Welcome back to Term 4. As is the case every term, there is much to look forward to and it will be a very busy one.

Over the next few weeks our Year 12 students will celebrate the end of their time at OLMC along with preparing for and completing exams. Before exams begin, we will pause and spend time reflecting with them on their OLMC journey. We will celebrate with families all that these students have achieved and the many ways they have grown. They will soon finish their schooling and embark on the next significant chapter of their lives.

The end of Year 12 classes is a very special time but there is still much to do before they are officially finished. Some students will be involved in performance or oral examinations in the next two weeks. All will be involved in extensive revision and practice exams. It is important for our Year 12 students to remember they still have much before them and we encourage them to make good choices about how they celebrate and remain focused on their success.

Next week on Thursday 12 October, the Art Show will open and we will recognise the students whose artworks have been displayed as part of the Caldow Collection. Each year artworks of students from Year 7 to 12 are selected to form the gallery of works displayed in the Administration Building, also known as the Caldow Collection. Next week we will formally acknowledge and thank those students for the joy they bring to us each and every day as we walk along the corridor. The Design, Art and Technology team have worked very hard to continue to provide opportunities for our Visual Art, Design, Media and Food Studies students to grow and develop their skills and talents. Congratulations to all students for their continued commitment to their art and design. We are looking forward to welcoming families and students to celebrate the opening of our Art Show and the talents of our young people.

Each year level will this term reach the end of another year and begin preparations for the next. We will welcome our Year 7 2024 students and begin their OLMC journey with them. It is an exciting time. While we all still have much to achieve it can be challenging to prepare for the future while living in the present. During Term 4 we are so often inspired by the grit and determination of our students as they strive to complete the year having given their best effort.

Last term parents received an invitation to complete a survey as part of the Principal Review process. I am grateful to all who took the time to share your feedback. The Review Panel this week met with staff and students and will shortly formalise their report. The feedback is invaluable for me and I am grateful to all who responded to the survey.

We are looking forward to a joyful term where the talents and skills of our students are recognised and celebrated with our community.

On Wednesday, we celebrated the feast of St Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226). We are reminded by his example, teachings, charism and spirituality of our role in building God’s kingdom.

We are also very conscious of the great need for peace…

• Peace in our world as many continue to be hungry and flee danger
• Peace in Australia as we contemplate the Referendum
• Peace in our communities where hurt and pain exist
• Peace in our hearts…

So, we pray this Prayer of Peace attributed to St Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Pope Francis published his latest encyclical on Wednesday 4 October (the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi) with the title Laudate Deum focusing on the environment. ‘Laudate Deum’ (Praise God) is a frequent refrain in several psalms, including Psalm 148, which tells the heavens and angels, the sun and moon to praise the Lord. The new document is what the Pope has described as a follow-up to his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si (On Care for Our Common Home). The new document, he said, is ‘a look at what has happened’ since 2015 and a look at what still ‘needs to be done.’

There is already much commentary around Referendum fatigue. As a Catholic School, in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, we wanted to share some information with our community.

OLMC respects the divided opinions of First Nations people. This is a challenging time with much debate, some information and misinformation and even death threats in some First Nation communities of differing views.

Our response is:

1. To encourage research, discernment and prayer
2. Explore what certain bodies are saying and why, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous
3. Compare both sides of the argument.

Below are some useful links if you are seeking some information:

1. ISMAPNG - 7 June 2023
2. ACBC Statement - 11 May 2023
3. Listen, Learn, Love - 27 August 2023 (ACBC Social Justice statement)
4. An article by Fr Frank Brennan, a Jesuit, lawyer and academic - 1 September 2023

We pray that whatever the outcome, reconciliation and healing are front and centre of all we are doing.

Dear Lord
We invite all Australians to join us, their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Brothers and Sisters in prayer.
We pray for a bright and just shared future for all who call Australia home.
We ask that Your grace of acceptance and compassion will guide us.
Let the Creator Spirit lead our journey with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this land.
May we share Your Spirit more deeply; celebrate the gifts You have given us.
Help us appreciate true harmony and peace just as our Old People did;
Keep us strong, make us resilient and remember us in this time.
Now is an opportunity to change our Nation’s history for the better.
Walk with us as we write a new chapter together and may we be one in Your love.

Amen.

^{© NATSICC 2023}

During the first three days of the September holidays, a group of Year 10 and 11s led ‘Camp Heide’ – a holiday program run by OLMC for children in the Olympic Village Exodus Community. The students were joined by many teachers, with the camp being overseen by Bernadette Mercieca.

This life-sharing experience offered so much joy and fun including making chocolate crackles, playing games, learning some magic tricks and eating yummy foods. The children enjoyed warm up games and drama activities, craft and sporting activities, circus skills workshops, a visit from the Reptile Zoo and many other activities such as play dough for the younger students. These activities were all skilfully led by our amazing student leaders. Everyone was very well fed with the great culinary skills of Shane Taylor!

