MRC Newsletter - Issue 19 - 6 December 2023

Prayer

Principal's Message

We celebrated the conclusion of 2023 and our fiftieth school year last week with a beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving and Awards Assembly. It was most fitting to celebrate our young people and their achievements whilst reflecting on our jubilee celebrations through our 2023 theme “Celebrating our Past, Inspiring our Future.” The weekend of Saturday 25 November brought together more than 150 former students, staff and families as they toured our McAuley campus and reminisced about early days. A special part of this celebration was the planting of an Elm donated by former student, staff members and current principal of Emmanuel College Warrnambool, Peter Morgan. Peter’s donation recognises his personal connection to the school as well as the connection between Emmanuel College Warrnambool and Mercy Regional, both being Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Ballarat and both being schools governed or affiliated with the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Education Limited. We thank Peter for his generosity to our school.

Peter shared the following in regard to his choice of tree:

The tree is an English Elm chosen because when I attended CRC there was one very large Elm in the school grounds that I believe is no longer there; I think it was removed to make way for buildings (our Science and Senior Buildings) The tree was substantial and significant.  It was one of the only shade trees in the school grounds, it was a favourite place for students to sit and gather under at recess and lunch, and it was a meeting place for classes ahead of setting off on local excursions or to a class at another location.  This Elm is a homage to that tree and that time, the foundation years of the College. It should also be suitable to the local environment given the historic avenue of Elms in Camperdown’s main street.

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Our Jubilee Dinner saw an equally vibrant celebration with the induction of our inaugural Spirit of Mercy recipients. Their individual stories and achievements can be found on our website and we congratulate and thank recipients for their service and excellence: Jocelyn Bignold OAM (1979), Josh Hose OAM (2004), Rose Henry (1983), Prof. Mike Ryan (1987), Greg O'Shea (1989) and Mark O'Shea (1994) and Young Spirit of Mercy inductee Ella Gleeson (2019). Our final celebratory act for 2023 will be the burial of a time capsule to be opened in 25 years time. I congratulate and thank our Jubilee Coordinator Jean Christie for her amazing work in planning and coordinating so many events. Memorabilia remains available on our website with special mention of our history A Special Spirit written by long standing staff member Lachie Lee. Our 2023 MRC Year Book is also a brilliant read. Congratulations and thank you Toby McKenzie for your work on this publication and throughout the year.

Our MRC annual Car Raffle was drawn at our Jubilee Dinner. We thank our community once again for their generous support and share that we sold over 4600 tickets. Thank you also to our generous sponsors. We congratulate Karen Smith in particular on winning the amazing Mazda CX-3 supplied by MRC with the support of Warrnambool Mazda. All prize winners and sponsors are shared later in the Newsletter.

At our Mass of Thanksgiving we gave thanks to the staff who are concluding valuable service to our College and community; Lesa Thornton and Narelle Williams, both of whom have been long serving members of staff, Lesa with 36 years! We also thank and farewell staff concluding 12 month contracts; Tia Stinchcombe and Claudia Lee, who will be completing their final year of tertiary study in 2024, Lachie Lee, with his book now complete Lachie will step back into a more relaxed life, and West Vic Trainee Rosie Pickles, who is enrolled to begin her Speech Therapy degree. Trainee Isaac McVilly will commence his degree in education and we are pleased that Isaac will continue in the role of Learning Support Officer with us in 2024. We also thanked and farewelled Danny Gordon and Mark Evans during 2023. Mercy Regional College is most fortunate to have a caring, committed, experienced and hard-working staff team, and we wish these valued community members well as they move on from MRC into the next stage of their careers and lives. Staff members Ms Rebecca Rees, Ms Caitlin Rix and Mr Matt Harkin will take 12 months leave across 2024.

We are very pleased to welcome new staff to our Mercy Regional College community in 2024; Erynne Ewenson, Alissa Grisenti and Joanna Lean.

