We are living in turbulent times and young people are faced with challenges that many parents did not face when they were the same age. They are faced with choices that challenge them to navigate their studies, the future, social media and opportunities to try new and exciting things. We work with students through the Pastoral Program and also in the formal curriculum about navigating hard decisions. We also strongly encourage students to speak up when they feel uncertain or concerned for themselves or their friends.

For parents, navigating this time can be particularly challenging because some things are new or unfamiliar to you. Megan Edwards, Head of Student Wellbeing, provides resources and opportunities for parents, including webinars and seminars addressing important topics. These are often found in the Daily Messages on PAM. Each year we partner with Marcellin College to co-host an evening for parents and guardians addressing emerging issues for young people. The eSafety Commission website is another very useful resource for advice and support when navigating concerns around social media. We strongly encourage parents to access the website and other resources for support in these areas. We also encourage you to contact your child’s Pastoral Leader or Year Level/House Coordinator should you have any concerns or questions. It is important that we partner in managing these difficult times.

Today we celebrated Dare2Donate. The Year 12 Student Leaders prepared and led a wonderful Dare2Donate Day, for which they must be commended. Teachers are dared in order to raise money and aside from lots of fun, some very authentic and amazing costumes, the day raised money for McAuley for Women and Children, who support women and families in crisis. Students engaged in the important work of reaching out to those in need whilst at the same time building community spirit. The success of the event comes from the way in which staff and students join together in raising money for something important to all. Teachers and students also model courage as they dress up in amazing costumes, dance, sing or perform. Congratulations must go to all students and staff for a very successful event.

Congratulations must go to the staff and students involved in the M² Production of Chicago as they prepare for opening night this evening. A matinee performance was held during this week for students from some of our local primary schools and important friends of OLMC. It takes courage, determination, perseverance and good organisation for students to commit themselves to the many months of rehearsal whilst maintaining a strong commitment to their studies. Many of the students involved in the production are involved in many other activities within their schools. The students from OLMC and Marcellin College continue to inspire us with their talents, courage, passion and joy.

The Parents’ Association Mother’s Day event was a wonderful success again this year. They must be congratulated for their hard work and dedication, bringing together members of our community to celebrate. Over 200 people attended, with some families represented by three generations of women. Thanks must also go to the Parents’ Association who this year gave each mother a wonderful gift. The evening was filled with laughter and conversation and was a fitting celebration for mothers.

The Parents’ Association is an integral part of the OLMC Community, supporting family and school connections and creating opportunities for parents to gather and meet whilst enjoying a social event. In the last few years, the Association membership has increased and it has continued to flourish. In addition, the Association also raises funds to support the provision of amenities to students. Over recent years they have helped to provide many of the outdoor facilities our students enjoy every day. As a school we are blessed to have such a committed group of parents working with the Leadership of the College and I am grateful for their ongoing support.

As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, let us give thanks to God for the three divine persons we call the Trinity, and in particular, the third person of the Trinity, the ever-present gift of God’s enormous love for and with us. It also represents the glowing presence of our work as we live the gospel and serve the poor. This loving presence of God, whom we call the Holy Spirit, has many representations and many words of explanation. In the New Testament, the Greek word pneuma is used, which is very similar to the Hebrew (Old Testament) ruah. These words can mean to breathe or blow and are primarily denoted by the wind. In Latin, we have used the word paraceletus, to describe the Holy Spirit (in English, paraclete), meaning helper, guide or advocate – someone who assists us, and speaks for and with us. This great feast of Pentecost reminds us and helps us seek that re-connection with our God.

So, we pray…

Holy Spirit, breathe new life into us. Ignite our hearts with your love and inspire us to live out the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us to be a beacon of your light in our classrooms, our homes, and beyond.

Guide us in our learning and our friendships. Teach us to listen with open hearts, to speak with kindness, and to act with compassion. May our faith community be a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Spirit of Wisdom grant us insight and understanding in our studies and daily lives. Help us make wise choices and seek the truth in all that we do.

