Mercy News - Friday 24 May 2024

Key Dates

Monday 27 May

• National Reconciliation Week begins
• Discover Mercy Open Day, 9.30 and 6.00pm
• Reconciliation Liturgy, 11.10am - 11.35am
• Year 7 Civics Incursion, Period 4

Tuesday 28 May

• Practice Emergency Lockdown, 11.15am - 11.30am

Wednesday 29 May

• Year 7 100 Days of Learning Celebration Day 
• Years 9 - 11 Indonesian Speaking Competition Excursion, 10.00am to 12.15pm
• Week 3: Arts in Motion Afterschool Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm
• Year 7 100 Days of Learning Presentation, 7.00pm

Thursday 30 May

• Feast of Corpus Christi

Friday 31 May

• Dress for a Cause Day (funds raised to be donated to Opening the Doors Foundation)

Wednesday 5 June

• Week 4: Arts in Motion Afterschool Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm
  

Thursday 6 June

• Year 10 HPE Excursion, 8.45am to 2.20pm
• Year 7B Band Night, 7.00pm

Friday 7 June

• CGSAV AFL Tournament
• Year 11 Exams

A Prayer for Our Earth (from Laudato Si’)

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy Community,

Laudato Si Week

This week we have recognised Laudato Si’ Week, which emphasizes care for our common home and environmental stewardship. Rooted in who we are as a College in the Mercy tradition we have continued to highlight and foster a deep sense of social responsibility and ecological awareness among our community. We have had activities, prayers and reflections encouraging all to reflect on the interconnectedness of all creation and our role in sustaining it. Once again, we have reinforced our commitment as a college to environmental justice and the spiritual, ethical, and practical dimensions of caring for the Earth, aiming to inspire all to become compassionate leaders and advocates for sustainable living.

Term 2 Discover Mercy Days

We are looking forward to our Discover Mercy days which will take place on Sunday and Monday.  These days are significant for us as they provide prospective students and their families a comprehensive glimpse into our academic environment, culture and community. Families can explore the grounds, meet staff, and engage with current students, thus gaining firsthand insight into our educational offerings and extracurricular activities. We are proud of our Mercy students who volunteer to be ambassadors on this day through playing music, conducting tours, offering hospitality and so much more. This is a tangible example of the strong sense of community our students have and their desire to contribute and strive to be their best.

100 Days of Learning at Mercy

Next week our Year 7s will celebrate the first 100 days of learning in secondary school. We are proud of how our Year 7s have adjusted to new routines, subjects, and expectations. With the support of their teachers and families they have developed essential study habits, built relationships with peers and teachers, and developed a sense of belonging within our Mercy community. The first 100 days have been crucial for fostering a growth mindset, resilience, and a positive attitude towards learning, which are vital for long-term academic success and personal growth. Congratulations to each one of our Year 7s who have laid a solid foundation which will ensure they are well-prepared to tackle future challenges and opportunities at Mercy and beyond.

Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God. 

Lila McInerney
College Principal

School Advisory Council

Impact of road safety concerns on Sydney Road

In November last year, Jessica Mirabile (College Co-Capitan) informed the school community about the following ongoing concerns we have about the lack of safety outside Mercy College:

Mercy College was visited by Anthony Cianflone MP, the district representative of Pascoe Vale, Coburg and Brunswick West in the Victorian Parliament. It was during this time that our College Principal, Ms McInerney and five members of the 2024 Student Executive team gathered with Mr Cianflone and discussed issues regarding transport and road safety around our school. 

We raised our concerns about our safety when using public transport services before and after school on Sydney Road and we hope to implement change for the security of our school community. With the aim of further improving the safety of the environment for students and community members, we acknowledged what has already been done (dragon's teeth road markings near the tram stop on Sydney Road and a reduced speed limit in front of the school) when Ms McInerney and student representatives met two years ago with the then MP for Pascoe Vale and Lizzie Blandthorn and the then Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Ben Carroll. However, we also recognised that unfortunately, this is not enough. 

We discussed potential solutions to the ongoing problem of transport to and from Mercy and not feeling safe on Sydney Road when students are accessing and utilising public transport. Such improvements that were mentioned included a railing/fenced off area to further separate students waiting on Sydney Road outside of Gate 2 for the tram from incoming traffic. Also, we suggested the implementation of a set of traffic lights, located within closer proximity to the school, in order to better cater for our school community members, who may have different needs. 

We are aware that access to Sydney Road is only achievable via the overpass, or a 7 minute walk to the nearest set of traffic lights - Notably, neither of these options are accommodating towards individuals who may struggle with mobility issues. Therefore, we are hopeful that our meeting on Friday, as well as the letter that we hope to write to Parliament will at least provide us with a step in the right direction, as we request change for our school community.

