Mercy News - Friday 17th June 2022
Key Dates
Sunday 19th June - Saturday 25th June
Refugee Week
Tuesday 21st June
Year 9 Art Excursion to NGV: The Picasso Century
Refugee Week Whole School Assembly
Thursday 23rd June
Year 7 Incursion 'Australian Animals'
Mercy College Music Recital - 7pm in PAS
Friday 24th June
Last day of Term 2
Learning Showcase
Semester 1 Student Reports available
Saturday 25th June - Sunday 10th July
Term 2 School Holidays
College Office Open: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Monday 27th June
Mercy Creative Arts Program (Years 4-6 girls): 10:00am - 3:00pm
Prayer
Lord,
Please keep all children safe and protect them from harm. Cover them in your care and keep them in the safety of your powerful presence.
We pray for you to protect their coming and going, and to remind them that you’re always with them.
Give them alertness, spiritual discernment, and wisdom to make the best choices.
We thank you God, as you walk ahead of them, beside them, and behind them.
Amen.
Message From Our Principal
DEAR MERCY COMMUNITY,
I hope you are managing to stay warm and well as we approach the end of Semester 1. A time where we ask our students to reflect on the reality that sustained study, effective organisation and a positive mindset helps achieve the best results.
REFUGEE WEEK: 19-25 June
Next week as a College community, we will recognize Refugee Week. The theme for Refugee Week 2022 is healing. As the Refugee Council of Australia reminds us, “healing can occur through storytelling, through community and also through realisation of our intrinsic interconnectedness as individuals”.
As a Mercy community, we will tell and hear stories and pray together for the many refugees around the world waiting to find a place of safety and freedom: That their need for certainty and security will be met with generous refugee and humanitarian intake commitments by Governments around the world, including the Australian Government.
Online Prayer Service for Refugee Week
Monday 20 June 2022 at 6.00pm AEST - The World Day of Refugees
Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Office for Justice, Ecology and Peace are inviting you to participate in an online prayer service to pray for asylum seekers and refugees and mark Refugee Week from Sunday 19 June to Saturday 25 June 2022. The theme for the week is “healing”.
Register now at: https://bit.ly/RefugeeWeek2022Prayers
CHILD SAFE COMMUNITY-NEW CHILD SAFE STANDARDS
The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a central and fundamental responsibility of all of us here at Mercy and all in Catholic education.
While the Child Safe Standards have been in effect in Victoria since 2016, the Victorian Government has announced that new Standards will commence on 1 July 2022. The College is currently working to ensure that our current seven standards, Child Safe Policies, and procedures are expanded to address the eleven new Standards.
With the move to eleven Standards, the College community will see:
- a greater emphasis to involve families and communities in the College’s efforts to keep students safe
- a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- an expansion to further manage the risk of child abuse in online environments.
- updates ensuring that governance, systems and processes are in place to keep students safe.
For the moment, I will list the eleven Standards and throughout next term, I will be unpacking each Standard in the newsletter so that families may better understand what they address and what you will see the College doing to comply with each Standard.
Child Safe Standard
- Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
- Child safety and wellbeing are embedded in organisational leadership, governance, and culture
- Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
- Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
- Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people
If you would like to know more about the Child Safe Standards, I encourage parents/guardians to visit:
https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/Our-Schools/Child-Safety.aspx
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Our 2021 Annual Report to the School Community has been published. It can be found on our website, https://www.mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au, as well as on the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) State Register, see www.vrqa.vic.gov.au.
The purpose of the annual report is to provide information on the nature and outcomes of each school, and to meet legislative and regulatory requirement under the Education and Training Reformdenise Act 2006 (Vic.) and the National Education Agreement 2008.
MUSIC RECITALS
Over the last 2 weeks, we have had our Year 7 Band Night, our year 10 and VCE Music Recitals and next week we will have our school Music Recital. Congratulations to all have helped make our Music Recitals such a huge success. The performances of the students so far have been superb especially when we remember that they have had 2 years of learning music remotely. It is wonderful to see so many students involved and their families and friends supporting them. Well done to Michelle Walker our Head of Music and all the Music staff who have worked with our students and put these recitals together.
Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God
Lila McInerney
College Principal
Student Executive Reflection
After two difficult years, we can finally go back to doing what we do best in terms of our houses. I'm so incredibly grateful and lucky that I got and continue to get the chance to lead Kane in the many house activities that we’ve competed in. So far it has been an absolute ball with competitions such as the pancake sale, hot cross bun sale, and the famous swimming and athletics carnivals. It has been so amazing seeing everyone getting involved and showing their support for their house, especially all my Kane girls, they never let me down. It has also been a pleasure to work with the other house captains and ensure that we put our all into every house activity. We have become so accustomed to each other and I know that even through the friendly competition, at the end of the day they will always be by my side helping me out whenever I need and will continue to shape me into a better house leader. I'm so honored to be a house leader alongside them as well as being a part of an incredible student executive team, which has allowed me to grow as a leader and an individual.
Jasmine H, Year 12 (SHG4)
2022 Kane House Captain
Deputy Principal
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” … “Kind,” said the boy.
Source: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Mackesy, 2019)
Semester One Summary Reports
Semester One Summary Reports will be available for parents to access via PAM as of Friday 24 June. Parents will receive an email notification with details on how to access their daughter’s report.
If there are any difficulties in accessing these reports, please contact the College.
VCE/VCAL Parent Teacher Student Conferences (Thursday 14 July – Week 1 of Term3)
The VCE/VCAL Parent-Teacher-Student (PTS) Conferences will take place from 3.40pm – 8.00pm on Thursday 14 July. The interviews will be 5 minutes in duration and will take place via google meet. There will be a staff break from 5.30pm – 6.10pm.
Further information will been sent to families next week on how to make bookings.
2023 Year 9-12 Subject Selection (Tuesday 26 July – Week 3 of Term 3)
A reminder that in Term 3, the current Year 8-11 students will begin working through the subject selection process in preparation for 2023.
Subject selection is another example of how teachers and families can work in partnership to support the learning needs and future aspirations of all our students. To assist with future planning there are a number of key assemblies and events scheduled throughout next term. We ask that you please note the following key date.
- Tuesday 26 July – 2023 Years 9-12 Subject Selection Expo
Further information outlining the subject selection process and the details of these events will be made available at the start of Term 3.
In the meantime, students are also encouraged to see their subject teacher or Homeroom Teacher with any questions and to begin discussing possible subjects and future pathways for 2023.
Trial Examinations Year 11 and 12
Between Monday 19 September and Thursday 25 September, all VCE students who are currently completing a scored VCE Unit 3 and 4 Subject will participate in a trial examination period. It is important that all students are available to be at school on those days, so we would ask that you do not make other arrangements at that time.
Trial examinations are designed to be as much like the real thing as possible serving several purposes, specifically for the student including:
- Identify knowledge gaps and consolidate already acquired information
- Develop exemplary responses
- Identify ‘command terms’ – justify, explain, compare….
- Master timing
- Utilise reading time
- Tracking progress
- Access to examiner reports and identification of common errors or misconceptions.
Most importantly, the feedback from trial examinations will highlight the gaps in knowledge and understanding. Learning how to revise and to be better at examinations can only happen when students are engaged with their trial examinations under the same conditions in which they will experience in the VCAA External Written Assessments.
Upcoming VCE Head Start Lectures
Registrations are now open for ATAR Notes’ VCE Head Start Lectures. The lectures are running from Monday 4 July to Friday 8 July. Each session is live-streamed, and completely free to attend.
Find out more by clicking on the link: ATAR Notes Lectures.
The lectures are delivered by high-achieving past VCE graduates. Register now to access the live-stream sessions, lecture recordings, lecture slides, and more.
Nicholas Ambrozy
Deputy Principal
Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Over the Semester the College has assisted students in reconnecting to school life. Part of the reconnection process is making a concise effort to attend school and communicate when things are not going well.
Avoiding issues whether they be academic or personal and not seeking assistance in addressing them often leads to feelings of being overwhelmed and not in control. Students are reminded to communicate with their Home Room Teachers, Well Being Leaders and their Subject teachers. School Counsellors are also available as well as external support.