With 2023 drawing to a close our Positions of Leadership (POL) cycle within the College also finishes. I would like to thank the following staff for their dedicated leadership and service to MRC, some in their roles for many years; Berni Sinnott Deputy Principal, Dean Ludeman Timetable Coordinator (23 years), Ms Danae Fraser Senior Pathways Leader (7 years), Kellie Wilson Director of Catholic Identity and Ethos, Jeremy Baker Senior Years Coordinator and Technology Domain Leader and Luke Bourchier Senior Years Assistant and Humanities Domain leader.These staff will continue their much appreciated teaching at MRC in 2024. A full list of our 2024-26 POL holders is available on our website. In 2024 we will move to have one Deputy Principal with current DP Learning and & Teaching Natalie Stephenson continuing. 

Thank you to those who have responded to my invitation to join our School Advisory Committee. I gratefully welcome new members parent Penny MacDonald and principal of Hampden Catholic Schools Network partner school St Colmans Mortlake Janet Cain. We are seeking further interested members and would appreciate parents from currently unrepresented areas Terang, Lismore / Derrinallum and Timboon / Port Campbell and Simpson. Please contact me on principal@mercy.vic.edu.au if this is something you may be interested in.

Our building at O’Keeffe campus is going to plan. This week we saw the installation of our Worm Farm Waste System commence and our external toilets assembled in just 8 days! We are well on track for our Year 7 and 8 students and staff to commence 2024 onsite at O’Keeffe campus.

Year 12 ATAR and Exam results are released on Monday 11 December. We wish our VCE Unit ¾ students all the very best as they await this much anticipated day. We acknowledge the great variety of pathways our Mercy students choose and are always very proud of their achievements. MRC staff will be available onsite to discuss pathway options. Year 7 -11 Semester reports will be available online in the Parent Access Module (PAM) on the afternoon of Monday 11 December. The final report is a compilation of the feedback provided progressively on the assessment tasks undertaken throughout this second semester.

College Reception will close for the year in the afternoon of Thursday 14 December and will open again when staff return on Tuesday 23 January, 2024. We will welcome our 2024 Year 12 students back on Wednesday 31 January for their RE Seminar Day and all Year 7 to 11 students the following day on Thursday 1 February. 

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff team who have tirelessly worked to ensure that the young individuals at Mercy receive the finest education and a wealth of extracurricular opportunities. Their unwavering commitment, kindness, and resilience reflect their deep appreciation for the gift of education. This year has been exceptional, thanks to their dedication, and I encourage our community to express gratitude and keep them in their thoughts and prayers during the Christmas and summer break.

I express my sincere thanks to our resilient young learners, whose commitment to education has contributed significantly to the success of 2023. To our parents, carers, families, and the extended Mercy and local community, I appreciate your continued support and active involvement. As we celebrate Christmas with our loved ones, I wish you all joy and quality time with family and friends during the summer break. May God bless each of you.

With kindness,
Sharon Gillett - Principal

50th Jubilee Celebrations

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

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:

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. 

Learning at MRC

As I sit here writing my last newsletter item for the year, I am reflecting on our Mass of Thanksgiving and our Awards Ceremony held last Friday. It was a beautiful occasion that showcases our young people at their best. It is important for schools to recognise and honour those students who have made a conscious decision to make the most of their gifts and talents. At Mercy, we don’t just give awards for high achievement, there are opportunities for all to shine, whether than be recognition for effort, living out our college values and being of service to others. Excellence does indeed take many forms. 

In 2024 we will continue to strive towards improving the learning outcomes for all of our young people. Integral to this is holding high expectations for our young people. Too often we think that caring for the wellbeing of our young people means going easy on them, reducing accountability and lightening the load in terms of learning. There are times when this may be appropriate but for the majority of students for the majority of time, they are capable of more than what we think they are and when the bar is raised, they too will lift to meet it. 

I continue to look forward to working with all in our community to raise the bar and watch our Mercy young people achieve more than they believed they could. 

Now it is time for rest, relaxation, fun and sun. Blessings to all for a lovely Christmas. 

Myth Busting - Do all students learn differently?

