MRC Newsletter - Issue 3 - 5 March 2025

Prayer

Principal's Message

Welcome Fr George!

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Fr. George Kuruvila to Mercy and to our parishes! Fr George led our Ash Wednesday Mass today for our Year 9 to 12 students and staff at St Patrick’s Church in Camperdown.

We look forward to Fr George joining us for our school and community events commencing with his official role at our Presentation Ball on Friday 14 March, this year being held at the Camperdown Theatre Royal.

OUR NEW BUSES ARE HERE!

Our two new Isuzu iBus 31 seat buses have finally arrived! They will replace our existing Mitsubishi Rosas which have served the College for well over a decade each. We thank our community for their ongoing support which helped to purchase the original Rosas and have now contributed to the purchase of our new buses. We look forward to seeing them branded and on the road!

HOUSE ATHLETIC SPORTS

Our House Athletic Sports last Friday were a brilliant community celebration showcasing the enthusiasm and talent of our students. The participation rate was brilliant and I thank our staff for enabling our students to have such a great day. TINDLEY were our overall winners with Ryan, Markey and Frayne not too far behind! Thank you to our Sport Coordinator Darren Cheeseman for his dedicated work. Our House Sports competition will be rounded out with our Cross Country being held later this term. Plenty of time to get some training in! Read more about the Sports later in the newsletter.

LIFELONG BENEFITS OF ATTENDING A CATHOLIC SCHOOL

With our Open Day fast approaching, I’m pleased to share with you new data based research highlighting the lasting positive impact of an education at a Catholic school. The study reveals that Catholic school graduates experience lifelong advantages in employment, health, and overall life satisfaction.

The research, conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by VCEA, carefully accounts for individual and family backgrounds to isolate the impact of Catholic schooling.

The survey findings reaffirm what we know at Mercy—that an education focused on developing the whole person fosters well-rounded individuals who are prepared to succeed, thrive, and contribute positively to their communities. We are proud of the lasting impact Mercy Regional College has on our students and their families, supporting them on their journey to a bright and fulfilling future. To access the full report of the HILDA Survey, follow this link.

MRC OPEN DAY

We warmly invite all prospective 2026 Year 7 families and familes from all other year levels to our Open Day on Wednesday, 26 March.

Please see the poster below for more information, and register for a session here.

PRODUCTION EOIs CLOSE FRIDAY

A reminder that Expressions of Interest for the 2025 Production of 'Cinderella' close this Friday.

We strongly encourage all students to consider being part of this fantastic opportunity, with many roles on the stage and off.

More information and the online EOI form can be found here.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the students below:

  Well done George S. who won Div 4 cricket for Pomborneit winners of the Colac district Division.

  Congratulations Ned D. who played in the premiership U18 team for Colac Kookas in Colac's Junior Tournament

  Well done Indi C. who won MVP for Colac Kookas Under 18 premiers in Colac's Junior Tournament.

  Congratulations to Clem W., Jack C. and Rhys D. who won their U13 Cricket Premiership for Mortlake.

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

With kindness,
Sharon Gillett - Principal

Learning at MRC

NAPLAN 2025

The annual NAPLAN testing will take place next week with all Year 7 and Year 9 students completing NAPLAN as set out in the schedule below.

Students who are absent will catch up their NAPLAN assessments in the week from the 17 to the 24th March.

Please partner with us to minimise anxiety around NAPLAN by reassuring your child that NAPLAN is not something to be fearful about and all we ask is that they answer the questions to the best of their ability.

The NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site provides students with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the processes and style of question which may be asked. To access the practice tests please select the link and then select the appropriate year level at the bottom of the page.

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

On the day of the assessments all students require a fully charged computer and corded earphones.  We greatly appreciate your assistance to ensure that computers are fully charged.

Should you have any questions regarding NAPLAN or your child's academic progress, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Please reach via email (ldelahunty@mercy.vic.edu.au) or phone (55932011) if you have any questions.

HOME LEARNING

Our Year 7 to 9 Home Learning program commenced this week.

Engaging  students in learning outside of the classroom has many educational benefits including 

• strengthen students long-term understanding of the topic or activity
• develop study skills that students will use for the rest of their life

It is important for students to develop good habits and routines in relation to Home Learning during their early years at MRC.  To facilitate this we operate a structured Home Learning Program at Year 7, 8 & 9.  This program ensures that Home Learning expectations and frequency are consistent and predictable.

There are lots of things that you can do to help your child with their Home Learning.

Encourage a homework routine

Help your child to do their Home Learning at the same time everyday. Some children concentrate better in the mornings. Some are better in the afternoons. Choose a time that works best for your child.

