Mercy Regional College eNewsletter

Prayer

Gracious God, As the summer begins to fade, new possibilities lie on the horizon.

Bless all of those who are beginning or returning to their roles as teachers and education support staff, as well as those who lead and support them in their efforts.

May this school year be a time of grace and potential as they teach, share and challenge others to grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom.

Bless students and parents as they begin a new school year. May their minds be open to learning and to the wonder of discovery and insight.

Be with us all as we embark on this new year.
Amen.

Principal's Message

Welcome Mercy Community to our 2025 school year!

Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year of Hope. In explanation, a Jubilee is a special year of grace and conversion, involving prayer, pilgrimage and sacramental repentance, held every 25 years.

2024 brought our community many challenges. We look forward with HOPE to 2025.

It was inspiring to witness the hope and excitement our staff and students commenced the year with last week. What are your hopes for 2025? What are your children’s?

The Jubilee announcement is accompanied by an inspirational logo.

A full explanation of the logo can be found here.

It brings me great pleasure to share our inspiring 2025 College theme which has been created through the collaboration of our College Student Leadership Team and Year 12 cohort - In life’s storms, find your strength through faith and courage.

The theme is strengthened with the underlying scripture reading “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

We look forward to living in line with this theme and scripture throughout 2025.

Energy and purpose returned to our school last week when we welcomed back our students and staff. In an educational climate pressured by a teacher shortage, especially in rural areas, we are proud that Mercy Regional College continues to be a valued destination for new staff with many being former students. I welcome our new staff on behalf of our Mercy community.

NEW BEGINNINGS:

I share with you our new and returning staff for 2025:

Ricky Birmingham - O’Keeffe campus - Learning Support Officer
Alison Byrne - Development Office - MRC Scholarship Project
Jazmyn Cridland - West Vic Traineeship - Educational Support - O’Keeffe Campus
Adam Dowie - Middle Years Community Leader, VET Sport, Rec and Aquatics Year 2 and Health and Physical Education
Luke Kavenagh - West Vic Traineeship - Sport and Recreation and Educational Support
Claudia Lee - Year 7 MERCY, Year 7 & 8 HPe, Year 8 Mathematics
Tess Lourey - Year 7 Mathematics and Science, Year 7 and 8 STEAM
Sherrie McWall - Year 10 MERCY, Visual Art, Visual Communication and Design, Drama, Humanities, Literacy and Religious Education
Rosalie Murphy - Year 7 MERCY, Year 7 & 8 English, Humanities and Religious Education
Natasha Neal - College Wellbeing Officer
Roselyn Prasad - Year 7-10 Science, Science Learning Area Leader
Patrick Seal - Deputy Principal, Unit ¾ Business Management, Year 12 Religious Education
Tessa Williams - Year 8 Visual Arts, Year 7 Humanities
Jo Beard - O'Keeffe Reception and Administration (Thu & Fri)
Kym Penry - We are very pleased to welcome back Kym Penry. Kym will continue to lead Careers and Pathways and will teach Year 10 and 11 English, Year 11 Literacy and Year 12 MERCY.

The following staff will be on leave in 2025:

Christine Norton - 12 months
Stacey Madden - 12 months
Claire Virgona - 12 months (taking Year 9 Textiles in Semester 1)

We look forward to commencing the next stage of our Master Building Plan. We hope to firstly commence work on the joining structure between the heritage convent of Mercy building and the Library building. This will enable staff and students to travel between buildings without being subject to weather and assist in reducing energy consumption. St Patrick’s Primary School will also commence work to repair our shared retaining wall and court fencing. This will greatly improve the aesthetics of this area for both of our schools. We are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of our 2 new 32 seat school buses.

We will also commence the technical design stage for our refurbishment of our Arts and Technology building. We gratefully received a $5 million Federal Government Grant to assist us to bring this to fruition which we will match with our own funds. This build will include a lift for the Middle School, a new Textiles room and student amenities, general purpose classrooms and offices and demolishing of the current Textiles Room, Year 12 Common Room and student amenities. This build will also include a permanent gathering space and link to the Senior and Science Building, joining our whole school at Camperdown.

Our Year 12 students commenced on Thursday last week with the second of their RE Seminar Days. This year they welcomed the Passionist Youth Retreat Team to lead their learning. The 3 day Year 12 Retreat was once again a much appreciated time away together to reflect on faith and goals, bond and set goals for the year. Cave Hill Creek, whilst very hot, looked amazing as it rebounded from being burnt out early in 2024. More on these events later in the newsletter.

Tomorrow we celebrate the first of our House competitions, our Swimming Sports. This year it is being held at the Camperdown Swimming Pool. The program has been shared with parents and families and we welcome your attendance to cheer our young people and the houses on. Please note if your child wishes to remain at the pool at the conclusion of the carnival they will need to exit the pool and pay to stay and swim. This transfers our duty of care from MRC to the pool officials.

