MRC Newsletter - Issue 15 - 11 October 2022
Prayer
Principal's Message
Welcome to Term 4, Mercy! We have begun this term all together on our McAuley campus. There is an exciting buzz amongst both students and staff and while we are maximising use of every available classroom and outdoor space at recess and lunchtime, it has been a nice way to begin the term. We are most definitely celebrating our Mercy Core Value of Community!
The move to one campus was made to enable the refurbishment of our toilet and other facilities at our O’Keeffe Campus. We had anticipated this beginning in the school holidays but were notified on the last day of term that, like many jobs in the current building industry, we would unfortunately be delayed. We were also notified that before the build could commence we were now also required to install a new septic system. This will now be the beginning of our project. This is quite a large job as you can imagine and one that does necesitate closure of the campus. We will also begin the final works on our oval to plant additional turf sods and top dress the surface. Winter impacted the growth of our turf so we are looking forward to Spring for speedy growth! We will also create an outdoor gathering space in the form of a Yarning Circle. At this stage our Year 7 & 8 students will remain together with our Year 9 -12 students in Camperdown as planned until the end of Term 4 to allow works to continue as required.
Term 4 is always an exciting time with many celebrations involving our whole school community. We will induct our 2023 Senior Student Leaders to their new positions at our Investiture Ceremony on Wednesday 12 October. This is also the time when we show our gratitude to our 2022 Senior Student Leaders. I congratulate our new Senior Student Leadership Team. Congratulations to our MRC 2023 College Captains:
- Tahlia Berry - College Captain - Excellence
- Eloise Chivell - College Captain - Faith
- Jack Vaughan - College Captain - Community
A full list of all 2023 Senior Student Leaders is included below.
I thank all of our 2022 Senior Student Leaders for their leadership of our community including College Captains Jackson Gill and Carly Newcombe and Deputy Captains Lily Baker and Adam Henriksen. We will also formally farewell our 2022 Year 12 students at the Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony on Monday 17 October with their final day celebrated on Tuesday 18 October. We warmly welcome everyone in our community to attend the Graduation Mass.
Unit 4 exams begin for VCE students in both Year 12 and 11 with English on Wednesday 26 October. How quickly it now seems to have arrived. I thank and acknowledge Senior Community Leader Jeremy Baker and Assistant Dan Glennen, Senior Pathways Leader Danae Fraser and Senior Years Assistant and VET Coordinator Rose Henry for their work in support of our young people.
I had the pleasure of attending the Greater Western Region Athletics last week where more than 50 students represented Mercy Regional College across many events. I was immensely proud, as always, of the way our young people participated and the sportspersonship they demonstrated. We had many students qualify for the State championships next week and I wish them all the best. I congratulate all students but of note were exceptional performances by Safari, Hamish and Ruby who qualified in multiple individual events. Full results are included in the Sports section.
We welcome back from leave at the end of Term 3 Mrs Joanne Saunders, Ms Tina Jenkins, Mr Brendon Norman and Mrs Janet Backhaus. They look well rested and have shared enviable travel journeys with us! We thank those who took their classes whilst they were away. We also thank Ms Jean Christie and Mrs Leah Cheeseman who supported our students and staff in our Library Resource Centres over Term 3. Jean will stay on to work one day a week coordinating our preparations for our 2023 celebration of 50 years of CRC/MRC, something we are all looking forward to very much. We will share details as they become available. We also prepare to farewell Middle Years Community Leader and teacher Ms Caitlin Rix who will begin parental leave in Week 3. We wish Caitlin and Louis all the very best as they await the arrival of their first child. Caitlin’s leave will see some adjustments to leadership and teaching roles with Ms Nickeeta Roache as Middle Years Community Leader and Ms Tina Jenkins assisting and Mr Joel Rothman covering Year 9 Humanities, Mr Dan Glennen Year 9 Mathematics and Mrs Mel Simmonds Junior Wood.
I bring your attention to the upcoming opportunity for families to provide valuable feedback to us through the soon to be shared School Improvement Survey. The survey is conducted by Insight SRC on our behalf and the Catholic Education Office Ballarat. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents' and carers’ perceptions of their child’s experience of school at Mercy Regional College. The results will benefit everyone within the school by providing valuable information about the ways in which the school can use staff, student and parent input to plan programs and activities to improve your child's experience at school. A random selection of parents/carers will be sent an invitation to participate in this survey. Although we strongly encourage you to participate, your participation is voluntary. It is important to remember, however, that the success of this important project is dependent on parent and carer involvement. Students and staff are also surveyed and given the opportunity to contribute. I thank you in advance for your involvement.
