MRC Newsletter - Issue 14 - 15 September 2021

Prayer

Principal's Message

Here we are at the end of another school term.  Despite the complexities and challenges of the last few weeks, the time really does seem to have flown!  We are all definitely looking forward to a well earned break and an opportunity to rejuvenate, away from computer screens.  It was wonderful to welcome back our Year 12 and some Year 11 students last Friday as they continue their VCE, VET and VCAL learning onsite again.  Their cheery voices and smiling faces, albeit behind face masks, indicated how pleased they were to be reunited with their peers and back in classes at school.  These students have just a few weeks left of their final year of studies and their return has seen great focus, dedication and gratitude for their teachers who have guided their educational journey.  The energy they have brought with them has lifted all of our spirits and we eagerly await the return of all of our students on campus.  Minister Merlino yesterday reassured final year students in his press conference, that there is a plan in place to give them confidence about how the remainder of the year will unfold.  This includes arrangements for the GAT and exams; an assurance that they will receive their ATARs before Christmas; and that there will be consideration of education disadvantage taken into account for each individual student.

In terms of when our Year 7 -11 students will return onsite for learning, Minister Merlino said that although plans were well in place, they were not expected to be released until Sunday 19 September and may be adjusted over the next few weeks.  He confirmed, however, that we will have a clear idea of what Term 4 will look like well in advance of the beginning of term.  This means notification will be provided during the term break.  At the present time, please assume Remote Learning will continue for Year 7 -11 students at the start of Term 4 until we are notified otherwise.  Should there be a lifting of current restrictions enabling Year 7 - 11 students to return to school at the start of Term 4, we will send a brief message to families, students and staff before the end of the term break confirming this.  We will then provide more detailed information on the first day of Term 4.  We remain hopeful that Regional Victoria continues to remain safe and COVID free so that we can be together sooner rather than later. 

We will continue to update our College calendar and events as information is provided for us to follow.  At present we are working on adjusting and rescheduling our Investiture of Student Leaders, Year 11 Presentation Ball, Indigenous Adventure and our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Presentation and Graduation Dinner.  Details will be provided to students and families involved as soon as possible.  We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding.

In the midst of these disruptions school life continues.  ​​Our Year 11s have completed the process to apply for positions on our MRC Student Leadership Team for 2022.  I congratulate all who had the courage and confidence to apply for leadership positions and thank them for their interest and desire to lead our wonderful student community.  I welcome the leadership partnership of 2022 College Captains, Jackson Gill and Carly Newcombe, and Deputy Captains, Lily Baker and Adam Henriksen.  A full list of the 2022 Student Leadership Team can be found later in the Newsletter.

Many parents and community members tuned in to Dr Michael Carr-Gregg on Tuesday evening as he shared with us ways to positively impact the mental health of adolescents.  Michael quoted Frederick Douglass who said that, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken ones.”  Michael’s experience and insight provided achievable actions that benefit the wellbeing of young people but are also valuable advice for us all.  Some of Michael’s advice included:

• If you can’t change something, change the way you think about it. 
• See life as it is but FOCUS on the good bits. 
• If you want to feel good, do good.
• When we are together, everything is better.
• Be active, relax, rest and eat well.
• Be mindful - there’s more to life when you stop and notice.
• FLOW - Find time to lose yourself in the things you love.
• Plan for what you are looking forward to in the future.

Perhaps you can find some time to enact some of Michael’s advice over the next couple of weeks.  One way might be to follow the advice shared by Mercy staff member, Tania Bruckner, this week to try to set aside an hour a day to read for pleasure.  Storytelling has a valuable role in transforming lives and shaping identity, belonging and understanding.  Treat yourself to a good story!

Another way to stay positive is to be active and set some achievable goals to work towards.  With winter sports concluding, we are pleased to announce we are continuing our partnership with Stuart Canavan and his Regional Institute of Sport and are offering Sport4Life at Mercy again beginning in Term 4, 2021 and continuing into Term 1, 2022.  To find out a little more about Stuart and his experience and for more details please see the Sport section later in our Newsletter.