Having a regular Home Learning time will set your child up with good study habits. This will help them throughout school and beyond.

Set up a comfortable space

Your child will find it much easier to do their Home Learning if they have a comfortable space.

This could be a space in their bedroom, in your study or in the family room. 

A good Home Learning space:

• is comfortable – not too hot, not too cold and has plenty of fresh air
• is quiet
• has good light – use a good lamp or overhead light if the space is dark
• has all the things they need to do their work: think about stationery, a computer, a printer
• is free from distractions such as the television, phone or computer games.

Talk to your child about their Home Learning

Don't be afraid to talk to your child about what they are learning.

Ask them:

• what is easy
• what is difficult
• what they find interesting about it

By starting a conversation you will be able to help them plan their Home Learning and suggest resources they can use to help with their work. Encourage them to tackle the difficult work first while they are fresh.

Leanne Delahunty - Director of Learning & Teaching

SENIOR SCHOOL

Year 12 Biology Excursion

Our Year 12 Biology class travelled to Ecolinc Science and Technology Centre in Bacchus Marsh last Wednesday. 

The day involved students performing a range of experiments to determine whether a variety of foods contained any genetically modified material.

These hands-on experiments required students to firstly extract DNA from the various food samples (corn chips, potato chips, soy flour, polenta, rice crackers and paw paw) before using a PCR machine to make copies of the target DNA samples. 

The students were then required to set up, run and stain the DNA samples using gel electrophoresis so they could discover which of the food samples came from a genetically modified plant.

It was wonderful for the students to supplement their classroom learning with this practical experience!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

As Term 1 progresses, we are pleased with the students' engagement and progress so far. However, the next few weeks will be particularly busy, with key events and deadlines approaching. We want to keep you informed about some important updates for our Year 9 and Year 10 students to ensure a smooth and successful few weeks ahead.

NAPLAN Testing – Week 6 (12th – 14th March)
Year 9 students will be sitting their NAPLAN tests across three mornings during Week 6, from Wednesday 12th March to Friday 14th March. This is an important time for our students to demonstrate their skills in literacy and numeracy, and we encourage students to take the tests seriously. Please ensure your child is well-rested and arrives at school on time each day.

Home Learning

Now that students have settled in well to term, home learning will return and will be mandated for all Year 9 students. To support their academic progress, students will be assigned a combination of homework across key subjects each week:

• Maths and English: Weekly assignments in these core subjects.
• Science and Humanities: Alternating weeks for these subjects.

Students can expect to complete three pieces of homework per week in total. We believe this structure will provide a balanced workload while reinforcing the skills they are developing in the classroom.

Our Year 10 students will also be assigned home learning tasks. Unlike Year 9, the home learning for Year 10 will be more flexible and tailored to the demands of each subject, rather than following a fixed schedule. These tasks will complement what students are learning in the classroom and allow them to further develop their skills as they prepare for the challenges of their senior studies.

Homework Help Sessions
For any students who may need extra support with their home learning, we will be offering a Homework Help session every Thursday lunchtime. This will be an excellent opportunity for students to get assistance with their assignments and ensure they are staying on track.

Reminder: Year 10 Work Experience Paperwork

A quick reminder for our Year 10 families to ensure that students have returned their work experience paperwork to the school by Week 6. It’s crucial that students remain organised and proactive in securing their placements. They should be reaching out to potential employers and finalising their placements as soon as possible. Please encourage your child to stay on top of this important task.

Thank you for your continued support if you or your child need any assistance or guidance with work experience placements, please feel free to contact the school. We are here to support you and your child through this process.

Josiane Gardner - Learning Leader Middle School

P2P Fishing Excursion

During February, the Year 10 Paddock to Plate class took a break from the classroom for a fishing trip to nearby Lake Bullen Merri. The excursion aimed to provide an opportunity for students to engage in local areas where food is grown or in this case, caught.

The weather couldn’t have been better, with warm but sunny conditions making for a peaceful afternoon of fishing. Students had the chance to cast their lines into the lake, waiting for a bite. While we got a few nibbles, unfortunately, no fish were caught—but the experience was still a huge success, with everyone enjoying the chance to be out in nature and for some, learning something new.

A big thank you goes to Shane and Troy for organising the buses to and from the lake, and to Pete for coordinating the rods and equipment. We look forward to more outdoor learning opportunities in the future!

Year 9 Textiles Excursion

Our Year 9 textiles students enjoyed a trip to Warrnambool Spotlight recently to purchase material for their boxer shorts and sleepwear top tasks.

