Senior School
Thank You, Senior School Community
As we wrap up another incredible school year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our senior school community. Congratulations to everyone on a fabulous year—it’s been inspiring to witness the growth, resilience, and achievements of our students. Your hard work and dedication have truly shone through.
I’m excited to see what 2025 will bring and look forward to another year of learning, growth, and success. Wishing you all a wonderful and well-deserved break!
Unit 3 classes
Monday and Tuesday are the final 2 days for unit 3 subjects.
Unit 1 classes
Classes will continue until Thursday.
Final Day for Year 11 students - Thanksgiving Mass and Awards
Year 11 students will conclude Tuesday 3rd of December. This day will include periods 1-3 as usual, and periods 4-6 will be the end of year mass.
All parents are invited to this mass, as our final celebration as a school community. On Tuesday, December 3, our Final Mass for the year will be celebrated at St Patrick Church, Camperdown by Fr. Michael.
Following Mass will be the award ceremony for the Yr 7 -11 students will be conducted, acknowledging outstanding achievements for 2024.
The Car raffle winners will also be announced.
2024 Car Raffle
Help us raise funds for a new College bus! Our annual Car Raffle, with an MG ZS Excite (demo) from Callaghan Motors and 8 more brilliant prizes. The raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 3 December.
Raffle tickets are also available online for $20 at https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/
Permit No: 10241/24
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Week 9
Monday 2 December - Unit 1 and 3 Classes
Tuesday 3 December - Unit 1 and 3 Classes P-3, Thanksgiving Mass and End of Year Awards - St Patrick's Church Camperdown @ 12.40pm
Last Day for Year 11 Students
Wednesday 4 December - Unit 1 Classes
Thursday 5 December - Unit 1 Classes
Friday 6 December - Activity Day
Middle School
Welcome
As we reach the end of the school year, we want to celebrate the remarkable achievements achieved by our middle school students. This extends across every aspect of school life, encompassing the classroom, the sporting field, community involvement, debating, and much more. Throughout the year, they have shown determination and growth and have continued to grow into respected and engaged members of our wider community. Many achievements from the year will be celebrated at our whole school thanksgiving mass, next Tuesday. Parents are most welcome to attend the event, to be held at St Patrick’s Church Camperdown.
As the holiday season approaches, I wish you and your families a safe, restful period filled with joy and quality time with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2025. If your family’s time at MRC is coming to an end at the end of 2025, we wish you all the best for the new adventures ahead!
Locker tidy up / books & materials
Please check in with your young person and ensure they have brought everything home from their lockers. There are a number of (unnamed) text books floating around middle school, and it would be great to return these to their owners for the use of younger siblings, or to sell on. A reminder if you are buying materials online or second hand for 2025, ensure that you are purchasing the correct edition.
Middle School Exam Period
Students have been shared the Middle School Exam Timetables, as below. At Middle School exams are not only an opportunity to demonstrate learning, but also a valuable exercise in study, time management and coping with nerves.
Year 10 students conducted themselves well during their exams, with clear focus. Teachers will be marking exams and results will be viewed on SIMON in the coming weeks and on the end of semester school reports. Year 9 exam timetable is as below.
Year 10 Transition into Senior School
All year 10’s students have now made a start on all their Unit 1 and 2 subjects. Over this coming week students will continue to work through the first outcomes in these subjects. They will also receive holiday homework that is to be completed by the end of Jan 2025.
Should your child be away over this next week, they will need to reach out to their teacher to collect their holiday homework. The Year 10 cohort have certainly hit the ground running with their step up into Senior School, and we are proud of how they have conducted themselves in navigating confusing timetables, new classes and teachers without the homeroom structure of Years 7-10.
2025 Electives
Year 9 students have received confirmation of their 2025 Elective subjects. Please check in with your young person about this. If there are any questions or concerns, please make contact with the school via reception.
Final Day Activities
We are in the process of finalising the End of Year Activities for Year 9 and Year 10 students. The year will end with a day of off site activities for each Year level on Friday December 6th. These are always a great end to the year.
Thank you to those families that have completed PAM permissions promptly. If you have not completed your child’s PAM permissions, please do so ASAP.
Year 10s - please ensure you bring your signed Waiver back so that you can participate on the ropes courses at TreeTop Adventures. Parents - please complete the relevant section with your details as your young people are under 18. Both the paper copy of the Waiver and the PAM permission must be filled in for students to attend on the day.
White Card Training
White card training will again be offered to students at Year 9. The white card is for any student who intends to complete Work Experience, Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) or a School Based Apprenticeship (SBA) with a trade, or are completing a VET certificate through school or a registered RTO in 2025. Information has been sent home to those students who are completing this training. If any student has not registered and is going into a VET course next year, please contact Rose Henry.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2/12/2024
Tuesday 3/12/2024
Vinnies Christmas Giving
As we do every year, Mercy Regional College is involved in important fundraising for the Vinnie’s Christmas Giving program. This program ensures that families in our area who may be struggling are able to have what they need to celebrate Christmas. Each homeroom is allocated gifts to purchase, and we ask that students please bring in $5 to go towards the cost of these gifts. We thank families for their kind donations. Anyone yet to bring in their donation, please do so and give it to your homeroom teacher.
2024 Car Raffle
Help us raise funds for a new College bus! Our annual Car Raffle, with an MG ZS Excite (demo) from Callaghan Motors and 8 more brilliant prizes. The Raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 3 December.
Raffle tickets are also available online for $20 at https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/
Permit No: 10241/24
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 9
Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December -White Card Training
Tuesday 3 December - Thanksgiving Mass and 7-11 Awards St Patrick's Church Camperdown @ 12.40pm
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December - Year 9 Exam Program
Friday 6 November - Activity Day and Last Day of School
Junior School
Thank You
As we enter Week 9, the final week of the school year for our students, it’s a time filled with a mix of emotions; excitement, relief, fatigue, and anticipation for what lies ahead in 2025.
For our Year 8 students, this marks the end of their Junior schooling journey. We eagerly look forward to seeing them step into Middle School, ready to embrace new triumphs and challenges. Meanwhile, I wish our Year 7 students a smooth and confident transition as they return in 2025, become the big kids on Campus, and help make a smooth transition for the incoming Year 7’s for 2025.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and restful summer break, and look forward to the students returning refreshed and eager to embrace the next chapter of their Mercy journey. Thank you for your support throughout 2024. As someone new to this role, I have truly appreciated the challenges and opportunities it has brought. I look forward to another exciting year filled with growth and achievements in 2025.
Mass of Thanksgiving and Awards Ceremony - Tuesday 3 December
The Mass and Awards Ceremony will be held at St Patrick’s Church Camperdown on Tuesday 3 December. Mass will commence at 12.40pm, followed by the presentation of our class, year level and subject awards. The 2024 Car raffle winners will also be announced. Parents are very welcome to attend.
The Year 7 and 8 students will spend the day at the McAuley Campus. Students should catch their regular buses and they will be divereted to Camperdown. Students will also leave at the end of the day from the McAuley Campus.
Junior Assembly
We will be conducting a Junior Assembly on Thursday 5 December during Period 6 (2.13pm-2.50pm). This will be facilitated by our young leaders and will include a celebration of the year that was and end of term awards.
Last Day - Activity Day Friday 6 December
As has been communicated over the past couple of weeks the students last day will be Friday 6 December. All students will be required to be in sports uniform on the day. Please refer to the PAM permission for the details.
Year 7: Adventure Park, Geelong
Year 8: City Memorial Bowls Club, Warrnambool
If your child is unable to attend, please contact the school prior to the day of possible. This helps with transport and food requirements.
