MRC Newsletter - Issue 9 - 14 June 2022
Prayer
Principal's Message
Welcome to Winter! With darker mornings, shorter days, rain, icy winds and cold, continuing many of our regular activities sometimes requires a little more motivation and many require adaptation. Warmer clothes are welcomed and indoor activities replace those normally enjoyed outside. This has been the case for our students with warmer uniform options making an appearance and the MPA, library and the De Chantel Stadium at McAuley being popular places to spend recess and lunchtime. I thank our students for their attention to wearing their winter uniform options well and for respecting the warm indoor spaces provided for them to relax in. One of the more enjoyable aspects of winter outside of hot chocolates and chicken soup is snow! Our students and staff preparing for their Alpine experience in July are very pleased with our latest cold snap!
Despite the cold weather in Week 6, our Indigenous Perspectives Adventure was finally able to proceed. The experience was definitely worth the wait and persistence from all accounts. Thank you to our staff Claire Virgona and Matthew Crane who gave their time to accompany the eleven participants for the week and thank you also to our program partners from Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative Paul Wright and Clint Miller. We look forward to refining the experience ready for those interested in participating in 2023. A more detailed report is included later in the Newsletter.
These last few weeks of term will see students focused on the completion of tasks that demonstrate their learning across the Semester. This is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their growth across many different learning areas. We recognise the impact that COVID and the flu continue to have on attendance at school and commend the work of teachers in ensuring that all students have had access to continuity of learning and to students for continuing to work hard whether at home or at school. We thank parents for their ongoing support across these next few focused weeks. Reports will be available at the end of the term on PAM.
This term has also seen a return to a full program of school sport and excursions to complement and enhance learning. The commitment of staff and students to these much valued opportunities is to be commended as missing classes to participate most often requires additional work outside of school to ensure in class learning is not compromised. Thank you to all involved for your commitment and representation of our school in these opportunities. A full sports report follows but I take a moment to recognise our inter school golfers Fred and Caleb who both played very well in freezing conditions at the recent School Sport Victoria Boys Championships at Yarra Yarra Golf Course. Fred came 13th (+8) and Caleb 36th(+28) with the winner finishing with -3! A fantastic opportunity for both players.
We will share with you a suite of new policies relating to the new Child Safety Standards which come into effect on 1 July, 2022. There will be eleven new standards replacing the existing seven standards and principles. DOBCEL as our governing body are preparing these and we will publish them for you on our website and for parents and carers in PAM - Parent Resources.
With the term break just a few weeks away it is not too early to plan for some down time to relax and recharge for those who have the chance to do so. I enjoy reading the insights shared by influential spiritual writer Joan Chittester O.S.B. Joan’s most recent newsletter discussed the ever increasing speed of modern life and the need for us to make time for “a good rest”. I share part of Joan’s excerpt below.
A GOOD REST
Turn off the television and read a good book. Quit texting and ride your bike. Close the computer and go to a movie. Don’t answer any emails. Don’t try to “get ahead”. Don’t take any callbacks. And during the family dinner, turn off the phone. And when the television is on, watch it instead of talking through it. Reclaim your life, your thoughts, your personality, your friends, your family.
As Ashleigh Brilliant says, “Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.”
As the proverb teaches, “A good rest is half the work.” At least, that is, if you really want to be productive.
- Excerpted from Between the Dark and the Daylight by Joan Chittister
With kindness
Sharon Gillett
Principal
Learning at MRC
End of Semester Exams and Assessments
The Semester 1 examinations are just around the corner for our senior students, and this can create a level of stress amongst our students and families at home. The objective of exams is to not only test a student's knowledge but to do this under pressure, and mirror the style of assessments that we currently see in obtaining VCE or TAFE and University degrees. As adults we understand that life does not provide us with a leave pass from pressure situations that demand us to show a level of grit and perseverance. Having to work through situations such as exams and assessment periods, teaches our young people more than just subject matter. They learn about self-regulation, organisation, and accountability.
Ways in which parents and carers can support their teens as they head into exam periods is to maintain a calm and supportive environment. Perhaps a copy of the exam timetable on the fridge and chat each day about how things are going and whether or not they are fueling their brain and body with enough good food and rest.
