Mercy Regional College eNewsletter

Prayer

Invitation to Prayer

May the Spirit within us
Be a source of healing and consolation
May the Spirit within us strengthen us when we feel weak,
Warm us when we are cold-hearted,
Bend us when we are stubborn
Move us when we are uncaring
Guide us in the way of love.
May we allow the Spirit within
To empower us in all we do.
Amen

Principal's Message

I write to our community prior to beginning Long Service Leave on Monday 23 October.

From our Executive Director CEB - Mr Tom Sexton

The Work of Reconciliation Continues

In light of the referendum many conclusions can be drawn and much commentary made. Catholic Education Ballarat, informed and guided by Catholic Social Teaching walks in solidarity with all First Australians.

Julie Edwards, The Chief Executive Officer, from Jesuit Social Services offers the following observations

“Reconciliation commits us to address the enduring impacts of colonisation and the many disadvantages faced by First Nations people that we see in our work every day, including their overrepresentation in the criminal justice system and poorer health and living standards.

“A Yes referendum result could have made a lasting difference in the lives of First Nations peoples. Nevertheless, we continue to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and advocate for stronger investment to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and adequate resourcing to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, who are best equipped to meet their communities’ needs.

“We encourage the Australian public to stand in solidarity and raise our collective voice to support First Nations peoples in their desire to determine their own lives and flourish.”

Furthermore the Catholic Church in Australia is guided by a speech given to First Australians in 1986, by St. John Paul II, when he emphasised the importance of welcoming the contribution of First Nation Peoples. In an address to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples he said.

You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others. – Pope John Paul II, Alice Springs, 29 November 1986. This speech has clear implications for The Church and beyond.

These poignant reflections, both from Jesuit Social Services and St. John Paul II offers much to the dialogue and how we continue upon the path of reconciliation and justice.

Last week we farewelled our Class of 2023. We celebrated in our Catholic and Mercy Regional College tradition with our Graduation Mass followed by our Year 12 Awards presentation on Wednesday evening. Our Year 12 students and their families were joined by staff for a beautiful ceremony and blessing as these young people begin the next stage of their lives. We are very proud of these amazing young people and wish them all the very best for the next stage of their lives and look forward to learning of their future life pathways and welcoming them back as Alumni. More photos later in the newsletter.

Last week we commissioned our 2024 Senior Student Leaders during our Investiture of Student Leaders. This is always a wonderful opportunity to thank the outgoing student leaders and welcome our new senior student leaders for the coming year. We acknowledge the tradition in the Celtic culture, to pass on the story and through that story, passing on wisdom. The Mercy Regional College story is our story. We know it is a story which began at Catholic Regional College in 1973 and now, in this our 50th Jubilee Year, it is a story which continues through the service of our students who will lead our community in 2024. This ceremonial passing of the light from our school candle to a candle presented to each elected leader, is symbolic of our Spirit of Mercy through the light of Christ being present in all the actions of our new leaders.

I congratulate our 2024 Senior Student Leadership Team who will be joined by our Middle and Junior Years leaders later this term:

College Community Captain – Sophie Conheady
College Excellence Captain – Veronica Wyss
College Faith Captain – Matilda Kealley
FIRE Carrier – Annabelle Glossop
Arts and Environmental Leader – Charlotte Bennett
Frayne House Leader – Amelia Beaton
Markey House Leaders – Myles Sinnott
Ryan House Leaders – Hannah James
Tindley House Leaders – Elizabeth Wood

We had a wonderful celebration of our story and Jubilee on Friday 13th in Noorat with the launch of our school history A Special Spirit written by respected staff member Lachie Lee. This beautiful publication is a brilliant account of the journey of MRC (CRC) from 1973 through to 2023. With many engaging stories and photographs it is a delight to read. This beautiful publication was put together by Jane and Matt Henderson at Star Printing. You can order a copy along with other Jubilee memorabilia through our MRC website shop.