After numerous meetings, encounters and discussions as mentioned above, we as the 2024 School Advisory Council still find ourselves raising the same concerns and issues about road safety with the Mayor Adam Pulford, Councillor Annalivia Carli Hannan, Anthony Cianflone – MP (State Labour Member District Representative) and Peter Kahlill (Member of the Australian House of Representatives) this year.

Last term we wrote a formal letter on behalf of the school community stating our ongoing road safety concerns. Here are some of the concerns we mentioned in our letter:

We have continued to raise our concerns about road safety when using public transport on Sydney Road, (as many students commute to school using both buses and trams on a daily basis) and the need for students to be dropped off and picked up in a ‘safe designated area’ in the near vicinity of the school.

There is also a real urgency for the school to have a school/pedestrian crossing with lights erected as soon as possible. As currently, the only nearest accessible option pedestrians have to cross Sydney Road (outside Mercy College) is to access the footbridge which is not always a favourable option for all pedestrians.  

Last week we received the following responses...

Councillor Annalivia Carli Hannan’s response to our concerns included:

I concur with the issues raised about the Sydney Road footbridge and believe it does not fit today’s standards for active transport.

I believe there is a strong argument from both a safety and active transport perspective to have a pedestrian and cycling crossing at the intersection of Carr/Sydney Rd and Renown/Sydney Rd.

A crossing here would not only assist the school but also provide a safer corridor for active transport, acting as a missing link between west and east from the Upfield line to the Ronald Street Edgars Creek bridge.

 Anthony Cianflone’s response to our concern was:

We can provide slow down signage, which can be easily attached to a fence, pole or building to help spread the word and remind families and commuters on a daily basis to please slow down when travelling around the school.

We, as the School Advisory Council, encourage you to provide us with some feedback/thoughts or information, which we will collate and then notify the above members of Parliament about the real urgency to have a pedestrian crossing installed near the vicinity of Mercy College.

Please forward your email to the following email address: sac@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au.

Mayor Adam Pulford and Peter Kahlil are yet to respond to our letter, but you may or may not also be aware that October this year is a Council election and therefore there will be many candidates looking to represent your area.

Let us continue to work together to provide a safe environment for our students.

Mercy College School Advisory Council

Deputy Principal

At Mercy College we are committed to fostering a culture of excellence and our expectations are high in our approach to student learning and improving student outcomes. This extends to providing opportunities for students to consolidate and demonstrate their learning through a combination of set assessment tasks and semester-based examinations.

Semester One Examinations

Semester One 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: Friday 7 June to Friday 14 June.
Year 9 and 10 Examinations: Thursday 13 June to Friday 14 June.

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 a Semester One Examination timetable has been made available to parents via email. These details will also be posted on the Daily Messages on SIMON for all students to access.

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 email me: nambrozy@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au. 

We wish all students the very best for their upcoming examinations.

VCE Learning Support

Homework Club is held in the library from 3.30pm to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday.
Extra learning support in VCE subjects will be available at these times in following subjects:

• Ms Christofi – Psychology/HHD (HW Cub Monday, Wednesday, Thursday till 4.30pm and Tuesday till 5pm)
• Ms Damm – Art/Media (HW Club Monday to Thursday till 4.30pm)
• Ms Sedara – English/Legal Studies (HW Club Tuesdays and Thursdays till 5.00pm)

General Achievement Test (GAT) – Tuesday 18 June

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.

Senior VCE-VM 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 – VCE Unit 3&4 Subjects

Between Monday 23 September and Thursday 26 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.

ACED 2024 VCE Lecture Series – Save the dates

Tickets for these lectures will become available towards the middle of the year. Students are encouraged to join the student mailing list here to be alerted to the booking page going live.

Students are encouraged to save the below dates in their diaries.

VCE Biology
Presenter: Caitlin Pohl

• Thursday 19 September 2024, 4.00pm – 7.30pm
• Sunday 29 September 2024, 9.00am – 12.30pm 
• Sunday 13 October 2024, 1.00pm – 4.30pm 

VCE Chemistry
Presenter: Dr Ute Kreher 

• Saturday 21 September 2024, 9.00am – 12.30pm
• Friday 27 September 2024, 3.00pm – 6.30pm 

VCE English
Presenter: Emma Ford

• Sunday 15 September 2024, 9.30am – 12.00pm
• Monday 23 September 2024, 9.30am – 12.00pm 
• Sunday 13 October 2024, 9.30am – 12.00pm 

VCE Business Management
Presenter: Peter Chard

• Saturday 21 September 2024, 1.30pm – 5.00pm
• Monday 30 September 2024, 1.00pm – 4.30pm 

