Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community
Welcome to the 2023 academic year, after what I hope was a restful family Christmas and an inspiring holiday period. The weather has certainly been varied, and in the most part cool to allow outside activity and to enjoy the company of others. I hope you all enjoyed activity with family and friends as it is great to have had the opportunity to share precious time with those we love. May we always be reminded how precarious our time is with family and friends, thus always considering people first and that we must be mindful of our environment. Let us hope and pray for a safe and healthy 2023 after a difficult last three years.
The College has been open and operating for several weeks now and much work has been completed in that time. I believe our students have returned to a College that presents well and provides a welcoming environment for our community, although somewhat different to the campus they left at the end of 2022.
2023 theme — the theme chosen to help guide us through 2023
Some years ago, we started the process of focusing on our Mercy values when considering our yearly themes. In 2018 our focus was Respect, 2019 Compassion, 2020 Justice, 2021 Service, 2022 Hospitality and this year, 2023, we focus on Courage. The Bible reference is 1 Corinthians 16:13.
And the theme itself:
’Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous’.
This is a fantastic theme to help us focus and think about what we believe to be important. It provides a focal point for discussion: Hospitality after a year of focusing on Service in our 125-year celebrations. How could you have one without the other?
In focusing on this theme, we note that for Catherine McAuley: “Courage is a gift from God who gives us the strength to face the demands of our mission, to counter injustice, to work tirelessly and to endure hardship.”
COVID-19
In returning to the 2023 academic year, we do so without any physical restrictions placed on us because of the world pandemic and the various strains of COVID-19 which seem to be so prevalent within our society. Certainly, over the summer period there were reports of high levels of infection, which we should always consider.
So, as in the past, we remain committed to providing the best possible education for each of our students while doing everything possible to keep our community safe and on campus.
In returning to the College it is important for families to understand that although there are no restrictions, it is still important that we consider:
- wearing masks indoors, especially when social distancing is not possible. Students are encouraged to consider wearing masks while in classrooms
- students should continue to minimise social contact and maintain a social distance (1.5m) wherever possible
- students should try to wash their hands as often as possible and if this is not possible to use hand sanitiser
- students should conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) if they feel unwell. RAT kits are still freely available at the College Reception for those families requiring them
- students who test positive should isolate at home for at least five days
- any student who feels unwell should stay at home.
Having said the above, all College events are planned to be conducted in full, including camps, assemblies and excursions. We look forward to a full and productive academic year for 2023.
Community Mass 2023
Last evening, the College hosted its first Community Mass for three years and it was great to welcome it back. This is the first community event for the year whereby we celebrate who we genuinely are by coming together to celebrate the Eucharist. At the event, our Year 12 group, the graduating Class of 2023, were inducted as the senior class of the College and Year 7 students of 2023 were welcomed as the graduating Class of 2028.
All new families to the College were also welcomed. Although the weather was not kind to us, I am thankful that once again we can be such a welcoming community.
You can read more about the Community Mass HERE.
Top Achievers 2022
The College will hold a combined Top Achievers’ Assembly with Our College Opening Mass next week, on Tuesday 7 February, and will acknowledge and congratulate our College Dux for 2022, Jack Drummond, who achieved an ATAR of 99.3.
The College would further like to acknowledge the other top achieving students for 2022 in:
- Baxter Lill
- Noah Ruta
- Teagan McConachy
- Ellie Inglese
- Danielle Gazzola
- Jackson Nunziante
- Forum Patel
- Eloise Graves
- Alannah Finger.
We also acknowledge other students who achieved ATARs in the 90s.
As a College we acknowledge and give thanks for the success and efforts of our 2022 graduating class, recognising that there are many pathways to success and understanding that achievement cannot always be measured in a scoring system. We appreciate the efforts of the graduating class in personal achievement in the understanding that each student aspired to be their best.