It's a common belief that all students learn differently, and while there is some truth to this notion, it's important to debunk the myth that every student is entirely unique in their learning style. Here's why:

• Shared Cognitive Processes: Research in the field of education and psychology has shown that there are common cognitive processes and mechanisms that underlie learning for the majority of individuals. These processes include memory, attention, problem-solving, and comprehension, which are largely similar across students.
• Universal Learning Principles: Certain universal principles of learning apply to most students. Concepts like repetition, practice, active engagement, and feedback are effective learning strategies for a broad range of learners, regardless of their individual differences.
• Adaptable Learning: While there are variations in how students prefer to learn, most individuals can adapt to different teaching styles and methods. Encouraging flexibility in learning is crucial for students to thrive in various educational settings and environments.
• Diverse Preferences, Not Necessities: While some students may have preferences for specific learning styles or modalities, these preferences should not be seen as necessities. Students can and should be encouraged to develop a range of learning strategies to be adaptable and versatile learners.
• Cultural and Environmental Factors: Some differences in learning may be attributed to cultural and environmental factors rather than innate, unique learning styles. The way education is delivered and the resources available to students can significantly impact how they learn.
• Similar Educational Goals: Regardless of individual learning preferences, students share similar educational goals, such as mastering fundamental skills, gaining knowledge, and achieving academic success. These common goals can be pursued through a variety of teaching methods.
• Balancing Individual Needs: While it's important to recognise that students do have different preferences and strengths, it's equally vital to balance individual needs with the practical realities of the classroom. Teachers must create learning environments that cater to a diverse group of learners without needing to create entirely unique lesson plans for each student.

In conclusion, while there are differences in how students prefer to learn, it's essential to debunk the myth that all students learn entirely differently. There are many commonalities in learning processes and effective strategies that can benefit most students. Encouraging adaptability and flexibility in learning will help students thrive in various educational settings.

2024 Booklist

The 2024 Booklist is now live and ready to purchase. Our supplier is Campion Books. 

All purchases are to be made online using our school code QMTV by 17 December. We will also post reminders and links on the College Newsletter and The Week Ahead. 

The link directly to the Campion login page is here: https://order.campion.com.au/?school-code=BBD312FA

Or you can find the link on PAM under the PARENT RESOURCES link and on our College website.

Our staff have spent considerable time discerning what is essential for students. There have been many resources removed from the booklist and replaced with levies so that resources can be purchased for your child by the school in bulk. Please be aware that what is listed is considered essential and it makes life much easier for our young people and our teachers when everyone has what they need. The mini-whiteboards / eraser and markers are new to Year 7 and 8 and are required for classroom learning as part of our school improvement plan.

Senior Mathematics students (Year 10 - 12) would have received a letter from Maths Leader Leanne Delahunty about the purchase of the calculator and a further communication will be forwarded from our Senior Pathways Leader Mel Kavanagh on how our Year VCE students will be given access to Edrolo. All 7-10 Humanities textbooks may be purchased second hand.

Cost Saving Options

1. There are items for each year level that are retained from the previous year (please go through these with your young person and check what they already have).
2. Stationery – students will have some items that can be retained from the previous year. Stationery items can be less expensive when purchased from places such as Officeworks or Kmart, rather than the booklist. Other than a few specialist items, most stationery can be sourced in this way.
3. Items such as English and Literature reading texts and subject text books are often available second hand via platforms such as the Parents Facebook page, or websites such as eBay and GumTree.

Please note however that workbooks, where students have to write and respond to learning activities such as grammar books, are not suitable to be purchased second hand. When sourcing second hand textbooks please make sure they are the edition that is listed on the booklist.

Mass of Thanksgiving and Year 7 - 11 Awards 2023

Our College community gathered at St Patrick's Church last Friday for our annual Mass of Thanksgiving and End of Year Awards Ceremony.

It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the 2023 school year. We gave thanks for the many blessings throughout the year and celebrated the accomplishments of our students.  

