Mercy News - Friday 9 August 2024

Key Dates

Saturday 10 August - Sunday 18 August

• Science Week
  

Tuesday 13 August

• Mercy and Parade Drama Production Rehearsal - 3.30pm to 5.30pm
• Year 7A Pizza Lunch with Ms McInerney 

Wednesday 14 August 

• Year 9 RE Catholic Church Excursion
• Year 7B Pizza Lunch with Ms McInerney 
  

Thursday 15 August

• Feast of the Assumption
• Mercy and Parade Drama Production Rehearsal - 3.30pm to 5.30pm
  
• Week 3: Fun with Science Years 4 to 6 Girls Afterschool Program - 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Friday 16 August

• National Day of Action Against Bullying
• Applications for Year 7 2026 Close
• House Assemblies - Wellbeing
• Year 7C Pizza Lunch with Ms McInerney 
  

Monday 19 August

• Environmental Science Incursion: Melbourne Water - Water Watch Program with Julia Cirillo
  • 7B - Period 2
  • 7A - Period 4
  • 7C - Period 5

Tuesday 20 August

• Mercy and Parade Drama Production Rehearsal - 3.30pm to 5.30pm
  

Wednesday 21 August

• CGSAV Soccer Tournament

Thursday 22 August

• Year 10 Reflection Day
• Year 9 Outdoor Education Excursion: Torquay Overnight Camp - Leave at 1.30pm
• Mercy and Parade Drama Production Rehearsal - 3.30pm to 5.30pm
  
• Week 4: Fun with Science Years 4 to 6 Girls Afterschool Program - 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Friday 23 August

• Year 9 Outdoor Education Excursion: Torquay Overnight Camp - Return at 3.20pm
• Years 7 and 8 Science Incursion: Marine Science - Period 5

Prayer

A prayer for those involved in sports

O God, you gave us bodies—as well as minds and hearts—with which to praise and worship you.
Our sports and exercises are a fitting use of gifts and talents you have given us.
Bless our workouts and the games we play, and those with whom we exercise or compete.
Give us strength, endurance, courage and agility as we compete or train.
Keep us safe and healthy as we celebrate our physical and mental skills in sport.

Amen

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy Community,

Olympic Games, Paris 2024

After watching and reading more than two weeks of action packed sport we find ourselves nearing the end of the 2024 Summer Olympics - the games of the XXXIII Olympiad.  Throughout these Olympics , I have been reminded of the incredible feats of athleticism, determination and resilience that these Games have showcased. Athletes from all over the world gathered to compete at the highest level, having spent years—sometimes even a lifetime—training for just a few moments on the world stage. Their journey is not just one of physical endurance, but also of mental strength, discipline and unwavering commitment.

These qualities—determination, resilience, and commitment—are not just the hallmarks of Olympians but are also critical to success in education, particularly for our students. Just as these athletes set their sights on Olympic gold, our students set goals in their academic and personal lives. The pursuit of knowledge, much like the pursuit of athletic excellence, requires dedication, focus and the belief that with hard work, anything is possible.

At Mercy, we are committed to fostering an environment where our all our students can develop these traits, enabling them to achieve their dreams both in and out of the classroom. We know that secondary education is a critical time for our students—a time when they not only gain academic knowledge but also build the character and skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

The Olympics also serve as a reminder of the importance of role models. Many of the female athletes competing today grew up watching the Games, inspired by those who came before them. Similarly, we strive to provide our students with strong, positive role models—whether through our dedicated teaching staff, successful alumnae, or the stories of women who have broken barriers in various fields.

As we have cheered on our favourite athletes, it has been another reminder to encourage and support our students in their own pursuits. Every class, every project and every challenge they face is an opportunity to grow stronger, smarter and more resilient. Just as Olympians push their limits to achieve greatness, our students too can reach new heights when they are supported and empowered to believe in themselves.

Let’s take the inspiration of the Olympics, encouraging our students to aim high, work hard and never give up on their dreams. Together, we can help them achieve their own "gold medal" moments—whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in any path they choose to pursue.

Thank you to all our families for your continued support and dedication to the success of our students.  We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you throughout the year which is a shared privilege and responsibility for us all.

Prayers

As a Mercy College community we pray for:

• Cherrie Arnold, Faith and Identity Leader (Acting) and her family, with the death of her father.
  

