Newsletter No 5 Apr 17

760 Sydney Road
Coburg VIC 3058
CRICOS Code: 02227J
Website: http://www.mercycollege.vic.edu.au/
Email: principal@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 03 9319 9299
Fax: 03 9354 9232
Subscribe to Online Newsletter! http://mercydc.schoolzinenewsletters.com/subscribe
17 April 2015
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Welcome back to Term Two!
After hopefully a restful break we are each energized for an
exciting term ahead of learning and teaching. There are indeed
many diverse opportunities in the term ahead for students,
parents and teachers, including our joint schools musical 'All
Shook Up', our ANZAC Commemoration on Friday 24 April,
Activities Week commencing Tuesday 28 April and concluding
on Friday 1 May, NAPLAN for Years 7 and 9 students and
of course way ahead in the distance the semester one exams
for Years 10 and 11 and the GAT for Year 12. These are all
important milestones for Term Two that need to be prepared
for in many and varied ways to get the most out of them.
I encourage all parents to talk with their daughters about what
Term Two looks like for them in these first few weeks. Getting
a sense of what individual goals are and sharing strategies for
achieving excellence in its many forms is an important learning
conversation to have and a great way to connect in a positive
way. Should parents have any questions about learning
programs, co-curricular activities or just want to touch base
with their daughter's teachers please send an email or give your
daughter's teacher a call. Our staff are very much committed
to working in partnership with families and consistent
communication is a great way of strengthening our
relationships.
We welcome back our Mercy in Action 2015 - Cambodia
Immersion group. With the support of the whole school
community, family and friends, they made a very big difference
to the lives of the people they worked with in Cambodia. You
will be able to read more about the experience in coming
editions of the newsletter. Thanks to Mrs McNamara
(Immersion Leader) and Mrs Hickey for their participation in the
immersion.
This week I celebrated morning tea with the group of students
who received Student of the Term awards at the conclusion of
Term One and were recognised during Showcase. The Term
One Students of the Term for each year level are: Olivia
Ramondetta (Year 7 – JMG1), Ivana Grande (Year 8 – JMG3),
Jasleen Kaur (9A), Laura Mancino (10B), Bianca Paidi (Year 11
- MG1), Ruby Boles (Year 12 – MG1). Further details later in the
newsletter.
production. The energy and the enthusiasm of the staff and
students has been phenomenal and is sure to make for a great
performance - get your tickets now if you haven't already - last
year's show sold out!
Best wishes
Dr Michelle Cotter
Principal
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – DIRECTOR OF
LEARNING
Welcome back to learning for Term Two!
After the Easter holiday break, our learning programs have
recommenced with energy and enthusiasm. In the coming
weeks all students and staff are busy preparing for Activities
Week. This week in our school year is a carefully planned and
designed week of learning opportunities for students at every
year level and is unique to Mercy. In suspending usual classes
for all year levels for the week we are able to provide students
with authentic programs that take them beyond curriculum
programs. Through camp, retreat, work experience and M.A.D
programs designed at each year level they experience rich and
diverse learning opportunities.
In my recent Social Justice Immersion to Cambodia – Mercy
In Action - with students from Mercy and St. Aloysius College,
North Melbourne, there was evidence of another opportunity,
providing our students with authentic learning experiences
taking them beyond curriculum programs. Although the poverty
in which many Cambodians live is obvious, what struck me
was that many of the people were in fact spiritually rich. It
could be seen in the extended family networks, where the old
and the very young came together in small villages to share
food, company and shelter. It was a spirituality that was very
much alive in spite of the difficult and challenging conditions in
which these people were living. This spirituality and sense of
community was also evident in the young Mercy women with
whom we travelled; their enthusiasm and commitment to being
young women who dream big and think deeply about issues
locally and globally was indeed inspiring.
As we carry the joy of Easter into the second school term and
beyond, we each face new challenges and experiences that
the change of the seasons and the academic year brings, both
academic and personal, that are a part of moving through the
different year levels at the College.
Good luck and thanks to the Mercy and Parade College staff
who have worked with passion and enthusiasm to bring the
musical 'All Shook Up' to the stage in the coming weeks; a
particular thank you to Miss Wood for her leadership of the
1
NAPLAN TESTS
All Year 7 and 9 students will participate in the NAPLAN testing
on May 12 -14. All students will be provided with a schedule
for the tests and an overview of the NAPLAN process at Mercy
College. This will be made available to students prior to
Activities Week.