Booklists for 2025
Please find below a link to the letter that accompanies the 2025 booklists. The letter contains details about how to order items and year level and book list item information. The booklists can also be found on PAM. Any concerns or enquiries regarding booklist please contact ldelahunty@mercy.vic.edu.au
2024 Car Raffle
Help us raise funds for a new College bus! Our annual Car Raffle, with an MG ZS Excite (demo) from Callaghan Motors and 8 more brilliant prizes. The raffle will be drawn on Tuesday 3 December.
Raffle tickets are also available online for $20 at https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/
Permit No: 10241/24
Contacts
We encourage you to contact your child’s MERCY teacher if you have any queries, questions or worries throughout the school year.
7A: Mr Tim Woodmason - twoodmason@mercy.vic.edu.au
7B: Mrs Leah Sinnott - lsinnott@mercy.vic.edu.au
7C: Mr Matt Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
8A: Mrs Melanie Bourchier - mbourchier@mercy.vic.edu.au
8B: Miss Georgia O'Leary - goleary@mercy.vic.edu.au
8C: Mrs Mel Simmonds - msimmonds@mercy.vic.edu.au
O'Keeffe Leader/Assistant Principal
Matthew Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
Kind regards,
Matthew Irving- Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus
Tim Woodmason - O'Keeffe Campus Assistant
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 9
Tuesday 3 December - Thanksgiving Mass and 7-11 Awards @ St Patrick's Church Camperdown @ 12.40pm
Thursday 5 November - Final Day of Classes. Junior Assembly Period 6 (2.13pm-2.50pm)
Friday 6 November - Activity Day and Last Day of School
Senior School
Unit 3 Classes
Our 2025 Year 12 students have settled into their Unit 3 classes. The classes will continue up until their last day of school.
Unit 1 Classes
Unit 1 classes for 2025 will commence next Wednesday.
Final Day for Year 11 students - Thanksgiving Mass and Awards
Year 11 students will conclude on Tuesday 3 December. On this day Periods 1-3 will be as normal followed by the end of year Mass. All parents are invited to this Mass, celebrated at St Patrick Church, Camperdown by Fr. Neville.
Following Mass the Award Ceremony for the Year 7 -11 students will be conducted, acknowledging outstanding achievements for 2024.
The Car Raffle will also be drawn on this day also.
St Vinnies Christmas Appeal
A friendly reminder to all Year 11 students to either bring $5 to school or a small present as a contribution to the St Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Students have been given a list of gender and ages that we will be buying for as a Year 11 cohort. Students are also able to “tap” and transfer their money if this is an easier option.
International Day of Consent
International Day of Consent onSaturday 30 November is almost here! As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this day offers an important opportunity to raise awareness about why consent education is an essential education tool for building respect and preventing violence.
Reminder: Student Illness or Absence and Medical Certificates
It is important for Senior students to source medical certificates if they miss school due to illness. This can form evidence for special consideration in the case of extended absences, which are always unpredictable.
2024 Car Raffle
Help us raise funds for a new College bus! Our annual Car Raffle, with an MG ZS Excite (demo) from Callaghan Motors and 8 more brilliant prizes. Raffle books need to be returned to the College by Friday 29 November.
Raffle tickets are also available online for $20 at https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/
Permit No: 10241/24
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Week 8
Monday 25 - Friday 29 November - Art/Technology Show
Monday 25 November - Unit 3 Classes
Tuesday 26 November - Unit 3 Classes
Wednesday 27 November - Unit 1 and 3 Classes
Thursday 28 November - Unit 1 and 3 Classes
Friday 29 November - Unit 1 and 3 Classes
Week 9
Monday 2 December - Unit 1 and 3 Classes
Tuesday 3 December - Unit 1 and 3 Classes P-3, Thanksgiving Mass and End of Year Awards,
Last Day for Year 11 Students
Wednesday 4 December - Unit 1 Classes
Thursday 5 December - Unit 1 Classes
Friday 6 December - Activity Day
Middle School
Welcome
Middle School Students are in the last flurry of assessment tasks and tying up loose ends in preparation for the end of the year. Once again, this is a busy time, and students and families are reminded to keep an eye on The Week Ahead, PAM and the Newsletter to stay up to date with everything that is happening. With exams occurring for both Year 9 and Year 10 students over the coming weeks, it is a good time to check in with your young people and make sure that they are keeping up with their study and other tasks. It was timely for our Middle and Senior cohorts to hear from Camperdown’s Olympic Cycling Gold Medallist Grace Brown today, discussing how her resilience and drive for excellence led her to where she is today.
We also begin the process of packing up homerooms and students are encouraged to start clearing out lockers of any books and equipment no longer required. It is a great time to be able to on sell second hand books, or source those required for next year. Booklists have been emailed to families, please ensure that any second hand book purchases are the correct/current editions required.
As the weeks wind down, we still maintain our focus on staying organised, and upholding the College’s values in terms of respect and being our best selves, including wearing the correct uniform. A reminder that in line with our sun safe policy school hats must be worn outside, and any hats which are damaged or graffitied must be replaced. These can be purchased through the uniform shop (including online to collect from reception).
The year has seen wonderful learning growth, both academic and social emotional, in our Middle School students, and we know that this will continue across our final weeks of the 2024 school year.
Parent Conference Opportunity
Parents Victoria are offering a free online Conference on Wednesday 27 November features Dr Jodi Richardson. An educational leader, Jodi is one of Australia’s leading lights in managing anxiety and amplifying wellbeing. She supports parents and teachers to understand anxiety, change their relationship with it, dial it right down and light the way for their children and students to do the same. Jodi’s presentation, "Finding Calm in the Chaos: Understanding and Managing Stress for You and Your Child" will empower you to understand your own stress responses and discover practical, science-backed tools to calm your mind and body. You’ll learn techniques to help co-regulate your child’s stress and anxiety and effective tools you can share with the whole family.
Read more on our website: https://www.parentsvictoria.asn.au/pv-2024-e-conference-calmer-classrooms/
International Day of Consent
International Day of Consent on Saturday 30 November is almost here! As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this day offers an important opportunity to raise awareness about why consent education is essential education for building respect and preventing violence.
Middle School Exam Period
Students have been shared the Middle School Exam Timetables, as below. At Middle School exams are not only an opportunity to demonstrate learning, but also a valuable exercise in study, time management and coping with nerves.
Year 10
Year 9
The suggested length for Year 9 examination is 1 hour plus 5 minutes reading time
Wednesday 4 December | Thursday 5 December | ||
9:10 - 10:10 | Revision / Study | 9:10 - 10:10 | Revision / Study |
Reading time Writing Time: | English Exam MID 11/12/13 5 minutes reading 1 hour writing |
Writing Time: | Maths Exam MID 11/12/13 5 minutes reading 1 hour writing |
11:15 - 11:45 | Recess | 11:15 - 11:45 | Recess |
11:45 - 12:40 | Revision / Study | Reading time: Writing Time: | Humanities Exam MID 11/12/13 5 minutes reading 1 hour writing |
Reading time: Writing Time: | Science Exam MID 11/12/13 5 minutes reading 1 hour writing | 12:50 - 1:30 | Lunch |
1:45 - 2:25 | Lunch | 1:30 - 3:00 | Unit 1 Class Locker clean up / Room Cleaning |
Year 10 Transition into Senior School
Current Year 10 students who have selected to study a Unit 3/4 subject in 2025 will commence their step up program next week. Their learning in this subject begins during this time, and is important to set up the year ahead and get started on coursework.
