Mercy News - Friday 15 August 2025

Key Dates

Tuesday 19 September

• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama Production, 3.30pm to 8.30pm at Parade College
  

Wednesday 20 August

• Year 10 Reflection Day
• Year 9 Immersion Day: Mathematics

Thursday 21 August

• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama Production, 3.30pm to 6.00pm at Parade College
  

Monday 25 to Friday 29 August: Book, Literacy and Numeracy Week

Tuesday 26 August

• Year 7 English Incursion: Book, Literacy & Numeracy Week Author Visit, James Phelan, Period 1
• Year 8 English Incursion: Book, Literacy & Numeracy Week Author Visit, James Phelan, Period 2
• 2026 College Co-Captain Speeches, Period 3
• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama Production, 3.30pm to 6.00pm at Parade College
  

Wednesday 27 August

• CGSAV Soccer Tournament
  
• Mercy College and Parade College 'Puffs' Drama Production, Primary School Performance, 8.45am to 3.30pm
  
• Week 1: Years 4 to 6 Afterschool Program: Fun with Science Program

Thursday 28 August 

• Music Recital, 7.00pm
• Mercy College and Parade College 'Puffs' Drama Production, 7.00pm
  

Friday 29 August

• Mercy College and Parade College 'Puffs' Drama Production, 7.00pm
  

Saturday 30 August

• Mercy College and Parade College 'Puffs' Drama Production, 7.00pm
  

Prayer: Bullying No Way Week

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy Community,

Feast Of The Assumption
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption – a reminder that Mary’s journey is our journey. Her “yes” to God was not without challenge, yet it was wholehearted. In Mary we see the model of trust, courage and grace – virtues we are called to live in our own daily lives. As a Marist community, we look to her not only as our mother and guide but as one who points us always to her Son.

Bullying No Way Week: Be Bold, Be Kind, Speak Up
As part of Bullying No Way Week, we were proud at Mercy, to run a series of engaging activities under the theme Be Bold, Be Kind, Speak Up. The sessions encouraged students to stand against bullying, show kindness, and use their voices for positive change. We were inspired by their thoughtful participation and commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive school environment. It was a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment.

Although the week has come to an end, its message continues to guide us: to be bold in doing what’s right, to show kindness in all that we do, and to speak up whenever we see injustice.

Mercy and Parade Drama Production - Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
Mercy College and Parade College students and staff have been working collaboratively on the upcoming drama play performance of Puffs. With energy and enthusiasm, the cast has been deep in planning and rehearsals, bringing this witty and heartwarming production to life. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for creativity, teamwork, and shared learning across both schools.

We are incredibly proud of the students involved and encourage families, friends, and staff to come along to one of the performances and support what is sure to be a truly magical performance. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

2024 Mission Australia Youth Survey
We have been reflecting on the 2024 Mission Australia Youth Survey in which over 17,000 young Australians shared their hopes, concerns and challenges. Nationally, young people named school and study pressures, personal relationships, and mental health as their most significant concerns. These are issues that shape confidence, affect wellbeing, and influence a young person’s sense of belonging.

Here at Mercy, we are addressing these challenges by strengthening connection, fostering student agency, and ensuring that every student knows they are named, known loved.

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

Lila McInerney
College Principal

Director: Learning and Teaching

Ensuring Success for All Students – Mercy College Academic Support Process (Years 7 to 12)
At Mercy College, we are committed to helping every student reach their full potential in a supportive, fair, and consistent learning environment. Our Years 7 to 12 Academic Support Policy and Procedure outlines clear expectations for completing and submitting schoolwork, and provides structured support for students who may need help managing their workload.

The policy is designed to:

• Promote responsibility – Students take ownership of their learning by planning ahead, meeting deadlines, and managing their time effectively.
• Support learning – Teachers and wellbeing staff provide guidance, resources, and adjustments where needed, so every student can succeed.
• Ensure fairness – All students are assessed under the same conditions, with clear processes for extensions, resubmissions, and consequences.
• Build life skills – Meeting academic commitments develops organisation, resilience, and accountability—skills that prepare students for further study and employment.