They were all able to explore the wide range of materials available and select one that fit their design requirements. They each purchased their own unique fabric, with the right qualities to ensure the end product of this sleepwear unit will be a success!

It was a pleasure to see them all representing Mercy Regional College and helping each other throughout the day.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

As we move further into the term, it has been wonderful to see students settling well into the rhythms and routines of life at O’Keeffe. We continue to encourage all students to approach their classes with a positive attitude and to embody our Mercy core value of Excellence—whether through effort, perseverance, or striving to achieve their personal best.

Well done to our Year 7 students for successfully working through their Reading and Numeracy PAT testing. They have shown great focus, and we commend them for their efforts.

Looking ahead, NAPLAN testing will begin next week for Year 7 students. We encourage families to reach out if they have any concerns or would like to discuss how best to support their child during this time. Testing will take place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and as a result some subject areas will be missed to allow for this. Can we please ask that you ensure that your child/children have the appropriate corded headphones that are compatible with the NAPLAN digital platform.

Home Learning Update

Our Home Learning program has commenced this week, with the following structure:

• Year 7 (Semester 1): Weekly Home Learning tasks for English and Mathematics, due within one week. At the end of Semester 1, the program will be reviewed, and Science and Humanities may be added.
• Year 8: Weekly Home Learning tasks for English and Mathematics, plus alternating Science and Humanities tasks, meaning three pieces of Home Learning per week.

Families should have received a letter outlining Home Learning expectations and the support structures in place to help students build strong study habits. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support.

Leah Sinnott - Learning Leader Junior School

YEAR 7 FRENCH

Students in 7C studied French/English cognates, which are words that are closely related to each other because they belong to the same language family, in this case the Romance language. The students had fun practising easy to understand but hard to pronounce French vocabulary.

Community & Wellbeing at MRC

This week, we saw some interesting comments from Marty Sheargold about the Matildas, Australia’s incredible women’s soccer team. His remarks made me reflect on how far we’ve come in terms of inclusion, but also how far we still have to go in supporting women in sport. As a quiet advocate for women’s sports, I truly believe we have some phenomenal athletes, both professionally and amateur, right here in Australia & our region— and it’s exciting to see this movement grow.

And let’s be honest, who can overlook the success of our Matildas? (Well, maybe Marty Sheargold can!) Here are a few facts that might just make Marty squirm a little:

• For the first time ever, more kits representing the Australian women’s soccer team were sold than those for other teams
• Every match involving Australia in the World Cup sold out before the tournament even began.
• Australian TV viewership records were broken repeatedly, with live viewing sites set up at major stadiums to accommodate the growing crowds.
• The semi-final match between Australia and England became the most-watched broadcast in Australian history, with over 11 million people tuning in.

The Matildas’ performance on the world stage is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and the support they received shows just how far we’ve come in celebrating women in sport. But how does this conversation about inclusion and visibility connect to us here at MRC and our approach to wellbeing and engagement.

At MRC, we work hard to create an inclusive environment where every student, regardless of gender, is encouraged to reach their full potential. We are lucky to have  many high-achieving young women (and young men) in our school, each striving to build their future—whether that’s in sports, the arts, technology, or beyond. Our girls are not backing away from challenges; they are stepping up and making an impact.

Right now, we have young women who have started their own businesses, made it into representative teams, and travel far and wide to compete and represent themselves, their families, and our school in various events. It’s inspiring to see them succeed, and we couldn’t be prouder of the amazing things they’re accomplishing.

We love to see this success. We love to be part of it. And we’ll continue to embrace and encourage our young women to take on the world. The Matildas remind us of what’s possible when we break barriers, challenge expectations, and support one another along the way.

Let’s celebrate the achievements of our own students, and keep pushing for a future where inclusion and equality are the norm, not the exception. Our girls are already paving the way— and we’re here to support them every step of the way!

Emily Stephens - Assistant Principal - Wellbeing & Engagement

Useful Wellbeing Links:

Faith at MRC

Shrove Tuesday

This week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday with Pancakes for sale at both campuses. Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is an important day in the Christian calendar, marking the last day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, it was a time for people to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting period of Lent. 

The selling of Pancakes has kickstarted our Caritas Project Compassion Fundraising for this term. Each homeroom will be coordinating smaller fundraisers to contribute to our overall fundraising efforts. 

As the Catholic Church's international aid and development agency, Caritas Australia works hand in hand with the most marginalised communities in Australia and overseas, to confront the challenges of poverty. They have been committed to tackling poverty and inequality in Australia and overseas since 1964.  When a crisis hits, they work hand-in-hand with local communities and churches to bring aid and relief to people whose lives have been devastated by natural disaster or conflict. Today they serve in 20 countries, working through 61 partnerships to bring hope, support and compassion to the world’s most vulnerable people.

