Mercy Regional College eNewsletter

Prayer

For Feast of Mary MacKillop - 8th August

God, through the intercession of Mary MacKillop,

We pray that the fire of your compassion will ignite many hearts.

May Mary’s attentiveness to your dream inspire us.

May her energy to overcome injustice empower us.

May we, like her, make manifest your Presence in our troubled world.

We pray that the beacon of her holiness shine

as a blessing for the universal Church and our world.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Principal's Message

As we begin the new term, we take a moment to reflect on two significant events—NAIDOC Week, which took place during the term break, and National Tree Day, celebrated last Sunday.

NAIDOC Week 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of this important national celebration, with the theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.” This theme acknowledges the achievements of the past, honours the legacy of ancestors, and shines a light on the strength and potential of the next generation. It invites all Australians to celebrate the enduring cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while looking forward with hope and determination. As a Catholic community, we are called to walk together in truth and justice, deepening our commitment to reconciliation and mutual respect.

National Tree Day offered us another opportunity to live out our faith through action. Guided by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, we are reminded of our shared responsibility to care for our common home. By planting trees and nurturing our environment, we show gratitude for God’s creation and help ensure a thriving planet for future generations.

Together, these moments invite us to reflect on the legacy we inherit and the future we are shaping. May we continue to be people of compassion, courage, and care—for each other, for the Earth, and for the generations to come.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who supported our South West farming communities through participation in Wear Green for Farmers last Friday. The outpouring of care from our school and wider community was a powerful expression of solidarity with those doing it tough in the face of ongoing drought and hardship. By wearing green, we not only raised awareness but also stood together in hope, compassion, and practical support—living out our Mercy values in action. Your generosity and empathy make a real difference.

Term 3 is always an exciting and important time at Mercy. Our Year 12 students are especially focused as they work towards the completion of their VCE and VCE-VM studies. Both our current Year 12 cohort and the Year 11 students undertaking a Unit 3/4 sequence have been applying themselves diligently, supported every step of the way by their committed and hardworking teachers. There is a shared understanding that the effort and determination shown now will bring rewards later in the year, as students approach their final assessments with confidence and readiness.

Additionally, this term marks the start of new semester-based subjects and electives for our young people in Year 7 through to Year 10, offering exciting opportunities for new learning and growth.

NAPLAN Data - Supporting our student’s academic growth

I’m delighted to share with our community the outstanding 2025 NAPLAN Student Growth and Achievement results. These results, particularly the impressive growth demonstrated by students from Year 7 to Year 9, highlight the positive impact of our School Improvement Plan. This plan has focused on strengthening our learning culture and implementing targeted strategies to improve Literacy and Numeracy outcomes across all year levels, with a particular emphasis on Years 7 to 9.

These achievements would not be possible without the unwavering commitment of our dedicated teachers. I sincerely acknowledge their hard work, collaboration, and persistence. Their professionalism, care, and consistent focus on student learning and wellbeing have been central to fostering a positive learning environment and driving the growth we are now seeing in our young people.

Growth:

Reading Growth (Years 7–9):

35% of MRC students achieved high growth, significantly above the state average of 25%.
This indicates a strong upward trend in literacy achievement for our students.

Numeracy Growth (Years 7–9):

An impressive 37.29% of MRC students achieved high growth in numeracy, outperforming the state average of 25%.
Just 16.95% of students were in the low growth band—well below the state average of 25%, highlighting effective mathematics teaching and support.

Achievement:

High Achievement – Year 9 ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’:

Numeracy: 76.3% of MRC students rated as Strong or Exceeding.
Reading: 75% of MRC students rated as Strong or Exceeding.
Writing: 68.3% of MRC students rated as Strong or Exceeding.

Please read more about our NAPLAN results later in the newsletter.

Cinderella

We are thrilled to invite our community to this year’s College Production of Cinderella—a magical retelling of a classic story, brought to life by the incredible talents of our students. Under the direction of Toby McKenzie and supported by a dedicated production team, our young people have worked with creativity, passion, and commitment to prepare what promises to be a truly memorable show.