VCE Legal Studies
Presenter: Simon Phelan

• Sunday 22 September 2024, 9.00am – 12.30pm
• Tuesday 1 October 2024, 3.00pm – 6.30pm 

VCE Health and Human Development
Presenter: Andy Keating

• Wednesday 18 September 2024, 4.00pm – 7.30pm
• Sunday 29 September 2024, 1.00pm – 4.30pm 
• Saturday 12 October 2024, 9.00am – 12.30pm 

VCE Psychology
Presenter: Ken Ong

• Sunday 15 September 2024, 1.00pm – 4.30pm
• Monday 23 September 2024, 1.00 – 4.30pm 
• Sunday 6 October 2024, 2.00pm – 5.30pm 
• Saturday 12 October 2024, 1.00pm – 4.30pm 

ACED are currently partnering with Psyched for the Psychology lectures. They are also running a Unit 4 Head Start Webinar on 2 June. Click here for more information.

Nicholas Ambrozy
Deputy Principal

Director: Data, Innovation and Growth

As part of our ongoing curriculum review, we are considering introducing two new programs in 2025 aimed at enhancing our students' educational experiences and better preparing them for the future. We highly value your feedback on these proposals to ensure they meet the needs and expectations of our school community.

The first program under consideration is an Immersion Day for Year 9 students, scheduled one day per cycle. This initiative aims to provide students with diverse learning experiences through various excursions and incursions. For example, students might visit the Melbourne War Memorial to enrich their understanding of history, explore the Melbourne CBD to study tourism for Geography, attend a theatrical performance to enhance their English curriculum, or visit an art gallery to deepen their appreciation of art. The goal is to extend learning beyond the classroom, offering hands-on, real-world experiences that make subjects more engaging and relevant. This approach not only enriches academic learning but also fosters critical thinking, creativity and a deeper connection to the subjects studied.

The second proposal involves the introduction of Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) for students enrolled in the VCE Vocational Major (VCE-VM) program at Years 11 and 12. This would involve students spending one day per cycle in a workplace relevant to their VET studies. By integrating SWL with their VET subjects, we aim to provide students with practical skills and real-world experience that will facilitate a smoother transition into the workforce and/or tertiary studies. This program is designed to enhance employability by giving students a competitive edge, equipping them with the knowledge and experience that are highly valued by employers.

We believe these programs offer significant benefits to our students by bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications. Your insights and opinions are crucial to us as we refine these proposals. Please share any feedback that you may have by contacting me directly on lrabenda@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au. 

Lukasz Rabenda
Director: Data, Innovation and Growth

Student Wellbeing

Student Voice

To kick off 2024, the Student Voice Representative Council has been very busy advocating for change, and organising upcoming whole school events and programs.

As a council, we have collaborated alongside Ms Mathieson, our Student Programs Leader, to represent the student body, which embodies the Mercy values and addresses community involvement.

This year, we introduced the Wellbeing Program. The Wellbeing Program is catered towards each year level and addresses students' concerns, their capabilities and encourages collaboration with their own year level and even extends beyond our Mercy community. The Wellbeing Program is a Student Voice initiative which is aimed at improving students academic performance, behaviour, social integration and satisfaction. We hope to come up with strategies to further promote the program.

Recently, the Student Voice Representative Leaders opened the doors of our Wellbeing Room. The Wellbeing Room is a space designed to teach students to independently manage their emotions. This can be directly through utilising emotional tools, or indirectly through playing games. The room has been booked for particular year levels at different times in the week, this is to ensure that students feel completely comfortable. However, on Fridays the room is available to all year levels, this helps to promote communication and friendships throughout the school. The purpose of the space is to empower students to handle their stress and increase their resilience. As a collective, we hope to personalise the space with quotes from significant women, and displays relating to individuality.

As a team, we have engaged in meetings which discuss whole school events. These discussions and initiatives aim to reconnect the school community and enhance our own Mercy Traditions. A hot topic of discussion is Mercy Day. I’m sure that it is a date in the Mercy Calendar we look forward to the most. We hope that the stalls and activities that are in the process of being organised, bring a smile to the Mercy community and we hope that many lasting memories are made.

To conclude, The Student Voice Leaders hope to organise further events which enhance school spirit and allow students to fully immerse themselves into our school community.

Mariam Saleh
Student Voice Captain

Faith and Identity

“The Energy of the Holy Spirit”

Last week, I was given the privilege of attending the Seeds of Justice Conference Program, a cornerstone initiative of Mercy Education Limited, with five of our senior students. For almost two decades, Mercy Schools have played a pivotal role in providing this conference as a platform to promote social justice among our students, fostering connections with peers from Mercy schools across Victoria and instilling a profound understanding of the Mercy Charism.

