MRC Newsletter - Issue 18 - 24 November 2021

Prayer

This prayer leads us into Advent.  It is a prayer to remind us that peace is the powerful message of Christ among us.

As we venture into Advent, there are some resources to help you focus on the Advent message and how we answer the call to prepare our heart for the coming of Christ.  Below is a link to the Caritas Advent program and reflection for how to make a wreath and pray when you do.

Principal's Message

The beautiful sunshine this week has certainly lifted our spirits!  It is just what we have all needed and has made learning outdoors all the more enjoyable.  It is wonderful to see the green grass on our ovals and our grounds looking so fresh.  Thank you to Mark Evans and Stephen Murfitt for their attention to keep everything looking so welcoming.

As the end of the school year fast approaches, our students are busy completing summative assessment tasks and our teachers are correcting, marking, moderating and reporting.  Amongst it all are some wonderful celebrations of learning.  We have been lucky to witness (and taste) the end products of many student projects.  Our $20 Boss students offered cupcakes, seedlings, ducks, earrings, and many other wares for us to purchase.  Our Hospitality students flipped their learning to cater take-away style offerings of savouries and sweets.  I was also lucky enough to purchase two squatter style chairs made by our VET Furniture students.  More Art, Technology and STEAM creations are now on show at our MRC Arts & Technology Exhibition at the Camperdown Courthouse, concluding on Monday, 29 November, with the announcement of Art & Technology Awards, along with the draw of our annual MRC Car Raffle.  Congratulations to all students and staff involved.  A most productive and exciting time of year! 

Our Year 12 students concluded their final exams last week.  We were relieved that they were able to progress through the exam period without the disruption of COVID cases within our community.  We now look forward to celebrating with these students and their families at their Graduation Dinner on Thursday, 9 December.  I thank and congratulate all families for their support of their children and Mercy Regional College over their time here at school, particularly those families who conclude their time with us.  For the Marsland family, with Zoe graduating this year, and the Bambridge family, with Destiny and Bronson graduating, this partnership has spanned 20 years. 

Our VCE, VCAL, and VET Early Commencement Program began last week with a RE Seminar Day for our current Year 11 students.  These young people have now stepped into the official beginning of their Year 12 year.  Thank you to all teachers for their preparations and to students who have approached early commencement with dedication, focus and enthusiasm for the year ahead.  The next couple of weeks will see transition programs in place for our Year 10 2022 students and for our Year 8 students relocating from our O’Keeffe Junior Campus to our McAuley Senior Campus, complete with confirmation of elective choices and familiarisation with bus transport changes.  We also welcome some of our Year 7 2022 students to the O’Keeffe Campus on Tuesday for our Head Start Day (for students invited from smaller schools), and then all Year 7 2022 students will join us on Tuesday, 7 December.  The starting of anything new can be a time of nervous anticipation, and it is very natural for students to feel both excited and challenged by the changes ahead.  I encourage families to support students by looking positively at the opportunities for growth that change brings, but please reach out for support if needed.

I would like to congratulate Year 8 student and O’Keeffe Campus Captain, Lucy Molan, who was recently awarded the Jean Wood Memorial Music Scholarship.  This scholarship was established in 1985 in memory of Jean, who spent her adult life teaching piano and musical appreciation to young people in the Terang area where she lived.  Lucy auditioned playing the clarinet.  Lucy plans to use the scholarship to support her continued music studies, inclusive of access to additional sheet music and other resources.

As we move into the final weeks of teaching, I acknowledge the following staff who will conclude their time at Mercy Regional College at the end of the year:

