Our most senior students and our newest cohort came together to start the 2023 academic year on Monday 30 January with a combined assembly in Centennial Hall.
There were big smiles all around as the Class of 2023 students came together again to chat about holidays and what lies ahead for them in their final year at MLMC, while the Year 7s reunited with their homerooms for the first time since December’s Orientation Day.
Principal Mr Philip Morison spoke to the Year 7 and Year 12 students about this year’s College theme, the Mercy value of Courage, and also asked them to “reflect on success and how we might go about achieving it”.
He encouraged the students to recognise that the road ahead could be lonely but not to think they had to do it alone. “You can achieve your best when everybody achieves their best,” Mr Morison said. “Be courageous and keep working for and with each other. I hope each of you will be courageous.”
It was a fantastic way to welcome our newest members of the MLMC community. Meanwhile, parents and guardians were encouraged to be part of the parent liturgy held in the Chapel, where they joined in reading prayers for our students and lighting tapers. The ritual of lighting the candles reminds us of God’s presence lighting our way.
Mr Morison repeated his message the following morning when the Year 8-11 students began their school year.
After their first assembly, the Year 7s began their time in the Mansfield building with their new peers and homeroom teachers. The students were able to set up their lockers with guidance from Year 10 Peer Support leaders and begin to understand their timetables — an exciting part of starting secondary school. Each class had a special induction schedule, which aimed to connect students with each other and the College. We thank our Year 10 Peer Support leaders for their time in assisting our new students.
They spent time in the Chapel where they learnt more about the Catholic Ethos within MLMC and prepared for the upcoming Community Mass. They explored the Library, where they were shown how to access books and other online resources and they participated in an organisational skills session where they focussed on arranging their lockers and books so that they could start the year in a positive way.
They also enjoyed a scavenger hunt, and with terrific energy they excitedly left their classrooms to explore the College grounds and find key services including Student Reception, the IT department, the McAuley Library and more.
The routine of secondary school is beginning to feel normal again and the Year 7s can now look forward to their camp being held in Alexandra in the week of Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February.
