Life at OLMC over the last two weeks has been very busy with a number of significant events and fundraisers.

Yesterday we celebrated Mercy Day, one of the most significant days in the OLMC calendar. Not only do we celebrate the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, we raise funds to support Mercy Works. Catherine McAuley has been quoted as saying ‘Never command anything which you yourself have not practised’. If we wish to be treated with respect and compassion, we must show that to others. At OLMC we are empowered together to be Mercy people and this privilege means that we are called to think about our neighbours both near and far. The students show us time and again that they know and understand this message when they give so generously to organisations like Mercy Works.

Mercy Day was a wonderful celebration of all that it means to be part of the OLMC Community. Mass was beautiful and the Choir led us so expertly. The stalls, disco, games and food were all fantastic, as was the participation of the students. The Staff vs Student Volleyball was a highlight and perhaps for the first time in a very long time, the students won. The Student Leaders are to be commended for all their hard work leading up to and during the day.

There are sometimes moments in the life of a Principal when you see students living the values of the school. Mercy Day is one of those and it is with immense pride that I watch the students look out for each other, celebrate the talents of others and work together to sell all sorts of baked goods, lollies, fairy floss or books. It was enriching to see our students engaged wholeheartedly in the day, taking every opportunity to have fun and celebrate our community.

On Wednesday 11 September we held the annual Celebration Concert. Students from Year 7 to 12 performed pieces based on the theme for the evening of ‘Let’s Go to the Movies’. The whole evening was a wonderful showcase of student musical talent. It was evident that students had worked hard in learning and rehearsing their pieces to present the polished performances for us. Congratulations to all who performed on the night, you have shown great courage, and brought such joy to our community.

On Tuesday we celebrated the skills and talents of our GSV sporting teams at the 2024 Sports Evening. Australian Olympian, Tamsyn Manou (née Lewis) was our special guest. She was inspirational, generously sharing with us moments as an Olympic competitor. She shared historical moments of joy and challenge, helping our young people understand what it is possible to achieve if you are passionate and willing to put in the hard work.

Our students have participated in GSV, other organised external sporting competitions and House-based sporting activities in very strong numbers. It was a privilege to be part of the evening recognising the grit, determination, commitment and skill of all who have represented themselves and our school so admirably. Congratulations to all who received an award.

On Sunday 8 September we hosted the Annual High Tea to raise funds for McAuley for Women and Children. Over 200 people attended and it was wonderful to welcome eight Sisters of Mercy to the event.

This is our last Newsletter for the term. For our Senior students this is the beginning of the most challenging part of their year. As we go into the break, our Year 12 students are beginning their exam preparations and we wish them all the very best. Trial exams will take place at OLMC during the break for all students undertaking a Units 3 and 4 study.

We wish all at OLMC a wonderful break and a chance to enjoy some time with family and friends.

Happy Mercy Day!

The feast of Our Lady of Mercy is celebrated worldwide on 24 September yearly by all Mercy People. For us at OLMC, it is always the last Thursday of Term 3. So why this title? In Mary, Mother of Jesus, Catherine found one who, through the sacrifice of her own heart, had the most profound knowledge of the mystery of God's mercy. In this sense, she is the Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Mercy.

As we know, Catherine opened her first House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin, on this feast in 1827, responding to the needs of those marginalised and oppressed by unjust social attitudes and practices of the day. This House provided educational, religious and social services for women and children who were at risk of homelessness through exploitation and entrenched poverty.

As the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG) states, we are reminded that as Mercy people, following in the footsteps of Catherine, we are all on a lifelong journey of discovery of the Mercy of God. This journey helps us understand our poverty and our need for God’s Mercy. We seek the face of God, who is merciful, and we strive to live in a way that reflects this awareness. Recognising that we are connected with every living thing on our planet, we are mindful that caring for our earth community is explicit in everything we do. We share this awareness and this particular lens on the revelation of God as Mercy with all. This interconnectedness is what makes us the OLMC community.

So, this Mercy Day, we pray in the words of Pope Francis…

‘Yes, I believe it is a time for mercy. The Church is showing her maternal side, her motherly face, to a wounded humanity. She does not wait for the wounded to knock on her doors, she looks for them on the streets, she gathers them in, she embraces them, she makes them feel loved.’