Beyond the confines of the school, students are encouraged to translate their comprehension of the Mercy Ethos into tangible actions, exemplifying the Corporal Works of Mercy. Moreover, participation in the conference facilitates the cultivation of lifelong relationships within the wider Mercy family. Each conference has a distinctive theme which is explored in the light of the gospel and mercy values, in the hope this ignites their passion for social justice in the world around them. Our recent conference, held at the Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe, saw four of our Year 11 students and one Year 10 student engage with the theme Breaking Chains, which shed light on the urgent issues of human trafficking and modern slavery affecting 49,000 Australians today. 

The word Slavery, for many, conjures images of people in leg irons, often people of colour who toiled centuries ago, in lands far away from my home in Melbourne.

Yet two things shocked us.

First, Whilst Slavery was abolished over 150 years ago, it is more common today than when it was ‘abolished’. In fact, there are more slaves now than at any time in human history.

Secondly, our region – the Asia Pacific – is home to about half of the world’s 49.6 million slaves. (For more see humanrights.gov.au)

Of this, an astounding 49,000 are Australians, living in our very own communities. Almost invisible, as there are no chains in sight. The statistics and personal stories presented  were deeply impactful.

Through the powerful, confronting at times, and ultimately enlightening talks by guest speakers Liz Payne (Bly sky)  and Bernard Dobson (ACRATH), students gained practical insights on combating these injustices. Devastatingly, women and children were three times more likely to suffer from violent forms of trafficking and they represented 72% of identified victims. Encouraged to embody Gospel values, students explored avenues to address societal injustices, thereby embracing the Mercy mission in action. They will continue this important work through initiatives in the coming weeks ahead.

It led me to thinking about the connection between last Sunday’s Gospel: Pentecost Sunday. The miraculous mayhem of a myriad of languages, each a barrier to spreading the Good News, overcome by the Holy Spirit, who brought comprehension and a universality of language and intention. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, works through us, through the power of prayer to bring renewal, change and peace. I thought back to the gifts and fruits of the Holy spirit confirmed in me during my own Confirmation.  Ann Rennie, a Catholic educator and author in the Age, sums it up eloquently, “Over the years, I have come to learn that the breath of God is what makes us do more, reach beyond our grasp, tick more than the box of attendance and affiliation. For believers, the Holy Spirit animates the best in us. It is the wellspring of goodness born in one heart and activated where two or three are gathered together". 

Furthermore, she continues that the Holy Spirit is “the energy that enables us to do things, to get involved for others, to volunteer, to look around and beyond our own bubble of complacency and to be disturbed into action. The spirit releases the angel of our better selves….It is the gust that can unsettle and disquiet. It is a movement of the spirit that can rearrange the landscape of the heart. It is that moving force, the insistent whisper, the part of us that cannot say no. It’s the Godly get-up-and-go that moves our lives for others. It is the breath of God. It is love in the air. It is the answer, my friend, blowing in the wind".

We pray that our young people feel the Holy Spirit ‘blowing in the wind’ and enact that ‘energy’ into their lives.

God bless, Mrs Arnold

Student Reflection on Seed of Justice Conference

On the 16 May 2024, five students from our Seeds of Justice team (SOJ) went on a Seeds of Justice Mercy Schools overnight retreat. It was held at the Holy Cross Catholic Conference Centre and we had a range of activities focusing on responding to the issues of slavery and trafficking in the modern world. The theme for our retreat was Breaking Chains and the activities that surrounded this theme were led by guest speakers, Liz Payne and Bernard Dobson. Liz Payne personally works with victims that have experienced forms of modern slavery and has helped create programs to help victims become survivors. Her website My Blue Sky is a helpline aimed to help victims of slavery-like situations receive the protection and aid they need. Her main message during the seminar were topics about forced marriage amongst young women between the ages of 7-18 and forced hard labour that required ridiculous hours of work for little to no wages. The subtopics within these categories were debt bondage, false deportation and taking advantage of the vulnerable.

There are 46.9 million enslaved people worldwide, and it is a gendered issue as 71% are women and girls, as they tend to be the most vulnerable and easy to take advantage of. Bernard Dobson has been a volunteer at the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) since 2014. The organisation’s sole mission is to eliminate human trafficking and the harm that it causes to peoples lives. He has been an advocate for human rights even before he worked for ACRATH as he worked in education before he retired. Throughout his seminar, we were further educated on the various types of exploitation and human trafficking that occurs globally.

