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Mercy College, Coburg

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760 Sydney Road
Coburg North VIC 3058
Subscribe:https://mercycoburg.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

info@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 03 9319 9299

Mercy College, Coburg

760 Sydney Road
Coburg North VIC 3058

Phone: 03 9319 9299

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Mercy News - Friday 6 December 2024

  • Key Dates
  • Prayer
  • Message From Our Principal
  • Student of the Term Awards
  • Night of Excellence
  • Carols Evening
  • Class of 2007 Alumna, Effie Katsaounis
  • eSafety

Key Dates

The College will be closed from 4.00pm, Friday 20 December 2024
and will reopen at 8.00am on Monday 20 January 2025.

Office Hours from Monday 9 December to Friday 20 December 2024: 8.00am to 4.00pm

Monday 9 December

  • Staff Professional Practice Day

Tuesday 10 December

  • Staff Professional Practice Day

Wednesday 11 December

  • Staff Professional Practice Day
  • Semester Two Summary Reports Available to Parents

Thursday 12 December

  • Staff Professional Practice Day
  • VCE Results and ATAR Release, 7.00am
  • VTAC Careers Counselling

Friday 13 December

  • Staff Professional Practice Day
  • VTAC Careers Counselling
  • Last Day for Teaching Staff

Saturday 14 December

  • VTAC Careers Counselling

Friday 20 December

  • College Office Closes, 4.00pm

Monday 23 December

  • VTAC December offers

Wednesday 25 December

  • Christmas Day

Tuesday 31 December

  • New Year's Eve

Wednesday 1 January

  • New Year's Day

Monday 20 January

  • College Office Opens, 8.00am

Thursday 30 January

  • First Day of Term One
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Prayer

“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy”.  - Matthew 2:10

May the spirit of love and peace fill your heart with warmth this Christmas season.

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Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy Community,

It is hard to believe we find ourselves here at the end of another school year.

On the students last day we were able to gather as a whole school community and celebrate, give thanks and enjoy each other’s company in a wide variety of activities.

We began the day with our Term Four Learning Showcase which was an opportunity for us all to enjoy and reflect upon some of the learning and growth our students have demonstrated in 2024. We acknowledged our Term Four Student of the Term recipients who are recognised later in this newsletter.


After recess we were involved in a whole school Advent activity in wellbeing classes where staff and students were invited to write a prayer for the four themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy and love. These prayers and leaves formed our whole school Advent wreath.

We then gathered for our end of year Eucharist. We were fortunate to have Bishop Curtin as our celebrant. He reminded us at the end of the year, as we give thanks to God, we should recognise ordinary people who do extraordinary things.

We finished the day Coburg Lake for lunch where it was wonderful to see students and staff engaging in shared picnics, laughter and conversation.


Every Advent season at Mercy College, the Mercy Community generously donate for Vinnies Christmas Appeal and the Hope Cafe. I am grateful to students, families and staff for their contribution to those less fortunate and in need this Christmas. Our baskets were filled with Christmas themed food and goods, pantry items and gift vouchers.


Night of Excellence
On Tuesday, at our annual Night of Excellence, we celebrated some of the achievements of our Years 7 to 11 students for the 2024 school year.

Our guest speaker was alumna Danielle Rossitto (Class of 2005). She shared with our community her journey from graduation to where she is now – a corporate lawyer for an Australian biotech and pharmaceutical company, CSL Ltd. A copy of her speech is contained later in this newsletter for all to read.

We also acknowledged Serge Martins: School Advisory Council Chair. Over the past 15 years, Sergio has been a dedicated member of the College Board and later the School Advisory Council, contributing in ways that have been invaluable to the College's success. His leadership as Chair for 12 years, working alongside past Principals Elisabeth Monahan, Dr Michelle Cotter, and myself as current Principal, has left a lasting mark on Mercy College. Sergio has been instrumental in supporting us through key decisions, ensuring the growth and continued success of the College. His commitment to Mercy, alongside his three daughters—Raquel (Class of 2014), Sabrina (Class of 2016), and Carla (Class of 2020)—is a true reflection of loyalty, service, and dedication. We are deeply grateful for all he has done to help shape the future of Mercy College.

We congratulate all our students and staff on a successful school year.

Mercy College Carols Evening
Last night Jubilee Garden was full of Christmas cheer during our Inaugural Carols Evening.  Both instrumental and vocal performances by our talented students filled the air with festive melodies. Even St Nicholas made a special trip from the North Pole to join the celebration. I thank our incredible musicians, Music staff and all involved for what was such a lovely night.