All Year 10 students then step up into Year 11 following their exams, with their VCE or VCE/VM programs commencing November 27. Subject blockings and transition timetables have been shared with students. Please check in with your young person and make sure that they know which subjects they are in, and how to navigate their timetable, as it will not appear on SIMON. Encourage them to come and ask teachers to help with this if required. It is a good idea to have a new exercise book ready for each subject, as coursework begins in the very first lesson.
2025 Electives
Year 9 students have received confirmation of their 2025 elective subjects. Please check in with your young person about this. If there are any questions or concerns, please make contact with the school via reception.
Final Day Activities
We are in the process of finalising the End of Year Activities for Year 9 and Year 10 students. The year will end with a day of off site activities for each year level on Friday 6 December. Please keep an eye on PAM for details of the relevant excursion. This is always a great way to end the year.
Please complete PAM permissions ASAP, so that we have an accurate indication of student numbers for this final day of 2024.
2024 Car Raffle
Help us raise funds for a new College bus! Our annual Car Raffle, with an MG ZS Excite (demo) from Callaghan Motors and 8 more brilliant prizes. Raffle books need to be returned to the College by Friday 29 November.
Raffle tickets are also available online for $20 at https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/
Permit No: 10241/24
White Card Training
White Card training will again be offered to students at Year 9 and 10. The White Card is for students that wish to complete work experience with a trade or are completing a trade certificate through TAFE in 2025. This training will incur a cost to students and accounts will be forwarded to families in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students that have already completed this training do not need to repeat the training.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Vinnies Christmas Giving
As we do every year, Mercy Regional College is involved in important fundraising for the Vinnie’s Christmas Giving Program. This program ensures that families in our area, who may be struggling, are able to have what they need to celebrate Christmas. Each homeroom is allocated gifts to purchase, and we ask that students please bring in $5 to go towards the cost of these gifts. We thank families for their kind donations.
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 8
Monday 25-Friday 29 November - Art and Technology Show
Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 November - Year 10 Exams
Wednesday 27 November - Unit 1 Subjects Commence
Week 9
Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December -White Card Training
Tuesday 3 December - Thanksgiving Mass and 7-11 Awards
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December - Year 9 Exam Program
Friday 6 November - Activity Day and Last Day of School
Junior School
What’s Ahead
A reminder that the student's last day of classes will be on Thursday 5 December. On Friday 6 December, students will attend their activity day.
Year 7 students will be off to Adventure Park, while Year 8 students will participate in a lawn bowls session at City Memorial Bowls Club. Please ensure you have signed the PAM permissions for the relevant activities.
Junior Oratory Competition Final
On Thursday 21 November the Junior Oratory Comp Final was held at the O'Keeffe Campus. This event showcased some excellent speakers from each Year 7 and 8 class. The finalists were: Halle B, Malka S, Daisy C, Aidan V, Lily G and Lucia C. All of the speeches were entertaining, informative and persuasive.
Lucia C from 8C was the winner, with her speech entitled: The power of stories and the way in which they have shaped history, culture, and in fact, all our lives.
Winner of the encouragement award was Malka S from 7B with her emotional speech: How to make a difference.
All of the Year 7 and 8 students were present to hear the finalists and learn from these inspiring students; how to plan, write, prepare and present effective speeches. During the time our judges were discussing the final scores, the Junior Campus was entertained by Aidan V and Lenny S who sang a number of great songs accompanied by the keyboard and acoustic guitar. They were excellent and their fellow students really enjoyed the music.
Congratulations to all involved on a wonderful afternoon.
Mercy Hats
A reminder that in Term 4 our young people must have a hat to be outside during recess, lunch and PE Prac. We will be asking our young people to ensure their Mercy hat is not graffitied, and if this is the case they will need to replace it with a new one.
Hats can be purchased from the uniform shop or reception for $19.50. Correct money would be appreciated.
2024 Car Raffle
Help us raise funds for a new College bus! Our annual Car Raffle, with an MG ZS Excite (demo) from Callaghan Motors and 8 more brilliant prizes. Raffle books need to be returned to the College by Friday 29 November.
Raffle tickets are also available online for $20 at https://www.mercy.vic.edu.au/community/car-raffle/
Permit No: 10241/24
Attendance and Notification of Absences
Just a reminder that in line with the Child Safety regulations and our school’s attendance policy, we require all unexplained student absences to be followed up. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please let us know at your earliest convenience, either via PAM, or by contacting reception. Thank you for your support with this.
Contacts
We encourage you to contact your child’s MERCY teacher if you have any queries, questions or worries throughout the school year.
7A: Mr Tim Woodmason - twoodmason@mercy.vic.edu.au
7B: Mrs Leah Sinnott - lsinnott@mercy.vic.edu.au
7C: Mr Matt Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
8A: Mrs Melanie Bourchier - mbourchier@mercy.vic.edu.au
8B: Miss Georgia O'Leary - goleary@mercy.vic.edu.au
8C: Mrs Mel Simmonds - msimmonds@mercy.vic.edu.au
O'Keeffe Leader/Assistant Principal
Matthew Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
Kind regards,
Matthew Irving- Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus
Tim Woodmason - O'Keeffe Campus Assistant
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 8
Monday 25 - Friday 29 November - Art/Technology Show - McAuley Campus
Senior School
It’s official - Our Year 11’s are now Year 12’s!
A big shout out to our Year 11 cohort who have completed their Unit 2 exams, therefore, all of their coursework for 2024. The week finished with a BBQ at the lake along with their first Seminar day (today).
Unit 3 Classes Formally Commence
Our 2024 Year 11 students start their Year 12 journey on Monday. All VCE students will participate in an explicit English Day where Unit 3.
Year 12 Graduation Celebration
On Friday, 22 November, we will celebrate the Year 12 Graduation. This event will be held at the Camperdown Football Netball Club from 6:30pm. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with students and their families, before they embark on University/TAFE pathways and employment. Best wishes to the 56 graduates.
Thanksgiving Mass and Awards
On Tuesday, 3 December, our final Mass for the year will be celebrated at St Patrick Church, Camperdown by Fr. Neville.
Following Mass, The Awards Ceremony for the Year 7 -11 students will be conducted, acknowledging outstanding achievements for 2024.
The car raffle will also be drawn on this day.
Reminder: Student Illness or Absence and Medical Certificates
It is important for Senior students to source medical certificates if they miss school due to illness. This can form evidence for special consideration in the case of extended absences, which are always unpredictable.
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Tuesday 28 October- Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams
Week 7
Monday 18 November - Coffee Course 2025 Year 12 VM Students, Unit 3 English and Literacy Intensive Session
Tuesday 19 November - Unit 3 2025 Commences, Foundation Maths Exam (11.45am-2.00pm)
Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams Completed
Friday 22 November - Year 12 Graduation Dinner - Camperdown Football Netball Clubrooms 6.00pm-11.00pm
Week 8
Monday 25 - Friday 29 November - Art/Technology Show
Middle School
Welcome
The end of the school year is fast approaching and Middle School is a hive of activity. Students are busily completing course work for each subject, and preparing also for some exams. Added to this we have students commencing their Step Up Programs. Current Middle School students who will be completing a VCE subject in 2025 have been given their Step Up timetables, and can look forward to commencing their learning in each of their VCE subjects. Booklists have been shared with families in preparation for next year. A reminder that there is a Second Hand Buying/Selling Group on Facebook for both books and uniforms, which is a great resource for families.
Outside of the classroom, some warmer weather has been welcomed, giving students plenty of opportunity to spend time outside in practical classes, and also at recess and lunch.
Homerooms are fundraising for the Vinnies Christmas Giving Program and looking forward to end of year celebrations and activities.
The final weeks are very busy ones, and students and families are reminded to keep an eye on The Week Ahead, PAM and the Newsletter to stay up to date with everything that is happening.