One of the most shocking statistics to us were from the 2022 statistics that stated there were 49,000 individuals living in modern day slavery within Australia alone. Due to the lack of discussion surrounding these issues, we are living in a close minded world, completely oblivious to the slavery happening within plain sight. He showed us several videos made by the Australian government to help spread awareness on these exploitation issues. These videos alone had a visible and deep impact on everyone in the room. He showed us two further videos that documented real life victims and their stories about how their lives went from free to abusive within as little as a week.

One video that really affected us was about two boys who were recruited to join a cocoa farming business, because their fathers died. One boy was as young as 10 and was approached by a stranger and the other was allegedly 16 but looked as young as 11. He was sold by his mother due to dire circumstances. It especially resonated with us as the members in the room were similar ages or even older than the children in the videos. This wasn’t just a camp advocating and educating us on a taboo issue, it was a camp that helped us view the lives of victims, break the stigma surrounding the talk of modern day slavery, and have the opportunity to meet like-minded people from nine different Mercy schools to discuss and reflect on social justice issues, in order to plan and develop justice initiatives at school.

We feel empowered and enthusiastic about bringing some of these slavery issues into spotlight in our school, and implementing small changes in our school community that can have a positive impact on human slavery worldwide.

Stay Tuned!

Modern slavery in Australia | Walk Free
My Blue Sky
https://acrath.org.au/

Bianca Buenaventura and Gabriella Hauszler
Year 11 Students

CatholicCare Family Week

Last week was CatholicCare Family Week, dedicated to recognising the pivotal role families play in our lives and communities, under the theme Building Compassionate Families and Communities. Highlighting the significance of family bonds, Pope Francis emphasised their crucial role in societal stability, education, and human development. Year 7 students were privileged to engage with CatholicCare representative Kalma Rathouski, who spoke to our students about, exploring the profound importance of family and parental respect. Recognising parents and guardians as providers of not just physical sustenance but also spiritual and moral guidance, the session underscored the centrality of family within the Catholic Church, emphasising prayers for the wellbeing of all families globally.

“What I really liked about CatholicCare was how if someone I know is in need of help, I could always tell my parents about what's been happening and we could ring up CatholicCare to help that person in need".
Ara Passmore
Year 7A

Laudato Si’ Week

This week we celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, which recognises the immediate need to reduce waste in our world and to protect and regenerate the environment. This year’s Laudato Si’ Week theme is inspired by the symbol for Season of Creation 2024, “first fruits".

It invites us to be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love. Laudato Si’ Week and Pentecost, allow us to gather in community to contemplate and nurture seeds of hope for our “suffering planet” (LD 2). The week reminds us of the urgency of the Laudato Si’ message and the need for both personal and cultural transformation amidst our ecological and climate crises.  

Pope Francis encourages us to “contemplate…to grant oneself the time to be silent, to pray, to restore harmony to the soul, the healthy balance between head, heart and hands, between thought, feeling and action.” Contemplating connects us spiritually with the natural world and gives us a sense of peace and serenity. Our students used their lunchtime to plant trees and plants, raising our awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and to care for and preserve nature. 

“There are no lasting changes without cultural changes … and there are no cultural changes without personal changes” (LD, 70)

Cherrie Arnold
Faith and Identity Leader (Term 2 and 3)

Counsellor's Corner

Student wellbeing in the colder months

We have been working as a Wellbeing team to set up the Wellbeing Resource Centre in Clairvaux. This space is warm and inviting and full of helpful resources for students. It is open most lunch times and we have already seen it well utilised.

We are also working closely with students to hear what they believe will help them in their learning.

We know that with winter quickly approaching, the colder and darker mornings have set in and this can make getting up for school and overall motivation difficult. If you are noticing that your student's mood, focus or motivation has changed and are concerned, please reach out to counsellingteam@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au and we can support your student with strategies to see them through Term Two and Three.

Liv Carli Hannan (Social Worker), Laura Cutri (Councellor) and Sarah Giangiulli (Psychologist)
Mercy College Councelling Team

Year 7 Learning and Wellbeing Leader

Year 7s have been reflecting on our experiences at camp and the challenges that we have faced. From the physical challenges of activities like abseiling and the giant swing, we learnt so much about our emotions and how to better support others. It is clear that we have grown as individuals and a cohort because of these experiences and we are thankful for this.

This week we have been discussing e-safety and how to be safe online. We are also excitedly preparing for our 100 Days of Learning at Mercy celebration next Wednesday. The cohort has voted to dress as 100 year olds and the laughter has already begun. We look forward to sharing another amazing experience together. 