How the process works:

• All students are expected to complete and submit their own work by the set due dates.
• Teachers clearly communicate assessment timelines, and parents are kept informed of any missed deadlines.
• If a task is not submitted on time, students are given a new deadline and may be required to attend Academic Reflection after school to complete it.
• Support options include Homework Club, Maths Help sessions, and individual teacher guidance.
• The policy also includes clear guidelines to prevent plagiarism and the misuse of AI tools.

By working together - parents, students, and staff - we can maintain high expectations, provide timely support, and help every learner at Mercy College achieve their best. The full Academic Support Process is available on the College website, and we encourage all families to familiarise themselves with it.

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.

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

Learner Expectation Reports are designed to provide feedback on a range of areas related to your child’s learning, study habits and overall progress. These reports provide feedback on your child’s progress and form the basis for discussion at the upcoming Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences to be held on Tuesday 2 September and Thursday 4 September.

Families will receive further correspondence outlining how to access their child’s Learner Expectation Report and information regarding the Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. In the meantime, we encourage your child to continue to the apply themselves to the best of their ability across all their subjects and look forward to discussing your child’s progress with you.

Years 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
The Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held on Tuesday 2 September and Thursday 4 September.

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

We encourage all parents and guardians to make appointments with their child’s teachers. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in these interviews. We look forward to meeting with you and your child and discussing how to best support and extend her to achieve their goals and ‘flourish’ in the learning environment.

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

Nick Ambrozy
Director: Learning and Teaching

Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

One Vision to Start Term Three
We have already concluded the fourth week of Term Three. It has been a very positive start to the term, with students returning from the break with renewed focus and enthusiasm. There’s a wonderful sense of momentum across all year levels, and it has been encouraging to see students embracing both their learning and the wide range of opportunities on offer.

We also welcome several new students and their families to our Mercy College community. It has been a pleasure to see them settle in so quickly, making connections, contributing to class discussions, and embracing the opportunities on offer. We are excited to support them as they grow and thrive in our vibrant and inclusive community.

Already this term, students have been involved in a number of rich, engaging activities that support their development beyond the classroom. One key highlight was the recent Religious Education Immersion Day, where students deepened their understanding of Catholic identity, history, and mission. They visited St Patrick’s Cathedral, experiencing the beauty and significance of our state’s spiritual heart. At the Mary Glowrey Heritage Centre, students explored the story of Sr Dr Mary Glowrey – a trailblazer for faith, service, and medical professionalism. The day also included a visit to the Australian Catholic University, providing students with a sense of future possibilities and how faith and learning intersect at tertiary level. Students engaged thoughtfully and respectfully throughout the day and demonstrated their appreciation of the significance of each site.

This term also marked the launch of our shared Instructional Model at Mercy College, which sets a clear direction for learning and teaching. The model highlights the importance of clarity, challenge, and connection in every classroom. Through this lens, teachers are supporting students to become independent, curious, and capable learners. At a recent College Assembly, students heard from staff about how this model comes to life in their classrooms, and we have been encouraged by the level of engagement and reflection it has inspired.

Students and families attended our Subject Selection Expo – a key event in shaping the educational pathways of our young people. The Expo offered insights into the wide range of subjects available in 2026, helping students make informed decisions about their learning journeys. Teachers and Learning Area Leaders were available to provide advice and support, while students were encouraged to reflect on their interests, strengths, and future goals. Thank you to all families who attended and to our staff for their ongoing guidance during this important process.

Another notable event this term was our participation in the many CGSAV sporting tournaments. Students represented the College with pride, determination, and great sportsmanship. Whether it was their teamwork or their encouragement, our players showed a true commitment to the Mercy spirit. These co-curricular opportunities continue to be a powerful way for students to connect, collaborate, and grow in confidence.

This term, we continue to focus on student wellbeing as a foundation for learning. Our Wellbeing program supports students in setting meaningful goals, developing resilience, and engaging in positive relationships. The mid-year check-in points provide opportunities for students to reflect on their progress, set new goals for the term, and access support when needed. It’s heartening to see students taking responsibility for their growth and engaging in conversations that support their overall development.