Middle School Exam Period
The Middle School Exam Timetables have been shared with students, and are also below. At Middle School exams are not only an opportunity to demonstrate learning, but also a valuable exercise in study, time management and coping with nerves.
Year 10
Year 9
Year 10 Transition into Senior School
Current Year 10 students who have selected to study a Unit 3/4 subject in 2025 will commence their step up program next week. Their learning in this subject begins during this time, and is important to set up the year ahead and get started on coursework.
All Year 10 students then step up into Year 11 following their exams, with their VCE or VCE/VM programs commencing Wednesday 27 November. Subject blockings and transition timetables have been shared with students. Please check in with your young person and make sure that they know which subjects they are in, and how to navigate their timetable, as it will not appear on SIMON. Encourage them to come and ask teachers for help with this if required. It is a good idea to have a new exercise book ready for each subject, as coursework begins in the very first lesson.
2025 Electives
Year 9 students have received confirmation of their 2025 elective subjects. Please check in with your young person about this. If there are any questions or concerns, please make contact with the school via reception.
Final Day Activities
We are in the process of finalising the End of Year Activities for Year 9 and Year 10 students. The year will end with a day of off site activities for each year level on Friday 6 December. Please keep an eye on PAM for details of the relevant excursion. These are always a great way to end the year.
White Card Training
White Card training will again be offered to students at Year 9 and 10. The White Card is for students that wish to complete work experience with a trade or are completing a trade certificate through TAFE in 2025. This training will incur a cost to students and accounts will be forwarded to families in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students that have already completed this training do not need to repeat the training.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Vinnies Christmas Giving
As we do every year, Mercy Regional College is involved in important fundraising for the Vinnie’s Christmas Giving Program. This program ensures that families in our area, who may be struggling, are able to have what they need to celebrate Christmas. Each homeroom is allocated gifts to purchase, and we ask that students please bring in $5 to go towards the cost of these gifts. We thank families for their kind donations.
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 7
Monday 18 November - Year 10 Retreat
Week 8
Monday 25-Friday 29 November - Art and Technology Show and Year 10 Exams
Week 9
Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December -White Card Training
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December - Year 9 Exam Program
Junior School
What’s Ahead
The weeks are really flying by now, and students are beginning to finalise much of their assessments in the classroom. It is great to see such wonderful work being completed. The student's last day of classes will be on Thursday 5 December. On Friday 6 December, students will attend their activity day.
Year 7 students will be off to Adventure Park, while Year 8 students will participate in a lawn bowls session at City Memorial Bowls Club. Please keep an eye out for the PAM permissions for both activities.
Mercy Hats
A reminder that in Term 4 our young people must have a hat to be outside during recess, lunch and PE Prac. We will be asking our young people to ensure their Mercy hat is not graffitied, and if this is the case they will need to replace it with a new one.
Hats can be purchased from the uniform shop or reception for $19.50. Correct money would be appreciated.
Attendance and Notification of Absences
Just a reminder that in line with the Child Safety regulations and our school’s attendance policy, we require all unexplained student absences to be followed up. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please let us know at your earliest convenience, either via PAM, or by contacting reception. Thank you for your support with this.
Junior Oratary Competition
It has been great to see all students across Year 7 and 8 working hard to complete their speeches for English. This culminates in the Junior Oratoary Competition which will take place this Thursday at O’Keeffe Campus from 1:30pm - 3:00pm.
Contacts
We encourage you to contact your child’s MERCY teacher if you have any queries, questions or worries throughout the school year.
7A: Mr Tim Woodmason - twoodmason@mercy.vic.edu.au
7B: Mrs Leah Sinnott - lsinnott@mercy.vic.edu.au
7C: Mr Matt Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
8A: Mrs Melanie Bourchier - mbourchier@mercy.vic.edu.au
8B: Miss Georgia O'Leary - goleary@mercy.vic.edu.au
8C: Mrs Mel Simmonds - msimmonds@mercy.vic.edu.au
O'Keeffe Leader/Assistant Principal
Matthew Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
Kind regards,
Matthew Irving- Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus
Tim Woodmason - O'Keeffe Campus Assistant
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 7
Thursday 21 November - Junior Oratory Competition 1:30pm - 3:00pm - O'Keeffe MPA
Senior School
It’s official - Our Year 11’s are now Year 12’s!
A big shout out to our Year 11 cohort who have completed their Unit 2 exams, therefore, all of their coursework for 2024. The week finished with a BBQ at the lake along with their first Seminar day (today).
Unit 3 Classes Formally Commence
Our 2024 Year 11 students start their Year 12 journey on Monday. All VCE students will participate in an explicit English Day where Unit 3.
Year 12 Graduation Celebration
On Friday, 22 November, we will celebrate the Year 12 Graduation. This event will be held at the Camperdown Football Netball Club from 6:30pm. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with students and their families, before they embark on University/TAFE pathways and employment. Best wishes to the 56 graduates.
Thanksgiving Mass and Awards
On Tuesday, 3 December, our final Mass for the year will be celebrated at St Patrick Church, Camperdown by Fr. Neville.
Following Mass, The Awards Ceremony for the Year 7 -11 students will be conducted, acknowledging outstanding achievements for 2024.
The car raffle will also be drawn on this day.
Reminder: Student Illness or Absence and Medical Certificates
It is important for Senior students to source medical certificates if they miss school due to illness. This can form evidence for special consideration in the case of extended absences, which are always unpredictable.
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Tuesday 28 October- Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams
Week 7
Monday 18 November - Coffee Course 2025 Year 12 VM Students, Unit 3 English and Literacy Intensive Session
Tuesday 19 November - Unit 3 2025 Commences, Foundation Maths Exam (11.45am-2.00pm)
Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams Completed
Friday 22 November - Year 12 Graduation Dinner - Camperdown Football Netball Clubrooms 6.00pm-11.00pm
Week 8
Monday 25 - Friday 29 November - Art/Technology Show
Middle School
Welcome
The end of the school year is fast approaching and Middle School is a hive of activity. Students are busily completing course work for each subject, and preparing also for some exams. Added to this we have students commencing their Step Up Programs. Current Middle School students who will be completing a VCE subject in 2025 have been given their Step Up timetables, and can look forward to commencing their learning in each of their VCE subjects. Booklists have been shared with families in preparation for next year. A reminder that there is a Second Hand Buying/Selling Group on Facebook for both books and uniforms, which is a great resource for families.
Outside of the classroom, some warmer weather has been welcomed, giving students plenty of opportunity to spend time outside in practical classes, and also at recess and lunch.
Homerooms are fundraising for the Vinnies Christmas Giving Program and looking forward to end of year celebrations and activities.
The final weeks are very busy ones, and students and families are reminded to keep an eye on The Week Ahead, PAM and the Newsletter to stay up to date with everything that is happening.
Middle School Exam Period
The Middle School Exam Timetables have been shared with students, and are also below. At Middle School exams are not only an opportunity to demonstrate learning, but also a valuable exercise in study, time management and coping with nerves.
Year 10
Year 9
Year 10 Transition into Senior School
Current Year 10 students who have selected to study a Unit 3/4 subject in 2025 will commence their step up program next week. Their learning in this subject begins during this time, and is important to set up the year ahead and get started on coursework.
All Year 10 students then step up into Year 11 following their exams, with their VCE or VCE/VM programs commencing Wednesday 27 November. Subject blockings and transition timetables have been shared with students. Please check in with your young person and make sure that they know which subjects they are in, and how to navigate their timetable, as it will not appear on SIMON. Encourage them to come and ask teachers for help with this if required. It is a good idea to have a new exercise book ready for each subject, as coursework begins in the very first lesson.
