Mercy News - Friday 4th November 2022
Key Dates
Tuesday 8th November
- Year 8 Incursion: Author Talk (Period 5)
- Year 9 Wellbeing Incursion: Preventative Mental Health Workshops (Period 3)
Wednesday 9th November
- Year 4 Explore Day
- Year 9 Outdoor Education Excursion: Mountain Biking at The You Yangs
- 7A & 7C Swimming Excursion
Thursday 10th November
- Year 7 2023: Information Evening (7:30pm to 8:30pm)
- 7B Swimming Excursion
Friday 11th November
- Remembrance Day Commemoration (10:50am to 11:10am)
Monday 14th November to Thursday 17th November
- Year 11 Semester 2 Examinations
Monday 14th November and Tuesday 15th November
- The E.I.G.H.T Program
Tuesday 15th November
- Parent Expo Evening: EIGHT Program (7.00 pm-8.00 pm)
Tuesday 15th November and Wednesday 16th November
- Year 10 Semester 2 Examinations
Wednesday 16th November and Thursday 17th November
- Year 9 Semester 2 Examinations
Wednesday 16th November
- 7C Swimming Excursion
Thursday 17th November
- Year 10 Well-being Day
- 7A Swimming Excursion
- Year 7 Band Night (7.00 pm)
Friday 18th November
- Year 7 2023 Transition Day
- Years 9-11 Student Free Day
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the example of the Saints.
I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven.
Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ.
Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did.
St Joan of Arc, pray for us
St Josephine Bakhita, pray for us
Mary, mother of God, pray for us
Amen
Message From Our Principal
All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day
In the Catholic tradition, November is traditionally a month of remembrance. The month begins with the Solemnity of All Saints on 1 November and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on 2 November.
All Souls’ Day reminds us that each human being is precious in God’s sight – valued and loved so much. As we remember the people who have died, we are reminded of the gifts their living brought to us. All Souls’ Day is an opportunity to remember that the value of human beings does not end in their death, and that the value of the living cannot be measured by their status, wealth or success, but by their simple humanity.
Our faith assures us that love is eternal, that the bonds of love can never be severed. We continue to be united to our loved ones who have died in faith, prayer and in memory.
MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic School) 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World
As a staff, we have begun to engage with the inaugural strategic plan, MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World. Exploring this has demonstrated the deep commitment that exists in our system to form lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Jesus Christ where every student is inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world.
VCAA Exams
Year 12 students and Year 11 students who have accelerated into a Unit 3 and 4 subjects are currently undergoing VCAA examinations, the final hurdle in their Unit 3 and 4 studies. Despite the turbulent last 2 years these students have experienced, I have witnessed first hand their confidence and positivity as they sit these final exams. Many of us will remember from our experiences that these major exams can be daunting for students, the culmination of years of study, skills and knowledge. Mercy students have demonstrated great capacity for applying themselves to the curriculum, accessing teacher support and guidance, striving to achieve excellence and growth.
As a community, we are so proud of the way in which they have been flexible and adaptive in the current circumstances, remaining focused on their end goal. We continue to wish them all the best as the exam period continues.
Mid-Way through the term
There have been many assessments going on as we head towards the middle of Term 4 and I encourage all parents and carers to speak to their Year 9-11 students about how they are planning for the upcoming exams. It is important we are involved in and encourage their learning and organisational development including good exam habits and how to best prepare for them.
Welcome-School Counsellor
Today we welcome Janine Crociani who will be joining our Mercy learning community as part of our counselling team. Janine is an experienced school counsellor who has been in the role for 7 years. She is passionate about the good mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God.
Lila McInerney
College Principal
Student Executive Reflection: 2023 College Co-Captains
As College Co-Captains of 2023, we would like to formally introduce ourselves to the wider Mercy College community.
We are extremely honored and feel very privileged to be able to lead the College community. We both remember beginning Year seven in 2018, setting the foundation of our Mercy College journey. It was then that we both decided to pursue every opportunity which the College had to offer including music, performing arts, student committees and attending co-curricular sports. Despite being similar in many ways, we also differ in interests. I, Eva, have a passion for music and performing arts as I enjoy being a part of the Mercy-Parade school musicals, participating in the crew team for the school plays, and also have been taking part in Flute lessons ever since year seven. Whereas, I, Lydia, adore being part of many community groups within the school such as the Student Voice Committee, to aid in implementing change.
