Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,
Welcome to the 2021 academic year, after what I hope was a restful family Christmas and an inspiring holiday period. After the past 12 months we have endured, it is great to have had the opportunity to share precious time with friends and family. The weather has certainly been varied and the rain has already provided some challenges. Despite this we must be thankful, for at this time last year we were living amidst serious bushfires that resulted in much loss of land and stock.
We have entered the period of 'COVID normal', but news only yesterday with the reintroduction of face masks reminds us how precarious our situation truly is and that we must be mindful at all times. Let us hope and pray for a far safer and healthier 2021, with a large vaccination program that will see the dreadful virus somewhat controlled as different strains make their way to our shores.
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 which continues to improve as we strive to continually provide better facilities and create an environment that facilitates learning while providing a welcoming domain for our wider community.
2021 Theme
As stated in the welcome letter sent to you last week, each year a theme is set to help us focus on a Mercy value with the focus over the last four years having been Courage, Respect, Compassion and Justice.
Our College theme for 2021 is:
'Serve one another humbly in love.'
This was developed for us by our Student Leadership Team at their induction program and is centred around the Mercy Value of Service. The Bible reference is from Galatians 5:13: “…you, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free …serve one another humbly in love”.
This theme allows us to focus on service, humility and love and so too provides meaningful opportunity for discussion at assemblies, on retreats and as part of our Pastoral Care program.
In focusing on this theme, we note that Sr Veronica Lawson RSM in writing on Service, quoted: “Leaders, in particular, must be at the service of the community." “…the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like the one who serves.” (Luke 22.26)
Top Achievers' Assembly
On Wednesday 3 February, the College held the first full College Assembly for the year. The Top Achievers' Assembly has certainly been a highlight as it was our first opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our 2020 graduating class, who will forever be known as the group who completed Year 12 during the time of COVID. Hopefully the first and last. We celebrated our 2020 Dux Jamieson Manger and the Catherine McAuley Award recipient Harrison George, who were both given the opportunity to address the student body. Both delivered messages worthy of our attention. In fact, if you ever doubt the quality of the students who graduate from our College, I encourage you to read their speeches. Harrison spoke very strongly about being the best version of yourself by rising to the challenge being of service to others and to always be positive. Jamieson also challenged us with the concept that each and every one of us is unique and we each must seize the opportunities that present to us each day in addition to setting goals to achieve. Both worthy reminders for us all.
The College further acknowledged the top achieving students for 2020 in:
Anthony Centracchio, Reanna Corrigan, Kaitlyn Crymble, Bridget Deed, Ryan Finette, Alesha Gray, Ashley Herrod, Jamieson Manger, Rhiannon Nanscawen, Liam Pritchard, Madeline Remminga and Rebecca Snell.
We extend our congratulations to our 2020 Dux in each subject:
- Anthony Centracchio — Legal Studies
- Luca Cianciaruso — Business Management
- Kaitlyn Crymble — Italian
- Bridget Deed — Physical Education
- Emma di Paolo — Dance
- Georgia Drummond — Studio Arts
- Ryan Finette — Mathematical Methods
- Ryan Finette — Specialist Mathematics
- Kimberley Fiorentino — Psychology
- Kai Frost — Religion and Society
- Alesha Gray — Chemistry
- Jamieson Manger — Biology
- Jamieson Manger — Chemistry
- Jamieson Manger — English Language
- Melissa Mathews — Drama
- Kirsten Moerth — Media
- Rhiannon Nanscawen — Health and Human Development
- Rhiannon Nanscawen — Further Mathematics
- Talisha Nichols — Theatre Studies
- Andre Parlas — VET Sport and Recreation
- Matthew Perry — Geography
- Matthew Perry — History Revolutions
