty. To make a booking:
Monash Explorer
Explore the courses Monash has to offer:
Monash Guarantee and SEAS
For information on the Monash Guarantee Scheme and SEAS:
Performing Arts
Parade 150 Year Anniversary Concert
Throughout the month of February, current students and alumni of Mercy College have performed in Parade College’s 150-year anniversary concert.Due to current restrictions, the concert could not be staged at Hamer Hall as initially planned. Instead, the Mercy College and Parade College staff filmed the concert with a professional production crew to be screened at a cinema premiere later this year. The students thoroughly enjoyed working with the film crew which exposed them to the behind-the-scenes process of making a movie.Alumni students pictured include Elizabeth Psaila (class of 2013), Annie Driver (class of 2015 and former College Captain) and Tania Ragusa (class of 2015).”