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, rest in peace. Amen

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

Lila McInerney
College Principal

Annual Report to the School Community

The Annual Report to the School Community provides an opportunity to share the school's achievements and progress with the school community.

This report gives parents/carers/guardians a clearer idea of the nature and outcomes of each school. The report includes important information such as student attendance, the range of activities provided, overall performance of students (e.g. NAPLAN, VCE and VCE-VM), results of parent and student surveys, and teacher qualifications.

To view the Mercy College Annual Report to the School Community for 2023, please click on the link below.

MACS Annual Report

Deputy Principal

2025 Years 9 to 12 Subject Selection

Throughout this term, students have been working through the initial stages of the subject selection process and have had the opportunity to learn more about the subjects offered at each year level. For our Year 10 students this has also included learning more about the individual learning pathways that are available to them as they transition into the senior school. These opportunities include the recent Subject Selection Expo and Parent Information Night as well as the various year-level assemblies for Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 students.

If you were unable to attend these events and to further assist students as they work through the subject selection process in preparation for next year, please note that the presentations for these events were emailed to all parents last week.

VCE/VCE-VM 2025 Curriculum Handbook

Please note that amendments have been made to VCE/VCE-VM 2025 Curriculum Handbook (p. 10).

Key Points
Year 11 2025

• Students studying the Certificate of Religious Education undertake five other units each semester of Unit 1 (Semester 1) and Unit 2 (Semester 2)
• Students studying Unit 1 & 2 Religion and Society undertake four other units each semester of Unit 1 (Semester 1) and Unit 2 (Semester 2)

Year 12 2025

• Students studying Unit 1 Text and Traditions Undertake four other units each semester of Unit 3 (Semester 1) and Unit 4 (Semester 2)
• Students studying Unit 3 & 4 Religion and Society undertake three other units each semester of Unit 3 (Semester 1) and Unit 4 (Semester 2)

VCE Mathematics Revision Program

MAV's VCE Revision Program is LIVE and open for registrations!

The Mathematical Association of Victoria developed a self-paced, interactive, online VCE Revision Course for students. Our online courses are created by VCAA assessors, and are available for students to access from the day they register, all the way up until their exams finish.

The program received incredibly positive feedback as it was jam-packed with useful information and advice, and accessible all the way until the end of the VCE exams.

See website to register or for more information.

Download the flyer here for students and parents.

Trial Examinations Year 11 and 12

Between Monday 23 September and Thursday 26 September, all VCE students who are currently completing a scored VCE Unit 3 & 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.

Learner Expectation Reports

Learner Expectation Reports will be available to all families as of Monday 26 August via the Parent Access Module (PAM).

Learner Expectation Reports are designed to provide feedback on a range of areas related to your child’s learning, study habits and overall progress. These reports provide feedback on your child’s progress and form the basis for discussion at the upcoming Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences to be held on Tuesday 3 September.

Families will receive further correspondence outlining how to access their child’s Learner Expectation Report and information regarding the Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences.

In the meantime, we encourage your child to continue to the apply themselves to the best of their ability across all their subjects and look forward to discussing your child’s progress with you.

Years 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

The Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held on Tuesday 3 September.

This is an opportunity for teaching staff at Mercy College to share with families their understanding of the needs of each Year 7 to 10 student, working in partnership with parents, guardians and students to discuss strategies that will enhance the understanding of the course content. Such partnerships are essential to the success of each student and ensure that each student can achieve their personal best.  

We encourage all parents and guardians to make appointments with their child’s teachers. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in these interviews.

We look forward to meeting with you and your child and discussing how to best support and extend her to achieve their goals and ‘flourish’ in the learning environment.

Families will receive further correspondence outlining how to access and make bookings for the Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences.

Nicholas Ambrozy
Deputy Principal

Director: Data Innovation and Growth

 It has been another very busy start to Term Three. Here are some of the key developments and updates from the start of this term.

Parents/guardians of students in Years 7 and 9 should now have received their children’s NAPLAN results. We are pleased to report that the results reflect significant growth from Year 7 to Year 9, despite the changes in the NAPLAN format. This progress is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the continued support from parents/guardians. It’s encouraging to see our educational strategies yielding positive outcomes, and we remain committed to fostering even greater achievements.