End of Semester Reports
End of Semester reports will be available online through PAM on the afternoon of Friday 24 June. The report contains information about the work undertaken in each subject over the course of the semester. The report layout includes:
- An outline of the course studied
- Achievement against the Victorian Curriculum / VCE / VCAL / VET learning progressions or outcomes
- Work habits
- Results of summative assessments (see the report cover page for specific details)
- Subject attendance
Assessment task results are available for parents and carers in Learning Areas in PAM continuously. Your PAM account requires a valid and current email address to be verified. Without a verified email address, you may be missing communication from your child’s subject teacher. To ensure you are receiving all email communication please logon to PAM and verify your preferred email address. Please contact reception@mercy.vic.edu.au if you have any difficulties.
Change to Semester 2 Parent Teacher Student Interview Times
Thank you to the nearly 70 respondents to the short sharp survey seeking feedback on the logistics and timing of the last round of interviews. Overwhelmingly, families were happy to continue with online interviews and showed a preference to schedule these early in the week. We have changed the dates and times to accommodate more slots for online interviews and allowed for a smaller late afternoon window for those families who still prefer a face to face chat.
Monday 8 August:
- 4-7pm online
Tuesday 9 August:
- 12noon - 3pm online
- 3.30pm - 6.30pm on site (to allow for parents who still want a face to face chat)
Please note that classes will not be running on Tuesday 9 August to allow our young people to participate in their learning conversations with teachers and carers.
$20 Boss Business Visits Noorat
Our students in the Year 10 $20 Boss elective have been working hard this term to create and run their own small business. Any profits that the class makes are donated to charity organisations. As the term comes to an end, the students reflect on their learning and the College community savour the wonderful results of their work!
The ‘Shake Shack’ team visited the O'Keeffe Campus so our junior students could also enjoy delicious milkshakes. The young entrepreneurs did an exceptional job making, cleaning, serving, and talking to their younger schoolmates. The milkshakes were an absolute hit with everyone.
Thank you to our $20 Boss teacher Tania Bruckner for all her work behind the scenes to help make the ‘Shake Shack’ such a success.
Year 10 Drone Activity
Our Year 10 STEM students have been expanding their drone experience through a range of tasks using the larger 'Phantom' drone. This industry-standard professional drone has allowed the students to extend their technical navigation skills and complete a drone photography task of our beautiful McAuley Campus.
Year 12 Studio Art
During Semester 1, our Year 12 Studio Art students have been exploring individual ideas, materials, aesthetics and processes which will culminate in finished artworks next term. The images are a snapshot of some of the trials students have undertaken.
Sarah has focused on exploring the concept of 'identity - specifically past, present and future selves'.
Hayley's themes relate to the ideas of beginnings, afterlife and conflict.
Veni has been exploring the theme of Nature and 'experiencing nature as a way of being'.
Learning@Mercy Leadership Team - Natalie Stephenson, Danae Fraser, Lydia Darcy and Daniel Lee
Domain Leader of STEAM, VCAL Leader - Claire Virgona
$2o Boss Teacher - Tania Bruckner
Studio Art Teacher - Christine Norton
MRC Enrolments 2023
Enrolment information and applications are now open on our website for potential Year 7 students for 2023 as well as students for any other year levels who may wish to join our Mercy Regional College community. We will host a tour at our Noorat campus on Wednesday 15 June. Please contact College Registrar Nicole Darcy for further details. At Mercy, everyone is welcomed and included!
Community & Wellbeing at MRC
MRC 50th Anniversary Committee
As you know, Mercy Regional College is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 and we would like to make the year truly memorable, with a range of events to cater to all tastes and ages.
We are seeking expressions of interest to join our 50th Anniversary Committee. The Committee will help with selection and organisation of activities to mark the anniversary throughout next year. We greatly appreciate your support and participation!
Indigenous Perspective Adventure
Mercy Regional College celebrated National Reconciliation Week by participating in Worn Gundidj's inaugural Indigenous Perspective Adventure Camp. Students from Years 8, 9 & 12 experienced a week of learning on Gundjitmara land with Paul Wright and Clint Miller. After the smoking ceremony at the O'Keeffe Campus, the students departed for a once in a lifetime experience discovering the Aboriginal history and cultural significance of the land we are borrowing from its traditional owners.