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Please join us in congratulating all of our award recipients:

JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS

Special Recognition Awards

• ADF Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award - Rose B
• ADF Future Innovators Award - Charlie H
• Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program - Brady B

SENIOR SCHOOL AWARDS

Special Recognition Awards

• RIST Award - Hunter B
• South West TAFE Award - Ellie H
• Year 11 Structured Workplace Learning Award - Jonty R
• Mercy Arts Award - Charlotte B
• Performing Arts Award - Elli C
• The Murfitt Mathematics Award - Jessica W
• The Murfitt Business Management, Accounting And Economics Award - Wilba C
• Lachie And Jane Lee Award - Sophie C
  

• Mcleod Shield And Mercy Merits  
  • Highest Individual Mercy Merits Award In Junior School - Tilda M
  • Highest Individual Mercy Merits Award In Middle School - Tahlea M
  • Highest Individual Mercy Merits Award In Senior School - Jack V
  • Winning House For 2023 - Markey House
• MRC Sports Award - Archie T

• The Jenkins Art Awards - Tilda M, Chloe B, Marley F
• Mercy Education Award - Annie R
• Ballarat Diocesan Scholarship - Holly B
  

• Spirit of Mercy Awards
  • Year 7  -  Lucia C
  • Year 8  -  Dermot C
  • Year  9 -  Matilda R
  • Year  10 - Rose B
  • Year  11 - Sophie C

Year 9 Ag Excursion

Our first stop at Chooks at the Rooke Farm took us straight to the heart of egg laying production. Students witnessed firsthand the process that goes into ensuring a consistent and high-quality egg supply. Our guide Dianne showed our students through the day to day operations on the farm including collection, storage, hygiene, feed and water. 

For the meat enthusiasts in our group, the excursion also provided a close look at cob birds raised for meat production. Our students learned about this different breed and made comparisons to the egg layers with their size, body shape, environment and feed. 

Not all eggs are created equal, and our students discovered just how true this is during the excursion. Dianne emphasised the importance of egg quality to their various markets. Understanding the factors that contribute to superior egg quality, such as nutrition, living conditions, and breeding practices, was a key takeaway for our budding farmers. 

Chooks at the Rooke provided an invaluable lesson in the economics of poultry farming. Students gained insights into the inputs required for successful chicken farming, including feed, housing, and healthcare. By examining the outputs, such as egg production and meat yield, students gained a better understanding of the balance required for a sustainable and profitable poultry enterprise.

Finally the excursion also served as an introduction to the world of agribusiness. Back in the classroom students engaged in discussions about the importance of good business practices including sustainability, and ethical considerations, offering our students valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of running a successful farming operation.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the team at Chooks at the Rooke for their warm hospitality and wealth of knowledge shared with our students. This hands-on experience has undoubtedly enriched our Year 9 Agriculture class. 

Art Show

As part of the 50th Jubilee Open Day, there was a display of student artwork in the Multi Purpose Area and Corridors.

There was an amazing array of creative designs - well done to all students for their wonderful work!

$20 Boss Year 10 elective:

The $20 Boss Year 10 elective unit is now in its third year at MRC.  Our sixth group of students have just wound up their small businesses, after a semester honing their skills in a broad range of areas, from innovative, creative and critical thinking to planning, experimentation, project management and troubleshooting; collaboration, communication and teamwork; sustainable practices, financial literacy and health and safety in the workplace. 

Students had to each invest around $20 to commence their business. The aim is to break even - to cover all costs and return their initial capital investment.  Any profits are donated to charities of significance to the students. To begin with, the students underwent a self-assessment of key entrepreneurial skills where they identified areas of strength and opportunities to develop other skills further.  They brainstormed business ideas and formed groups.  Then they had to plan, source supplies, test prototypes, manage finances, project manage and trouble shoot their way from start to finish.  Each group carefully selected an organisation as recipients of their profits: this time a wonderful $500 + was donated to Movember, the Cancel Council, the Alannah and Madelain Foundation and the Children’s Cancer Foundation.  