At Mercy, we believe strongly in the value of providing rich opportunities like the school production, knowing that involvement in the performing arts builds confidence, teamwork, and positively influences student learning across all areas. We warmly encourage families, friends, and community members to come along and support our students by purchasing tickets and celebrating their hard work and talent. You won’t want to miss it!

3 shows only on 15 & 16 August.

Tickets are available via the link below, College website, office (5593 2011) or Laffs (5593 1469).

TICKET LINK: https://www.trybooking.com/DCFVK

With Year 7 Welcome and Learning interviews scheduled for Monday 18 and Wednesday 20 August and Discovery Day on 25 August, we encourage all families intending to enrol young people for Year 7 in 2026 to complete the enrolment application online or contact College Registrar Nicole Darcy for assistance. Enrolments are also open for students in all other year levels. Look out for our Senior School VCE subject offerings and MRC Car Raffle flyer in your mailbox in the coming weeks.

While many of us are enjoying the comfort of staying indoors this week, our adventurous VCE Unit 2 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students are embracing the winter chill in the high country, taking part in both cross-country and downhill skiing. Impressively, their first night was spent camping in the snow—a unique and challenging experience that few can claim! Thank you to staff Emily Stephens, Berni Sinnott, Ash Couch and Trainee Luke Kavenagh for making this opportunity possible.

We thank Jean Christie who has been a wonderful presence in our libraries for the past three years. She leaves us for her dream job at the Warrnambool Library and we wish her all the best!

⭐ Celebrating our Young Achievers! ⭐

⭐ I acknowledge the outstanding efforts of four of our senior students – Nellie S., Brodie H., Jack P., and Riley M. – who recently undertook the challenging Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea as part of the Corangamite Shire Kokoda Expedition Team. Over the course of their 96km trek from Kokoda to Ower’s Corner, they demonstrated exceptional resilience, courage, teamwork, and determination.

⭐ Tayla B. - Recently won the U18 Western Victorian Female Football League U18 Best and Fairest.

⭐ Congratulations to Natalie W. and Hannah L. who recently became Australian citizens.

⭐ Well done Archie T. who was part of the Vic Country Football Team to defeat Vic Metro recently.

⭐ Our BAS Netballers have their first game tonight in Ballarat against Ballarat and Clarendon College.

If you know of any students doing great things in the community, please let us know at office@mercy.vic.edu.au

Please find below a link to our 2024 Annual Report to the School Community, which provides a reflection on the College’s work, progress, and achievements throughout the year and is a reporting requirement of all schools.

2024 Annual Report

With kindness,
Sharon Gillett - Principal

Learning at MRC

Welcome back to Term 3.

It is during late Term 2 and Term 3 that our students focus their attention on the path their educational journey will take.

Year 12 students are nearing the end of their secondary education as they work towards finishing coursework tasks and start to prepare for the end of year exam.
Year 11 students have chosen their subjects for 2026
Year 10 students have made their preliminary subject choices for VCE and are now eagerly awaiting the final blockings.
Year 9 students are in the process of considering their elective classes for next year. For some students this includes VCE & VET studies.
Year 8 students will soon be given the opportunity to choose their elective classes for 2026.

A power of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that each student has the opportunity to study subjects that will prepare them for life beyond Mercy. A big shout out goes to the dedicated team, working tirelessly to support each and every student and ensure that there are many and varied opportunities available to them

NAPLAN Results

This year’s NAPLAN results for individual students were received by MRC last week and have been posted to parents. If you do not receive your child’s NAPLAN results this week in the post, please contact reception.

The proficiency standard includes 4 measures of achievement for each year level to provide clear and simple information on how a child is performing based on their NAPLAN test result. If a student is in the Strong or Exceeding categories, it means they have demonstrated proficiency and are meeting the expected capabilities for their year level. If a child has not yet achieved proficiency, then they will either be in the Developing category or the Needs Additional Support category.

