Dear members of the MLMC community
Welcome to the month of August, the last month of winter as we make the journey to Spring. Still the cloudy grey days have not dominated and skies of blue occasionally peak through to lift spirits. These days help to build our resilience and persistence to the task at hand as we must remain committed.
So, too, this is true for our College Musical which, after four years in the making, is being performed this week, with opening night held last night. There were also two matinee performances shown to primary schools earlier in the week. It, too, is a testament to persistence and the building of resilience.
You would not have to travel far to find out that I am a big fan of the concept and production of the College Musical. I believe it to be an essential part of the life and culture of College life and the community that is Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
Firstly, there are academic benefits to musical productions with research showing growth to the development of the left side of the brain, language processing and cognitive development, as well as improvement in concentration, creativity and self-esteem.
Although all of these are important, to be honest they do not surpass the real reasons that I have great belief and faith in College Musicals and, to put it simply, College Musicals build community. They build community by differing groups of people bringing their talents to a common purpose. They build by differing year levels coming together and older students modelling to younger students. They build community by the development of talent and not boxing students into a predetermined role as anyone can perform in a College Musical. I take great joy in the fact that a musical performance bridges the divide between sportspersons, poets, actors, musicians, mathematicians, scientists, technologists, historians and artist., recognising of course that no divide ever really did exist.
This College Musical, Matilda, in particular is community building with several Old Collegians coming back to tread the boards in performance, in stage management, in set construction, in musical direction and in technical support.
Besides the building of community, musical productions help to build aspects of our student’s lives that is essential and that is a love of the arts and performance that is life giving. It is my hope that we build a fascination for the arts that will see our students develop a love for theatre and performance, that will see them enjoy musicals and plays, bands and orchestras, films and arts for the rest of their lives, for indeed, these will help to sustain them.
Indeed, College Musicals help to build resilience and persistence.
So, to our Musical crew of 2022 (and 2021 and 2020), we say: “break a leg” and enjoy.
Yesterday as Charlie and I walked through speaking to the cast and I said "break a leg", it seemed to perplex some students. They asked why I wanted them to break a leg. Of course, I did not. “Break a leg” is a phrase that means “good luck”, typically said to actors on opening night. It is believed to be rooted in the theatre community who are deemed to be highly superstitious and who believe saying “good luck” will actually bring “bad luck”, so instead they wish the opposite. It’s believed to have originated in the American theatre scene in the early 20th century. Some believe it was adapted from the German saying “Hals-und Beinbruch,” which means “neck and leg break”. While others believe it derived from the Hebrew blessing “hatzlakha u-brakha”, which means “success and blessing”.
Similarly, there is a belief that you should never whistle in a theatre as this will bring bad luck. as will saying the word “Macbeth”.
Let’s hope a black cat does not walk across the stage.
Anyway, we are grateful to and for our College Musical production team for the College Musical, Matilda, for 2022. Let us all support it and participate by being audience members.
Break a leg and thank you one and all.
Community Forum Group (CFG)
Last term in the last newsletter I highlighted to you a group forming at the College, which is to be called the Community Forum Group (CFG), whose role is to be a consultative group in matters around College policy and curriculum initiatives to be introduced. I am grateful to the three parents who have joined this group as permanent committee members.
The first meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 August at 7.30PM, with the topics under discussion being:
- the VCE Vocational Major (new structure)
- Year 10 curriculum 2023 (proposed changes moving forward)
- the Respectful Relationships initiative
- changes to the College Uniform.
Up to 10 other parents can join this group on a casual basis depending on agenda, so if you would like to attend this or any other meeting please email me at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au
I will publish a formal agenda with a venue once final numbers are set. I will email the final agenda to all registered attendees. Please consider participation as this is key way in which the College consults with families about policies and issues at MLMC.
In the spirit of Catherine, stay warm, safe and COVID-free.
God bless
Philip A Morison