Finally , please don’t forget our 2022 Car Raffle to be drawn on Wednesday 30 November with the major prize being a jazzy Renault Captur. Please share the link with your family and friends to give them an opportunity to be the lucky winner. Funds raised this year will go towards making our VCAL Coffee Business mobile. We always greatly appreciate your support.
We keep in our prayers the community of fellow Diocese of Ballarat school Loreto College Ballarat after many students and staff were injured in a bus accident on the way to the airport in the term break. We are grateful that all survived and wish those injured a speedy recovery.
With kindness
Sharon Gillett
Principal
Learning at MRC
Year 12 Oral Presentations
Friday 7 October saw the final Year 12 assessment task before the end of year exam - the nervously anticipated Oral Presentations. Fronting a panel of two English teachers, students were to present a sustained point of view on an issue currently discussed in the media for 4-6 minutes. Due in part to their great personal skills; and the fantastic preparation that the MRC Oratory Competition program provides; all students had no issue putting together well organised and supported presentations and delivering them with conviction and passion to their specific audience. Many thanks must go to the students and their parents for the support in putting these final presentations together; as well as Mrs Darcy and Mrs Thornton who dedicated their time and efforts to prepare students.
Debating - Junior School
Wednesday 12 October will see the first prepared debate for our Junior school debaters in the DAV Geelong Region Competition. As beginners in the competition, we will watch an example debate, before giving it a go ourselves arguing the negative on the proposition ‘that we should ban smoking in all public places.’ Best of luck to all!
Early Textlist - VCE in 2023
Textlists for VCE English and Literature in 2023 have now been finalised and will be released shortly to all families. This early release is vital to ensure all students are able to begin preparations for their VCE study in the coming year. It is an expectation for all VCE students that texts are read multiple times and prior to the beginning of explicit study in classes. This is recognised as the best practice for success and common across secondary schools in Victoria.
MRC’s recommendation is that all texts are read at least three to four times over the approximately one year of study for VCE Units 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 especially for those students aiming for a study school of 25 and above - the entry requirement for most university level courses. This is to ensure that students are prepared and able to engage with the complex learning activities and assessment tasks that are mandated by the VCAA study design. This approach will adequately prepare students for success especially in relation to the internal and external examinations that students will be exposed to. This could include listening to an audiobook version, reading particular sections or viewing an adaption.
The rough reading schedule for students is to read all texts before Christmas over the year before study; once after Christmas (before returning to school); and then at least once a term (1,2 and 3) before taking on their Unit 2 or 4 exam in mid Term 4.
Year 11 VCAL Job Camp
Our Year 11 VCAL students were introduced to the divine aromas of coffee in their barista training during their Job Camp experience at the end of Term 3. They are now trained in the basics of coffee making which will be of great value as they transition into their 2023 curriculum. This experience will help them get the 2023 coffee project off to a smashing start! They also completed their safe food handling certificate which will allow them to be employed in a range of hospitality environments. The VCAL students should be proud of these wonderful new employability skills to add to their resume!
Learning@Mercy Leadership Team - Natalie Stephenson, Danae Fraser, Lydia Darcy and Daniel Lee
College Fees
This is a friendly reminder that school fees are now due and payable for families who do not have an approved fee payment arrangement in place with the school. We ask that you please finalise your fee account as soon as possible.
Our College remains committed to working with our families as we get through these challenging times. Please contact our Business Manager, Judith Murfitt, to make an appointment to discuss your situation if you are having any troubles meeting your fee obligations. We wish to reassure Mercy families that we want to and will assist you in every way possible to support your child’s enrolment. Please make contact so we can help at finance@mercy.vic.edu.au.
Community & Wellbeing at MRC
Mental Health Month
The month of October is Mental Health Month. Mental Health Month is an annual event to raise awareness of mental health, reduce the stigma and discrimination against people living with mental illness, and promote positive wellbeing in the community. Keep an eye out on SIMON for details of upcoming events to help raise awareness of mental health well-being.
Student Voice Sustainability Talk
On Thursday 6 October, our Student Voice group were fortunate to host two guest speakers from Corangamite Shire - Waste and Sustainability Officer, Jessica Maxwell, and Youth Engagement Coordinator, Taylor Bonin.
Waste is very topical with our students and across our community. The students have been discussing the idea of seperating our food waste from our general waste as diverting recyclable material from landfill is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. Jessica and Taylor provided the College with numerous kitchen caddies to support the students' project of turning the organic waste into compost.
Taylor spoke to the students regarding some opportunities available to them through Corangamite Shire, such as upskilling for employment and recreational engagement. The aim of these programs is to remove barriers to participation and engage young people in both physical and social connection activities. The students were encouraged to put their ideas forward to the Youth Engagement Team. With the feedback and suggestions from our students, the Shire will aim to further develop the programs and services on offer to all youth.
