(1) Dates
- Tuesday 24 October-Wednesday 15 November — VCE exams
- Monday 6 November — Mid-term Break (student free)
- Tuesday 7 November — Melbourne Cup Day public holiday
- Wednesday 8 November — all students expected to be in full summer uniform
- 10-17 November — Year 10 and Year 11 exams
- Saturday 11 November — Remembrance Day
- Sunday 12 November — Old Collegians’ Association Memorial Mass (2.00pm)
- Wednesday 15 November — Year 9 Horizons Showcase and The Rite Journey ‘Homecoming’
- Wednesday 15 November-Friday 17 November — Year 9 exams
- Friday 17 November — Year 12 Graduation
- Monday 20 November — Staff Professional Practice Day (student free)
- Wednesday 22 November — Year 7 2024 Flying Solo (4.00pm)
- Tuesday 28 November — Family Service of Carols (6.00pm)
- 21-30 November — 2024 Academic Foundation Program (for 2024 Year 8-12 students)
- Wednesday 29 November — Year 11 Academic Awards in Centennial Hall (9.00am).
- Thursday 30 November — Year 10 Academic Awards (9.00am) and Year 9 Academic Awards (11.09am) in Centennial Hall. NB: this is the final day of the academic year for Year 9, 10 and 11 students
- Friday 1 December — Year 7 Academic Awards (9.00am) and Year 8 Academic Awards (11.09am) in Centennial Hall. NB: this is the final day of the academic year for Year 7 and 8 students
- Tuesday 5 December — Orientation Day for 2024 Year 7 students.
(2) Finance news
All families should have received the 2024 Fees Letter via Compass. Please find a copy of this letter and our Schedule of Fees and Payments for 2024 below:
College Fee Information
College fee statements are prepared in mid-January each year. A text message will be sent to the first person listed on your College fee account. Eg: If your account is in both Mr & Mrs name, Mr will receive the text message.
Your statement will be uploaded onto the Parent Portal for you to view and print if required. The Parent Portal is located on our College website under the ‘Portals’ tab, along the top of the page.
Your statement will advise you if you have chosen an automatic payment deduction method. Please refer to the frequency amount listed on your statement for the amount that will be deducted on the due dates.
Please click HERE or below to view our 2024 Schedule of Fees.
If you are not on an automatic payment deduction plan, you are required to pay each terms fee by the quarterly due date. A text message will be sent notifying parents of the due date for quarterly tuition fee payments. Please refer to your initial College fee statement uploaded onto the Parent Portal in January for the quarterly amounts due.
Payments can be set up via regular BPay payments (your BPay details appear on your College fee statement and is only to be used for College fee payments). You can also make payments on the Parent Portal securely via credit card or alternatively you can come into the Finance Office to pay via EFT.
Please note that we are phasing out accepting personal cheques due to the high cost of processing them through the bank. For security reasons we also prefer not to accept large cash payments. Please contact Finance for our Banking details to direct deposit your payment as you will require a reference number to ensure the payment is allocated to the correct account.
Phone inquiries — please contact the Finance Offic at 9237 1315. Alternatively, you can contact Mrs Cathy Pote (Assistant Business Manager) 9739 2209 or Mr Dean de Munk (Business Manager) 9237 1314. Finance email: fees@mlmc.vic.edu.au
(3) SRC 2024
Mount Lilydale Mercy College is committed to giving students a real voice in the decisions that affect them. That's why we have a variety of student leadership teams, including the Student Representative Council (SRC).
The SRC is a group of elected students who represent the student body to the College staff leadership team. They work to promote student participation and voice, and to advocate for student interests. The SRC is also responsible for organising and running a variety of student events and activities.
The College is excited to announce that applications for SRC positions in 2024 are now open! Students from all year levels are encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for an SRC position, you must:
- be committed to promoting student participation and voice
- be able to work effectively as part of a team.
Why join the SRC?
There are many benefits to joining the SRC. As an SRC member, you will have the opportunity to:
- represent the student body to the College staff leadership team
- advocate for student interests
- help to organise and run a variety of student events and activities
- develop leadership skills
- make a real difference in the College community.