We are excited to open our annual car raffle for ticket purchasing.  The annual Car Raffle is a long-standing tradition at Mercy Regional College. Funds raised have been a significant contributor to the funding of essential learning resources, facilities and equipment for our students over the past 46 years. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new 12 seat minibus whose purchase was supported by the proceeds of our 2020 raffle. The funds from this year’s Raffle will be used to purchase new-generation classroom furniture that is both innovative and future-focused.  The new furniture will turn Mercy classrooms into flexible learning spaces that encourage collaboration, stir students’ creativity and ultimately improve student learning outcomes by facilitating effective teaching and learning.  This year’s major prize is an MG Auto Excite and there are 14 other great prizes.  Further information and links to access the online ticket sales can be found later in the newsletter.

As we finish the term, we share our best wishes with College Finance Officer Pam Martin who is leaving our Mercy community.  Pam has been a much respected, dedicated and diligent member of our Mercy community for 14 years.  Pam is relocating to Ballarat and we wish her the very best for the future.  We also farewell College Social Worker Chadley Peerman who has taken a position as School Social Worker in Mallacoota.  We thank Chadley for her work with us here at Mercy across the last two years and the wonderful support she has provided to students, staff and families at this particularly difficult time.  We wish Chadley all the very best for her  sea change. 

We wish staff members Sharyn Grinter and Maureen O’Loughlin all the best as they take Long Service Leave for all of Term 4.  We wish Learning Support Officer, Zoe Bouchier, all the best as she begins Parental Leave and awaits the arrival of her first child; we look forward to welcoming a new member to our Mercy family.  We welcome back from leave at the start of Term 4 staff members Danny Gordon, Daniel Beard, Janet Backhous, Brendon Norman and Ian Nicholson and thank those staff members who have been covering their classes and roles: Margot Horan, Anna Bourke, Luke Alexeyeff and Ben Terpstra.  Margot will stay with us in Term 4 supervising our McAuley Library and Anna will join our LSO team for the term.

Finally, I wish you all a restful break and hope that you are able to spend some time recharging after what we can all agree has been a most challenging period of time. 

With kindness

Sharon Gillett
Principal

Learning at Mercy

Senior School Matters

Friday 17th September (Last day of term - RE PL day)

Our Unit 3 & 4 scored students will be completing a practice exam for English and Literature. Students will then have a maths tutoring session on this day (planning is still occurring). This is an early finish as it is the last day of term. Those students who are not sitting the VCAA exams or are VCAL students have another opportunity to come to school and complete any work that needs to be completed enabling them to gain an “S” in their subjects and finish their formal classes. 

Unit 3 & 4 Holiday Revision Program

We are working towards having students attend on-site during the school holidays for revision sessions.  Unit 4 teachers are preparing a calendar to share with students which will highlight when each subject is being scheduled.  These sessions are an opportunity for students to consolidate the key knowledge and skills taught throughout the year.  There are also a number of companies that offer revision sessions for the upcoming examinations.  Students should speak with their class teachers to get recommendations of appropriate sessions to attend.  This year these sessions will all be online.  Revision documents that accompany their online lectures are provided in most cases. 

GAT

The General Achievement Test (GAT) has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 5 October.  Students can make their own arrangements to and from the GAT if they wish or students can come to school as per normal.  We will bus our students to Camperdown College for them to complete the GAT.  The GAT is scheduled from 10.00am till 1.15pm.  Students are required to return to school and their normal timetabled classes will run from 2pm.  Lunch will be provided to students upon their return to the College. Students are required to wear their school uniform. For those students who do not complete a Unit 3 & 4 subject, an alternative timetable will be scheduled on this day. 