The group explored the land, learning how to identify (and eat!) a range of bush foods and medicines. The students learned how to throw a boomerang, weave baskets and eel traps and make spears. They discovered archaeological evidence of aquaculture, farming and ancient stone structures at Budj Bim. They explored ancient rock paintings at Bunjil's cave and visited culturally significant sites in the Grampians, discovering the area's history.
The Indigenous Perspective Adventure gave the students a fantastic opportunity to deepen the sense of connection and respect for the country we are on and people we are with.
We thank all the organisers and participants of this wonderful trip and look forward to making it a regular cultural adventure.
Life Skills and Resilience
Goal Setting and Wellbeing
We can help young people achieve good levels of wellbeing and resilience by helping them improve their problem solving and social skills, setting achievable goals and identifying and becoming aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. Goals should be realistic, achievable and motivating. One way to increase motivation and minimise the pressure of failure is to teach students to set smaller, achievable targets. As an important tool for building confidence, students should be encouraged to practise self-talk and avoid negative self-talk.
Student-Centred Teachers
A teacher who is student-centred does not have a “one size fits all” approach to teaching. Instead, they start with where their students are at and take them where they want to go. They use each student's own strengths, interests, goals and dreams as the beginning point for learning. They are then able to actively assist students in developing mastery and competency for each of their subjects based on the students own interest and future plans. A student-centred teacher taps into the student’s intrinsic motivation and their existing drive for learning.
Time Management
Time management skills are the most vital skills students can develop. It is important to learn to use spare time wisely. For example, morning and afternoon bus rides to and from school can be used to do any required reading or revision, this may mean they have less to do once they arrive home. Once students have completed study tasks, they can reward themselves by doing something they love, visiting friends, watching television or browsing the net! It is important that students stay balanced and avoid study overload by making time for other activities.
Wellbeing Team - Berni Sinnott, Sharon Suhan, Matthew Crane
Domain Leader of STEAM, VCAL Leader - Claire Virgona
Faith at MRC
Frayne House Feast Day
On Thurday 9 June we celebrated the Feast Day of our Frayne House. The green Frayne House was named after Ursula Frayne and is honoured on the anniversary of her death.
Ursula Frayne (5 October 1816 – 9 June 1885), born Clara Frayne, was an Irish nun who became a Mother Superior of the Sisters of Mercy and spent her life in missionary work, initially in Canada but largely in Australia developing schools and academies.
In 1846, she was appointed to lead the mission to staff Catholic schools in Perth Western Australia established by the Bishop of Perth, John Brady. The Sisters experienced great hardships, but Ursula refused to be deterred and began establishing a fee paying secondary school to help fund their work. By 1856, the Sisters of Mercy schools in Western Australia were very well established and successful.
She was asked by Bishop James Goold in Melbourne to set up a similar structure in Victoria. She arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and began a period of rapid expansion. The Sisters of Mercy eventually spread throughout Victoria and have been instrumental in educating generations of young Australians.
In Camperdown, the Sisters of Mercy took over the teaching of students at the Catholic primary school with the establishment of the convent in 1908. In the same year, St Thomas’ Primary School was established and staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. St. Joseph’s Noorat began in 1924 and St Colman’s Primary School was begun in 1951. Mercy Regional College grew and developed from these schools.
Ursula Frayne died in 1885 at the home convent at Nicholson Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne. During her life, she wrote copiously and her letters reveal her to be a person who had the qualities needed to achieve success. These qualities include intelligence, wisdom, tenacity, endurance, devotion and obedience to the rules of her order and a great sense of humour.
Kellie Wilson - Catholic Identity, Mission and Ethos Leader
Sports Report
HSSSD Intermediate & Senior Netball
The HSSSD Intermediate and Senior Netball tournament was held on 24 May at the Terang staduum. MRC was represented by 2 senior teams and 3 intermediate teams who played against Timboon P-12, Camperdown College, Cobden Technical School, Terang College, and of course each other.