Year 10 Learning and Wellbeing Leader

This past week, Year 10 students have been focusing on the critical topic of e-safety. Our goal is to ensure that students are well-informed and equipped to navigate the digital world securely. During these lessons, students have explored various key areas, including:

• Recognising Cyberbullying: Understanding its impact and learning how to effectively respond.
• Managing Digital Footprints: Being aware of the long-term consequences of online activities.
• Setting Privacy Controls: Learning how to protect personal information on social media and other online platforms.
• Engaging Safely Online: Developing strategies for safe and respectful digital communication.

We believe these lessons are essential for fostering a safe online environment and empowering our students to make smart, responsible choices. We encourage parents and guardians to discuss these topics at home, reinforcing the importance of online safety.

Bridget Allen
Year 10 Learning and Wellbeing Leader 

VCE Reflections

Year 12 Retreat Reflection

Reflecting on the Year 12 retreat, we can't help but feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to attend. It was a much-needed break from the pressures of school and our usual fast-paced lives. The theme of Leaving Your Legacy set the tone for deep reflection on our high school journey and allowed us to consider what impact we want to make in the time we have left together.

The overall retreat experience exceeded our expectations. The food was not just healthy but surprisingly delicious. Sharing meals with friends, engaging in conversations and enjoying each other's company strengthened the bonds we had already formed over the years. A highlight that enhanced the experience was the proximity to the beach, where we spent much time bonding. We also had the opportunity to take part in sunrise walks, allowing us to completely detach and be in the present moment.

The teachers played a crucial role in making the camp genuinely memorable. Their friendly attitudes and genuine interest in our wellbeing created a supportive environment where we felt comfortable being ourselves. From organising activities to offering guidance and encouragement, they contributed significantly to the positive atmosphere of the retreat. We are grateful to them for making this experience a memorable one.

Bianca Goldwyn and Leilah-J Toomaga

Year 11 Activities Week

During activities week, the Year 11s visited a few universities led by some amazing tour guides, had a day trip to Sovereign Hill where we learned about the impacts of the Gold Rush and spent the rest of that week at Adekate Camp in Creswick.

We visited Victoria University, Australian Catholic University and Melbourne University. We were privileged to gain an insight into how universities function. Many of us learned about the “time block” timetable when students could attend their classes. Having learnt about the different courses offered at each University, it was safe to say everyone felt a little overwhelmed with the number of choices available to us but it was enlightening to learn about how each Uni was structured.  My peers also told me to mention the exercise and fitness we gained from the scenic walk across the city. After finishing off our day at Melbourne University, many of us split off into our friendship groups and went exploring for food in the city, earning some freedom and independence in Melbourne’s CBD.

Arriving at school the next day with our suitcases, pillows and sleeping bags in hand, we embarked on our bus ride to Sovereign Hill. The weather was surprisingly sunny as we learned about how the Gold Rush impacted Australia’s native flora and fauna, whilst also learning about the intense environments most diggers were exposed to down in the mines.

From Sovereign Hill, we reached Adekate Camp. There, we were able to wind down and enjoy the delicious lasagne prepared for us by the amazing kitchen staff. Aiden and Will, our two camp guides, had taken us through a long night walk in the bushes. Personally, my favourite part was jumping over the big log that had fallen onto the path. After that, we enjoyed a fun trivia night prepared by Darcy and were able to win fun little prizes. The cabins were freshly renovated with warm heaters and comfy bunk beds, allowing us a good night's sleep after a busy and eventful day. 

The next morning, we enjoyed a refreshing breakfast and split into our four activity groups. We were in group three with Ms Mazzone and started with the ‘Milk Crates’. The aim of the game was to stack as many milk crates as you could, but here's the catch: you were attached to a harness where your teammates had to pull you as high as possible to build the highest stack; we beat the camp record with 29 crates. We continued to the Leap of Faith where some of us chose to jump off a 20m ledge (with a harness of course). That one was a crowd favourite for sure. Shortly after, we split into small groups and engaged in an orienteering activity where we had to find 10 puzzles around the camp. We then enjoyed a nice chicken wrap for lunch and continued to our next activity, which was ziplining. Taking turns in pairs down the zipline, some of us doing cool poses in the air, like the Spiderman pose. We warmed up with a nice dinner which included butter chicken and rice.

We walked over to the campfire where we united in a liturgy under the bright stars. We enjoyed roasted marshmallows and the comfort of the fire. After that, we gathered in the cafeteria, with our oodies and stacks of food, to watch the rom-com ‘10 Things I Hate About You’. I think we can all agree that the commentary during the romantic scene was the funniest bit - Thanks Ms Toll. After the movie, it was lights out as we prepared ourselves for our last day where we finished our leftover activity, which for us was archery and said goodbye to our interactive camp guides.

Olivia Pitruzzello and Arshia Safi

C.L.E.A.R Wellbeing Program

A very exciting few weeks in Student Wellbeing as our Student Wellbeing Resource Center has officially opened. This is available for students at lunchtimes Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as a welcoming space to support their wellbeing.