As a team , our vision for 2023 is to ensure interconnectedness between all members of the community. We would like for all students to be involved, striving for their own excellence in all that they do. This includes their academic excellence, as well as co-curricular activities. To our wider community of parents, guardians and other family, we would like to ensure that you are constantly aware of what is occurring in the school community. We will strive to make Mercy College a community base, where all are able to express their ideas to help elevate their own personal learning experiences, as well as all join together to ensure everyone feels safe, welcomed and included at Mercy.
Our aim is to listen to all perspectives on issues, increasing student-led activities to teach skills in organization, team-work and communication. We want to ensure that all students have a positive attitude towards schooling to ensure that they are able to achieve their personal goals daily. We also aim to be a source of support for all members of the community by being an encouraging hand, individuals which you can confide in and open-minded people who are striving for change.
We look forward to working alongside the Mercy community, the whole Student Executive team and our Principal, Ms McInerney, throughout the course of 2023.
Warm regards,
Lydia F (Year 11, SHG1) & Eva B (Year 11, SHG2)
R.E and Identity
This week has marked a special time in our Liturgical Calendar: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. While Catholics don’t celebrate Halloween, we take time on All Hallow’s Eve to prepare for the following two days of commemoration. As we had a long weekend, Mercy College students commemorated both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Wednesday 2nd November, where we gathered for a special prayer in our Homerooms. This was an opportunity for us to remember the work of our Saints (with particular mention of some inspirational female Saints) and also time for us to remember our loved ones who have died. The Mercy College community was invited to spend time before or after school, or during break times, in our Chapel to remember the souls of our loved ones who have faithfully departed. Students and staff were invited to sit in silent reflection or prayer, light a candle, offer the name of a loved one who has died, or write a prayer for them. We pray together: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Nima Ballenger
Director of Religious Education and Identity
Deputy Principal
2023 Booklists
The 2023 Booklists can now be accessed via Parent Access Module (PAM). Please see the instructions below to access the booklists.
All orders are to be completed online by Sunday 13 November.
PAM Instructions
Step1. Login to the Parent Access Module (PAM) via: https://pam.mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au
Step2. Click Campion Booklists 2023 Located under Knowledge Bank on the main page.
Step 3. Click the required booklist.
Semester 2 Examinations
Semester 2 examinations have been designed to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their level of progress and achievement based on the key content covered throughout this semester.
These examinations will also provide an indication of the level of student performance across each subject with results included in their semester reports.
Year 11 Examinations: Monday 14 November to Thursday 17 November.
Year 10 Examinations: Tuesday 15 November to Wednesday 16 November.
Year 9 Examinations: Wednesday 16 November to Thursday 17 November.
Students will receive feedback from their teacher(s) following these examinations with additional feedback placed on SIMON for parents to view. This aim of this feedback is to identify areas of achievement as well as areas for future improvement to support students with their learning.
Further information including a letter to parents outlining the arrangements for these examinations and the Semester 2 Examination timetable has been made available to parents and students. These details have also been posted on the Daily Messages on SIMON for all students to access.
In the meantime, please contact your daughter’s subject teacher with any questions related to their overall progress and learning. If you have any questions about the upcoming semester examinations, please contact Mr Nicholas Ambrozy (Deputy Principal).
We wish all students the very best for their upcoming examinations.
Nicholas Ambrozy
Deputy Principal
Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Last week the announcement of Vertical Homerooms as an exciting change in the structure of Homerooms at Mercy was communicated to all students in various assemblies and to parents re a letter home. Students had the opportunity to ask questions during the assemblies and I was most impressed with their positive attitude and willingness to embrace the change even though as we know change can bring with it uncertainty.
I would like to reiterate the information here and once again focus on the positives of what Vertical Homerooms will give to our students and overall College community.
Here are some benefits that have come out of research worth noting:
- It will give our students an opportunity for further connection with all students at the College and thus promote a family atmosphere within our school.
- It mirrors life and will help students for the future as in Tertiary Education, jobs, social settings people mix with people of many ages .
- It will broaden horizons, something that is missed with Year groups, as there are reciprocal opportunities for leadership, mentoring, advice and support between students.
