English
The study of English at Mount Lilydale Mercy College aims to create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. The English courses at the College utilise a wide range of texts covering a range of genres such as dystopian literature and historical events, as well as literature that deals with age relevant and universal themes. This is to encourage students to extend their knowledge of the world around them and develop an informed appreciation of different forms of literature. Our English courses are also designed to encourage analytical thinking and strong communicators. At each year level, the study of the media and persuasive language takes a different form. Students consider the different elements of persuasive language and how to use it. Students write persuasively, analyse persuasive language techniques, debate and present their opinions in a range of formats.
It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them. The study of English helps young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace.
Science
Recent advances in Science and Technology make scientific literacy an increasingly important area of study. The College provides a range of exciting programs that simultaneously explore the Science Understanding and Science Inquiry Skills strands of the curriculum. There is a focus on STEM activities as part of the curriculum at all levels to build students’ creativity, problem solving and thinking skills.
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students explore core concepts in all areas of science and take part in a range of engaging activities both outside and inside the College. Year 9 students also have an opportunity to take on a unit of Forensic Science, Agriculture and Horticulture, Technology and Design, Psychology or Sustainable Living.
In Year 10, we encourage students to explore their interests further, in addition to their core Science curriculum, by providing them with an opportunity to choose four units lasting one term each, that explore Science in areas of Sustainability, Materials Chemistry, Motion, Farming, Sport, Photography, Space, Biotechnology, Weather and Evolution. Many of our Year 10 students also take on another elective such as Psychology, Advanced Physics and Chemistry, Agriculture, Horticulture and Viticulture.
At VCE, a large number of our students choose multiple Science areas across Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Psychology, as well as Agricultural and Horticultural studies.
Humanities
The Humanities department offers a range of different subjects for our students to study. The students will study History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business.
Through studying Humanities, students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change. Students are given the opportunity to develop their skills in Information Communication Technology in day-to-day classes and through the completion of assessment tasks.
Humanities subjects allow the students to reflect on the past and its significance to the current world. They will also explore issues that are currently challenging our world and that could have an impact on future generations.
In their studies, students participate in a range of History-based incursions that allow them to experience what it would have been like to live in the past. In Geography, students undertake fieldwork which allows them to learn about their environment.
At Mount Lilydale Mercy College, History and Geography are core subjects from Years 7-10.
Beginning at Year 8, students are able to choose from a range of Humanities electives:
Year 8 – Civics and citizenship
Year 9 – Economics elective
Year 10 – Economics and Business elective
VCE – Business Management, Accounting, Economics, Legal Studies, History, Geography and Philosophy.
Mathematics
The relevance and impact of Mathematics is everywhere — it is used in a variety of ways in the real world, including finance, carbon dating artefacts, predicting the spread of diseases, computer games, engineering, biology, cryptography and many more.
Mathematics is the abstract science of number, quantity and space, either as abstract concepts or as applied to other disciplines. In Years 7-9, we focus on developing the skills and processes over a range of areas including number and algebra, statistics and probability, and measurement and geometry. In Year 10, there are a variety of streams of Mathematics to follow including Foundation, General, Methods and Specialist. Our aim here is to provide the necessary skills to enable students to take on their preferred Mathematics stream in VCE.
Foundation Mathematics is offered up to Year 11, in line with VCAA guidelines. In Year 11 and 12 we offer General/Further Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics.
As a department, we endeavour to grow and extend our students' numeracy, problem solving and analytical thinking skills through a variety of teaching styles and tasks. To support students in their learning beyond the classroom, we offer a Homework Club after school.
Visual and Performing Arts
Music
Classroom Music is offered from Year 7 at the College and opportunities expand into a variety of senior courses tailored to particular interests. The College also offers VET Certificate II in Music and Dance, VCE Music Investigation, VCE Music Performance, and VCE Music Style and Composition.
Instrumental Music
Students have the opportunity to learn an instrument from an experienced Music teacher. This program includes voice, piano, percussion, brass, string and wind instruments and is available in private or group lessons. These lessons rotate from week to week so that the student does not miss out on a particular subject. The lessons run throughout the day, providing easy access for tuition. Instrumental and voice scholarships are also available.