We are now very much looking forward to our final celebrations on Saturday 25 November with an open school and roll call during the day at our McAuley campus in Camperdown (O’Keeffe campus in Noorat is closed for our building program) and then our Jubilee Dinner in the evening with the presentation of our inaugural Spirit of Mercy and Young Spirit of Mercy awards and the drawing of our 2023 Car Raffle. We will be entertained by Geelong band People's Poets. It promises to be a great evening of reunion and celebration. Tickets are also available through our MRC Shop.

Congratulations to Tyra S and Lizzie J for their equestrian success, a top 10 nationals place is a huge achievement for both girls competing for Victoria for the first time. The Victorian team took the overall winning position ahead of NSW and Qld. Good luck to Tyra who is competing for the school in Mercy colours at the Warrnambool Showjumping and Dressage Interschools competition later this week.

Those Year 12 sitting exams commenced their final assessments with their English exam yesterday. Exams will continue across the next 3 weeks. We do wish them all the very best. We thank our Unit 4 teachers for their dedicated work in supporting our students. We will join the full Class of 2023 in their final celebration at the Graduation Dinner to be held on Friday 17 November.

I remind all families that Monday 6 November and Tuesday 7 November are Student Free Days with staff completing Compliance related requirements on Monday and Tuesday being a public holiday.

With kindness,
Sharon Gillett - Principal

A month to go until the Car Raffle Draw!

10 fantastic prizes to be won!

Tickets available from https://shop.mercy.vic.edu.au/ as well as the MRC office, or many local shops and events.

Car Raffle Stall volunteer form: https://bit.ly/2023-MRC-raffle-stall

Learning at MRC

VCE Exam Season

For our Year 12 students who are sitting exams, the finish line is in sight. The challenging English examination was held yesterday and our students will be in exam mode until the final subjects in mid November.

These final weeks can be both exhilarating and stressful. It's a time when they'll reflect on all they've learned, the challenges they've overcome, and the goals they've set. Here's how you can support them during this crucial period:

Encourage a Healthy Balance: While it's important to dedicate time to studying, it's equally crucial to maintain a balanced routine. Ensure your child is getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in stress-relieving activities like exercise or hobbies.
Provide Emotional Support: The emotional toll of exams can be intense. Offer a listening ear and encouragement, reminding them that their worth is not solely defined by their academic achievements.
Create a Study-Friendly Environment: A quiet, organized study space at home can help minimize distractions and boost productivity.

The Importance of Revision

Revision is a key component of exam preparation. It allows students to consolidate their knowledge, identify weak areas, and reinforce what they've learned. Here are some revision tips to share with your child:

Make a Study Schedule: Help your child create a study timetable that allocates adequate time to each subject. Consistency in their approach is crucial.
Review Past Work: Encourage them to revisit class notes, textbooks, and assignments. Understanding the material from the beginning will make revision more effective.
Practice with Past Papers: Past exam papers are invaluable resources. Solving them helps students understand the exam format and types of questions that may be asked.
Seek Help When Needed: If your child is struggling with a particular topic, don't hesitate to reach out to teachers for assistance.

All of the students have benefitted from tips and hints around effective study techniques. Here are a few that surprised our students:

After two weeks, this is the percentage of what we are likely to remember, simply listening to teachers or passively reading over notes won’t be enough to put information into long term memory.

Reading on a screen is far less effective than reading print:
There is a 500-word tipping point at which comprehension and focus diminishes.
Reading scrolled text impacts heavily on cognitive load and working memory
Reading online AND scrolling causes most readers to lose any sense of the chronology of what they are reading
Students perceive that reading online requires less effort than on a page, thus they make less effort when reading
…and so, students do less well than if they have read in print

Working Memory is the bottleneck of our thinking and learning
Too much intrinsic and extraneous load will overload working memory and nothing will be learned
When information is presented in written and spoken form, both sources are vying for the same working memory space and interfering with each other. eg: Listening to music with lyrics
We are unable to multitask, we task switch and each time we do this we minimise the capacity for deep focus and learning. Every time we stop what we are doing to attend to a phone messenger an interruption, it takes on average 23 minutes to regain focus.

