Mercy News - Friday 7 March 2025

Key Dates

Saturday 8 March

• International Women's Day
  

Monday 10 March

• Labour Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 12 March

• NAPLAN, Years 7 and 9 Students
  
• Week 2: Years 4 to 6 Abstract Explosion Art Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Thursday 13 March

• NAPLAN, Years 7 and 9 Students
  

Friday 14 March

• NAPLAN, Years 7 and 9 Students
  

Sunday 16 March

• Catholic Education Week begins
• St Paul's Primary School Fete

Monday 17 March

• NAPLAN, Years 7 and 9 Students
  
• Feast of St Patrick

Tuesday 18 March

• NAPLAN (Catch up)

Wednesday 19 March

• Feast of St Joseph
• CGSAV Swimming Tournament
• Week 3: Years 4 to 6 Abstract Explosion Art Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Thursday 20 March

• Year 4 Explore Day

Friday 21 March

• Harmony Day
• St Patrick's Day Mass

Prayer

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy Community,

House Swimming
Today, we came together with perfect weather in the spirit of togetherness and school pride for our House Swimming Carnival. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talent, teamwork, and house spirit as they competed for their House. Whether in the pool or cheering from the side lines, students participated with enthusiasm and sportsmanship. It was a day filled with energy, friendly competition, and a strong sense of community.

Thanks to all our staff who under the leadership of our Sports Convenor: Brianna Shears ensured the day was a success. We also thank our parent volunteers who cooked the BBQ today for our Project Compassion Fundraiser. 

Congratulations to O'Hea House on being awarded overall champions, followed by Marian and Thecla.

Ash Wednesday - Season of Lent

On Wednesday we began the sacred Season of Lent, a time for reflection, self-discipline, and renewal devoted to prayer and almsgiving. This time is a period of spiritual preparation, calling us to deepen our faith, turn our hearts toward God, and embrace acts of kindness and generosity.

In anticipation of this sacred season, we marked Shrove Tuesday with our annual pancake fundraiser, a joyful tradition symbolising the act of giving before entering a period of sacrifice. Our fundraiser was made possible by the generous contributions of pancake mix, toppings, and more from our families, staff and students, demonstrating the strength of our Mercy College community and the spirit of service that defines us.

International Women's Day

We take great pride in recognising the inspiring accomplishments of our current and past students, whose extraordinary journeys exemplify the spirit of Excellence at Mercy College. A shining example is our recent graduate, Elissa Mirabelli, whose outstanding rowing success continues to inspire us all, demonstrating the power of dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

Together, these events remind us of the enduring values of Compassion, Excellence, Hospitality and Justice that lie at the heart of our Mercy College community. These values call us to support one another, celebrate the achievements of women past and present, and continue striving to be a community that nurtures faith, integrity, and strength in all we do.

Prayers

Pope Francis during his time of illness. May he be comforted by the prayers of all the faithful.

Kath Penn who was a librarian at Mercy for 35 years (July 1981 to July 2016).
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her. May her 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

Director: Religious Education and Identity

As we being our Lenten journey at Mercy College, here are a few events and key activities that we have and will partake in:

• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day Fundraiser
• Ash Wednesday Liturgies
• Invitation for prayer and to reflect on what we might pray for, give, or give up for Lent this year in our College Chapel (throughout Lent)
• Mercy College Op-Shop opens Monday 17 March in our Spirituality Centre (next to the Chapel). Please donate any op-shop items to College Reception including clothing, jewellery, shoes, books, etc. 
  

Catholic Education Week:

• Monday 17 March: Mercy College Op-Shop Opens
• Tuesday 18 March: Harmony Day celebrations. Dress in cultural clothes for a gold coin donation
• Wednesday 19 March: Lunchtime concert in Jubilee Garden. See Dewmini Silva (Music & Performing Arts Captain) if you would like to perform
• Thursday 20 March: Catholic Education Week Trivia in Wellbeing Classes
• Friday 21 March: Student leaders attend Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral and Young Speakers Colloquium

All funds raised during Lent will be donated to Caritas’ Project Compassion. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our College community for their generous pancake donations!

God bless,

Nima Ballenger 
Director: Religious Education and Identity

Student Executive Reflection

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is more than just about making pancakes. It's a day that represents the temptation that Jesus resisted during 40 days in the desert, and it’s an invitation to prepare for spiritual renewal during the time of Lent.

These last couple of weeks, the Seeds of Justice team, Student Executive and wider College community worked tirelessly to help out and share the spirit of Shrove Tuesday. This was demonstrated through the activity of making, serving and selling pancakes, to partake in Project Compassion, Caritas Australia. 

Supporting and donating to Project Compassion has become a key tradition to Mercy College, with this year’s theme being Unite Against Poverty this Lent. This fundraiser and campaign recognises a key part of our Catholic identity, the beginning of Lent and represents the value of kindness and giving through our annual pancake sale that occurs on Shrove Tuesday.  