The sharing of Mercy is always two-way, and we cannot thank our students enough for their commitment, compassion and joy.

Liz Wake from Olympic Village attended to support the program and provided us with the following feedback:

‘To all the amazing students and staff of Camp Heide,

Just wanting to extend a huge thank you from the kids and parents to you all for organising such a fantastic experience over the three days of Camp Heide!

The kids were buzzing each morning and afternoon, eager to get there and full of news at the end of the day. The activities planned, food prepared, care and patience of students and staff were so great to witness (this being my first Camp Heide).

Mums were so grateful for the activity and the respite for themselves. There is a lot going on for many of the campers at home and school and this provided a fun escape!’

Lauren Marquet
Social Justice Coordinator

Bernadette Mercieca
Religious Education Teacher

The beginning of Term 4, although being a new start to a new term, also carries with it a sense that the end of the year is upon us and that 2023 will soon be over. Before looking ahead, let me take a moment to look back over some of the highlights of the last few weeks of Term 3. Without a doubt Mercy Day, with our whole school Mass and celebration, was a huge success with funds being raised to support the work of McAuley For Women and Children. The food stalls, disco and games added much to the fun of the day and the Performing Arts Concert in the afternoon displayed great talent. A big shout-out to our Year 8 performers who impressed us all.

OLMC hosted a ‘High Tea in Heidelberg’ on Sunday 27 August as another fundraiser to support the work of McAuley For Women and Children. Twenty-two Year 8 student volunteers did a wonderful job serving, socialising and cleaning up and for this we are very grateful. Volunteering is such an important part of our school community and the wider community and all of these students commented on how positive they felt contributing in this way.

Many Year 8s were involved in the National Aerobics Competition during the holidays and enjoyed wonderful success. Similar success was achieved on the sporting field with great participation rates amongst the year level. Please ask your daughter about the lunchtime Mat Ball Competition and you will be sure to hear how competitive the students were and how much fun they had.

Like every other term, the focus for students in Term 4 is on learning and socialisation; setting high expectations regarding learning and behaviour and making the most of the many opportunities OLMC offers. Working with you as parents and guardians is key to supporting the growth of your child and so, in this spirit, I ask that you keep in touch with what your child is learning and check that they are completing their work set for home and revision. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please email or phone the relevant teacher.

On another note, we do our best to teach safe and responsible use of technology at school and need this to continue at home. Please be vigilant and set boundaries if you feel this is needed, particularly around access to and use of social media platforms in the evening. If you need any support with this, please contact me.

All students are now able to wear their Summer uniform. Please ensure that the length of your daughter’s dress is appropriate and ‘hits the knee’. This will entail some hemlines being lengthened. Furthermore, fake eyelashes and nails which were holiday indulgences are not suitable for school and need to be removed.

Maureen Fogarty
Year 8 Level Coordinator

‘It’s Time We Talked’ Parent Resources

At the end of last term, the Counselling and Wellbeing Teams from both OLMC and Marcellin College ran a parent presentation by Maree Crabbe. Maree is the director of ‘It’s Time We Talked’, a program that supports young people, parents, schools, and the community sector to understand and address the influence of pornography. A number of parents contacted the College to say that they were unable to attend the information night but were interested in reading through any resources that might be made available. Please find below the resources that Maree shared with us.

In addition, the eSafety Commissioner has a number of webinars for parents and caregivers that are focused on supporting young people to have safe online experiences.

Welcome to Term 4! Even though we are nearing the end of the year there is still so much happening in Performing Arts this term.

Firstly, I would like to thank our Performing Arts Student Leadership team for all their hard work this year. They have demonstrated the school values of courage, compassion, justice and joy in everything they have done. These leaders are to be congratulated on the way in which they have embraced running various clubs and performances (both during school time and after hours) and the enthusiasm and joy they have brought to their roles. They have been an inspiration to many of our younger students. Congratulations and thank you to:

Arts
Isabella K (12AHRA)
Alessia K (12LJVA)

Music
Lilian M (11MCMI)
Abbey P (11AGGL)

Production
Syeria L (12LAGA)
Charlotte D (11MAMN)

Drama
Rose C (12MECO)
Natasha A (11CSGP)

Dance
Olivia A (12MMWI)
Matilda B (11AASE)

I would also like to wish our VCE Music, Drama and Theatre Studies students all the best for their upcoming practical and written exams. Thank you to all of these students who have been an integral part of the Performing Arts Department over their time at OLMC. They have not only engaged fully with their subject but they have contributed to the life of the school through performances and productions.