We encourage all students to apply for an SRC position. It's a great way to get involved in your College community and to make a real difference.
How to apply for an SRC position
If your child is interested in applying for an SRC position, have them visit their Year Level Google Classroom for more information and to download an application form. Applications close soon.
(4) Summer uniform
Next Wednesday (11 November) marks the official changeover from winter to summer uniform. Please check dress lengths this weekend to ensure uniforms fit according to the uniform guidelines.
A reminder that blazers or sports jackets (if it is a sports day) are to be worn to and from school as the outer garment. On hot days, an announcement will be made that blazers/sports jackets do not need to be worn home in the afternoon. Students should take their blazer/sports jacket home so that they can be worn the next morning.
(5) Exams and reports draw near
As the end of the academic year is just beyond the horizon, some students are faced with increasing pressure from deadlines, tests, and exams. It is therefore more important than ever for parents to spend time with their children to see if they need assistance managing their study time and meeting deadlines.
I would recommend you find some time to:
- talk to your child about their workload. What deadlines do they have coming up? What tests and exams do they have scheduled? Once you have a good understanding of their workload, you can help them develop a plan to manage their time effectively
- help your child create a study schedule. This schedule should include time for each of their subjects, as well as time for breaks and extracurricular activities. It is important to be realistic when creating the schedule, and to make sure that your child has enough time to complete all of their work
- monitor your child's progress. Talk to them regularly about how they are doing with their studies. If they are struggling to keep up, offer to help them develop a plan to get back on track
- don't be afraid to reach out to the teacher. If you are concerned about your child's progress, send an email to their subject teacher. The teacher can provide you with additional resources and support, and can also help you to develop a plan for your child.
By being proactive now you can help:
- reduce stress and anxiety. Students who are organised and have a plan for their studies are less likely to feel stressed and anxious
- students who manage their time effectively are more likely to complete their assignments on time and to perform well on tests and exams
- students who are successful in school are more likely to feel confident in their abilities.
If you discover that your child is struggling to manage their study time or meet deadlines, don't hesitate to reach out to their subject teacher. A quick email may go a long way in resolving the situation before it becomes an issue that is more difficult to resolve.
(6) Parking around the College
Parents and guardians please be reminded that there are times of ‘no parking’ in some streets surrounding the College during drop-off and pick-up times.
We have recently noticed traffic wardens have been out and about issuing fines to those who infringe on these restrictions. To avoid being fined, please be sure to park in a designated area during drop-off and pick-up times.
(7) International Study Tour
Expressions of interest are now being sought for an International Study Tour in September 2024. Read more about it HERE.
(8) Bus change
The College has been notified by the bus company that there will be some changes to the Z24 bus service in 2024. Parents/guardians of students who catch the Z24 bus are being asked to please fill out the Google form below and the College will be in contact with you with further information.
(9) Uniform Shop
The Bob Stewart Uniform Shop in Croydon is now taking appointments as families prepare for the 2024 academic year. Please see the flyer below for details. Parents and students are also welcome to attend the store without an appointment.
Please note that there is a new sports jacket which will be available for sale from December. There will be a three-year transition period for our current sports jacket.
(10) Instrumental Music scholarships
Mrs Sharon Flint
Music department Secretary
MLMC is now officially open to take all 2024 Instrumental Music Scholarship audition applications. The Music department encourages any student in Years 7 to Year 11 interested in learning an instrument and currently enrolled at MLMC to apply for a 2024 Instrumental Music Scholarship. Students do not need have to been enrolled into the 2023 Instrumental Music program to apply.
Parents/guardians must email me at sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au to receive a shared Google form to apply. This application form must be filled in online along with attaching two (2) contrast music pieces. Once the application form is complete, it should be uploaded and sent to me by 4.00pm Wednesday 22 November 2023. No face-to-face auditions will be held. All applicants will be informed by mid-December 2023 whether they are successful or not in receiving a 2024 Instrumental Music Scholarship. The Music department wishes our students all the best of luck with their auditions.