- Ethan Prentice — VET Music Performance
- Liam Pritchard — English
- Liam Pritchard — Geography
- Liam Pritchard — Literature
- Madeline Remminga — Economics
- Madeline Remminga — Japanese
- Michelle Richardson — Food
- Jelinna Santiago — Physics
- Clinton Sibberas — Software Development
- Joel Starnawski — Visual Communication Design
- Connor Taylor — Systems Engineering
- Rory Townend — Music Performance
- Amy Wahrenberger — VET Music Performance
- Gus Wiffrie — Product Design and Technology
- Bryce Woods — Accounting
As a College we also acknowledged and gave thanks for the success and efforts of our 2020 graduating class:
Liam Abbott, Reilly Acabado, Jai Addison, Chloe Alford, Alex Arms, Ashlee Atwell, Liana Baker, Isaac Barnes, Rhett Bethune, Bailey Blundell, Joel Bogojevic, Molly Bollaart, Lachlan Bourke, Benjamin Bourke, Tessa Bourke-Finn, Lachlan Boyd, Sarah Boyle, Harrison Brown, Joanna Bryce, Astin Bucci, Tali Butler, Isabella Cachia, Adam Camp, Aaron Campagna, Matilda Carroll, Abbey Carter, Anthony Centracchio, Dane Cerveri, Luca Cianciaruso, Alexandra Cilia, James Cincotta, Reanna Corrigan, Lachlan Cox, Samantha Crabtree, Kaitlyn Crymble, Emily Cullen, Isabella Davies, Jackson Davis, Bridget Deed, Paula Del Giudice, Christina Del Giudice, Jayden Dewar, Shelby Dewar, Declan Di Nezza, Lily Dove, Ethan Downey, Georgia Drummond, Ebony Eacott, Benjamin Easterbrook, Ebony Edge-Willcockson, Amie Edwards-Tesselaar, Jade Edyvane, William Fahey, Alexandra Falconer, Anton Fanfulla, Georgia Farmakis, Mitchell Farr, Ryan Finette, Jack Fiorentino, May Flamsteed, Christopher Fox, Amy Frazzetto, Kai Frost, Annalese Gammell, Mya Garces, Madeline George, Harrison George, Caitlyn Gervasoni, Tomadia Ghali, Kobe Gibson, Catherine Gillet, Chelsea Godwin, Amber Gosling, Thomas Grace, Alesha Gray, Isabella Green , Faith Greenberger, Max Hall, Mackenzie Hardy, Teghan Hartigan, Max Harvey, Adriana Hawkins, Angus Hayes, Meg Hazell-Langley, Alex Heath, Jasper Hennessy, Ashley Herrod, Angus Hill, Bailey Hipfel, Samuel Hodgett, Emily Hoiles, Darby Huggins, Kurt Huttig, Hayley Jackson, Tiarna Jackson, Ella James, Joshua Janssen, Ella Johnson, Matilda Kelly, Jamie La Morticella, Jack Largue, Marielle Laxamana, Emily Leach, Tatiana Lintzeris, Jasmine Maa, Jamieson Manger, Bailey Marsden, Melissa Mathews, Kane McDonald, William McDonald, Nicholas McKenzie, Kira McNair, Joshua Meerkotter, Rebecca Meyer, Kirsten Moerth, Josephine Molluso, Zara Monk, Isabella Murray, Nelson Mwagiru, Rhiannon Nanscawen, Hannah Napier, Jessica Napolitano, Lucy Nation, Darcie Neicho, Talisha Nichols, Archer Noonan, Maree-Rose Orlando, Cameron Oude-Meilink, Rhani Oxley, Isabella Parker, Casey Parker-Turner, Sara Perrotta, Matthew Perry, Olivia Pettinella, Amelia Philipson, Gabriella Phillips, Emma Pitt, Sophie Potts, Jye Price, Liam Pritchard, Jenson Pritchard, Finn Reardon, Mai Reed, Madeline Remminga, Michelle Richardson, Chloe Rickard, Francesca Ripepi, Emma Roberts, Amy Roberts, Ella Rumian, Jelinna Santiago, Charles Schneider, Maddison Schumi, Jacksen Sealey, Tori Sharp, Braeden Shean, Jack Sheehan, Clinton Sibberas, Lachlan Sims, Kirra Smark, Ebony Smark, Rebecca Snell, Olivia Spiteri, Zak Stafford, Joel Starnawski, Madeline Stokes, Riley Swankie, Jack Thomas, Summer Thomas, Paige Thomas, Chelsea Thompson, Lochlann Tipping, Rory Townend, Erin Towning, Genevieve Trollope, Toby Van Berkel, Riley Van Bockel, Lachlan Van Der Klift, Harrison Van Duuren, Bradley Van Steyn, Tara Vanstan, Moses Villani, Sarah Vrsecky, Jacob Vulfs, Hunter Walsh, Thomas Whitaker, Gus Wiffrie, Taryn Williams, Meghan Wobbes and Bryce Woods.
Mark Prest Award 2020
The Mark Prest Award is an award in honour of our former Deputy Principal. 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 2020 Mark Prest Award winner is Mrs Urszula Faulkner, our Science Faculty Learning Leader and a person who has a lot to offer in the future of our College. Congratulations again, Urszula.
Black Saturday bushfires — 12-Year Anniversary
As a College, we also acknowledged the 12-year anniversary of Black Saturday and recognise that many of our community were deeply affected by the tragic events of the day. We remember the dark day in Victoria’s history and pray for the 173 souls who lost their lives. We have a deep compassion for the many lives impacted by the tragic event and continue to keep them in our prayers.