This semester we continued with the Market Day at lunchtime in the MPA at McAuley Campus, with the added bonus of all students being on site to support the day and enjoy the items on offer - Milkshakes (Brady, Hunter & Tyler), Deluxe Cupcakes (Meg, Aidan & Kailum) and SEL Gourmet Ice-cream (Emily, Layla & Sophie).  Two other very successful businesses ran during the semester - FEW Strawberry Jam  (Finn, Will and Eitan) and Tyler’s Carwash (Brady, Tyler & Hunter).

Special thanks to parents for supporting your children, to Jo R for helping with the Market organisation, Allison & Jordy for banking & announcements, Nicole for label printing, Wendy & Faye for their expertise, ordering & equipment, and to Troy & Shane on Market Day. The students and I are very grateful to Kerryn Cain for her outstanding support of our learners and this progam.

Project based learning really allows students to demonstrate their capabilities, collaborate and show tremendous growth.  Well done students - it has been a real pleasure to see your confidence and skills grow during the semester.  Below are some student reflections.

Tania Bruckner - Commerce & Humanities teacher

SEL Gourmet Ice-cream

We made homemade ice cream to sell to staff and students. We tested recipes and planned our batches and flavours.

Market day was the end product and ultimate test for how popular and successful our business would be. This day included skills of teamwork, communication and organisation, to help run the business as smooth as     possible.  

We needed to get some of our friends to help us serve the many customers we had.  

We learned that the cost of food ingredients is very high, so we had to factor this into our selling price, to make sure we covered our expenses.  We were also able to work well as a team.

Layla, Emily and Sophie

FEW Strawberry Jam

We learned how to start a business and sell products to a customer.  We sent out an email with a Google Form which allowed the staff members to place an order for our jam. From there we were able to know how many batches of jam we would need to make and how many jars we would need to fill.  We experimented with the recipe to make sure it set properly and to see how we could make it in larger quantities.  

We were most proud of the number of orders we received and the number of jars that people wanted to purchase.  The feedback that we got back from the buyers saying how good the jam tasted was great. We were very proud of our logo design and the way we presented the jars with the logo and the stickers.

Will, Finn and Eitan

Milkshakes and Car Wash

Our idea was to make delicious milkshakes for students and staff alike, always deliver a satisfactory product, with a variety of flavours and to be consistent with ingredients.  We then moved on to planning, costing and calculating the sales price. The trial and error stage of getting the right flavour and texture was long and arduous until we were able to run a small sample group one day at recess, which liked all of the flavours.  We removed the banana flavour from our milkshakes after our first sale day because we didn't sell very many and it was too much work to make.

We were the most happy with the fact that we were able to run the business and make a good profit. We were also happy with all the positive feedback that we received from all of our customers.  We learnt numerous skills in accounting and money management, learning how to calculate our break even point as well as our total revenue and profit/loss. We also learned how a good work ethic and good communication skills is a very important part of running a small business.  

We also ran a car wash as we had some spare time once we had completed the planning for our milkshake business.  We had to work really hard to get all the cars washed across two days, and we learned a lot about the precision involved in actually getting a car clean.  We got a great system going, helped each other and had many satisfied customers.

Tyler, Brady and Hunter

French Christmas card writing

Joyeux Noël! Merry Christmas!

Students of 8B, assisted by Nicola Herry, chose from a variety of Christmas cards and learned how to write greetings for Christmas and New Year in French.

Senior Transition Classes

In recent weeks our senior students have been engaging in their new 2024 classes.This time has been very well spent with students becoming familiar with their new teachers and classmates, understanding new courses and starting on classwork and skill development ahead of a productive year next year!

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Community & Wellbeing at MRC

Last Day Activities

Earlier today, students from Years 7 - 10 headed off to various locations to celebrate the last day of the school year.

Year 7 students headed to Warrnambool, where they participated in Mini Golf and walks around Lake Pertobe and Lady Bay.
Year 8 students also headed to Warrnambool for swimming at Aquazone and Ten Pin Bowling.
Year 9 students visited Timboon followed by Port Campbell for lunch and beach games.
Year 10 students experienced the Tree Top Adventure in the Otways.

