Mercy College, Coburg eNewsletter

Key Dates

School Holiday Office Hours

Monday 7 April to Friday 11 April: 8.00am to 4.00pm
Monday 14 April to Thursday 17 April: 8.00am to 4.00pmm
Friday 18 April and Monday 21 April: Closed

Sunday 13 April

Palm Sunday

Thursday 17 April

Holy Thursday

Friday 18 April

Good Friday

Saturday 19 April

Easter Saturday

Sunday 20 April

Easter Sunday

Monday 21 April

Easter Monday

Tuesday 22 April

First Day of Term Two
Easter Liturgy

Thursday 24 April

Feast of St Fidelis
ANZAC Day Commemoration

Friday 25 April

ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 30 April

Year 9 Immersion Day

Thursday 1 May

CGSAV Basketball Tournament

Prayer

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy College Community,

Reflecting on Term One
As we reach the final day of Term One 2025, we take this opportunity to reflect on what has been a big and rewarding term. On Friday, 28 March, we came together as a community of excellence to celebrate our students' achievements at the Term One Learning Showcase. It was a wonderful occasion to recognize their hard work, dedication, and growth. To conclude the showcase, we acknowledged our Student of the Term recipients, listed later in this newsletter. These students have demonstrated outstanding commitment, striving for excellence in their participation and contributions to Mercy College life this term.

Congratulations also to Amaya De Silva - a year 8 student of Mercy College who is currently having a solo art exhibition at a small art gallery in Mount Macedon. I asked Amaya to reflect on how this all came about:

My exhibition, “Visions Unveiled”, is a collection of pieces I have completed over a few years, they span from oil to acrylic, pencil to resin and showcase many things from dreams, emotions and experiences represented in what I’ve learnt and practiced over the years. I suppose it all began when my mother encouraged me to draw more, use my creativity instead of letting it waste. I began taking classes, learnt lots and in 2023 when I was making a portfolio for high school selections, the idea of an exhibition sprouted, a year and a half later I hosted my very first Solo exhibition.

Below is an invitation for all, if you would like to attend.

Activities Week
This week has been filled with enriching experiences for all our students as they participated in activities days, school camps, and work experience.

I had the pleasure of spending time with most year levels and seeing first-hand activities where students were challenged and wanted to collaborate and work with their peers with the support of their teachers. You will get a sense of some of the week from the following sections in the newsletter. This week provided valuable opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and resilience.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, many of whom sacrificed time away from their families to create these meaningful experiences. To our parents and guardians, thank you for entrusting us with your children’s learning journey and supporting their development and success.

Preparing for Easter
Throughout Lent, as we prepare for Easter our community has united in reflection, prayer, and generosity. Thank you to everyone who has supported Project Compassion this term—your generosity has helped us Unite Against Poverty and make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

On Sunday, 13 April, we celebrate Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. As we journey toward the Easter Triduum, we are reminded to connect our own struggles with the suffering of Jesus. He did not come to take away suffering, but to bring meaning to it through His life, death, and resurrection.

May Holy Week be a time for us to deepen our relationship with Jesus, reflect on His sacrifice, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.

Wishing our entire Mercy College community a well-deserved holiday break and a blessed and joyful Easter. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term Two.

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

Lila McInerney
College Principal

Executive Deputy Principal (Staff and Culture)

A Memorable Activity Week
As the term comes to an end, I reflect on the privilege of joining our Year 7 students for Mercy College’s Activity Week. Activity Week saw the entire College community engaging in diverse learning experiences, from camps and retreats to work placements and a City Experience, ending with the Year 12 Formal at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

The Year 7 students started the week with a visit to Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre, enjoying the waterslides and pool before heading to a private film screening at Pentridge Cinema. Lots of fun and popcorn was had by all.

From Wednesday to Friday, our Year 7s embraced the challenges and excitement of PGL Rumbug Camp in Foster North. The camp focused on personal growth, resilience, teamwork, and responsibility. Together, we sang around the campfire, performed a campfire story, and participated in numerous activities, which both challenged and exhilarated us, such as the flying fox, archery, the giant swing, canoeing, bushcraft, raft building, and the mud run. It was a week of adventure, friendship, and personal development - one that will be remembered by our Year 7s for years to come.