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) requires that all students from Years 11 and 12 who are studying one or more Unit 3 and 4 sequences are to sit the GAT.  This task is completed over three hours in strict exam conditions. The results are used in helping the assessment of exams, particularly where there are difficulties in reaching an agreement over a specific result. 

I quote below from the VCAA definition of  GAT’s role and its importance: 

Thus, it is important that all students sit the task and do so to the best of their ability. The GAT is not something that can be studied for, but it should be done to the best of the student’s ability. 

All students have received a brochure outlining the structure and the importance of the GAT and their own individual timetable. 

VCAA Examination Timetable 

Students will receive their individual VCAA examination timetable this week.  This is accompanied by the VCAA Examination Navigator.  This navigator provides all students with information regarding the procedures around the VCAA examinations.  Their individual timetables also provide dates relevant to the Derived Examination Scores (DES) for each study. 

Consideration of Educational Disadvantage 

The State Government has implemented the Consideration of Disadvantage scheme for all students who are completing one or more Unit 3 & 4 VCE studies or Scored VCE VET course.  Please see information provided by the VCAA below outlining this process.  Students will be provided the opportunity to complete their statement of disadvantage this week and the first week of Term 4. 

Consideration of Educational Disadvantage 
Information for Parents/Guardians/Carers 

The VCAA recognises that some students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 studies have  experienced particularly difficult circumstances this year as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes  health and wellbeing challenges, financial stress, extra home responsibilities and family stresses. 

To ensure fairness for all students, Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (CED) will be considered for all  students. In support of this process, all students can submit a Student Statement. The Student Statement is a  simple tick box exercise which will inform the process of CED. No supporting evidence is required. However, the  school can ask for clarification if needed. 

As part of the process, it is important to understand that number of boxes ticked does not equate to a change in  study score. This information will complement what the school already knows about students, for example previous  assessment scores. The school will use documented evidence about the student’s achievement when undertaking  the CED process, with the normal VCAA processes ensuring fairness within and between schools. 

The student statement will remain with the school. It is not provided to the VCAA.  

The VCAA will consider the information submitted, and other external assessments including the student’s General  Achievement Test results, so that each student’s final VCE and VCE VET results are fair and reliable. 

As in previous years, students can apply for a Derived Examination Score (DES) if they are prevented from sitting  one or more VCE examinations, or if they are significantly affected during an examination, for example because of  illness. In addition, students applying for tertiary places in 2021 should submit a Special Entry Access Scheme  (SEAS) application to the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), if they have been severely impacted by  factors including COVID. 

The VCAA is a statutory authority established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. All personal  information collected by the VCAA is handled in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)  and, where applicable, the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). 

Please continue to encourage your child to stay focused and work hard towards their VCE examinations. If you have questions about this process, please contact your school for assistance. 

New Subjects for 2022:
VET Sport and Recreation & VET Information, Digital Media and Technology

Mercy Regional College is currently exploring the possibility of offering two new VET subjects for incoming Year 10 and 11 students.  VET Sport and Recreation is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the Health sector - coaching, fitness and teaching.  VET Information, Digital and Media Technology is suited to students who are interested in pursuing a career or further training in various sectors of the information and communications technology industries.

VET Sport and Recreation and VET IT are two-year courses.  They are fabulous, hands-on classes which will ensure students leave Mercy with not only a TAFE certificate but can also contribute to their ATAR if they wish to complete further studies.  Below are some links with additional information.  If you have any further questions please contact Mrs Fraser at the College to discuss.

Semester 2 Interim Reports

The purpose of reports is to benefit the student and inform parents/carers on how their child is progressing and where or how they need to improve, particularly in skills development.  Comments for improvement are evidence based and relate to assessments and class tasks on SIMON, general class work, attitude, organisation, and so on. 

Reporting on student achievement and progress at Mercy occurs in a variety of ways:

• Parent/student/teacher interviews (twice a year)
• Interim reports each semester
• Summary semester reports
• Ongoing reporting via PAM
• Other communication, such as phone calls and emails

Comments on PAM (Parent Access Module) - Learning Areas are parent/carer and student friendly and are easy to read and understand.  Parents should not be surprised by student results in the semester report.  They should have a general idea of their child’s progress via the interim report, PTS interviews, emails, phone calls or overdue letters home about work of an unsatisfactory standard. 