Farewell and Thank you
I take this opportunity to formally acknowledge the staff who will be leaving us in 2024. Kellie Firth and Bernadine Callery, who have been at the College for 13 and 8 years respectively. Kellie has been on Long Service Leave this past term and Bernadine has been on leave since July 2023. Jessie Burns who has been with us since the beginning of last year and those with us for the year, Cherrie Arnold, Patricia De Marco, Susan Grdunac and Jack Hughes.

We also say thank you and farewell to Suzanne Lake who was with us this term in a Long Service Leave replacement position.

I express my thanks to each of these staff members who have offered their time and talents to our school community. We are thankful for having learnt from and with them and wish them all the very best for the future.

Hope
Advent is the season of Hope. It is hope, however faint at times, that keeps us from despair and the darkness and destructiveness. It is a hope that urges us to be kind, loving and compassionate toward one another. It is a hope that encourages our faith in a merciful God who continues to pour His grace upon us.

I hope that God’s love is with all of our Mercy community during the Christmas Season. Best wishes for a safe, restful and relaxing summer break and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2025 – where I hope that we will encounter brighter days and the opportunity to recognise “60 years of Hope Through Mercy”.

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

Lila McInerney
College Principal

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Student of the Term Awards

Year 7 - Milana Nicolazzo, 7C
Milana is always welcoming, kind and helpful to her peers and teachers. She is respectful and polite to those she meets and a wonderful representative of our College. Milana seeks help when needed and is an advocate for others when she sees they may need support. She has always been humble in her efforts and strives to do her best both inside and outside the classroom. When talking to Milana, it is clear that she comes from a place of compassion and hospitality. She is highly regarded by her teachers and her peers as someone who adds value and joy to her cohort. 

Year 8 - Katia Scarfo, 8A
Katia is polite and attentive, and has demonstrated a real commitment to her studies both inside and outside of school. She approaches new learning in an enthusiastic manner and is a model student who wears her uniform with pride and honour. She is responsible for her learning by taking initiative and is always willing to do her best both academically and in school life. Katia is respectful and considerate of others in her interactions with them and showcases the Mercy value of compassion.

Year 9 - Lilah Kimpton, 9B
Lilah is to be commended on a positive transition to the Mercy community this year. She is personable and polite which has allowed her to form meaningful friendships and build positive relationships with both peers and teachers. Lilah’s attendance, uniform, and engagement in her learning highlights the Mercy value of excellence. She is always positive and friendly. She is highly engaged in College life and we look forward to seeing her continue to foster friendships and explore the many opportunities our College has to offer her.

Year 10 - Paige Baltas, 10C
Paige has been an integral part of the Year level and the wider school community, embodying the values we strive for at Mercy. Her kind nature and approachable personality make her a trusted and valued peer among her classmates, and she is always willing to offer a helping hand. Whether it’s supporting others with schoolwork, volunteering for activities, or simply being a friendly face around the campus, Paige continuously displays a genuine sense of care and compassion. In addition to her positive social influence, Paige’s commitment to academic growth is admirable. She has worked diligently throughout the year, particularly in preparation for exams, demonstrating resilience and a strong work ethic.

Year 11 - Elise Mota, SW3
Elise embodies the qualities that we all admire. She has consistently demonstrated not just academic excellence, but also character, integrity, and leadership. Elise is hard-working. Whether tackling challenging assignments or going above and beyond in every task, she approaches her work with determination and perseverance. Her dedication inspires those around to strive for their very best. Elise is also kind and thoughtful. She always takes the time to consider the feelings of others, offers a helping hand, and makes everyone feel seen and valued. Her actions demonstrate that true strength comes from lifting others up, not just excelling individually. As a leader, she not only takes initiative but inspires others to do the same. She has the ability to bring people together, motivate others to achieve their personal best and foster a positive and inclusive environment wherever she goes. 

