Mercy News - Friday 2 May 2025
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Key Dates
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Prayer
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Message From Our Principal
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Director: Religious Education and Identity
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Director: Learning and Teaching
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Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing
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English
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Years 7 and 8 Learning and Wellbeing Team
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Years 9 and 10 Activities Week
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Year 11 Activities Week
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Year 12 Formal
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Parent Access Module (PAM)
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Counsellor's Corner
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Alumnae
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Paying at the Cafeteria
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CDF Pay
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Australia's Best Teacher Campaign
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Community News
Key Dates
Monday 5 May
- Week 1: Years 4 to 6 Kitchen Kapers Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm
Tuesday 6 May
- Easter Liturgy, Period 3
- Mother's Day Mass and Supper, 7.00pm
Thursday 8 May
- House Athletics Carnival
Sunday 11 May
- Mother's Day
Monday 12 May
- CatholicCare Family Week begins
- Week 2: Years 4 to 6 Kitchen Kapers Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm
- Indonesian Partner School Visit
Tuesday 13 May
- CGSAV Junior Basketball Tournament
- Indonesian Partner School Visit
Wednesday 14 May
- Year 9 Immersion Day: Arts and Technology
- Indonesian Partner School Visit
Thursday 15 May
- International Day of Families
- Indonesian Partner School Visit
Friday 16 May
- Indonesian Partner School Visit
Prayer

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy College Community,
Start of Term Two - A Time of Reflection and Renewal
As we return for the beginning of Term Two, our school community finds itself both reflecting and looking ahead. This term commenced with the passing of Pope Francis, a figure of profound faith, compassion, and humility.
Pope Francis’ humble leadership and tireless call for compassion touched hearts across the globe. Our community gave thanks for his life and legacy.
His leadership taught us to walk gently, listen deeply, and act justly - lessons that will endure far beyond his time with us.
We acknowledge his lasting legacy and influence on millions around the world, and we join the global Catholic community in prayer.
Yet even amidst sorrow, we look forward with hope. As the Cardinals now gather in solemn ritual to elect his successor, we are reminded of the Holy Spirit’s enduring presence in our Church - guiding us through every season of history. It is a sacred time, not only of mourning, but of anticipation - for the future of our Church and the continued call to be a pilgrim people of hope, faith, courage and joy.
From a learning perspective Term Two brings with it renewed energy and enthusiasm. Students and staff have returned ready to embrace an exciting term full of new learning opportunities, special events, and community gatherings.
ANZAC Day
We gathered as a school community to honour ANZAC Day -a story that continues to shape us. This year marks 110 years since the Gallipoli landings - a moment in history where we pause to acknowledge the courage, sacrifice and mateship that have been woven into the fabric of our nation.
Thank you to our students who represented the College through music and prayer at the ANZAC Day service held at St Linus Anglican Church on 25 April. It was wonderful to have so many of their families accompany them.


Honouring Mary - The Month of May
In the Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It is a time for special devotion, reflection, and prayer as we honour Mary’s example of faith, love, and trust in God. Throughout the month, we will take time as a school community to reflect on Mary’s role in our faith and seek her intercession as we grow together in our journey of learning and faith.
I am looking forward to being with many of you as we acknowledge our mothers and significant women at our Mother’s Day Mass and Supper on Tuesday 6 May at 7.00 pm.


Looking Ahead
Term Two promises to be a season of growth, gratitude, and community. As we journey together through the weeks ahead, may we be inspired by the faith of Mary and the legacy of Pope Francis to live with love, service, and hope.
Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God.
Lila McInerney
College Principal
Director: Religious Education and Identity

Hearing the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis was certainly not the beginning to Term Two that I had imagined. I am devastated. His death marks the end of an influential papacy defined by compassion, humility, and a deep call for global solidarity. Francis broke barriers and redefined the papal voice for the modern age. He consistently centred the marginalised, advocated for the environment, and pushed the Church to embrace mercy over judgement.
His final Easter message, delivered with frailty yet undeniable conviction, served as a fitting culmination of his mission. He urged the world not to lose hope amid conflict, climate anxiety, and division, calling on humanity to “rise with Christ by lifting one another.” It was a final echo of the values he championed: peace, care for the poor, interfaith dialogue, synodality, and a Church that walks with people rather than above them.

Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of moral courage and pastoral gentleness — a reminder that leadership can be both humble and bold. In a fractured world, his voice became a bridge, and in death, his message endures.
To celebrate and acknowledge his life, Wellbeing Classes gathered on the first day of Term Two to reflect, pray and learn more about our late Pope by watching the documentary ‘The Francis Effect’. The College community also had the opportunity to offer their prayers in our College Chapel.
As we are still in the season of Easter and Pope Francis’ period of mourning officially ends next week, we will celebrate our planned Easter Liturgy on Tuesday 6 May as a whole school community. I am also looking forward to seeing our students and families at our Mother’s Day Mass on Tuesday evening in the Performing Arts Space. This occasion will be celebrated by Fr Brendan Reed, Parish Priest of St Fidelis Moreland, St Joseph’s Brunswick West and St Ambrose’s Brunswick and Brunswick East.
God bless,
Nima Ballenger
Director: Religious Education and Identity
Director: Learning and Teaching

"When schools focus on continuous improvement, it creates a culture of high expectations for student learning and encourages teachers to continually refine their instructional practices."
Source: (Marzano, 2019)
As we conclude our second week of the term, I would like to thank all staff and students for the positive start to the new term and I wish all members of our community the very best for the term ahead.
With reference to the above quote, Mercy College aims to provide an outstanding education, focused on formation of the whole person, that has the intellectual, practical and moral excellence of learners at its heart. We aim to deliver the best educational outcome for every student. To achieve this, we are committed to evidence-based instruction and the active promotion of equity and excellence. As part of the Flourishing Learners position statement, we aim to deliver the best educational outcome for every student across the breadth of the Victorian curriculum.
Underpinning this commitment and our overall approach to school improvement is the work being undertaken by our teaching staff during our Mercy Learning Time professional learning workshops. These workshops have focused on the Vision for Instruction with particular emphasis on Reviewing Material in Term One and Questioning Techniques in Term Two.
Rehearsing and reviewing information creates stronger connections and makes prior knowledge more readily available for use. As a part of a routine, use low- or no-stakes quizzes for frequent review. Material that is practised and discussed in review will be easier to recall. If students are struggling with a concept during review, teachers can do a quick re-teach lesson.
Effective questioning is a core part of effective formative assessment. Instruction is most effective when it is highly interactive with frequent checks for understanding. Identifying where a student is in their learning by assessing what they know also helps teachers choose the right starting place before introducing a new unit of work (AERO 2021).
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: Monday 16 June and Wednesday 18 June to Friday 20 June
Year 9 and 10 Examinations: Thursday 19 June to Friday 20 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 will be made available in the coming weeks. These details will also be posted on the Daily Messages on SIMON for all students to access.
In the meantime, please contact your child’s subject teacher with any questions related to their overall progress and learning. If you have any questions about the upcoming semester examinations, please contact myself.
We wish all students the very best for their upcoming examinations.
General Achievement Test (GAT) – Tuesday 17 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 22 September and Thursday 25 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 might like to join the student mailing list here to be alerted to the booking page going live.
All presenters have VCAA exam marking experience, including:
- Chemistry
- English
- Biology
- Business Management
- Legal Studies
- HHD
- Psychology
ACED are currently partnering with Psyched for our Psychology lectures. They are also running a Unit 4 Head Start Webinar on 2 June. Click here for more information.
Nicholas Ambrozy
Director: Learning and Teaching
Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Stepping into Term Two with Purpose and Pride
We hope all our families enjoyed a restful break and a joyous Easter, filled with the peace and love of Christ and special moments with loved ones. As we begin Term Two, it’s been heartening to see our students return refreshed and eager to dive back into their learning.
This term is an important one, with approaching key assessments and mid-year exams for many students. We encourage each student to stay focused and organised, ensuring they complete their tasks on time and build solid study habits. Now is the time to establish routines that will support their academic success through the rest of the term.
Equally important is upholding our College expectations. This includes attending school every day, arriving on time to school and to all classes, wearing the uniform with pride, and showing respect for the learning environment. Regular attendance is key to success, and being present in the classroom helps students stay engaged and confident in their studies.