END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS
Even though we are only at the beginning of Term 2, it is an
appropriate time to be looking ahead to the end of semester
examination period. Scheduled exams for Year 10 & 11
students will be organised for the week commencing Friday 5
June (Year 11 only), and will run up to and including Friday 12
June. Timetables for the examination period will be distributed
later in Term 2 and a copy will be available via the newsletter.
Although examinations mark the culmination of semesters and
units of study, preparation for them should be an ongoing
process. Appropriate preparation for examinations is essential
and is a skill which can only develop though practice and
organisation.
SEMESTER 1 REPORTS
Semester 1 Reports will be available to all families in late June.
Details regarding student progress against the AusVELs (7 –
10) and VCE/VCAL standards as well as outlines of possible
areas of improvement will be included within these reports. If a
parent has a concern or would like to discuss their daughter’s
progress throughout the term, we encourage contact be made
to your daughter’s pastoral leader or subject teacher.
Mrs Jenni Hickey
Deputy Principal – Director of Learning
DIRECTOR OF MISSION
EASTER SEASON
In the Church we are currently in the Easter season which is
actually 50 days long. It starts with Easter Sunday and finishes
with the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit.
There are a number of celebrations throughout the Easter
season. We have already had Divine Mercy Sunday (the Sunday
after Easter Sunday) - one of the newer feasts on the Roman
Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, established on April 30
2000, by Pope John Paul II. Another celebration in the Easter
season is Ascension Thursday, when we remember Jesus
ascending to God, and this occurs 40 days after Easter Sunday
(although it may be celebrated on the following Sunday).
Readings during the Easter season focus on Jesus’ teaching
after the Resurrection. The festive colours used during this
season are white and gold because we want to show our joy at
the resurrection.
In this Easter season, let us take a moment to reflect on the
joy of our family and the words of guidance, comfort, and
inspiration that Pope Francis provides to everyone:
2
“With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always
capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to
lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the
resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May
nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!”
—Evangelii Gaudium: Apostolic Exhortation on the
Proclamation of the Gospel in Today's World (24 November
2013).
YEAR 9 STATIONS OF THE CROSS
If you walked around our campus during the last week of Term
1 you would have noticed the installations of the Stations of
the Cross. This project was worked on by the Year 9 Religion
classes throughout Term 1 under the direction of Mrs Dean,
Ms Mosca, Mrs Catania and Miss Wood. The students were
required to read a gospel passage related to the events leading
to the death and resurrection of Jesus and to then come up
with a symbolic way to interpret the emotion of the story. Their
efforts have been assessed by other Mercy students and also
by the Grade 5 & 6 students of St Paul’s Primary in Coburg who
came to Mercy as part of their own Easter preparations.
The student depictions of the final station remind us that the
story does not end at Jesus’ death. In fact the most important
moment of this story is the Resurrection. The Resurrection
makes the suffering of Jesus and the disciples all worthwhile.
In the Resurrection experience Jesus’ disciples and the early
Christians realised all was not lost when Jesus died because
they were surprised by the unexpected news of his
resurrection. They realised he lived on and we too have hope
that our faith will bring us surprises and that we too will
experience resurrection. This is why some of the Year 9
students have shown the Resurrection as a flower growing
out of a parched and unexpected landscape. By comparison
another group of Year 9s, in interpreting this same station,
chose to focus on the women who were the first witnesses to
this Resurrection experience and what it must have been like to
discover that Christ had risen. A final group depicted the hope
found in the risen Christ as being like a light at the end of the
tunnel.
The Stations and reflections the students created also formed
part of our Easter Liturgy on the final day of Term 1. We thank
all the Year 9s and their RE teachers for their great efforts in
bringing the story of the passion, death and resurrection to life
for us here at Mercy this Easter.
that were in need of help by buying rice or other resources that
were urgently needed. We would like to thank everyone who
has supported us by bringing in clothing or by supporting our
fundraising efforts. We look forward to sharing more from our
immersion with you in the coming weeks.
