Mercy News - Friday 15th July 2022
Key Dates
Wednesday 20th July
Discover Mercy Open Day (Morning Session: 9:30am to 11:00am)
Discover Mercy Open Day (Evening Session: 6:00pm to 7:30pm)
Thursday 21st July
SCSA AFL Competition
Saturday 23rd July
Discover Mercy Open Day (Morning Session: 10:00am to 11:30am)
Tuesday 26th July
2023 Years 9-12 Subject Selection / Learning Pathways Expo (5:00pm to 8:00pm in McAuley Hall)
Thursday 28th July
Year 10 Pathway Planning Interviews
Mercy College Community Christmas in July (7:00pm to 9:00pm)
Prayer
Lord, as we prepare for the coming of a new semester, make us ready, attentive and available to hear you and be guided by you.
Allow us to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before us.
Open our eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new semester brings.
Open our hearts and minds to forming good relationships with friends and teachers.
Give us a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with our studies and courage to accept new opportunities.
Thank You for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.
May the work we do this semester, bring new hope, new life, new energy and new learnings.
We ask this in Jesus's name.
Amen.
Message From Our Principal
Dear Mercy Community,
A very warm welcome back to all for Term 3. I would like to extend a special welcome to the new students and their families who are joining us this term, and also to the new staff. I'm sure that all have felt a warm Mercy welcome and are already feeling a significant part of this wonderful and welcoming Mercy community. I hope all of our students are well rested, enjoyed their break, and are ready to focus and take up the learning opportunities that the college will hold for them this semester.
As I reflect on the beginning of a new term, I celebrate the fact that so far this year this has been the longest period of face-to-face learning we have experienced since 2019. Term 3 promises to be another busy term filled with opportunity and challenges in and outside of the classroom. This has been evident in our first week return. In addition to the classroom program, we have had a Language Excursion involving all our Year 9 students and an AFL clinic involving all our year 7-9 students. How wonderful that we can have these types of learning experiences once again. We are looking forward to so many more as the term progresses.
NAIDOC Week
July 3-10 marked 2022 NAIDOC Week, a week to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.
The theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ encouraged all of us to champion change, while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations.
VCE/VCAL Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences
Yesterday we held online the VCE/VCAL Parent, Student, and Teacher Conferences. Thanks to those who attended this important element of school life. It is great to see the care and interest so many take in their child’s education. I encourage all parents/guardians to continue to be interested and involved in their child’s learning and to discuss with teachers how we can work continue to work together to improve your child’s learning.
Child Safe
Mercy College is committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and are able to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.
New Victorian Child Safe Standards commenced on 1 July 2022. Ministerial order (No.1359) outlines how the new 11 Child Safe Standards apply to Victorian schools. I take this opportunity to unpack the first two new Child Safe Standards.
Child Safe Standard 1: Culturally safe environments: 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.
Examples of Mercy College enacting this Standard:
- flying the Aboriginal flag
- acknowledgment of Country at all College gatherings
- a clear Code of Conduct that includes never questioning the aboriginality of students or their families
- staff and volunteers encouraging and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
- celebrating Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week
- making links to the contribution of Aboriginal people and culture across the curriculum - Indigenous ingredients in Food Studies
- rigorous School Anti-Bullying (including Cyber bullying) Policy and School Complaints Handling Policy that enable concerns of racism to be raised and effectively addressed.
Child Safe Standard 2: Leadership, governance and culture: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Examples of Mercy College enacting this Standard:
- updated Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy that sets out the College’s expectations and practices in relation to each of the Standards
- a Child Safety Code of Conduct that sets out expectations regarding the behaviour of staff and volunteers with children and in promoting and maintaining child safety and wellbeing
- public statement of the College’s commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing
- staff training including all staff undertaking Mandatory Reporting training so as to better understand reporting indicators, processes and obligations
- Child Safety is a standing item on Leadership, Wellbeing and staff meetings
- risk documents and registers focus on identifying, preventing and reducing risks of child abuse and harm.
I wish all students and families a wonderful Semester 2 and look forward to seeing our students flourish.
Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God.
Lila McInerney
College Principal
Student Executive Reflection
Last year, when I was announced the Leader of Marian House, I was both excited and nervous! There was no way I would have ever thought that I would be leading a team, especially for sport. I have always been a quite shy person, never really having confidence in myself or what I do, but slowly, slowly, I think this role has been helping me with that. You don't have to be super confident to be a leader! Early this year, we had the Swimming Carnival, and to our team's luck, Marian came first! We had won! I felt really proud that I had played a part in this awesome success, as I made sure that students were feeling comfortable participating in activities as well as students cheering for our team! We also had the Athletics Carnival last term, coming second, as well as all the Project Compassion Fundraisers, with many students donating! I look forward to what the rest of this year in this role has to offer for me and my team, as well as all the other House Leaders and our year level House Captains!