The term commenced with our VCE and VCE-VM students and their parents/guardians actively participating in the Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. These meetings are pivotal in ensuring that students stay on track with their studies and have the necessary support to reach their academic goals. For our Year 12 students, the collaboration witnessed at the meetings should now give the students the motivation and support for a final push as their secondary school journey comes to an end.

Another significant event was the Subject Selection evening, which saw an impressive turnout. Students and parents had the opportunity to explore various subjects and pathways, enabling them to make informed decisions about their academic futures. We are now in the process of reviewing applications from students eager to accelerate their learning. This initiative allows students to challenge themselves and explore advanced coursework that aligns with their interests and aspirations.

Additionally, interviews have been conducted with our senior students as they prepare to transition into their final year of VCE. These discussions are crucial in helping students reflect on their current trajectory and set realistic goals for their final year of study.

Looking ahead, we will soon be conducting the annual MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools - School Improvement Surveys). Students will complete these surveys in class. The insights gained from these responses are invaluable as they guide our College’s future direction and help us continually improve the educational experience at Mercy College. We encourage all students to participate thoughtfully, as their feedback plays a vital role in shaping our school’s growth and development.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of school life.

Lukasz Rabenda
Director: Data, Innovation and Growth

Faith and Identity

The Power of Prayer

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a conference where Very Rev. Mark Reynolds presented to all the secondary Faith leaders in the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.  His presentation was on the “Revelation of Lord’s Prayer.” His presentation was both empowering and enlightening, revealing that the Lord’s prayer is actually a very radical prayer, and one which is highly demanding of us. 

I must admit, although I pray this prayer daily, and it is probably the first prayer I learnt as a child, I hadn’t really thought of the Lord’s prayer as a ‘radical and demanding prayer!’ I also admit that I am prone to rushing through the prayer like an olympic sport, not really engaging in the words as deeply as I should, at times.

Rev. Reynolds emphasised the sense of urgency in the prayer, highlighting the words that beg for God’s intervention. He reminded us that God's presence is not like magical fairy dust, but a real and powerful force that we invite into our lives through sincere prayer. (Note to self, slow down when praying!) 

Reflecting on the Lord's Prayer, he highlighted how it calls for the Kingdom of God to break into the world. This prayer is direct, to the point and deliberately short, unlike the long benedictions of other traditions. It’s a call for action without babbling, focusing on what truly matters. 

Rev. Reynolds passionately spoke about the non-compromising nature of the Lord's Prayer. It calls us to be people of peace, leaving no room for war and to proclaim the reign of God. Jesus taught us that the Kingdom is here and now, present in our relationships and daily actions. We are called to be "kingdom bringers," making God's Kingdom a reality all around us. I reflected on how I might bring about God’s kingdom: His love, His compassion, His forgiveness in my daily life?  What actions do I need to implement to truly be a “Kingdom bringer?” 

Prayer is the light of the soul, a true knowledge of God and a mediator between God and humanity. It lifts the soul to the heavens, where it embraces God in an indescribable way. All prayer connects us to God, bringing joy to the soul and calming our emotions. 

But we are reminded that prayer is not just words. It's a desire for God, an indescribable devotion brought about by God’s grace. As St. Paul says, "When we cannot choose words to pray properly, the Spirit intercedes on our behalf in a way that could never be put into words". Romans 8:26-39.  Sometimes, it is enough to just sit in silent prayer, asking God to speak through us, remaining silent and alert to his intervention.

Pope Francis reminded us in January this year that “Prayer is the breath of faith in a war-torn world". Prayer is the breath of faith, a cry from the hearts of those who trust in God. We see this in the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar from Jericho. Despite his blindness, he recognises Jesus is near and cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10:46-52 Jesus responds, inviting Bartimaeus to express his desire to see again, saying, "Go; your faith has saved you." This shows that faith, and prayer, are a cry for salvation that attracts God’s mercy and power.

It's not just Christians who pray; all people search for meaning on their earthly journey. As we continue on our pilgrimage of faith, may we, like Bartimaeus, persevere in prayer, especially in our darkest moments. With confidence, let us ask the Lord to be with us as we pray.  

May we embrace the Lord’s prayer and strive to bring Jesus, and the Kingdom, to the world by making prayer a vibrant part of our lives. Let it be the foundation of our faith, the light that guides us, and the breath that sustains us. In every moment, let us turn to God, knowing that our prayers are heard and cherished.