2025 Electives
Year 9 students have received confirmation of their 2025 elective subjects. Please check in with your young person about this. If there are any questions or concerns, please make contact with the school via reception.
Final Day Activities
We are in the process of finalising the End of Year Activities for Year 9 and Year 10 students. The year will end with a day of off site activities for each year level on Friday 6 December. Please keep an eye on PAM for details of the relevant excursion. These are always a great way to end the year.
White Card Training
White Card training will again be offered to students at Year 9 and 10. The White Card is for students that wish to complete work experience with a trade or are completing a trade certificate through TAFE in 2025. This training will incur a cost to students and accounts will be forwarded to families in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students that have already completed this training do not need to repeat the training.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Vinnies Christmas Giving
As we do every year, Mercy Regional College is involved in important fundraising for the Vinnie’s Christmas Giving Program. This program ensures that families in our area, who may be struggling, are able to have what they need to celebrate Christmas. Each homeroom is allocated gifts to purchase, and we ask that students please bring in $5 to go towards the cost of these gifts. We thank families for their kind donations.
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 7
Monday 18 November - Year 10 Retreat
Week 8
Monday 25-Friday 29 November - Art and Technology Show and Year 10 Exams
Week 9
Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December -White Card Training
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December - Year 9 Exam Program
Junior School
What’s Ahead
The weeks are really flying by now, and students are beginning to finalise much of their assessments in the classroom. It is great to see such wonderful work being completed. The student's last day of classes will be on Thursday 5 December. On Friday 6 December, students will attend their activity day.
Year 7 students will be off to Adventure Park, while Year 8 students will participate in a lawn bowls session at City Memorial Bowls Club. Please keep an eye out for the PAM permissions for both activities.
Mercy Hats
A reminder that in Term 4 our young people must have a hat to be outside during recess, lunch and PE Prac. We will be asking our young people to ensure their Mercy hat is not graffitied, and if this is the case they will need to replace it with a new one.
Hats can be purchased from the uniform shop or reception for $19.50. Correct money would be appreciated.
Attendance and Notification of Absences
Just a reminder that in line with the Child Safety regulations and our school’s attendance policy, we require all unexplained student absences to be followed up. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please let us know at your earliest convenience, either via PAM, or by contacting reception. Thank you for your support with this.
Junior Oratary Competition
It has been great to see all students across Year 7 and 8 working hard to complete their speeches for English. This culminates in the Junior Oratoary Competition which will take place this Thursday at O’Keeffe Campus from 1:30pm - 3:00pm.
Contacts
We encourage you to contact your child’s MERCY teacher if you have any queries, questions or worries throughout the school year.
7A: Mr Tim Woodmason - twoodmason@mercy.vic.edu.au
7B: Mrs Leah Sinnott - lsinnott@mercy.vic.edu.au
7C: Mr Matt Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
8A: Mrs Melanie Bourchier - mbourchier@mercy.vic.edu.au
8B: Miss Georgia O'Leary - goleary@mercy.vic.edu.au
8C: Mrs Mel Simmonds - msimmonds@mercy.vic.edu.au
O'Keeffe Leader/Assistant Principal
Matthew Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
Kind regards,
Matthew Irving- Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus
Tim Woodmason - O'Keeffe Campus Assistant
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 7
Thursday 21 November - Junior Oratory Competition 1:30pm - 3:00pm - O'Keeffe MPA
Senior School
Year 12 - SWVAC
Next week our students will sit the VCE/VM Psychology, General Maths exam 2, Maths Methods exam 1, Business Management, Art Creative Practice, VET Hospitality, Physical Education and Health and Human Development exams. We wish these students all the best.
Managing exam stress factsheet
Student Free Days
No School - Monday and Tuesday
The school library will be open for VCE/VM students to study on both Monday and Tuesday. The students have been informed if their teacher will be available during these days at school for exam preparation.
Year 11 Students Completing Unit 3/4 Exams
Year 11 students completing a Unit 3 /4 exam do not need to formally come to school on the day before their exam. However, they are very welcome to come to school and study or touch base with their teacher if they wish.
2025 Student Leaders
Our Leaders are well under way for planning the 2025 school year. On Thursday 7 November students will have an intensive session, focusing on the challenges of leadership amongst peers as well as the whole school. From this the students will spend an afternoon planning and brainstorming our school themes
Year 10 and 11 Student's Guest Speaker - Sam Walsh
On Thursday 7 November, Carlton’s Sam Walsh (local export) will come to Mercy and speak to our up and coming leaders for 2025 and our Year 10 and 11 students.
Sam will talk about his journey to AFL, including his dedication, discipline, and resilience, which can serve as motivation for students to apply the same principles in their own lives and studies.
We will gain insights into how teamwork, communication, and collaboration are vital in sports and how these skills are transferable to other areas of life, including school and future careers.
Reminder: Student Illness or Absence and Medical Certificates
It is important for Senior students to source medical certificates if they miss school due to illness. This can form evidence for special consideration in the case of extended absences, which are always unpredictable.
Youth Corangamite
The Corangamite Shire are hosting a FReeZA Youth Stage at this year’s Skipton Spring Festival. It’s an opportunity for our talented young performers (12 to 25 years) to perform on stage and be paid for their time.
Please see poster below.
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Tuesday 28 October- Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
- Psychology (9.00am-11.45am) and General Maths 2 (2.00pm-3.45pm) Exams
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 6 November - Maths Methods 1 (9.00am-10.15am), Business Management (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exams
Thursday 7 November - Guest Speaker Sam Walsh - Students Leaders P3, Year 10 and 11's P4
- Art Creative Practise (9.00am-10.45am), Maths Methods 2 (11.45am-2.00pm) and Physical Education (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exams
Friday 8 November - Health and Human Development (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exam
Week 6
Monday 11 November - Ancient History and Outdoor Education and Emviromental Studies (11.45am-2.00pm) and Legal Studies (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exams
Tuesday 12 November - Chemistry Exam (9.00am-11.45am)
Wednesday 13 November - Community Lunch - 12.00pm
- Agriculture and Horticulture Studies (9.00am-10.45am) and Media (11.45am-2.00pm) Exams
Thursday 14 November - Physics (9.00am-11.45am) Exam
Friday 15 November - 2025 Year 12 Seminar Day
- Year 11 BBQ and Break Up
- VET Sport and Recreation (11.45am-1.30pm) and Applied Computing Software Development (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exams
Middle School
Welcome
Week 5 signals the halfway mark of this term. The long weekend serves a great opportunity for students to take the time to rest and catch up on any overdue tasks they may have. While the end of the year is near, the last half of this term will be very busy with exams and step up programs commencing for 2025 Unit 3 and Unit 1 classes. Moving into these classes, it is imperative that students approach these classes as the beginning of their new year.
It is also a good time to consider what resources are required and need to be replaced for next year. Booklists will be coming home shortly. Students can also start to take home any books or resources that are no longer required. Year 10s will be moving into the Senior School building at the commencement of their Year 11 transition program in a few weeks.
Year 10 and 11 Student's Guest Speaker - Sam Walsh
On Thursday 7 November, Carlton’s Sam Walsh (local export) will come to Mercy and speak to our up and coming leaders for 2025 and our Year 10 and 11 students.
Sam will talk about his journey to AFL, including his dedication, discipline, and resilience, which can serve as motivation for students to apply the same principles in their own lives and studies.
We will gain insights into how teamwork, communication, and collaboration are vital in sports and how these skills are transferable to other areas of life, including school and future careers.
Attendance and Notification of Absences
Just a reminder that in line with the Child Safety regulations and our school’s attendance policy, we require all unexplained student absences to be followed up. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please let us know at your earliest convenience, either via PAM, or by contacting reception. Thank you for your support with this.