Mark Prest Award 2022
The Mark Prest Award is an award in honour of past Deputy Principal, Mark Prest. It is awarded to a member of staff who most exemplifies Mark’s educational philosophy and witness as judged by the following criteria:
- a passionate respect for the dignity of each person
- sets a public example of integrity, love, commitment and awareness each day
- shows empathy and concern for the welfare of others
- fosters genuine, honest, authentic, compassionate and just relationships
- has a healthy sense of tolerance, acceptance and openness
- is filled with the excitement of teaching
- is a courageous and a committed learner
- aspires to and encourages excellence
- exhibits a quality of teaching which opens up learning to others
- encourages a love of learning in others
- is willing to take risks and learn from experience
- believes that teaching matters
- fosters a strong climate of community involving students, teachers and parents
- has a sense of civic responsibility and pride
- contributes to the social and spiritual environment of the school.
The 2022 Mark Prest Awardee is Mrs Donna Mulazzani and she was presented with her award at the Night of Excellence in December. Congratulations again, Donna. You can read more about our Night of Excellence HERE.
College Newsletter
The College Newsletter is an important source of formation and information. It is published electronically each fortnight. Parents and families should read it from the College website each Friday evening on an alternative week arrangement. It can be found on the College website, under the ‘News & Events’ menu, and it is also emailed to families.
Parent Portal and Parent Access Module (PAM)
The Parent Portal is also a very important access point to the College. Excursion information, medical forms and individual family letters are all published via the Parent Portal. Families should become familiar with the processes to use it. The College will send an SMS to parents when there is important information to check on the Parent Portal.
The Parent Access Module (PAM) caters for live ongoing reporting, as well as semester reports, attendance reporting and access to the College calendar. You are also able to advise the College of daily student absences via PAM. Families have been advised of recent changes to login requirements for PAM and we encourage all parents to log in and create their individual passwords.
Logins and passwords for the Parent Portal have not changed in 2023 from previous access in 2022. A user guide for our portals can be requested from our College Office if you require assistance using them.
Welcome new students
This year we welcome to the College a total of 264 Year 7 students:
7 Blue
Illiana Bolger, Ella Burrows, Daniel Butler, Eirini Cagnoni, Olivia Callanan, Flynn Chalmers, Charlie Clay, William Davies, Zoe Davies, Shelby Gallagher, Emmi-Mae Gloury, Riley Hirt, Lochlan Howcroft, Estefania Junca Rodriguez, Madelaine Lord, Evie McSween, Nathan Millington, Mia Morrissey, Aaron Mullasseril, Cate Princi, Harrison Saunders, Tobias Seward Prior, Ella Smith, Noah Stephens, Emily Thiele, Jarrah Thompson and Brandon Warren.
7 Bronze
Harrison Barnes, Tarrin Birthisel, Paige Bode, Grace Bugis, Mikayla Daz, Will Di Ludovico, Braydan Ferguson, Ruby Flynn, Amelia Fry, Alexandra Ginigal Godage, Sophie Griffin, Madeline Grogan, Jesse Hancock, Hamish Howatt, Aaron Lilley, Frances Long, Nicholas McLaine, Evie Pease, Charlotte Pecher, Elan Pereira, Marley Rayner, Lily Skinner, Zac Susigan, Luca Varone, Pearl White, Jeremiah Wintergerst and Jaxon Woodlock.
7 Gold
Stella Abdallah, Ryker Beekhof, Georgia Cochrane, Ryder Crowe, Maizey Dinnage, Ella Eales, Olivia English, Poppi Foley, Myles Fraser, Jaida Freeman, Tripp Goodlet, Xander Harrington, Alistar Hobbs, Samantha Hobson, Ava Klages, Madeleine Neyland, Mia Orlando, Ruby Reed, Samuel Rivas Vaquerano, Charlotte Spiteri, Elena Tarquinio, Stella Turriff, Pablo Ubilla, Isacc Vennix, Charlee Waghorn and Tyler Wilson.
7 Green
Ryder Ainsworth, William Alderman, Ethan Andrews, Erick Davey, Aurelia Dean, William Dixon, Joshua Draffin, Tarnee Glassborow, Aiden Green, Ella Guiheneuf, Madeline Hanson, Summer Kelly, Mikaelah Maggs, Olivia Majdancic, Ari Marappan, Isabella Newsome, Ella Penzo, Kristian Richardson, Tyler Seeger, Summer Thomas, Feofaaki Ula, Maddie Underhill, Stella Upton, Flynn Van Der Klift, Chet Wilkinson and Lily Winter.