The Interim & Semester Reports - Work Habits, are reflective of a students application to their Learning, Self-Management & Social Interactions. 

LEARNING

• Strives for personal best 
• Meets deadlines 
• Uses class time constructively
• Collaborative in group tasks
• Completes set tasks

SELF-MANAGEMENT

• Punctual to class
• Has the appropriate books and equipment
• Makes responsible choices

SOCIAL INTERACTION:

• Well-mannered and respectful of others
• Co-operative
• Demonstrates empathy

ADAPTABILITY:

• Develops strategies to cope with challenge and change
• Working in a changing environment

SELF REFLECTION:

• Ability to self reflect
• Willingness to demonstrate personal growth

Teachers report on assessment and future learning online and in an ongoing manner. You are encouraged to view these comments regularly via the Parent Access Module (PAM).  As we work towards the conclusion of Term 3, subjects will have Assessment and/or Class tasks available for you to review.

Wellbeing at Mercy

Dear Mercy Regional College Families and Friends

Last week saw Mercy Regional College and the wider community acknowledge R U Ok? Day.  The theme this year was asking those who we know if they are really okay?  As we are facing times that are unprecedented in most of our experiences, this is more important than ever.  In case you missed the information, or are unsure about how to ask, please visit https://www.ruok.org.au/.  Remember also that if we are not feeling okay, it’s important that we share – we all have times where we need some support and someone to share with.  Let’s keep these conversations going and looking out for one another.

This week was also Body Kind week. Body Kind is an initiative that promotes caring for our physical self in a holistic and healthy manner. It highlights healthy understandings and relationships with: food, images in the media - including social media, physical exercise and how when we are adolescents our body changes can impact on how we see and feel about ourselves physically. The Butterfly Foundation website has lots of information around these topics and more, such as eating disorders and ways in which we can build a positive body image.  For more information please visit https://butterfly.org.au/get-involved/campaigns/bodykind/

Additionally, Reach Out has an article for parents/carers to assist the young people in their families with study stress, which may be of benefit as our senior students near the end of their secondary education and prepare for exams.

As many of you are aware, after almost two years in Camperdown I am leaving MRC and the region to further challenge myself and increase my professional knowledge in Mallacoota.  Thank you to all of you who have honoured me with your trust, care and support.  I have been very grateful for my time here and wish you all the very best for the remainder of this year and beyond.

With kind regards

Chadley Peerman
College Social Worker

Faith at Mercy

Mercy Liturgy 2021

During Week 9 of the term, we shared our Mercy Liturgy with individual classes.  The theme was Together in the Mercy Spirit, indicating that although we are apart, we are still part of the Mercy community.

The Liturgy was pre-recorded and shown in Mercy classes throughout the school during the week.  Students and teachers were asked to set up the tone of the event by lighting a candle or placing some leaves, flowers (nature symbols) as a focus point in front of them. 

Our Liturgy included prayers reminding us of the influence of Ursula Frayne and the Sisters of Mercy.  It included  an introduction by our Frayne Captains, Sophie Conheady and Louis Darcy, to the life of Ursula Frayne and her influence on Catholic Education in Perth and in Victoria. 

Fr Mick and Fr Neville came to the school to record prayers and the Gospel reading with a response. The Gospel was the Beatitudes and this topic was explored both in the words of Fr Mick and a YouTube clip about how our attitudes make a difference to our happiness. 

The reflection of the Mercy Blessing included a moment of quiet to close our eyes and consider a person whom we miss and how grateful we are to have them in our lives.  

We sincerely hope that each student was able to take a precious moment to reflect on our Mercy heritage, those for whom we are grateful and finally, to be reminded of the fact that although apart, we are still part of a thriving and caring Mercy community.