Behaviour Tracking and Procedures
There are certain behaviours that are displayed from time to time by students that impact the relationships and learning environment of others. These behaviours are tracked through SIMON and parents can see the progress of this tracking on PAM. Details of the incident are not visible on PAM for privacy, however parents are welcome to make contact with their child’s teacher if they would like to discuss any concerns.
Restorative discussions will occur when there is an accumulation of tracking points at a lunchtime behaviour reflection, an after school detention or suspension.
These measures give students time to reflect on their behaviour, its impact on themselves and others and what they can do to make things right. Parents will be informed if a student has accumulated points and requires a lunchtime reflection or detention.
Uniform is tracked via a separate system, and does not show in PAM, however will also be followed up with students after an accumulation of uniform tracking.
Term 4 Assessments and Exams
Term 4 always disappears very quickly, as the years’ classwork is wrapped up, final assessments are undertaken and exams are prepared for. Some Year 10s will be completing exams for their VCE studies, which will be held in Week 6, followed by a step up into Unit 3 studies. More information about the exam, assessment and step up schedule will be sent out during the term, however if you know that your young people will be absent for any reason in Term 4, please let us know so that we can work with you around ensuring everything is completed, and they are well prepared.
Year 9 Camp
All Year 9 students will depart for Camp as soon as the final bus arrives for the morning. If you are being dropped off by car or walking to school on Wednesday, please be at school by 9.00am.
All students are to make their way to the basketball courts so that we can leave promptly.
A couple of packing reminders:
- No aerosols to be send on camp
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- Bathers and towel
- Appropriate clothing for rock climbing and ice skating.
White Card Training
White Card training will again be offered to students at Year 9 and 10. The White Card is for students that wish to complete work experience with a trade or are completing a trade certificate through TAFE in 2025. This training will incur a cost to students and accounts will be forwarded to families in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students that have already completed this training do not need to repeat the training.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Youth Corangamite
The Corangamite Shire are hosting a FReeZA Youth Stage at this year’s Skipton Spring Festival. It’s an opportunity for our talented young performers (12 to 25 years) to perform on stage and be paid for their time.
Please see poster below.
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 6 November - Intermediate Cricket - Geelong - See PAM for details
Wednesday 6-Friday 8 November - Year 9 Camp - See PAM for details
Thursday 7 November - Guest Speaker Sam Walsh - Students Leaders P3, Year 10 and 11's P4
Week 7
Monday 18 November - Year 10 Retreat
Week 8
Year 10 exams and Unit 1 subjects commence- more details to follow
Junior School
What’s Ahead
A very quiet week at O’Keeffe next week. This is a great opportunity for students to reset after a busy first four weeks of this term. It was great to see the Year 8 students enjoy their camp in Anglesea and also great to see some Year 7 students put up their hand to attend the Seeds of Justice Day in Melbourne.
Well done to all on a great start to Term 4.
GWR Basketball
On Thursday 7 November, a group of students will be representing the College in Basketball at Ballarat. The venue for this event is the Ballarat Sports and Events Centre. Students will be transported to Ballarat via bus and it is unlikely that they will return to school in time to catch the afternoon buses.
Parents/guardians will be advised via SMS as to what the pick up arrangements are. The bus will depart from the Terang Civic Hall at 8.00am and continue through to the McAuley Campus Camperdown to collect students at 8.20am.
Youth Corangamite
The Corangamite Shire are hosting a FReeZA Youth Stage at this year’s Skipton Spring Festival. It’s an opportunity for our talented young performers (12 to 25 years) to perform on stage and be paid for their time.
Please see poster below.
Contacts
We encourage you to contact your child’s MERCY teacher if you have any queries, questions or worries throughout the school year.
7A: Mr Tim Woodmason - twoodmason@mercy.vic.edu.au
7B: Mrs Leah Sinnott - lsinnott@mercy.vic.edu.au
7C: Mr Matt Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
8A: Mrs Melanie Bourchier - mbourchier@mercy.vic.edu.au
8B: Miss Georgia O'Leary - goleary@mercy.vic.edu.au
8C: Mrs Mel Simmonds - msimmonds@mercy.vic.edu.au
O'Keeffe Leader/Assistant Principal
Matthew Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
Kind regards,
Matthew Irving- Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus
Tim Woodmason - O'Keeffe Campus Assistant
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Thursday 7 November - GWR Basketball in Ballarat
Senior School
Year 12 - SWATVAC
The Year 12s have started their SWATVAC leading into exams. Their first exam is English on Tuesday morning. Students are welcome to study at school and catch up with their teachers during the exam period. The library will be open until 4.30pm each day.
Here are some links for students and parents to help get through what can be a stressful time for all involved.
Managing exam stress factsheet
Year 11 Students Completing Unit 4 Exams
Year 11 students completing a Unit 3/4 exam do not need to come to school formally on the day before their exam. They are very welcome to come to school and study or touch base with their teacher if they wish.
Traineeships 2025
St Patrick’s Primary School have now indicated they will be employing a Trainee for 2025. Please note, the information booklet has been updated and is available in the Year 12 Careers Google classroom.
P.A.R.T.Y PROGRAM - Invite for Year 11 Students
The P.A.R.T.Y. Program has run at The Alfred since 2009 as an initiative of the National Trauma Research Institute (NTRI) (www.ntri.org.au). The "P.A.R.T.Y. at The Alfred" programs provides participants with an authentic experience to create insight into the consequences that patients and their families are faced with because of risk‐related trauma.
Participants engage with paramedics, doctors, nurses, allied health practitioners, patients and their families in the hospital or outreach setting. Learning occurs through a combination of classroom‐based information delivery, interactive scenario based learning and proactive demonstrations.
The P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth Groups) is a program that focuses on injury prevention. It takes students from an educational environment into a clinical environment showing first hand the consequences of a risk-taking behaviour.
DETAILS:
- Thursday 31 October
- 9.00am - 3.00pm
- Approximate time leaving from Camperdown - 6.00am
- Approximate time arriving at Camperdown - 6.00pm
There are limited spots available for this program (30). The first 30 students to submit this form will be allowed to attend (parent consent will also need to be obtained). All Year 11 students have been invited to apply for this program. Please discuss this with your child if you would like them to attend or call Berni at school if you would like to discuss further. There are a few links below for you to watch that give great insight to the program.
P.A.R.T.Y Program (extended version)
P.A.R.T.Y returns to The Alfred
Reminder: Student Illness or Absence and Medical Certificates
Now that we are into Term 4, it continues to be important for Senior students to source medical certificates if they miss school due to illness. This can form evidence for special consideration in the case of extended absences, which are always unpredictable.
Youth Corangamite
The Corangamite Shire are hosting a FReeZA Youth Stage at this year’s Skipton Spring Festival. It’s an opportunity for our talented young performers (12 to 25 years) to perform on stage and be paid for their time.
Please see poster below.
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Tuesday 28 October- Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams
Week 4
Tuesday 28 October - English (9.00am-12.15pm) Exam
Wednesday 30 October - Visual Communication Design (3.00pm-4.45pm) Exam
Thursday 31 October - Alfred Hospital PARTY Program- Year 11's
- Literature (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exam
Friday 1 November - Biology (9.00am-11.45am), General Maths Exam 1 (2.00pm-3.45pm) Exams
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
- Psychology (9.00am-11.45am) and General Maths 2 (2.00pm-3.45pm) Exams
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 6 November - Maths Methods 1 (9.00am-10.15am), Business Management (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exams
Thursday 7 November - Guest Speaker Sam Walsh - time and students TBC
- Art Creative Practise (9.00am-10.45am), Maths Methods 2 (11.45am-2.00pm) and Physical Education (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exams
Friday 8 November - Health and Human Development (3.00pm-5.15pm) Exam
Middle School
Welcome
This term is moving very fast and this week has been a big one for the school with the last day for the Year 12 students. It makes you realise how close to the end of the year we are, and how close our students are to starting their pathways for next year. Some of our Year 10 students will be starting their 2025 subjects in 3 weeks! Students and families should keep a close eye on all emails and correspondence over the coming weeks as exams and transition timetables begin, more information can be found below. There are still plenty of learning and growth opportunities for Middle School students in the coming weeks, and we are looking forward to a strong finish.