Cherrie Arnold
Faith and Mission Leader (Acting)

Counsellor's Corner

Start the Morning for Success!

We are already half way through Term Three. It’s been cold. It’s been busy.

Students often come to counselling around this time of the year seeking support for motivation, energy levels, and returning to school after illness. 

Sometimes the challenges they are facing are escalated by a stressful or dysregulated morning. How we start our morning can really impact how we feel at school and our attendance. 

The more of a structured routine we create, the less stressful our mornings will be.

If mornings have been a problem for you then we want you to try:

1. Having the school bag packed the night before and uniform laid out.
2. If you need an alarm, then have it away from your bed so you have to get up to stop it (and don’t go back to bed!).
3. If you’re often late to school, or there is lots of stress and arguing to get here, then start the morning earlier.
4. Drink water in the morning and have a healthy breakfast. 
5. Listen to music or a podcast and avoid scrolling your phone (it is such a distraction, we lose track of time and our brains start the day overstimulated).
6. Get some fresh air! Whether it is walking to public transport or getting to school in time to have a walk around the yard, getting some exercise and fresh air before school is a great way to set ourselves up for success.

If you are having trouble getting to school or feeling good in yourself when you are here then please reach out to counsellingteam@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au.

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

eSafety

Online Safety Information For Parents And Carers

Valuable online safety information for parents and carers can be found on the following link: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
Scroll to the middle of this page on the eSafety website to find out how parents and carers can:

1. Help their child to have positive experiences online.
2. Understand the online safety challenges and how parents and carers can strike a balance between screen time and offline activities.
3. Develop good online habits for their child.

There are lots of other tabs for parents and carers to explore on this page, that provide up to date information about how they can help their child to stay safe online.

Education and communication is important to helping your child become a positive digital citizen who can engage with appropriate online material and seek help if they are having negative online experiences. Regular conversations with your child and establishing good online habits guided by parents and carers, is key to responsible use of online apps and social media.

Year 7 Learning and Wellbeing Level Leader

Year 7s have been busy getting back into the swing of things after a restful holiday break. We have continued our exploration of e-safety and its impacts on our mental health.

This week we have discussed positive decision-making and how we can use this in various aspects of our lives from our study to our relationships with others. Our classrooms are filled with excitement as we begin to look forward to Book, Literacy and Numeracy Week with a guest author speaking to us next Tuesday.

A big congratulations to many of our students for supporting the House dodgeball event and building House Spirit.

Laura Mathieson
Year 7 Learning and Wellbeing Leader

Year 10 Learning And Wellbeing Level Leader

In Year 10 this week as we progress through Term Three, it's time for our students to make their subject selections for next year. This is a pivotal moment in their educational journey, as the choices they make will help shape their future academic and career paths.

To support our students in making informed decisions, we have organised a series of meetings throughout this week. These sessions are designed to provide detailed information about the various subjects on offer, including prerequisites, course content and potential career pathways.

Our dedicated teaching staff will be available to answer any questions and provide guidance to help students align their choices with their interests and aspirations.

Bridget Allen
Year 10 Learning And Wellbeing Level Leader

Future Health Leaders Program

With great pride, we are excited to announce that one of our Year 11 student, Konstandina Karavias, has been selected to participate in the Future Health Leaders Program, a collaboration between Research Australia and AbbVie.

The Future Health Leaders Program aims to inspire female secondary school students to pursue careers in health and medical research, innovation and life sciences. This unique opportunity will bring together twelve exceptional young women from across Australia for a one-day session at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

During this session, they will:

• Explore diverse career pathways in health and medical research
• Cultivate a passion for careers in these fields
• Engage with outstanding female leaders in research, education, industry, and government
• Gain hands-on experience at ANU

We wish to congratulate Konstandina on her success and wish her all the best for an amazing day of learning with other exceptional young women and we look forward to hearing all about her experiences when she returns to the College.

Jamie Brown
VCE Learning and Wellbeing Leader

Art and Technology

Over the holidays, The Arts and Technology Teachers have enjoyed their time re-engaging in their respective areas such as going to exhibitions, participating in a dance class, catching up on television shows and making healthy recipes! 