Jo Saunders
Head of Liturgy

MRC Car Raffle

MRC Car Raffle Early Bird Draw

The Early Bird Prize of the MRC Car Raffle 2021 will be drawn on Thursday, 14 October at 4pm.

To be eligible for the Early Bird Draw, purchase a bundle of 11 tickets for $100 by 12pm on Thursday, 14 October.  We will automatically add your ticket numbers to the manual draw for a special prize of a $300 MRC School Fees Voucher.  With each bundle of 11 tickets, you will get one free ticket included.

The draw will take place at the College and will be livestreamed, you can view it by clicking on the button below.  Make sure to join us to find out the name of the lucky winner!

What happens if the Early Bird winner has no students at MRC?

The Early Bird Prize is not redeemable for cash.  You can gift or resell the College Fees Voucher to a person with a College fee account. Or if you do not know anyone who attends the College, you may like to donate the voucher as a scholarship for a Mercy student in 2022.

All the proceeds from the 2021 Car Raffle will be used to purchase new-generation interactive furniture for our Mercy classrooms.  More information about the raffle and the prizes is available on the College website: www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/

We sincerely thank our community for their continuous support of our Car Raffle.

_________________________

There is an agreement between Mercy Regional College and Lighthouse Group Pty Ltd trading as RaffleLink (ABN 83 161 197 860) to promote and conduct this raffle for reward. Permit number 10454/21.

Sport Report

Sport for Life

As you may remember, early in 2020 Mercy Regional College began to run a program titled Sport for Life which was co-ordinated by Stuart Canavan.  This proved quite popular with many Mercy Regional College students signing up. Shortly after this began all activities began to halt due to COVID-19.  We are hopeful to be able to offer this again to students in the near future. 

Sport for life is perfect for students looking to develop an elite athletic development pathway program from years 7 to 12 across a variety of sports.  The program focuses of the progressive development of speed, strength, mobility, power, decision making, and agility, but instil in young athletes the importance and practical application of recovery techniques, good nutrition, and mental health management tools within a sustainable ‘culture’ that focuses on improvement.

The Sport for Life program also has an injury prevention focus.  Stuart was working with Rowville Secondary College in an elite athletic development pathway program for Years 7 to 12 across a variety of sports.  Amazingly, none of the 770 athletes sustained an ACL injury, which is an injury that can cause an athlete a lot of problems. 

We look forward to delivering the program in the near future and we will continue to let parents know where we are at with this excellent sporting opportunity next term. 

Darren Cheeseman
Sports Co-ordinator

Uniform Shop

We are working with Noone to enable the reopening of the Uniform Shop and we are hopeful that the easing of restrictions over the coming weeks will assist.

In the interim, parents are welcome to purchase uniform items through Noone's online portal by clicking on the link button below.  Online orders can be collected by the students at our McAuley Campus or sent over to the O'Keeffe Campus for collection at reception.  

Please contact the uniform shop if you require any assistance.

Phone: 03 7020 2625
Email: MercyRC@noone.com.au

College Fees

Canteen Menu - Spring/Summer

With students returning onsite, the canteen is now in full operation and the menu has been revised for the spring/summer seasons in Term 4. 

We would also like to remind our families that we have an online ordering option available for Dinny’s Diner, the canteen situated at McAuley Campus, Camperdown which services both Mercy Regional College and St Patrick’s School.  Below is an information sheet to assist you with online ordering and where you can access the ordering system.  Any online orders will attract a fee of 50 cents.  This amount covers the cost of the payment system to a third-party provider.  The online ordering system is an optional alternative, families will still be able to order through the existing cash-based system.