ACMA CYBERSAFETY PRESENTATIONS
Year 9 Stations of the Cross
Ms Loretta Kitch
Director of Mission
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT WELLBEING
MERCY IN ACTION – CAMBODIA 2015
Over the past year the girls who are part of
the “Mercy in Action – Cambodia 2015”
immersion have fundraised tirelessly so as to
be able to make a difference to the lives of
many people in Cambodia. Tabitha
Cambodia is an organisation that supports
the very poor families who live in rural villages. Due to the
generous support of many members of our community we were
able to raise $9500 to donate to Tabitha that was used to
purchase the materials to build 5 houses to replace the shacks
that the families were living in. One of the most rewarding things
we did in Cambodia was to drive to a village 2 hours out of
Phnom Penh and complete the houses by nailing the bamboo
strips down to make floors and to attach the sheeting to make
walls. When the houses were completed the families were
presented with their new homes – as you can no doubt imagine
this was a very emotional experience for the families and the
girls and staff from Mercy. Thanks in particular to Bryce Barker
from JBM group (the builders who work at Mercy College), the
BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria, the family and friends of
Alyssa Russo, Alana Barber, Bridget Avent and Sabrina Martins
for their generous donations as well as the many members of
our community who also contributed to the house-building
project. The Junior School of Mercy College also gave $300
from their Project Mercy donations to fund two fresh water wells
in one of the villages.
Throughout the year we also conducted many fundraising
activities which resulted in approximately $10,000 being raised.
Every cent of the money raised went to the people in Cambodia
as the girls paid for the cost of their own trip. $3000 was used
to continue the sponsorship of ten young girls in Phnom Penh
– this will pay for a year’s schooling and will also give the family
some food so they allow their daughters to go to school rather
than work to earn money. $1500 was given to an organisation
that looks after the grannies on a rubbish dump we visited. We
sponsor 4 elderly ladies with the money buying them rice, multi
vitamins and medication such as paracetamol. Over $3000 was
given to Sr Denise Coghlan, a Sister of Mercy who works with
refugees, landmine victims and disadvantaged communities in
Siem Reap. We were also able to support villages or individuals
Young people today are immersed in digital technologies. They
use the internet and mobile phones to socialise, study,
exchange ideas and play. While online activity has many
benefits, there are also risks. Mercy College is committed to
helping students develop appropriate behaviours when using
digital technologies, both at school and home.
To help your daughter stay safe online, we are hosting
Cybersmart
Outreach—Internet
Safety
Awareness
presentations for students, staff and parents.
The presentations are provided by the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as part of a
national program of cybersmart initiatives and will be conducted
by an ACMA Cybersmart trainer.
The presentations are thorough and non-technical. They will
cover a range of issues including:
• the ways children use the internet and emerging
technologies
• potential risks for children online, such as
cyberbullying, identity theft, inappropriate contact
and exposure to inappropriate content
• tips to help children stay safe online
• all students in Years 7 - 10 will attend a presentation
during Period 6 on Tuesday April 21
• VCE students are welcome to attend if they do not
have a timetabled class at that time.
All parents/guardians are invited to a presentation as follows:
Date: Tuesday April 21
Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Venue: McAuley Hall, Mercy College
For further information please see the following interactive
resource:
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/whbts
ACTIVITIES WEEK 2015
During Week 3 of Term Two students and staff of Mercy
College will embark on ‘Activities Week’. Below is a table which
illustrates what happens at each level during this week.
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
April 27
April 28
April 29
April 30
May 1
Monday B
Adanac
Adanac
Adanac
Adanac
timetable
CYC
CYC
CYC
CYC
Monday B
timetable
Don Bosco
Camp
Don Bosco
Camp
Don Bosco
Camp
Don
Bosco
Camp
M.A.D
M.A.D
M.A.D
M.A.D
M.A.D
(Make a
Difference)
(Make a
Difference)
(Make a
Difference)
(Make a
Difference)
(Make a
Difference)
3
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
April 27
April 28
April 29
April 30
May 1
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Year
10
Work
Experience
Work
Experience
Work
Experience
Work
Experience
Work
Experience
Year
11
Monday B
timetable
Canberra
Tour
Canberra
Tour
Canberra
Tour
Canberra
Tour
Year12
Monday B
VCE/VCAL
Blampied
Blampied
Blampied
timetable
Enhancement
Retreat
Retreat
Retreat
All students received information and permission/medical forms
on Tuesday April 14. These need to be returned promptly so
that arrangements for these activities can be finalised.
