On Thursday of this week the staff from OLMC joined with staff from Antonine College to work with Emeritus Professor John Warhurst. We explored the history of the Church in Australia and the changing nature of the expectations and needs of the Church around the world. As a member of the Plenary Council, John helped us to develop our understanding of Synodality and what it means for us to be a Synodal Church. While challenging at times, the sessions filled us with great hope for the future. It has certainly engaged our staff in conversations regarding how we best support young people in our school to connect to their faith, community and voice.

We were also very privileged to host staff and students from Mercy schools all over Australia who came together to explore the rich heritage of the Australian Mercy tradition on the second day of a pilgrimage. The program also explored the modern-day engagement of Mercy Ministries and the ways in which they are important and relevant to our young people. The students who participated were engaged and enthusiastic and they are wonderful ambassadors for their schools and our Mercy community. It was also a timely reminder for me, that the future of the works of Mercy will be left in the hands of passionate and committed people.

We have certainly hit the ground running this term with a number of important events. We have begun the process of looking towards 2024 with a subject information evening and expo. The process of selecting subjects and making choices begins for most of our students this term and will no doubt be the topic of conversations at home. As I do each year, I strongly encourage you to read the subject handbooks, to talk with your child and to help them research pathways. Please encourage your child and support them as they make what can be very tough decisions.

Last week Year 8 students attended camp. Blessed with exceptional weather, they were able to enjoy a chance to challenge themselves with new activities while getting to know each and their teachers a little better. The staff have spoken in glowing terms of their enthusiasm and participation. They engaged with every activity and spoke enthusiastically about everything that they were doing.

Term 3 is an important one for making decisions. Almost everyone is contemplating where they want to be and what they hope to achieve in 2024. It is also a term with so many important community events. House Arts will be upon us soon and so will Mercy Day. These are both occasions when we share an enormous amount of fun together but also times when our students shine. The theme of this year is, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ (Luke 10:29b). Term 3 will challenge students to see others, to recognise their neighbours and to develop an appreciation of the depth of what it means to be a neighbour. We are very much looking forward to this journey.

A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah. (18:1-4)

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:
‘Come, go down to the potter’s house,
and there I will let you hear my words.’
So I went down to the potter’s house,
and there he was working at his wheel.
The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled
in the potter’s hand,
and he reworked it into another vessel,
as seemed good to him.
Then the word of the Lord came to me:
Can I not do with you, O house of Israel,
just as this potter has done? says the Lord.
Just like the clay in the potter’s hand,
so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Let us pause for a moment to place before our loving God, our needs, the needs of our families and friends and the needs of our world.

Shaped by the hands of the Divine Potter, we pray:
Divine Artist, restore and make us whole.
For our community – as we work together, challenge and inspire our students and community to be co-builders of your Kingdom, we pray:
Divine Artist, restore and make us whole.
For parents and all who nurture children in faith, we pray:
Divine Artist, restore and make us whole.
For artists, craftspeople and all who embody creativity, we pray:
Divine Artist, restore and make us whole.
For all of creation, shaped by your Word and Wisdom, we pray:
Divine Artist, restore and make us whole.

Creator God, you form us in your own image and restore us. Gently mould us by your will and cast us into beautiful vessels of your Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and perfect image. Amen.

Thank you to all the students and staff who generously donated essential groceries for families seeking asylum across Melbourne.

We have donated these goods to the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP). BASP was established by the Brigidine Sisters in 2001 to work for a humane, just and inclusive approach for people seeking asylum in Australia.

Their motto, ‘Strength and Kindess’, is akin to our Mercy values of justice and compassion. At OLMC, we stand in solidarity with individuals seeking asylum, treating them with dignity and respect.

The goods were delivered to the BASP Headquarters in Albert Park on Tuesday and will be distributed to families seeking asylum who will greatly appreciate these essential daily food items.

Lauren Marquet
Social Justice Coordinator

The Student Leadership Team was busy through Term 2 organising events. It was an exciting term with the Team hosting their first big event of the year - Dare2Donate. It was lovely to see teachers and students involved in the event to raise money for McAuley for Women and Children, and to reach our goals. Laughs and smiles were shared at the successful talent show hosted by the Student Leadership Team.