As we now look ahead to the term holidays, I wish all students and their families a restful break and look forward to Term Two.

Jessica Frisina
Executive Deputy Principal

Director: Learning and Teaching

"When parents are involved in their child's learning, they send a powerful message that education is important. This can lead to increased motivation and engagement in learning.” (Hattie)

Source: Adapted from Parent Engagement in Education: Australian Government – Department of Education 2023)
Retrieved from: www.education.gov.au

A Culture of Excellence: We are partners in learning
Partnerships between parents, teachers, and students are essential to create a conducive and effective learning environment.

Here are some reasons why these partnerships are important:

Improved communication: When parents, teachers, and students work together, communication is enhanced. This enables everyone to share information about a student's progress, challenges, and successes, leading to better understanding of the student's needs.
Consistency in expectations: When teachers and parents work together, they can set consistent expectations for students' behaviour and academic performance, which can create a more cohesive and supportive environment.
Enhanced support: Students benefit from the support they receive from their parents and teachers. Parents can provide additional support at home, while teachers can provide academic and emotional support in the classroom. Together, these efforts can lead to better outcomes for students.
Increased engagement: When parents are involved in their children's education, it can lead to increased student engagement and motivation. Students are more likely to take an active role in their own learning when they know that their parents and teachers are invested in their success.
Better problem-solving: When parents, teachers, and students work together, they can collaborate to find solutions to problems that arise. This collaborative approach can lead to more effective problem-solving and greater overall success for students.

Partnerships between parents, teachers, and students are crucial for creating a successful learning environment. Improved communication, consistency in expectations, enhanced support, increased engagement, and better problem-solving are just a few of the benefits of these partnerships.

Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Thank you to all the parents who attended the Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences that were held on Tuesday 25 March and Thursday 27 March.

Shaped by our Catholic identify we place great value in students, teachers and parents working in partnership to ensure all students reach their full potential and excel in their studies. Please take the time to provide us with feedback by completing the following short survey on the Years 7 to 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. SURVEY LINK

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 Mr Nicholas Ambrozy (Director: Learning & Teaching).

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 Units 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 perioad. 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.

Nicholas Ambrozy
Director: Learning and Teaching

Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

A Time of Reflection and Celebration
As Term One comes to a close, it's a perfect moment to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and special experiences that have shaped the first part of our school year. We have particularly loved welcoming all our new students to Mercy College, including our Year 7s embarking on their high school journey and those who have joined us in other year levels. It has been wonderful to see how quickly they have become part of our school community, making new friends and embracing all that Mercy has to offer.

One of the standout highlights of the term was Activities Week, which provided students from Years 7 to 12 with the opportunity to step outside their usual classroom routine and immerse themselves in hands-on, engaging experiences. Whether it was engaging in camp experiences, exploring creative workshops, or developing teamwork and leadership skills, our students embraced the week with enthusiasm. It was inspiring to see friendships strengthened, new skills developed, new information learned and plenty of laughter shared along the way. A big thank you to our teachers and staff for their efforts in organising such a fantastic week - it’s safe to say it was a resounding success!

Beyond Activities Week, our students - both new and returning - have excelled in academic, sport, and co-curricular activities throughout the term. From impressive performances on the sports field to outstanding efforts in the classroom and participation in various school clubs and events, there is so much to be proud of.

As we move towards a well-earned break, we encourage all students to take this time to rest, recharge, and reflect on their personal achievements this term. Term Two promises even more exciting opportunities for learning and growth, and we look forward to seeing what our students will accomplish next.

Thank you to all our students, families, and staff for making Term One such a positive and successful start to the year.

Wishing all our families a restful holiday and a blessed Easter.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term Two!