There is much to celebrate in our data.

I would like to share with our community the wonderful results for our Year 9 students who have spent the past two years studying under the guidance of our Mercy teachers.

This is a great result that is a testament to the hard work of both our students and staff.

The school NAPLAN results will be analysed and reviewed. This data will be pooled with data from many other sources which is used to guide and drive school improvement.

Should you have any questions concerning your child's NAPLAN result please make contact with your child’s subject teacher. I am also available to assist you when addressing concerns that you may have in relation to your child’s NAPLAN results or any other aspect of their learning.

Leanne Delahunty - Director of Learning and Teaching

SENIOR SCHOOL

Year 12 students attended an Elevate Study Session on Wednesday 23 July to help build their confidence, study habits and motivation heading into their end of year exams. The session encouraged students to fine tune their focus and plan to find the right balance in their studies.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Breakfast with the Mayor

For our Year 8 students the final day of Term 2 included a visit from Corangamite Shire Mayor, Cr Kate Makin, and members of the Shire’s Youth Services Team. The students were provided with breakfast and were then invited to give feedback and discuss opportunities for Corangamite youth to enhance their wellbeing, resilience, and skills to become agents of change within their own community. Students gave Cr Makin their ideas about events, activities or training programs that the Shire could offer to engage young people. The final day was also a pyjama-themed fundraiser for the Vinnies Winter Woollies Appeal.

Year 8 French

Year 7 French students in 7C discussed the weather in French. They practised how to ask "What is the weather like?" ("Quel temps fait-il?") and learned useful expressions such as "It's cold" ("Il fait froid") and "It's raining" ("Il pleut") through singing a weather song and dancing in a conga line through the classroom. Good fun! (Très amusant!)

AP - Wellbeing and Engagement

Welcome back to Term 3!
Although this term is a little shorter, it is certainly no less full of opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. We hope everyone has returned feeling rested and ready for the journey ahead.

This week, we want to highlight an important and ever-evolving topic that affects all of us: the digital world — particularly the impact of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) on our young people.

As a school community grounded in the values of inclusiveness, community, respect, and excellence, we are deeply committed to helping students navigate the online world with wisdom, care, and integrity. Every day, we see the influence of platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram on student wellbeing, relationships, and reputation. While these tools can offer creativity and connection, they can also present serious challenges — especially when young people are unaware of the long-term impact of their digital footprint.

We work closely with students to help them understand the importance of upholding their values online: to be respectful in what they post, thoughtful in what they share, and responsible in how they engage. These conversations are not easy, and the digital space continues to evolve rapidly, but our commitment remains strong.

We also know that schools and families must work in partnership. Together, we can support our young people to make safe and informed choices. Cyber expert Susan McLean stresses how vital it is for parents to be involved — understanding the platforms their children use and having regular conversations about online safety.

To support you in this, we’ve included some helpful resources for parents and carers. These tools are especially relevant for families of junior students (Years 7–9), but we encourage all parents to explore them:

🎥 Parental Controls Video (Years 7 & 8)
A practical guide to managing devices and apps:
Watch here
📄 Downloadable PDF – Parental Controls on Social Media, Games, and Apps
Access the guide
🧠 Digital Reputation Resource
A great insight into the long-term impact of online behaviour:
Explore here
🖥️ Free eSafety Webinar for Parents
Understand and use parental controls to protect your child online:
Register here

We encourage all families to take some time to explore these resources and open up conversations at home. Your role is crucial in helping our students thrive — not just academically, but in life.

Together, as a faith-filled, inclusive and supportive community, we can guide our young people to become thoughtful, respectful, and responsible digital citizens.

Emily Stephens - Assistant Principal - Wellbeing & Engagement

Useful Wellbeing Links:

MRC SchoolTV

AP - O'Keeffe Campus

It’s a pleasure to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal at Mercy Regional College’s O’Keeffe Campus. In my first few weeks, I’ve had the joy of meeting many of our wonderful students and dedicated staff, and I’ve already witnessed the strong sense of care and community that makes this campus such a special place.