Looking back on what a wonderful term we have had, it is great to see school involvement and our ideas come to life. Now the OLMC community and Student Leadership Team are getting geared up for Term 3.

House Arts is a key event planned for the middle of Term 3. Students are encouraged to sign up to House Arts and shine bright with talent on the day to earn some house points! We will also be encouraging student involvement and coming together as a community. This is in line with this year’s OLMC theme, ‘And, who is my neighbour?’ which we continue to embrace this year.

The National Day Against Bullying and Violence will be hosted by the Student Leadership Team and SRC, providing students a chance to reach out and be in a safe space of support at OLMC. Following this, we will be planning R U OK? Day. It will run for a week in Term 3 and will surround students with a kind-hearted space and a chance to reflect on those who need support in difficult times.

The most exciting event on the OLMC calendar is also coming in Term 3 - MERCY DAY! Mercy Day is a favourite event at OLMC. A day to celebrate our school, the Mercy tradition, and to show thanks for what an amazing school year it has been so far. The Student Leadership Team will assist with running this event, which will include an exciting showcase of talent from House Arts at the end of the day. It is so wonderful to see student involvement around OLMC, and Mercy Day is the perfect day to recognise our community coming together and to have a joyous time.

Charlotte A
Carmel House Captain

The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools School Improvement Survey (MACSSIS) will take place this year in the period Monday 28 August to Friday 15 September, the last two weeks of Term 3. MACSSIS is the primary method used by the Melbourne Archdiocese to gather feedback about schools from everyone involved in a school community – students, school staff, parents and guardians.

As the title of the survey indicates, it is an important component of the ongoing efforts to sustain and monitor improvements within schools, such as:

• School climate
• Student safety
• Family engagement
• Communication
• Catholic identity.

When the survey opens on Monday 28 August, members of the OLMC community will receive an invitation to participate in the online survey and instructions as to how to do so. Parent and guardian participation in the survey is voluntary but when you receive an invitation you are encouraged to complete it, as MACSSIS is a particularly reliable way for us to receive feedback from parents. Further updates about MACSSIS will be provided in following Term 3 OLMC Newsletters.

If you would like more information, or if you would like to volunteer for participation in MACSSIS, please contact me at the College: sconlan@olmc.vic.edu.au or 9455 2511.

We have two Parent/Student/Teacher Interview sessions this term. They are:

• Years 10-12 - Wednesday 2 August
• Years 7-9 - Thursday 7 September.

Both these dates are student free days. Interviews will be conducted online via Google Meet.

For the upcoming Years 10-12 interviews, bookings opened on Wednesday 19 July at 3.30pm on PAM. Bookings will close at midday on Tuesday 1 August.

An email for Year 7-9 interviews will be sent to parents and guardians towards the end of August.

We look forward to discussing student progress at these interviews.

The Humanities teaching team is ever conscious of constructing learning activities that are engaging, curriculum-aligned and relevant to our cohort of young, inquiring minds.

We have a mandate to ‘know the content and how to teach it,’ according to AITSL standards, but more than this, we have a fundamental role to shine a light over our students’ world as they prepare to be global citizens.

Enter the Year 8 Geographical unit, ‘Landforms and Landscapes’.

Many 13 and 14-year-old students gasp with delight when introduced to a unit about rivers, mountains, deserts, coastal regions and the geomorphic processes that act to produce them! Some do not! Indeed, it is part of our job to get them enthused and interested in all aspects of the curriculum, but sometimes a case study about rocks and rills is not nearly as enthralling as a world of online animated antics.

The teaching team felt that our ‘Landforms and Landscapes’ unit required a makeover. We needed to keep the academic rigour and the adherence to curriculum content, all the while thinking about how to engage our young people in learning about their fascinating geographical world.

Using backward design, we conjured a task that would showcase students’ creative thinking and ability to synthesise information. Along the way to fulfilling this task, Year 8 Landscapers and Landformers would be explicitly taught from the curriculum and unpack the skills needed to succeed, but they would ultimately have some choice in the outcome of their project.