• Chamon Vogels - Chamon has predominantly taught French, English and Media and has also been a leader of Learning & Teaching.  Chamon is joining the staff of Emmanuel College, Warrnambool, to take up a leadership position in Learning Diversity and Inclusion.
• Ian Nicholson - Ian joined Mercy in 2002.  He has predominantly taught Mathematics, Electronics, Environmental Science, Computer Applications and STEAM.  Ian is beginning a much deserved transition to retirement and we thank him sincerely for his commitment to Mercy Regional College.  We look forward to welcoming Ian to our Casual Relief Teaching (CRT) team in 2022.
• Melanie Kavenagh - Whilst Mel has been on leave the last two years, she has officially resigned from her teaching position at the College to pursue her new passion of personal training.  Mel began her teaching career at Mercy Regional in 2000 and we thank her for her dedication to our Mercy Regional community.  We look forward to continuing to see Mel on our CRT team in 2022.
• Rachael Mason - Rachael stepped in to teach our first class of VET Allied Health.  She has done an amazing job of launching this new subject area and we thank her for her work.  Rachael will continue her very busy work as an Occupational Therapist.
• Our MRC Trainees, Tess Lourey and Jordan Gray, leave to begin their tertiary studies.  Tess is studying secondary teaching at Federation University and Jordy is studying Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Latrobe University in Bendigo.  We wish them all the best.
• Ben Brisbane is taking 12 months leave to work at Emmanuel College in Warrnambool.  We look forward to welcoming Ben back in 2023.

Mercy Regional College is most fortunate to have a caring, committed, experienced and hard-working staff, and we wish these team members well as they move on from MRC.  We will celebrate their contribution to Mercy over the coming weeks with our students and staff.  We do have some new staff to welcome to our Mercy Regional community for 2022.  I will share their professional details with our community when we commence the new year.

I would like to formally acknowledge the hard work of all of our staff over these past two years, when teaching and working in education have required prolonged flexibility and rapid adjustment to an online environment.  Without their hard work, learning continuity for our students at such a high standard would not have been possible.  Your partnership with your child’s teachers and efforts to keep learning continuing at home has also been greatly valued.  Thank you. 

We received an update to the Open Premises Directions yesterday from the Victorian Government, CECV and DOBCEL, which has clarified vaccination requirements for our students when attending excursions, school events and camps.  The update has clarified that when students are visiting a premises offsite on a school related activity, all students are permitted to visit and participate, irrespective of vaccination status and regardless of age.  This change does not apply to staff, parents, volunteers or visitors who are still required to demonstrate full vaccination both onsite or off.

Finally, we will celebrate the beginning of Advent on Sunday, 28 November, which marks the journey to Christmas: from Promise to Fulfillment.  The liturgical features of Advent that we are most familiar with are the colour violet, silent prayer, a simple environment, an Advent wreath with three violet and one rose candle, music and liturgy.  Some of these features are in stark contrast to the busy preparations for Christmas happening all around us.  I leave you with an Advent prayer and a reflective video:

Lord Jesus , Send your Holy Spirit on our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do, seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things, look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways, look forward to the joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy, seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, today we say...
'Come Lord Jesus'
Amen

(adapted from H. Nouwen)

Please take a moment to reflect with the following video of a beautiful Advent Prayer, recently shared recently with staff by Liturgy Leader, Jo-Anne Saunders.

With kindness

Sharon Gillett
Principal

Learning at MRC

Unit 2 Examinations occurred last week across all subject areas.  Students also participated in feedback sessions.  Our Year 11s, along with those Year 10 students accelerating, have started their Unit 3 classes for 2022. 

Unit 1, internal VET and VCAL classes will begin on Wednesday, 1 December and continue through until Friday, 3 December.  A timetable for this program has been included below. 

The Year 10 examinations are now finished, with Year 9s continuing theirs until the end of the week.  All students will be given feedback on their exams in their final weeks of classes.  Any students who have missed exams for any reason will be given an opportunity to catch up on these over the next few days.  Please get in touch with your child’s classroom teachers if you have any concerns.  The final classwork and assessment tasks for the year are all wrapping up, please continue to keep an eye on PAM for due dates and results.

Booklists

Booklists are now available.  Parents/carers of students have received an email with a link and code to order their child/ren's required books and stationery online from Campion Education (formerly Warrnambool Books) by Sunday, 12 December.  Payment will be made at the time you submit your order.  There are three options for delivery.

• Delivery directly to you.  This will include a $15.95 postage and processing fee.
• Collection at Campion Education, 169 Fairy Street, Warrnambool from Monday, 10 January 2022.  This option includes a $5.95 processing fee.
• If parents/carers of students are unable to order online, families can contact Campion staff at the Warrnambool store directly on 5563 9400, or enquire at the store at 169 Fairy Street Warrnambool to arrange collection of booklist items and payment.

MRC Learning Team

Wellbeing at MRC

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global movement to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.  We encourage families to continue discussions at home with your children.