7 Jade
Austin Aju, Charlotte Arnott, Genevieve Arrif, Evan Attwood, Bae Bissels, Robin Brar, Rocco Corrone, Ashlyn Dowthwaite, Lucas Ghali, Austin Hathaway, Joshua Jackson, Charlotte Kirby, Lilly Kitto, Jeremy Kwah, Naiah Lang, Krishabelle Lawa, Jasper Moss, Lily Nash, Scarlett North, Jasmine Rogers, Claudia Ryan, Anabelle Sciore, Chloe Sherry, Jesse Usenich, Bella Rae Walker and Thomas Ziino.
7 Orange
Annabelle Brewster, Madison Coates, Henry Craig, Nate Exton, Emily Fiedler, Tarsha Flynn, Kiara Geerling, Makenzie Gill, Jacob Grant, Ethan Hodge, Sierra Hoegel, Alex Koupparis, Maddison Lowe, Brodie Manger, Elice Mzila, Oliver Northwood, Patrick Rice, Zach Robertson, Diesel Rogers, Abby Simpson-Leitch, Jessica Taylor, Joshua Thang, Chenoa Twomey, Isabella Vear, Jack Waldron and Tea Ward.
7 Purple
Islah Battistella, Evie Brookes, Tully Caccia, Archie Carolan, Alexander Conway, Leighton Cook, Ethan Dawson, Delilah Fritz, Bridie Goyne, Riley Hannah, Mia Healy, Bridie Hoyne, Holly Hunt, Kayla Kanaris, Charlotte Kelly, Jay Lillie, Joshua Locantio, Layla Murray, Milla Pasini, Dougal Stephen, William Story, Marina Tevi, Kate Tricarico, Daniel Tuang, Oliver Vuarchoz, Gabriella Weir and Yasmyn Woodhead.
7 Red
Jade Allamby, Natalia Aquilina-Hart, Harper Barrie, Ella Bergin, Grace Brown, Xavier Crellin, Aidan Cruz, Nathan Delaney, Grace Earl, Erika Faulkner, Laylah Festini, Harrison Frey, Angeliki Hagianis, Indiana Ironmonger, Jordi James, Ariel Jarvis, Joshua Kelly, Adam Koupparis, Jeremiah Kwah, Max Litchfield, Melissa Musilli, Elly Primiero, Echo Schaak-Taylor, Austin Simmons, Charlotte Stuart and Jake Wills.
7 Silver
Grace Athanasopoulos, Ebony Braden, Ruby Budziarski, Ruby Corney, Larissa de Zylva, Alexander Duffy, Logan Ellis, Julian Ferguson, Clara Fernandez, Joshua Finn, Abby Gray, Ella Hathaway, Raymond Hoyek, Nathan Hutton, Sylar Kirkwood, Cooper Lennox, Naoki Luntayao, Keira Maggs, Ava Manton, Joshua McCoy, Yuanna Mendoza, Mathew Miotto, Teal Mizzi, Georgios Panagiotidis, Ethan Pugh, Sienna Vallack and Saskia Vanzin.
7 White
Samantha Atkins, Liliana Bonanno, Oliver Brahe, Mia Christie, Emma Csik, Koby Dickson, Mitchell Florance, William Garnsworthy, Ben Griffiths, Eva Hough, Marry Kim, William McConville, Samuel Ngaihte, Zoe Oberman-Katsaras, Skye O'Connor, Mia Orr, Bethany Parker, Violet Rayner, Sadie Savage, Noah Sibilia, Scarlett Stevens, Alexander Sulda, Ashley Taylor, Oakley Taylor, Sharna Thomsen and Persephone Tzanatos.
We also welcome a number of students and their families to other year levels:
Year 8
Olivia Kennedy (8GO), Charlotte Lowrie (8AQ), George Lyons (8PU), Jesse March (8GO), Stella Pearse-Evans (08GR), Aaron Perez (8SI) and Summer Powell (8SI).
Year 9
Zach Ashworth (9GR), Troy Casey (9GR), Genevieve Crockett (9RE), Lucas Hays (9GO), Holly Judd 9GR), Mya Malaeb (9RE), Rama McClelland (9BL), Hannah Smith (9RE) and Koby Tibb (9JA).