This Mercy Day, please support Mercyworks if you can.

https://www.mercyworks.org.au/

Image from https://www.mercyworld.org/our-centre/

Yesterday, we came together as one Mercy family to celebrate Mercy Day! We thanked God for all our many blessings and challenged each other to continue living and being Mercy with and for all. Fr Joey Liaia CP celebrated our Mass, and Br Tri Cao Van CP preached our homily, both members of the Passionist Congregation. It was so delightful to see so many students taking active roles in this Mass.

On Thursday 19 September OLMC celebrated Mercy Day. We celebrated Mass in the morning and enjoyed an afternoon of fun activities, delicious food and House Arts.

On Friday 13 September, we had the privilege to host the Young Vinnies Student Conference here at OLMC. What a day! Witnessing young people sharing various projects and ideas centred on caring for others and our world is a blessing. We welcomed students from Xavier College, Loyola College, Catholic Ladies’ College and St Raphael’s.

We are so grateful for the work of the Vinnies Youth Engagement team and the various local and state Vinnies conference leaders for empowering our youth and sharing this day. In this 170th anniversary year of the Society of St Vincent De Paul's presence and service in Melbourne, our future is in safe hands.

Three Year 9 Students and two Year 10 students travelled to Anglesea last week for the regional Seeds of Justice Conference. The theme for this year was ‘Mercy is Community, Hospitality and Justice’.

The students made new friendships quickly with students from Mercy Schools across Victoria, and shared the many experiences of the conference with them.

They opened their minds and hearts to learning about social justice challenges in our community and globally. They planned new initiatives and brainstormed ways to further engage all OLMC students in this important work.

The key note speakers included Hayley Marriott from McAuley for Women and Children , who talked about current issues facing women fleeing domestic violence and poverty and also Sophie Rowan, a former Mercy student, currently serving as a Health Advisor for the United Nations in the Federated States of Micronesia, who shared her journey after school to fulfil a career in social justice.

It was joyful to spend time with these students as they encountered Mercy in Action.

Lauren Marquet
Social Justice Coordinator

This term we participated in the Horizon program and it has been an amazing journey filled with important lessons and new experiences. Every Thursday, we explored the city through hands-on activities, visiting places like the Old Melbourne Gaol and initiatives such as The Big Issue. These visits helped us understand the challenges faced by marginalised communities, fostering empathy and social responsibility. We worked on projects like Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), where we tackled pressing global issues, and discussed our future goals in ‘Life at 25’. Our exploration of careers in Beyond the Baggot opened our eyes to various opportunities ahead. As we reflect on our term, we leave with not just knowledge, but also a newfound motivation to be agents of change.

Horizon has given us practical skills in teamwork and critical thinking while broadening our perspectives. By tackling real-world problems together, we learned the importance of collaboration and appreciating different viewpoints. Our recent Horizon Camp was an exhilarating adventure that brought out the best in all of us, blending fun with invaluable life lessons. From the moment we arrived at our cosy cabins, excitement buzzed in the air. One of the most rewarding aspects was cooking our own meals, while activities like abseiling and caving pushed our limits and brought us closer together. The commando course tested our strength, and rock climbing encouraged us to reach new heights. Overall, Horizon Camp was a transformative experience that equipped us with memories and skills we’ll carry into the future. Each thrilling moment left us with cherished memories and essential skills that will guide us long after the campfire has dimmed.

Alessia C, Maddison D & Emily H (9ACH)

The students in Year 12 Foundation Maths recently learned how to establish a successful business. They investigated the demand for the business in the area and decided what business they want to establish.

They also investigated the cost of renting, furniture, finance, staff, electricity, technology, insurance, transport and raw materials. They developed a business plan, to set the price for their business and to pay for the tax. The students also studied different types of contributions into superannuation and how to minimise the tax legally.

Shirley Wu
Mathematics Learning Leader

During Term 3, the Year 12 VCE VM students have been making regular visits to BlueCross aged care in Ivanhoe for a project called ‘Stories from My Life’, arranged through the Banyule Nillumbik Local Learning and Employment Network.

Students met residents and over time got to know about their lives and their stories. They prepared printed photo books as a keepsake, personalised for each resident showcasing their personal photos and treasured memories. The books were then presented to the residents at a formal celebration afternoon tea.

The students made strong connections with their partner residents and cherished their time with them. The residents were delighted and truly moved to see what the students had produced for them.

It has been a wonderfully enriching experience and everyone hopes to return and maintain the bonds that have been made.

Christie Tran
VCE VM Teacher

This term and next, Year 9 students in Physical Education are participating in self-defence classes. Over the course of three lessons, students are learning both physical and verbal techniques. Physically, they are being taught how to use their bodies for maximum power and effectiveness, including punching, kicking, blocking, and ducking. Additionally, the classes emphasise the importance of using one's voice as a powerful tool. The instructors guide students through various scenarios, demonstrating the best ways to respond.