Parent Code of Conduct
In recent years Mercy Education Limited introduced a Parent Code of Conduct. A copy of the Parent Code of Conduct is available on the Parent Portal. This policy provides guidelines to promote desirable and appropriate behaviour to ensure that all interactions with students and adults is respectful, honest, courteous, sensitive and considerate. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to read it.
College Newsletter
The College newsletter is published each fortnight and is an important source of information. Parents and families are emailed the newsletter on alternate Fridays. It can also be easily be found on the College website, under the News and Events section HERE.
The 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.
We will also continue to develop our Parent Access Module (PAM) which caters for live ongoing reporting, as well as semester reports, attendance tracking and access to the College calendar.
Both the Portal and PAM should have the same login details for each family. A user guide for our parent portals can be requested from our College Office if you require assistance. There is a video tutorial on our website HERE.
Welcome New Students
This year we welcome to the College a total of 264 Year 7 students:
7 Blue
Brylee Anderson, Blake Biggin, Cleo Billings, Jack Birthisel, Archie Brown, James Burns, Beau Haylock, Fraser Henry, Isabella Ivan, Oliver Knight, Isabella Lord, Amelie Ludwig, Jaden Mathew, Liam Morabito, Ethan Osip, Tilly Pearce, Annika Pecher, Chloe Rainford, Emily Reichman, Evelyn Ruta, Lowrence Sang, Ignatius Sian Piang, Jasmine Spencer, Mia Surman, Ruby Synan, Kai Trewinand Harris Vassilopoulos.
7 Bronze
Isabella Atherton, Seth Barnes, Riley Bode, Jack Burke, Campbell Bush, Trey Chapman, Tadhg Clinton, Ava Cordingley, Jacob Csik, Chloe Demetriou, Jayla Doolan, Lilka Faulkner, Hayden Ferrall, Alannah Finn, Ronan Flight, Alexander Henry, Cody Hoiles, Zane Mizzi, Charlotte Newsome, Leim Sawyer, Olivia Stoll, Rukiya Sunderland, Lily Taylor, Seteone Tevi, Olivia Vanderkolk and Darcy Vos.
7 Gold
Cadel Betts, Matilda Brewster, Bailey Budziarski, Noah Burow, Anthony Butler, Mahalia Chandler, Jessica Course, Matilda Fitzgerald, Sharli Flynn, Sienna Harkness, Cooper Henderson, Lachlan Holt, Adam Johnson, Alexander Klein, Mitchell McLean, Jack McSween, Lara Mhanna, Charli Ouwehand, Tennille Pearse, Sydney Rowntree, Amelia Russell, Eve Schembri, Archie Spencer, Ashley Stubbs, Lachlan Thornely, Caitlin Vaughan and Brodie Westlake.
7 Green
Alexis Arrif, Jacob Bond, Sienna Clark, Lily Cochrane, Archer Collins, Hudson Don, Thomas Earl, Lily Exton, Katherine Harrison, Ringo Harrison, Mia Hecht, Eliza Kelly, Michael Kirby, Chanel Lopez, Alicia Martin, Xavier Matheson, Isabella Maurici, Alexander McCallum, Luca Nunziante, Thomas Pritchard, Makiya Reed, Madison Stuart, Aiden Thomas, Casey Tincknell, Sophie Tyzack, Marley Wilson and Izobella Zhinga.
7 Jade
Lachlan Alderman, Asher Borg-McIlroy, Rachael Bowers, Kate Chisholm, Mia Cianci, Abbey Dove, Wil Garthwaite, Olivia Grantham, Jessica Hupfield, Rylan King, Nicholas Lambert, Andrew Mammoliti, Jesse McDonald, Kayla Morgan, Isobel O'Neil, Nathan Pease, Noah Polkinghorne, Charlie Robins, Martin Sewiha, Levi Stafford, Luella Sutcliffe, Ebony Tucker, Nikita Van Den Essen, Brielle Wilson, Matilda Woods and Thomas Zinghini.
7 Orange
Hamish Butler, Krystal Cherry, Benito De Angelis, Alannah De Iulio, Ethan Dixon, Katelyn Dunn, William Elderhurst, Oliver Graves, Luke Ivanovic, Sasha Maggs, Bonnie Matthews, Callum Middleton, Grace Mzila, Rosario Napoli, Riley O'Connor, Alyssa Olszewski-Morrison, Abbey Pardon, Archer Peacock, Lucy Roach, Portia Ryan, Karma Storen, Alyssa Tenace, Kiani Thomas, Nicholas Vagias, Sachin Vanderhyde, Morgan Vine and Joshua Wyatt.