Our Commencement Mass will be hosted at St Patrick’s Church Camperdown at 9.30am. After Mass we will recognise and celebrate 2024 Year 11 and 12 students who achieved the highest results in VCE, VCE-VM, VCE VET in 2024 and hear from our College Dux Charlotte Bennett.

We have many Student Achievements to share with our community. I also acknowledge the four Mercy students who are training for the Corangamite Kokoda Experience to be undertaken in July - Year 12 students Nellie S., Jack P. and Brodie H. and Year 11 student Riley M.

Student Free Days

I share here our Student Free Days for 2025 to assist in your forward planning:

Term 2 - Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 April - Learning & Teaching Professional Learning
Term 2 - Thursday 24 April - Staff Wellbeing Professional Learning
Term 2 - Thursday 8 May - Parent Teacher Student Interviews (students to attend with parents/carers)
Term 2 - Friday 27 June - Correction & Report Writing Day - Unit 3/4 classes running
Term 3 - Friday 27 August - Catholic Identity Professional Learning - including Y12 Seminar Day
Term 4 - Monday 3 November - Staff Professional Learning - Compliance

Other events are listed in the College calendar in PAM and further details will be provided where relevant.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the students below:

Well done to all cricketers who represented their clubs in finals during January!

Congratulations to Max R. and Arlo H. on their selection into the U15 Western Waves All Star Team.

Great work Parker W. who was named player of the tournament in Warrnambool under 17 Country Week Cricket.

Well done to Tyra S. on qualifying for the Interschool State Equestrian Championships.

Great work to Harry S. and Etti G. who were U13 Club Champions at Nippers for the 2025 season.

Well done Matéa M. who featured in Holiday Actors’ Spamalot in January.

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

We look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 students and their families to our Welcome BBQ now being held on Monday 17 February.

With kindness,
Sharon Gillett - Principal

Learning at MRC

Welcome to the 2025 school year. The first day of the school year sparks different emotions for each student. Some are excited, some are apprehensive, whilst others are going with the flow. One thing is common for all, that being the smiles and enjoyment felt as everyone catches up after the Christmas break.

As always, 2025 will see us focus on ensuring that all students have the opportunity to reach their potential and they are developing the skills needed for life beyond Mercy Regional College. We will continue to develop and review our Learning and Teaching practices. There will be times throughout the year that we will be asking for your thoughts and feedback on how we are going and on the new initiatives that we have implemented. At Mercy Regional College we value the thoughts and feedback from all key stakeholders, parents and carers being one such group.

One change that you will notice in 2025 will be to the grading system that we use for Assessment Tasks at Year 7 to 10. Assessment Tasks will now have a percentage written beside the Grade Descriptors. You will also see a wider range of words or Grade descriptors used to communicate to both you and your child their level of success on the Assessment Tasks. The Table below shows the comparison between the grade descriptors used in 2024 and 2025.

We hope that this change will provide greater clarity for both students and parents around the level of success being achieved by the student. This Grading system will be used for Year 7 to 10 Assessment Task, which are the ones that appear on the end of semester reports.

Class Tasks are the day to day tasks that students complete. These tasks do not appear on the end of semester report and the level of achievement may be communicated in a variety of ways.

I encourage you to regularly check the Parent Access Module (PAM) where you will be able to see your child’s results and monitor their progress.

There are some things that our Mercy community of parents and guardians can do to help us support your child on their educational journey.

Attendance. Research has shown that there is a direct relationship between attendance, academic achievement and emotional development. What it boils down to, is that every lesson counts. Many adolescents do not have the life experience to realise just how important it is to actually be in classes. We ask you to support us by ensuring our students understand that both you and us have high expectations for attendance.
Communication. Reach out to us when you or your child have questions or concerns that impact their wellbeing and learning. We will work with you to support your child and ensure that we are accommodating their needs.
Resource and text books. Please work with your child to ensure that they have the necessary resources for each day of learning. Assisting your child to pack their school bag will ensure that they have what they need for each day and reduce the stresses that are created when a student arrives at class and is scrambling to find the necessary resources. Your child's timetable can be accessed through the Parent Access Module (PAM).
Computers. A computer only works when it has a charged battery. Please ensure that the students start the day with a fully charged battery. The battery should last a full day when used for normal class activities.

Whether you are a new family to Mercy Regional College or a continuing family, I look forward to working with you in order to achieve optimal outcomes for your child.

Leanne Delahunty - Director of Learning & Teaching

MIDDLE SCHOOL

As we step into the 2025 school year, we are excited to welcome our Year 9 and 10 students back to school. In 2025 we will continue to focus on building a strong learning culture - one that promotes engagement, accountability, and academic growth while fostering positive relationships.