Teresa Cerra
Health and Physical Education Learning Leader

The last few weeks have been full of major events and successes for our music students in school ensembles and VCE Music.

After a full two-day Music Camp Experience of rehearsals, recordings and workshops, our students were ready to perform. First stop, the OLMC choir travelling to Ballarat University to compete against choirs from across Victoria in the Royal South Street Society Choral Competition. We were so proud to win!

After our Ballarat achievement it was time for all our Music Ensembles and VCE Music Students to shine in our 2024 Celebration Concert: ‘Let’s Go to the Movies’. As you most likely guessed from the title all the performances were songs or themes from movies from How to Train Your Dragon to Cats. The audience was also treated to a choir movie created by students throughout the term which featured in our opening. We are extremely proud of every student who performed; you showed resilience, courage, memorisation skills, team work and musical knowledge and understanding. Ultimately, you all gave the audience a lot of joy!

Next stop, solo concerts and a Christmas soiree – we hope to see you there.

Jo-Anne Mileto
Instrumental Music Coordinator

Recently, our college choir had the incredible opportunity to compete in the Royal South Street Society Choral Competition in Ballarat. On the day of the competition, we truly became a strong, united team, facing challenges together while also embracing the fun of the experience. The long bus ride was filled with singing, laughter, and snacking on lollies, fuelling both our excitement and a bit of a sugar rush!

When we arrived, the air was buzzing with nerves and anticipation, and we headed straight to the dressing room for rehearsals. However, an unexpected hurdle awaited us—we learned that we couldn’t use our backing track for one of our songs. But in true team spirit, we adapted quickly, coming together to perform with confidence, unity, and, above all, joy. Our passion shone through as we sang ‘Queen Medley’, ‘We Are Australian’, and ‘Let's Go to the Movies’, and this energy led us to secure first place!

The day was not just about winning, but about the friendships, fun, and shared passion that made the experience truly unforgettable. We’d like to extend our deepest thanks to Ms Mileto, who accompanied and encouraged us throughout the day, and to Ms Russo, who has generously supported and led us not only on the day but throughout the entire year.

Congratulations to everyone involved—what an amazing achievement!

Jasmine P (11AMJE)

The Units 3 and 4 Theatre Studies class had the most amazing opportunity of having actor and musical theatre performer, Des Flanagan, come into our class and share his talent and ideas with us. Known for his role as Christian in Moulin Rouge and his work in numerous other musicals, Des had so much to teach us about the world of theatre and how to understand and interpret characters in a creative and original way. Assisting us with our monologue exams, students had the opportunity to work individually with Des on their performances or designs, and it was truly inspiring to see his passion and creativity towards the arts. Thank you to Des for his generosity and we can’t wait to see what he does next in the Musical Theatre industry!

Grace P (11LPME)

I am excited to share with you the progress the Year 7 Drama students have been making in their Drama studies at OLMC this term.

The Year 7s are being encouraged to embrace creativity, experiment with their expressive abilities, and work collaboratively as they discover the dynamic world of drama. Through our unit, Dramatis Personae, students explore the fundamental elements of characterisation, developing both their expressive skills and performance techniques. Students are learning how to manipulate their expressive skills—such as voice, movement, gesture, and facial expression—to bring characters to life. They are also developing key performance skills, including energy, focus, and timing, which are crucial for delivering engaging and polished performances.

This practical, hands-on approach provides opportunities for students to perform regularly in front of their peers, allowing them to grow in confidence, receive constructive feedback, and reflect on their own progress.

One of the first key topics we explored is ‘tableaux’ (or frozen pictures). In these exercises, students create still images with their bodies to represent key moments or ideas. Tableaux have been particularly useful in helping students think about how to convey emotion and narrative using only physicality. This exercise encourages students to be aware of their body language, facial expressions, and gestures, allowing them to experiment with how they can communicate without words.

Another crucial component of the unit is ‘blocking’ - the precise staging of where actors move and stand during a performance. In drama, how a character moves in space significantly impacts how the audience understands relationships between characters, as well as the mood and meaning of a scene. We have been working on exercises where students consider the importance of spatial awareness, proximity between characters, and how to use levels and distance to create more dynamic performances.