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Night of Excellence

Award Recipients

Holland Spirit Awards
7AMia Miras
7BAlyssa Lamsal 
7CThenumi Subasinghe Koralage
8AGurleen Kaur
8BMikayla Catelli
8CScarlett Tullberg
9AHermione Orejarena
9BSamara Arena
9CBethany Spooner
10APeyton Strawhorn
10BSienna Casaccio 
10CHalwathurage Oshmi S Jayasinghe
SW 1 & 2Lucy Stewart
SW 3 & 4Konstandina Karavias
SW 5 & 6Chiara Rizza


Year 7 Subject Awards

Religious EducationSandali Pathirana, 7B
ArtAlyssa Lamsal, 7B
MusicHannah Barnes, 7A
DanceOlivia Shadforth, 7B
ItalianPrasana Adhikary, 7C
MathematicsThenumi Subasinghe Koralage, 7C
Food StudiesVienna Milton, 7A
IndonesianVienna Milton, 7A
EnglishSienna Cefai, 7C
Health and Physical EducationSienna Cefai, 7C
HumanitiesSienna Cefai, 7C
ScienceSienna Cefai, 7C
Year 7 Academic Excellence Awards
7AVienna Milton
7BOlivia Shadforth
7C

Prasana Adhikary


Year 8 Subject Awards
Health and Physical EducationSophia Waight, 8B
ItalianKatia Scarfo, 8A
Religious EducationSerena Gorris, 8A
EnglishSerena Gorris, 8A
DramaScarlett Tullberg, 8C
Visual Communication DesignScarlett Tullberg, 8C
Food StudiesAlessia Falcone, 8C
ScienceAlessia Falcone, 8C
STEMAlessia Falcone, 8C
HumanitiesAnnabelle Duncan, 8A
IndonesianAnnabelle Duncan, 8A
MathematicsAnnabelle Duncan, 8A
MusicAnnabelle Duncan, 8A
TextilesAnnabelle Duncan, 8A
Year 8 Academic Excellence Awards
8AAnnabelle Duncan
8BLucinda James
8CAlessia Falcone


Year 9 Subject Awards
Religious EducationKatherine Moshi, 9C
ArtAmira Hassoun, 9A
Health and Physical EducationSamara Arena, 9B
ItalianBridget Mammone, 9B
Outdoor EducationSarah Barnes, 9C
Rock BandYannia Toma, 9C
DramaSienna Cipriani, 9B
MediaSienna Cipriani, 9B
Sustainable TechnologyNadia Karnowski, 9A
Visual Communication DesignNadia Karnowski, 9A
Design and CreateMeagan Masciantonio, 9A
MathematicsMeagan Masciantonio, 9A
World Food TravellerZainab Rehman, 9C
Geography Zainab Rehman, 9C
EnglishDaphne Altinpinar, 9A
Advanced MathematicsDaphne Altinpinar, 9A
HistoryDaphne Altinpinar, 9A
IndonesianDaphne Altinpinar, 9A
ScienceDaphne Altinpinar, 9A
Year 9 Academic Excellence Awards
9ADaphne Altinpinar
9BSamara Arena
9CZainab Rehman


Year 10 Subject Awards
Advanced MathematicsPriyadarshini Ramkumar, 10C
Café CulturePeyton Strawhorn, 10A
CommerceRachael George, 10C
Design and FashionIndianna Fontana, 10C
DramaAlena Essa, 10A
GeographyZeyla Tan, 10B
JusticeElla Mannix, 10B
MediaLottie Richardson, 10C
Physical EducationDana Issa, 10A
Health Sport ScienceLaura Ciavarella, 10C
ItalianLaura Ciavarella, 10C
EnglishMarisa Di Nuzzo, 10B
Religious EducationMarisa Di Nuzzo, 10B
HistorySarah Kouroglou, 10B
MathematicsSarah Kouroglou, 10B
PsychologyDiana Vanicore, 10C
ScienceDiana Vanicore, 10C
ArtRomina Wassilieff, 10C
Visual Communication DesignRomina Wassilieff, 10C
Year 10 Academic Excellence Awards
10ADana Issa
10BMarisa Di Nuzzo
10CDiana Vanicore


VCE Subject Awards
Art Making & ExhibitingArshia Safi, Year 11 (SW4)
BiologyPriyadarshini Ramkumar, 10C
Business ManagementKeira Billington, Year 11 (SW1)
Environmental ScienceRuby Negrin, Year 11 (SW6)
Food StudiesSian Arena, Year 11 (SW6)
General Mathematics Francesca Rotundo, Year 11 (SW5)
Health and Human DevelopmentKonstandina Karavias, Year 11 (SW3)
MusicDewmini Silva, Year 11 (SW5)
PhysicsChiara Rizza, Year 11 (SW6)
PsychologyKyara Delgama Year 11 (SW5)
VCE-VMRoxanne Rosella, Year 11 (SW6)
Biology (Units 3&4)Alessia Cipriani, Year 11 (SW3)
Media (Units 3&4)Darcy Murray, Year 11 (SW1)
Religion and Society, Unit 2Dana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)
EnglishDana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)
ChemistryDana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)
Legal StudiesDana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)
Mathematical Methods Dana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)
Modern HistoryDana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)
Visual Communication DesignDana Gedye, Year 11 (SW3)