At the start of the year, our goal is to ensure that every student feels supported in a structured and positive learning environment. Teachers at Mercy are committed to implementing consistent routines, procedures, and expectations to help students succeed academically and grow personally. As the students settle into their classes, we ask that they remember to come prepared each day and make the most of the opportunities ahead. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your MERCY teacher—they are here to support you and your child on their learning journey.

Our Year 9 students are in the process of settling into life at the McAuley Campus, meeting new teachers, navigating their timetables, and becoming familiar with their surroundings. This transition is an exciting step in their school journey, and we encourage them to ask questions, seek support when needed, and embrace the opportunities that come with a new learning environment.

In Year 10, the students are already being challenged to locate and contact a workplace to complete their work experience which will take place at the end of term. This compulsory program is both demanding and rewarding, providing valuable real-world experience that helps students develop essential skills for the future. Please take time over the next few weeks to discuss potential work placement options with your child. While your contacts may be invaluable in helping them find opportunities, we kindly ask that you encourage your child to take the lead in making the necessary phone calls and inquiries themselves. This experience is an important part of their learning, helping them develop confidence and essential communication skills for their future workplace.

Again, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your student's MERCY teacher—they are here to support you. Additionally, if there is anything you need, please feel free to contact me or our new Community Leaders; Adam Dowie and Georgia O'Leary—we are always here to help.

We look forward to a fantastic year of learning and achievement!

Josiane Gardner - Learning Leader Middle School

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Over the last few days our O’Keeffe campus has been a hive of busyness as we’ve welcomed our new Year 7s into our Mercy community, along with our Year 8s to begin, what will be, an exciting year ahead. In 2025, our Junior Campus continues to focus on building a robust learning culture that fosters learning engagement and accountability, positive relationships, and academic growth.

Our commitment to establishing a strong learning culture at the beginning of this school year is to ensure that all students have a structured, supportive and positive learning environment. Teachers at O’Keeffe are working hard to implement consistent and predictable routines, procedures and expectations to help students understand what is expected of them and to provide the foundation for academic success and personal growth throughout the school year.

One of the routines we are working hard to establish is being prepared for each class with the appropriate ‘Equipment’. As classes are well underway, it is vitally important that all students have the book listed materials/items for each subject to ensure minimal disruption to their learning. Could we please ask that you check in with your child to ensure that they have what they need for each subject, so that they are able to begin to establish this important routine. It is also important that students are responsible for charging their laptops overnight and bringing them with them to school each day.

By now students have spent time with their Mercy teachers, starting to build relationships, getting to know each other, and again working on supporting them to build good routines. If you have any concerns or questions that may arise, they are your first point of contact, and are ready to support both you and your child in their learning journey at O’Keeffe.

Leah Sinnott - Learning Leader Junior School

Community & Wellbeing at MRC

We are thrilled to welcome you back to another exciting year at Mercy! As the 2025 academic year begins, we reflect on the growth, resilience, and achievements of our community. Whether you're returning to familiar faces or stepping into our school for the first time, we are so excited to have you with us.

As summer's warmth is well and truly upon us, there's a certain magic in the air—like the promise of new beginnings that comes with the start of a school year. The sunny days and relaxed vibes of summer may feel distant, but they’re not entirely gone. The energy and spirit of summer can still influence our school days. The long afternoons spent outdoors, the laughter shared with friends, and the sense of adventure can all carry over into the classroom.

Just as we embraced the freedom of summer, let’s take that same sense of curiosity, openness, and excitement into our studies. Whether it's the enthusiasm for discovering something new or the joy of spending time with friends, there’s a summer-inspired energy we can bring with us into the school year—making every day feel just a little bit brighter. Let's keep that summer spirit alive as we dive into another year of learning and growth!

We love the feeling of a new year and the potential for new opportunities for learning, growth, and connection. Our dedicated staff have been preparing engaging lessons, enriching programs, and a supportive environment to help each student thrive academically and personally.

We encourage families to stay involved, ask questions, and continue to support our shared mission of Excellence, Community, Inclusiveness & Respect. Together, we will make this year one of success, joy, and lasting memories.

Here’s to a year filled with discovery, achievement, and the Mercy spirit!

Emily Stephens - Assistant Principal - Wellbeing & Engagement

Useful Wellbeing Links:

MRC SchoolTV

Faith at MRC

Mass of Thanksgiving & Awards Ceremony

Welcome back to another school year. The beginning of each school year is filled with joy and excitement. It is very fitting that the Dicocesan Community theme is ‘May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.’ (Romans 15:13), as I feel the beginning of the year is always filled with hope for the year to come. New things lay ahead and some structure and continuity for the good things that we have already experienced.

2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The concept of "Jubilee" originates in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Jubilees are now celebrated every 25 years. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope.”