Spirit of Courage give us the strength to stand up for what is right, to be peacemakers, and to serve others with humility and grace.

Spirit of Unity, draw us closer together as a school community. Help us celebrate our differences and work together in harmony, fostering an environment where every student and teacher feels included and respected.

We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, who promised that the Holy Spirit would be with us always.

Amen.

Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/author/photoangel

On Wednesday 15 May, seven Year 10 students from Mr Selaidinakos’ History: World War II class attended the annual Schools Holocaust Memorial Service, organised by the Council of Christians and Jews. This moving service commemorated the tragic events of the Shoah and challenged us to speak out against division and uphold our shared humanity.

We were deeply moved by the personal story of Associate Professor Louis Roller, AM, PhC, BPArm, BSc, MSc, PhD, DipEd, FPS, FACPP. Born in France on 27 February 1940 to Polish Jewish parents, Louis shared how, thanks to the brave decisions of two righteous individuals who risked their lives, he, his two brothers, and his parents survived.

We pray for the victims of the Holocaust and all victims of persecution and for the strength to ensure that our shared humanity remains united, never divided.

Yesterday our Year 7s had a wonderful time hosting our friends from Trinity Lane, Ivanhoe (Villa Maria Catholic Homes). They enjoyed our latest musical Chicago followed by a delightful lunch. The intergenerational sharing of life was a huge success, filled with toe-tapping and engaging conversations. We're eagerly looking forward to our fortnightly gatherings with our newest OLMC friends.

Last Friday 10 May, students in Years 10 and 11 had a Study Skills session with Elevate Education. Year 10 also had subsequent sessions providing tips regarding approaching exams and how to move on from an exam. These sessions are timed to occur around three weeks prior to their study day, and around a month prior to the Semester 1 exams.

A key part of the focus on study skills was the importance of spaced repetition, of how knowledge may be moved from the short-term memory into the long-term memory. Cramming the night before is not an effective strategy for remembering key events and dates of World War II, or the three laws of motion.

The importance of spaced repetition draws from research that led to the ‘Forgetting Curve’. This curve, first developed by Ebbinghaus in the late 19^th Century, indicates that within 24 hours you forget around half of what you have attempted to learn. This led to his research, and subsequent recent studies, identifying that returning to content you wish to remember frequently over time is an effective way to shift knowledge into the long-term memory and to interrupt the ‘Forgetting Curve.’

Feedback from Year 10 students on the day is important, as it provides us with information about what worked well, and what could be improved. Some of the key takeaways from students who completed the survey include the following:

I feel as though I have a clearer plan on how to approach exams.

Although exams may be stressful there are many ways to cope.

When preparing for each subject, take my time on things, have plenty of breaks and start the hardest things first and ensure my use of time is efficient.

It has made me feel more prepared and less stressed.

I learnt new techniques and methods to prepare for my exams and how I should go about revision, and stress techniques before, during and after the exam, which was helpful for me.

One positive thing I have taken away from the session is to start revising for my tests and exam much earlier than I have been doing.

Short efficient sessions are more effective. If they are more spread out you can beat the forgetting curve.

Elevate are also running a parent information session on Wednesday 22 May. The focus of this hour-long webinar is ‘How you can help prepare your child for exams.’ On Wednesday 5 June there is a further webinar providing some tips on how parents may support their child during the exam period. If you wish to attend one or both of these webinars, then please register via the link here.

Andrew Gibson
Curriculum Coordinator

Megan Edwards
Head of Student Wellbeing

Anna Apfelstedt
Learning Commons Coordinator

It has been a busy time for the Languages Area with many different activities happening in and out of the classroom. A group of OLMC students and staff recently returned from a successful Japan Study Tour where the group visited our sister school, Seirei High School.

Later this year OLMC will be hosting a visit from Seirei High School. There will be more information about this in the coming weeks, including an information evening on Wednesday 29 May about hosting students from Japan. The following is a reflection written by two students who took part in the recent Japan Study Tour.