A big part of school life includes forming positive rapports that do not limit a student's growth however allows it to flourish. Often students can feel that their friendships may be shifting as people change interests at different times and thus feel a sense of sadness. It is important that students do not limit their interactions with a select group of people, however make an effort to get to know as many people as they can.
Please take the time to read the “Promoting Positive Friendships” with your child below by our school counsellors.
Maria Daniele
Director of Student Engagaement and Wellbeing
School Counsellors
Promoting positive friendships
Having friends, being connected, and feeling a sense of belonging is vital at all ages, and particularly important during the adolescent years. Learning how to form, change or maintain friendships is a skill young people all need to learn and work on,and throughout the last two years lockdowns have been a barrier to young people having opportunities to practice these skills. There are many ways, opportunities for peer relationships are fostered in the school community. Parents/guardians are also in a unique position to support adolescents to develop friendships.
Why are friendships so important?
It’s important for young people to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance from their peers. Friendships can be a network of great support and can offer protection against negative peer relationships such as bullies. Learning positive friendship skills can also contribute to young people feeling happier and more confident, and being equipped to engage in social interactions in settings outside of school, such as workplaces. Moreover, during adolescence, your child is figuring out who they are beyond the family. Shared interests, attitudes, social struggles and being in circumstances that may resemble their own are some of the reasons young people will reach out and find comfort in close connections with friends. These connections can help your child learn about trust, respect, acceptance and intimacy, which will be important concepts for them to understand as they enter adulthood.
Fostering positive friendships
- Positive parent-child relationships tend to lead to young people having positive relationships with peers. So being warm and supportive, remaining connected and listening to your child can help them develop important social skills. Additionally, as a parent you will also be better placed to support your child if friendship problems come up.
- Modelling positive friendships to your child also supports their development of positive friendships. It’s important for your child to see you and your friends’ looking out for each other and checking in, demonstrating that friendship is a two-way thing.
- Praising your child when you see them being fair, trusting and supportive encourages them to keep working on these positive social traits.
- Being curious about your child’s friends and getting to know them shows them that you recognise how important their friendships are. This might be through lift-sharing with other parents or encouraging your child to have friends over.
When your child has difficulty with friendships
It is normal for friendships to change - while this can be challenging, your child may simply need you to be warm and supportive during these times. However, if your child is having ongoing difficulty making or keeping friendships here are some things you might like to try:
- Encourage your child to be actively interested in other people, to listen to their friends and support them through tough times.
- Think about your child’s interests and strengths. Based on this, you could look for new activities for your child to join and encourage them to join a club, sports team or social group. Mixing with people who share similar interests is a great way to start friendships and build confidence.
- Spend time with extended family and family friends. Plan a barbeque or outing where your child can spend time with people they already know to boost their confidence.
- Help your child plan an activity with friends. This could be watching a movie at home, having a sleepover or a baking afternoon, or playing some sport at the local park.
- Make sure your child feels comfortable inviting friends home, and give them plenty of space when they do.
- Think about encouraging your child to apply for part-time/casual work or a community activity. This can give your child a chance to meet others and practise social skills, especially if they work with young people.
- Try to work out whether there are particular issues that are making it difficult for your child to make friends, like lack of opportunity, social skills or confidence. If they have experienced a pattern of difficulties over a longer period of time or for more complex issues, you might want to ask for professional advice. Your GP is a good place to start.
- Give your child plenty of praise and encouragement for prosocial behaviours, while also avoiding pressuring your child about friends or constantly discussing the situation.
Information is from 'Reach Out Australia'. To read more, go to: https://parents.au.reachout.com
Jo Banks (Psychologist) & Liv Carli (Social Worker)
Languages - Indonesian
Indonesian VIPs visit Mercy College
On Tuesday 14th June, Mercy College had the delight of hosting some very special guests. We welcomed the Vice Governor of East Java, Mr Emil Daradak, along with his wife Ms Arumi Daradak and their children. We also hosted Ms Fiona Morris, the Consul General of Surabaya and Mr I Made Oka Wardhana, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia Melbourne. These dignitaries were joined by other guests from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as the Asian Education Foundation.