Year 10
Madison Leaumont (10GO), Samantha Love (10RE), Rufus Moorhead (10WH), Coco Owen (10RE) and Lauren Pierce (10GR).
Year 11
Alexander Deans (11WH), Bonnie O'Hare (11RE) and Abbey Walters (11BR).
Staffing
At our first staff meeting for 2022, we as a staff welcomed back Mrs Emily Tineo from maternity leave.
We also welcomed and commissioned a number of new staff at the Liturgy:
- Wendy Anderson Faculty (Learning Leader Performing Arts and Music)
- Tom Barthelson (teacher of Mathematics and Science)
- Pamela Budge (teacher of Food Technology and Health)
- Stacey Falla (teacher of English, Literacy and Humanities)
- Erica Foden (teacher of English, Humanities and Psychology)
- Zara Howells (teacher of English and Mathematics)
- Skye Jennings (teacher of Science, Biology and Health)
- Braid Matthews (teacher of Textiles, Food Technology, Drama and Arts)
- Conna Matthews (teacher of Mathematics and Science)
- Lauren O’Toole (teacher of Mathematics, PE and Sport)
- Ruby Parsons (teacher of Religious Education, PE and Sport)
- Eden Pritchard (teacher of Mathematics, PE and Sport)
- Lauren Smith (teacher of Literature and Drama)
- Jayden Voorzat (teacher of Agricultural Science and Science)
- Ken Wade (teacher of English)
- Gavin Wall (teacher of VET Agriculture)
- Elissa White (teacher of Science and Religious Education)
- Paul Wulfrun (teacher of Science and Mathematics)
- Elizabeth Wright (teacher of English)
- Victoria Minichilli (College Nurse)
- Liam Charles (Learning Support)
- Jessica Gatehouse (Learning Support)
- Vanessa Harding (Learning Support)
- Robyn Knight (Learning Support)
- Brad Chandler (Maintenance team)
- Bronwyn Krueger (Grounds and Farm Assistant).
We also welcomed our AFL Trainees for 2022:
- Tyler Flint (Outdoor Education)
- Cheyenne Moore (Sport)
- Holly Johns (Events Management).
College Advisory Council
Mount Lilydale Mercy College encourages community involvement within our College through the many activities, but one such way is through our College committee structure. Parents and community members are asked to participate in committees to ensure the College is consultative, but also to increase expertise and skills when making decisions that affect the short and long-term future of the College. This year we have vacancies with:
- College Advisory Council (CAC) (up to two places)
The College Advisory Council constitution may be found on our College website along with an application form. Interested family members are invited to read the documents and apply by completing the application and emailing it to principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au - Community Forum Group (CFG)
The Community Forum Group is another committee by which the College consults with families. It recognises the importance of parent’s views on the holistic education of the young people in our care. This forum is committed to strengthening our partnerships with families by consulting with them on a vast range of College policies and in so doing parents and guardians are invited to attend these meetings via our College Newsletter. The CFG meets twice per term at 7.30pm and is invited to raise issues with the Principal to be foreshadowed on the agenda.
If you are interested in being nominated for either of these committees, or know of someone who you would recommend nominating, please contact me at the College or via email at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au
The Parents and Friends’ Association (P&F) is also vital within our College and is another avenue used for consultation. We also encourage new members to the P&F and interested parents should contact Community Development Coordinator Miss Sarah Shallcross on sshallcross@mlmc.vic.edu.au
Car parking and dropping off students
Please remember that there is a drop-off and pick-up zone inside the main entrance. Car parking is restricted in The Eyrie. Throughout Semester 1 the Allison Crescent gate will also be inaccessible to students due to building works at the College. Please do not drop off or pick up students in either of these streets. Such action will cause unnecessary congestion to our neighbours. Be aware of the strict parking restrictions that apply in the streets adjacent to the College. Cars are not allowed to stop in sections of these streets at the usual drop-off and pick-up times. Council Officers are likely to be present to supervise these parking restrictions and drivers who stop in the NO STANDING areas are likely to be fined. Students who have a medical condition that prevents them walking should be driven into the College via the main gate and dropped off as close as possible to her/his locker.
Who should I call?
Below is a downloadable Communications Guide. Hopefully it will help you when you wish to communicate with staff at the College.
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