All our netballers did an amazing job, defending the College colours with pride and fairness. One of the highlights of the day was a game between our senior teams, aka 'Kerryn’s Kats' and 'Zoe’s Zebras'. They played with such passion and truly enjoyed every minute of it.
Our warmest congratulations to two Mercy teams that made it through the day without a single loss. They are moving to the next level and will play at GWR Intermediate and Senior Netball on 17 June in Ballarat. Let's wish them Good Luck!
HSSSD Intermediate Boys Netball
Last Monday was a historic day for MRC netball as our first ever boys team competed in an interschool tournament. Our intermediate netballers played very well, winning both of their games against Cobden Technical School and Camperdown College.
Congratulations to Team Mercy and a big ‘Thank you’ to Mr Woodmason, George, Ava and Tahlia for coaching, scoring and umpiring on the day. What a perfect launch of male netball at the College!
GWR Year 7 & 8 Girls Football
On Thursday 9 June, our Year 7 and 8 students represented the College at the GWR Girls Football in Warrnambool. The girls played 4 games, against Emmanuel College, Trinity College, Ballarat High School and Horsham College.
Our team won two of their games, demonstrating great synergy and team spirit. Well done girls and Coach George!
- Mercy - 4.4 = 28
Emmanuel - 0.0 = 0 - Mercy - 2.1 = 13
Trinity - 1.0 = 6 - Mercy - 0.0 = 0
Ballarat - 4.5 = 29 - Mercy - 1.1 = 7
Horsham - 4.2 = 26
Library News
Book Club
Our Book Club had to be rescheduled last Monday due to several club members being ill. Please stay tuned for the new date. We look forward to seeing our book lovers back at the College! Please contact Maureen O'Loughlan if you have any queries.
Maureen O'Loughlan
Library Manager
MRC Car Raffle 2022
Car Raffle Tickets
Our Car Raffle is off to a good start. We thank everyone who has already bought their tickets and helped us promote the raffle.
You can either purchase your tickets online, or visit the College reception to pay for the tickets with cash. You will aslo find our raffle tickets at numerous stores, cafes, and offices around the region.
This year we have a unique offer – 13 tickets for $100! On buying the whole bundle before 2 August, you will receive a bonus Early Bird ticket that will go into a manual draw for a $300 MRC School Voucher.
Car Raffle Prizes
There are 10 great prizes to win, including a Renault Captur, an Apple Watch and a Timboon Tiny Homes holiday voucher. A full list of prizes is available at the link below.
Support Our Raffle
As always, we are sincerely grateful to our community for their continuous support of our fundraiser.
We have reverted to the old-style ticket books and are hoping for the help from our local businesses and individuals with selling the tickets. If you are willing to help, please either contact the College reception on 03 5593 2011 or community@mercy.vic.edu.au to ask for an extra ticket book to distribute among your friends, family, colleagues, or customers. When selling the whole book of 13 tickets, you will receive an Early Bird ticket as a 'Thank You' for your efforts. Return the Early Bird Ticket with your details, money, and ticket butts by 3pm on Tuesday 26 July to be entered in the Early Bird draw. The Early Bird prize will be drawn on 2 August at 1pm, at Mercy Regional College, McAuley Campus, Camperdown.
Volunters Needed!
Our Car Raffle ticket stall is returning to the street to allow for face-to-face ticket sales.
We kindly ask our Mercy community for assistance with running the stall. The upcoming stall dates are:
Camperdown:
- Saturday 18 June - Camperdown Betta Home Living
- Monday 20 June - Woolworths
- Saturday 2 July - Robert Burns Festival
- Sunday 3 July - Crafts Market
Terang:
- Saturday 25 June - Greavesy's Fruit & Veg Market
- Sunday 26 June - Terang Mass
Port Campbell:
- Saturday 9 July - Forage on the Foreshore
If you or your family could spare some time to volunteer at our ticket stall, please pick a shift via the form below. Your support will be greatly appreciated!
Special Thanks
We would like to express our gratitude to our generous sponsors:
We would also like to thank all the businesses that are supporting our raffle through selling the tickets on our behalf.
