Mercy News - Friday 16 May 2025

Key Dates

Monday 19 May

• Week 3: Years 4 to 6 Kitchen Kapers Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm
  

Thursday 22 May

• Year 7 100 Days of Learning at Mercy, 7.00pm

Saturday 24 May

• Discover Mercy Open Day, 10.00am

Monday 26 May

• Discover Mercy Open Day, 9.30am and 6.00pm
• Final Week: Years 4 to 6 Kitchen Kapers Program, 4.00pm to 5.00pm
• National Sorry Day

National Reconciliation Week - 27 May to  3 June

Wednesday 28 May

• Staff Professional Practice Day
• Student Free Day
  

Thursday 29 May

• Ascension Day (Feast of the Ascension of the Lord)
  

Friday 30 May

• Feast of Corpus Christi
  

Prayer

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy College Community,

A Time of Growth, Celebration and Community at Mercy
This weekend marks a significant moment in the life of our global Church with the inauguration of our newly elected Pope Leo XIV. His papacy is anticipated to bring a message of unity and peace, with early statements emphasising the need for reconciliation and dialogue in a divided world.

The theme for this year’s CatholicCare Family Week (12 - 18 May) is, “Lending a hand to thrive: supporting each other”. It highlights the importance of connection, care, and resilience within families and is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the strength of family bonds, reconnect with loved ones, and embrace activities that bring us together. 

At Mercy, we celebrate the support and love that families offer, knowing that strong family connections are key to personal and collective growth.

The last few weeks have been filled with moments that reflect the heart of our Mercy community—faith, connection, and growth. Together, we’ve celebrated key milestones, embraced leadership, and continued to strengthen the bonds that make our school such a special place to learn and belong.

Last week, we were delighted to host our Mother’s Day Mass and Supper, where we gathered in gratitude for the love, care, and guidance of mothers and mother figures. The Mass was a time for us to pray and give thanks to God for the women in our lives who have shown us strength and influenced us .  The supper that followed offered a hospitable time for families to connect and celebrate together. We are grateful to our celebrant Fr Brendan Reed, Parish Priest of Brunswick and Moreland Catholic Community.

We have gathered as a school community for our Easter liturgy which was a powerful reminder of the hope and renewal we find in the Resurrection. Students and staff came together, reflecting on the meaning of new life and the light that faith brings into our everyday lives. It was a meaningful recognition of this important season in our Church’s liturgical year. 

We have also been proud to commission our new Student Leaders in Years 7 to 11. These students have stepped forward with a willingness to serve, lead, and support their peers. With the encouragement of staff and the example of past leaders, they begin their leadership journey with enthusiasm, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility.

Our House Athletics Carnival last week brought energy, colour and excitement to the term. Students gave their all in both track and field events, cheered on by peers. It was a celebration of teamwork, and house spirit, and a wonderful reminder of the diverse talents within our student body. Congratulations to our winners, Thecla House.

Next week, our Year 7s will celebrate the first 100 days of learning in secondary school. We are proud of how our Year 7s have adjusted to new routines, subjects and expectations. With the support of their teachers and families, they have developed essential study habits, built relationships with peers and staff, and cultivated a strong sense of connection to our Mercy community. This milestone marks the beginning of what we know will be a fulfilling and successful journey.

And finally, we are excited to invite all families to one of our major events in the calendar - our 60th Anniversary Performing Arts Concert on 5 June. This milestone celebration will showcase the extraordinary talents of our students in music, drama, and dance, while honouring six decades of Mercy education. We look forward to coming together for an unforgettable evening of performance and pride.

Thank you to our families for your continued support and partnership. Together, we continue to build a community where every student is known, valued, and empowered to thrive.

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

Lila McInerney
College Principal

Director: Religious Education and Identity

As we continue to embrace the season of Easter, our Mercy College community has hosted liturgical celebrations that have brought our values to life in word, prayer, and action.

Easter Liturgy: A Celebration of Renewal
Our Easter liturgy was a powerful reminder of the hope and renewal we find in the Resurrection. In a world that often feels fractured, the message of new life in Christ was a welcome call to all who attended. Students led the liturgy with reverence and creativity, using light, music, reflection, and the symbolism of white balloons rising to the ceiling, to remind us that we are an Easter people — called to live in the light of hope, forgiveness, and transformation. Our school leaders retold the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection through the Gospel of Luke.
Thank you to all who contributed their time, talent, and faith to make this celebration so meaningful.

Mother’s Day Mass: Honouring the significant women in our lives
On the evening of Tuesday 6 May, we gathered to honour the maternal figures who shape our lives. Our Mother’s Day Mass was a heartfelt celebration of all mothers and significant women; those present with us and those held in memory. It was deeply moving to witness students standing beside their families in prayer, reflecting the deep intergenerational bonds that form the foundation of our community. The evening included a reflection based on the poem A Child’s Angel, reminding us of the quiet strength, love, and guidance women offer throughout our lives. Our guests received an angel themed memento to take home as their Mother’s Day gift. We are grateful to our celebrant Fr Brendan Reed, Parish Priest of Brunswick and Moreland Catholic Community. 