At O’Keeffe, we believe that student wellbeing is the foundation for all learning. When students feel safe, connected, and valued, they are more confident to take risks in their learning, build healthy relationships, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

As we move through the term, I want to reaffirm our commitment to wellbeing—not as a program or a one-off event, but as a daily practice embedded in everything we do. Whether it’s a check-in from a homeroom teacher, a lunchtime activity that brings laughter and belonging, or a quiet moment of reflection in a wellbeing session, we want our young people to feel seen and supported every day.

We are also working to strengthen our support systems. This includes:

Encouraging open communication between home and school,
Supporting our staff in using restorative approaches to manage behaviour,
Providing students with opportunities to learn social-emotional skills,
And continuing to build a culture where kindness, respect and responsibility guide our
actions.

We know adolescence can be both exciting and challenging, and that’s why it’s so important for us to partner with families in nurturing each student’s growth—emotionally, socially, and spiritually. If you ever have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please reach out. We’re here to listen and help.

Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the Mercy community. I look forward to getting to know more of you as we continue this journey together, supporting every student to flourish.

Stephanie Rose-Goodhall - Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus

Faith at MRC

Retreats, Faith Days, Seminar Days

Term 3 is a busy time for Retreats, Faith Days & Seminar Days. These are an essential part of our Religious Education program and our identity as a school. Each retreat is developed to enhance students’ understanding of themselves, others, and the world. Each day is a regular school day and attendance is expected. Many students speak with great fondness and memory of their retreats throughout their time at Mercy. Please check the school calendar and watch your inbox for information regarding your student’s retreat day as it approaches. These days are compulsory for attendance and for learning in Religious Education. Non attendance may result in an additional task for the student, regardless of reason.

Focus for Term 3 - Mercy Works

Throughout Term 3 we will be focusing our fundraising efforts for Mercy Works. Details about what Mercy Works offers can be found on their website: https://www.mercyworks.org.au/

In August, we will have the Executive Director Sally Bradley RSM visit and speak to our staff and Year 12 students about the work the Mercy Works completes in Australia and neighbouring countries for the most vulnerable.

Please keep an awareness for the projects that MADJAM will be leading in order to support this worthy cause.

Winter Woolies & Food Bank Appeal

One of our core values is community. It is a goal to foster belonging and care. As Jesus has taught us to care for others, especially the vulnerable, we also teach our students and our wider community about the importance of showing care to those who may be struggling at any given time.

Our Winter Woolies day in Term 2 brought an awareness of others through the fundraising efforts for the St Vinnies Winter Appeal. Our donation of $280 will contribute to St Vinnies work that provides food to the hungry and those at risk of homelessness, it can provide clothes and blankets that are essential for warmth, and it can assist in secure housing for the future.

Leading up to this day, students across the school brought a selection of non-perishable grocery items for donation. We thank you for contributing towards this drive. These items have been donated to the Camperdown Community House Foodbank. Many of these groceries are items that the local food bank are unable to source from the state food bank resource centre. The demand has increased over the last twelve months.. It is great that we can foster a relationship with this local group that supports the families of our region with essentials to help them through times of need. This service is available to anyone that needs it.

Year 10 Retreat

On Monday, Year 10 students embarked on a transformative retreat at the 7th Day Adventist Hall in Camperdown. The day’s theme, *Connections and Bridge Building,* guided students through a journey of personal growth, self-discovery, and teamwork. The retreat offered a perfect blend of engaging activities and meaningful reflection.

The retreat began with team-building activities led by staff, including the Balloon Tower Challenge. Students collaborated to design and construct towering balloon structures, fostering creativity, teamwork, and plenty of laughter. This dynamic start set the tone for a day centred on connection and responsibility.