GO MARIAN!
Sophie Lorenti, Year 12 (SHG2)
Marian House Captain
Deputy Principal
2023 Year 9-12 Subject Selection (Tuesday 26th July – Week 3 of Term 3)
A reminder that in Term 3, students in Years 8-11 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 the term. We ask that you please note the following key dates.
- Subject Selection Assemblies
- 2023 Year 11&12 Subject Selection Assembly (Tuesday 19 July)
- 2023 Year 10 Subject Selection Assembly (Thursday 21 July)
- 2023 Year 9 Subject Selection Assembly (Friday 22 July)
- 2023 Years 9-12 Subject Selection Expo (Tuesday 26 July)
- 2023 Year 9&10 Parent Information Presentation (6.30pm)
- 2023 Year 11&12 Parent Information Presentation (7.30pm)
- Students will receive an email with their web-preference login and password details following the Subject Selection Expo.
- Year 10 Pathway Planning Interviews (From Thursday 28 July)
- Applications for subject acceleration in VCE Units 1&2 and VCE Unit 3&4 subjects (Due Friday 29 July)
- Final date for all year levels to submit their web-preferences 2023 subjects (Friday 5 August)
Further information outlining the subject selection process and the details of these events will be made available next week.
In the meantime, students may wish to access the current 2022 Subject Handbooks available on the College website. Students are also encouraged to see their subject teacher or Homeroom Teachers with any questions and to begin discussing possible subjects and future pathways for 2023.
General Achievement Test (GAT) – Wednesday 7 September.
All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequence are required to sit Sections A and B of the GAT.
For the first time this year, Senior VCAL students will also sit Section A, which will measure the literacy and numeracy skills of participants against new standards based on the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
Sample questions and tasks indicative of questions in Section A of the GAT are now available on the VCAA website, including:
- One writing task
- Ten numeracy questions and answers
- Ten reading questions and answers
As in previous years, no special study is required for the GAT. While the GAT is important, it does not directly count towards a student’s final VCE results. GAT results are used to check that VCE external assessments and school-based assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed. GAT results may also play a part in determining the final score for a VCE external assessment, if a student has a derived examination score approved for that assessment.
Further information relating to the GAT including past GAT examinations can also be accessed via the VCAA website. To view these details, click on VCAA > Assessment > VCE Assessment > GAT.
Trial Examinations Year 11 and 12
Between Monday 19th September and Thursday 22nd 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.
Nicholas Ambrozy
Deputy Principal
Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Dear Mercy families and students,
I take this opportunity to welcome all students and families back to Term 3 and extend my best wishes for the term .
As the year has been progressing it is evident from many forums including the media of late that absenteeism and disengagement from school continues to be a challenge for school communities.
The more students are away from school the more they feel disconnected to not only to their studies but also to friendship groups, school routine and the school community all together. This may cause students to feel overwhelmed , stressed and anxious and want to avoid school altogether which may then result in school refusal.
It is imperative that whilst students are absent from school for any period of time they are encouraged to communicate with their homeroom teacher, Year Level coordinator and class teachers. They should answer emails written to them by teachers who are checking in and also write to teachers. They can do this via email and their classroom page. They should also read SIMON and the daily messages to keep up to date with what is going on at school daily. If they can not do this due to grave illness the parent or guardian should assist in either reading out the emails or reading the daily messages to assist in the connectedness to school.
Please find below some information regarding disengagement to school and school refusal.
School refusal is when a student refuses to attend school or struggles to remain at school for the whole day, for an ongoing period of time.
School refusal can have significant impacts on a student’s learning, development, social skills and mental health.
A student who is expressing school refusal behaviours will often show signs of anxiety, fear or distress, and will often be embarrassed about their inability to attend school. The student will stay home or leave school with the parent’s knowledge, despite their efforts to enforce the child/teenager’s attendance.
How can I tell if a student is experiencing school refusal?
School refusal can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a stressful life event or period of transition, or issues/ concerns about something that has happened at school or home.
Some examples are: • Anxiety • Bullying • Family breakdown • Family violence • Fear of an event • Illness (student or family member) • Moving house • Moving school • Parental conflict • Transitioning to secondary school.
What do I do if I think a child or teenager is experiencing school refusal?
For parents or guardians, it is recommended that you talk about your concerns with your child’s school. Together you may be able to form a better understanding of why the student is reluctant or refusing to attend school.
The student can then be approached by a trusted person, to gain an understanding of how they’re feeling and what their worries or stresses are.
From here, the parents, teachers and students can work together to develop support to get them back to school without distress.
If the issue isn’t clear or the student is still showing school refusal symptoms, professional help is recommended alongside continuously working with the school. Parents are encouraged to keep communicating with the school and counsellors throughout the period of school refusal.