Every Minute Counts: The Critical Importance of School Attendance
Regular school attendance is essential for students to achieve their full potential. Even small amounts of missed time can accumulate into significant learning gaps. According to the data, missing just 5 minutes per day adds up to 3 days of lost learning per year, while missing 30 minutes daily results in a staggering 18 days per year.

More concerning, if a student misses one day per fortnight, they lose four weeks of learning annually. Over their schooling life, this equates to an entire year of lost education. Students who miss one day per week ultimately forfeit 2.5 years of schooling—impacting their academic success, confidence, and future opportunities.

Every lesson counts. Regular attendance helps students stay engaged, build strong relationships, and develop crucial skills for life beyond school. Gaps in learning due to frequent absences make it harder to keep up with coursework and achieve academic goals.

Parents, teachers, and students must work together to prioritise attendance. By fostering a culture where punctuality and participation are valued, we set students up for success in school and beyond. Every minute matters—because every lesson builds towards a brighter future. Education shapes the future, and every absence takes away from a child’s potential. Attendance is not optional - it is essential. Don’t let lost time steal success.

Teresa Talia
Director: Student Engagement and Wellbeing

National eSmart Week

Monday 31 March 2025 marks the beginning of National eSmart Week. Mercy College is committed to eSafety and provides students with tips on staying safe online and reporting any online abuse. As students begin their school holidays, parents are also encouraged to support their child at home with online safety. The Parent Page on the eSafety Commissioner’s website, provides helpful advice to parents when educating their children about using the internet safely. There are also clear steps for parents to undertake in the event that their child has had a negative online experience.

There are free webinars and videos for parents to watch as well as online advice sheets that are translated in a number of languages. Please click on the following link for further information for parents.

eSafety for Parents

Activities Week

Year 7 Oak Park Sports and Aquatics Centre, Pentridge Cinema and PGL Rumbug Camp

Mathematics

Student of the Term Awards

Year 7 - Lilly Whittaker, 7B

This student has made a great transition to Mercy this term. She has been responsible and helpful in the classroom and always manages a welcoming smile for everyone. She is grateful and her manners are refreshing. She has embraced the Mercy values newly introduced to her and demonstrates them in her interactions with others and her commitment to her learning. She is a valued member of 7B!

Year 8 - Aanya Srivastava, 8A

This student is very attentive, contributes to class discussions, always offers suggestions and is very helpful in Wellbeing lessons. She took responsibility in helping to lead the class in the decorating of our Wellbeing Mercy Door. She is organised and consistently in correct uniform. A great start to the year!

Year 9 - Olivia Cimarosti, 9A

This student is a conscientious student who always comes to class ready to learn. She treats her peers and learning environment with respect. She also includes herself in classroom discussion and includes those around her. She is very supportive of her friends and always ready to offer assistance where she can.

Year 10 - Daphne Altinpinar, 10B

This student is a hardworking student who maintains a high standard of achievement and strong work ethic consistently. She always is happy to lend a hand and is kind to those around her. This student is the definition of a quiet achiever. She utilises her time in class and always asks questions where necessary.

Year 11 - Alana Rakoci, SW5

This student always shows unwavering determination and strength in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges that have come her way, she has shown incredible resilience, consistently pushing through difficult moments with grace and positivity. Her ability to maintain focus, stay motivated, and support others around her, even when faced with obstacles, is a testament to her character. Her perseverance is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that with hard work, dedication, and a never-give-up attitude, we can achieve our goals. This student is always warm to her teachers and peers, wears her uniform with pride, and consistently seeks advice and guidance when she needs it.

Year 12 - Lucy Stewart, SW3

This student is always diligent, respectful, and willing to be a positive ambassador for the College. She works hard to balance her Year 12 workload with participating in College events including Discover Mercy Days and being involved in our 60th Year Celebration Mass. This student is conscientious and has a positive working relationship with her teachers as she is always warm and willing to ask questions to improve her learning. She is an all-rounder; showing excellence through her academic results and sporting achievements, whilst also demonstrating hospitality and compassion in her willingness to volunteer her time. This student is a prime example of what it means to be a Mercy student.