We wish all students a wonderful break!

Gender-Based Violence Awareness

On Monday, some VCE-VM students represented MRC at the flag raising ceremony for the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence at Corangamite Shire.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign and runs until 10 December.

Mercy Battlefields Tour

We are excited to announce the return of the Mercy Regional College Battlefields Tour, an extraordinary educational experience that takes place every two years. This unique opportunity is open to students in Years 10 to 12, with the majority of participants typically from Years 10 and 11. The tour spans approximately 10 days, encompassing part of the last week of Term 3 holidays and the first week of Term 4.

Our adventure begins as we depart from Melbourne and embark on a transformative journey to the heart of history. Flying into Paris, we spend two nights exploring the enchanting city before delving into the poignant landscapes of the First World War.

The tour takes us to Amiens, France, where we spend two nights uncovering the Somme battlefields of 1916 and 1918. We will also visit Arras for a night, paying respects at the sites of two Australian tragedies in Fromelles and Bullecourt. Moving on to Belgium, we spend three nights in Ypres, a town steeped in history as the epicenter of the 1917 Third Battle of Ypres, where Australians played a significant role. Ypres serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the First World War, and each night, we participate in the haunting Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

The educational objective of the tour is to connect young people from our district with the profound historical events of the First World War. To personalise this experience, each participant is encouraged to research a soldier or nurse who served in the war, preferably on the Western Front in France and Belgium. Whenever possible, we visit graves, memorials, and battle sites associated with these individuals, leading to educational and emotional moments.

While the Battlefields pilgrimage is central to the tour, we also take the opportunity to explore world-renowned sites in Paris and London. In Paris, we enjoy guided tours of Louis XIV’s magnificent Palace of Versailles, admire the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and ascend the iconic Eiffel Tower. In London, our journey continues with visits to the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and the thousand-year-old Tower of London.

In every aspect of the Battlefields Tour, we strive to retrace the footsteps of those who made immense sacrifices for future generations. 

The following are a summary of two former students; Polly Moloney and Abbey Vines and their  stories and connection to their experience of the Battlefields tour of 2017. Through their research the students on the Battlefields Tour attempt to bring back to the community the stories of these people whose lives were so changed by the war.

Polly Moloney and Abbey Vines both researched soldiers who served at the horrific Battle of Pozieres which began on 23 July 1916. In six weeks, the Australians had 23,000 casualties of whom 6,000 were killed.

Polly’s great, great uncle Private Hugh Joseph Slattery, from Garvoc, won a Distinguished Conduct Medal and a Military Medal in France and Belgium for his bravery as a stretcher bearer. Hugh returned to Australia in 1919. The family say that he was unable to properly settle and became an alcoholic. He died in 1934 and is buried in the Lancefield Cemetery.

Abbey’s soldier was Sergeant Thomas Nicholls Vines of the 5 Battalion, who was aged 23 when he enlisted. He was a signaller and won the Military Medal for his actions at Pozieres, France 25 July 1916. He returned to Australia in December 1918. Who knows how he was affected by the war, but it is safe to say that all who returned were marked in some way. Approximately 60,000 Australians died in the Great War. That number ended in April 1921. Estimates suggest that as many as 60,000 again died in the decades after the war as a result of their service.

An information event will be held early February 2024 for all who are interested. 

Those who wish to book a place on the tour will be required to pay a deposit of $500.00. Further installments may be made throughout next year with final numbers to be confirmed by May 2024. This information will be made available at the information session held in February next year. Participation for this experience is purely voluntary therefore, costs will not be subsidised. A payment plan will be available

If you have any queries or would like more information about the tour, please feel free to contact us at the school.

Let us embark on this enlightening journey together, connecting our students with the profound history that shaped our world.

Mrs Berni Sinnott - Deputy Principal, Students and Staff

Sport Report

Intermediate State Table Tennis 

On Friday 24th November the MRC Intermediate Boys team traveled to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to compete in table tennis. 