Visual Arts
Art is offered from Years 7 to 12 and involves the creative expression of ideas through art mediums. Students study drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, chemical and digital photography, and computer-assisted illustration. Art making involves skill building and a personal exploration and expression of ideas. Students go on regular excursions to art galleries to be challenged and inspired.
Languages
The Languages Faculty at the College offers an in-depth program of language study in both Italian and Japanese. An important aspect of Language studies at the College is the opportunity to engage in cultural studies. We aim to guide our students and ensure abilities are nurtured and celebrated, whilst aiming for personal excellence and reaching individual potential. Studying LOTE is compulsory in Years 7 and 8. Students study both languages simultaneously in Year 7. In Year 8 they can choose to study either one language or both. Students have the option to continue language studies until the end of VCE Unit 4.
Our innovative cocurricular program includes language competitions, a range of incursions and excursions, LOTE Week activities and overseas study tours to Italy and Japan. These study tours provide an opportunity to participate in an exchange program with our Japanese and Italian sister schools, Instituti Superiore Giovanni Lanza in Casale Monferrato, Italy, and Horyuji International High School in Nara, Japan. This international relationship has developed over years of ongoing interactions between our school communities. These overseas study tours represent a valuable opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the country’s language and culture.
Technology
Technology students at the College have the opportunity to explore areas as diverse as Food, Textiles, Wood, Metal and Plastics, and Systems and Information Communication Technology (ICT). Defining a problem, a need, or want is fundamental to the Technology design process — through our program, students learn how to plan, justify and implement their designs. The students also explore, develop, research and implement characteristics of distinguishing textures, materials and technologies to acquire an understanding of the environmental factors involved and investigate sustainable outcomes. Products are designed and produced in practical classes to enable students to demonstrate an increasing independence with new and emerging technologies.
ICT is the hardware and software that enables data to be digitally processed, stored and communicated. It is an interdisciplinary domain that provides students with the tools to transform their learning and to enrich their learning environment. ICT, along with other tools, equipment and taste, assist students in developing and concluding an evaluation process. Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students have the opportunity to explore a variety of Technology subjects, while building on skills and furthering their knowledge and design aspirations. VCE study for Year 11 and 12 Technology students is implemented using current Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) study design for Units 1 to 4.
Health and Physical Education
The Health and Physical Education (PE) department offers a wide range of theoretical and practical activities designed to challenge students throughout the year levels. Health and PE is a compulsory subject at Years 7 and 8 and covers various team and individual sports, competitive and recreational pursuits, as well as important theoretical topics including alcohol and drug education, nutrition, healthy lifestyles and mental health.
Year 9 electives include: Youth Health, Super Coach, Peak Performance, Girls Only Physical Education and Outdoor Education. Year 10 electives include: Contemporary Health, Personal Training, Nutrition for the Serious Athlete, Amazing Body, and Outdoor Education. The theoretical focus at this stage is on the environment, safety and team work.
By Years 10 and 11, our students have the opportunity to elect to study VET Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, which has an Outdoor Education focus. This subject includes a range of units that are designed to prepare students for work within the sport and recreation industry. First aid, session planning, group facilitation and conflict management are just some of the areas covered. This subject runs over two years and if studied in Year 11, it can contribute towards the student’s ATAR. Practical activities include a surf camp, snow camp and a multi-day hike. The College offers both VCE Physical Education and Health and Human Development in Years 11 and 12.
Sport
The College offers a wide range of opportunities in the Sports program. All students from Year 8 through to Year 10 participate in compulsory weekly sport, and students from Years 11 and 12 are also able to participate in the weekly competition for Terms 1, 2 and 3. The College is a member of the Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne (EISM). The sports offered through EISM include: swimming, athletics, cross country, basketball, netball, tennis, Aussie rules, soccer, badminton, table tennis, softball, hockey, cricket and many more. Year 9 and 10 students who do not play weekly sport participate in a mix of different activities including dance, snooker, fitness classes at local gyms, gymnastics and roller hockey.
All students have the opportunity to participate in the House swimming, athletics and cross country carnivals. Those who are successful at these events are selected for the school squads and compete at EISM level.
Students are encouraged to participate in homeroom competitions at lunchtimes throughout the year. There is also equipment available for students to use at lunchtimes. Other sports offered at the College include futsal, weightlifting, snow sports and equestrian. Students are always encouraged to be a member of the College sporting teams.