The highlight of the day was the keynote presentation and workshops by guest speaker Luke S. Kennedy. Drawing from his personal experiences, Luke shared an inspiring story of resilience, revealing how he overcame challenges such as gang involvement and emotional distress. His candid discussion about "wearing masks" resonated deeply, encouraging students to embrace authenticity and reduce stress.

In his workshops, Luke guided students to identify the “masks” they wear, equipping them with practical tools to manage emotional, mental, and physical well-being. The sessions were interactive and insightful, offering students valuable strategies for navigating life's challenges with resilience and integrity.

The day concluded with a reflective liturgy, a time for students to consolidate their learnings and express gratitude for the connections formed.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Luke S. Kennedy for his powerful presentations and to all staff involved in creating this enriching experience for our Year 10 students. This retreat has left a lasting impact, empowering students to build bridges within themselves and with others. We look forward to seeing the continued growth of our students as they apply these lessons in their daily lives.

Feast Day of St Mary MacKillop

Each year on the 8th of August we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's beloved first saint. On this day, we celebrate the important role she played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families.

St Mary MacKillop's impact on Australian education was remarkable. She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go. For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future.

Melanie Bourchier - Director of Catholic Identity & Culture

Sports Report

State Cross Country

Four students participated in the State Cross Country at Yarra Glen Racecourse last Thursday, all running the 3km course.

Well done to Oliver, Maddie, Isaac and Lucia on representing MRC so well!

Boys 13yo : Oliver C. 54th / 93 in a time of 12.22mins

Girls 14yo: Maddie M. 20th / 100 in a time of 13.16mins

Boys 14yo : Issac L. 46th / 96 in a time of 12.04mins

Girls 15yo: Lucia C. 47th / 89 in a time of 14.08mins

College Notices

Please see the latest edition of Our Diocesan Community:

Our Diocesan Community July 2025

2026 Enrolments

The link to the 2026 enrolment form can be found on our website https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/join-our-college/enrolment-information/

2026 Year 8 - 12 Enrolments are most welcome.

If you require any further assistance completing the form please do not hesitate to contact our Registrar Nicole Darcy on 5593 2011 or office@mercy.vic.edu.au

Careers

Please see the latest editions of Careers News below.

Weekly Career News 28th July 2025.pdf

Weekly Career News July 21st 2025.pdf

Useful Careers Links:

Mercy Careers

https://studyworkgrow.com/

https://vtac.edu.au/

Kym Penry - Careers and Pathways Leader

Canteen News

Orders to the Canteen at both Campuses can be made online via the Spriggy Schools app: https://www.spriggyschools.com.au/

McAuley campus orders will be processed by our on-site canteen, and O'Keeffe campus orders will be processed by 'The Shed' in Noorat.

2025 Production 'Cinderella'

Show time is getting close, with only two weeks to go until our Tech Rehearsal. This means there is lots more activity during rehearsals and behind the scenes.

The McAuley woodwork room has been taken over by Cinderella sets, with students and staff busily building and painting some spectacular looking sets!

A reminder that as we are getting very close to showtime, it is particularly important to prioritise coming to rehearsals please! There is a full cast rehearsal this Friday (P5&6) and next Friday (P3-6).

We look forward to welcoming our backstage crew to rehearsals this week, with our makeup/hair team and tech team to follow next Friday.

A letter to parents will be sent in the coming days outlining more specific details about the upcoming show week.

Cinderella Rehearsal Schedule: LINK

IMPORTANT DATES
Full Cast Rehearsal: Friday 1 August
Full Cast Rehearsal: Friday 8 August
Tech/Show Week: 10-16 August
Spacing Rehearsal: Sunday 10 August
Tech Rehearsal: Wed 13 August (school hours)
Dress Rehearsals: Thu 14 & Fri 15 August (school hours)
3 Public Shows: Fri, 15 August (evening) & Sat, 16 August (matinee & evening)

Any enquiries to Toby please: tmckenzie@mercy.vic.edu.au, 0409 617 627