Today Mercy hosted the Respect Cup with Trinity College and Emmanuel College joining us. The 20 students representing the school participated in sessions with guest speakers and listened to the best ideas created by students to raise awareness around respect.
Attendance and Notification of Absences
Just a reminder that in line with the Child Safety regulations and our school’s attendance policy, we require all unexplained student absences to be followed up. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please let us know at your earliest convenience, either via PAM, or by contacting reception. Thank you for your support with this.
Term 4 Assessments and Exams
Term 4 always disappears very quickly, as the years’ classwork is wrapped up, final assessments are undertaken and exams are prepared for. Some Year 10s will be completing exams for their VCE studies, which will be held in Week 6, followed by a step up into Unit 3 studies. More information about the exam, assessment and step up schedule will be sent out during the term, however if you know that your young people will be absent for any reason in Term 4, please let us know so that we can work with you around ensuring everything is completed, and they are well prepared.
Year 9 Student Free Day - CANCELLED
All Year 9 students are to be at school on Friday 1 November 2024. Classes will run as normal. it will remain student free for our Year 8 students.
Year 9 Camp
Year 9 camp will be occurring Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 of November. If you already know that your child will be absent those days can you please let Nickeeta (nroache@mercy.vic.edu.au) know for planning purposes.
Year 9’s also had their camp meeting this week. A couple of things to note, as part of the safety plan for the camp, we do request students bring their phone with them on camp. All phones will be collected from students at the end of the day and safely stored overnight. Students will be supplied with a Myki Card for the days that we are using public transport so they will not need to bring their own cards. Students may wish to bring some spending money with them. In the past some students have desired to purchase their own snacks while exploring the CBD.
PAM permissions have been released with more information on what to pack etc. Please ensure that you read the attached letter and complete permissions ASAP.
White Card Training
White Card training will again be offered to students at Year 9 and 10. The White Card is for students that wish to complete work experience with a trade or are completing a trade certificate through TAFE in 2025. This training will incur a cost to students and accounts will be forwarded to families in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students that have already completed this training do not need to repeat the training.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Year 10 $20 Boss Business Activities
This week students can purchase Egg and Bacon rolls. Again, students should keep an eye out for emails and posters around school for upcoming food items, sold on Mondays when the canteen is not open.
Youth Corangamite
The Corangamite Shire are hosting a FReeZA Youth Stage at this year’s Skipton Spring Festival. It’s an opportunity for our talented young performers (12 to 25 years) to perform on stage and be paid for their time.
Please see poster below.
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 4
Monday 28 October - Southwest Middle Years Clay Target Competition
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 6-Friday 8 November - Year 9 Camp - See PAM for details
Junior School
Week 4
Our Year 8 students are looking forward to their Camp next week from Tuesday to Thursday in Angelsea and then they have Friday off as a 'Recovery Day'. More details below and on PAM. We wish the students and staff attending an enjoyable time.
The Year 7's will have the O'Keeffe Campus to themselves while the Year 8's are away.
Year 8 Camp
Year 8 Camp week is finally upon us. Good luck to all the students and staff that will be attending. Students will enjoy getting back to nature and enjoying the company of one another by camping and some adventure activities in Anglesea. If you child falls ill between now and Tuesday, and will not be attending, please ensure you let the school know ASAP.
Also another note, students have been told NOT to bring their phones on Camp, they will be confiscated if seen and then parents will need to pick them up from school upon returning to school the following Wednesday.
Year 7 Cricket
Good luck to all the Year 7 students who will be representing the College at cricket on Tuesday 29 October in Ballarat. Please ensure all PAM permissions have been acknowledged, noting the early departure time of 7.00am and returning at approximately 5.30pm.
For the students who are not involved, classes will run at O’Keeffe during the day, see below the alternative program. Please ensure that you wear your sports uniform on Tuesday.
Session 1 & 2 | Session 3 & 4 | Session 5 & 6 |
Science | Art | PE |
Attendance and Notification of Absences
Just a reminder that in line with the Child Safety regulations and our school’s attendance policy, we require all unexplained student absences to be followed up. If you know that your child is going to be absent, please let us know at your earliest convenience, either via PAM, or by contacting reception. Thank you for your support with this.
Youth Corangamite
The Corangamite Shire are hosting a FReeZA Youth Stage at this year’s Skipton Spring Festival. It’s an opportunity for our talented young performers (12 to 25 years) to perform on stage and be paid for their time.
Please see poster below.
Contacts
We encourage you to contact your child’s MERCY teacher if you have any queries, questions or worries throughout the school year.
7A: Mr Tim Woodmason - twoodmason@mercy.vic.edu.au
7B: Mrs Leah Sinnott - lsinnott@mercy.vic.edu.au
7C: Mr Matt Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
8A: Mrs Melanie Bourchier - mbourchier@mercy.vic.edu.au
8B: Miss Georgia O'Leary - goleary@mercy.vic.edu.au
8C: Mrs Mel Simmonds - msimmonds@mercy.vic.edu.au
O'Keeffe Leader/Assistant Principal
Matthew Irving - mirving@mercy.vic.edu.au
Kind regards,
Matthew Irving- Assistant Principal - O'Keeffe Campus
Tim Woodmason - O'Keeffe Campus Assistant
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 4
Tuesday 29 October - Year 8 Camp begins
- Year 7 Cricket
Wednesday 30 October - Year 8 Camp continues
Thursday 31 October - Year 8 Camp concludes
Friday 1 November - Year 8 Student Free Day
- Year 7 Classes as normal
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Senior School
Year 12- Last Structured School Week
All Year 12’s will attend the 2025 Leader Investiture on Tuesday 22 October. Those with Leadership positions will have an active role and all other students will need to attend. After the Investiture we will have a quick run through the Graduation Mass rehearsal.
Graduation Mass and Awards will be held on Wednesday 23 October at St Thomas’ Chruch, Terang at 7.00 pm.
The students final day is on Thursday 24 October. They will attend Ten Pin Bowling in Warrnambool, followed by pizza lunch and will return to school by 1.30 pm. The Assembly will commence closer to 2.00 pm.
The Graduation Dinner will be held on Friday 22 November at the Camperdown Football Netball Club. All details were in the letter sent home to families.
Class of 2025 Rugby Jumpers
A reminder to the Year 11 students that the Class of 2025 rugby jumper payment is now overdue.
The design has been agreed upon by the students. Hopefully, if all payments are received, the jumpers can be ordered and delivered on time. Please see Berni or Rose for more information.
Student Leadership 2025
Congratulations and well done to all the students who put their hand up and took part in the interview process. Although some were not selected, the decision was incredibly difficult, and many were very close to being chosen.