We also want to remind students that their teachers are here to support them every step of the way. We encourage all students to actively reach out for help when needed - whether it’s clarifying a concept, asking for feedback, or seeking guidance. These actions show initiative and responsibility in their learning journey.
While academic focus is important, we must not forget the importance of wellbeing. We encourage students to take care of themselves by getting enough rest, eating well, and taking moments to relax and refresh. These habits are essential for managing stress and maintaining a balanced life.
Finally, we thank our families for their ongoing support in fostering high standards of learning and behaviour. Together, we can help our students make the most of Term Two, empowering them to grow with confidence, resilience, and purpose.
Let’s work together to make this term a rewarding and successful time for all.
Teresa Talia
Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing
English

As Term Two begins, students are continuing with their study of a variety of text types. Years 7, 8 and 10 students are experimenting with persuasive language, whereas Year 9 students are about to enter the world of prose with Steven Herrick’s by the river. Year 11 students are crafting short stories and using their writing skills to create new worlds, characters and plots.
Our Year 12 students are currently studying Jane Harrison’s text, Rainbow’s End - a play which celebrates the Indigenous women of 1950s Australia whilst enduring discrimination, marginalisation and hardship. Jane recently visited the College to chat about the text with Year 12 students, who will use Jane’s insights to assist with their upcoming assessment task, where they will need to analyse the text’s purpose and message. Here are excerpts of Jane’s discussion:
- “The brief I received was to write about one decade of Victorian Aboriginal history, and whilst there were many great heroes of the time - Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls and William Cooper - I wanted to focus on the unsung heroes; the women who were tasked with the responsibility of tending to their family and caring for children whilst the men are absent.”
- “Most of the work I write is quite dark, but I wanted to show that Aboriginal people were not hopeless - that they are permitted to dream and fantasise and have hope for their futures.”
Tania Ragusa
Learning Area Leader: English
Years 7 and 8 Learning and Wellbeing Team

Year 7 students adventured to Camp Rumbug in Foster North, which for many students was their first time spending two nights away from home. Students approached the experience with determination to have a go at all activities including the giant swing, shelter building and Raft building, with many rafts successfully navigating across the camp’s lake. They demonstrated resilience and were able to build new friendships with students across the year level.








Year 8 students embraced the fresh sea air and coastal vibes at their beach camp in Anglesea, where they enjoyed three days of adventure, laughter, and unforgettable memories. From canoeing and hiking to beach walks, sandcastle competitions, archery, and team-building challenges, the camp offered plenty of opportunities for students to challenge themselves, connect with others, and try something new.
Here’s what Huda had to say about her experience:
“The food was absolutely delicious on camp, and there were so many fun activities. We loved practicing archery with bows and arrows, we went on a hike, went canoeing, and the campsite was amazing – it was in a big, open area. My favourite activity was the beach walk. I've heard many great stories from my peers from this year’s camp and I hope to have the same kind of wonderful experience next year.”
Amanda Lazzaro and Jade Weller
Years 7 and 8 Learning and Wellbeing Team




Years 9 and 10 Activities Week

The Year 10s were able to gain a lot of insights into the workforce through their Work Experience placements. The Year 9s thoroughly enjoyed their different experiences in the city, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the students during this week.
Here are some of the thoughts and reactions of our Year 9 and 10 students:
Year 10 Work Experience was a valuable opportunity to learn new things and gain an insight into the day-to-day life of various occupations. Our class was lucky to work in a range of areas; from learning about immigration law and developing exercise programs with a physiologist, to assisting primary school students within the classroom and observing how veterinarians work with their pet clients. Ultimately, it was an exciting and jam-packed week, and we are thankful for the chance to have gained this real-world experience. – Students of 10A
In the last week of Term One, I had the privilege to undertake work experience at St Paul's Primary School in Coburg. I found it fascinating to get to see behind the scenes of what being a teacher looks like. The work environment was welcoming and uplifting. The teachers strive to create an atmosphere that is comforting and filled with endless opportunities. Some of my highlights from the week were getting to know the kids and helping them with work or playing a fun game of soccer at lunch. Also, I had lots of fun when Felice Arena, an author, came through, singing and witnessing the Easter play, sitting in the staff room as a teacher, doing a fun Q and A with the 5/6 about high school and being called Ms. Sienna. But, how could I forget the epic soccer match of teacher vs Year 6 students? I learnt so many things from the team and got to experience working in every year level, from Prep to Year 6, assisting the students who needed help. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I know I have become more confident about work through this work experience placement. This placement also helped me think about what work I would like to do in the future. - Sienna Cipriani, 10B
I had the privileged of going to spend 1 week in an advisory and accounting firm for work experience. This experience provided valuable insight into this industry. I was able to assist the staff I worked among with calls, emails, organising files and learning how to use graphs in a business setting. Overall, it was an excellent opportunity to apply my skills and explore potential career paths in the field of accounting and advisory. - Ava Kyriopoulos, 10B
For work experience I had the privilege of going to St Matthew's Primary School. During this week I was with multiple junior year levels, helping them with their activities they were completing in class. One of my highlights during this week was making a pizza, to represent being a part of a community. - Katherine Moshi, 10B