Please refer to the following links regarding the legalities and parental responsibilities in ensuring student attendance:
Attendance: Guidance | education.vic.gov.au
Victorian Attendance Legislation
If you have any concerns regarding this topic or wish to know more you can email me at MDaniele@mercy.catholic.edu.au
Maria Daniele
Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Counsellors Corner
Welcome back - managing stress and screen time.
Welcome back to students after what I hope was a restful and enjoyable winter break.
Many students are coming to me and to their teachers feeling overwhelmed and anxious due to school stress and other factors in their lives. The pressures to achieve in school, coupled with unrealistic expectations fuelled by social media is making students anxious and, as many have described it, ‘burnt out’.
Students experiencing a lot of stress have high levels of cortisol and are spending too much time in the fight or flight mode preventing them performing optimally at school. Parents may recognise these signs of hyper arousal – anger, hyperactivity, panic and rapid speech and difficulty concentrating. Or they may see signs of hypo arousal – zoned out, lacking energy, “shutting down” and withdrawing. When the body is dealing with chronic stress it is taking away from its capacity to learn, retain and process information and make smart decisions.
Mercy is starting a no technology homeroom time as of this week to encourage students to switch off and focus more on social and emotional wellbeing.
Students benefit from switching off at home as well, particularly right before bed or straight after school. Parents can encourage non-screen time hobbies and self-care activities. It is important these are student-led activities, otherwise it may become another unrealistic expectation placed on already stressed minds.
If you have concerns or wish to know more you can email myself at ahannan@mercy.catholic.edu.au
Liv Carli Hannan
School Counsellor and Social Worker
Learning and Wellbeing Level Leader - Year 9
Early in Term 2 Melbourne University offered students across the state of Victoria an opportunity to apply for a program called sheCommerce. We had a number of interested Year 9s who wrote application letters for this program. Three of our students were successful in their applications - Sara Arif 9A, Willow Masciantonio 9B and Darcy Murray 9C. These students will complete a number fo workshops delivered by the School of Business at Melbourne University over the next few years. Congratulations to all students who applied to this wonderful initiative.
Allison Perin
Learning and Wellbeing Level Leader - Year 9
She Commerce Program
Over the term holidays, two of my classmates and myself attended Melbourne University’s first sheCommerce camp program at the Parkville campus. It was an opportunity to explore Business and Commerce at the University, meet new people with similar interests and learn more about leadership.
We began the first day by meeting with some Commerce students who offered to help with the
program. We were officially welcomed by Paul Jensen, the Deputy of Business and Commerce at Melbourne Uni. We then had a tour where we explored the campus before a fun trivia night after dinner.
The next day we journeyed to the Business Building where two Professors introduced us to
the Economy course and Stock Markets. We also attended an Alumni Panel with ex-university students who were now working in Business. We heard about their stories, and got to asked questions too. Later that night we watched a movie all together.
On the final day we had a Chief Data Scientist from PWC talk to us about AI technology and exponential technology before lunch and a Graduation Ceremony.
Everyone on the camp was extremely friendly and welcoming. It was awesome to meet new people from all over inner and outer Melbourne and make friends with them. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has a chance to apply in the future. Even if you aren't sure or don't know a lot about Business and Commerce it is still a super fun time. We are all really looking forward to the continuation of the program in Year 10 2023.
Darcy Murray, 9C
Learning and Wellbeing Level Leader - Senior
Welcome back to term 3! My name is Annie Driver and I am very glad to introduce myself as the new Senior Learning and Wellbeing Level Leader for 2022. I worked at Mercy College in 2018 and 2019 as well as being a Mercy student myself and am very excited to be part of the Mercy community once again. As we enter another term, we have created a common goal - to reconnect. It’s quite fitting as I have been able to already reconnect with so many students and have seen so many students reconnect with their homeroom teachers as well as peers. We are excited to see what is in store for the rest of this year and acknowledge the year 12’s experiencing their last official term as a cohort. We are all so proud of the achievements this year so far and cannot wait to thrive and enjoy another term. |
Languages - Indonesian
Year 9 Indonesian Excursion
Students immersed themselves in Indonesian culture by enjoying an authentic lunch. Enak! Delicious! They then searched for Indonesian products at an Asian supermarket. A fantastic opportunity for some out of class Language learning.
Liz Moore
Head of Learning: Languages
Notices
SCHOOL CANTEEN
Please note, due to rising costs and bank charges, there will now be a minimum spend requirement of $3.00 for EFTPOS transactions at the School Canteen. These changes will be effective as of Monday 18th July 2022.
Alternatively, orders can be placed a day prior (before 9pm), through the School Canteen online portal 'My School Connect'.
The School Canteen will still be accepting cash payments.
Thank you kindly,
Canteen Staff and Management
UNIFORM SHOP
Please note, The Uniform Shop will be closed on Wednesday 24th August and Thursday 25th August.