Harmony Week, from 17-23 March, is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It is a recognition that ‘Everyone belongs’. It’s about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. Today is Harmony Day. At OLMC, we recognise that we are a very diverse community. We are proud of our diversity and strive to make all feel welcome and share in a sense of belonging.
On Tuesday 11 March, it was a great privilege to attend ‘Top Class’ to watch Natasha Agati from the Class of 2024 perform ‘Rosie of the North’, her piece from Year 12 Drama at the Melbourne Recital Centre before an audience of Year 12 students, staff, parents and friends. Her performance was extraordinary. Each year only a small number of high achieving students from Drama are invited to audition for the final performances. Congratulations must also go to Matilda Butterworth and Charlotte Daffey, who were also invited to audition. It is an exceptional achievement for Our Lady of Mercy College and our Drama teacher, Ms Felicia Taine, to have three students invited to audition and an honour for Natasha to be selected.
Last week was also NAPLAN week. Students from Year 7 and 9 completed tests over the course of the week. The results will not be available until later in the year. The results are added to the suite of data that enables teachers and leaders understand the learning needs of our students and plan accordingly. It is a snapshot in time and, therefore, one piece of a very big picture of each student.
Thank you to all the parents who attended one of the Time and Space events held over the last two weeks. The feedback from students and parents confirmed the value of the events. They form an important part of our commitment to our partnership with parents and the building of connections across our community.
We have only two weeks left before the Term break. A reminder to families that the term break for students will this year be three weeks. We are not planning to continue this beyond 2025, but the extraordinary timing of Easter and Anzac Day was key to informing our decision.
The decision to provide the third week was not one taken lightly and to achieve this, we have moved some student free days from other parts of the year into this week. However, the College will remain open and staff will be at school. We will take the chance to engage in some important professional development. The second date of the Parent / Student / Teacher Interviews will take place in that week. We expect to see all students return to school for the start of Term 2 on Monday 28 April.