We continuously showed teamwork, dedication and worked hard throughout the entire day. - Students of 9A
City experience was an amazing opportunity that allowed us to work both independently and in groups to learn valuable navigation skills in the city. It was really enjoyable to strengthen our bonds with our peers and explore the beautiful city of Melbourne that we are lucky to call home. - Students of 9B
Year 9 city experience was very fun, my favourite part of it was when we had a tour of the MCG it was cool to see all the change rooms that the players use when at a game. Learning about the history of cricket and AFL in the MCG was very interesting and intriguing. We learnt so many new things and even got to experience some like The Big Issue. - Students of 9C
Lucia Morello
Years 9 and 10 Learning and Wellbeing Leader
Year 11 Activities Week
The Year 11s had the privilege of experiencing an eventful and enjoyable activities week this year. We started the week in the city, visiting three of Melbourne's most prestigious universities. We were greeted with hospitality by staff from the University of Melbourne, RMIT and Victoria University. We had the opportunity to explore the universities during tours and gain an understanding of what life will be like after the high school experience.
Then was the very anticipated camp, which was held at the Adekate Camp in Ballarat. Before settling into our environment for the next three days, we visited the famous Sovereign Hill. We were extremely fortunate to participate in the mine tours and we experienced a presentation to discover more about the history of Sovereign Hill and the impact of the gold rush. Although, we were offered all these opportunities, the raspberry drops had the most interest as the line went out of the store due to Mercy students.
Finally, we made our way to the campsite and prepared for the eventful days to follow. Our activity groups split off and rotated between a range of exhilarating and entertaining activities. The activities we participated in included harnessed crate stacking, archery, orienteering and ziplining. On top of all that, the fun never ended because we also got to engage in a liturgy, a trivia night and a movie night which very quickly was overtaken by the adrenaline rush from the Carlton vs. Collingwood game, as well as team-building activities such as hut-building and a hike. Unforgettable memories were collected and records were broken as we were able to beat the camp record for crate stacking and achieve a height of 29 crates. It was the perfect way to end the term and we thank Ms Brown for organising this experience and all the teachers who gave their time to join us. We couldn’t be more grateful.
Sophie Leyden, Year 11.


Year 12 Formal





























Parent Access Module (PAM)
Accessing PAM
All families should have access to PAM. If you are having any issues accessing your account, please contact the College and we will email you with your username and password.

Parent Notified Absences
Parents and Guardians are reminded that you should be using PAM or the absentee phone line to record a student absence for daily or multiple days. If your child is arriving late to school or leaving early, this information can also be recorded on PAM. Please ensure the absence is recorded before 8.45am to avoid a SMS absence alert being generated.
Please call the College on 9319 9299 if you require any assistance.
Counsellor's Corner
Counselling Support at Mercy – You are Not Alone
As winter approaches and the days get colder and darker, it's normal to feel a little more weighed down. Seasonal changes can impact our child’s mood, energy levels, and overall mental health. Remember, they are not alone – Mercy's Counselling Team is here to support.
How to Access Counselling at Mercy:
- Drop in or book an appointment through your child’s Wellbeing teacher.
Email the counselling team directly at counsellingteam@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au - Speak to a teacher or staff member if you need help getting started.
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health – don’t hesitate to reach out.
Alumnae

Paying at the Cafeteria
The College cafeteria is open every day for morning tea and lunch. It's not only convenient but a great option if your child forgets their lunch as they can now pay with their student card.
Accepted forms of payment at the Cafeteria include:
- Student Card (just make sure your child's account is topped up - CDF PAY instructions below.)
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Cash
Please note that students cannot use their MOBILE PHONES to pay at the College Cafeteria,

CDF Pay

From 2025, Mercy College will be using CDFpay for online cafeteria ordering, papercut printing, College events, bus and music fees.
Students received their Student ID card on Friday 14 March, If your child did not receive their ID, these can be collected from Reception.
How to register for a CDFpay account
- Download the CDFpay app on the Apple or Google store, then click ‘Sign up now’.
No app? Register here - Enter and confirm your email address, then click ‘Sign up’.
- 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.
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