Enjoy these recommendations, recipes and reviews from The Arts and Technology Faculty:

Art
There is nothing I love more than a market on a Sunday morning and The Rose Street Artists Market is a Melbourne Institution and a mecca for art lovers and creators. Located in Rose Street, Fitzroy the market began in 2003 and has evolved over the years to today where it plays host to an eclectic mix of designers, artists and makers including illustrators, painters, ceramicists, jewellery designers, fashion designers for both adults and children, candle makers to name a few. The market provides a great starting point for artists wanting to get themselves and their work seen as well as selling their products. For many of the stallholders, this is their livelihood and for some, it’s their side hustle, irrespective of this the market is a supportive network fostering the work of local emerging artists and valuing the notion of buying handmade and ethically produced goods. 

The market is open every Saturday and Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm come rain, hail or shine. It is a bustling, exciting vibe of like-minded creatives that you really should get amongst, if you can as either a stallholder or a shopper. 

The artists' market held at Heide Art Gallery in Bulleen is also another favourite. Held in the beautiful acreages of Heide this market has been a beautiful marriage between the passion for the arts and a variety of creative practices and the vision that John and Sunday Reed had for their property Heide, which was to be a living gallery for everyone to enjoy. Heide and its grounds were a bequest to the State Government to continue sharing the significance Heide has on Australian art and artists. 

The Rose St Artists' Market: https://www.rosestmarket.com.au/
Heide Makers' Market: https://www.heidemarket.com/

Maggie Vaiopoulos
Full-Time Artiste

Dance
Boosting cardiovascular health, increasing flexibility and improving balance and coordination, are just some of the reasons why people should take up dancing as a hobby. Having fun by dancing socially and meeting new people, can boost a person’s mental health and stimulate brain function too. It’s important to embrace the phrase ‘Dance, like no one is watching’. 

Dance at Year 7, has enabled students to collaborate and build positive relationships with others in their class, as well as develop the confidence to challenge themselves physically so they can enjoy the freedom of movement and self-expression through the art of Dance.

Fiona Laino,
Part-time Dancer, Full-time Information Service Leader 

Food
Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for both physical and mental wellbeing. As a food studies teacher, I encourage our students and their families to focus on making healthier choices in their diet. The Year 8 class are currently learning about how to make healthy decisions with their food, incorporating the 5 food groups (fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, lean meat and poultry). This is one of my Favorite recipes to make for a quick, easy and delicious meal incorporating a number of vegetables, especially ones I have left over in the fridge.  

Brianna Shears
Full-Time Healthy Eater

Media
I always look forward to the holidays after each term as I catch up on all of the Television Shows, Movies and Podcasts that I was unable to watch or listen to! One of the absolute standouts was ‘The Bear’. I promise no spoilers will be shared below!

Throughout the entire series, there are some incredibly well-used media codes and conventions, in particular code of sound (both diegetic and non-diegetic) and the convention of structuring of time. Both of these codes and conventions have been used exceptionally well in The Bear’s Season Three Episode called ‘Tomorrow’.

This episode showcases multiple flashbacks that recount Carmy's time working for renowned chefs at various restaurants, including Chef Terry at Ever alongside Luca, René Redzepi at Noma, Daniel Boulud at Daniel, and David Fields at Empire in New York. These flashbacks create a stark contrast when jumping into the present. When watching the episode, there is also a symbolic colour juxtaposition that shows Carmy’s past being bright and warm and the present being dull and miserable. The main reason why this episode is arguably the best in Season Three (in my opinion) is that there is minimal dialogue and that Jeremy White’s acting does all the talking on screen. A majority of the scenes are silent or with minimal talking and the entire episode is set to the same single piece of music called ‘Together’ - composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The way audiences engage with any media product is an imperative part of Media Studies. All reports from various reviewers say that this season of The Bear is one of the best yet. The Train Station is a metaphor for something - I still need to figure that out! If you haven't watched it, it is a must-see! 

Here is a clip for your viewing: The Bear - Opening Scene

Madeline Carnibella 
Part-time TV reviewer, Full-time Media Teacher

Visual Communication Design
If you have a strong interest in architecture or environmental design, then you should watch Grand Design: The Streets. This is a free-to-air show on ABC iView and showcases innovative and sustainable house designs. The presenter, Kevin McCloud, follows a range of people taking on self-build projects in the heart of Britain. For an emerging designer, this is a great insight into how good design can be achieved even with the hard constraints of a budget, small footprint and sustainable resources and materials. Please follow the link below to view a range of episodes, that will open your mind to creative design solutions.