Major Awards
Year 7 Father Paul Kane Award Sienna Cefai, 7C
Year 8 Giuliana Bianchi Award Lucia Faranso, 8A
Year 9 Milton Anderson Award Sienna Cipriani, 9B
Year 10 Ivanka Vrkic AwardDana Issa, 10A
Year 11 Angela Connellan Award Dewmini Silva, Year 11 (SW5)
Year 11 Commitment and Dedication Award Darcy Murray, Year 11 (SW1)
Peter Khalil Public Speaking AwardDewmini Silva, Year 11 (SW5)
Oscar Romero Social Justice AwardGabriella Hauszler, Year 11 (SW6)
Contribution to Music AwardBianca Buenaventura, Year 11 (SW1)
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars AwardMichaella Hauszler, 10A
ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award Alena Essa, 10A
ADF Future Innovators AwardPriyadarshini Ramkumar, 10C
Overall Academic Excellence AwardDana Gedye, Year 11 (SWB3)

Guest Speaker, Danielle Rossitto, Class of 2005

Thank you for having me back. When I got the call from Jenni Hickey asking me to come and present, my immediate response was: "Oh wow, that's really nice but what am I going to talk about?" Then I took stock and realised it has been nearly 20 years since I was in this room thinking about what I wanted to do next.

Since leaving here, I've gone on to build a career in the legal profession. It's been very rewarding, but also at times, it's not been easy. After studying my law degree, I worked in a large law firm specialising in commercial disputes which involved high pressure and very long hours, a justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and currently, I work for an Australian biotech and pharmaceutical company, CSL Ltd, as a corporate lawyer. Reflecting on my journey there are three things that really stand out to me. The life lessons I'd love to have heard back in high school.

1      Be authentic in everything that you do

  • I'm not really your typical lawyer. I'm an introvert and fairly shy. Early on in my career, I always felt different and like I didn't fit in with other lawyers or in the legal environment and I did struggle.
  • But as I got older and more experienced, I realised that there can be real power in being quietly confident and it can be a real strength.
  • My career journey demonstrates that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room. It's about working hard and being confident and comfortable in your own skin. 
  • It's about staying true to your values and not trying to be someone that you are not - it will just make you uncomfortable and unhappy.

2      Find your tribe

  • Not just in your career but also in your life in general. Those people who you can rely on to give you honest advice and guidance and not just those friends who tell you what you want to hear. I have one particular friend who I always go to. I know he is going to tell me to do what I actually don't want to do or give me advice that I don't want to hear - mainly because I know he wants me to succeed.
  • In my career, I have been lucky to have a number of mentors - they have all been women and they probably don't even know that I consider them to be mentors - but for me, it is important that these relationships are just organic and I can just be myself. One of them has a similar upbringing to me, and a similar cultural background so she understands my values and drivers and how it is sometimes difficult to fit in with others in the professions - challenges that she also faced. These mentors have guided me through what is still a relatively male dominated profession. Their advice and guidance have been so valuable and made the challenging times much easier.

3      Be open to all opportunities

  • You don't have to take them all on but you should seriously consider them even if they don't entirely align with your goals because you never know where they might lead and I am a firm believer in continuous learning.
  • For me, the opportunity to complete a secondment at CSL Ltd where I currently work, was one of those opportunities. I was a commercial litigator at a large law firm and I thought I always wanted to be a litigator - it was comfortable and I had spent my entire career to date being a litigator. When I was asked to go on secondment to CSL, I panicked - this was not the kind of legal work I had been trained for (the role would entail reviewing and drafting contracts and giving advice, not dealing with disputes), and I was very worried about not being able to do it. But the firm believed I could do it, and I went along. It was only going to be a six month stint after all.
  • What transpired was a complete change to the trajectory of my career which I had never contemplated. It was the practice of law that I enjoyed so much more - working collaboratively with clients to achieve their outcomes and being so close to the one client that you really understand their business. I have now been with the company for eight and a half years. 

So, what would have been helpful to know when I was at Mercy, sitting in your shoes... It's okay not to know what you want to do and that as long as you surround yourself with supportive people, be authentic and true to who you are and be open to all opportunities, you will be fine. You will figure it out and anything is possible. 