Let’s stay positive and celebrate progress

In these final weeks, maintain a positive outlook and celebrate your child's achievements, no matter how small. Each step towards success is worth acknowledging, and your support will boost their confidence and motivation.

We want to wish all our Year 12 students the best of luck in their upcoming exams. Their hard work and dedication deserve recognition, and we believe in their ability to excel. Together, as a school community and as parents, we can help them reach their full potential.

Thank you for your ongoing support in these crucial weeks.

Middle School Exams Update

Middle School students are busily working towards their end of Semester Examinations, which will take place throughout Week 7. A timetable for the Year 9s and 10s can be found below. The purpose of exams in middle school is not only to assess student learning in core subjects, but also to allow students to experience the process of sitting formal exams, to manage nerves, and to develop appropriate study techniques. Students have been made aware of the alternate timetable for Week 7, and will be preparing in class for the exams. We wish all students the best for their exams.

Ms Natalie Stephenson - Deputy Principal, Learning, Teaching and Innovation

Mrs Lydia Darcy - Year 7 -10 Learning Leader

Senior School

Our Unit 2 students are continuing to complete their school based assessment tasks as well as revising for their upcoming Unit 2 Examinations. These examinations will be held on Tuesday 14th through to Thursday 16th November for all our Unit 2 students. A copy of the Unit 2 Timetable can be accessed through the following link. Unit 2 Examination Timetable 2023

Unit 3 English, Literacy and Literature will begin on Monday 20th November, with the remaining subjects for Unit 3 and Internal VET subjects starting on Tuesday 21st. It is a requirement for all students to attend. These classes will cease on Friday 1st December, with our Mass of Thanksgiving and Awards Ceremony. Unit 1 English and Literacy will begin on Monday 27th November with all remaining Unit 1 classes and internal VET classes beginning on Tuesday 28th November and continuing through until Tuesday 5th December. A timetable for the Unit 3, internal VET and VCAL classes will be shared with students shortly. A copy will be provided in the next newsletter.

The VCAA End of Year Examinations commence on Tuesday 24th October and conclude on Monday 13th November. Students are required to wear their school uniform to these examinations. These examinations are held at the Camperdown College Hall. It is recommended students arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of their examination. Seating plans have been emailed to students, there is also a copy of these plans in the foyer of the hall. Year 11 students who are sitting these examinations do not need to attend formal classes on the day of their examination.

Students who are unwell before or during their examinations need to contact Mrs Rose Henry, Mr Jeremy Baker or Mrs Danae Fraser. Advice will be provided on the process of applying for a Derived Examination Score (DES). The Derived Examination Score process is an application and is set out by the VCAA. This process does require medical support and there are specific dates and evidence required. There is further information in the VCE Exams Navigator 2023 provided to all students.

We wish all of our Unit 3 and 4 students the best of luck during this examination period.

Students can attend school to complete revision in the library or access their teachers. Students are required to sign in and out at reception if they attend onsite.

Mrs Danae Fraser - Senior Pathways Leader

Junior Debating

Max R, Lucia C and Tatum C participated in a successful online debate last night v Westbourne Grammar Melbourne, in the negative for the topic "That we pay too much attention to test scores and grades."

We won by two points and best speaker of the whole debate was Tatum C. We thank Lucia for stepping in at the last minute as Joel was away.

All three students did a wonderful job of writing their arguments and the rebuttals are improving greatly!

$20 Boss Milkshakes

Tyler, Hunter and Brady sold milkshakes from the Hospitality window as part of their $20 Boss Class. They proved popular with their peers!

Year 7 French

Sarah B, Charlotte H, Elle M, Evie M and Isabella W from 7A collaborated effectively to create their own version of the French weather song “Quel temps fait-il?” (What is the weather like?).

In this well choreographed interpretation, each student presented one of the verses with amazing dance moves, gestures and singing. Well done!