Peer mentoring, academic tutoring and coaching is encouraged and happens naturally in a Vertical Homeroom structure.
- Research has revealed Vertical Homerooms reduce bullying and improved student behaviour.
- Some parents may have concerns regarding their child being “lead astray” by older students it is worth noting this worry is just as applicable to students playing in club sport team, friends outside of school and social media.
- The Vertical system enables all students to feel safe, secure and more connected to school.
- Students are used to multi age classes in most Primary Schools.
Therefore, our Homerooms will look like the following in 2023 and moving forward:
- Year 7 - Year 7 students
- Year 8/9 combining
- Year 10/11/12 combining
The students will come together in the vertical structure for their Homeroom lesson after recess, and for Assembly periods.
Students will remain in their Year level for all their academic subjects and wellbeing lessons.
As we deal with weather that is unpredictable and navigating through a pandemic, guidelines with the objective of keeping students comfortable and safe is paramount. With this in mind and students, wearing their summer uniform in Term 4 students are often reminded that blazers can be worn to keep warm as well as the long white socks that are part of summer uniform, the winter uniform scarf is not part of the summer uniform and many students are wearing it without a blazer or long socks. Heating in classrooms and ventilation still remain a directive the College must follow with air purifiers on and a door or window open.
Last week in our Mindful Wednesday Homeroom we did a workship on breath work.
Please find a link below outlining the lesson students had:
https://www.headspace.com/meditation/breathing-exercises
Maria Daniele
Director of Student Engagement and Wellbeing
Counsellor’s Corner
Getting a good night sleep
Sleep hygiene refers to the healthy habits, environments and behaviours that help us to have a good night’s sleep. The body’s sleep-wake cycle is partly controlled by an internal body clock. Here are some suggestions to work with rather than against our body clocks:
- Don’t ignore tiredness
- Get up around the same time every day
- Don’t go to bed when you don’t feel tired
- Get morning sunshine
Relax your mind
If you are a chronic bedtime worrier, try scheduling a half hour of ‘worry time’ well before bed. In this time write down anything you want to come back to, tasks you need to do or journal to unpack some of your thoughts. You can use an app to log your thoughts and feelings each day. Apps like ‘thought diary’ are a great way of doing some basic journaling and also keeping a log of how you are going. This can help you to find patterns with your mental health and sleep!
Relax your body
Try to be active every day with moderate to vigorous exercise. Then before bed make sure to give your body enough time to wind down. Do something relaxing like a warm shower, light reading, a warm milk drink.
Finally don’t have your phone or an alarm clock visible when you sleep, the bright lights and possible notifications are a sure way to disrupt your sleep.
Sogni d’oro (sweet dreams)
Liv Carli Hannan
School Counsellor
Numeracy across the Curriculum
FEATURING NUMERACY IN HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Multiple examples of numeracy are embedded within the learning of skill acquisition, fitness testing, game sense and skill development. In Health and Physical Education, students develop numeracy capability when they create, represent and interpret data in spatial, numerical and graphic forms. Students use calculation, estimation and measurement to collect and make sense of information related to nutrition, fitness components, navigation in the outdoors and through various skills. They use spatial reasoning in movement activities and to develop concepts and strategies for individual and team games, sports or recreational pursuits.
In addition, students interpret and analyse health and physical activity information using statistical reasoning, identify patterns and relationships in data to consider trends, draw conclusions, make predictions and inform health behaviour and practices. Analysing numerical data enables students to elicit, interpret and analyse evidence, critically evaluate nutritional claims, provide specific analytical feedback about performance and supports students to develop a deeper understanding of health.
Over the course of completing Year 7-10 and VCE Health and Physical Education, students are exposed to many Numeracy Topics through a practical and hands on learning classroom setting. The following include:
- Calculation
- Measurements – E.g. Height, weight, body mass index
- Speed
- Distance
- Capacity
- Chance and data
- Spatial reasoning
- Rankings and score keeping
- Percentages and statistics
- Biomechanics – E.g. Angles, forces
- Analysing performance data
- Identifying patterns
Below are some insights into the learning featured within our Community:
JUNIOR AND MIDDLE SCHOOL HEALTH
During year 8 Health students, students use skills associated with “Comparing units” when investigating food ratios, nutritional panels and investigating the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Interpreting and reading data is an essential component for understanding nutritional tables and labels, and designing healthy eating plans.