I hope that 2025 is full of hope and progress for all our school community. May we journey together to celebrate and enrich our lives as one body.

Year 12 Seminar Day 2

Last Thursday, our Year 12 students gathered for their first day of the year to experience the second in their series of Seminar days. The seminar day on Thursday was run by the Passionist Youth Ministry Team. Luke and Tanis took the students on a journey of self discovery through a mix of games, discussion, and reflection.

Throughout the day students were encouraged to step outside their comfort zone, examine the masks they wear, and come together as a cohesive group of young people about to embark on their Year 12 journey together.

The feedback from the students after the day was overwhelmingly positive. Some students described it as “cleansing” and commented on how it enabled them to come together as they overcame some past friendship difficulties.

Year 12 Retreat

As I write this report, the Year 12s are currently on their Year 12 Retreat. A fabulous way to come together to start their year fresh and renewed as they head into their studies.

Our Year 12 Retreat is focused on key themes of Community, Faith and Excellence. We encourage students to reflect on who they are as young people, what has brought them to this place, who has supported them, and what they want from their future. Students participate in a range of activities that helps them assess who they are as individuals as well as a cohort and what they want for the year ahead.

There are many fun elements that students always are thrilled to participate in, including outdoor activities, canoeing and the long standing op-shop formal. As always, pictures are worth a thousand words - we hope you enjoy looking through the gallery.

We wish the Year 12s all the best for this final year of their formal secondary schooling.

Year 10 Christian Outreach

Our Year 10 students will once again be participating in our Christian Outreach program. This has been a core part of our school tradition for over 30 years. Although, through that time it has been managed and executed in a variety of ways. We had a short hiatus during and after the COVID Pandemic, but it’s thrilling that we will be back up and running.

Students from Year 10 will visit local facilities each week during their RE class to assist and help with the programs. Facilities from Camperdown and Terang that are hosting our students include: Sunnyside House, Merindah Lodge, St Vincent de Paul shop, Camperdown Community House, David Newman Day Centre, Mt View Aged Care, and Cooinda Disability Services.

We are very grateful for these ongoing connections and relationships with our wider community.

MADJAM

Our Making A Difference: Justice And Mercy group will be reconvening in Week 2. If your young person is excited to make a difference in the spaces of social or environmental justice, please encourage them to come along to our sessions. Our Term 1 focuses will be Caritas Project Compassion and Clean Up Australia Day. Stay tuned for more information!

Melanie Bourchier - Director of Catholic Identity & Culture

College Notices

2025 Tuition Fees Letter

2025 Tuition Fees and Levies Statement

School Savings Bonus

Catholic school students who will be in Prep through to Year 12 in 2025, and who are receiving the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF), are eligible for the School Saving Bonus. The intent of the school savings bonus was to assist families cover the costs of children’s education with expenses such as school activities, additional sporting and outdoor education programs, school uniforms, excursions, incursions and curriculum costs like curriculum levies and VET course charges.

Catholic school students receiving the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2025 are eligible for additional support through the School Saving Bonus (SSB). The $400 bonus will be provided directly to each school. The $400 Bonus is available for each child in a family that holds a means tested health care card or concession card. That means an eligible family with three school-aged children will receive a total reduction of $1,200 to school fees.

Families who have had their circumstances change (including new healthcare and concession card holders) and who may be eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursion are encouraged to discuss this with the school. These are real cost-of-living supports.

Mercy Regional College encourages all families to register their Health Care Card or concession card with the College if they haven’t already done this. Please contact the College office for information on how to do this. We will be contacting the families with health care cards in 2024 to discuss with them the application of the
school savings bonus.

For more information please contact the Business Manager – Judith Murfitt
BM@mercy.vic.edu.au

Careers

Please see the latest edition of Careers News below.

Weekly Career News 3rd Feb 2025

Useful Careers Links:

https://studyworkgrow.com/

https://vtac.edu.au/

Kym Penry - Careers and Pathways Leader

Canteen News

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

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

2025 Production 'Cinderella'

Expressions of interest for our 2025 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Cinderella' are now open until Friday 7 March.

All students are invited to express interest in the 2025 Production and past experience is not required.

Productions are a great way to:

Expand and learn creative skills
Meet new people
Have fun working collaboratively
Be part of a big team project

Public performances will take place at the Theatre Royal from 14-16 August.

We encourage everyone to read the Production Booklet to find out more about the many opportunities on offer, including on-stage, backstage, set building, set painting, hair/makeup, lighting design, lighting operation, sound operation, ushering, catering and more!

If you have any questions, please contact Toby at tmckenzie@mercy.vic.edu.au

MRC Production Booklet 2025

To express interest for an on-stage or off-stage role, please fill out the online form below by Friday 7 March (a small section requires input from parents/guardians)

2025 Production EOI Form (due by Friday 7 March)