Students who are unable to attend camps or retreat are
required to attend school as usual from Monday to Friday. They
will participate in a Learning Programme facilitated by Mercy
staff. They will need to attend, wearing full school uniform,
between 8:40am and 3:30pm each day. Students must report
to reception at the start of each day. Please note that there will
be no canteen services available during this week so students
should ensure they bring their recess and lunch requirements.
All usual school procedures and protocols will continue during
this time.
TERM 2 UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS
All students are expected to wear full winter uniform after
Activities Week – please check the length of the tunic to ensure
it sits at the knee. Prior to Activities Week students can wear
either full summer uniform or full winter uniform but not a
combination of both. The college scarf is a winter accessory
and is only to be worn with the winter uniform. Please note no
other scarves are acceptable and gloves must be navy blue.
Mrs Michelle McNamara
Director of Student Wellbeing
FROM CLAUDIA WHITE – WELLBEING CAPTAIN
“Mercy Against Bullying”
During the last two weeks of Term One we celebrated “Mercy
Against Bullying”. The students were made aware of many
facts and myths about bullying through daily messages and
lunchtime activities. Friday March 20 was the National Day of
Action against Bullying and Violence. Staff and students were
invited to sign a pledge agreeing to:
• behave respectfully, responsibly and safely
• treat others with equality and respect
• refuse to bully others
• report incidents of bullying
• help and support those who might be being bullied
The pledges were displayed outside the Community Hub for
the fortnight and will now be displayed in year level areas as
a reminder to all to continue behaving in a manner that is
respectful of all.
A “Mercy Against Bullying” poster competition was also held.
Students were asked to create a poster that encouraged
4
students to be “upstanders” not “bystanders”. The winning
poster encouraged students not to let bullies stand on them;
to stand up, stand proud, stand right, stand with courage,
stand with love and stand with their hearts. The winner of the
competition was Ravena Yousif of JMG6.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in the “Mercy
Against Bullying” activities and hopefully together we can
continue to make Mercy a place where all students feel
safe and supported.
Mercy Stars during Term 1
A Mercy Star lucky dip for Years 7 – 9 and Years 10 – 12 and
a grand draw from all of the tokens collected throughout the
term was held at the Term 1 Showcase. Congratulations to the
following students and staff who were rewarded for displaying
Respectful, Responsible and Safe behaviours during Term 1:
• Pia Taylor (JMG2) was recognised by Mrs Catania for
offering to assist with class activities.
• Barbara Nissan (MG5) was recognised by Mr Klepp
for returning forms responsibly.
• Both girls received a prize from Smiggle and the
teachers also received a gift.
• Maryam Petrus (MG4) was the lucky student who
had her token drawn out in the lucky dip. For
displaying behaviours that contribute to the positive
environment here at Mercy she received a $30 movie
card.
• Ms Harvey also received a movie card for recognising
Maryam’s contribution to our community.
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a
certificate and a Mercy Star badge that can be worn on their
blazer, in recognition of receiving the most Mercy Stars in their
year level throughout the term.
Year 7 - Carla Martins
Year 8 - Theodoula Vorenas
Year 9 - Katie Manalo
Year 10 - Natalie Pafralis
Year 11 - Toto Li
Year 12 - Victoria Petruolo
The following students have also been recognised for being
awarded 5 or more Mercy Stars throughout the term. They
were each given a certificate and had a choice of either a Mercy
Star key ring or mini key ring torch.
Year 7 - Isabella Bellmut, Maryam Daniel, Liana del
Campo, Claudia Dell’Universita, Tara Hanna, Nirgun
Kaur, Chiara Lizio, Isabella Maccora, Carla Martins,
Briana Maurici, Tessa Monple, Juanita Mususu, Olivia
Ramondetta, Ravena Yousif
Year 8 - Rose Dagher, Chiara Guarino, Mary Rosella,
Theodoula Vorenas
Year 10 - Julia Gauci, Natalie Pafralis
Year 12 - Victoria Petrulo
Throughout Term 2 the Wellbeing Student Leaders will be
actively promoting activities that inform our community of issues
related to the health and wellbeing of Mercy College students.
We look forward to the continued support we have been given
by the staff and students of Mercy College.
Claudia White
Wellbeing Captain
performing her duties diligently. Ivana is always
one to uphold our Mercy values and display
our behaviour expectations. She is a role
model to other students.