They were scheduled to play three other schools including FCJ College Benalla, University High School and Melbourne High School. 

The Benalla based school defeated MRC five games to one, but there were some really close games, with the overall points tally at the end of the match 233 - 206.  

Our second game against University High School was quite similar with a 4-2 loss from the 6 matches but again some really close matches. 

The final game against Melbourne High School was a tough one, with the competition favorites showing their class against MRC. 

A great effort by the team to be so competitive and with all players eligible again next year we will be aiming for a semi final berth in 2024. 

Faith at MRC

St Vinnies Christmas Appeal 

Thank you to everyone who supported our Vinnies Christmas Appeal this year.

We were able to present many gifts to Vinnies at our Thanksgiving Mass that will be shared with local families in need this Christmas.

The hard work of staff and students in preparing the gifts is very much appreciated!

Kellie Wilson - Catholic Identity, Mission and Ethos Leader

Our Diocesan Community

Please find the latest edition of Our Diocesan Community at the link below:

Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal

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

Careers News

The latest Career News:

Reminder to VCE Unit 3 & 4 Students

A reminder for VCE Units 3 and 4 students to download the app ready for their results on Monday.

https://vtac.edu.au/atar.html

Library News

Reimagining the MRC Library (Part 2)

In the previous MRC newsletter you may have read about the re-imagining of the Library and some of the new opportunities to be introduced in 2024. In this edition you can read about two more activities designed to extend learning opportunities for students in Years 7 and 8.

Student Book Club and Shadow Judging Project

What is the Project? 

Shadow Judging is a Children’s Book Council of Australia program. The project invites young people across Australia to engage with the six shortlisted books in a chosen category of the annual CBCA Book Awards. Along the way the group members read and collaboratively respond to each of the six books. In 2022 the CBCA introduced a Shadower’s Prize award. The groups ‘shadow’ the CBCA judges and vote for the book they think should be the Book of the Year winner in that category. 

Groups are invited to develop a creative response to the winning book they have chosen. This could be anything from a themed morning tea to a treasure hunt or creating a board game or a photographic installation or video. The only limit is imagination.

Statement of Purpose
Participation in the Shadow Judging project supports the aspiration of the College to create a culture of reading. It also supports the mission of the Library in relation to the following points:

• Unlocking the potential for learning through the support of independent and collaborative learning opportunities that encourage critical and creative thinking and enrich student outcomes,
  
  
• Initiating programs and activities that develop literacy, information literacy, a reading culture and essential lifelong learning skills,
  
  
• Providing an engaging and welcoming cultural and learning space that is challenging, inspiring, inclusive, and safe,
  
  

Desired Outcomes

• Students reading across genres outside of their usual reading habits
• Students reflect on their own reading experience
• Gives students a voice
• Development of leadership skills in this student-led project
• Engaging in robust, in-depth discussion and learning a new language around discussing quality literature
• Encouraging peer-to-peer recommendations
• Encouraging reading as a social activity where students enjoy socialising around books
• Expansion of  critical thinking
• Students learn and understand literary terms 
• Students learn how to follow, apply and discuss the judging criteria
• Students have the opportunity to form friendships with peers outside of their usual friendship group

Principal's Reading Challenge

What is the Project?
The Mercy Regional College Principal’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage and challenge students to read a diverse range of curated texts across a variety of genres by setting an individual reading goal to enable them to achieve their personal best. Rather than ticking a box to state that they have read the book they would also provide a short review that would then be used in The Library to assist other readers in making choices.

A focus on variety, comprehension and personal achievement is what differentiates the Principal's Reading Challenge from the Premier’s Reading Challenge, which focuses only on the quantity of books read.

Students will use Beanstack to log their reading. Beanstack incentivises and ‘gamifies’ reading. There will be a number of incentives along the way, along with the Principal’s Certificate of Achievement for students who complete the entire challenge. 

As a further extension activity associated with this Challenge, students will be invited to participate in Shelftalkers, which has been established by the School Library Association of Victoria (SLAV) as a platform for young people who love books and reading. 