Sport Report

McAuley Cup & Shield

A brilliant day on Friday celebrating our Mercy story and showcasing talent within our school at the McAuley Cup & Shield with Damascus College.

This is the first time we have won the Shield, which was fantastic! Beautifully guided by our coaches Rosie, Myles and Wilba.

Girls McAuley Shield
MRC 8.4.54
Damascus 4.6.30

The boys had a tougher game coming up against a bigger, stronger Damascus outfit. Never did they falter in their efforts and determination.

Boys McAuley Cup
MRC 0.1.1
MRC 15.7.97

Thank you Damascus College for a fantastic day!

Year 9 Respect Cup

On Friday, a group of Year 9 students from Mercy, Emmanuel and Trinity College came together to participate in the Respect Cup Event.

We were hosted by Trinity College to help promote respectful relationships in our schools and the wider community. The day commenced with a warm welcome from guest speaker Andrea Carlson, followed by a delightful morning tea.

The round-robin netball competition then commenced, where all teams displayed remarkable enthusiasm, spirit, and impeccable sportsmanship. One of our teams progressed to the final round and proudly brought home the Respect Cup.

Thank you Trinity College for having us!

State Athletics

Well done to Nate, Sarah and Piper who represented MRC at the State Athletics last Monday.
Everyone gave their best and achieved some fantastic results!

Nate: 4th Long Jump
Sarah: 6th High Jump
Piper: 6th 800m

GWR Junior Boys and Girls Cricket

On Tuesday 24th October Mercy Regional College sent 4 Junior teams to Ballarat to participate in the Greater Western Region Cricket competition.

Strong opposition including Trinity College, Emmanuel College and Horsham College made for good cricket games despite windy conditions.

Our Year 8 Girls Team were unable to score a victory, but they showed improvement each game they played. Some of these students may again decide to participate in cricket next year in the intermediate level competition.

The Year 8 Boys Team had a great day with a lot of fun being had. Despite no wins they mostly had very close games, with the exception of Trinity College who had a convincing win against us.

In the Year 7 competitions our girls team came within 6 runs of winning through to state level competition, but unfortunately Trinity College were just too good. A number of these girls do participate in local competitions and with a bit of luck we might be able to win through to state level in 2024. The Year 7 boys team played four games and despite very close games all day were only able to win one game.

Well done to all students involved. It was great to participate against these schools and all students ensured other team members got both a bat and a bowl, which was excellent to see. Thanks to the staff that travelled with the students to ensure we could take so many teams to Ballarat.

Community & Wellbeing at MRC

Last Thursday we said farewell to our Class of 2023.

The day started with a trip to Warrnambool for bowling and lunch, followed by a last assembly and guard of honour from their peers.

It was a very special day with lots of laughs, tears, love and memories shared among the students, parents and staff.

We sincerely wish all our Year 12 students the very best for exams and workplaces.

Know you are always welcome at Mercy!

Community Lunch

Today's students at Community Lunch were Allison V, Ellie H, Amelia B and Henry S with Staff Allison Lourey and Wendy Gleeson. On the menu was Beef and Vegetable and Chicken Bacon Potato Casserole made by Mel Simmonds' hospitality students.

Desserts were Chocolate Mousse and Apple Crumble with cream. Students and staff were given huge thank you and round of applause for a delicious meal on such a cold day!

Faith at MRC

Year 8 Retreat

Our Year 8 Retreat which was held on Friday 13th of October provided a day of insights and collective growth. Students, divided into groups from different homerooms, came together to work on the United Nations' Sustainability Goals, fostering collaboration and creativity.

The highlight of the day was the visit by Kristi Davidson, the founder of the Offspring Project, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young survivors of trafficking in India and Australia. Kristi's compelling story and her work embodied the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, emphasising compassion, social justice, and community service. Her visit reminded us of the power we all hold to make a positive impact.

In the spirit of togetherness, we shared a morning tea and lunch as a cohort. Both activities, combined with Kristi's visit, left our students with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of their roles in creating a better ‘more just’ world.