Here's a clip for your viewing: Grand Design: The Streets

Natalie Szuba
Part-Time Designer

Food
My love of cooking and science can be combined when working with students in Food Studies classes. I feel that linking Science within the Food Studies classes helps students to see how several subjects are related. From junior classes to senior classes, these links can be made with such things as:

• Metal expands when heated - so this is why we move oven bars when they are cold => not only is it safer as you won’t burn yourself, but it is easier as the metal is still at its thinnest
• When liquids combine with self-raising flour a chemical reaction occurs to produce carbon dioxide, which assists our cakes in rising => hence it is ideal to put our products into the oven as soon as they are mixed. 
• Hot air rises - heating the carbon dioxide that is produced when we combine a liquid with self-raising flour is why our breads, cakes and other foods rise when put in the oven
• Acids and qlkalis, when combined, cause a chemical reaction that also produces carbon dioxide. We can use this knowledge in recipes such as when we are making Anzac Biscuits, Banana Bread and several others - bicarb soda (alkali) and golden syrup (acid), baking powder which is a combination of cream of tartar (acid) and bicarb soda (alkali) 

The Year 11 Food Studies students have recently made Banana Bread, not only was it popular with all the students who made it, but also with those who they shared this delicious product with!

Ms Vicki Harvey
Full-Time Food Extraordinaire

Art
While I’m constantly looking for inspiration for my work, one thing I often like to do is visit exhibitions. I like being inspired by a variety of local and international art & design, to keep my creativity open to new possibilities. I recently visited ACMI (at Federation Square) to see the ‘Beings’ exhibition, an interactive experience with larger-than-life furry, wiggling and jiggling, beautiful and surreal digital creatures and plant life that move the more you move and move with you. The interactive digital works by UK-based art and design collective, Universal Everything are inspired by nature, human figures and emotions. The high-end visual effects are mesmerizing and so much fun, with the exhibition also showing how digital artists go about their creative process beginning with simple hand-drawn sketches. This fun visit (with me acting more like a child than my own!) was followed up with a regular visit to NGV just across the Yarra River, which is another constant source of inspiration. I often finish our NGV visits by getting stuck in the gift shop trying not to buy too many art & design books! 

Check out these links below:
https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/beings/ and https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/

Ms Susan Grdunac
Part Time Visual Artist

Music and Performing Arts Concert

The Performing Arts Concert is a celebration of all things performing here at Mercy College. This year the concert will be held onsite in McAuley Hall on Monday 9 September 2024, commencing at 6.30pm and finishing at 9.00pm. This concert is an opportunity for students to realise the Mercy value of Excellence in their various curricular and co-curricular exploits.

Tickets go on sale 10.00am, Monday 12 August. To purchase tickets, please click on the link below:
https://www.trybooking.com/CUJPC 

Ticket Prices
Adult: $15
Concession/Student: $10
Family (2 Adults + 2 Students): $45

This is a wonderful opportunity to support your peers in their Performing Arts endeavours! Thank you for your constant support in the Performing Arts.

Thank you,

Madeline Carnibella and Jack Stewart

Languages - Italian

VCE Italian United Nations General Assembly 

Diana Vanicore is completing Unit 1 & 2 Italian in Year 10.

Recently she participated in the Model Session of the United Nations General Assembly for VCE Italian students. 

On Tuesday 30 July, I attended the Model Session of the United Nations General Assembly for VCE Italian students. We were tasked with representing an assigned country on Ocean Conservation and presenting our arguments in Italian. My team represented South Korea and I was the spokesperson. After presenting our position on South Korea’s conservation efforts, we debated a draft resolution on Planet Ocean. We introduced a new amendment and formed alliances with other countries, successfully gathering enough votes for its approval. The experience was fantastic! We learned a lot, met new people and made lasting memories. Thank you for the opportunity!

Diana Vanicore
Year 10C

Languages Indonesian

Sayembara Lisan - State wide Indonesian Speaking Competition

Last term, Elise Mota (SW3), Diana Vanicore (10C), and Lily Ampong (9A) participated in Sayembara Lisan, a state wide Indonesian speaking competition, organised by VILTA (Victorian Indonesian Language Teachers Association). Congratulations to all three students who all made it to finals. A wonderful achievement.