JUNIOR AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Throughout the course of Junior and Middle school Physical Education, students are exposed to concepts of data collection and measuring time. This can be specifically seen during our Fitness Testing unit, where students complete a series of fitness tests and compare these to age specific norms and investigate the purpose and importance, highlighting the need for Muscular Strength, Endurance, Flexibility and Agility. Various tests include Vertical Jump Test, Sit and Reach Test, Standing long Jump Test and Beep Test.
VCE HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
In VCE Health and Human Development spend significant time learning and adapting skills associated to “Interpreting and representing data” Students are required to draw conclusions, create explanation for patterns, relationships and trends; to predict outcomes; and to propose future action when linking to key concepts of health and wellbeing, health status, Sustainable development goals and much more!
VCE PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In VCE physical education students explore how the musculoskeletal system works to produce movement during physical activity. This includes analysing movement through different biomechanical principles such as, angles and laws of motion. Students also investigate how the cardiorespiratory system functions at rest compared to exercise. This includes collecting primary data, including heart rate and respiratory rate, presenting and interpreting this data in a graph.
Rebecca Mazzone
Head of Health and Physical Education
House Matters
2022 House of the Year
At the recent Year 12 Farewell Assembly the 2022 House Captains, Bianca, Jasmine, Sofie, Claudia and Senuki performed their last duty to announce the 2022 House of the Year. Which House would be the next to have its name etched on to the Mercy College shield?
The House of the Year is the House that has earned the most points from competing or participating in a variety of activities. These activities occurred from the beginning of Term 4 last year until the end of Term 3 this year. So, the points have been earned. The points have been lodged. The points have been tallied.
How fantastic was it to have our two traditional events, the Swimming Carnival and the Athletics Carnival, back again. It was great to witness our school community coming together to swim, dive, run, jump, walk, throw, kick and just have fun on land and in the water. In addition, there were other activities that required us to think, write, draw, eat, spell, recite and spend some money.
One of the aims that the House Captains had was to build House spirit. This was done by encouraging all in their House to participate. To assist with that, there was a mix of sport and non sport activities.
A special acknowledgement and heartfelt thanks to the House Mentor Teachers Ms Carnibella, Ms Moore, Ms Pirani, Ms McCallum and Ms Perin was also extended. The House Captains also thanked their Year Level House Leaders who were a great assistance to them during the year.
The time came to announce the winning House. All House Captains were armed with a confetti cannon and Ms McInerney was invited to the stage to present the shield to the winning House Captain once the reveal was made.
The audience were ready, the House Captains were ready and on the count of three the confetti cannons were popped and the winning House revealed.
Congratulations to O’Hea who earned 2972 points. Ms McInerney presented Claudia De Rosayro with the Mercy College House Shield to wild applause and elation.
The points were as follows:
- 1st O’Hea with 2972 pts
- 2nd Thecla with 2624 pts
- 3rd Marian with 2334 pts
- 4th Frayne with 2168 pts
- 5th Kane with 2102 pts
It has been wonderful to see the House Captains encourage all members of their House. Their energy, enthusiasm and more importantly their love for their House was evident all year. Congratulations to all of the House Captains. Your efforts are appreciated. You have been outstanding House Captains and leaders. On behalf of everyone in each House we wish Bianca, Jasmine, Sofie, Claudia and Senuki every best success and happiness in the future.
To the 2023 House Captains - Kyla, Ebony, Stella, Caterina and Summar we wish them all the very best as they commence their leadership and work towards the 2023 House of the Year!
Anne Girolami
House Corrdinator
PAM Notices
A friendly reminder on the Early Leave Process:
If students need to leave school early for an appointment (and parents have notified the College via PAM) - parents still need to write a note, which students need to have sighted by a Wellbeing Leader or the Director of Student Engagement & Wellbeing.
This should be done first thing in the morning, before classes. A yellow note will be provided to hand into the office on departure.
Without a yellow note, students cannot officially be exited from the school.
Thank you for your cooperation
College Tuition Accounts
To Parents/Guardians of finishing Year 12 students,
Please arrange settlement of your College account, if no payment arrangement is currently in place.
Please contact Darryn Coulson, College Accountant on 03 9319 9242, to arrange.
Thank you