Careers

• University applications – Victoria: important dates, reminders, scholarships and accommodation
• Apprenticeship resources
• VCE Summer School (current Year 11 students)
• Hansen Scholarships (current Year 11 students)
• Australian Catholic University – upcoming events
• Film competition
• Youth Employment Program
• Medicine and Dentistry webinar
• Year 12 university scholarships
• STEM webinars – technology & cyber security and future energy careers
  

• University of Melbourne Hansen Scholarship (Year 11)
• Get one-to-one course advice from universities
• Helping people with eye disorders – orthoptics and optometry
• University and TAFE applications – reminders
• Focus on VET pathways (TAFE, traineeships and apprenticeships)
• Interesting STEM articles – the A-Z of STEM careers and marine biology careers
• Train to become a flight attendant
• CSIRO Digital Careers initiative – take the free test!
• Endeavour College of Natural Health Open Day
• Federation University – online webinars (OT, Psychology, Nursing & Midwifery)
• Australian Defence Force – gap year program and upcoming events
  

Student Achievements

We are proud to share an inspiring story of our Year 11 student, Charlie Poustie, who was featured on the ABC recently.  Charlie is successfully running his own business of breeding miniature goats, which has been his passion since he was 13.  Charlie's hard work is rewarded through his growing herd of now over 20 miniature goats and the happy reviews of his customers.

Read the full story about Charlie's entrepreneurism here.

Some of our students, alumni and staff have picked up awards recently across both the Warrnambool District and Hampden Football Netball Leagues.

Congratulations to everyone who played this season on their efforts!

Alumni News

Sarah Pekin, Class of 2018

I recently spoke with former MRC student Sarah Pekin, who completed Year 12 in 2018.  Sarah has 3 siblings at Mercy - Ella in Year 12, Jack in Year 10 and Meg in Year 8.  She is in the final year of a Bachelor of Photography at the Photography Studies College in South Melbourne, majoring in Photojournalism.  Sarah has a particular passion for live music photography, and has had her photograph of The Teskey Brothers selected to be exhibited in the Number One | Gudinski exhibition, at the prestigious Ballarat International Foto Biennale.  This exhibition is a tribute to the late Michael Gudinski, who was a major promoter of the Australian music industry.  In partnership with Mushroom Group and Frontier Touring, it celebrates Gudinski’s advocacy for the arts industry.  Sarah has spent much of the last 18 months in Melbourne lockdown, like many of our friends and family.  Whilst there have been few live gigs to attend, she has continued to find artistic inspiration through other things.

The image selected to exhibit was taken at a Mushroom Group After Hours event which was held at the Colonial Brewing Co in Port Melbourne in 2019.  Michael Gudisnki was an MC of this event.  He was in complete awe of The Teskey Brothers' music, telling the audience that it would be a night we would never forget, and boy was he right.  To this day, it was one of the best live music performances I have ever seen.  Witnessing Gudinski’s passion for the first time that night left a lasting impact on me.  At the time, I was new to Melbourne and had started to attend live music gigs on a weekly basis.  I was in the first year of my photography degree and was beginning to fall in love with live music photography.  I realised that people like Michael (who adore music more than anything) are the reason why I want to do what I do.  It is an honour to have been selected to be a part of this exhibition, alongside some of Australia’s most talented music photographers. 

Sarah Pekin

The works will be on display in the basement at the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute until 9 January 2022, opening to Regional Victorians from Wednesday, 15 September.

Sarah is happy to share her social media details, for anyone interested in viewing her work.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.pekin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahpekinphotography

Well done Sarah - your passion is clearly evident, and everyone at Mercy is very proud of your work.

Tania Bruckner
MRC Teacher

Upcoming Dates and Events

Thursday, 14 October - MRC Car Raffle Early Bird Draw closes and Prize Drawn

Friday, 15 October - 2022 Student Investiture (postponed to 5 November - virtual)

Monday, 18 October - Year 12 Graduation and Mass (virtual)

Wednesday, 20 October - Year 12 Final Day

Tuesday, 26 October - All students return to onsite learning

Wednesday 27 October - VCAA Examinations Commence

Monday, 1 November - Student Free Day / Staff Professional Practice Day

Monday, 2 November - Public Holiday, Melbourne Cup

Monday, 29 November - MRC Car Raffle Ends and Prizes Drawn

Our school calendar is always available to be viewed through the Parent Access Module (PAM).  Further details for school events, student excursions, camps, and student assignment due dates, etc, can all be found on the PAM calendar.