Year 7 Special Persons’ Day
Our Junior campus was filled with excitement in the morning of 15 September as our Great 7 students welcomed the special people in their lives to the Special Persons’ Day. They Special Persons’ Day was combined with Year 7 Faith Day and gave the students a great opportunity to reflect on how they can be the best versions of themselves at school, at home and in the community.
The students were fortunate to interview some local legends - Peter Stephens, Diane Glennen and Peter Walsh - who spoke about their work, family, and service to others both locally and abroad. The special guests shared with the students stories of their own school days and passed on words of wisdom. Some guests even managed to have their portraits sketched by the talented Year 7 artist Tilda.
The liturgy, morning tea and classroom activities had a wonderful vibe of connection, care and genuine pride. We thank everyone who came to spend this beautiful morning with our students!
NCCD Information for Parents, Carers and Guardians
Please find below the link to an information sheet regarding Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) On School Students with Disability.
Wellbeing Team - Berni Sinnott, Sharon Suhan, Matthew Crane
O'Keeffe Comunity Leader - Emily Stephens
Faith at MRC
Catholic Identity Professional Learning
Our MRC staff started the term on Monday 3 October with a Catholic Identity Professional Learning Day celebrated by the theme ‘Walking Forwards Together in Reconciliation’. The day started with a performance and a Smoking Ceremony led by Lee Morgan from Songlines Aboriginal Music Corporation. MRC staff then walked to to the Indigenous Community Garden to learn more about the restoration work of our VCAL students and reflect on the significance of the site.
In the afternoon, the staff participated in informative sessions and hands-on activities which included storytelling with natural materials led by Emma Stenhouse Art, a historical tour of Camperdown, native tree planting, cooking bush foods, creative painting, learning about Aboriginal books and music. We thank our guest speakers and presenters for sharing their valuable knowledge with the staff.
A Thank You Note from Camperdown Uniting Church
Our staff were fortunate to receive a gift of appreciation on their first day of Term 4 - a beautiful collection of homemade treats from Camperdown Uniting Church. The note from Rev Suzie Castle read "with thanks to you all for the wisdom and care you put into the lives of the children and their families".
The College works in partnership with the church to supply community lunches for the local parishioners once a term. Meals, cooked and served by MRC students, are warmly welcomed by the community. The next lunch hosted by MRC will be held at the church tomorrow - Wednesday 12 October - and is open for everyone to attend.
Kellie Wison - Catholic Identity, Mission & Ethos Leader
Sports Report
On 6 October a large group of Mercy athletes travelled to the Llanberris Reserve in Ballarat to compete in the GWR Track and Field event. The MRC team marked the day by a fantastic performance, bringing home an array of medals.
We thank all participants and congratulate our numerous medallists:
Third Places
- Piper S - U/13 girls - High Jump and Long Jump
- Nellie S - U/15 girls - Shot Put and Javelin
- Darcy H - U/15 boys - High Jump
- Sophie C - U/16 girls - 100m, 200m
- Rhys U - U/16 boys - 100m
- Ella S - U/16 girls - Shot Put
- Jack V - U/17 boys - 100m
- Oscar C - U/17 boys - High Jump
- Lara T - U/17 girls - 200m
- Holly D - U/20 girls - Shot Put
- Gryff D - U/20 boys - 1500m
- Susanna R - U/20 girls - 1500m
- Relay - 12-13 boys
- Relay - U/16 girls
Second Places
- Nate S - U/13 boys - 100m, 200m, Discus and Shot Put
- Thomas H - U/13 boys - Javelin
- Hamish M - U/14 boys - 400m
- Indi C - U/14 girls - 100m, 200m and Discus
- Archie T - U/15 boys - 100m
- Myles S - U/16 boys - 200m
- Sophie C - U/16 girls - 400m
- Oscar C - U/17 boys - 400m
- Gryff D - U/20 boys - 800m
- Susanna R - U/20 girls - 200m
- Holly D - U/20 girls - Javelin
- Relay - 12-13 girls
- Relay - U/15 girls
- Relay - U/17 girls
- Relay - U/20 boys
GWR gold medallists heading off to the States. Absent from the photo: Safari M, Gryff D.
A special mention goes to the winners of gold medals who will represent the College at the state level on Monday 17 October:
- Ava C - U/13 girls - 1500m
- Piper - U/13 girls - 800m
- Hamish M - U/14 boys - Triple and Long Jump
- Ruby D - U/15 girls - 100m, 200m, High Jump, Triple and Long Jump
- Archie T - U/15 boys - 800m
- Myles S - U/16 boys - 400m, 800m
- Rhys U - U/16 boys - Triple Jump
- Myles S, Rhys U, Ben M and Jonty R - Under 16 boys – Relay
- Safari M - U/20 boys - 100m, 200m, 400m
- Gryff D - U/20 boys - High Jump
Well done, Team Mercy, and good luck at the States!