Shelftalkers is a website maintained and moderated by SLAV staff. It offers a home for the sharing of written reviews with their peers and also an insight into the opinions of others.

Shelftalkers hopes to empower young readers, to give them a sense of ownership and autonomy in sharing their thoughts about what they read and what is being published onto the market for them. It is our hope that Shelftalkers will encourage and engage young readers in reading and writing, beyond the classroom.

Shelftalkers offers students the opportunity to provide first-hand information to library staff and publishers via a window into their opinions that can underpin targeted promotional and engagement programs.

Statement of Purpose
The Principal’s Reading Challenge supports the mission of the Library in relation to the following point:

•   Initiating programs and activities that develop literacy, information literacy, a reading culture and essential lifelong learning skills,

Desired Outcomes

• Students add to their wider reading experiences
• Students reflect on their own reading experience
• Students sample genres they may not usually choose
• Students experience personal achievement
• Students are recognised for their achievement

We are looking forward to putting the MRC Library Action Plan for 2024 into practice with these and other student-led activities.

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)

MRC Car Raffle

Our 2023 Car Raffle was drawn at the 50th Jubilee Dinner on Saturday 25 November.
Over 4,600 tickets were sold and we thank everyone who supported our major fundraiser this year. We look forward to using the funds raised for an outdoor learning space at our McAuley Campus!

We congratulate our 2023 winners!

1st Prize – Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport, demo
Karen Smith

2nd Prize – $2000 GBM Technology Voucher
Nicole Darcy

3rd Prize – Apple Watch Series 8
Lorraine Jansen

4th Prize – $650 Local Voucher Package
Dale Bell

5th Prize – $340 Accommodation Voucher
Lesa Thornton

6th Prize – $320 Timboon Overnight Package
Corinne Maslin

7th Prize – $250 Bus Trip Voucher
Janelle Smith

8th Prize – $200 Jewellery Voucher
Ren Gleeson

9th Prize – $200 Lunch Voucher
Clare Kenna 

10th Prize – $100 Groceries Voucher
Elliott Horan

Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors

• Warrnambool Mazda
  
• GBM Technology Camperdown
  
• Gunners Business Solutions
  
• Greavesy's Fruit and Veg
  
• Benallack's Sports
  
• Laffs
  
• Full Bloom
  
• Camperdown Pharmacy
  
• Little Pharmacy & Shoe Shop
  
• Cobden Health Community Fitness Centre
  
• Cobden Pharmacy
  
• Terang Bakery
  
• Crawley's Milk Bar
  
• Elm's Driving School
  
• Wooltrack Store
  
• McCann's Camperdown Newsagency
  
• The Camperdown Mill
  
• Timboon Tiny Homes
  
• Timboon Fine Ice Cream
  
• Stevo's Hire & Drive
  
• Showcase Jewellers
  
• DJ's Cafe
  
• Ritchies IGA Camperdown
• Star Printing

We would like to give a special mention to:

• Glen and Lisa Bernoth and staff at GBM Technology
• Gaye McVilly and staff at Terang Country Bakery
• Kim McKenzie and staff at Laffs
  

and all the local businesses that sold raffle tickets on our behalf. We would also like to thank the organisers and supporters of our raffle for their tireless hours behind the scenes:

• Toby McKenzie
• Judith Murfitt
  
• Allison Lourey
• Jenni Lenehan
  
• Nicole Darcy
• Jordy Muller
• Peter Conheady (MR SiGN)
  
• All parents and friends that volunteered at the raffle stall

Alumni News

Congratulations to our inagural Spirit of Mercy Award Winners!

Upcoming Dates and Events

Wednesday 6 December
Last Day for Years 7 - 10

Thursday 7 December
White Card Training

Tuesday 12 December
Year 7 2024 Orientation Day

2024:

Wednesday 31 January
Year 12s Return to School

Thursday 1 February
Year 7 - 11 Return to School

Community Notices

Terang Op Shop
Have a lot of Mercy 2nd Hand Uniform - All $2 a piece