More than ever we know that the boundaries are blurred between our online and offline lives, eSafety has seen technology-facilitated abuse become common in situations of domestic and family violence. 

Through social media and current readings, it is clear that harassment and abuse on the internet can also cause women or young people to step back from online discussions and professional opportunities in order to feel safe. 

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.  eSafety is working to elevate women’s voices and encourage safer online interactions for all Australians.

Garden Beds at O’Keeffe 

Our garden bed project at the O’Keeffe campus is well underway, thanks to a $1,500 grant from Brophy in Warrnambool.  Under the skillful guidance of Mr Baker, Jack, Byron, Mason, Syd & Jackson, we have been constructing the beds made from timber sleepers.  We have had fun measuring, sawing, drilling holes, and screwing the parts together.  The students have also been thinking about what we will plant once the beds are in situ.  Ideas include herbs, strawberries in PVC pipes, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, and much more!  If you have any thoughts or would like to donate some seedlings, please let Matthew Crane know (mcrane@mercy.vic.edu.au). 

Student Activity Day

With the final fortnight of the year fast approaching, there are a number of events and student movements to cater for, including transitions and celebrations.  The White Card Certificate will be a valuable qualification for anyone looking at working in the construction industry. 

Activities in the final week are being ironed out.  The final day has been confirmed for Friday, 3 December.  Years 7-9 students will participate in an activity day, as follows:

• Year 7s - Lawn Bowling and activities in Warrnambool
• Year 8s - Swimming and activities in Colac
• Year 9s - Timboon and Port Campbell

Throughout the final week, transition will continue for Unit 3, and Unit 1 will commence.  Some Year 9 and all Year 10 students are preparing to commence their 2022 subjects. 

The scheduled transition days for current Year 8s is Tuesday, 30 November. On this day, all Year 8 students will spend the day at McAuley Campus and have an alternate timetable to assist in transitioning from the O’Keeffe to the McAuley Campus. 

Our Student Leadership is being finalised and we are currently preparing for our Student Leaders a Leading What Matters Day on Tuesday, 7 December.  All leaders across the College will be attending the Killara Centre in Camperdown to plan for 2022.  One of the main tasks is to focus on the 2022 school theme.  Good luck to all students who have applied.

MRC Wellbeing Team

Faith at MRC

Year 10 - Hope is a Verb Unit 

Over the course of Term 4, Year 10 students have been partaking in a variety of activities in place of the regular Christian Outreach Program.   In order to foster a community of care, compassion and empathy, students were involved in a number of tasks with a family and local community/neighbourhood focus, both at home and at school. 

Students have been able to deliver glimmers of hope and care to parts of our local community.  We have made shortbread biscuits, which were delivered to local frontline workers and vaccination and testing sites, as well as aged care homes in the local community.  All Year 10 students also hand made individual Christmas cards that were donated to the St Vincent de Paul shop for sale; this money will be used locally to support those in need. 

The students all participated with open minds and generous spirits.  They were fully committed to the program and were able to understand the Gospel values and reasons we give of ourselves, our gifts, talents and energy to such activities at Mercy Regional College.  All of the donations have been received with welcoming arms and sincere thanks throughout our regional community.  

St Vinnies -Christmas Giving 

Thanks to our families for the continued support of the Mercy St.Vinnies Christmas gift giving.  Just a reminder that if you haven’t already brought along some money or a gift to contribute to your homeroom, it would be appreciated by Monday, 29 November.  We would love to be able to organise the gifts and vouchers in time for our Mass of Thanks Giving on Wednesday, 1 December. We know that these gifts are sure to be well received and bring joy to a family this Christmas. 

Year 8 Retreat - Friday, 18 November

The overall purpose of this retreat was to consider the world around us; to understand why inequality occurs, and see how we can make a positive impact or change. 

Our Year 8 students were able to take time out of the classroom to reflect on their relationships with God, each other and the world.  It was also an opportunity for our students to have some time to reflect on who they are, as well as the type of person they would like to be.

The themes for the day included:

• Connection
• Sustainability 
• Catholic Social Teachings

These themes all have links to the units covered during RE lessons this year.

Year 12 (2022) Seminar Day - Friday 18th November

Last Friday, our current Year 11 cohort began their Year 12 RE program for 2022.  The aim of the Seminar Days is to develop our students' own spirituality and provide time for self-reflection and personal growth through a series of prayer, action and response activities.