Our counselling team will be attending lunchtime sessions to support students and next term we plan to begin presenting lessons directed at specific social skills. The student feedback has been fantastic so far and we look forward to continually improving this. 

Laura Mathieson
Student Programs Leader  

Homework Club

NCCD Information Sheets

Mathematics

On Friday 10 May, Ms Russell, Ms Palmer and myself attended the teacher workshop as part of the “Teaching for Impact in Mathematics Series (TIMS)” targeted at Years 7 and 8 teachers. The topics covered on the day were:

1. The Science of Learning-Research on Sensory, Working and LongTerm Memory and how to use this model for learning.
2. How to achieve Full Participation in the Classroom-Strategies to achieve this as well as elicit learning and check for understanding.
3. The importance of Spaced Practice and Daily Review-Examples of High Impact Lessons that use the new Ochre resources in Mathematics.

Staff feedback was very positive and we discussed sharing  the knowledge with the rest of the Mathematics team at our next meeting as well as putting some of these strategies into practice.

I will be attending the Leaders Workshop on Monday 27 May with Mr Ambrozy and look forward to more learning about TIMS.

Maria Carinci
Learning Area Leader: Mathematics

Humanities

The recent VCE Year 12 Business Management excursion to the Yakult factory provided students with an exceptional opportunity to observe business operations firsthand. This visit was planned to complement the students' theoretical knowledge with practical insights. At the factory, students witnessed the entire production process of Yakult, from raw materials to the finished product. The tour included detailed explanations of quality control measures, supply chain logistics, and marketing strategies, highlighting how Yakult maintains its position as a leader in the probiotic drink market. This hands-on experience allowed students to understand the complexities and efficiencies involved in manufacturing and distribution, reinforcing classroom learning with real-world examples.

Meanwhile, the Year 7 excursion to the Museum of Chinese Australian History in the CBD was equally enriching. This trip served a dual purpose: educating students about significant aspects of Chinese history and culture in Australia, and providing practical experience with using public transport. At the museum, students explored exhibits that showcased the rich heritage and contributions of Chinese Australians. This immersive experience not only deepened their historical understanding but also fostered an appreciation for cultural diversity.

These excursions were made possible through the dedicated efforts of our teachers, whose patience and calmness ensured that students gained maximum educational value from these experiences. Looking ahead, the Year 12 Legal class is set to visit the Magistrates Court, offering a firsthand look at the legal system in action, while Year 11 Legal Studies students will explore Pentridge Prison, delving into the history and operations of this significant correctional facility. These upcoming excursions promise to continue our commitment to experiential learning.

Lukasz Rabenda
Learning Area Leader: Humanities

Arts and Technology

At the start of this year, the Arts and Technology Learning Area created a Rapid Action Plan which is a series of goals that are to be implemented each term across the school year. These smaller goals are in line with Mercy College’s Annual Action Plan. The Arts and Technology Learning Area’s goals are the following:

1. To foster and strengthen leadership throughout the Arts and Technology Learning Area.
2. To provide access, choice and voice in our subject areas, through competitions, clubs and assessment tasks.
3. To promote Arts and Technology subjects that translate into career choices.
4. To create and develop our own vocabulary list across all Arts and Technology subjects.
   
   

In Term 2, we will focus on Priority 2 in the AAP on ‘Student Agency’, with the goal ‘to elevate student agency in learning and wellbeing’. This will be achieved by providing students with continual support in class to access art and technology subjects through competitions and clubs including the opportunity for choice and voice on various assessment tasks they will complete.

Below are some examples from the teachers in the Arts and Tech Learning Area who foster student agency within our classrooms by providing students with choice and voice in a range of assessment tasks in various year levels:

Year 7 Art - Warhol Painting

Students in Year 7 Art understand the technique of ‘colour repetition’ and ‘layering’ by applying various colours to the same image. Students select their own images, print them and trace them four times into a symmetrical square. Students then with their selected four colours repeat these to create various coloured compositions. They continue to practice this skill to eventually master their own creation on their canvas for their final assessment.
Ms Maggie Viaopolous

Year 7 Dance - Student Solo’s
The Year 7s have focussed on learning a group dance and refining their arm and leg movements. They have been proactive in asking lots of questions and thinking about how they can improve their performance and technical skills. Students have also been choreographing their own solos to perform during class time. They have had the opportunity to choose their own song and movement style. They will be able to peer assess each other during the refinement process. After they perform in their class, they will be able to evaluate their performance and reflect on the overall experience of creating a dance, refining it and performing their choreography in front of others.
Ms Fiona Laino

Year 12 Media
In Unit 3: Area of Study 2 of Media, students who are in the pre-production planning phase of their SAT Folios can choose any theme, topic or issue that they wish to express in various range of Media Forms. These media forms include Animation, Audio/Radio, Moving Image (Video/Film), Photography, Print or Hybridised Production. Some current examples include:

• A Coffee Table Book about ‘Girlhood’
• An Anime inspired Animation that focuses on the resilience made through hardships
• An Archietcual photographic series
• A narrative audio production about a character on a spaceship, exploring grief and confronting their death.