FAQ
Click on the link below for more information about the Car Raffle including FAQ and Terms & Conditions.
Student Achievements
Netball Association Championship Games
We sincerely congratulate many of our Mercy students who represented their leagues in the Netball Association Championship on 5 June. We are proud of your efforts and dedication to sport.
Photo source: Hampden FNL
Photo source: Warrnamboool & District FNL
Photo source: CDFNL
Nate, Year 7
Congratulations to our Year 7 student Nate who played for CDFNL in Interleague Football match versus Central Highlands on Sunday 5 June. Nate was the only U13 player who represented the Simpson FNC. He played a good game in the wet and cold conditions and was named one of the best palyers on the day.
Career News
Topics in Career News this weeks are:
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
- Apply for university now! Early entry program dates and information
- Medicine & Dentistry – course guides and key dates
- Australian Defence Force – gap year program and ADFA
- CASPer Test – for nursing at Victoria University and initial teacher education courses in Victoria
- Employment opportunities in agriculture and information technology
- Law Admissions Test (LAT) – UNSW
- Scholarship programs for high achieving students
- Events: UNSW and Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership
YEAR 11 & 12 STUDENTS
- Monash University – Business Explorer event
YEAR 11 STUDENTS
- National Youth Science Forum
YEAR 9 & 10 STUDENTS
- The Santos Science Experience
ALL STUDENTS
- Focus on open days and open day dates
- Careers in dental science
- The Good Universities Guide
- #MathsTrainsBrains website
- Focus on psychology careers
- Careers with STEM: maths and data e-magazine and 16 amazing job kits
- Dates for your diary
- Interested in health promotion and public health?
- Wildlife conservation courses
- Careers in veterinary nursing
- Study skills resources
Careers Seminar
All parents and carers are invited to attend a Careers Seminar presented by Neil Porter Legacy.
Alumni News
Class Reunions
We are calling out to the graduating classes of milestone years who are due to have a reunion in 2022. If you are planning an event, please contact the College at alumni@mercy.vic.edu.au or 03 5593 2011. We will be happy to help you promote your event and organise a campus tour for your group.
- Graduating Class of 1977 – 45 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 1982 – 40 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 1987 – 35 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 1992 – 30 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 1997 – 25 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 2002 – 20 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 2007 – 15 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 2012 – 10 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 2017 – 5 Years Reunion
- Graduating Class of 2021 – 1 Year Reunion
We are also supporting the reunions that were postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19. If your class is due for a 40+1, 30+1, 20+1, etc. reunion, it’s a perfect time to get together in 2022!
Class of 1987 - 35th Reunion
Saturday 15 October 2022
The Class of 1987 are excited to get together and remember all the good times at their 35th reunion on Saturday 15 October. If you were part of that class, save the date and update your details on our Alumni database at the link below to receive news about the upcoming event.
Stay Connected
We encourage all our past students to update their details on the Alumni database by clicking on the link below. We would like our past students to stay connected with the College community and keep up-to-date with Alumni events and reunions. If you have any questions or suggestions relating to MRC Alumni, please contact Alumni Coordinator Katya Belokon at alumni@mercy.vic.edu.au.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Tuesday 14 June - VCAL Careers Expo
VCE Chemistry Excursion
Debating Round 3
Wednesday 15 June - Year 11 English Oral Presentation
Year 12 Elevate Presentation
Tour of O’Keeffe Campus
Thursday 16 June - Ancient History Excursion
HSSSD Junior Football/Netball
PTE Tree Top Adventure Excursion
Friday 17 June - GWR Intermediate Boys Football
GWR Intermediate/Senior Netball
Wednesday 22 June - GWR Junior Netball
Boys Year 7 Football
Thursday 23 June - GWR Boys Intermediate Netball
Friday 24 June - Reports Released to Parents
Term 2 Concludes
PLEASE NOTE: The Catholic Identity Day for Staff has been rescheduled from Monday 18 July to Monday 11 July due to the unavailability of the guest speaker.
College dates for 2022 can be viewed through the Parent Access Module (PAM), including all term dates, student free days, camps and retreats.
Community Notices