James Stavretis
Languages Learning Leader

On Thursday 4 April, 23 OLMC Senior Japanese students, seven students from Sacred Heart College, and four teachers embarked on the 2024 Japan Study tour. During our 17 day stay in Japan, we visited Tokyo, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Akita and experienced the amazing opportunities Japan has to offer. During our trip we immersed ourselves in the culture by practising our language skills, tasting the delicious food and visiting the most amazing places.

For the first half of our trip, we all travelled together, visiting the sights of Tokyo and Kyoto. Whilst we were in Tokyo, we visited Disneyland, Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara, Harajuku, the famous Shibuya crossing and so much more. Our days consisted of sightseeing and a lot of shopping. We also were lucky enough to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms, which decorated the city with colour. Tokyo was a bustling city with amazing colour and neon lights at night, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

After Tokyo, we went to Miyajima Island where we had a one night stay at a Japanese ryokan (a traditional Japanese style hotel), which allowed us to experience traditional Japanese food, yukata dressing gowns and sleeping on futons.

Before we went to Kyoto, we had a stop at Hiroshima and visited the Memorial Peace Museum. It was very moving to learn about the effects of nuclear weapons.

Whilst in Kyoto, we visited some famous temples and shrines such as the Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavillion). The scenery was spectacular and it was amazing to see the ancient Japanese architecture. We also went to Nara Park where we saw many deer and visited Todaiji Temple and its famous Giant Buddha.

In Akita, we had the opportunity to experience everyday Japanese life. We visited Seirei High School, our Japanese sister school. We were met with a warm welcome from the students at Seirei and we were filled with excitement as well as nervousness, wondering what it would be like to stay with a Japanese family. We met our host sisters and commenced our home-stays and were made to feel part of the family. At Seirei High we did Japanese lessons, went to club activities and took part in a tea ceremony, calligraphy and art classes. Our group even made it on to the local TV news and newspaper! By the end of our stay in Akita, we had made life-long bonds with our host families and school friends which we will cherish forever.

Our stay in Japan was filled with laughter and joy and it was an unforgettable experience. The connections we’ve made with everyone on this trip are now life-long and definitely memorable. Thank you to Stavretis Sensei, Durant Sensei, Williams Sensei and Breed Sensei (from Sacred Heart College) for taking us on this life-changing trip and supporting us to further develop our Japanese skills. We will cherish these memories forever.

Sephora K (11CCTR) and Allegra M (11AASE)

Debating is ideal to develop oral presentation skills, and in Year 12 Italian we had a debate on the topic, 'It is everyone's responsibility and within their power to help the environment'. Students prepared a point which was persuasive, factual, and concise. They were paired with someone of the opposing viewpoint and the whole class was able to debate this issue with confidence and clarity. Buon lavoro!

Anita Galli
Italian Teacher

This term in Science the Year 8 students have been studying chemistry. So far, we have learnt about atoms, subatomic particles, the arrangement of elements on the periodic table and their symbols. For our assessment we all researched information about a different element and then got to show our creativity through an infographic poster and model representing various properties and uses of our elements. For example, students created a model battery for the element lithium (Li), a sword to highlight the properties of iron (Fe), a caesium (Cs) atomic clock, a neon (Ne) sign and even a bromine (Br) swimming pool just to name a few. This topic and task have truly allowed us to be creative and expand, and share our knowledge with our classmates. We have taken so much out of it!

Emilia F (8BHO)

Congratulations to Charlotte Cumming and Ella Campbell (Class of 2023), whose magazines were selected for exhibition in Top Designs 2024 as part of the VCE Season of Excellence. Their work is currently being showcased at the Melbourne Museum until Sunday 14 July, amongst many other inspiring and innovative high-scoring products produced by Media, Design and Technology students from across Victoria.

Media received over 400 submissions to this year’s Top Designs; 42 of which were shortlisted and only 11 Media - Print students were selected for exhibition. Well done Charlotte and Ella on this outstanding achievement!