7 Purple
Samuel Bouzikos, Jack Cannata, Jett Chapman, Olivia Corney, Cassidy De Wee, Samuel Drummond, Henry Farquett, Beatrice Fedi, Ruari Flood, Samuel Foster, Gabrielle Giudice, Thomas Handasyde, Lachlan Hanson, Chelsea Haynes, Macee-Rose Hobbins, Olivia Hyndman, Sienna Pashalidis, Ethan Roberts, Blake Schelfhout, Liam Shambrook, Frankie-Ella Taylor, Charlee Thomas, Taiah Upson, Alexander Vear, Joshua Violi and Hayley Wyngaard.
7 Red
Tyler Braden, Thomas Conte, Michael Conway, Ava Eastmure, Christopher Ezzat, Eden Farrer, Isabella Garnsworthy, Ryan Gibson, Chloe Greaves, Mieka Halion, Cruze Hope, Maggie Howden, Nevin Joyce, Lohia Lovell, Monika Mackowiak, David Mallinder, Mitchell McNaught, Abigail Mendez, Sophie Poynton, Augustine Ram, Leya Shaibichan, Amarlia Sisson, Emlyn Turriff, Jack Usenich, Emmy van Duuren and Brandan Zmegac.
7 Silver
Jacob Blazincic, Jack Brahe, Sophie Comben, Finn Copling, Rowena Cumming, Hannah Doran, Isabel Draffin, Ella Flynn, Abby Gellert, Charlie Gillam, David Halkidis, Kalan Hathaway, Charles Haughey, Alexander Jerin, Nikisha Joseph, Elle Laxamana, Holly Lennox, Marlee Logg, Taite Packer, Archie Peters, Sienna Powell, Chloe Robertson, Mitchell Scott, Sebastian Ubilla Flores, Joshua Vennix and Madileine Weir.
7 White
Jakara Adamson, Arjun Anandvijaykumar, Vincent Aquilina-Hart, Claire Benham, Pasilika Besek, Jake Bishop, Isabelle Butler, Jenna Campbell, Tai-Ran Chan, Aaylah Coleman, Pietro Corrone, Mia Hamilton, Matilda Hannah, Jacob Heasman, Tara Hutton, Gabriel Keymer, Charli Litchfield, Luke Manini, Ruby McCallum, Lilah Newbery, Lachlan Otto, Oliver Palmer, Giorgio Pieroni, Luella Ripepi, Isabelle Thiele and Jude Upton.
We also welcome a number of students and their families to other year levels:
Year 8 Mia Campbell, Alysha Casey, Ethan De Simone, Ebony Eagleton, Riley Ebert and Audrey Lyons.
Year 9 Cash Atkins, Kyan Ellis, Ryan Green, Liam Haynes, Aksa Manoj and Lucien Primavera.
Year 10 Madison Doran, Tayah Eales, Aashere Manoj, Lucy Sharp and Alexandra Smart.
Year 11 John-Paul Greenough, Tiana Knights, Elizabeth Madge and Paul Stebbins.
Staffing
At our first staff meeting for 2020 we, as a staff, welcomed back a number of returning members:
- Lucia Tabacchiera from parental leave
- Rebecca Heyenga from parental leave
- Paul Morgan from personal leave.
We also welcomed and commissioned a number of new staff at the Liturgy:
- Monique Anderson — Executive Assistant to the Principal
- Mathew Burow — RE and Faith Development Leader, teacher of RE, Humanities and Sport
- Vanessa Frazer — Health and PE Learning Leader, teacher of Health, PE, Sport, RE and homeroom
- Craig Jacobs — Technology Learning Leader, teacher of IT (Design), Maths and Humanities
- Simone Kelly — Administration Officer
- Beccy Madsen — Student Performance Data Manager, teacher of RE, Maths and Humanities.
We also welcomed two new AFL Trainees for 2020:
- Lily Baxter — Events Management Trainee
- Bridget Deed — Sport Trainee.
College Advisory Council
Mount Lilydale Mercy College encourages community involvement within our College through 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:
- The College Advisory Council (one place)
- The Policy and Curriculum Committee.
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 Registrar — Community Engagement Mrs Emily Cerra on ecerra@mlmc.vic.edu.au.
Parking and Dropping Off Of Students
Please remember that there is a drop-off and pick-up zone inside the main entrance. Parking is restricted in both Allison Crescent and The Eyrie. 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.
Personal Pars
Members of the College community suffer with the passing of loved ones. Let us include them all in our prayers:
We pray for Pauline Hornidge who passed from this world earlier this month and whose funeral was held in the Chapel. We pray for Peter, her husband, and her extended family. We pray for Nerrida Burnham and her family with the passing of her mother Phyllis Collins on New Year's Day in Canberra
We pray for Annie Collins with the passing of her mum, Patricia Lavelle Collins, on Australia Day morning after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s. Let us pray for the repose of Pauline, Phyllis and Patricia's souls and may they along with all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