Library News
Only two days is left until the next session of our Book Club. Come and join our group of book lovers for a nice discussion.
Date: Thursday 13 October
Book: 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Tyalor Jenkins Reid
MRC Car Raffle
Raffle Ticket Stall
Now that the weather is warming up, it is wonderful to see our car raffle stall out and about. It was a great success at the Camperdown Show last weekend. The stall proves to be a great way of promoting our raffle to all those who are unable to purchase tickets online.
We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has signed up to volunteer at the ticket stall. We do not have a mandatory roster, but we invite our families to choose a suitable time and date on our list and put their name down for a shift or two. Our car raffle ticket stall travels to different towns around the region, giving everyone an opportunity to volunteer at our fundraiser.
Upcoming Dates for Car Raffle Stall:
- Sun 16 October - Warrnambool Fresh Food Market (Lake Pertobe), 8.30am - 1pm
- Sat 29 October - Port Campbell street stall, 9am - 1pm
- Sun 6 November - Camperdown Market, 9am - 1pm
- Sat 12 November - Terang street stall, 11am - 1pm
- Sat 19 November - Noorat Show, 9am-5pm
- Sun 20 November - Cobden Family Day (in place of Spring Festival), 9am - 4pm
If you or your family could spare some time to volunteer, please pick a shift via the form below. Your support will be greatly appreciated!
Buy Tickets Online
Thank you for buying our Car Raffle tickets online. Every ticket helps us reach our target to purchase a mobile coffee trailer for our VCAL students. The tickets are also available at the College reception, local cafes and shops that have paper ticket books.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Career News
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
- Important tertiary reminders
- Scholarships
- Accommodation
YEAR 11 STUDENTS
- University of Melbourne VCE Summer School
- Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
ALL STUDENTS
- Film competition
- Shorts courses in shipbuilding and personal branding
- Career events
Staff Achievements
We congratulate our staff member Teresa Matthews who was recognised for her volunteer contribution to Community Sport and Recreation. Teresa attended a reception at Government House on Thursday 1 September where her achievements were celebrated by the Governor of Victoria the Honourable Linda Dessau AC and Anthony Howard AM QC.
Alumni News
Photo credit: Colac Herald
Max Bond, Class of 2019
Congratulations to our former student Max Bond (Class of 2019) on receiving a DemoDAIRY Foundation scholarship to join a five-day study tour in New Zealand in the upcoming weeks. The tour will be focused on dairy farming systems.
Max works on a dairy farm in Cooriemungle and takes every opportunity he can to boost his knowledge, skills and professional ties with the farming community. Well done Max!
Class Reunions
We are looking forward to welcoming our alumni for their milestone reunions. Save the date and join your former classmates for a campus tour followed by a casual night of reminiscing and catching up.
Regardless of how many years you attended the College for, you are still part of your graduating class and are welcome to attend the reunion.
CRC Class of 1992 - 30th Reunion
Note the venue change from the Commercial Hotel to Hampden Hotel, Camperdown.
Please RSVP at https://cutt.ly/Class-92-30th-Reunion. Email us at alumni@mercy.vic.edu.au or contact Narelle Kerr with any questions.
MRC Class of 2012 - 10th Reunion
Please RSVP at https://cutt.ly/Class-12-10th-Reunion. Email us at alumni@mercy.vic.edu.au or contact Daniel Watson with any questions.
Update your contact details on our Alumni Database to receive an invitation to your class reunion, once the details are finalised - bit.ly/mrc-alumni.
If you are planning your class reunion, please let us know at alumni@mercy.vic.edu.au and we will help you promote your event.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Wednesday 12 October - Community Lunch
Student Leaders Investiture Ceremony & Liturgy
Junior Debating
Wednesday 12 October - Thursday 13 October - RIST - Wool Industry Overview Program
Thursday 13 October - Year 7 Immunisations
Year 1 Allied Health Excursion
MRC Book Club
Friday 14 October - Year 8 STEAM Incursion Day
Year 9 Retreat
Monday 17 October - State Championships - Track & Field
Year 12 Graduation Mass & Awards Ceremony @7pm
Tuesday 18 October - Year 12's Final Day
Wednesday 19 October - Year 9 Computer Applications Excursion
Mental Health Awareness BBQ & Odd Sock Day
Netball Constellation Cup
Thursday 20 October - Careers Presentation
Friday 21 October - Junior Tennis
Year 11 Physics Excursion
Year 11 VCAL Mount Noorat Activity Day
Year 9 Respect Cup
Tuesday 25 October - GWR Junior Cricket
Wednesday 26 October - Junior Debating
Thursday 27 October - Year 7 Faith Day
Friday 28 October - GWR Junior Basketball
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