We started the day with some team building activities, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses that each individual brings to the group, as well as focusing on the connection between the group.  We talked about the importance of group members sharing their strengths and supporting one another’s weaknesses. 

We also experienced some prayer and mindfulness activities; this included some yoga with Bree Harrison, and a walk to the Camperdown Botanical Gardens.  Whilst there, students completed some journaling and reflection.  Thanks to everyone for their level of participation and engagement in all aspects of the day.

Library Resource Centre Report

New Novels Available

The library has recently purchased the novels that were shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.  The  Man Booker Prize is a prestigious British award given annually. It is awarded to the best novel of the year, written in English, and published in the UK and Ireland.

• The Promise – Damon Galgut
• The Fortune Men – Nadifa Mohamed
• Bewilderment – Richard Powers
• Great Circle – Maggie Shipstead
• No One Is Talking About This - Patricia Lockwood
• A Passage North - Anuk Arudpragasam

These novels are available to look at on the ‘new books’ display and are ready for borrowing.

Holiday Borrowing

Students are invited to borrow books for reading during the holidays.  Students can drop by the Resource Centre at either campus and choose some novels that interest them.

Premiers' Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the students who successfully completed the challenge of reading 15 books across two terms - a fantastic effort!  Special mention to Sophie Appleton, 7D, who went above and beyond in her quest to achieve this outcome.

• Sophie Applton, 7D
• Madison Stegic 7B
• Sydney Wagner 7D
• Natalie Wallace-Lamont 7B
• Alani Walsh 8C

Art & Technology Exhibition

Our annual MRC Art & Technology Exhibition is currently on at the Camperdown Courthouse, open from 10am-3pm every day through to Monday, 29 November.

The exhibition features the best works that students have created throughout the school year.  It includes a variety of fantastic works of art, media, design and technology.  Visitors to the exhibition have the opportunity to enjoy audio and video creations of our students by scanning QR codes that lead to a digital gallery on the MRC website.

We encourage everyone in the community to visit the Camperdown Courthouse this week to have a glimpse at the world of art and technology at MRC and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.  The award winners for Junior, Middle and Senior school will be announced at 7.15 pm on Monday, 29 November, after the Car Raffle Draw.

The names of the winners will be published in the next newsletter.

We thank Ms Tina Jenkins, Mr Jeremy Baker, Ms Leanne Delahanty and everyone who helped set up the exhibition.

MRC Car Raffle

2021 Car Raffle Drawn Next Week!

There is less than a week left until the Car Raffle draw 2021 and the countdown is on!

Don't miss your chance to win one of the 15 wonderful prizes, including a brand new MG3 Excite, a $2,000 Betta Home Living voucher, an Apple watch, and a range of gift certificates to local cafes and retailers.  More information about the raffle and the prizes is available on the College website: www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/

We would like to thank everyone in our community who has already purchased their tickets, shared our social media posts or supported the raffle in another way.  Our raffle stall at the Cow Hunt event on Saturday was a great success and we will be running another stall at the Cobden Christmas market on Friday, 26 November.  Find us in the arcade near the Cobden newsagency to see the main prize and purchase your tickets.

If you cannot purchase tickets online, you can also stop by one of the retailers in the region and pay for tickets with cash:

• Betta Home Living, Camperdown
• Laffs, Camperdown
• Cobden Newsagency
• Reicha’s Drapery, Terang
• Milk & Honey, Timboon
• Northpoint Lotto, Warrnambool

All the proceeds from the 2021 Car Raffle will be used to purchase new-generation interactive furniture for our Mercy classrooms.

The Car Raffle will be drawn at 7pm on Monday, 29 November. Join us for the livestream to be the first to know the names of the winners. The livestream will start at 7pm on Monday, 29 November.

The prize winners will be announced on the College website, our Facebook and Instagram pages and in Camperdown Chronicle.

We sincerely thank our generous sponsors for their support of our Car Raffle in 2021.

_________________________

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.