Looking Ahead: National Reconciliation Week #NRW2025
From May 27 to June 3, Mercy College will observe National Reconciliation Week, a time to reflect on our shared history and the journey towards healing and justice with First Nations peoples. The theme for 2025, “Bridging Now to Next” is a timely reminder that our commitment to truth-telling, relationship-building, and cultural respect must be ongoing and active for future generations.

As a FIRE Carrier school, students and staff will engage in prayer and dialogue that honours the stories and wisdom of First Nations people. We will also raise awareness and funds for Opening the Doors Foundation. The week will conclude with a whole-school Reconciliation Liturgy where staff and students will have the opportunity to be commissioned as FIRE Carriers in a fire and smoke and ceremony. 

God bless,
Nima Ballenger
Director: Religious Education and Identity

Student Leaders

Sustainability Leaders
Sustainability Captain - Julia Porrovecchio
Year 7 - Charlotte Mudda
Year  8 - Hannah Barnes
Year 9 - Sakhee Adhikari
Year 10 - Nadia Karnowski
Year 11 - Michaella Hauszler

Social Justice Leaders
Social Justice Captain - Gabriella Hauszler
Year 7 - Annabel Donkin
Year  8 - Mariella Conci
Year 9 - Gurleen Kaur
Year 10 - Sienna Cipriani
Year 11 - Diana Vanicore

Mission Leaders
Mission Captain - Senasha Warnakula
Year 7 - Varshinee Mohan
Year  8 - Alyssa Lamsal
Year 9 - Juliar Al Tamo
Year 10 - Katherine Moshi
Year 11 - Dana Issa

Kane House Leaders
Kane House Captain - Bianca Buenaventura (absent)
Year 7 - Alexandra Voulgaris
Year 8 - Amelia Parsons
Year 9 - Qaynath Britto
Year 10 -Chanel Shlimoon
Year 11 - Alessia Cali

Frayne House Leaders
Frayne House Captain - Sara Arif
Year 7 - Shrutika Kishore
Year 8 - Xaviera Saige Andraos
Year 9 - Violet Gee
Year 10 - Amani Arif
Year 11 - Zeyla Tan

Marian House Leaders
Marian House Captain - Leysan Erdemir
Year 7 - Emilia Giordano
Year 8 - Sienna Cefai
Year 9 - Annie Matthews
Year 10 - Alessia Barel
Year 11 - Laura Ciaverella

O'Hea House Leaders
O'Hea House Captain - Francesca Rotundo
Year 7 - Gurleen Dhunna
Year 8 - Scarlet Benson
Year 9 - Rosemary Kako
Year 10 - Samantha Mulla
Year 11 - Alanna Di Stefano

Thecla House Leaders
Thecla House Captain - Elisa Mammone
Year 7 - Clara Mammone
Year 8 - Chiara Unger
Year 9 - Mia Conlan
Year 10 - Bridget Mammone
Year 11 - Alena Essa

Director: Learning and Teaching

Vision for Instruction
At Mercy College we continue to engage with the Vision for Instruction with a focus on explicit instruction. Explicit teaching is a highly effective instructional approach that aligns closely with the Vision for Instruction released by Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS), which emphasises purposeful, evidence-based practices that promote equity, excellence, and engagement for all learners. Explicit instruction involves clearly articulated learning intentions, teacher modelling, guided practice with feedback, and independent application - all of which support a rigorous and inclusive learning environment. According to Rosenshine (2018), such structured teaching enables students to develop strong foundational knowledge through clear explanations, scaffolded learning, and frequent checks for understanding, supporting deeper comprehension and skill mastery.

Recent research reinforces the value of explicit teaching, particularly for improving outcomes for diverse learners. The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) (2023) highlights explicit instruction as a high-impact teaching strategy that is especially effective for students who need additional support. This approach directly supports the MACS Vision, which calls for the cultivation of expert teachers who intentionally design and deliver learning experiences that are “inclusive, targeted, and evidence-informed.” By making learning visible and accessible, explicit teaching not only fosters student agency and engagement but also ensures that all learners, regardless of background or ability, are empowered to achieve their full potential.

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 daughter’s subject teacher with any questions related to their overall progress and learning. If you have any questions about the upcoming semester examinations, please contact me via email: nambrozy@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au.

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 and 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.

2025 MAV VCE Mathematics Revision Program
Back by popular demand, 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. The 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.

Nicholas Ambrozy
Director: Learning and Teaching

Science

Chemistry
In Unit 3 Chemistry students investigate the rate and extent of chemical reactions. Dynamic equilibrium occurs when chemical reactions can progress in a forward and backwards direction simultaneously. Le Chatelier’s principle explains that when a system is exposed to a stress then the system responds to the stress to compensate. IN our experiment this response was observed through colour change of the chemicals under different conditions.  