Thank you so much for your contribution with Shrove Tuesday and your continued support with Project Compassion so far.

Gaby Hauszler
Social Justice Captain 2025

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a season dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The ashes on our foreheads symbolise humility and repentance, inviting us to reflect on our baptismal promises and draw closer to God as we prepare for Easter.

Lent is a time to focus on spiritual growth. Through prayer, we strengthen our relationship with God. Fasting connects us to those in need, and almsgiving is our way of sharing our blessings with others. These practices prepare us to embrace the joy of Easter, remembering Jesus's death and resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

At our school, the Ash Wednesday liturgy was a deeply reflective and meaningful experience. Students were grouped by year level—Year 7 and 8, Year 9 and 10, and Year 11 and 12, each gathering in their own space. This allowed for more personal reflection within our year levels to create a more close connection. 

The liturgy focused on the significance of the ashes, inviting students to reflect quietly on their spiritual lives. It was a time for prayer and a renewed commitment to living out the values of Lent.

Though separated by year groups, the entire school community came together in shared prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This unity in faith reminded us of the story and values of Lent. 

Senasha Warnakula
Mission Captain 2025

Director: Learning and Teaching

Feedback during parent-teacher-student interviews and in reports is critical for supporting student learning and ensuring continuous academic growth. Dylan Wiliam (2011) asserts that feedback is one of the most powerful tools to improve student performance, especially when it helps students understand where they are in their learning, where they need to go, and how to close the gap between the two. In the context of parent-teacher-student interviews, these conversations provide an opportunity for teachers to offer specific, actionable feedback that not only informs parents about their child’s academic progress but also equips them with the tools to support learning at home. By fostering a collaborative dialogue between teachers and parents, feedback becomes a shared responsibility, reinforcing the importance of a holistic approach to student development.

Wiliam (2018) also emphasises that effective feedback should be targeted and timely, helping students become more self-regulated and motivated learners. Parent-teacher-student interviews and reports are crucial in ensuring that feedback reaches parents in a way that is constructive and informative. Wiliam highlights that when feedback is communicated clearly to both students and their families, it fosters a sense of shared ownership in the learning process. This collaborative approach not only enhances the student’s motivation but also empowers parents to be active participants in their child's educational journey, ultimately promoting sustained academic achievement. As Wiliam (2011) argues, the feedback loop between teachers, students, and parents is vital for creating an environment where students can thrive.

NAPLAN Online 2025
The new NAPLAN testing window for 2025 is now from Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March. This means the results will be in the hands of education authorities and school systems earlier in the year to inform teaching and learning programs throughout the rest of the school year. It will also give teachers more time to better assess what support students need for the rest of the year.

Check out the NAPLAN key dates for this year and beyond, and NAPLAN Information for Parents and Carers.

Find out more by watching ACARAs latest video Understanding NAPLAN or visit ACARAs NAPLAN website.

Mercy College will be conducting NAPLAN Online for Years 7 and 9 students on the following dates.

• Wednesday 12 March – Writing
• Thursday 13 March – Reading
• Friday 14 March – Conventions of Language
• Monday 17 March – Numeracy
• Tuesday 18 March – Catch up

Term One Learner Expectation Reports
Learner Expectation Reports will be available to all families as of Tuesday 18 March via the Parent Access Module (PAM).

Learner Expectation Reports are designed to provide feedback on a range of areas related to your daughter’s learning, study habits and overall progress. These reports form the basis for discussion at the upcoming Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. In the meantime, we encourage students to continue to the apply themselves to the best of their ability across all subjects and look forward to discussing your child’s progress with you.

Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
The Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held on Tuesday 25 March and Thursday 27 March.

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

Nicholas Ambrozy
Director: Learning and Teaching

Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Prioritising Student Wellbeing and Engagement

At Mercy College, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that a positive and supportive environment fosters not only academic success but also personal growth, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

It’s hard to believe that our new students particularly our Year 7s, have already reached the six-week mark at Mercy College. It has been wonderful to see how well they have settled into the rhythm of school life, forming friendships, embracing new opportunities, and growing in confidence each day.

The transition to a new school can be a big adjustment, but our students have approached it with enthusiasm and resilience. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or during co-curricular activities, they are finding their place within the Mercy community. Seeing them navigate these first few weeks with such positivity is a testament to their adaptability and the welcoming nature of our school.

Year 9 Immersion Program

Recently, our students had incredible opportunities to engage in creative and immersive learning experiences beyond the classroom. Our Year 9 students participated in the new Immersion Program with a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria, where they explored the thought-provoking works of Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. This experience encouraged students to engage with art in new and reflective ways, sparking conversations about perception, emotion, and creativity.  Another exciting highlight was a visit to a live taping of the Tipping Point, Channel 9 TV game show, offering a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the world of television production.

