Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community
Spring has come and gone and summer this week has celebrated its arrival as we start to see some beautiful warm weather and, like me, I am sure that you welcome it. Summer is a very special family time and in these past few weeks we have seen a number of College events, each significant and special within its own right.
These last three years have been difficult and to deny their impact would be to deny their significance and the work of so many to ensure we remain an open, caring, hospitable and welcoming community. These past three years of COVID-19 lockdowns prolonged absences of both staff and students due to COVID-19 and a virulent strain of influenza have indeed been difficult. Getting through this has been a testament to the resilience and dedication of all involved in our College. In many ways it is these past three years that have made these past few weeks very special.
Firstly, on Friday 25 November, the senior class — the Graduating Class of 2022 — trekked into the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to celebrate together by way of their normal Graduation ceremony. It was a delight to attend this event and celebrate with this very special group of young adults, who presented and graduated with esteem. It was a delight to return to the hospitality and facilities of the Convention Centre, whose venue allowed a very special ceremonial passing out for our young adults. We can all be proud of each and every one of them. I am sure that the world will be impacted and benefit from their talent and commitment to bettering the environment for all who walk this earth. I hope to see many of this cohort back in the very near future as Old Collegians and I further look forward to stories of their successes and the detail of the milestones that impact their lives.
This past week we have also seen the whole College undertake the AFP (Academic Foundation Program), whereby each year level has transitioned and stepped up to begin the work of 2023. This, too, is special as it both prepares and acknowledges growth and that with each ending there is a new beginning and new opportunity. Each student is given the opportunity to celebrate their successes from the current year and to realign their future growth based on their intended goals. This is highlighted through the Awards Ceremonies at each year level, and it has been great to see so many parents and families attending these.
It was a joy to again hold a whole College Swimming Carnival on Tuesday, which we have been unable to do for about 10 years as there are few facilities within our vicinity that will allow a whole College event. This carnival, too, is one of those occasions that builds House spirit and allows our staff and students to interact and build relationships in different ways.
With the end of the year approaching it is appropriate to recognise that a number of staff will be leaving us, some of whom after a significant period of their lives working to benefit our students. We thank them for their contributions:
- Miss Carrie Baker
- Mr Jaimin Hudson
- Mr Daniel Kelly
- Miss Emily Attardi
- Mr Louis Papadimitriou
- Dr Andrea Roberts-Davison
- Miss Emma Whitehouse
- Mrs Georgie Rhodes
- Mr Stuart Thornhill
- Ms Glenda Tobias
- Mrs Kirsten White
- Mr Victor Miles
- Mr Danny Katzen
- Ms Anna Napoli (Psychologist)
- Mr Kane Ord (Youth Worker).
While most of these teaching staff are moving from our College to other and new opportunities for growth or for relocation reasons; it is appropriate to highlight two staff in Mr Katzen and Mr Miles, who each retire from teaching and MLMC. Both men have provided dedicated and undeniable service. They will be missed.
Finally, I thank each and every member of the MLMC community for the support shown to the College over this year and I wish each of you a happy, Holy and peaceful family Christmas that is joyful in every way and full of the gift of God’s love and life.
In the Spirit of Catherine,
God bless and Merry Christmas
Philip A Morison