They were interested to learn about our partnership with our Indonesian partner school SMP Progresif Bumi Shalawat, as well as empowering female student leadership across both nations.
Thank you to Ms Lila McInerney and Ms Maria Daniele who co-hosted our special guests.
Thank you to our College Captains who embodied our Mercy value of Hospitality, as they welcomed them upon arrival and served them some refreshments.
Thank you to five of our Year 9 Indonesian students - Bianca Buenaventura, Dewmini Silva, Aliana Zamora, Lucy Stewart, and Aliana Zamora, who were selected to be student ambassadors for the visit. They demonstrated Excellence as they introduced themselves in Indonesian, and then engaged in some discussion in English with our visitors.
Liz Moore
Head of Learning: Languages
Here are some student reflections from the event:
On Tuesday 15th June , 4 other students and I were gifted the opportunity to meet with the Vice Governor of East Java and his family. We introduced ourselves and we had a conversation about our partner school, SMP Progressive Bumi Shalawat and ways to work together remotely. We then took them on a tour and they were ecstatic to see the College. Overall, it was a rewarding experience!
Dewmini Silva, 9C
Me and 4 other students were able to go and meet with the vice governor of East Java along with his family. We got to introduce ourselves in Indonesian and had a chat on projects to increase our school bonds even in these times. They were all so nice, polite and funny, even though we were pretty nervous, they made us feel much more comfortable and relaxed. Overall we enjoyed our time and had lots of fun. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience and I was glad we participated in it.
Aliana Zamora, 9B
On Tuesday the 14th of June 2022, Me and four of my fellow peers were fortunate enough to represent our year 9 Indonesian class in front of the Vice Governor of Indonesia and his family. We were all nervous at first but it went very well. We first started off with introducing ourselves and by the looks on their faces, they were very impressed, they praised us and our wonderful teacher Bu Moore for our skills. We then listened to them talk about how the world needs more Indonesian speaking representatives and how they hope to see some of us there. All in all, the experience was highly enjoyable and I would definitely do it again.
Bianca Buenaventura, 9B
Mercy College Alumni - Where are they now?
Danielle Blundo (nee De Pasquale) - Class of 1997
Do you remember what it was like at College?
My memories of Mercy are of a place where I made some great friendships, had a heap of fun and did lots of growing up. I liked to join in with all the extracurricular opportunities the College offered and loved being in the SRC and dancing in productions/musicals. I remember my teachers fondly, some of which inspire the way I teach today. After visiting the College recently I noticed many upgrades and developments to the building and grounds but was happy to see that Mercy still felt familiar.
Did you set out with a career plan?
At the start of year 12 I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I remember sitting in an office with our career councillor having a chat about different options. He knew me well and suggested that my strengths and interests might be suited to teaching. I looked into it, applied for a Bachelor of Education and have been teaching ever since.
What were the significant milestones that have impacted your life journey so far?
Important milestones have been finishing school, getting my degree and being able to work in a career I love. My most significant milestone was creating a family of my own, getting married and becoming a mum to my 2 girls. I have really enjoyed combining motherhood with working and although it’s a juggle sometimes I am proud to be doing both.
Where has your career path taken you in terms of connecting with wider organisations, meeting people of varying cultures; locally and internationally?
I have been a Primary School teacher for 20 years, my path has allowed me to teach hundreds of children and get to know so many families. When I see past students who are now adults, it makes me so happy when they remember me and say hello. I have learnt about many different cultures and traditions and been invited to celebrate some of them. 5 years ago I also co-founded “Good Vibes Dance Studio” with two business partners, one also being a Mercy College Alumni that I had never met at school as she was much younger than me. We now teach dance to some current Mercy students which is fantastic.
Have you maintained any school friendships?
I still see a few friends from school which is great. Thanks to social media I have reconnected and kept in touch with others. As we move on in life there are even some familiar faces as we drop our own kids off at school.
What’s next for you?
My goals are to continue to teach, grow my business and spend time raising my children. We hope to do more travelling and see different parts of Australia and the world when we can.