We look forward to continuing to provide enriching experiences that support student wellbeing, engagement, and growth.

VCE/VCE-VM Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

A sincere thank you to all parents who attended the VCE/VCE-VM Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences last Tuesday and Thursday. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to discuss student progress, celebrate achievements, and set goals for the remainder of the year. Strong collaboration between home and school is essential in ensuring every student feels supported and empowered in their learning journey.

As VCE students navigate an important and sometimes stressful period of their education, parental support plays a crucial role in their wellbeing. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Encourage Balance: While study is important, remind your child to take breaks, stay active, and engage in hobbies they enjoy.
• Promote Healthy Sleep Habits: A well-rested mind performs better. Encourage a consistent sleep routine to enhance concentration and memory.
• Foster Open Communication: Check in regularly, listen without pressure, and offer reassurance. Sometimes, a simple conversation can ease stress.
• Support Healthy Study Habits: Help them create a realistic study schedule, free from distractions, with time for revision and relaxation.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate healthy coping strategies, such as mindfulness, exercise, and time management, to reinforce positive habits.

As we continue into the term, we remind all students to take pride in wearing the correct uniform by following the Mercy College Student Dress Code and Uniform Requirements. Ensuring that uniforms are worn neatly and in accordance with the College guidelines reflects the respect and sense of belonging that make Mercy College so special.

We encourage our students to keep embracing challenges, supporting one another, and making the most of all that Mercy College has to offer. If the first six weeks are anything to go by, we have no doubt they will continue to thrive!

Teresa Talia
Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Activities Week

Each year, all Years 7 to 12 students and teaching staff at Mercy College participate Activities Week. The week is aimed at assisting the students’ social, emotional and spiritual development and also allows the fostering of personal growth. In 2025, Activities Week will take place in Week 10 (31 March to 4 April) of Term One. Please note Monday 31 March is a Student Free Day.

By now, all families would have received a permission form with accompanying letter, outlining the activities relevant to their child's year level. Please make sure to respond via PAM before the due date and contact College Reception if you have any problem logging in or confirming attendance. 

Science and STEM

In 2025, Mercy College has introduced two new science electives to Year 10 students. These are an elective in Biology and an elective in Physics and Chemistry. These electives aim to prepare students for the step up to VCE sciences by giving them an insight into the topics covered in each subject. In Biology this includes DNA and protein synthesis. In Physics this includes electricity and motion, and Chemistry includes an introduction to atomic theory, including the Mole concept.

In Term One, Year 7 students have been introduced to working in a laboratory and have now had the opportunity to light a Bunsen burner. This is an exciting opportunity for Year 7s and one which they find very rewarding. Over the next few weeks, they will be exposed to many more pieces of laboratory work and will particularly focus on ‘Measuring Things’ in STEM.  

Meanwhile, Year 12 Environmental Science are making the most of the final days of summer to conduct some field work at Coburg Lake.

Fiachra Barry
Learning Area Leader: Science and STEM

Sport

Mercy College Swim Squad: CGSAV Competition

The Mercy College Swim Squad has commenced training in 2025, in preparation for the upcoming CGSAV Swimming Competition. The squad is focused on refining their technique, improving endurance, and fostering a strong team spirit.

The Mercy College Swim Squad has been working on their Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly technique as well as Relay strategies. We look forward to the CGSAV Division 2 competition on Wednesday 19 March.

Brianna Shears
Sports Convenor

Elissa Mirabelli, Rowing Success

Elissa Mirabelli (pictured centre), Class of 2023, has carved a remarkable path both on and off the water. Now an Engineering Student at RMIT, she has built an incredible legacy with numerous state titles that highlight her relentless pursuit of excellence.

She set the stage ablaze at the NSW State Rowing Championships, clinching gold in the U21 Lightweight Single, U21 Lightweight Double, Elite Lightweight Quad, and Elite Lightweight Eight. The excitement continued this past weekend at the Victoria State Rowing Championships, where she dazzled with victories in the Open Lightweight Single, Open Lightweight Double, Open Lightweight Quad, and Mixed Double.

These wins not only underscore her passion and prowess but also position her as a top contender as she heads to Tasmania for the Australian Rowing Championships and vies for the opportunity to represent Victoria at nationals for the prestigious Victoria Cup.

Congratulations Elissa!