Bullying No Way!

On Tuesday, we gathered for a special assembly with Naomi Gulinello, Positive Mindset Coach, who shared personal stories and practical strategies for recognising and responding to bullying, while inspiring confidence and resilience.

These activities are more than symbolic - they give students tangible ways to practise empathy, celebrate strengths, and take responsibility for building a safe, inclusive school environment where everyone can thrive. Mercy College is committed to ensuring that the lessons of Anti-Bullying Week are an ongoing focus throughout the year, reinforcing a culture where every student feels safe, supported, and respected. Together, these experiences strengthen our commitment to stamping out bullying and creating a place where every student belongs.

As always, thank you to families for your ongoing partnership in the care, engagement, and education of our students. The beginning of Term Three has been a strong reminder of the vibrant and inclusive community we are building together, and we look forward to what the rest of the term will bring.

Teresa Talia

VCE Learning and Wellbeing Leader

Don't forget the Free Parent Webinars run by Elevate Education to help you support your young person on their learning journey.

Here’s what is being covered:

1. How You Can Make Technology an Ally (& Not the Enemy!) - 20 August at 6:30 (AEST) 
2. How To Help Your Child Improve Their Note Taking - 3 September at 6:30 (AEST) 
3. How You Can Support Your Child During Exams - 17 September at 6:30 (AEST)

Please sign up at the link below:
https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Jaime Brown
VCE Learning and Wellbeing Leader

English

It has been a busy start to the term for the English domain! Following the introduction of the College’s Instructional Model, the English team has been working hard to improve their use of modelling and scaffolding within the classroom. For example, Year 10 English teachers are focusing on “metacognitive talk” - a strategy where the teacher makes their thought processes explicit for students. This includes the teacher speaking aloud when writing an essay, demonstrating to students the process of writing and how to make particular choices within a sentence. We are looking forward to evaluating the effectiveness of this strategy when students write their analytical text response essay later this term. 

In other news, students across all year levels are currently reading and analysing a variety of texts including dystopian novels, Gothic fiction and classic plays. To support student learning, we organised a series of incursions in Weeks 3 and 4 to further explore the key themes and ideas in each text. 

Year 9 - By the River
Students were fortunate to have been visited by Steven Herrick - poet and author of “By the River”, a prose novel which explores Australian suburbia through the lens of 14-year-old Harry Hodby. Steven spoke to the students about the power of poetry and also answered student questions about the writing process.

Year 9 - Romeo and Juliet
Year 9 students were also treated to a performance of William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, by Complete Works Theatre Company. Applying a modern twist to the play, students enjoyed this stage adaptation of the text, bringing Shakespeare’s words to life. A highlight was the Q&A session run by the actors, who answered student questions about working as an actor, how to find the character’s motive/intent and the complexities of performing Shakespeare.

Year 11 - Media
Complete Works Theatre Company returned once again - this time for our Year 11 students, with a performance of Euripides’ Greek play Medea. Students were able to witness Medea’s inner conflict unfold, ultimately ending in great tragedy. Students enjoyed viewing the various elements of Greek theatre onstage, including the use of a chorus and props.

Tania Ragusa
Learning Area Leader: English

Arts & Technology

This semester the Arts has been all about exploration, creativity, and pushing boundaries. Students immersed themselves in a variety of techniques including painting, printmaking, and drawing, while also experimenting with different materials and tools to bring their ideas to life. From textured brushwork to layered prints and expressive sketches.

A big focus was on learning through inspiration—using art analysis to understand how artists create and why. Students examined famous and contemporary artworks to spark their own ideas, leading to exciting new ways of making art.

We are eagerly awaiting the Opening Night of the production ‘Puffs’, on 28 August and wish our cast and crew all the best for their performances and a big thank you to Fiona Laino and Chantal Fumalaro for their dedication to rehearsals and to developing the students understanding of the stage.  Thank you also to Frank and Will for their expertise in making the stage props for the show!  Tickets are on sale now!

Maggie Vaiopoulos
Learning Area Leader: Arts and Technology

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