Graduation Mass and Awards

Our Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony last Wednesday night was a fitting celebration of the Class of 2023, filled with bittersweet emotions as graduates and their families shared many memories of their time at Mercy.

Many inspirational thoughts were shared by Fr Neville, staff and students through prayer, word, and song.

We warmly congratulate our Class of 2023, including our 2023 award winners:
Corangamite Student Citizenship Award – Eloise C
ADF Leadership & Teamwork Award – Eloise C
ADF Future Innovators Award – Ronan L
The MRC Founders Award – Jacquelien P
Westvic Staffing Solutions Award – Jessica N
RIST Award – Kiarna M
Elm’s Driving School (VET) Award – Lilly W
VCAL Excellence Award – Wil A & Jordan B
MRC Principal’s Award – Ella S
College Captains Presentation – Eloise C, Tahlia B, Jack V

Mercy Core Values Awards:
Community – Eloise C
Inclusiveness – Tahlia B
Learning – Sam C
Care – Lex B
Justice & Mercy – Oliver W
Excellence & Achievement – Fred B
Spirit of Mercy Award – Sam C

An estimated 1 million people have been displaced in Gaza with immediate food, shelter, health, and psychosocial needs. This is a period of incredible turmoil and sadness. The escalation of violence has only exacerbated needs for the people in Gaza and West Bank, who already live in dire conditions.

We are working with our partners on the ground to provide comprehensive and critical support to over 17,000 families affected by this devastating conflict.’

With your support, we will be able to help our partners on the ground to assist people displaced and affected by the current conflict.

Please donate to Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal.

You can donate online www.caritas.org.au/gaza or phone 1800 024 413

Caritas Australia Gaza Appeal

Careers News

In Careers News this week:

YEAR 12 STUDENTS

Important tertiary reminders
Early entry programs still open
Scholarships closing soon
Australian Catholic University – scholarships information webinar
Alternative Schoolies
Tertiary dates
ADF Gap Year – applications still open
Richmond Institute of Sport Leadership

YEAR 9 STUDENTS

Indigenous Australian Engineering School 2024
Santos Science Experience – Agriculture program

YEAR 10 STUDENTS

United World Colleges – applications now open
Indigenous Australian Engineering School 2024
Santos Science Experience – Agriculture program
Monash University Peninsular Campus Experience Day

YEAR 11 STUDENTS

University of Melbourne – VCE Summer School
Indigenous Australian Engineering School 2024
Monash University Peninsular Campus Experience Day
Medicine and Dentistry UCAT webinar

ALL STUDENTS

Exciting STEM Job Kits
Music Careers Guide
Victoria Police Careers Guide
Careers working with people with eye disorders
Summer jobs
Train to become a flight attendant
Study climate change
Explore outdoor education and outdoor recreation courses
Interested in forensic science courses?
Summer schools
Upcoming career events and programs.

Career News 19 October 2023

Library News

MRC Book Club

This Term the MRC Book Club will be discussing A Room Made of Leaves by Kate Grenville.

Everyone is welcome. You can register to attend this free event here

Please join us at the Terang Commercial Hotel at 6:30pm on Wednesday 6 December for discussion, drinks and nibbles in a relaxed social atmosphere.

Jean Christie - Library & Resource Centre Coordinator

Child Safety

Mercy Regional College is a child-safe community.

Child Safety Officers:

Contact them by email or on:
Phone - 55932011 (McAuley Campus) or 55925353 (O’Keeffe Campus)

Child Safe Standard 5: Diversity and Equity

Mercy Regional College has established several key policies to foster an inclusive and safe environment for all students. These policies include:

Diversity and Equity Policy
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
MRC Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

In practice, MRC actively implements these policies, ensuring a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for its diverse student body. Some of the evidence of policy implementation and practice includes:

MRC takes into consideration the individual needs of students with disabilities, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, students who cannot reside at home, international students, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) students.
Non-gender restrooms are included in the MRC master plan, promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Meetings related to out-of-home care are conducted as required to address specific needs.
Preferred names and pronouns are used to respect the gender identity and expression of all students at MRC.
MRC provides a gender-neutral uniform option for students.
Students whose first language is not English receive additional English as an Additional Language (EAL) support.