Alumnae

"We should be as the compass that goes round its circle without stirring from its centre - our centre is God, from whom all our actions should spring as from their source." 
Quotation from the Writings of Foundress Catherine McAuley, Retreat Instructions, p. 154 

The chapel façade of the former Mercy College Convent is my first sight each morning as I walk from my car and head into the office. I like to pause for a moment and look up at the cross and think about Catherine McAuley's quote above. The sky each day is varied; blue or grey, or in between with eye-catching cloud formations.  A contrast to the chapel's familiar bricks and mortar and the holy cross.  A steadfast centre and reminder of our proud Mercy beginnings and of our core values - Compassion, Excellence, Hospitality and Justice. Following in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley's legacy, and the good work of the Sisters of Mercy throughout the ages, our teachers of today are continuing with this vision in providing a sound education for our students. 

My days as a student at Mercy College are a treasured memory.  My Form 1, (Year 7 nowadays) Homeroom teacher, Sister Josephine would say to us, "you must work hard to achieve your best".  This was carried through the years that followed in all aspects of school life; taking pride in how we wore our uniform, respect for our surroundings, demonstrating support and care for our peers, and forming friendships that were built on this foundation and continue to this day. 

Our 60th Anniversary Celebration Mass on Tuesday 18 February at St Paul's Church Coburg was a momentous event. I was proud to participate in the opening procession representing Kane House - A red banner representing fire and the coming of the Holy Spirit. I am pictured here with Year 12 student Bianca Buenaventura before the procession. 

Kane House reminds us to demonstrate: 
Empathy; to identify with and feel another person's concerns.
and
Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.

I attended St Matthew's Primary School, Fawkner North before attending Mercy College. Fr Paul Kane was the Parish Priest since 1982. Fr Kane sadly passed away in 2012. As a part of our 60 years of Hope through Mercy (1965 to 2025) celebrations, I look forward to sharing insights from current and past students and staff members on their Mercy connections and journeys. 

Diane Psaila
Alumnae Relations Officer

Hope Café, Volunteers Needed

Hope Café is in urgent need of volunteers to help with the cooking on Thursday mornings or service on Thursday evenings from approximately 5.00pm to 8.00pm. Volunteering may be weekly, fortnightly, monthly or as required.

Volunteers must have a valid Working With Children Check and must also meet with the Parish Priest before commencing.

You are welcome to pop in on a Thursday evening and see what we do before committing to volunteering. Also, check out our Facebook page, Hope Café Fawkner St Mark's Church.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer or have questions, please contact the Parish Office on 03 9359 3111.

Homework Club

Saver Plus

Many families in the school community might be feeling the pressure of education costs - whether it’s for computers, iPads, uniforms, books, extracurricular activities or even school camps.

That’s where Saver Plus comes in. It’s a free education program that helps eligible families save for school expenses and rewards them by matching their savings dollar for dollar, up to $500.

Families who join not only receive up to $500 in matched savings, but they also gain practical money skills through free financial education workshops, helping them feel more in control of their finances.

To be eligible, participants need to: 

• Be 18 years or older
• Have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
• Have a child in school (or starting next year) or be studying themselves.
• Have a regular income (either their own or their partner’s or centrelink payments).
• Be willing to join free online financial education workshops.

For more information, click on the link below:

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

The CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid directly to the school to use only towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is $256 for secondary school students. Mercy College contributes additional $469 per funded family, making the contribution a total of $725.

Application forms should be completed and lodged with the College as soon as possible in Term One. CSEF payments are for the current application year and cannot be claimed retrospectively for prior years.

Please fill in the CSEF Application Form and provide a copy of your HCC to Reception for processing.

If you have any questions, please contact the College on 9319 9299. 

CDF Pay

From 2025, Mercy College will be using CDFpay for online cafeteria ordering, papercut printing, College events, bus and music fees.

How to register for a CDFpay account

1. Download the CDFpay app on the Apple or Google store, then click ‘Sign up now’.
   No app? Register here
2. Enter and confirm your email address, then click ‘Sign up’.
3. Check your email inbox and follow the prompts to complete your account registration (check junk/spam if lost).

After you have registered and entered your child’s details, you can:

• Add your child’s student card number to enable over-the-counter purchases. Your child’s student ID Number can be found on their Profile through PAM.
• Top up your parent wallet and set daily spend limits for your child. 
  • To avoid card surcharges, top up $50 or more using a debit card or bank transfer any value.
• Order and pay in seconds!

Students will be able to purchase items from the cafeteria and access the printers at school by scanning the barcode on their Student ID cards, once they arrive in March 2025.

In the meantime, students can still purchase at the cafeteria using their student ID number or accessing the printers using their laptop username and password.

Have questions? 

• About your child's ID Number: Contact Mercy College Reception
• About CDF Pay: View CDFpay powered by Flexischools Help & Support for detailed FAQs or chat to the Flexischools Digital Assistant. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please complete the online Contact Form and Flexischools will get back to you directly. 

St Paul's Primary School Fete

On Sundar 16 March, between 10.15am and 10.45am, our talented music students will be taking the stage at the St Paul's Fete.  This is a wonderful opportunity for them to share their love of music with our local community.