Each Year 8 geographer produced a picture book, weaving together facts, a narrative and original artwork about their chosen landform or landscape. The activity required students to think critically about what elements they felt were important enough to include in their story, and express themselves creatively as they crafted their tale.

Our teaching team were stunned and delighted by the outcomes achieved in Term 2 Humanities. Many of our Year 8 geographers were suitably proud of their learning and final products, so much so that they asked teachers not to mark their books with annotations and feedback! It was a fantastic effort from our critical and creative thinkers!

We were also able to work in a visit to the Melbourne Museum, made doubly relevant as this same cohort were learning about rocks and minerals in Science during this particular term. So although we think that online animated antics may occasionally distract the learners in our care, it is the ‘solid’ reliability of landforms and landscapes, peppered with the ‘ore’ about rocks and minerals, that really ‘pebbles’ the ‘lava’ for learning.

Rosemary Jones
Humanities Learning Leader

Last week, OLMC staff were delighted to be able to work with the amazing YMCA staff at the beautiful camp at Lake Dewar to offer our Year 8 students a memorable camp experience.

During the course of the week, each student spent three days and two nights in the stunning Winter sunshine enjoying many activities including canoeing, adventure tunnelling, mountain bike riding and the very daunting flying fox.

The Camp and OLMC staff were so impressed by the energy, positivity and behaviour of our Year 8s. Not only were we proud of them, they were so proud of each other, which was evident in their affirmations and care of each other. It was great to be able to provide this opportunity for students to get to know each other better; some new connections were made and have been taken back to school to nourish and build into friendships.

Maureen Fogarty
Year 8 Level Coordinator

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is definitely a show that everyone should see once in their life. I haven’t been to many performances, but I don’t think any show could outdo this one. The show incorporated so many elements to make it feel magical; the time warp, a swimming pool effect, fire, smoke, floating objects and Dementors. When the performance had finished, I was almost in tears because of how good it was. The actors were incredible and to think they were able to remember so many lines over the course of three hours! It baffled me.

We felt really lucky to be able to attend the fabulous performance as a part of our coursework. Our final exam was a design task based on the script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. We had to design for a specified production area (sets, lighting, sound design, costume, make up and props) and present our research and designs for assessment. We looked at the practicalities of how we could bring these designs to life, as well as what impact it would have on an audience. It was a brilliant way to sum up all that we had learned throughout the semester and put it into practice.

Gabriella A (10MMZI)

During Term 2, the Year 9 Drama class explored wellbeing themes that they felt were important to young people in this community. These explorations formed the basis for their ensemble performances that they created for assessment.

As a part of this unit of work, we invited the team from Sprouts Creative to come and run workshops with the students. This culminated in them writing a song based on the student reflection and work. The Year 9 Drama class engaged so wonderfully in the program, offering thoughtful responses and creating beautiful performance work. Congratulations to all of the Year 9 Drama students for their fabulous work last term.

Felicia Taine
Drama Teacher

Friendship, competition, confidence, and the future. These are all themes that we as Year 9s face in this new chapter of our lives. During our first Drama incursion, we challenged ourselves to wonder how we can address these struggles through an interpretation of the Performing Arts (with the help of fun, glittery and colourful props, of course). Ms Taine’s lucky Semester 1 Year 9 Drama class got to meet songwriter Bridget and performer Sharni from Sprouts Creative, who guided us through analysing and reflecting on each group act, to build an understanding of the feelings we may have every day.

The duo returned in June, to sing us a heartfelt song that was written based on the themes and topics we discussed, as well as the tableaus we had created. We were thrilled! The song was so emotional it made many people teary and it’s safe to say it did not disappoint.

Afterwards, our class got the opportunity to discuss the features and structure of the song and then actually learn the lyrics! We learnt about harmonies, the power of percussion instruments and the importance of stripping the song down to a sole melody to achieve a raw emotion.

I think I speak for everyone when I say Drama class is like a second family. We need the song on streaming services ASAP and the incursion was a memory that will live forever.