The school acknowledges and supports diversity and equity within the school community by recognizing and, when appropriate, celebrating important events and days, such as Building Respectful Relationships, IDAHOBIT day, International Day of Disability, Do it for Dolly Day, National Reconciliation Day, Sorry Day, Diversity Color Run Day, and Cultural Diversity Week.

Archived newsletters, photos, a calendar of events, and wellbeing resources are readily available on the school website and through the SIMON platform. The school actively maintains a social media presence on Facebook and Instagram to keep the community informed and engaged.

MRC prominently displays signage around the school to emphasise its commitment to acknowledging and celebrating diversity and inclusion.

The MRC induction process supports staff and volunteers in understanding the school’s child safety policies and how to access the school’s complaints process. MRC ensures transparency by making complaints handling policies publicly available through the school website, Parent Access Module (PAM), and upon request via email.

MRC extends support through scholarships, including the Yanaya Watnanda ‘Walking Together’ Scholarship for ATSI students and equity scholarships or fee relief for families facing financial barriers.

Physical adjustments, such as ramps and elevator access to the second level, are in place to facilitate easy access for students with disabilities. Classrooms can also be rearranged to accommodate students who may have difficulty accessing upstairs rooms.
These efforts collectively contribute to MRC's commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or individual needs. More information on these policies can be found on the school website: www.mercy.vic.edu.au

50th Jubilee Celebrations

Book: A Special Spirit: a History of Mercy Regional College 1973-2023

Book order link

Show your Mercy Spirit! Jubilee Merchandise

You can also show your Mercy spirit and support the College with a range of 50th anniversary memorabilia including, anniversary roses, wine, and tea towels (see descriptions below).
Please order your Jubilee merchandise here:

Merchandise pre-order link

The Colours of Mercy Anniversary Rose

As part of the Mercy Regional College 50th anniversary celebrations, the College will make available a special anniversary rose in the MRC colours.

If you’re looking for a rose with a ‘wow’ factor, this is it! This Rosa floribunda has glossy thick mid-green foliage - a stunning multi-coloured rose in bush form that produces huge clusters of yellow flowers that change to pink and red on maturity. To add to the enchantment, every petal is unique.

The beautiful flowers on this plant produce a lovely mild fragrance. This rose is disease resistant and all round strong. Ideal for garden beds or borders along the driveway.

We are now taking pre-orders so that you won’t miss out on this rose, which will be made available closer to and on the special weekend of celebration in November 2023.

Cost $37.00

Tea towels with spirit!

Available in two designs, these locally-sourced tea towels are both beautiful and useful. Super soft and absorbent, they are made from 180gsm cotton twill. There are two designs to choose from, both featuring the 50th Anniversary logo, which incorporates both the Catholic Regional College and Mercy Regional College emblems.

Cost: $15 each

Anniversary Wine

Orders are NOW OPEN. 18+ only.

The College has partnered with Bellarine Estate to produce two anniversary wines, a crisp Chardonnay and a complex Shiraz. (Collect from College or purchase on the Jubilee Day)

Cost $20 each.

Jubilee Day

We would love our past students, families and staff to join us in this celebration on Saturday 25 November from 11:30 to 3:30 in Camperdown. School tours, roll calls and displays for each decade, food trucks and music, tree planting, free family portraits, afternoon tea and more.

Register for this free event here:

Jubilee Day Tickets link

Jubilee Dinner

On Saturday evening (25 November) we will gather for dinner and the presentation of the inaugural Spirit of Mercy Awards, and the Annual Car Raffle. Then you are invited to kick up your heels to the lively music of The People’s Poets. Drinks at bar prices.

Tickets can be purchased here:

Jubilee Dinner Tickets link