Above are just some examples of students pursuing their own interests in their Media SAT Folios. Students will then begin actual production on these in Unit 4.
Ms Madeline Carnibella

Year 8 Music - Pop Songs
In Year 8 Music, students have just begun work on making ‘Pop’ Songs using SoundTrap – this is an online music production application. Students will use SoundTrap to compose, record, edit and mix a song of their own creation. Before beginning their compositions, students needed to select a song they liked, complete an analysis about a selection of given musical elements and discuss the characteristics of the song before constructing their own! The students will then investigate the finer details of sound-production work including mixing and mastering!
Mr Jack Stewart

Year 9 Design and Create - Create your own Hoodie
Students develop their skill set in sewing a stretch fabric. This builds on the skills in Year 8 where they learnt the use of the sewing machine by producing a pair of shorts from polyester/cotton woven fabric.  In Year 9 Design & Create, the students have more scope to make a garment that suits their individuality. Students are given a basic design brief to produce a windcheater/hoodie, where they are required to elaborate and add detail to make the garment more individual. From the basic design brief, the students assess their skill level and can then make decisions about what colour to make their hoodie from the choices available, whether they want to include a fully lined hood, whether they want to make a pocket (and what type of pocket), whether the students want ribbing (and the colour combination) or would they hem the sleeves and hemline. The choices and decisions students make suit their needs and help to make the windcheater/hoodie the students’ own.
Ms Vicki Harvey

Year 10 Visual Communication Design - MPavillion Design

The Year 10 VCD class explored environmental design by creating their own design for MPavilion. This is an opportunity for architects from Australia and across the world to design a pavilion in Queen Victoria Gardens used as part of a design festival between November to March. The students were presented with the opportunity to research pavilions around the world to create their design, and then build their own 3D model as part of their assessment. The Year 10s took on the challenge with determination, while using their critical thinking skills, problem-solving and supporting each other through every step of the way.
Ms Susan Grdunac

The Arts and Technology teachers are proud to be providing students with continual choices in a range of assessment tasks as well as opportunities both within and outside of the classroom. 

Madeline Carnibella
Learning Area Leader: Arts and Technology

VCE-VM

VM meets Bunnings Coburg

The VM students visited Bunnings Coburg on Friday 26 April. We were warmly welcomed by a Mercy alumni who was very keen to meet the students and showcase the store. We were given a tour of the store and learnt about the different roles for employees in the various parts of the store.

The PDS students focussed on how Bunnings builds community within the store and how they connect to the local Coburg community. The WRS students focussed on the workplace culture, staff wellbeing and personal accountability.

As part of the visit the students were guided to construct a flat pack in two teams. They learnt how to best use various tools and the importance of following directions! The students are very proud of their finished storage units and were happy to take home a tool belt. Bunnings also kindly supplied coffee cards for a well earned morning tea! Several of the students are now keen to pursue casual employment at Bunnings.

Angela Heydon
VCE-VM Teacher

Finance: Health Care Cards

Health Care Cards
Families with a Health Care Card (HCC) may be eligiable for the CSEF payment towards their school account. Please ensure you provide a copy of your HCC to Reception by Friday 7 June for processing. The deadline for the school to submit applicatons is 20 June 2024.

Alumnae News

On behalf of the Mercy College Alumnae Association and in celebration of Family Week 13- 17 May, Mercy is proud to introduce this contribution to Alumnae news – The Paidi Family: Mother and daughters.

To read their reflections, please click on the link below.

Have you ever wondered what life could hold for you after Mercy? Are you interested in where your peers are now?

Past students are encouraged to remain in contact with the College and are welcome to visit. We are always interested in information with respect to careers, marriages, travel, family, sporting and other achievements. Stories of interest are placed in the College newsletter from time to time so keep an eye out! To submit a story, please emil alumnae@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au 

A reminder that we have our annual Alumni reunion this year on Sunday 20 October 2024. An invitation is extended to all past Mercy College students and staff. The more the merrier, so save the date!

Hurra for foundations, makes the old young and the young merry.
Foundress Catherine McAuley
Letter to Cecilia Marmion January 4, 1841

Diane Psaila
Alumnae Relations Officer