College Captains 2025 | |
| Faith | Riley Hanks |
| Excellence | Rose Beasley |
| Community | Nellie Sadler |
House Captains | |
| Tindley | Finn Darcy |
| Markey | Brodie Hanks |
| Ryan | Isla Fleming |
| Frayne | Jess Miller |
Leaders | |
| Fire Carrier | Lucy Molan |
| Art and Environment | Sarah Menzel |
Traineeships 2025
The traineeship process for 2025 has been shared with all Year 12 students. We welcome parents to have a conversation with their child around this. If a traineeship with the HCSN isn’t what they are interested in, there are many others to consider. Please contact the school if you would like further detail in regards to the HCSN or other traineeships available.
St Patrick’s Primary School Camperdown, has now indicated they will have a traineeship position. This will be shared with students when the role description has been confirmed.
Students Driving to School
If any students who have their driving licence and are driving to school, please call in to see Rose to collect the forms to register your details.
P.A.R.T.Y PROGRAM - Invite for Year 11 Students
The P.A.R.T.Y. Program has run at The Alfred since 2009 as an initiative of the National Trauma Research Institute (NTRI) (www.ntri.org.au). The "P.A.R.T.Y. at The Alfred" programs provides participants with an authentic experience to create insight into the consequences that patients and their families are faced with because of risk‐related trauma.
Participants engage with paramedics, doctors, nurses, allied health practitioners, patients and their families in the hospital or outreach setting. Learning occurs through a combination of classroom‐based information delivery, interactive scenario based learning and proactive demonstrations.
The P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth Groups) is a program that focuses on injury prevention. It takes students from an educational environment into a clinical environment showing first hand the consequences of a risk-taking behaviour.
DETAILS:
- Thursday 31 October
- 9.00am - 3.00pm
- Approximate time leaving from Camperdown - 6.00am
- Approximate time arriving at Camperdown - 6.00pm
There are limited spots available for this program (30). The first 30 students to submit this form will be allowed to attend (parent consent will also need to be obtained). All Year 11 students have been invited to apply for this program. Please discuss this with your child if you would like them to attend or call Berni at school if you would like to discuss further. There are a few links below for you to watch that give great insight to the program.
P.A.R.T.Y Program (extended version)
P.A.R.T.Y returns to The Alfred
Reminder: Student Illness or Absence and Medical Certificates
A reminder that it is important for senior students to source medical certificates if they miss school due to illness. This can form evidence for special consideration in the case of extended absences, which are always unpredictable.
As we have clocked more than halfway through the year, we would like to take this opportunity to remind parents to contact the school if your son/daughter is going to be absent. Please call and inform the office on 5593 2011.
Kind regards,
Berni Sinnott - Senior School Community Leader
Upcoming Event
Term 4
Week 3
Tuesday 22 October - Investiture of 2025 Student Leaders - 1.30pm St Patrick's Church Camperdown
Wednesday 23 October - Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards - 7.00pm St Thomas' Church Terang
Thursday 24 October - Year 12's Last Day - All students to attend school, offsite activities, return to school for final assembly at 2.00pm.
Tuesday 28 October- Wednesday 20 November - VCE/VM Exams
Week 4
Tuesday 28 October - English Exam
Wednesday 30 October - Visual Communication Design Exam
Thursday 31 October - Literature Exam, Alfred Hospital PARTY Program- Year 11's
Friday 1 November - Biology, General Maths Exam 1 Exams
Middle School
Welcome
This week it was nice to be able to be outside and enjoy the sunshine and the warmer weather. The forecast is looking like we will have some more nice weather next week as well. With this comes the reminder about students practising sunsmart habits. We have asked all students to ensure that they have their hats on when outside in the yard at recess and lunch. If your child have lost their hat since Term 1, new hats can be purchased via the uniform shop.
Term 4 Assessments and Exams
Term 4 always disappears very quickly, as the years’ classwork is wrapped up, final assessments are undertaken and exams are prepared for. Some Year 10s will be completing exams for their VCE studies, which will be held in Week 6, followed by a step up into Unit 3 studies. More information about the exam, assessment and step up schedule will be sent out during the term, however if you know that your young people will be absent for any reason in Term 4, please let us know so that we can work with you around ensuring everything is completed, and they are well prepared.
Year 9 Student Free Day - CANCELLED
All Year 9 students are to be at school on Friday 1 November 2024. Classes will run as normal. it will remain student free for our Year 8 students.
Year 9 Camp
Year 9 camp will be occurring from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 of November. If you already know that your child will be absent those days can you please let Nickeeta (nroache@mercy.vic.edu.au) know for planning purposes.
Year 9’s also had their camp meeting this week. A couple of things to note, as part of the safety plan for the camp, we do request students bring their phone with them on camp. All phones will be collected from students at the end of the day and safely stored overnight. Students will be supplied with a Myki Card for the days that we are using public transport so they will not need to bring their own cards. Students may wish to bring some spending money with them. In the past some students have chosen to purchase their own snacks while exploring the CBD.
PAM permissions have been released with more information on what to pack etc. Please ensure that you read the attached letter on the PAM and complete permissions ASAP.
White Card Training
White Card training will again be offered to students at Year 9 and 10. The White Card is for students that wish to complete work experience with a trade or are completing a trade certificate through TAFE in 2025. This training will incur a cost to students and accounts will be forwarded to families in the coming weeks.
Year 10 students that have already completed this training do not need to repeat the training.
Training days (both days are compulsory):
Monday 2 December and Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Investiture of 2025 College Captains
As has been our tradition for many years at Mercy, the new College Captains and College Leaders will be presented to the school at a whole school Liturgy held on Tuesday 22 October at St Patrick’s Church Camperdown. During this Liturgy the 'Light of Leadership' will be handed over by the 2024 Captains to the 2025 Captains to begin their planning and preparation as Leaders of the school community at the same time as our class of 2024 head off into exams and graduate from our school. All students will be present at this special ceremony and the Year 7 and 8 students will have the full day in Camperdown at the McAuley Campus.
Year 9 Respect Cup
The Respect Cup will be on Friday 18 October, 2024. This year it is Mercy's turn to host students from Emmanuel College and Trinity College. The day consists of guest speakers, student presentations and then a round robin netball tournament all focusing on the work that students completed during the Respect Effect Mercy topic. Students that have been selected to attend will have PAM permissions that need to be complete.
Students not attending this day are still required at school as classes will still be running.
Year 10 $20 Boss Business Activities
This week students can purchase a chicken or beef burger from “Carl’s Cheesy Beefers”, for a bargain price of $5.00. Again, students should keep an eye out for emails and posters around school for upcoming food items sold on Mondays when the canteen is not open.
Year 9 Ag Excursion
On Monday 21 October, Year 9 Agriculture students will be visiting a local sheep property to participate in sheep shearing. The class will depart at the beginning of recess and will return just prior to or at lunch time. Students will need to bring both recess and lunch food along with a drink bottle. Students are to wear PE uniform on the day and bring work boots for the excursion. Please contact Mr Kelly if you have any queries
Year 10 Ag Excursion
On Wednesday 23 October, Year 10 Agriculture students will be visiting a nearby sheep farm to participate in a crutching activity. The excursion will take place during regular class time. Students are encouraged to wear their PE uniform and will not need to bring with them anything other than a drink bottle. Please contact Mr Kelly if you have any queries.
Kind regards,
Lydia Darcy and Nickeeta Roache - Middle Years Community Leaders
Upcoming Events
Term 4
Week 3
Monday 21 October - Year 9 Ag Excursion. See PAM for details.
Tuesday 22 October - 2025 Leaders Investiture Ceremony
Wednesday 23 October - Year 10 Ag Excursion. See PAM for details.
Friday 25 October - Respect Cup - Select Year 9 students. See PAM for details
Week 4
Monday 28 October - Southwest Middle Years Clay Target Competition
Week 5
Monday 4 November - Student Free Day
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 6-Friday 8 November - Year 9 Camp - See PAM for details