Liandra J (9LDA)

The 2023 Elite Dance group competed at DanceLife Unite in June, at Gladstone Park Performing Arts Centre.

Students have been rehearsing weekly since the start of Term 1. Dance Captains Olivia A (12MMWI) and Matilda B (11AASE) choreographed a fun, highly energetic and entertaining jazz routine to Ricky Martin’s ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’.

The routine was wonderful and the students' hard work paid off with the group receiving first place and a very high score of 90 points.

The Elite Dancers are to be congratulated for their efforts and performance and they now look forward to preparing for their next performance and competition.

Deb Butterworth
Dance Teacher

If you have been thinking about learning an instrument, now is your chance! We are keen to see new instrumental music students across all year levels, particularly in woodwind, brass and percussion.

Lessons are available in:

• Flute
• Saxophone
• Clarinet
• Oboe
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Cello
• Viola
• Violin
• Drum/Percussion
• Guitar
• Voice.

Instruments are available for hire through the College.

Please contact the Music Department for more information on 9455 7556 or by email to acouch@olmc.vic.edu.au.

Jo-Anne Mileto
Instrumental Music Coordinator

On a typical Winter day in Melbourne, the annual Catholic Girls Sports Association of Victoria (CGSAV) AFL Carnival was held at the Royal Park Playing Fields in Parkville. The Division 1 Competition was made up of five schools: Avila College, Genazzano College, Mater Christi College, Our Lady of Sion and Our Lady of Mercy College. The Senior, Intermediate and Junior sections competed on separate grounds.

The competition in each section was formidable, with many close games due to a high level of teamwork and determination.

The OLMC Senior team lost two games to Our Lady of Sion and Genazzano, finishing the day third and just missing out on the finals.

The OLMC Intermediate team also lost two games against Mater Christi and Avila, resulting in fourth place and out of finals contention.

The OLMC Junior were the success story of the day, with three wins and a loss to Genazzano earlier in the rounds. OLMC qualified for the Junior Finals where they played Genazzano for the second time.

The final was a tough and pressured game, with OLMC looking to avenge their loss earlier in the day and beat Genazzano. The team was victorious, with a final score line of nine points to OLMC against one point to Genazzano.

The Most Valuable Player in the final was awarded to OLMC student Kayla B (8BFA).

Congratulations to all our Junior Footballers on a fantastic result and to all the OLMC students who participated for our school so valiantly throughout the day.

Trevor Robertson
Sports Coordinator

GSV Weekly Sport

A big thank you to all students who have tried out for Soccer, Volleyball and Athletics so far this term. OLMC Senior, Intermediate and Junior teams will commence GSV fixture matches against competing GSV schools in the weeks to come.

GSV Athletics Program

A squad of 60 students will commence preparation for the GSV Preliminary and Championship events throughout the term. Students will be training on Tuesdays and Fridays and competing at two GSV Trial Meets in the coming weeks. We will have a squad finalised and ready for the two major GSV Carnivals.

Gymnastics Victoria Interschool Gymnastics

A squad of 40 students will commence preparation for the Gymnastics Victoria Interschool competition in September. This event is aimed at proficient gymnasts and training will be on Tuesday lunchtime and again on Tuesday afterschool for the first three weeks, and then only after school on Tuesday.

OLMC Aerobics Squad

The OLMC Aerobics Squad has a number of events throughout this term. OLMC Aerobics training continues in preparation for the AeroSchool State Championships later this month. Students may qualify for the National Titles in Queensland in September. OLMC will host the CGSAV Aerobics Event in mid-August, a great lead-up competition prior to Nationals.

Netball Victoria Schools Netball Championships

OLMC have entered five teams to compete at the annual Netball Victoria School Championship Carnival in August. Trials for the teams will commence later this term. OLMC will be represented by one Senior, two Intermediate and two Junior Teams. Students will be invited to try out for this competition.

CGSAV Junior Netball Competition

OLMC will prepare several teams in readiness for the CGSAV Junior Netball Competition in September. This competition provides an opportunity for those Junior netballers who missed out on the Netball Victoria Schools Netball Championships.