JASLEEN KAUR – YEAR 9 (9A)
BUSINESS MANAGER
NEW “NO SMOKING” LAWS
By law, smoking is banned within the grounds of, and within
four metres of an entrance to, all childcare centres,
kindergartens, preschools and schools from 13 April 2015.
Please see the attached flyer for full details.
PACER FUNDING – CANBERRA TRIP
Students from our school will soon be undertaking an education
tour of the national capital. Students will be given the
opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs
with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and
democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all
young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part
of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in
meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government
is contributing funding of $30 per student under the Parliament
and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.
The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the
excursion.
Mrs Judy Sailors
Business Manager
STUDENT OF THE TERM
Jasleen has made an excellent start to Year 9.
She is working well in all classes, staying on
task and completing all her work. Whenever
she sees a need, she volunteers to help, both
in the classroom and outside of it. She
demonstrates the Mercy spirit in all her
interactions with both staff and students.
LAURA MANCINO – YEAR 10 (10B)
Laura always tries her best in class,
completing tasks to the best of her ability and
demonstrating a positive approach to her
studies. As a class leader, she is unselfish with
her time and energy, attending meetings and
demonstrating hospitality and compassion in
her willingness to promote her fellow class
members’ wellbeing. Laura is actively involved
in co-curricular activities and is a positive and
cheerful member of our community, aiming to
smile as often as she can.
BIANCA PAIDI – YEAR 11 (MG1)
Bianca always displays an excellent attitude,
demonstrating persistence in all areas. She
regularly seeks assistance to better her
knowledge and understanding in her studies.
As an active participant in the 50th anniversary
mass, she followed all instructions cheerfully.
Bianca is always thinking of others and
demonstrates compassion by quietly
supporting her peers by looking for
opportunities to make them more comfortable.
Her caring manner embodies our Mercy
values.
RUBY BOLES – YEAR 12 (MG1)
OLIVIA RAMONDETTA – YEAR 7 (JMG1)
Olivia is curious about her learning and
diligently completes all tasks. Olivia has
involved herself fully in the Mercy community,
as evidenced by her support of the 50th
anniversary fete. She is always friendly,
cheerful and inclusive and has been supportive
of her fellow students. Olivia is enthusiastic
about attending school and is enjoying the
challenges that Year 7 brings
IVANA GRANDE – YEAR 8 (JMG3)
Ivana works well in class and tries hard to
improve her skills – particularly in English.
Ivana is caring and supportive of the Year 7
students and new students in her class.
Having taken on a class leadership role, she is
Ruby has been persistent in her start to Year
12, doing her best to maintain a positive
outlook despite significant challenges. She is
cheerful and friendly in all her daily interactions
with staff and students alike. Ruby makes use
of every opportunity to be involved in the daily
life of Mercy College and she undertakes any
task she is asked to complete with a minimum
of fuss.
HEAD OF LEARNING – ENGLISH
Steven Herrick is an Australian poet who visited us to speak to
the Year 9 students about his writing. He shared some of his
favourite pieces with us and inspired us to have a go at doing
some writing of our own.
This is what a student in 9D had to say about his visit:
“Steven Herrick is very entertaining and funny. He looks
like he is very committed to his work and really enjoys
it, which makes others enjoy his work too. Even though
it only takes him a short time to write a poem, they are
5
always so successful and great - he is an amazing writer
and poet. He wrote a book named By the River back in
2004. This book covers a lot of different scenarios - like
romance, sadness and happiness. This is good because
it’s boring when there's only one thing going on in a
book. He writes poems and he was in a movie, but only
for a short while. It involved him reading his poems to
many people in a street, but he only lasted for a minute
or so because he got shot!
Steven is a great inspiration for people who want to be
a writer or poet. He has travelled the world because of
his great work and Mercy was very lucky to get a hold of
him at such a busy time because he is on tour. Steven
Herrick did a great job coming to Mercy and showing off
some of his work.”
Daria Marrello 9D
This is one of the poems which Steven performed:
The Ten Commandments (or Ten Things Your
Parents Will Never Say!)
Let’s forget dinner tonight, we’ll eat ice-cream instead.
Goodnight children, I’m off to bed. Stay up as late as you
want.
No homework tonight, I’m putting all homework in the
fireplace immediately.