Engaging in the Performing Arts has been proven to be highly beneficial for students. Enrolling in the any of these subjects improves emotional intelligence, confidence, resilience, discipline, communication skills, co-ordination, creativity and problem-solving skills. It also helps students discover more about themselves and their strengths and weaknesses as a person. There are numerous opportunities to get involved in the performing arts at OLMC through music lessons, ensembles, dance and drama clubs and of course, productions.

Our Junior students are just beginning on their journey in the performing arts with the Junior Production of High School Musical hitting the Mercedes Hogan Theatre stage in December. Over 60 students from both OLMC and Marcellin have been rehearsing since last term and they are gearing up for a spectacular performance of High School Musical! This version is slightly different to the original Disney movie as it has some new songs and lyrics, but many of your favourites remain. The show is filled with singing, dancing and music and is guaranteed to entertain! Tickets will be on sale later this term, so look out for the link on PAM.

Year 12 Music Inquiry

This year saw the introduction of the new VCE Music curriculum. We embraced the opportunity to engage with the new subject Music Inquiry. In this subject, each of the three disciplines in music are treated equally: Performance, Composition and Analysis. After studying how music connected over the centuries in Unit 3, students selected their own focus and prepared a folio for external marking. The folio consisted of at least one performance, composition and a description of their analysis of the works they studied and how their performances and composition were connected and influenced by their research.

The makeup of the class was evenly divided between guitarists and vocalists, which ensured lively and engaging conversations about performances and analysis. Each student developed a topic they were passionate about and in which they wanted to ‘dig deeper’. The range of topics was impressive from Jimi Hendrix’s solos, female empowerment in new and old musicals, opera vocal techniques in modern and classical operas, through to bass guitar techniques in thrash metal.

The folio aspect of the subject allowed the students to work to their strengths whether it be performance, writing or composition. Music Inquiry is a subject designed for all students (not just music students!) to engage in. You do not need to be a high achiever with your instrument, nor do you need to have amazing skills at reading music! Music Inquiry allows students to engage in music at their own level and passion.

Madalena Broadbent
Performing Arts Learning Leader

On Wednesday 13 September the Annual OLMC Celebration of Sport Evening was held in the Nalleijerring Centre in front of an audience of approximately 250 parents, students, staff and guests.

The Celebration of Sport Evening celebrates the performances, commitment and endeavours of the students at OLMC. Presented by the OLMC Sport Captains, Ashleigh T and Sahra C , individual sport captains and Sport staff, the awards acknowledge students who excel in sportsmanship, commitment and leadership on the sporting arenas.

This year our special guest was AFL Women’s footballer from the Western Bulldogs Jessica Fitzgerald who delighted the audience with her vast experiences, words of wisdom and challenges as a student aspiring to excel in her chosen sport.

The awards night importantly acknowledges individual students in each year level with the Sports Person of the Year Award and the overall OLMC Sport Person of the Year Award.

This year we congratulate:

Congratulations to all involved. We wish to thank all parents for their ongoing commitment to their daughters’ participation in GSV.

Trevor Robertson
Sports Coordinator

Our 2023 OLMC Aerobic Squad competed at Nationals on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September, on the sunny Gold Coast. Thirty-nine students were selected to compete at Nationals and they all represented OLMC with pride and performed with dedication, determination and enthusiasm.

It was wonderful to have so many families attend the competition to see all of the hard work of the students. It is a huge commitment to be part of the Aerobic program, with the students training twice a week, from the beginning of Term 1.

With new Aerobic leotards designed in the OLMC colours, the students looked professional and were so strong in all of their performances.

Many schools throughout Australia competed and the sections were extremely strong. All OLMC students were placed in at least the top ten and we received many places, including a second, two thirds, three fourth places and two fifth places. The students are to be congratulated on their achievements and success.

Trials for the 2024 Aerobic squad will take place towards the end of Term 4.

Deb Butterworth
Aerobics Coordinator

Each year the Parents’ Association run a Lucky Fees Raffle to raise funds that support and enhance educational opportunities and the community life at OLMC. First prize is $4000 off your school fees for 2024 – wouldn’t that be amazing?

Tickets are $10 each,10 for $70 or 15 for $100

To purchase tickets please click here

1st prize $4000 Voucher for 2024 School Fees
Or Shopping Vouchers to the value of $4000

2nd Prize Travel Managers Voucher valued at $200

3rd Prize Travel Managers Voucher valued at $100

4th Prize Farm Vigano Restaurant, South Morang Voucher valued at $100

5th Prize Farm Vigano Restaurant, South Morang Voucher valued at $100

6th Prize Noone Uniform Voucher valued at $100

7th Prize Chocilo Hamper

The raffle will be drawn on Friday 17 November at the College. Winners will be notified by phone or email and results published in the Newsletter.

Your support in the sale of the raffle tickets is gratefully appreciated.

OLMC Parents’ Association

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.