Ash Wednesday 

Ash Wednesday was celebrated today at both campuses. At O’Keeffe we held a school based liturgy to recognise the importance of the day. McAuley campus staff and students joined the local parishioners at St Patrick’s to celebrate Mass with Fr George, our new parish priest. 

Ash Wednesday is a significant day in the Christian calendar, marking the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and repentance leading up to Easter. It is a time for believers to reflect on their mortality, seek spiritual renewal, and commit to personal growth. The tradition of receiving ashes on the forehead, often in the shape of a cross, symbolises human frailty and the need for God's forgiveness. Ash Wednesday encourages self-discipline, humility, and a deeper connection to faith as individuals prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

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Year 7 Faith Day 

Today was the Year 7s first Faith Day for 2025. Year 7 students have their Religious Education learning journey enhanced by a series of Faith days throughout the year, connecting to their in class learning. This term students are learning about the Sacred Stories of the Christian Tradition, connecting them to their own personal stories that are important for themselves and their families. Today’s experiences focused on the stories of our school. 

Sr Veronica Lawson, Sister of Mercy, visited our O’Keeffe Campus and enthralled us with stories about Mercy as a tradition from Jesus, through Catherine McAuley, and into our modern times. 

Past teacher, Mrs Sharyn Grinter, explored the history of our school with the students. Our beginnings carry such meaning for where we came from and to where we want to go. 

Alumni, Matilda Kealley (Class of 2024), discussed her journey through MRC with the students. She imparted wisdom to the students about the opportunities they can take while they are learning at Mercy Regional College. 

Students worked in their respective house teams to learn about the history of the people who they are named in honour of. This activity was designed to bring students together with their housemates across the year level to build house spirit. To enhance this, our senior school Sports & Recreation students ran a collection of sporting activities in the afternoon to engage the competitive spirits of the Year 7s.

Project Compassion

This week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of Caritas Australia’s annual Project Compassion Appeal. 

The theme of Project Compassion 2025 is ‘Unite Against Poverty’, because together we can take action to make a lasting difference! 

By donating to Project Compassion, Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, can work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

Learn more at the Project Compassion Website: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion 

#projectcompassion

Melanie Bourchier - Director of Catholic Identity & Culture

Sports Report

MRC House Athletics Sports

Well done to everyone who participated in the House Athletics Sports on Friday at the Frederick St Oval!

It was a fantastic day and we thank everyone who made the competition a success.

Congratulations to Champion House - Tindley!

Tindley - 742 points
Ryan - 671 points
Markey - 669 points
Frayne - 650 points

Congratulations to the age group champions:

Under 20:
Issy S.
Archie T.

Under 17:
Indi C.
Hamish M.

Under 16:
Tayla B.
Nate S.

Under 15:
Charlotte H.
Archie M.

Under 14:
Olive W.
Issac L.

Under 13:
Jade B.
Darby S.

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HSSSD Swimming

48 students represented MRC in the HSSSD Swimming Sports at the Terang Pool last Monday.

There was a fantastic competitive spirit amongst students from our fellow HSSSD secondary schools on the day, with MRC taking out the title of Champion School overall.

Well done to Etti G., Sonny D., Archie M., Pippa B., Harrison G., Molly K. and Taleah M. who were champions in their age category.

Thank you to all competitors for their efforts and the many staff who made the day possible.

College Notices

Speed Limits around MRC

It has been noted that vehicles are not adhering to the speed restriction zones around the schools. It is imperative for the safety of our students, staff and whole school community, that these limits are respected by road users.

We are not suggesting that it is school community members who are not respecting these limits, but would like to remind our community of these speed restriction limits around both the campuses of College. 

Upfront Payment Discount

A discount of $150 per student is available for family fees that are paid in total by 31st March 2025. Please note that this amount is pro-rata for split family accounts.

2025 Tuition Fees Letter

SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS

The School Saving Bonus is available to Catholic School Students who are also eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursions assistance (CSEF), through their parents/ caregivers holding a means tested concession card. The School Savings Bonus provides $400 in support for eligible school-aged students for use on 2025 school associated resources, costs including information technology, computers, camps, and online resource cost, this money is paid to the school. 

We request families apply for the Camps sports and excursions fund, to enable them to access the School Savings Bonus. 

Please contact the Business Manager to discuss the School Savings Bonus. 

Careers

Neil Porter Legacy Career Expo

On Tuesday morning, students visited Warrnambool for the Neil Porter Legacy Career Expo. 