Children, don’t be so quiet. Start yelling, turn the TV up,
start arguing. NOW!
Yes, of course you can have 21 of your friends come
over to stay on Saturday night. We’ve got heaps of room.
No, don’t listen to the dentist. Lollies and biscuits are
good for your teeth.
Yes, that SuperdoopaComputerGame is too expensive.
But let’s buy it anyway and we’ll put it in your room.
What’s that? You broke the kitchen window. Good boy.
Can someone go to the shop for a paper? Here’s $100,
keep the change.
Yes, I know it’s Monday, but why don’t we stay home
from school anyway!
Steven Herrick
Inspired by this poem, 9D collaborated to come up with their
own piece:
Ten Things your boyfriend will NEVER say to you:
Let’s walk around Northland and I’ll hold your bags while
you shop for shoes.
Stop right there! I’ll clean your bedroom for you! No
problem!
Can we watch the One Direction movie a few hundred
more times?
I loved meeting your scary, overprotective, body builder
dad!
Your mood swings are my favourite thing in the world!
I am totally okay with the fact that you haven’t waxed
your upper lip in quite a while.
I love it when you burp in front of me when we’re eating
out.
I love how you eat a clove of garlic before you kiss me.
Yes, it’s fine if you make out with my best mate!
6
Sure, it’s okay if you want to break up with me and go
out with that totally hot, popular dude!
Ms Kay Toll
Head of Learning - English
500 POPPIES PROJECT
Our project has grown well, please pardon the pun! Assisted
by one of our College Captains, Victoria Petruolo and a great
group of Year 12s, as well as Ms Kennedy and Tara
Mashakhada from Year 7, we were able to make 32 poppies
in one lunch time last term! Thanks also to Mrs Juliet Erickson,
grandmother of Bella in Year 11 for knitting some poppies to
add to our collection.
We have now actually exceeded our target of 500 poppies and,
at the time of printing, we had over 660. Thanks to the efforts
of those mentioned above and staff who crafted poppies on
our first day back this term, Kathy Pitropakis who completed 39
poppies during the holidays and Mrs Rita Saliba (grandmother
of Erin Saliba in Year 8), who knitted and crocheted 19 poppies.
It has been a great community building endeavour and we look
forward to sharing some more photos in our next newsletter.
Students hard at work making poppies
Mrs Bond and Ms Polastri
PERFORMING ARTS
Term one has certainly seen some great performances from the
Performing Arts.
Last month, students performed at the Fawkner Community
Project Festival on Saturday 21 March. Congratulations to Tania
Ragusa (Year 12, Performing Arts Captain), Jemma Miller (Year
11, Performing Arts Captain), Victoria Sithole (Year 10), Faith
Fraiia (Year 9) and Olivia Zuber (Year 9). These girls did an
amazing job performing a wonderful array of songs. It was a
great opportunity for the girls to gain experience in performing
for the community. Well done! Thank you to Dr Michelle Cotter,
Mrs Robyn Herrera and to the parents who assisted on the day.
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS
Instrumental Lessons continue for Term Two. We have a range
of musical instruments that students can learn such as:
• Guitar and Drums
• Voice
• Piano
• Woodwind instruments
• String instruments
When the elderly come and do zumba in the water, all the year
7s join in and have a lot of fun and sing and dance to the beat
of the song. However when we take over the change rooms at
the end it is not quite a song and dance.
In the first few lessons we took forever to get changed and out
of the toilets and Ms Barberi taught us how to get changed
faster and gave us treats like Freddo’s and lollipops so that the
first 8-10 people who came out got a treat. But as we had more
swimming lessons we have learnt to get out faster.
Students who are interested in learning a new instrument in
Term 2 can collect a form from Mrs Vithoulkas or from the front
office.
The instructors helped us to get better and show us new
techniques and the proper way to swim; they were very helpful.
They encouraged us to try our best and gave us the motivation
to do it.”
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
Quotes from the students:
Girls from the following groups are preparing for upcoming
performances this year:
• Vocal group
‘It was a lot of fun. I liked freestyle’ - Liana
‘Keeps you fresh’ - Eve
‘Bonus is a lollypop at the end’ - Carla
• Chamber Choir
• Junior rock back
• Senior rock band
• Concert band
• Junior Band
The performances include:
• Music Recital
By Britney Perri JMG6 7B Cindy Xue JMG6 7B and Olivia
Ramondetta JMG1 7B.