Sport

CGSAV Swimming Tournament

This term, the Mercy Swim team competed in the CGSAV Swimming Tournament on 19 March. The team participated in early Monday and Tuesday morning trainings to prepare us for the competition. After weeks of training, the big day finally arrived! Everyone put their best foot forward and swam their hearts out, and although we didn't win overall, individually we all swam our best and had lots of fun throughout the day.

We look forward to starting training again in Term Four, to prepare us for the 2026 Div 2 swimming tournament.

Indiana Fontana
Year 11

Alumnae

Happy Holidays Mercy Community!

It's amazing to realise that we have come to the end of Term One of our 60th Year of Mercy! We are making special memories, not only as a part of the academic calendar year of learning and personal growth, but in creating the history of this milestone year.

I recently connected with alumna Amanda Gerada (nee D'Arienzo), Class of 2015, who from a young age wanted to follow a vocation as a primary school teacher. Amanda was in Year 12 during the Golden Jubilee Year, the celebration of 50 Years of educating secondary school girls at Mercy College. The opening ceremony for the College was the unveiling of the Jubilee Garden in the central courtyard that took place on 2 February 2015.

'The symbols and plaques that are found throughout the garden represent a part of our school history, the joy we find in God's creation and the values we hope to share with others. It is a place to share stories of our past, enjoy the present moment with friends, old and new, and dream of the future; a place where we may celebrate and be reminded of our Mercy values of Excellence, Justice, Compassion and Hospitality.'
Ms Loretta Kitch, Director of Mission, 2015 Yearbook.

In March 2015, Pope Francis proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, running from 8 December 2015 to 20 November 2016, "Misericordiae Vultus" (Latin for "The Face of Mercy"). How remarkable that it coincided with the College golden jubilee, adding uplifting reinforcement of our Mercy vision for years to come.

Here we are in 2025, ten years on and reflecting on Amanda's calling to serve others through education and learning, I am reminded of Pope Francis' message in the College staffroom: The commitment of teachers to support the students’ journey to explore possibilities beyond the College gates.

“Teaching is a beautiful job; as it allows you to see the growth day to day of people entrusted to your care.” - Pope Francis.

It is my absolute pleasure to introduce this newsletter’s alumna feature, Amanda Gerada (Nee D’Arienzo) Class of 2015

Where Are They Now - Amanda Gerada nee D'Arienzo, Class of 2015

A reminder to book your seat for our 60 Years of Mercy High Tea reunion function to take place right here at McAuley Hall on 12 October, 2.00pm to 5.00pm. You can add your peer group friends to your table too. Remember to complete all your details to assist in special preparations.

If you have College memorabilia you would like to donate, please get in touch via email: alumnae@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au or via College Reception 9319 9299.

We are looking forward to welcoming our past students and teachers to our extra special annual reunion in celebration of 60 years of Mercy College education.

"Hurra for foundations, makes the old young and the young merry"
(Jan 4, 1841) - Catherine McAuley. Foundress Sisters of Mercy.

Diane Psaila
Alumnae Relations Officer

School Student Broadband Initiative

If there is a school age student at your home and you don’t have an NBN connection,, you could qualify for free home internet until 30 June 2028.

Children who can access online learning at home as part of their education are more likely to engage in classroom activities. With home internet access your whole household can benefit – supporting your school age students to build their digital skills, learn how to safely use the internet and participate in an increasingly digital world.

To apply, follow the four steps below:
1. Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm (AEDT) or visit anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet
2. They’ll ask you some questions to see if you qualify for this offer.
3. If you qualify, you’ll get a voucher to redeem.
4. Use the voucher to connect through your chosen participating internet provider. Use your voucher before the 30,000 places are taken.

As of 23 January 2025, 23,149 SSBI services being provided to qualifying homes. Applications close when 30,000 places are reached. Being issued a voucher does not reserve your place in this program and you must use your voucher before the 30,000 places are taken otherwise it becomes invalid.

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.

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:

Saver Plus

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.