This opportunity involved many industry providers, employment organisations and tertiary institutions coming together in the one place for students to seek advice and ask questions. It provided a chance for students to investigate areas of interest as they prepare for Work Experience in Week 9 of this Term.

Thank you to Mercy staff members and Mr. Couch for their support.

Please see the latest edition of Careers News below.

Useful Careers Links:

Kym Penry - Careers and Pathways Leader

Library News

Congratulations to our Tapple Champs

After two big rounds of competitive Tapple at the O’Keeffe campus, our overall champion is Imogen of Year 7. Imogen won round two then played our round one winner Cristianna of Year 8 to win the title Tapple is an award-winning, fast-paced word game that requires no experience but calls for some quick thinking!

Book Club

Our Term One MRC Book Club gathering proved to be a great evening with guest author Jock Serong. We had a lively crowd who had come armed with a diverse range of interesting questions for Jock. Along with regular Book Club members and many new faces, we were joined by some of our friends from the Emmanuel College Book Club. Many thanks to Jo Roberts for liaising with our guest author and to Les Camerson and Des Bouchier from the Terang Commercial Hotel for providing such warm hospitality in a great venue.

Stay tuned for details of our book for Term Two and be in touch if you would like to join us. All are welcome!

New Graphic Novels chosen by students

A group of Year 7 and 8 students chose a great selection of new graphic novels from a curated selection provided by Collins Booksellers Warrnambool. Their choices ranged from classics including To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, The Diary of Anne Frank and Frankenstein to Japanese anime and classic myths and legends retold. Graphic novels can be really underrated as an educational tool. They can be particularly useful for achieving high engagement from reluctant readers and can provide a great source of inspiration for creative expression.  

You can see the new books here.

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' CLOSE THIS 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

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) 

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)

Upcoming Dates and Events

Thursday 6 March
Unit 3 Outdoor Ed Excursion

Friday 7 March
2025 Production 'Cinderella' EOIs close

Monday 10 March
Labour Day Public Holiday (No classes)

Wednesday 12 March
NAPLAN Testing Begins

Friday 14 March
Presentation Ball

Wednesday 19 March
MRC Cross Country (McAuley Campus)

Thursday 20 March
TIS Tour
Cinderella Auditions (McAuley Campus)

Friday 21 March
Cinderella Auditions (O'Keeffe Campus)

LATER IN TERM 1:

Wednesday 12 March
NAPLAN Testing

Friday 14 March
Presentation Ball

Wednesday 26 March
MRC Open Day

Community Notices

Timboon locals get a chance to compete for the skate park crown

Skate Park Leagues (SPL) is coming to Timboon Skate Park on Saturday 19 April. Locals will battle it out in the skate, scoot and BMX competitions to decide the winner. Point will go towards the Victorian Melbourne Metro Series League Ladders.
The Victoria League makes up one part of the Y’s national competition series with events happening in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales.
The competition welcomes those of all ages and abilities to have a go. Athletes can compete to be crowned the winner of not only Timboon but also the Victoria Melbourne Metro Series, with points from each round accumulating throughout the year to decide the best of 2023. Those still finding their feet get the opportunity to have a go, improve skills and confidence and interact with the pros. Prizes are raffled off between competitors so everyone has a chance at taking something home.
SPL competitions give the community the opportunity to come together, watch and support the talent, get involved and cheer on their own.
The Y, in conjunction with the Skate Australia, Cycling Australia, Victorian Skateboarding Association (VSA) and participating Local Government Areas typically facilitate over 100 SPL events a year that make up the Australian Skate Park Leagues. This makes SPL the biggest and most established grass roots skateboard, scoot and BMX series in Australia.
“Skate Park Leagues give people of all walks of life the opportunity to come together and use the council’s facility on a positive and meaningful way. The inclusion and support we see at each event is amazing and a testament to the skate park communities.” said Alice Hogan, Manager of YMCA Action Sports.
The Timboon round has been brought to life through a partnership between Corangamite Shire, The Y, Victorian Skateboarding Association (VSA), AusCycling and Skate Australia.
Other major sponsors of the Victoria League include Tech Deck, Goliath, Fast Times, Skater Maps, Rampfest, Grit Scooters, Crisp Scooters, Aztek Scooters, District scooters, Phoenix Scooters, Drone Scooter, Lux BMXs.
Details of Competition:
Date: Saturday 19 April
Time: Scoot 11am, BMX 12.30pm, Skate 1.30pm
Location: Timboon Skate Park – Bailey Street &, Snake Track Rd, Timboon, VIC
To register for the Melbourne Metro Series, fill out the SPL registration form.