Term 3 OLMC Sport Dates

More information about each event will be provided on SIMON/PAM.

Trevor Robertson
Sports Coordinator

The 2023 OLMC Aerobics Squad competed at the AeroChallenge Competition on Sunday 18 June at Nazareth College.

This year the squad consists of 62 students from Year 7 to Year 12. Students have been rehearsing their new routines since Term 1 and AeroChallenge was the first major competition for the year. It is a fantastic opportunity for the students to receive feedback for the State competition on Friday 28 July.

Overall the results were fantastic and OLMC received many places. The competition was extremely strong and competitive.

OLMC students are now preparing for States with the goal to qualify for Nationals, which will be held on the Gold Coast in September.

We wish the Aerobics Squad all the best for the competition.

Deb Butterworth
Aerobics Coordinator

The OLMC Parents’ Association invites you to a Comedy Gala Night with Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann, Johnny Kats and Anna Perry.

Date: Friday 11 August, 7.00pm (Doors open at 6.30pm)
Venue: Nalleijerring Centre, OLMC, Yarra St, Heidelberg
Tickets: $50 via Trybooking

Join in with others from the OLMC Community for a fun night of laughter and frivolity!

‘Lehmo’ is a full time Funny Person, much loved radio host, TV presenter and occasional actor.

Johnny Kats, our MC for the night, is a talented and energetic performer with an arsenal of impersonations. This comedian and NOVA 100 presenter has been making audiences laugh all over Australia and the world.

Anna Perry is a one-of-a-kind comedian. She is a mum who is ready to burst bubbles and reveal hilarious truths about parenting, relationships, music, drugs and annoying customer loyalty programs.

This is an adults-only licensed event with drinks available for purchase. BYO snacks only.

Bookings

Visit Trybooking to book online.

To book a group/table: Purchase the whole table in one booking or purchase a ticket on an available table and notify your fellow guests of the table number so that they can then book on the same table. If you want to rename the table so that your fellow guests can identify the table easily, please contact Marie Jenkins. Tables will seat 10 people.

To book individual tickets: Purchase the required number of tickets on any available table.

Bookings close Thursday 10 August.

For assistance with booking or table allocation please contact Marie Jenkins, T: 9455 7571 E: mjenkins@olmc.vic.edu.au

The OLMC Parents' Association

OLMC Heidelberg is excited to be once again hosting a High Tea in Heidelberg and we invite you and your friends to share in this special event.

Date: Sunday 27 August, 2.00pm
Venue: Nalleijerring Centre, OLMC, Yarra St, Heidelberg
Tickets: Adults $45, Students $25 via Trybooking

The event will support the work of McAuley for Women and Children, an organisation committed to advocating for a better, safer and just society through working with women and children affected by family violence, mental illness or homelessness. Each year they help many women and children to rebuild their lives, supporting them on their journey towards independence and a safer future.

Bookings

Visit Trybooking to book online or contact Marie Jenkins T: 9455 7571, E: mjenkins@olmc.vic.edu.au

To book a group/table: Purchase the whole table in one booking or purchase a ticket on an available table and then notify your guests of the table number they should specify when booking. If you want to rename the table so that your fellow guests can identify the table easily, please contact Marie Jenkins. Tables will seat 10 people.

To book individual ticket: Purchase the required number on any table.

High Tea Raffle

We will also run a raffle to support McAuley for Women and Children. You can purchase tickets at the event or, if you are unable to attend but still wish to offer your support, you can purchase tickets online prior to the event.

1 ticket for $10, 3 tickets for $20 or 8 tickets for $50

To purchase a raffle ticket please visit Trybooking.

Raffle will be drawn on Sunday 27 August 2023 at the High Tea in Heidelberg.

Winners will be notified by phone and/or email and results will be in the College newsletter.

We hope that you can help us to support the work of McAuley for Women and Children by joining us for this very special event or by purchasing a raffle ticket.

Follow the official Our Lady of Mercy College accounts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We’ll be sharing regular news, student achievements and stories from around the College.