Careers

• Get savvy about your finances and complete the ‘FinLit’ program.
• Careers in early childhood education
• New criminology and policing degree! Study at the Victoria Policy Academy and Monash University
• Monash University – campus tours and science precinct tours
• National Youth Science Forum – applications close 5 December
• University of Melbourne VCE Summer School – applications now open
• Upcoming career events
  

• Year 9 and 10 students: university early admission programs
• Year 9 and 10 students: Santos Science Experience
• Year 11 students: National Youth Science Forum – applications closing soon
• Three amazing sports programs
• Competitions – photography, art, writing
• TAFE – free and low cost courses
• Articles on fashion and psychology
• The University of Melbourne – Fine Arts and Music
• University rankings
• Australian Jobs 2021
• Tourism and travel course at the Whitsunday Islands
• Upcoming career events
  

Sport Report

It was great to see sporting competitions resume this week after a long hiatus, with our Junior Basketball teams played in the HSSSD competition.  The boys, coached by Tim Woodmason, played at home in our De Chantal Stadium and were undefeated on the day.  The girls team, coached by Sharon Gillett, played in Terang.  The Year 7 and Year 8 MRC teams had the opportunity to play each other on the day, with the Year 7 team coming out on top – the Year 8 team is asking for a rematch!

Well done to all participants and a big thank you to coaches and umpires.

Alumni

Donation of Artwork to MRC

Last week, we had the honour of accepting a donation of two artworks  from Annette (Annie) Keil-Taggart.  In 1967, Annie finished Year 10 at St Patrick’s School, which was the predecessor school of Catholic Regional College and Mercy Regional College.

Annie is hoping that her artwork will encourage Mercy students to travel to remote places in Australia and overseas to experience different cultures.  ‘I believe it’s important to have things around us that broaden our horizons. Learning from other cultures and people helps us all live a much fuller life’, Annie says.

Annie remembers being inspired by paintings and scrolls from the Bible that were hanging on the walls at school when she was a student.  She recalls, ‘Those images truly stirred my imagination. I was fascinated by all the stories they conveyed and I was deeply touched when I was reminded of those stories in my travels to Israel’.

Annie’s artwork reflects her rich and fulfilling life journey.  The donated paintings of a girl from Belgo and a boy called Stephen Russell are a flashback to the time when Annie worked in the desert supporting the education of local communities.  ‘Stephen was my sister’s foster son.  Sadly, he died at an early age.  I depicted him with a pair of wings as I always think of him as my little guardian angel.  He was a very kind boy.’

We are grateful to Annie for her kind donation.  Her artwork will find a worthy spot on the walls of the College to give a glimpse of Annie’s life story to the younger generations.

Upcoming Dates and Events

20-29 November - Art & Technology Exhibition (Camperdown Courthouse)

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

Wednesday, 1 December - Mass of Thanksgiving & Year 7-11 Awards (recording will be shared with families following the event)

Wednesday, 1 December - Year 11 Final Day

Friday, 3 December - Years 7-10 Final Day

Friday, 3 December - Presentation Ball

Tuesday, 7 December - Year 7 2022 Orientation Day

Thursday, 9 December - Graduation Dinner

Thursday, 16 December - Office Closes (12pm)

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.

Community Notices

YouthFest 2021

It’s party time!  All welcome to Corangamite Youth Crews major event of the year!!!

 This Friday Corangamite Shire Youth Services together with Youth Council are holding YouthFest 2021, which is: 

• Live in Cobden at the Phoenix Project (limited release tickets available on Corangamite Youth Services Facebook Page or via YouthFest! 2021 Tickets, Fri 26/11/2021 at 6:30 pm Eventbrite
• Tickets include; entry, snack box, drink and professional photo (or photo-wall for selfies)
• Fully supervised FReeZA event
• $5 per ticket
• Great event for a young person’s first gig (we’re inclusive of all people – so the whole family is welcome)
• Or tune into the livestream on Facebook for free!

Entertainment Line up

• Hosted and presented by Corangamite Youth in the comfort of the Phoenix Project Cobden
• Cara (acoustic Celtic folk band for the warm up), featuring local talents Izzy Rowan, Grace Maloney along with their mate Rose Drummond from Anglesea.
• The Yowies (the perfect mix of surfie inspired blues… it’s cool trust me), Formed in Timboon these self-described local grommets will get you moving!!!
• Dylan J – (singer song writer and rapper) Home grown member of FReeZA, who’s teamed up with Ruel, Bliss n Eso in the past and has some rocking videos.

 Tickets to the ‘in-person’ show are strictly limited so get in quick!!!