‘The Zen Zone’, by Ella Campbell, is a magazine that provides entertainment, inspiration and motivation about healthy habits, aimed at an adolescent audience. Interactive elements have been implemented throughout the product, so the act of engaging with the magazine will simultaneously allow consumers to take time for themselves and practise mindfulness. Using a playful and contemporary style, original graphics, photography and text were created to align with the wellbeing genre.

‘Atlas Magazine’, by Charlotte Cumming, tours Melbourne, highlighting all the best places to visit, eat, drink and shop to experience the city like a local. With a particular focus on inner-Melbourne suburbs, ‘Atlas Magazine’ delves into the melting pot of cultures, characters, and experiences that all contribute to the unique and dynamic atmosphere Melbourne is known and loved for.

Jeremy Guzman
Media Teacher

This year’s OLMC House Athletics Carnival was conducted at Tom Kelly Athletics Track in Doncaster on Tuesday 13 May.

On a very sunny Autumn day students participated in track and field events along with the ever-popular novelty events.

Competition was fierce and the results close all day, but there could only be one House to win the day.

Overall winner of the 2024 OLMC House Athletics was Loreto - back-to-back winners. Following in second place was Carmel, Mercy in third place and finally McAuley.

The 2024 OLMC House Athletics was a great day.

Please see full results below.

Overall

Loreto 1379 pts

Carmel 1314 pts

Mercy 1259 pts

McAuley 1201 pts

Cheering Trophy Winners

1^st Loreto

2^nd Mercy

3^rd McAuley

4^th Carmel

Individual Champions

Year 7

Champion: Natalie M (7JBR)

Runners Up: Claire M (7LTI)

Year 8

Champion: Lily G (8MFO)

Runners Up: Ruby B (8MFO)

Year 9

Champion: Emily M (9GTA)

Runners Up: Chloe M (9GTA)

Year 10

Champion: Hanna W (MCMI)

Runners Up: Tayah C (CJSE)

Loren R (ASWU)

Year 11

Champion: Jamieson L (CTKI)

Runners Up: Alessandra G (LJVA)

Chloe R (ADWR)

Year 12

Champion: Charlotte D (MAMN)

Runners Up: Matilda B (AASE)

Trevor Robertson
Sports Coordinator

On Thursday 9 May, McAuley Hall was filled with warmth and plenty of smiles as we gathered to celebrate Mother’s Day—a special evening dedicated to honouring mothers, grandmothers, and all the amazing women in our lives.

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Judith Weir, followed by a liturgy that paid tribute to women in the Mercy tradition, recognising their profound impact and nurturing spirit. Georgia Gilmour, the Parents’ Association President, also welcomed everyone with heartfelt words, setting the tone for a memorable evening ahead.

A huge thank you goes out to the many students who contributed to making the night extraordinary. Students participated by delivering readings, assisting with the raffle draws, and showcasing musical talents through performances from the OLMC music program. Their involvement added a personal touch to the event, highlighting the importance of family and community.

The evening was not only filled with meaningful moments but also offered enjoyable activities and surprises. Guests enjoyed supper, captured fun memories at the photo booth, and eagerly participated in raffles and door prize draws. Each guest was also treated to a special gift bag, expertly put together by Lia Heim, making every attendee feel appreciated and cherished.

Events like this are not possible without the wonderful volunteers from the Parents’ Association. Thank you all for your dedication to making a great night, especially the fundraising committee for sourcing the raffle and door prizes. Special recognition and gratitude are extended to Lia Heim for her dedication in putting the gift bags together.

We would also like to thank all the sponsors for their donations including the major sponsors Fernwood Bulleen, Thrive Revive, Snap Fitness, Thalassea Art & Design, Bunnings Northland, Vasko Restaurant, Manhattan Beauty, Chemist Warehouse and Bulleen Art & Garden.

The spirit of togetherness and appreciation for the women in our lives resonated throughout the evening and we look forward to seeing you all at our next Parents’ Association event.

Nikki Reynolds
Parents’ Association

Raffle Prizes

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