Catholic School Parents Victoria Newsletter

Community Notices

Under the Microscope and Lighthouse Theatre presents an online streaming of the performance of Mental as Everything on Tuesday, 12 October at 7.30pm.

Bringing mental illness and music together with transparency, comedy and a deep personal narrative.

In this two-man show, Damon and his musical cohort, Adam Coad, will take the audience on a brilliantly unique and often awkward journey inside their own heads with hilarious onstage buffoonery and songs pertaining to Mental Illness. Featuring both original music and a few existing songs, written by well-known artists that have experienced mental illness.

Mental As Everything is a raw and honest cabaret performance that explores the multifaceted nature of mental illness. Creator and performer, Damon Smith, takes you on a journey of his deeply personal experience of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder, backed up by his anxious musical cohort Adam Coad.

Lions 2021 World Sight Day Plans

Lions World Sight Day this year is Thursday 14^th October, a day when Clubs worldwide promote the importance of regular comprehensive eye examination every two years from the age of 45, and highlight the importance of Children’s eye care.  Camperdown Lions are keen to promote “Fly a Kite for Sight” as an ideal family outdoor activity if Covid restrictions are sufficiently eased by then, or we suggest it as an October activity if not on the actual date!

Studies show that outdoor activities and sunlight may protect young eyes against near sightedness (Myopia).  Recent news reports indicate at-home learning, and shutdowns which are limiting outdoor activity have impacted on vision with increases of up to 30% in Myopia detection in children from Primary School age through to senior High School age.  So, why not “Fly a Kite for Sight.”

The Lions Club of Camperdown are keen to recommence the free vision screening sessions introduced locally in 2019 at our Primary Schools as soon as possible be it later this year or in early 2022.  Hopefully, we will catch up with all children who missed out in the past two years whilst we are able to get ready access to screening cameras which are likely to be in heavy demand soon.

A reminder that Lions Australia screening cameras can accurately detect indications of a range of vision problems which can require immediate treatment or longer term monitoring by an Eye Health Professional. A print out is provided with referrals to take to the Optometrist. Tests for vision acuity (wall chart) perception of colours, and depth perception are also included with the camera screening.

Message to Parents:

If your child brings home an invitation to be involved in Lions Vision Screening from School during the remainder of this year, or early in 2022, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity for this free assessment. Children who wear prescribed spectacles, or under other vision care of Eye Health professionals can be excluded.  Any questions about the program!  Contact a local Lions member.

For more information about Eye Health and the importance of Eye examinations, and “Fly a Kite for Sight” visit the Lions Eye Health Program website at: https://www.lehp.org.au

MyGolf Programs

Local golf courses in Cobden, Terang and Camperdown are offering an introductory golf program for 5-12 year olds, MyGolf.  Please refer to brochures below for dates and other information.

MyGolf will be commencing at Terang Golf Club on Saturday, 16 October.  No experience is required and golf clubs will be available if you don’t have your own.  The program will run for 9 weeks and the cost of the program is $45 or $84 if you would like a MyGolf participant pack. There are 2 programs:

• Beginners (5-12yrs) 9:00–10:00 Skills development and on course sessions
• Juniors (12+ yrs) 8:30-10:00 On course experience (hole play)

You can register online at https://www.golf.org.au/mygolf/facility/Terang+Golf+Club or by googling MyGolf and searching for Terang.

Please contact Community Instructor Phil Beasley on 0438 921 213 or go to https://www.mygolf.org.au/ for more information.

Lifeguard Positions Available

If any students (or parents) are interested in becoming lifeguards over the summer season, please scan the QR code in the image below for more information.