Biology
In Unit 3 Biology, students have been measuring the rate of photosynthesis in leaves using the PASCO digital carbon dioxide meters. These meters allow students to collect data on the rate of photosynthesis in real time and dynamically measure differences under differing conditions. 

Environmental Science
Merri-bek Council, in collaboration with Graze Away have introduced five goats at Coburg Lake in an effort to control weeds and invasive species such as blackberries. This is a pilot project to investigate replacing chemical pesticides with a more sustainable solution. 

The goats are expected to be on the site for the next two months and are definitely worth a visit. Our Year 12 Environmental Science students went for a visit on Friday as they are currently studying a topic on Sustainability.

Fiachra Barry
Learning Area Leader: Science and STEM

Religious Education

Year 7 and 9 RE - Stations of the Cross 
The Stations of the Cross is a unit of work included in both the Year 7 and Year 9 Religious Education curriculum. Each year Mercy students express their understanding of the Stations of the Cross through creative, visual representations. They have chosen to create posters, models, dioramas, and paintings. 

In addition to the artwork, Year 7 students are to write a modern-day story that encompasses the meaning of, or reflects the theme of, a particular Station of the Cross. The Year 9 students write a detailed explanation about their artwork that recontextualises the Station of the Cross they are assigned. 

Students better understand the Passion of Christ leading into the Easter Season.
Examples of artwork are pictured below.

1) Artwork by Belle Duncan and Qaynath Britto, 9B
The artwork we created depicts the betrayal of Jesus, by Judas, in the Garden of Gethsemane. This is a part of Station 2: The Agony in the Garden. We present our artwork from Judas’ perspective, while allowing the viewers to contemplate the decision that he made. The painting is a set of scales. On the left side is a sack of coins, and each coin is labelled with a human desire, for example, fame and wealth. The right side holds the heart of Jesus, and it shows a nail piercing it, symbolising Jesus’ death. It demonstrates that Judas placed the value of money over the life of his friend. 

We can relate to this, as we sin and often choose desires over love. Jesus is described as love, and we can choose to do what benefits us, or we can choose love, showing love to others. An example of this would be instead of focusing on accumulating our own wealth, we could show love by giving it to people who truly need it. 

Prayer
Lord, we pray for humankind, that we may turn from our sinful desires and turn to you instead. May we choose love and
be more like you. You showed your love to us through the sacrifice of your life to save us. Amen

2) Artwork by Scarlett Tullberg and Tiana Mazorodze, 9B
3) Artwork by Shruthika Kishore, 7A
4) Artwork by Manvir Versi, 7A

Sport

CGSAV Div 3 Basketball
Mercy College had 5 teams compete in the CGSAV Div 3 basketball tournament, and what a day it was! Filled with intense competition, incredible teamwork, and great sportsmanship, every game brought excitement and close finishes.

Congratulations to:
Junior B Team – Division Champions! 
Junior A Team – Grand Finalists!
Senior Team – Semi Finalists!

Special mention to Olivia for winning best player in the Junior B grand final.
Well done to all players for representing Mercy with pride.

My experience at the basketball tournament was amazing and I enjoyed every second. We woke up very early and arrived at the school at 7.00am. We went to the bus and after a long trip, we finally arrived at MSAC. Overall we won our Junior B division. All of our hard work paid off and we all so proud of ourselves. At the end, we got a plaque for winning the finals. We all cheered for the other basketball teams at our school because they did an amazing job too. 
- Charlotte Mudda, 7C

Basketball was super fun and was a great opportunity to connect with fellow students and push yourself. Even if you didn't play basketball everyone got the ball and shot at least once. I look forward to next year's basketball competition. 
- Olivia Valenta, 7B

Careers at Mercy College

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

How to pay 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

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. 

Australia's Best Teacher Campaign

Make a Difference for Catholic Education – Join the CSPV Council

Calling passionate parent leaders – Expressions of interest now open

Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) is now inviting expressions of interest for positions on its Council. If you're a parent committed to the success of Catholic education in Victoria, this is your opportunity to shape its future.

As a Council member, you’ll represent the voices of parents from Catholic schools across the state, working in partnership with school leaders, clergy, and Catholic education authorities. You’ll help guide statewide advocacy, parent engagement initiatives, and the promotion of Catholic schools as schools of first choice.

Why join the CSPV Council?

• Amplify your voice in shaping education policy and partnerships
• Be part of a statewide network of parent leaders
• Contribute meaningfully to publications, forums and advocacy work

We’re seeking individuals who:

• Have children currently or recently enrolled in a Catholic school in Victoria
• Have demonstrated leadership or involvement in their school community (e.g. School Advisory Councils, Parents & Friends)
• Are committed to the values of Catholic education

Time commitment:
Four meetings per year (mostly online) plus participation in CSPV activities and working groups.

Submit your Expression of Interest
We encourage all eligible school representatives to consider this rewarding role. Submit your expression of interest by COB 21 May.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please get in touch at secretary@vcea.catholic.edu.au.

Together, let’s support excellence and equity in Catholic education across Victoria.

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