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Carols Evening

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Class of 2007 Alumna, Effie Katsaounis

Feature article, The Age, Saturday 30 November 2024

Effie Katsaounis (Class of 2007) was featured in The Age last Saturday, with an article on her brand Effie Kats. Effie’s Year 12 Textiles teacher Mrs Hickey shared, "There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching a former student succeed – it’s a true reflection of their hard work and the foundation built in the classroom”.

Below is a copy of the article from The Age, written by Melissa Singer, Fashion editor.

Effie Kats, fashion designer who got the cream

Effie Kats is looking at a $1million for the first time this financial year. Photo: Simon Schluter

Fashion loves a Cinderella story. Amid the turmoil of the near collapse – and potential resurrection – of Australian Fashion Week, the closure of several brands including Dion Lee, and the general downturn in retail, any green shoot is worth celebrating.

Effie Kats knows this almost better than anyone in the industry, having come close to total financial collapse five years ago, when her first label, Zachary, imploded.

Of her two brands – Effie Kats and Bayse Brand – it’s the eponymous line, which she runs with her father Bill, that’s garnering the most attention, especially after this year’s spring racing carnival, during which she dressed 20 celebrities including model Montana Cox, radio host Carrie Bickmore and Kylie Rogers, the new Victoria Racing Club CEO.

Kats (born Effie Katsaounis) grew up in the historically working class suburb of Coburg, where her workroom has been in her family for generations. It’s here she runs a showroom, though most sales come from online and wholesalers.

So how did 34-year-old Kats, a photography school drop-out with no formal design training, become one of the hottest names in fashion?

Dressing women such as Rogers and Nicole Pappas – the wife of Lexus’ Australian chief executive, John ‘‘JP’’ Pappas – delivered Kats a credibility bounce that has helped tip her from ‘‘influencer brand’’ to a genuine contender alongside the likes of DISSH and Aje, both of whose founders appeared on The Australian Financial Review’s annual Young Rich list.

‘‘For us, influencers, obviously, are very important ... But there’s a lot more to being in this industry,’’ she says. ‘‘Working with people like [Rogers], obviously, she’s got her network, people will see her, be like, my god, I love your suit. Where is that from? And then that opens up another clientele for us.’’

According to Kats, sales are up 35 per cent on 2023, and she’s on track to top $1 million in profit by June 30. Last month, she threw a lavish dinner at Melbourne institution Grossi Florentino for 70 guests, with many heavy-hitters in Australian fashion and media, including Lindy Klim, Nadia Bartel and Lana Wilkinson, in attendance (and prolifically posting to social media).

Kats admits her father was initially reluctant for the business to fund the dinner, but off the back of the event, the brand posted its first week of sales in the six figures.

‘‘There’s a different feeling in the office [since the event],’’ she says. ‘‘There’s an excitement.’’

She says she doesn’t give much thought to the competition.

‘‘If you said to me, ‘who would you compare yourself to?’ I don’t really think there is anyone ... What we’re doing is unique in the market.’’

Aesthetically, Kats’ range isn’t breaking any major ground – nor does it claim to. Still, it’s giving Australian women what they want: a place to buy evening dresses for under $1000 that have social cred.

‘‘What people appreciate is that we’re not overcharging them,’’ she says. ‘‘It’s Australian made, the quality’s amazing, and they’re timeless pieces.’’

Being made locally – a fact even some of the country’s most powerful fashion brands cannot boast – is something Kats is keen to champion.

‘‘Part of our strategy is taking people behind the curtain and showing them how we ... work with our production cutters, how we work with our sample machinists, what our fitting process looks like,’’ she says.

‘‘And I think that’s something that our customers will value.’’

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eSafety

Communities – Find Online Safety Advice In Your Language

The ‘Communities’ tab on the eSafety website is extremely helpful in providing strategies and relevant information on “protecting the voices of diverse individuals and communities most at-risk online.” From:  https://www.esafety.gov.au/communities.

There is excellent information on this page about knowing the basics when it comes to technology such as securing your information and privacy online.

This section on the eSafety website is especially important if English is a second language and people prefer to read the information in their first language. Videos have also been included to make the experience an engaging and insightful one when it comes to staying safe online and knowing how to use digital devices responsibly.

Sport is an enormous part of our culture and the everyday lives of children. The ‘Sports Hub’ located in the ‘Communities’ link is also an essential resource in keeping your child safe at sport. You can also find information on reporting online abuse here. Click the following link for more information. https://www.esafety.gov.au/communities/sport/parents

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