Drama thrives on conflict, and students have been studying the idea of ‘narrative conflict’, a core element that drives any good story. By exploring different types of conflict (e.g., character vs. character, character vs. self, character vs. environment), students learn how to build tension and drama in their scenes. We encourage them to think critically about how conflict develops through dialogue and action and to use this knowledge to create richer and more engaging performances.

In every lesson, there is a strong emphasis on developing expressive and performance skills. Students are regularly challenged to experiment with their voice, using pitch, pace, and tone to convey emotion and character. We also explore how ‘movement’ and ‘gesture’ can be adapted to different character types, adding layers to performances. Moreover, students are taught to consider their ‘focus’—the ability to maintain concentration on their character and the scene, as well as to react in the moment—and how this impacts audience engagement.

The final key focus is on ‘timing’ and ‘energy’. Students are learning how to control the pacing of their performances, delivering lines and actions at just the right moment to maximize dramatic effect. They also explore how to inject energy into their roles, which is essential for keeping performances lively and engaging.

I encourage you to talk to your daughter about what she has been learning in Drama and perhaps even ask her to demonstrate some of the expressive skills she’s been developing!

Suzie Bradmore
Drama Teacher

The annual Celebration of Sport Evening was held Tuesday 17 September. This event highlights the great achievements of students who have participated in OLMC sport over the past 12 months. We were fortunate to welcome former track and field athlete Tamsyn Manou (Lewis) as our special guest. Tamsyn addressed our students and families and assisted with the presentation of awards.

We had over 100 students receive an award, whether it be an MVP, premiership medallion, Commitment to Sport or Sports Person of the Year Award. These awards were given out to students ranging from Year 7 to 12 for their hard work and determination.

Congratulations to all the award winners.

Sportsperson of the Year

Year 7 – Emmerson D (7SNA)

Year 8 – Phoebe K (8BFA)

Year 9 – Liv N (9ACH)

Year 10 – Hanna W (10MCMI)

Year 11 – Alice C (11CPSE)

Year 12 – Monique C (12AASE)

Overall Sports Person of the Year – Sarah B (11MMZI)

We would like to thank all those in the OLMC Community who supported the High Tea in Heidelberg on Sunday 8 September and the Raffle for McAuley for Women and Children.

The response was amazing and we raised close to $9,000 overall, which is a fantastic result.

Congratulations to the winners:

1^st Prize: Nicolette Thein
2^nd Prize: Fiona Caddy
3^rd Prize: Ashleigh Cardamone
4^th Prize: Lea Waszkinel
5^th Prize: Rosa Sampsonidis
6^th Prize: Barry McEneaney
7^th Prize: Eileen Ann Daffy rsm
8^th Prize: Judy Blessing rsm
9^th Prize: Mary M

The ‘High Tea in Heidelberg’ is held to support the work of McAuley for Women and Children. Each year McAuley assist women and children who are affected by family violence or homelessness. The 220 guests who came were delighted with the lavish afternoon tea and the exceptional service they received from the Year 8 and 9 students who volunteered their time to help at the event. The girls worked extremely hard all afternoon and ensured that no table went without constant refills of tea and coffee. Our beautiful collection of vintage crockery adorned the tables and made a huge impression, eliciting many discussions and fond memories from the guests.

We welcomed a number of Mercy Sisters and other members of the Mercy community as well as past pupils and many current families. Some of our guests have been supporting this event for many years and we appreciate their ongoing support. Jocelyn Bignold and Diana Connell from McAuley were our guest speakers and they shared stories and insights about McAuley and the vital work they perform.

The College was supported in its efforts by some very generous sponsors and donations. We thank the Wilson family, the Pickett/Harris family, Natio, Chemist Warehouse, Ted Baker, Miles Real Estate, Heidi Gallery and Kip & Co who all supported the raffle. A big thank you goes to Lia Heim, who was a very resourceful seeker of donations of a number of the sweet items on the menu. Thank you to the volunteers who worked tirelessly on Sunday morning to prepare the food and to assist with the serving in the afternoon and to Bernadette Hogan who organised and supervised out team of student volunteers.

The College is grateful to all the volunteers who came together to make this event a success and to those who came to join us for this entertaining and worthwhile event.

Marie Jenkins
Community Development Coordinator

The Banyule Open Studios Weekend is entirely run by artist volunteers and is a wonderful opportunity for the community to explore local art and support local artists. A diverse range of artworks and interactive experiences that will appeal to all ages will be on show from 40 Banyule artists. This event will take place from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Saturday 12 October, and Sunday 13 October 2024.

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.