Further congratulations to Diana who achieved equal 3rd place in the Year 10 category. This is outstanding. 

Selamat! Congratulations! 

Years 7 and 8 Indonesian Incursion

All Years 7 and 8 students immersed themselves in Indonesian culture on Tuesday 6 August. They participated in two Indonesian cultural artforms – batik (a traditional process of wax-resist dyeing applied to cloth) and tarian tradisional (traditional dance). 

Batik
The batik proved a little challenging with the winter weather cooling the wax quickly. However students soon realised that the process was different to painting and developed the technique of applying the wax so it would penetrate the cloth. The cloth was then dipped into a dye bath.

Students batik has now been returned. To remove the wax at home, fill an old saucepan with water. Once boiling, add the batik cloth and allow it to continue to boil until the wax has melted off. Remove the cloth and allow it to dry completely. Once dry, the edges can be hemmed to form a decorative handkerchief. 

Tarian tradisional 
Depending on their class group, students participated in one of three types of traditional dance - tarian kipas (fan dance), tarian kuda kepang (horse dance) or tarian angsa (swan dance). In just one hour, students learnt the dance movements, learnt how to accompany the movements to music, adorned themselves with traditional costumes and performed the dance for their peers to view. 

It was great to see students not only actively participating, but also understanding the dance instructions which were often given in Indonesian (e.g. counting the steps in Indonesian). 

During the incursion, students’ deepened and broadened their cultural understanding while having lots of fun. Here are some student reflections of the day:

My favourite part was learning how to make batik. I found it interesting how people used wax to make the very detailed patterns on fabric that is eventually sold in stores. It was a new and enjoyable experience for me.
Sandali Pathirana, Year 7B

I really enjoyed the incursion that took place today because of the way we got to participate in so many cultural, fun and eventful activities. I absolutely loved learning the Indonesian cultural dance and dressing up in the traditional clothes with the fans as they were fun and the song was quite catchy. I also loved making batik. It was so unique to customise your own design with wax and as well as picking a colour and dipping it into a die to make your own piece of cloth. I absolutely enjoyed this experience and I would rate it a 10/10 and would definitely do it again.
Alyssa Lamsal, 7B

Bu Moore
Languages Convenor, Teacher of Indonesian

CGSAV Futsal Tournament

The junior and intermediate teams participated in the CGSAV Futsal tournament. My team and I showed a huge amount of persistence, leadership and teamwork throughout the entire day. 
Isabella Mhaya, Year 7C

Mercy College students represented the school at the CGSAV futsal tournament. Students had a fantastic time at MSAC, enjoying a series of games we played against a variety of other schools. Both junior and intermediate teams played very well, with the intermediate team making it to the semi-finals of the competition, where we played amazingly and worked hard until the last second. Overall, we improved our skills, formed friendships with peers and had an outstanding time.
Michaella Hauszler, Year 10A

On Wednesday 24 of July, a group of students attended the futsal tournament where we all had a fantastic time competing and showing how our school shows great sportsmanship and dedication. Futsal was an enjoyable moment of our lives' helping us to develop self-esteem and form a better connection with our community.
Sandali Pathirana, Year 7B

Alumnae News

I had the pleasure of speaking to Annastasia Marchio, Class of 2019 ,who participated in a reflection interview on her days as a Mercy College student and also described the wonderful encouragement from family and teachers to do her best at Methods and Specialist Maths and setting up her career path.

Annastasia completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours Degree) in 2023 and is working as a Graduate Track and Civil Engineer at John Holland.

In the 2019 yearbook, Maria Carinci reflected on some of the learnings in Maths for the year (below).  Annastasia found her ‘superpower’ by following her curriculum map and remained focused to achieve her chosen field of work.

To read Annastasia's full interview see below.

2019 Theme - Find your way with Mercy

2019 has been a year of new learnings for students at Mercy College in Maths. The year started with Book, Literacy and Numeracy Week and the theme of Find Your Superpowers.

The girls followed their curriculum maps and found that their Summary Books along with their CAS calculators became their best friends when it came to being powerful in SACs.

Maria Carinci
Learning Area Leader: Mathematics

Upcoming Alumnae Reunions

Mercy/Parade Production - 12 Angry Jurors

Tickets go on sale on Monday 12 August
Purchase your tickets here.

Fathers Day BBQ Breakfast