• Performing Arts Concert
• Mercy Day
• Graduation Mass
We have such a wonderful group of talented students who will
be showcasing their talent and we look forward to seeing you
all at the performances at Mercy College coming up soon.
Mrs Renee Vithoulkas
Performing Arts Leader/ Music Coordinator
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
YEAR 7 SWIMMING AT FAWKNER LEISURE
CENTRE:
YEAR 9 PROGRAM
Throughout Term 1 Year 9 students have been working in
groups to investigate different aspects of World War I. To
enhance their understanding of the Great War each class is
visiting the Shrine of Remembrance to take part in the Spirit
of Anzac program. The Year 9s will bring all their knowledge
together to showcase their learning at the Anzac
Commemoration Exhibition being held in McAuley Hall on
Friday 24 April. All members of the school and wider community
are invited to join us for this event. Please see the invitation in
this newsletter for more information.
Miss Jemmah Ind
Year 9 Program Teacher
“On our first day we were split into 3 groups which showed if
we were a beginner, average or professional. Girls were scared
and others dove right in like dolphins. The fresh chlorine water
cooled us right down every time we got in.
In group 1 Beginner: They learn the basics like Freestyle,
Backstroke and Kickboard
In group 2 Average: They learn how to Dive, Backstroke,
Torpedo in the deep end.
In group 3 Professional: They learn how to Dive, Torpedo and
do 16 laps of Freestyle and Breaststroke in the deep end.
The effort that we put in was enormous and we all tried very
hard.
7
CANTEEN NEWS
Welcome back to everyone. We hope you had a great break.
Please be reminded that the Canteen Menu has now changed
over to the Winter Menu. The menu board will be displayed daily
on the front window as usual. This menu will run for this term
and the next.
New recess item will be an Egg and Bacon Pocket for $3.00.
New at lunch time will be Hot Roast Lamb Rolls and Hot
Chicken Rolls and Home Made Fried Rice. We will continue with
Fillet of Fish on Friday but once a month [as a treat] we will
have Fish and Chips. Some new drinks are available also. We
hope your daughters continue to enjoy the variety of foods we
have on offer for them. Any questions please do not hesitate to
contact me on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on 9319 9299.
Ms Maureen Giles
Canteen Manager
MERCY COLLEGE CALENDAR (Mercy at a
Glance)
With the new format of the newsletter, there is now a calendar
that is available via the link you receive fortnightly with the
newsletter. Upcoming events can be found on this calendar.
Please take the time to have a look. When you click on the link
to the newsletter, a tab appears on the left hand side where
you can click on “School Calendar”. If you hover over an item, it
will show you more information such as time/venue etc. At the
bottom of the calendar are categories which explain the colour
system. You can click on one of the colours and the calendar
will only show events relevant to the year level you selected.
Please note that if an event relates to more than one year level,
this will not appear if you have selected only one year level. It
is best to click the “Show All” button to get an overview of the
activities coming up. This new format calendar now gives you
the whole term to view. We hope you find it useful.
CONGRATULATIONS
On Easter Saturday evening 4 April 2015, Year 11 student
Mimoza Keshteja was fully initiated into the Catholic Church
with the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
during the Easter Vigil Mass at Our Lady Help of Christian’s
Catholic Church, Brunswick East. Following the mass, Mimoza
and her family, friends and parishioners celebrated in the
Church Hall. Congratulations Mimoza.
Mrs Eileen Rigby
Principal’s Assistant/Newsletter editor
PRAYER
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his
disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
REFLECTION
Happy Easter! Remember the real reason why we celebrate it.
God is great!
Mimoza Keshteja – Year 11
8
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
CATALYST FOR RENEWAL MAY 2015
REFLECTION MORNING
The next Reflection morning when experienced leaders reflect
on aspects of our theme: “THE SPIRITUALITY OF OUR LIVES”
will be held on Saturday 2 May 2015.
TITLE: A MORNING IN EASTERTIDE
LED BY: Maureen Delaney rsc
TIME: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
PLACE: CURRAJEEN, 811 Bridge Inn Road, DOREEN
(See Melways Map 391)
Entry by donation – suggestion $10-15
For further information contact Margaret Costigan by email:
macrsc@netspace.net.au or mobile 0425 878 236.
9